Newser Story Index from August, 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.
Russians Get Holiday to Multiply
Denver Post
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Aug 15, 2007 5:38 PM CDT
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The Ulyanovsk region of Russia will give its citizens a day off to procreate—nine months before Russia's national day of June 12; couples whose children are born on that day can even win prizes. The Russian population has been dropping since the early 90s, and President Putin has called the demographic crisis Russia's biggest challenge.
Rumsfeld Resigned Before Midterm Elections
Reuters
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Aug 15, 2007 5:23 PM CDT
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Donald Rumsfeld's resignation letter, obtained by Reuters, shows he told President Bush of his departure as defense secretary one day before the 2006 congressional elections; though Bush saw the letter on Election Day, the White House didn't announce the decision until the day after polls closed. Republicans warned the delay was likely costly in an...
Felonious Funk: Pacman Turns Musician
Associated Press
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Aug 15, 2007 5:16 PM CDT
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After failing as a Total Nonstop Action Wrestler, Tennessee Titan Pacman Jones has found another way to fill the idle hours of his NFL suspension: the cornerback is at work on a hip-hop album. Jones, whose strip-club arrest earned him a one-year NFL hiatus, has assembled an outfit called "Posterboyz"; the group will release its first single...
Offerman Charged in Battery
Associated Press
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Aug 15, 2007 5:00 PM CDT
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Former All-Star Jose Offerman stands charged with assault after hitting an opposing pitcher and catcher with his bat during a minor-league game yesterday. The victims suffered a concussion and a broken finger at the hands of the 38-year-old, a former LA Dodgers and Boston Red Sox standout who hasn't played in the majors since 2005.
China-Made Baby Bibs Contain Lead
New York Times
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Aug 15, 2007 4:59 PM CDT
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Tests by a non-profit agency and the NY Times found made-in-China baby bibs sold at Toys "R" Us contaminated with lead, the paper reported today. After its own recent tests, a government agency did not move to recall the bib; Wal-Mart voluntarily removed bibs made by the same company earlier this year.
Great Lake Getting Less Superior
Reuters
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Aug 15, 2007 4:45 PM CDT
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Water levels in Lake Superior are down a whole foot this year, and scientists say man is to blame. The world's largest body of fresh water by surface area has suffered an on-and-off drought for four years, but levels may reach an all-time low this summer. Climate change is partially responsible, but one environmental group points to another culprit:...
Stocks Drop, Market Awaits Fed Cuts
Wall Street Journal
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Aug 15, 2007 4:18 PM CDT
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Major indexes sank again after a volatile day, as analysts continue to speculate on a possible interest-rate cut. The New York Fed put about $7 billion into the system with an overnight repurchase agreement, which put an early bounce in the Dow before it lost 167.45 later in the day to close below its historic 13,000-point benchmark at 12861.47, mainly...
Congress' Feminine Mystique May Wane in '08
Wall Street Journal
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Aug 15, 2007 3:57 PM CDT
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If Hillary Clinton is elected president next year, she could be deilvering her State of the Union before a dwindling number of women, the Journal reports. Many female governors and congresswomen face either tough re-election campaigns or term-limit boundaries in 2008, and after a surge in the early 1990s, the number of female office-holders could...
Carville: Rove Cost GOP a Generation
Financial Times (UK)
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Aug 15, 2007 3:47 PM CDT
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Impressive electoral record aside, Karl Rove's strategy of aggressively courting the GOP base has soured an entire generation on the Republican Party, James Carville argues in the Financial Times . Bill Clinton's storied strategist says "theocratic underpinnings" of Rovian strategy are behind polls showing a nameless Democratic presidential...
Mission Church Does Some Seoul Searching
BBC
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Aug 15, 2007 3:39 PM CDT
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As 19 South Korean aid workers wallow in a Taliban prison camp, many in the world community are openly wondering why they were in Afghanistan in the first place. Even as they pray for the release of their fellow parishioners, members of a suburban Seoul church are dodging critics who say their charity mission ignored official warnings about traveling...
Toll Rises to 250 in Iraq Blasts
New York Times
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Aug 15, 2007 3:24 PM CDT
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Officials pushed the death toll of attacks on two Iraqi towns up to 250 today, as rescuers located more victims amid rubble. “It looks like a nuclear bomb hit the villages,” an officer told the New York Times of yesterday's blasts in an area populated by a Kurdish sect often targeted by militant Sunni Muslims.
New Air Force Drones Refuel Without Pilots
Defense Industry Daily
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Aug 15, 2007 3:04 PM CDT
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A Defense agency has developed an on-board flight system that connects an airplane to a re-fueling aircraft without the need for a human pilot, allowing unmanned fighter jets to remain in the air longer. The technology uses exact inertial, GPS, and video measurements to latch a probe into a 32-inch basket trailed behind a tanker.
FTC Spills Trade Secrets
Washington Post
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Aug 15, 2007 3:04 PM CDT
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While investigating Whole Foods Market's proposed takeover of competitor Wild Oats, the FTC accidentally released dozens of Whole Foods' trade secrets. The commission filed documents electronically without realizing that redacted portions were actually legible, just shaded. Among the secrets: how Whole Foods negotiates with suppliers to drive up prices...
Clinton Elated Over White House Dig
New York Daily News
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Aug 15, 2007 2:33 PM CDT
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A Bush spokeswoman has slammed a Hillary Clinton campaign ad in which the Senator says that many Americans, including combat troops, are invisible to the president. But the New York Daily News reports that advisers to Clinton are delighted by the shrill reaction, as they increasingly seek to paint their candidate as a thorn in Bush's side.
Spy Suit Keeps Lawyer in Dark
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 15, 2007 2:28 PM CDT
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An attorney for an Islamic charity that's suing the government over what they claim was illegal wiretapping has found himself in quite the Kafka-esque predicament. Responding to a federal filing that he wasn't allowed to read, John Eisenberg says he was made to write out his entire legal brief in a windowless government room with no notes...
Virtual Bank Collapse Causes Real Pain
Wired
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Aug 15, 2007 2:19 PM CDT
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Ginko Financial, an unregulated investment bank that promised returns of up to 60%, collapsed recently, costing its customers 200 million Lindens—the currency of online virtual universe Second Life, where the bank existed. While the bank, managed by a mysterious, anonymous owner, catered only to computer-generated avatars in its 3 1/2 years existence,...
Donaghy Pleads Guilty in NBA Betting Scandal
New York Times
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Aug 15, 2007 2:00 PM CDT
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Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy admitted to betting on games he officiated and pleaded guilty today to two gambling-related felony counts. Donaghy, who turned himself in, told a Brooklyn judge he divulged game information and his picks on NBA games to gambling associates; he was paid for correctly choosing winning teams.
Where is Stephen Feinberg Taking Chrysler?
Portfolio
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Aug 15, 2007 1:38 PM CDT
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Portfolio does its best to profile Stephen Feinberg—the ultra-secretive, ultra-cutthroat CEO of Cerberus Capital Management—without talking to him. Feinberg avoids the media like the plague, preferring to bring faltering companies into the black in secret, and his shadowy plans for new stepchild Chrysler are no exception.
25 Schools Out of the Ivies' League
MSNBC
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Aug 15, 2007 1:19 PM CDT
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It's not all about GPAs and SATs—each of these schools excel in their own way. MSNBC picks the best colleges in 25 quirky categories: Ivy Leaguer: Cornell University Sports: University of Florida Men's college: Morehouse College
Hooked on the Sun?
Slate
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Aug 15, 2007 12:57 PM CDT
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Tanning may be addictive, and sunscreen use may actually increase the risk of melanoma, according to a Slate round-up of new research about the effects of sun on skin. In a study aimed at testing the long-held theory that UV rays stimulate endorphins, researchers gave a group of sunbathers a drug blocking endorphin receptors The frequent tanners...
500 Dead in Bangladesh Floods
Reuters
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Aug 15, 2007 12:35 PM CDT
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Nearly 500 people have died in Bangladesh as devastating floods hit the low-lying country in recent weeks, Reuters reports. 38 died last night, including two from water-borne diseases that have sickened thousands more. Flood waters have receded, but millions remain homeless. "They hardly have a roof on their heads or anything to eat," an...
Go Easy on Pregnancy Weight Gain, Say Docs
Associated Press
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Aug 15, 2007 12:03 PM CDT
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The current guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy may be contributing to the nation's obesity epidemic, some doctors say, and radical changes in the recommendations are under consideration. Docs say a revision is long overdue, the AP reports. "Most of us think overall the weight gain recommendations are too high," says a Yale med school...
Don't Even Go There!
Foreign Policy
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Aug 15, 2007 11:44 AM CDT
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Before you pack your bags, check out Foreign Policy's list of the five most overhyped tourist locales: Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: Famous beach and diving locale actually tacky and overcrowded. Ibiza, Spain: Hippy haven and hedonistic paradise turned into dirty and pricey hole.
Fred’s Closet Has a Big Gov't Skeleton
Politico
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Aug 15, 2007 11:22 AM CDT
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Fred Thompson, would-be president, bills himself as a small-government hero, but the southerner once had a way with spending taxpayer bucks. A nuclear breeder reactor planned for the banks of a Tennessee river ran through $1.7 billion in government funds between 1970 and 1983 without ever getting built; Thompson was an instrumental lobbyist for the...
Smaller Lenders Feel the Credit Squeeze
Wall Street Journal
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Aug 15, 2007 11:03 AM CDT
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As the subprime fallout continues and the credit squeeze tightens, thousands of smaller-scale mortgage banks find themselves in dire straits. The Wall Street Journal reports that small- and medium-sized lenders, even those with excellent credit quality, are suspending funding and laying off employees, which leaves giant corporations to grab more...
6 Dead in Mafia Hit in Germany
Der Spiegel
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Aug 15, 2007 11:03 AM CDT
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Police are calling the killing of six Italians early today in Duisburg, Germany, a probable Mafia hit job, Der Spiegel reports. Five bodies with gunshot wounds to the head were found outside an Italian restaurant, and a sixth man died en route to the hospital. The incident is one of the largest mass murders in Germany in years.
Inflation Softened in July
Bloomberg
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Aug 15, 2007 9:52 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Consumer prices in the US in July rose at the slowest rate in eight months. The housing slump—and fuel costs—have weakened consumer spending considerably, forcing retailers to slash prices, Bloomberg reports. Prices rose only rose 0.1% in July, as predicted by analysts. Yields of U.S. Treasury securities fell following the report.
Shrinks Fault CIA Torture Tactics
Salon
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Aug 15, 2007 9:50 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The American Psychological Association, long chummy with the CIA, is set to condemn tactics the spy agency has been using to interrogate terror detainees, writes Salon . Members have in the past worked with the CIA to design techniques: now the group wants to distance itself by formally opposing a long list of tactics they consider torture at the...
Giuliani Guarantees He Can Halt Illegal Immigration
Associated Press
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Aug 15, 2007 9:39 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Rudy Giuliani says he can stop illegal immigration by monitoring international travelers, implementing tamperproof ID cards with fingerprints, and tracking the status of foreign workers and students. Under fire from Mitt Romney for his record on illegal immigration while mayor of New York, Giuliani has recently cranked up his rhetoric, reports the...
Publicity-Hound Pedophile May Walk Free
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 15, 2007 9:09 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A California man who wrote about his sexual obsession with young girls on his website could soon be out of jail, the LA Times reports. Jack McClellan is incarcerated for violating a restraining order, but its sweeping terms are unlikely to hold up in court, experts say, highlighting the difficulty of dealing with pedophiles who haven't been caught...
Endeavour May Not Need Repair
Associated Press
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Aug 15, 2007 8:29 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Repairs to the damaged heat shield on the space shuttle Endeavor may not be needed before the shuttle's return to Earth, NASA says, based on the first set of tests, completed yesterday. Program managers say they are "cautiously optimistic" that business-card-sized gash in Endeavour's thermal tiles shouldn't pose a threat as the shuttle re-enters...
Diet Linked to Colon Cancer Survival
WebMD
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Aug 15, 2007 8:04 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A new study reconfirms the link between colon cancer and a diet rich in red meat, fat and sugar—this time focusing on the survival rate of those who've already been treated for colon cancer. Those who ate what researchers dubbed the "Western" diet were three times as likely to die or suffer a recurrence than those on a “prudent” ...
Risk-Averse Euro Markets Retreat
Bloomberg
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Aug 15, 2007 7:42 AM CDT
(Newser) -
European markets plunged today over worries about the spreading subprime mortgage crisis. Analysts downgraded UBS and Deutsche Bank, which dropped, and all 14 open Western European exchanges lost ground, echoing the Asian markets' earlier retreat. "There's a lot of uncertainty about what's going on and who has lost money from the credit-market...
Rutgers Player Sues Imus Over Insults
ABC News
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Aug 15, 2007 7:16 AM CDT
(Newser) -
One of the Rutgers basketball players radio host Don Imus referred to as "nappy-headed hos" is suing the shock jock for libel, slander, defamation, and violation of her civil rights, among other charges. Kia Vaughn, 20, the Scarlet Knights' star center, is seeking unspecified monetary damages from the 67-year-old radio personality and affiliated...
Scot Separatists Publish Plans for Independence
Scotsman (UK)
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Aug 15, 2007 6:56 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The August lull in British politics has given way to a national debate on an unexpected topic: Scottish independence. The separatist leader of Scotland's regional parliament has published a white paper outlining plans for a referendum and suggesting features of an independent Scotland: its own army, its own EU membership, and especially its own governance...
US to Label Iran's Elite Force Terrorists
Washington Post
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Aug 15, 2007 6:37 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Iran's elite military branch, the Revolutionary Guard, will be officially designated a terrorist organization by the US, the Washington Post reports. The declaration will allow Washington to block assets and disrupt the operations of businesses linked to the unit worldwide. The 125,000-member Guard, a powerful political force, is increasingly...
Bad Newz Dogs Vick
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Aug 15, 2007 6:19 AM CDT
(Newser) -
With federal prosecutors poised to bring more serious charges against Michael Vick in the ongoing dogfighting investigation, the quarterback's attorneys are trying to work out a plea deal, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Two more of Vick's co-defendants are expected to plead guilty this week.
Tiger Designing First Golf Course
Associated Press
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Aug 15, 2007 5:20 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Super champ Tiger Woods is ready to hit the greens again—this time with his first-ever design for a golf course. He's planning a whole new 18 holes on a scenic spread in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. Describing himself as a "minimalist," Woods said he'll rely on the land to dictate form, but plans a challenging game.
Netanyahu Wins Likud Leadership in Landslide
Jerusalem Post (Israel)
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Aug 15, 2007 4:44 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Benjamin Netanyahu has swept re-election to the chairmanship of Israel's powerful right-wing Likud Party, boosting his intent to reclaim his position as head of Israel. "The Likud's journey back to the prime minister's office has begun," he declared. Netanyahu, 57, grabbed 73% of the vote in early results, leaving radical Jewish settler...
Crickey! Crocs Tree Aussie Man
BBC
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Aug 15, 2007 4:09 AM CDT
(Newser) -
An Australian farmer spent a week in a tree, out of reach of stalking crocodiles and surviving on two sandwiches and some fresh water, reports the BBC. He fell from his horse while riding in the northern outback and found himself in high swamp grass criss-crossed with "monstrous" croc tracks in the middle of a nest.
NBA Ref Will Plead Guilty
Associated Press
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Aug 15, 2007 3:28 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The former NBA referee accused of betting on league games will plead guilty today, according to an AP source. Tim Donaghy, whose lawyer declined comment, is expected to surrender in Brooklyn's federal court today. NBA commish David Stern has called Donaghy an "isolated criminal," and says his actions have no bearing on the league's credibility.
Credit Fears Sink Asian Markets
Reuters
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Aug 15, 2007 3:08 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Global credit turmoil rocked Asian markets today, pushing Japan’s Nikkei to 2007 lows, as US and Canadian firms struggled to meet payments and Wal-Mart and Swiss Bank UBS released disappointing forecasts. Through it all the Yen rose, as risk-averse investors turned to some safe havens in Japan, Reuters reports.
General to Call for Pullbacks —But Troops Will Stick in Iraq
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 15, 2007 3:05 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Iraq's US military commander Gen. David Petraeus is expected next month to recommend a pullback of US troops from safer areas—but likely won't bring any troops home, the Los Angeles Times reports. The move is intended to demonstrate Iraqi capabilities to secure less volatile areas without US combat support.
Ex-Speaker Leaving Congress
New York Times
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Aug 15, 2007 12:55 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Congressman J. Dennis Hastert, Republican House Speaker for eight years until he was ousted when Democrats won the majority in November, will not seek re-election in 2008, the New York Times reports. Hastert, who served longer as speaker than any other Republican, says it's too difficult to adjust to a reduced role after being a key political figure.
Feds Crack Down on California Pot Operations
Reuters
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Aug 15, 2007 12:24 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The federal Drug Enforcement Agency is stepping up raids on California's medicinal marijuana distributors, confiscating drugs and arresting vendors at ten Los Angeles operations last month alone, Reuters reports. California legalized medicinal marijuana use more than ten years ago, but possession of the drug violates federal law. Federal officials...
Martinez Aces Rehab Start
Newsday
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Aug 14, 2007 11:57 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Mets ace Pedro Martinez posted a second solid rehab start in the Gulf Coast League yesterday, throwing 60 pitches and three perfect innings. Martinez, who's recovering from a torn tendon in his calf, says he's anxious to get back into the rotation. "It's going to take a while," admitted the nine-time Cy Young winner.
Pavarotti Extends Stay in Hospital
Associated Press
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Aug 14, 2007 11:22 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Tenor Luciano Pavarotti has decided to extend his stay in the hospital a few more days, his wife said, saying the star feels “more tranquil” there and denying rumors that he had pneumonia. The opera luminary, who had surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2006, was hospitalized last week when a checkup revealed he had a fever. Doctors cleared...
Bush Vows to Hunt Down Illegals
Christian Science Monitor
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Aug 14, 2007 8:42 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Bush is vowing to enforce old immigration laws after all, now that comprehensive reform has croaked on the Senate floor. He promises to crack down on workers who don't have valid Social Security numbers in particular, but bosses parry that there can be good reasons for numerical snafus with the agency – and huge headaches trying to unwrap its...
You Can't Blame the Man for Everything
Weekly Standard
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Aug 14, 2007 7:28 PM CDT
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The media crowned him with a wizard's hat and now they’re knocking it off, saying they just don’t feel the magic anymore. But Rove was never a magician, always an adviser, and usually a brilliant one, argues the Weekly Standard’s Fred Barnes. After all, he steered Bush through four political victories and sprinkled just enough magic...
Hollywood Won’t Wait for Troops to Come Home
Guardian (UK)
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Aug 14, 2007 7:15 PM CDT
(Newser) -
About a dozen films exploring America's widely debated role in Iraq and Afghanistan are set for release or in production, marking a break with Hollywood's unwritten rules for depicting an ongoing war. Most films made during WW2 were outright propaganda. And films critical of the Vietnam conflict weren't released until three years after the fall of...
