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.
Gunbattle at Pakistan Political Rally
Associated Press
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Dec 27, 2007 6:41 AM CST
(Newser) -
A gunbattle erupted at a political rally near Islamabad today between supporters of President Pervez Musharraf and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, leaving four dead and three wounded. The shooting was the worst violence so far in the run-up to January's parliamentary election. Sharif was only a mile away when pro-government supporters opened fire...
Killer Tiger's Escape a Mystery
San Francisco Chronicle
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Dec 27, 2007 6:19 AM CST
(Newser) -
The San Francisco Zoo remained shuttered today as investigators and grieving family alike struggled to understand how a Siberian tiger was able to escape her cage and maul 17-year-old Carlos Souza to death. "This is very rough on us," said an uncle. "He was a great kid." Police have opened a criminal investigation to determine...
Apple Seals Online DVD Rental Deal With Fox
Financial Times (UK)
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Dec 27, 2007 5:40 AM CST
(Newser) -
In a groundbreaking deal 20th Century Fox will offer its new DVD releases as downloadable rentals on Apple's iTunes Store, the Financial Times reports. New Fox DVD releases will also come with special iTunes-compatible versions of the film that can be easily ripped from the disc. Fox will join Disney as the only other studio offering new releases...
Parker, Spurs Beat Up on Struggling Bulls
Associated Press
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Dec 27, 2007 5:34 AM CST
(Newser) -
The spurs dominated the Bulls 94-79 last night, AP reports. Tony Parker nailed 28 points, and Michael Finley had 15 for San Antonio. Joe Smith had 19 points and Ben Gordon grabbed 18 for Chicago in their first loss under interim coach Pete Myers, and the fourth in their last five games. In other NBA action:
Hostages Could Be Free in Hours: Chávez
CNN
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Dec 27, 2007 5:30 AM CST
(Newser) -
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said today that three of the hostages being held by the Colombian rebel group FARC could be freed within hours. Chávez has received permission from the Colombian government to enter its airspace and retrieve the captives. The captives who might be freed will not include the high-profile Ingrid Betancourt,...
Rule Threatens Retiree Health Benefits
New York Times
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Dec 27, 2007 5:00 AM CST
(Newser) -
A new policy will let employers cut or drop medical benefits for retirees once they pass the age of 65 and qualify for Medicare. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has created a specific exemption from age discrimination rules that will allow employers to create two classes of retirees with different benefits, the New York Times reports.
Paris Burned: Hilton Billions Pledged to Charity
Los Angeles Times
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Dec 27, 2007 4:41 AM CST
(Newser) -
The woman who made "hotel heiress" synonymous with sex tapes and partying won't be inheriting the hotel fortune: Paris Hilton's 80-year-old grandfather, hotel magnate Barron Hilton, will give 97% of his $2.3 billion fortune to the Conrad Hilton Foundation, reports the Los Angeles Times . In doing so, Barron follows in the footsteps of his...
NRA Sues for Guns Seized After Katrina
Associated Press
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Dec 27, 2007 4:25 AM CST
(Newser) -
The National Rifle Association has filed a federal lawsuit to recover hundreds of guns seized from New Orleans residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, AP reports. The suit claims that residents were left "at the mercy of roving gangs, home invaders and other criminals" because they lost their weapons. Police say they only confiscated...
'Stacy's in a Graveyard'
Chicago Tribune
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Dec 27, 2007 4:05 AM CST
(Newser) -
Suburban Chicago neighbors of the former cop suspected in the mysterious disappearance of his wife Stacy Peterson received chilling notes in their mailboxes yesterday saying that the young mom is in a graveyard. One neighbor also found dozens of photos of grave sites scattered in her yard, reports the Chicago Tribune .
Protect or Prevent? Iraq Tanks Raise Heavy Issues
Los Angeles Times
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Dec 27, 2007 3:40 AM CST
(Newser) -
A new heavily armored vehicle will better protect US soldiers in Iraq from roadside bombs, but possibly at the risk of jeopardizing the overall counter-insurgency strategy, the Los Angeles Times reports. The new equipment has ignited debate over whether it is better to protect soldiers from attack, or stop the attacks from happening in the first...
Painter, Purdue Beat Central Michigan to Win Motor City Bowl
Associated Press
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Dec 27, 2007 3:21 AM CST
(Newser) -
Chris Summers’ 40-yard field goal with no time remaining gave Purdue a 51-48 victory over Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl. Boilermaker quarterback Curtis Painter set a school record with 546 passing yards. Purdue had a 21-point lead three times throughout the game but needed all 60 minutes to hold off the tenacious Chippewas, reports...
North Korea Still Balking Over Nuke Shutdown
Reuters
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Dec 27, 2007 3:17 AM CST
(Newser) -
North Korea is still dragging its feet in disabling its nuclear program, Reuters reports. The slowdown, which began last week, is due to delays in delivery of energy aid promised to North Korea as part of a deal reached earlier this year, authorities said. "We have no choice but to take measures to adjust," said a Pyongyang official, referring...
Celtics Trounce Kings
Associated Press
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Dec 27, 2007 2:55 AM CST
(Newser) -
Despite allowing a breakout second quarter lead to slip away with an offensively lackluster third, Boston roared back in the fourth, crushing Sacramento 89-69 last night, AP reports. Ray Allen led the big three with 17 points, and Paul Pierce had 16, 14 of which came in the second. The victory marks Boston's 12th in their last 13 games.
Pistons Find Touch, Win Sixth Straight
Associated Press
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Dec 27, 2007 2:34 AM CST
(Newser) -
Detroit's near-65% shooting after halftime carried it to an 18-point victory over New Jersey, reports AP. Richard Hamilton scored 22 points for the Pistons who were also lifted by 17 points and 10 assists from Chauncey Billups. An 11-0 run in the third sealed it. Jason Kidd had 13 assists for New Jersey but missed all 8 of his shots.
Osgood, Wings Blank Blues 5-0
Associated Press
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Dec 26, 2007 11:37 PM CST
(Newser) -
Chris Osgood only needed to stop 20 shots to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues. The Detroit defense helped Osgood record his 45th career shutout by limiting St. Louis to just one shot during a 5-on-3 St. Louis power play in the second period. The win improves Osgood’s record to 16-2-1, reports the AP.
Big Third, Paul's 40 Surge Hornets Past Grizzlies
Associated Press
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Dec 26, 2007 11:35 PM CST
(Newser) -
What was a close game became a rout, as the Hornets went on a tear in the third quarter en route to a 116-98 victory over Memphis, the AP reports. Chris Paul had 16 points in that pivotal quarter, and finished with 40, the second best total of his career. The game marked a third straight win for the Hornets.
Magic Get Back on Track With Help of Knicks
Orlando Sentinel
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Dec 26, 2007 10:50 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Magic snapped a four-game home losing streak with a 110-96 win over the miserable Knicks. Orlando trailed early but pulled away with a 20-6 run to start the fourth quarter. New York fell to a conference-worst 1-11 on the road and 8-20 overall. Rashard Lewis had 25 points and six rebounds for the Magic, reports the Orlando Sentinel . Elsewhere...
Senators Stymie Sabres 5-3
Associated Press
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Dec 26, 2007 10:39 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Ottawa Senators improved their conference-best record to 24-8-4 with a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Ottawa goaltender Martin Gerber was shaken up just four minutes into the game after taking a Tim Connolly slap shot to the mask, but was able to continue and compiled 29 saves to lead the Senators to victory, according to the AP.
Jagr, Rangers Rough Up Hurricanes
Associated Press
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Dec 26, 2007 10:25 PM CST
(Newser) -
Jaromir Jagr scored his first goal in 11 games and veteran Brendan Shanahan had two assists, as New York defeated Carolina in a game that saw a little of everything, including a game misconduct to Rangers tough guy Colton Orr for an illegal hit that injured Carolina's Matt Cullen. The Rangers rallied with three goals in the third period. Elsewhere:
New Cisco Unit First Based Abroad
Financial Times (UK)
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Dec 26, 2007 10:10 PM CST
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Dozens of new cities are to be built in China, India, and the Middle East in the coming decade and Cisco Systems wants to network them top-to-bottom, the Financial Times reports. The networking equipment giant is setting up a new business center in Bangalore, India, as part of its push to expand in the developing world.
Cheating Is No Longer Child's Play
Boston Globe
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Dec 26, 2007 8:24 PM CST
(Newser) -
Crib sheets have gone high-tech, the Boston Globe reports, as legions of job seekers from would-be medical technicians to school bus drivers resort to the Web for a leg-up in passing professional qualifying exams. The result is a booming black market for “braindumps,” or exam answers. Some are individuals who auction test answers on sites...
Yellow Card, Red Card, Warning Shots
Reuters
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Dec 26, 2007 8:03 PM CST
(Newser) -
Faced with an angry mob after he red-carded a soccer player, a Malaysian ref finally found an effective means of crowd control: He whipped out his gun,and fired a few rounds in the air. The part-time ref is also a cop, which might explain why he had a gun handy when several players rushed him, Reuters reports.
NJ to Require Prenatal HIV Testing
Associated Press
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Dec 26, 2007 7:31 PM CST
(Newser) -
Doctors in New Jersey will soon test all expecting mothers for HIV under a new law signed today. The test will become a routine part of prenatal care unless a woman specifically asks not to have one, the AP reports. Previously, doctors were required only to offer the test. Doctors also must test infants when the mother’s status is positive or...
Clemens Opens Own Probe, Plans to Talk
New York Times
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Dec 26, 2007 7:05 PM CST
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Calling the Mitchell Report "wrong," Roger Clemens' lawyers have begun their own investigation into claims that Clemens used steroids and HGH, the New York Times reports. The Rocket will field questions in an open session with the media on January 6—the night his 60 Minutes interview is set to air.
Breast Cancer Risk Seen for Latinos, Blacks
San Jose Mercury News
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Dec 26, 2007 6:40 PM CST
(Newser) -
A genetic mutation that increases the risk of breast cancer has been linked to Hispanic and young black women, according to a new study. The findings could lead to changes in screening, the San Jose Mercury News reports. In the survey of 3,181 women with breast cancer, 16.7% of black patients under 35 and 3.5% of Hispanic patients had the mutated...
Another NH Paper Slams Romney
Union Leader (NH)
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Dec 26, 2007 6:21 PM CST
(Newser) -
Hot on the heels of Sunday’s Concord Monitor “undorsement,” another New Hampshire newspaper has issued a blistering indictment of Mitt Romney. A Union-Leader editorial says Granite Staters are unconvinced by Romney’s “expertly rehearsed sales pitch,” because despite having “all the advantages: money, organization,...
More Bubbly? French Farmers Are in Uproar
New York Times
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Dec 26, 2007 6:08 PM CST
(Newser) -
Champagne drinkers may soon taste the fruits of of a French government initiative to welcome new farmers into the exclusive club of those allowed to call their sparkling white wines Champagne, with a capital C. As demand skyrockets, a list has been drawn up of 40 communities that might be annexed in the largest extension of Champagne country in 8 decades....
Patriots Game on National TV
Boston Herald
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Dec 26, 2007 5:56 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Patriots' pursuit of perfection will be on national TV after all. The NFL relented to widespread complaints today and announced that Saturday night's game will be broadcast on CBS and NBC along with the NFL Network, the Boston Herald reports. Original plans to air the game only on the latter network rankled fans who didn't want to miss a chance...
Venezuela To Pick Up Hostages in Colombia
Reuters
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Dec 26, 2007 5:48 PM CST
(Newser) -
Three hostages held for more than five years by Marxist guerrillas will soon go free after Colombia agreed today to a handover plan engineered by Hugo Chavez, Reuters reports. Venezuelan planes and helicopters will pick up Clara Rojas, a former vice presidential candidate kidnapped in 2002; the young son she had in captivity; and a former lawmaker.
'Miraculous' Crash Survivor Doing Well
CNN
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Dec 26, 2007 5:23 PM CST
(Newser) -
The sole survivor of a plane crash that killed a California businessman and his daughter in Panama is conscious and talking, CNN reports. Francesca Lewis, 13, who survived not only the crash but two days of frigid temperatures before being rescued, has a fractured arm but no life-threatening injuries. "So far things seem good—kind of miraculous,"...
Facebook Sneaks Up on BlackBerry Users
San Jose Mercury News
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Dec 26, 2007 5:03 PM CST
(Newser) -
BlackBerry owners may have noticed a new icon appearing on their devices in the past week: a link to Facebook. Some T-Mobile smartphones are getting the icons whether or not customers want them. Facebook spokespeople say users can still decide whether to download the software, but to privacy groups the unwanted icons spell intrusion, reports the...
Hundreds Call Maddy Hotline After Parents' Christmas Plea
Telegraph (UK)
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Dec 26, 2007 4:45 PM CST
(Newser) -
A hotline set up in the hunt for Madeleine McCann was flooded with 347 calls after her parents made a televised plea for information regarding the missing 4-year-old 's whereabouts. A private detective company hired by Gerry and Kate McCann, who both remain suspects in the case, will investigate the new tips, the Telegraph reports.
Hillary Was Adviser, Not Decider
New York Times
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Dec 26, 2007 4:33 PM CST
(Newser) -
Hillary Clinton spent her 8 years in the White House informally advising her husband and jetting around the world mediating social crises, the New York Times says, but the first lady had little direct experience with war or terrorism. She didn’t do “the heavy lifting of foreign policy,” snipes an ex-Clinton State Department official...
Slugger Hopes for Shortened Prison Term
Washington Post
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Dec 26, 2007 4:30 PM CST
(Newser) -
Now that the US Sentencing Commission has agreed to retroactively reduce prison terms for crack cocaine offenses, one of baseball's record-holders stands to benefit. Willie Mays Aikens, the only player to hit multiple homers in multiple games in the same World Series (playing for Kansas City in 1980), may have his 15-plus-year sentence commuted.
Bon Jovi: Political Power Broker
New York Times
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Dec 26, 2007 4:27 PM CST
(Newser) -
If you want to play in New Jersey politics, there’s one man you have to talk to: Jon Bon Jovi. He's a good friend of the Clintons and has held court with John Edwards and Al Gore. Barack Obama’s still hoping. State politicians rush to consult the rocker, the New York Times reports, creating an unlikely elder statesman.
Winningest Horse Trainer Dead at 72
Blood-Horse (Ky.)
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Dec 26, 2007 4:19 PM CST
(Newser) -
Dale Baird, the trainer with the most wins in the history of horse racing, died Sunday in a car accident at age 72. Baird racked up 9,445 wins—no other trainer even has 7,000—in a storied career at the West Virginia racetrack now known as Mountaineer. Despite his success, Baird remained a modest trainer who ran mostly claimers, reports...
Candidate Paul: Awkward But Authentic
New Republic
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Dec 26, 2007 4:09 PM CST
(Newser) -
Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul speaks tonelessly about such drab subjects as the constitutionality of the Federal Reserve, but people like him anyway, writes Tucker Carlson in the New Republic , perhaps because they see “authenticity.” The no-longer-bow-tied pundit returns from the campaign trail sure about one thing: "The...
Stocks Stall Amid Retail Woes
MarketWatch
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Dec 26, 2007 3:57 PM CST
(Newser) -
The markets nudged higher today despite poor holiday retail results and continued housing problems. Target predicted a possible 1% sales drop in December, stoking investor fears about sluggish retail numbers, MarketWatch reports. The Dow closed up 2.36 at 13,551.69, the Nasdaq up 10.91 at 2,724.41, and the S&P 500 up 1.21 at 1,497.66.
Apple Shares Smash $200 Barrier
Bloomberg
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Dec 26, 2007 3:40 PM CST
(Newser) -
Apple's shares hit a record high today, climbing $1.80 to $200.60 before retreating to close at $198.95. Strong sales of the Macintosh computer, iPod, and iPhone fueled the rally, reports Bloomberg, and Apple says sales this holiday season will be the highest in its 31-year history. The company's stock price has more than doubled in 12 months, meaning...
Lock, Stock, and Orange Bowl
Miami Herald
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Dec 26, 2007 3:24 PM CST
(Newser) -
College football fans can literally take home a piece of the action when Miami officials auction off every salable piece of the soon-to-be-demolished Orange Bowl in February. On the block are the giant scoreboard, players' benches, trees, and even the urinals. "You name it, it will be available,'' says the president of the auction company.
Banks Face Simpler, Tougher Times
Wall Street Journal
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Dec 26, 2007 3:03 PM CST
(Newser) -
Investors waiting for the big banks to turn it around after 2007’s subprime debacle might be waiting a long time, the Wall Street Journal warns. The credit crunch has unraveled a complicated modern banking model that gave big firms nearly total balance sheet flexibility. “It was a different world,” said one analyst. Now, banks must...
Cops Break Up Hilton Brother's Romantic Tryst
New York Post
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Dec 26, 2007 2:53 PM CST
(Newser) -
Brace yourself: There’s another Hilton to gossip about. Paris’ 16-year-old brother Barron was cozying up at the Bel Air Hotel with reputed new squeeze Skye Peters, daughter of Superman Returns producer Jon Peters and ex-wife Christine, when “something happened” and the cops were called, the New York Post reports.
UK-Taliban Secret Talks Come to Light
Telegraph (UK)
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Dec 26, 2007 2:45 PM CST
(Newser) -
British intelligence agents held a series of secret talks with leading members of the Taliban this summer, reports the Telegraph . At jirgas in Afghanistan, the country's secret service attempted peace negotiations and offered "mentoring." Details of the meetings—as many as a half dozen—emerged just as Afghan officials ordered...
Saddam's Love Boat Sets Sale
New York Post
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Dec 26, 2007 2:37 PM CST
(Newser) -
Saddam Hussein’s secret pleasure super-yacht can be yours—yes, yours!—for just $34 million. Moored off the French Riviera, away from the pesky bombers that destroyed the late dictator's other yacht, the Ocean Breeze was put up for sale last week by a British brokerage firm, the New York Post reports. The lucky buyer gets both a...
Sharpton Insists He Still Has a Role to Play
Washington Post
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Dec 26, 2007 2:34 PM CST
(Newser) -
Is there a place for Al Sharpton in a Barack Obama world? The first black politician with a serious shot at the Oval Office hardly mentions race, whereas Sharpton is, as one historian puts it, “kind of a racial ambulance chaser.” But Sharpton isn’t worried. “They say we don’t matter,” he tells the Washington Post...
Hospitals Seduced by 'Nuclear Arms Race' vs. Cancer
New York Times
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Dec 26, 2007 2:29 PM CST
(Newser) -
More and more hospitals are using nuclear proton accelerators in the fight against cancer, with mixed results, reports the New York Times . Some experts say the massive devices, formerly only found in physics labs, are a vital next-generation tool. Others doubt their effectiveness and worry that hospitals are getting caught up in a kind of anti-cancer...
The Hill Has Recess, But It's No Fun
Politico
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Dec 26, 2007 2:16 PM CST
(Newser) -
Democrats in Congress are keeping a watchful eye on President Bush and preventing him from making any appointments during the monthlong holiday recess. The strategy requires the Senate to be in session every couple of days—even if only for a few seconds. On Friday, the Politico reports, the Senate opened at 9:30am and packed it in 26 seconds...
Chad Sentences Aid Workers to 8 Years
Reuters
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Dec 26, 2007 2:00 PM CST
(Newser) -
Six French charity workers were convicted today of attempting to kidnap 103 children and send them from Chad to Europe, but a diplomatic agreement is expected to repatriate them before they begin their sentences of 8 years at hard labor, Reuters reports. The workers had testified that they believed the children were orphans from the Darfur region of...
Island Nation Favors 4-Legged Currency
Telegraph (UK)
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Dec 26, 2007 1:42 PM CST
(Newser) -
Vanuatu, a former Anglo-French colony once called the world's happiest country, is de-emphasizing cash in favor of traditional forms of exchange: shells, necklaces, grass mats, and pigs. The Telegraph travels to the South Pacific, where Vanuatu's government decreed a "Year of the Traditional Economy," encouraging citizens to reject consumerism...
Terror Takes Center Stage in Pakistan Vote
AFP
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Dec 26, 2007 1:20 PM CST
(Newser) -
Two weeks ahead of elections, Islamic extremism has become a central issue in the intensifying three-way race for control of Pakistan's parliament, AFP reports. Benazir Bhutto yesterday took her campaign to Peshawar, the heart of the troubled northwest, and bashed Pervez Musharraf's handling of the terrorist threat. Militants have promised to disrupt...
