Newser Story Index from June, 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.
10 Arrested in Laos Takeover Scheme
Associated Press
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Jun 5, 2007 4:43 AM CDT
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Ten suspects were arrested in six Californian cities today for conspiring to overthrow the government of Laos. The plotters included a former general in the Laotian army and a former US military officer who was a covert operative during the Vietnam War, the AP reports. Most of the group were Hmong, an ethnic minority who supported the US during the...
NASCAR's 'Genial Dictator' Dead at 74
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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Jun 5, 2007 4:17 AM CDT
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Bill France Jr., the NASCAR chairman who took a Southern pastime and transformed it into a national mania, died at 74 on Monday. Sickly in his final years, the godfather of stock car racing from 1972 to 2000 was nonetheless fiery and irascible until the end. France's father had founded the sport in the 1940s.
Eight Games; No Tanks
Associated Press
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Jun 5, 2007 4:14 AM CDT
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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell continued the league's crackdown on unsavory extracurriculars with an 8-game suspension of Tank Johnson, who was recently jailed for violating probation on gun charges and whose bodyguard was killed in a club shooting in December. Johnson hopes to pare the suspension to six games with good behavior.
Largest Oil Spill in US Seeps Under Brooklyn
New York
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Jun 4, 2007 5:54 PM CDT
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Underneath the ground of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, is a dark blob of gasoline, solvents, and associated poisons that composes the biggest oil spill in US history. It's accumulated from a century's worth of smaller leaks and waste dumping, reports New York magazine, and ExxonMobil has quietly accepted the blame, but done little to clean it up.
Barrier Draws Palestinians Into Jerusalem
Los Angeles Times
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Jun 4, 2007 5:39 PM CDT
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Since the wall between the West Bank and Jerusalem started going up, thousands of Palestinians have moved from the former into the latter, anxious to make sure they are not cut off from the Israeli city when the barrier is complete. Dismayed by the deteriorating conditions in the West Bank, many are erecting houses little better than sheds in...
Natalee's Mom, JonBenet's Dad Hook Up
Fox News
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Jun 4, 2007 5:08 PM CDT
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The father of slain pre-teen beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey is dating the mother of missing Aruba tourist Natalee Holloway. Fox News broke the romance today, offering its detail-hungry viewers only that the bereaved pair met at a fundraiser and have "been spotted openly holding hands and kissing" in Alabama.
Business History Boosts, Bogs Down Romney
New York Times
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Jun 4, 2007 4:31 PM CDT
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Mitt Romney's business success gives him the resources necessary to run a presidential campaign, but his deal-making background also opens him to criticism. The success of Bain Capital helped Romney built his personal fortune, the Times report, and the fact that he wasn't afraid to cut jobs for the sake of the bottom line may come back to haunt him.
UK to Patients Who Smoke: Put That Out
Daily Mail (UK)
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Jun 4, 2007 3:49 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Smokers in Britain must kick the habit for at least four weeks before undergoing routine surgery or the National Health Service will deny them the operations, the Daily Mail reports. Doctors will use blood tests to enforce the new policy, which could affect up to 500,000 smokers awaiting procedures for non-life-threatening conditions each year.
Feds Beef Up Presence in New Orleans
USA Today
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Jun 4, 2007 3:03 PM CDT
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Violent crime is such a pressing problem in New Orleans that the federal government is shoring up the local criminal justice system, USA Today reports. Crime was up 107% in the first quarter of 2007 over the previous year, a jump the NOPD attributes to population growth—but the increased presence of FBI, ATF, and DEA agents suggests otherwise.
Jefferson Hit With Corruption Charges
Associated Press
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Jun 4, 2007 2:06 PM CDT
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Federal officials indicted Rep. William Jefferson today, charging him with bribery, racketeering, money-laundering, and other misdeeds that could carry a sentence of up to 235 years. The Louisiana Democrat, the target of a lengthy investigation into business deals in Africa, has maintained his innocence, even after investigators found $90,000 in cash...
Tyson Fancies a Bout in Bollywood
Associated Press
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Jun 4, 2007 2:00 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Mike Tyson got a taste of Bollywood—in Vegas, of course—and liked it enough to want more. After dancing in a music video for "Fool n Final," directed by Ahmed Khan, Tyson told the Times of India he'd like to act in a Bollywood movie because of the "happy and energetic" vibe.
China's Stock Market Drops 8%
Financial Times (UK)
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Jun 4, 2007 1:20 PM CDT
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China's stock market plummeted more than 8% today in one of the biggest drop-offs of the decade. A trading tax increase intended to cool a boom that drove stocks up over 50% last week has set off widespread worry. But unlike the February 28 skid that depressed worldwide markets, today's slump appeared to have little effect on other Asian exchanges.
Immigration Bill Walks Fine Line
Los Angeles Times
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Jun 4, 2007 12:30 PM CDT
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The "grand bargain"—the compromise on which the proposed immigration bill turns—is the product of a process that saw senators from every point on the political compass unite around a common goal. With the senate scheduled to take up the legislation this week, the LA Times goes behind the scenes to look at the forging of an unusual...
Surge Fails to Quell Baghdad
New York Times
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Jun 4, 2007 11:18 AM CDT
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U.S. and Iraqi forces control only a fraction of Baghdad, despite the three-month-old troop surge. An internal assessment leaked to the Times found two thirds of the city's neighborhoods are still in open rebellion, although surge architects planned to have Baghdad under control by July. “We were way too optimistic,” says a senior officer.
Militant Website Says It Has Video of Troop Abduction
Associated Press
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Jun 4, 2007 10:15 AM CDT
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A militant Islamic website says it will release a video showing the capture last month of three American soldiers. The video shows the kidnapping as well as the ID cards of the two soldiers who are still missing, says an organization that monitors militant websites. The third soldier was later found dead in the Euphrates River.
Larry Flynt Hustles for Scandal
Guardian (UK)
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Jun 4, 2007 9:34 AM CDT
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The porn king is trolling for scandal again: In an ad in yesterday's Washington Post , Larry Flynt asked: "Have you had a sexual encounter with a current member of the United States Congress or a high-ranking government official?" If so—and you can prove it —a million dollars awaits.
Sharapova Comes From Behind in French Open Masterpiece
BBC
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Jun 4, 2007 8:30 AM CDT
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Maria Sharapova squeaked past Patty Schnyder in a blistering forehand duel to pass the fourth round at Roland Garros yesterday, in what's being hailed as an instant classic at the French Open. The Russian superstar battled back from match point twice to beat her Swiss rival 3-6 6-4 9-7.
Murdoch Says He's Flexible, Up to a Point
Wall Street Journal
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Jun 4, 2007 8:29 AM CDT
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Rupert Murdoch has renewed his vow to maintain the Wall Street Journal 's editorial independence should his bid for Dow Jones succeed, but it's unlikely he'll allow the controlling Bancroft family to run an editorial oversight board. That sticking point could be a deal-breaker, the Journal reported hours before today's scheduled meeting between...
Paris Checks In at Concrete Hilton
Associated Press
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Jun 4, 2007 8:22 AM CDT
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Socialite Paris Hilton checked out a new set of bars late Sunday, at the LA County Jail. The celebutante debuted there in her three-week sentence for violating probation last month. Paris chose the venue herself, passing up ritzier pay prisons to deflect media rebukes. "I'm going to do the time, I'm going to do it the right way," the reality...
New Drug Battles Liver Cancer
New York Times
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Jun 4, 2007 7:37 AM CDT
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An impressive clinical trial has produced what could be the first effective drug treatment for liver cancer, the New York Times reports. Nexavar, which blocks both the blood supply to the tumor and proteins that spur tumor growth, extended the lives of patients in the trial by almost three months, or 44%
Democrats Focus Intently on Iraq
Politico
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Jun 4, 2007 7:26 AM CDT
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The Democratic presidential field already has three leaders, and they're so eager to distinguish themselves by staking out their Iraq stances that the other five candidates can barely get a word in. The Politico looks at last night's debate in New Hampshire and finds Barack Obama, John Edwards, and Hillary Clinton taking up all the air in the room.
Anti-abortion Groups Split by Late-Term Ban
Washington Post
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Jun 4, 2007 7:16 AM CDT
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The recent Supreme Court ruling against partial-birth abortions has ignited a battle among anti-abortion groups, the Washington Post reports. The bickering highlights a divide between groups working for a wholesale ban and those seeking limits. In newspaper ads, a religious coalition ripped the ruling as "wicked" and slammed longtime ally...
iPhone Hits Stores June 29
New York Times
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Jun 4, 2007 6:54 AM CDT
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The wait will be over for millions of tech groupies on June 29—when the iPhone, the highly anticipated device that merges web browsing, music playing, and telephoning, will hit Apple and AT&T stores worldwide. But the hype over what some call "the God machine" has already reached hysterical proportions, according to the Times .
Brazil Rejects Bush Climate Proposal
Guardian (UK)
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Jun 4, 2007 6:19 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Brazil's president bluntly dismissed the climate-change plan offered by George Bush last week as "voluntarism" in a situation where "multinationalism" is needed. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose fast-developing country is critical to any international deal on emissions cuts, said the proposal for a new international framework was...
Prison Hasn't Mellowed Dr. Death
New York Times
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Jun 4, 2007 6:02 AM CDT
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Jack Kevorkian, who was paroled Friday after 8 years in prison, says he won't be involved in any more suicides—except perhaps his own. "When I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right,” he tells the New York Times . But prison hasn't blunted the passion for phsyician-assisted suicides that earned the combative...
Putin Rattles Nuclear Sabre
Telegraph (UK)
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Jun 4, 2007 5:32 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Russia is threatening to aim nuclear missiles at major European cities for the first time since the Cold War, the Daily Telegraph reports. Vladimir Putin's provocation, on the eve of the G-8 summit, was the latest in an increasingly strident string of anti-western pronouncements in response to US plans to create a missile defense shield in eastern...
Attacks on US Troops Get Deadlier
Washington Post
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Jun 4, 2007 5:07 AM CDT
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Iraqi insurgents are using bigger bombs and more sophisticated tactics to kill US troops, reports the Washington Post . While Iraq civilian deaths have dropped 50 percent since the new counterinsurgency strategy was launched in Baghdad, American fatalities compared to the number of wounded have nearly doubled.
Charles Taylor Skips War Crimes Trial
BBC
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Jun 4, 2007 4:46 AM CDT
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Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, didn't show up for the opening of his war-crimes trial in The Hague today, the BBC reports. He is accused of fostering a long bloody civil war in Sierra Leone marked by crimes against humanity, terrorism, rape and the use of child soldiers. The trial is the first of an African former head of state.
Pronger Is Menace to Others, Self
ESPN
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Jun 4, 2007 4:27 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Chris Pronger will be suspended for Game 4 of the NHL Finals for administering a blow to the head of Ottawa winger Dean McAmmond, who may also miss Game 4 with lingering wooziness. It is the second suspension of the playoffs for Pronger, who left Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom bloody on the ice after smashing his head into a wall.
"Boobie" Makes Name for Himself
CBS News
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Jun 4, 2007 4:24 AM CDT
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After a superhuman 48-point Game 5 against the Pistons, Cavaliers star Lebron James had a subdued Game 6; instead, it was baby-faced rookie Daniel Gibson who caught fire and hit five of five three-pointers in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Gibson, 21, is nicknamed "Boobie."
JFK Plotters Courted Extremist Group
New York Times
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Jun 3, 2007 3:12 PM CDT
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The four men accused of plotting to terrorize New York’s JFK airport were courting the support of Jamaat al-Muslimeen, a Caribbean-based extremist group. In a blow-by-blow of the plotters' movements and motives, the New York Times reveals plans to meet the group notorious for a botched 1990 coup in Trinidad, but now better known as drug runners.
Cleveland Makes NBA Finals
Sports Illustrated
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Jun 3, 2007 2:25 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The Cleveland Cavaliers dug deep to beat Detroit in the conference finals, sending uberstar LeBron James to his first NBA Finals. "This is probably the best feeling that I've ever had in my life," James gushed. The longtime punchline Cavs found rare energy to come back from 0-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Lebanese Vow to Crush Militants
Guardian (UK)
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Jun 3, 2007 1:27 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The Lebanese army vowed yesterday to continue its attack on Fatah al-Islam members holed up inside a Palestinian refugee camp in Beruit though the camp is now 60 percent demolished. As many as 25,000 of its 31,000 occupants have fled, the Guardian reports, and thousands remain trapped.
Diamonds Are a Skull's Best Friend
Bloomberg
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Jun 2, 2007 3:10 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The priciest work of modern art ever created is on view at a London gallery, priced at just $100 million. Death-obsessed artist Damien Hirst cast a human skull in platinum and encrusted it with diamonds, creating a piece he calls "For the Love of God." He kept the original teeth, he tells Bloomberg, as "a reminder that it's real."
G8 Protesters Clash With German Police
Reuters
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Jun 2, 2007 2:36 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Riot police and anti-globalization activists collided in the streets of the German port of Rostock today after an early show of opposition to next week's G8 summit degenerated into violence. Police used water cannons and tear gas against demonstrators who showered them with bottles and stones, causing more peaceful protesters to disperse. Officials...
Feds Foil JFK Explosion Plot
NBC 4 New York
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Jun 2, 2007 1:38 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Four people have been charged with conspiring to bomb fuel tanks at JFK Airport, igniting fuel lines and causing a huge explosion. Three are in federal custody, NewsChannel 4 reported today, and one is being sought in Trinidad. The US attorney called the scheme, which was halted in the planning stages, "one of the most chilling plots imaginable."
'Outbreak' Morphs Into 'Rashomon'
New York Times
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Jun 2, 2007 12:13 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The Atlanta lawyer whose honeymoon baggage included a dangerous strain of TB is at the center of a contentious international public-health dispute. The Times reports on the conflicting accounts of warnings issued to Andrew Speaker and the governments of the countries he visited. Meanwhile, other American passengers on his flights have tested negative...
Kidney Donor Reality Show Was a Hoax
Guardian (UK)
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Jun 2, 2007 10:48 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A controversial Dutch reality show featuring a dying woman’s choice of a kidney recipient aired last night—and was revealed as a hoax. The "donor" was an actor; the contestants were real patients who were in on the prank. A producer said the goal was to call attention to the shortage of donor organs, adding, "We have succeeded...
Fast Food Replaces Grandma's Cooking
Time
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Jun 2, 2007 9:54 AM CDT
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Every nation has its traditional cuisines, but in today's fast-paced, globalized culture, cheap, fatty Westernized food is crowding out ancient preparations and presentations. Diets define who we are, Time reports, and in the modern world, once-unique food is becoming culturally homogenized. Global influences traditionally enriched flavors and techniques;...
What Made the Bancrofts Buckle?
Wall Street Journal
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Jun 2, 2007 8:21 AM CDT
(Newser) -
In a surprising about-face Dow Jones director and Bancroft family trustee Michael Elefante shifted from the cons to the pros, advocating putting the company in play at a recent family meeting. His change of position was behind the family's decision that it would meet with Rupert Murdoch and consider other bids for the company.
$100 Million Here, $100 Million There...
Chicago Tribune
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Jun 2, 2007 6:38 AM CDT
(Newser) -
And, as Illinois' late Senator Everett Dirksen once said, you are talking about real money. Tom Siebel, University of Illinois graduate and founder of Siebel Systems, a customer management relationship software firm, pledged $100 million in his will to the U of I.
Publisher Fights Lefty Bias in Kids' Lit
Los Angeles Times
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Jun 1, 2007 8:34 PM CDT
(Newser) -
A California publishing exec is doing his darnedest to combat the insidious leftward tilt of most children's books. Fed up with gay penguins and anti-business Loraxes, Eric Jackson started his own publishing house. His first release, "Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed!"—about a kids' lemonaid stand taxed out of business—was...
They're Here
National Geographic
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Jun 1, 2007 7:52 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The Brood XIII cicadas are emerging throughout the Midwest in an every-17-year fit of Darwinian survival. Scientists theorize that their abundance — they emerge by the millions per acre—is an evolutionary advantage: Because of their numbers, predators (primarily birds, insects and fish) cannot possibly eat all of them.
So Cal May Ban Wood-Burning Fireplaces
Los Angeles Times
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Jun 1, 2007 5:25 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Southern Californians will be roasting their chestnuts in the oven if an air pollution plan is passed that would ban fireplaces in all new homes and prohibit wood-fueled blazes for as many as 20 days every winter. The regulations, proposed by South Coast Air Quality Management, seeks to clean up the most polluted region in the nation, reports the ...
East German Women Are Heading West
Der Spiegel
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Jun 1, 2007 5:11 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Young, educated women are fleeing eastern Germany—and Neo-Nazi parties are flourishing in the vacuum they leave behind. One-and-a-half million people, two-thirds of them women, have left left the economically stagnant east since the mid-1990s, a new study shows.
'Knut' No Longer Equals 'Cute'
Reuters
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Jun 1, 2007 2:59 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Anyone who's ever had a nightmare about stuffed animals coming to life can relate to what Thomas Doerflein is going through. The zookeeper who's been celebrity polar bear cub Knut 's surrogate mother since the little camera hog was an adorable ball of fluff finds himself on the business end of an uncomfortable truth: Polar bears are ferocious predators.
Laziness Rep Dogs Thompson
Slate
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Jun 1, 2007 2:24 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Fred Thompson has declared his intention to run in '08, but to succeed he'll have to get past his longstanding reputation for laziness, writes Slate 's John Dickerson. The former senator and "Law & Order" star prefers adages to more strenuous tactics, and that approach could sink the self-styled outsider in the post-9/11 age, Dickerson...
Google Shows You the World, and Vice Versa
New York Times
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Jun 1, 2007 1:54 PM CDT
(Newser) -
A new Google Maps service that offers detailed views from the streets of major cities is provoking worries about privacy—and moving users to close their blinds. The Street View function gets so up close and personal, the Times reports, that one woman was able to zero in on her cat sitting in a window.
Blair Looks Back on Tenure as PM
Economist
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Jun 1, 2007 12:23 PM CDT
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In a wide-ranging essay that offers few apologies, Tony Blair reflects on his decade as prime minister and argues that Britain must stand in the world as “a player not a spectator.” Writing in the Economist , Blair discusses the shifting landscape of his time in office, the challenges that have defined his tenure, and prescriptions for...
Army Fights to Keep Up Quality
Boston Globe
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Jun 1, 2007 12:13 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The Army is attracting the lowest rate of high-quality recruits in a decade, the Boston Globe reports. Almost 40% of volunteers scored below-average on verbal and math scores in 2006, according to an analysis of Defense Department personnel statistics. Four years ago, that figure was 29%. The number of recruits who hold high school diplomas also...
