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.
Conservative Takes on Wikipedia
Los Angeles Times
|
Jun 19, 2007 7:30 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Unhappy with what he perceives as Wikipedia's liberal bias, a conservative lawyer has launched Conservapedia.com, a religious-right-friendly answer to the online encyclopedia. Conservapedia has some 12,000 entries (to Wikipedia's 1.8 million in English) and several thousand readers and volunteer writers. It includes multiple Bible verses, psychoanalyzes...
Safety of Chinese-Made Toys Is Hardly Child's Play
New York Times
|
Jun 19, 2007 7:25 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The latest Chinese products posing safety problems for consumers are children's toys, joining toothpaste, pet food, and drugs on an increasingly worrisome list, the New York Times reports. Last week's recall of Thomas & Friends train toys brought the total number of toys recalled by the US this year to for safety reasons to 24—all ...
US Launches Major Attack on Sunni Insurgents
New York Times
|
Jun 19, 2007 7:16 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Two thousand U.S. and Iraqi troops launched a large-scale assault on Sunni insurgents in Diyala province last night, pursuing militants who have moved their strongholds outside of Baghdad. The offensive in the province's capital, Baquba, is part of a much larger operation attacking centers of insurgency all over Iraq. Twenty-two fighters were killed...
Fox, CBS Block Condom Ad
New York Times
|
Jun 19, 2007 7:08 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Trojan says it's conceived of a new ad to promote condom use—but has hit a big rubber wall at two of the four major networks. Fox and CBS turned away the "Evolve" spot, set to premiere tonight, in which anthropomorphic pigs fail to tempt the interest of a female barfly, until one buys a rubber and becomes a prince. Tagline: "Evolve....
Alaskan Tribes Score No-Bid Bonanza
Salon
|
Jun 19, 2007 6:52 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Alaskan tribes are so successful in securing no-bid government contracts, they're spurring a federal investigation into conduct by Alaskan senator Ted Stevens, reports Salon . In 1986, Stevens pushed through a law that gave Alaskan companies "small business" preferences—even if they belong to a multi-billion dollar parent corporation...
EU Set to Ban Cat and Dog Fur
BBC
|
Jun 19, 2007 6:14 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The EU is about to ban cat and dog fur imports, in a bid to stop the trade in pet pelts in China, where the way the animals are slaughtered is called "horrific." The fur is used as lining in boots and gloves, in stuffed toys, and in coats marked as everything from rabbit to Asian jackal.
Baby Boy for Julia Roberts
Us Weekly
|
Jun 19, 2007 6:10 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Actress Julia Roberts gave birth to her third child on Monday, a baby boy. Henry Daniel Moder, who weighed in at 8.5 pounds, was born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Us Magazine reports. The 39-year-old Roberts and husband Daniel Moder already have twins, Phinnaeus and Hazel.
Obama Sorry for Hillary Memo
Time
|
Jun 19, 2007 6:02 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Barack Obama has apologized for a campaign memo that vilified Hillary Clinton for her financial ties to India and her campaign efforts among Indian Americans. Particularly offensive was a reference to Clinton's affiliation as "(D-Punjab)"; aimed to link her to the sore subject of outsourcing. Obama called it a "dumb mistake," Time...
Wendy's on Block as Stale Sales Sink Earnings
Wall Street Journal
|
Jun 19, 2007 5:29 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Wendy's is looking for buyers as the hamburger chain's earnings and market share plummet. Aggressive competition from McDonald's and Burger King as well as soaring beef and dairy prices have taken a big bite out of Wendy's bottom line, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Police Bust Huge Global Pedophile Ring
Guardian (UK)
|
Jun 19, 2007 5:04 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Detectives in 36 countries have busted a global pedophile ring, rescuing 31 young children and babies who were sexually abused live on the Internet, and identifying 700 suspects. "You could go and if you were in the club, arrange a time and a place when online you could view a child being raped and brutalized in real time," said a British...
KG in Phoenix, LA Rumors
Sports Illustrated
|
Jun 19, 2007 4:27 AM CDT
(Newser) -
After winning 65 games during the past two years, the Timberwolves are quietly assessing the trade value of intense, lanky power forward Kevin Garnett, 31. Garnett led the league in efficiency in 2007 and may be a suitable exchange for Phoenix phenom Amare Stoudemire, 24, who successfully returned from microfracture surgery last year.
Perlozzo Fired After Baltimore Drops 8 Straight
Washington Post
|
Jun 19, 2007 4:23 AM CDT
(Newser) -
With the Orioles at 29-40 after a brutal 1-8 homestand, three-year manager Sam Perlozzo was fired yesterday. Perlozzo had accumulated a record of 122-164 in the unforgiving AL East, and had few backers left after a string of questionable moves, especially with regard to an underachieving bullpen that got a $40 million overhaul million during...
Airbus, Boeing Cross Wings at Air Show
Associated Press
|
Jun 18, 2007 10:43 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Rival aircraft producers Airbus and Boeing landed a slew of new orders at a gigantic air show that began today outside Paris. The biennial air show, the largest in the world, takes place as the airline industry begins to turn around; after two years of losses, profits this year are expected to top $5 billion, the AP reports.
Royal and Hollande Part Ways
Times (UK)
|
Jun 18, 2007 9:09 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Segolene Royal, the glamorous Socialist candidate who made a failed run at the French presidency, announced today that she's splitting with her partner of 28 years and the father of her four children, Francois Hollande. The cause of the rift, which has been rumored for months: his "love story" with another woman.
US Must Bolster Fatah to Defeat Hamas
New Republic
|
Jun 18, 2007 8:29 PM CDT
(Newser) -
In the wake of Fatah's collapse in Gaza, and the subsequent takeover by Hamas, the US and its Mideast allies should focus on cleaning up corruption-tainted Fatah and making it more responsive to the Palestinian people, argues Dennis Ross in the New Republic . That is the only hope for a victory over the Islamic extremists of Hamas.
US, EU to Renew Palestinian Aid
New York Times
|
Jun 18, 2007 8:28 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The US and the EU demonstrated support for the emergency Palestinian government today through separate pledges to lift economic embargoes and renew aid to the Palestinian Authority. The promises follow Mahmoud Abbas' establishment of a pro-peace cabinet without members of Hamas, putting the US in the curious position of supporting the dissolution of...
Blockbuster Bets on Blu-Ray
Forbes
|
Jun 18, 2007 6:36 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Movie rental giant Blockbuster picked sides today in the hotly contested battle over high-definition DVDs. Starting in July, Blockbuster will buy all of its new high-def DVDs in Sony's Blu-ray format, a damaging blow to rival Toshiba's HD DVD, which the rental company had stocked jointly until now.
Yahoo! CEO Logs Off
San Jose Mercury News
|
Jun 18, 2007 4:48 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Yahoo CEO Terry Semel is out. In a surprise announcement, Yahoo said today that co-founder Jerry Yang will take over from Semel as CEO, who will step down immediately. The embattled Semel, who's been the target of recent shareholder ire, will stick around as non-executive chairman; Susan Decker, former head of advertising, is set to become Yahoo's...
Army Hospital MIA on Stress Disorders
Washington Post
|
Jun 18, 2007 4:15 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Though 20 to 40 soldiers are sent home from Iraq each month with severe mental problems, the Army's largest hospital has no post-traumatic stress disorder center, reports the Washington Post . There is also a severe shortage of doctors qualified to treat these patients. Not long ago, the head of psychiatry sent a memo pleading for more staff.
Duke Settles With Lacrosse Players
Associated Press
|
Jun 18, 2007 3:50 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Duke University has reached a settlement with the three lacrosse players falsely accused of rape last year. Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty, and Dave Evans, who were suspended last year, will receive an undisclosed amount from the university, which admitted with surprising directness that the deal is intended to close the door on future lawsuits.
19M Ready to Pick Up iPhone
ComputerWorld
|
Jun 18, 2007 3:09 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The iPhone doesn't even hit stores until next week, and already 19 million American cellphones users have it on their shopping lists. The estimate, drawn from a survey of 11,000 Americans, is good news for Apple, which projects sales of 10 million units through the end of 2008, and even better news for AT&T, the gadget's only US carrier.
Supremes Side With Banks in Antitrust Action
Bloomberg
|
Jun 18, 2007 2:40 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The Supreme Court has broadened the shield protecting companies from antitrust lawsuits, ruling in a 7-1 decision this morning that investors cannot sue 16 banks they accuse of rigging Internet-boom-era IPOs. The majority said the SEC had adequately regulated banks' actions and that opening them up to this type of action would pose a "substantial...
Rushdie Honor Sparks Furor
Guardian (UK)
|
Jun 18, 2007 1:05 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Pakistan wants Britain to revoke Salman Rushdie's just-granted knighthood—and the UK should prepare for suicide attacks if it doesn't, a Pakistani cabinet minister said today. "If someone exploded a bomb on his body he would be right to do so unless the British government apologizes and withdraws the 'sir' title," the minister of religious...
Coalition Bombs Kill 7 Afghan Boys
Associated Press
|
Jun 18, 2007 12:45 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Worsening widespread concerns about civilian deaths in Afghanistan, a U.S.-led coalition bombing killed seven boys yesterday at a compound in the eastern part of the country. The target, which contained a mosque and a school, was suspected of housing Al-Qaeda militants. "We had a misunderstanding," the governor of the province told the AP.
QE2 to Dock, for Good, in Dubai
BBC
|
Jun 18, 2007 10:41 AM CDT
(Newser) -
After 40 years at sea, the glamorous passenger liner QE2 will be sold by Carnival Cruise Lines to a Dubai firm for $100 million, then turned into luxury lodgings. The company promises to restore the interior of the ship, which will be anchored off three man-made islands, and to build a museum celebrating its history.
Gonzogate Trickles Down Into the Courts
Los Angeles Times
|
Jun 18, 2007 10:28 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Months after the scandal over eight US Attorney firings first hit, the accusation of politically motivated justice has reached federal courtrooms around the country. Defense attorneys are invoking the controversy to call indictments into question in cases from bank fraud to child pornography, the LA Times reports.
Sudan OKs Darfur Peace Talks
Reuters
|
Jun 18, 2007 9:51 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Months of negotiations over the crisis in Darfur have culminated in agreements by the Sudanese government to participate in peace talks and to admit a joint UN-African union peacekeeping force to the region. Security Council reps visited Khartoum yesterday and nailed down details that addressed the government's concerns, Reuters reports—namely,...
Poll Puts Hillary Back in Lead by Double Digits
USA Today
|
Jun 18, 2007 8:54 AM CDT
(Newser) -
They were in a dead heat two weeks ago, but a new USA TODAY/Gallup poll out today puts Hillary back in front for the Dem nomination with a double-digit spread over Barack. The red team is also shaking up, with not-quite-official candidate Fred Thompson stealing second standing from John McCain.
Dow Jones Scenarios Multiply
Wall Street Journal
|
Jun 18, 2007 8:35 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Members of the Bancroft family would retain a stake in Dow Jones after selling a majority interest to GE and Pearson if one possible arrangement plays out, media outlets owned by the players are reporting. The Wall Street Journal outlines a venture incorporating Dow Jones, Pearson's Financial Times, and GE's CNBC; the FT reports that GE intends...
Moore's 'Sicko' Leaks to Youtube
Reuters
|
Jun 18, 2007 8:19 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Documentarian Michael Moore has a feverishly anticipated takedown of the American health-care industry set to open in two weeks—but try telling that to the internet. Sicko went viral this weekend as cinematic hackers managed to post the two-hour film in its entirety on YouTube, probably from a pirated DVD.
N. Korea Said Ready to Close Reactor in July
Reuters
|
Jun 18, 2007 7:43 AM CDT
(Newser) -
North Korea will close down its main nuclear reactor as early as next month, Reuters reports, citing Russia's Interfax news agency. UN nuclear inspectors have been invited into the country; now a diplomatic source tell Interfax that inspectors will be present as the Yongbyon reactor, which produces weapons-grade plutonium, begins to shut down...
What Do You Get When You Mix Pizza and Beer?
Chicago Tribune
|
Jun 18, 2007 6:56 AM CDT
(Newser) -
In a garage in the exurbs of Chicago Tom Seefurth has labored quietly to develop, refine, bottle, and bring to market the ultimate beverage – pizza beer. With a head redolent with oregano, basil, tomatoes and, yes, garlic, he believes he has finally succeeded. And Seefurth has even found an outlet, albeit a sole one, for his elixir.
Sarkozy's Party Loses Ground to Socialists
New York Times
|
Jun 18, 2007 6:34 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The French left refused to roll over and play dead in parliamentary elections yesterday, giving Nicolas Sarkozy a smaller majority than expected. Sarkozy's Conservative Party won a strong enough mandate to push through its ambitious tax cuts and easing of labor restrictions, the New York Times reports, but loses some psychological momentum.
Corporate Donors Snub McCain
New York Times
|
Jun 18, 2007 5:49 AM CDT
(Newser) -
John McCain is lagging far behind his GOP primary rivals in fundraising, in part because he's alienated so many big corporate donors in his Senate career. All that straight talk about minimizing the influence of money on politics has taken its toll, the New York Times notes. One defense industry lobbyist called McCain a "one man wrecking crew."
Fashionista Ferre Dies at 62
Associated Press
|
Jun 18, 2007 5:13 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Italian designer Gianfranco Ferre died in Milan yesterday of a brain hemorrhage, at age 62. Ferre became the top designer for Parisian fashion powerhouse Christian Dior, an honor almost exclusively reserved for French designers, in 1989. He left Dior in 1996 to build his own lines, which became some of the most critically successful in the world.
Energy Bill Faces Fierce Floor Fight
Wall Street Journal
|
Jun 18, 2007 5:01 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The Democrats' energy bill is under attack on two fronts in the Senate—automakers want to weaken fuel efficiency standards, and the coal industry is looking for tax breaks for making diesel. The Wall Street Journal predicts a ferocious floor fight over the proposed package that would set a 45 mpg standard for cars by 2005.
Mo$cow: World's Priciest City
BBC
|
Jun 18, 2007 4:29 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Moscow is the world's most expensive city for expats, according to an annual human resource study. A cup of Muscovite coffee can run more than $6, and lodging in the Russian capital can send foreign workers from rubles to rags. London placed in the survey, which compared costs of living in 143 cities worldwide.
eBay Shuts Window on Google Ads
New York Post
|
Jun 18, 2007 4:29 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Online auction powerhouse eBay broke a multi-million-dollar "keyword" advertising deal with Google, ostensibly after the search engine threw a party in Boston that crowded an eBay conference. But the boycott on search-driven spots also comes as Google's online payment feature Checkout elbows in on eBay-owned PayPal's territory.
Israel Plans Attack on Gaza
Times (UK)
|
Jun 18, 2007 4:28 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The Israeli government is readying its army for an invasion of Gaza, in the wake of Hamas' victory in last week's civil war against Fatah there. The London Times , quoting Israeli military sources, says defense minister apparent Ehud Barak has drawn up plans for an incursion with 20,000 troops, who will meet 12,000 well-armed Hamas fighters.
Cabrera Aces Out Tiger at Oakmont
Golf.com
|
Jun 18, 2007 2:00 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Argentina's Angel Cabrera edged out favorites Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk in the final round at Oakmont Country Club yesterday, to become the fourth straight foreigner to win the US Open. Cabrera, a chain-smoking 37-year old former caddy, sank two birdies in the back nine to stop Woods, who couldn't beat par on the final three holes, by a single stroke.
Yankees Exit Subway Series Looking Up
New York Times
|
Jun 18, 2007 1:00 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The Yankees took two out of three games against their interurban interleague rivals this weekend, capped by an 8-2 slaughter last night courtesy of sinker-server Chien-Ming Wang. Wang allowed only six hits through 8 2/3 and struck out 10, while Arod alone put up 3 RBIs—1 more than the sullen Mets, who have now lost 12 of their last 15 outings.
Online Restaurant Reservations Surge
New York Times
|
Jun 17, 2007 9:50 PM CDT
(Newser) -
OpenTable is the leading purveyor of online reservations. While it might seem an obvious application for online technology, it has taken patience and persistence to succeed. From the French Laundry in Napa Valley to Per Se in the Time Warner Center in New York, you can book some of the best restaurants in the world on OpenTable.
Report: Blair Knew Bush Had No Postwar Plan
Guardian (UK)
|
Jun 17, 2007 8:00 PM CDT
(Newser) -
In the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, Tony Blair committed British troops to the effort despite knowing of serious deficiencies in US preparations for the aftermath, a TV documentary set to air this week reveals. He pushed ahead even after President Bush offered him an out, the Observer reports, saying Britain could aid the campaign "some other...
Rummy Fired General for Truthful Report on Abu Ghraib Prison
New Yorker
|
Jun 17, 2007 4:35 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Shortly after the mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq became public Major General Antonio M. Taguba was tasked by the Army with investigating and reporting on the situation. He found "Numerous incidents of sadistic, blatant, and wanton criminal abuses were inflicted on several detainees . . . systemic and illegal abuse." ...
Texas Builds an Ultimate Archive
New Yorker
|
Jun 17, 2007 4:00 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Start with 48 Gutenberg Bibles—yes, count 'em, 48. Move on to the corrected proofs of Joyce's Ulysses and then to part of Kerouac's original manuscript for On the Road . Then finish up with Woodward and Bernstein's Watergate notes. These items and much, much more are in the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center in Austin, Texas.
Seven Wonders of Canada
Washington Post
|
Jun 17, 2007 3:31 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Yes, Pamela Anderson (she's Canadian) was nominated (it was an open process) but, no - alas, she did not win. The winners were: Sleeping Giant, Thunder Bay Niagara Falls Rocky Mountains
Abbas Swears in New Gov't
Washington Post
|
Jun 17, 2007 2:22 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Mahmoud Abbas swore in his emergency government today, 3 days after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip. Salam Fayyad, a former World Bank economist, will head the new government, composed largely of independents. Unsurprisingly, Hamas says it will not recognize Abbas's regime, and declares the original unity government still in power.
NY Firefighters' Emotions About Giuliani Run Hot
New York Times
|
Jun 17, 2007 1:23 PM CDT
(Newser) -
In the wake of 9/11, Rudy Giuliani allied himself with the New York Fire Department. He attended funerals even after leaving office, and he continues to bring up "my firefighters" on the stump. But the ex-mayor shouldn't count on the department's 11,000 votes in his run for the White House, the Times reports, because opinions remain decidedly...
2007 Paris Air Show Is This Week
Chicago Tribune
|
Jun 17, 2007 9:24 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The 99-year old Paris Air Show, the air industry's largest trade show, starts this week. Over the years every major flying machine, including the Space Shuttle, has appeared at the show. This year the battle for attention is between Airbus' double-decker A380 (and its little sister the A350) and Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner.
America's Top Ten Diners
Gourmet
|
Jun 17, 2007 7:15 AM CDT
(Newser) -
AVALON DINER, Houston, TX BECKY'S DINER, Portland, ME BLUE BENN DINER, Bennington, VT CONNELLY'S GOODY GOODY DINER, St. Louis, MO DUTCH KITCHEN, Frackville, PA
