Newser Story Index from December, 2007
Welcome to the Newser Story Index. Here you find stories written by Newser writers and editors, assembled with supporting photos and videos from the files of the news story.
Iran's Prez Under Fire for Rising Inflation
Associated Press
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Dec 27, 2007 7:35 PM CST
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Skyrocketing inflation in Iran is sparking criticism of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad—even from within his own conservative party, the AP reports. Prices for food and homes have surged in recent months. Ahmadinejad, who ran in 2005 on promises to use oil revenue to boost the economy, blames his predecessors for the country's economic woes. The...
US Population Reaches 303.2M
Reuters
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Dec 27, 2007 6:54 PM CST
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The US population will be 303.2 million on New Year's Day, the Census Bureau says, a 0.9% increase from last year. The nation is projected to add one person every 13 seconds in the new year—a birth every 8 seconds, a death every 11 seconds, and one migrant's arrival every 30 seconds, Reuters reports.
U. Washington Students Push for Bruce Lee Memorial
Los Angeles Times
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Dec 27, 2007 6:27 PM CST
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University of Washington students are petitioning for the right to build a statue of Bruce Lee, the film icon who studied at the university for three years and offered martial arts classes at the student union. Students argue the statue would be step toward better artistic representation of the school's student body, 25% of which is Asian.
Give Rescue Workers a Break: Just Add ICE
Houston Chronicle
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Dec 27, 2007 5:53 PM CST
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The practice of putting the letters ICE—short for "in case of emergency"—in front of a person's name in a cell phone seems to be catching on. The idea is to help paramedics or other emergency personnel zip through the phone and find the right person to call, the Houston Chronicle reports.
'Christmas Punch-up' Rocks South Pole
Guardian (UK)
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Dec 27, 2007 5:28 PM CST
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The North Pole is usually abuzz with activity this time of year, but the South Pole was rocked by a "drunken Christmas punch-up," between two men in a remote research station at the bottom of the world. The Guardian reports both men—one with a broken jaw—were airlifted out when US Antarctic headquarters found out about the...
Photographer Recalls Bhutto's Final Moments
CNN
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Dec 27, 2007 4:53 PM CST
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In the final moments before she was assassinated, Benazir Bhutto waved to supporters from the sunroof of her vehicle and was "clearly in her element," photographer John Moore, who snapped the last photos of Bhutto, tells CNN. In a crowd of 5,000 to 8,000, "she just wanted to get close to the people, and obviously whoever was after her—they...
Tax Fix Will Delay Millions of Refunds
Associated Press
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Dec 27, 2007 4:53 PM CST
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The 11th-hour freeze in the alternative minimum tax by Congress last week will delay refund checks for millions of taxpayers this year, the AP reports. Congress shielded middle-class taxpayers from a higher tax bill with its move, but the late date means the IRS won't be able to start processing AMT forms until February.
Italian Syndicate Quietly Rules Europe's Cocaine Trade
Los Angeles Times
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Dec 27, 2007 4:44 PM CST
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Europe is gaining a foothold in the world’s cocaine trade, elbowing out the US as the largest market thanks to the bravado of one Italian crime syndicate. The ‘Ndrangheta mafia, based in the hills of southern Italy, has won prominence by dealing directly with Colombian kingpins and shunning the spotlight, the LA Times reports. The syndicate...
Daughter, Beau Arrested in Christmas Eve Family Killings
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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Dec 27, 2007 4:22 PM CST
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Police have arrested a 29-year-old woman and her boyfriend in the gruesome Christmas Eve shootings of six members of her family in rural Washington, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. The couple is being held on suspicion of murdering the woman's parents, her brother, his wife, and their 6- and 3-year old children. The six were found yesterday.
Let Retired Chief Illiniwek Rest in Peace
Chicago Tribune
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Dec 27, 2007 4:20 PM CST
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The NCAA leaned on the University of Illinois to replace its "hostile and abusive" Native American mascot, Chief Illiniwek, back in February, and the Chief no longer dances on the Illini's fields and courts. But his story is far from over, writes Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune. Chief support groups linger, and some have serious agendas.
Blogging Catches On as Marketing Tool
New York Times
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Dec 27, 2007 4:18 PM CST
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Blogging is finding a niche as a marketing tool for small business owners, who like its low cost and potentially high returns. Only 5% of small business have blogs, the New York Times reports, and while many more could benefit from them, a company has to be sure of the blog’s purpose and match the content to its business model.
Sutton Takes Over at USF
San Francisco Chronicle
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Dec 27, 2007 4:15 PM CST
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Without any familiarity with the program, college hoops legend Eddie Sutton has been tapped to coach the struggling University of San Francisco Dons. Predecessor Jessie Evans is on an unexplained leave of absence. Sutton, who has 798 career wins and is openly seeking number 800, says his alcohol problems are behind him, reports the San Francisco Chronicle...
Bhutto Killing: US Hopefuls React, Adjust
Wall Street Journal
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Dec 27, 2007 4:04 PM CST
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On the campaign trail today, would-be presidents reacted to the murder of Benazir Bhutto by shifting tone and focusing on their foreign policy bona fides. In Iowa, Hillary Clinton talked about her friendship with Bhutto, which spanned the dozen years since she stood on line with Chelsea to meet the first female leader of the Muslim world. Joe Biden...
Bad News Brings Out the Bears
MarketWatch
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Dec 27, 2007 3:59 PM CST
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The markets suffered steep losses today following the one-two punch of bad news from Pakistan and the Commerce Department. In the wake of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination and a disappointing durable goods report, the Dow fell 192.08, the largest drop in a week, to 13,359.61, while the Nasdaq plummeted 47.62 to 2,676.79 and the S&P 500 fell...
UK Doctor Cooks Up Migraine Cure
Independent (UK)
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Dec 27, 2007 3:50 PM CST
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A British doctor's hunch about migraines shows early promise in bringing an end to the misery of the painful headaches, the Independent reports. Five patients were treated with a drug used for blood clots, which worked "spectacularly well," says cardiologist John Chambers. Now he's studying group of 280 to see whether the results hold up.
Tough Call: Book Says Bell Ripped Off Rival
MSNBC
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Dec 27, 2007 3:34 PM CST
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Telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell ripped off the idea from his rival Elisha Gray, a new book claims. In The Telephone Gambit: Chasing Alexander Graham Bell's Secre t, journalist Seth Shulman uncovers evidence that Bell took a sneak peek at Gray's patent documents with the help of his lawyers and a corrupt patent examiner, MSNBC reports.
Online TV Ads More Effective
Ars Technica
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Dec 27, 2007 3:33 PM CST
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Online video advertising is dramatically more effective than conventional TV commercials, a new study finds. Individuals viewing television shows online were found to be 47% more engaged by advertising than other viewers were by commercials during traditional broadcasts, and 25% more engaged by the programming itself, Ars Technica reports.
Syrian Expats Return Home Seeking Fortune
Christian Science Monitor
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Dec 27, 2007 3:16 PM CST
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Many Syrians who long ago moved to the US are returning to their homeland to pursue business opportunities. New laws are loosening regulations on private investment and foreign exchange, creating lucrative targets for people with available funds and previous experience with Syria's bureaucracy. The Christian Science Monitor looks at an economy emerging...
'US Americans' Love Videos
ABC News
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Dec 27, 2007 2:54 PM CST
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With small-screen stars ranging from ditzy beauty queens to potty-mouthed pint-sized landlords, Americans increasingly gathered around the YouTube watercooler in 2007. They racked up 100 billion views on various video sites, ABC News reports. Cultural commentators liken the phenomenon to cavemen swapping tall tales around campfires, but 78% of us do...
Fukuda in China to Thaw Frosty Relations
Bloomberg
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Dec 27, 2007 2:40 PM CST
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Yasuo Fukuda is in Beijing, where the Japanese PM is hoping to solidify improved relations between two countries with a troubled past. In contrast to his two predecessors, Fukuda is a pro-Asian leader; as he reminds his Chinese hosts, his own father brought in the Japan-China peace treaty 29 years ago, Bloomberg reports.
Giants Have Eyes on Prize in Pats Game
New York Post
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Dec 27, 2007 2:25 PM CST
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Though a fixed playoff picture seemingly gives the Giants nothing to play for in Saturday's game against the unbeaten Patriots, New York wouldn't mind playing the spoiler. “No one in here is screaming ‘Let's rest!' I can tell you that," running back Brandon Jacobs tells the New York Post.
Amazon Gets Funky With Warner Music
Digital Trends
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Dec 27, 2007 2:21 PM CST
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Amazon’s burgeoning mp3 service landed another big fish today, adding Warner Music’s catalog to its online store. The Amazon shop aims to compete with Apple’s iTunes, selling songs for 89 cents as opposed to Apple’s 99 cents and without digital rights management software that makes sharing songs difficult and limits which players...
Judge Scolds Connery Over Neighbor Feud
New York Post
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Dec 27, 2007 2:16 PM CST
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After 10 lawsuits that have yielded nothing besides smoldering rage, a Manhattan judge chastised Sean Connery and his nemesis-neighbor Burton Sultan, calling on the two to end their feud over alleged damages to the townhouse they share. Justice Marcy Friedman singled out Connery and his family for their "blunderbuss" courtroom antics, the...
Israel Won't Freeze Settlement Activity
Reuters
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Dec 27, 2007 2:04 PM CST
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Israel-Palestine negotiations hit a stumbling block today as Israeli PM Ehud Olmert rejected Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas' call for an end to all settlement activity, Reuters reports. The impasse has been exacerbated by Israel's announcement of new plans to construct hundreds of houses near East Jerusalem, the proposed site of Palestine's future...
Bhutto Killing: Deadly Blow to Pakistan Stability
BBC
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Dec 27, 2007 1:51 PM CST
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The assassination of Benazir Bhutto deals a devastating setback to hopes for political stability in Pakistan. The death today of the nation's most charismatic opposition leader is likely to trigger an outpouring of anti-government sentiment, political analysts tell the Wall Street Journal, and force postponement of next month's scheduled elections....
Cheerleader, MSG Settle Harassment Suit
New York Daily News
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Dec 27, 2007 1:40 PM CST
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Madison Square Garden, perhaps having learned from the costly and disastrous harassment case brought by an ex-Knicks exec, yesterday settled a suit by the former captain of the Rangers City Skaters. The ex-cheerleader accused Garden brass of condoning an inappropriate working atmosphere and firing her for turning down a threesome, reports the Daily...
New Approach Targets Tough Parasitic Illness
Reuters
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Dec 27, 2007 1:15 PM CST
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A new way to test for Chagas disease offers hope for combating the insect-borne ailment, which can otherwise go unnoticed for years, Reuters reports. The new method involves screening children in small areas where exterminators find the most disease-carrying bugs instead of having to test bigger populations. The disease infects 11 million people each...
Hillary Haters Just Don't Like Her
GQ
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Dec 27, 2007 12:49 PM CST
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With a week to go before the Iowa caucuses, GQ looks at a subculture that hasn't gone away: the "Hillary Haters," a loose-knit collection of virulently anti-Clinton activists who can't wait to swiftboat her presidential bid. What unifies those who can't bear the thought of a Madam President and are raising millions to stop her? Little to...
Is the Worst Over for the Dollar?
Bloomberg
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Dec 27, 2007 12:30 PM CST
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After a year that saw the dollar slip to record lows against the euro and its weakest position in decades, the worst might be over for the beleaguered greenback. A survey of 42 strategists by Bloomberg found nearly unanimous consensus that the dollar is set for a gain, with a median prediction of a 3.5% rise against the euro, to $1.40, in 2008.
Death Toll in Indonesia Flooding May Top 120
Reuters
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Dec 27, 2007 12:23 PM CST
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More than 120 Indonesians are dead or missing after yesterday's landslides and floods, and thousands more are homeless, Reuters reports. A rescue team searched for bodies under yards of mud on steep hills and pulled out 12 with “spades and plows,” said a policeman. Many survivors are living in makeshift shelters in offices, schools, and...
Bush Condemns Bhutto Killers
Associated Press
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Dec 27, 2007 12:15 PM CST
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President Bush today called for action against the killers of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. “The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan’s democracy,” Bush said at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. The US had strenuously promoted Bhutto's return to Pakistan...
Afghanistan Deports EU, UN Diplomats
Reuters
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Dec 27, 2007 11:50 AM CST
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Two veteran diplomats left Afghanistan today after failing to refute accusations that they’d met with the Taliban, Reuters reports. A UN spokesman said the men were only “speaking to people on the ground,” and would return, but Afghan officials were resolute about barring the EU and UN reps. "They had met with leaders of suicide...
Bhutto Killing: Who Did It?
Guardian (UK)
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Dec 27, 2007 11:45 AM CST
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There are no official suspects in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto at a political rally today, but suspicion centers on Taliban and al Qaeda-linked militants who made death threats against her in recent months, targeting her as pro-American. Bhutto aides are already faulting Pakistan's military establishment for not providing adequate security...
Contemporary Art Scores for Auction Houses
Bloomberg
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Dec 27, 2007 11:39 AM CST
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Contemporary art has been very good to Sotheby’s, fueling a 46% boost in sales for the world’s second-largest auctioneer this year over last, Bloomberg says. A crop of new collectors from the US, Russia and Asia brought new records for artists like Francis Bacon and Jeff Koons, for a total take of $5.33 billion. But some dealers fear the...
Zoo: Killer Tiger Was Provoked
San Francisco Chronicle
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Dec 27, 2007 11:18 AM CST
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The victims of the Christmas Day tiger mauling may have tried to climb into the animal’s enclosure, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Police have found a shoe and blood near the cage moat, and a footprint on the fence. “Somebody really agitated her and gave her some method to break out,” the zoo’s director said of Tatiana,...
Durable Goods Numbers Disappoint; Businesses Fret
Bloomberg
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Dec 27, 2007 11:07 AM CST
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Durable good sales rose just 0.1% in November, a lower-than-expected bump after October’s 0.4% drop, Bloomberg reports. Analysts had forecast a 3% rise. Take out transportation, including stellar airline sales, and sales fell 0.7%. It’s another sign the economy is slowing down and businesses are being cautious, economists said. One...
Iraq Moves Toward Amnesty
BBC
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Dec 27, 2007 10:52 AM CST
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The Iraqi cabinet has framed an amnesty law that would release tens of thousands of suspected insurgents being held without charges. The amnesty, the result of months of negotiation, now goes to the parliament, which will begin debating it Sunday, the BBC reports. The number of prisoners held, estimated at 50,000, has soared since the US troop surge...
Russia Completes GPS Rival
Reuters
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Dec 27, 2007 10:31 AM CST
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Russia launched three additional satellites for its GLONASS positioning system today, Reuters reports. The Russian positioning system is similar to the American GPS network, and currently consists of 18 satellites operated by the country's military. GLONASS already provides ground coverage for most of Russia itself, and is expected to expand to 24...
Goldman Sees Bigger Losses for Big Banks
Wall Street Journal
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Dec 27, 2007 10:24 AM CST
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Goldman Sachs has some bad news for Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, and JPMorgan Chase: An analyst predicts even bigger fourth-quarter writedowns for all three firms than they've already cottoned to, thanks to continued exposure to collateralized debt. The losses will be “significantly larger than investors are anticipating.” How large is that?...
Bhutto Killing: End to Volatile, Risky Career
BBC
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Dec 27, 2007 10:14 AM CST
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Benazir Bhutto's assassination today ended a volatile political career that saw her transformed from one of the world's most powerful women to persona non grata and back again. Obituaries detail her reluctant entry into politics after the execution of her father, PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The 54-year-old joined him and her two brothers as victims of...
Google Reader Sparks Users' Anger Over Privacy
San Jose Mercury News
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Dec 27, 2007 9:57 AM CST
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A new Google Reader feature that centralizes a user’s favorite blog and web updates is causing an uproar, reports the San Jose Mercury News . Quietly introduced Dec. 14, the feature makes articles marked "shared" visible to all of a user’s contacts—including anyone they’ve ever spoken a word to over Google Talk.
Huckabee Hasn't Put Down the Mic
Politico
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Dec 27, 2007 9:40 AM CST
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As the presidential race heats up, candidates from both parties have backed off their lucrative speaking engagements, but not Mike Huckabee, the Politico says. The pastor-turned-frontrunner has been making the rounds at universities, charging $25,000 per speech. “If I don’t work, I don’t eat,” Huckabee said, insisting he enjoys...
Spider-Man's Mission: Save UN
Financial Times (UK)
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Dec 27, 2007 9:17 AM CST
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Battered by the oil-for-food scandal and accused of inaction and inefficiency, the United Nations is looking to an unusual ally for help improving its image: Spider-Man. In a novel collaboration, the international body has enlisted Marvel Comics to produce a one-off comic book that will see its cast of superheroes team up with blue-helmeted peacekeepers...
United Woes Pile Up 3 Days After Storm
Chicago Tribune
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Dec 27, 2007 9:06 AM CST
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United Airlines cancellations yesterday continued to pile up for a third straight day, as the world's second biggest carrier blamed a Sunday storm that slammed its Chicago hub and a shortage of pilots. But the pilots' union pointed the finger at staffing cuts, saying, "The weather wouldn't have mattered if they had enough people," reports...
Volvo Recalls 125,000 Trucks in US for Fire Threat
Reuters
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Dec 27, 2007 8:44 AM CST
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Volvo is pulling 125,000 trucks in North America into the shop to fix an electrical fault that could cause fires, reports the AP. Volvo VN and VT tractors and its VHD dump trucks built since 2003 are being recalled. Volvo in 2006 recalled 42,000 VN and VHD models for a fire hazard involving their inlet pipes.
Russian Liberal Stands Down
Washington Post
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Dec 27, 2007 8:30 AM CST
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Another candidate has dropped out of the race for the Russian presidency, complaining of dirty tricks, the Washington Post reports. Boris Nemtsov, leader of a mainstream liberal party, said the uneven playing field was turning the contest into a farce. He accused the Kremlin of using "Goebbels-like propaganda, force and bureaucratic pressures"...
Flu Shot May Help Fight Off Bird Flu: Study
Reuters
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Dec 27, 2007 8:02 AM CST
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A regular flu shot may offer at least some protection against the bird flu, a new study finds. Researchers tested the blood of 42 volunteers who'd recently gotten flu vaccines, exposing it to the deadly H5N1 avian flu, and found that in some of them, the immune system recognized the threat and responded with appropriate antibodies, Reuters reports.
Thais Will Bust Exiled PM if He Returns
AFP
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Dec 27, 2007 7:50 AM CST
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As his allies get set to wrest the reins of government from the military, Thailand's exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been warned that he will face arrest if he returns home. Arrest warrants for Thaksin and his wife on charges of fraud and corruption are still outstanding, according to the office of Thailand's attorney general. Thaksin...
Student Lender Sallie Mae Plans $2.5B Stock Sale
Wall Street Journal
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Dec 27, 2007 7:37 AM CST
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With a credit rating bordering on junk-bond status, embattled student loan provider Sallie Mae plans a public stock offering to raise $2.5 billion, reports the Wall Street Journal . The company will use $2 billion to buy back its own stock futures, which have lost value recently following a failed attempt to take the company private.
Benazir Bhutto Killed in Attack on Rally
Washington Post
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Dec 27, 2007 7:13 AM CST
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Benazir Bhutto died in surgery today after an explosion at a rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The suicide attacker detonated a bomb as the former prime minister left the rally where thousands were gathered to hear her speak. "She has been martyred," said a spokesman for Bhutto's party. The interior ministry confirmed Bhutto's death, but the...
