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.
AT&T Stops Time (of Day)
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 29, 2007 6:39 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Californians are saying goodbye to a more genteel era, a time when they used to set clocks by calling in to AT&T for the correct hour. Cell phones and computers have made the service outdated, the company says. “Times change,” says a spokesman. “There are just too many other ways to get this information.” This leaves Nevada...
NASA Blasts Rumors of Drunken Astronauts
Miami Herald
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Aug 29, 2007 6:20 PM CDT
(Newser) -
NASA said today there is no truth to allegations that several astronauts were drunk as they were blasted into space, the Miami Herald reports. A month after an independent panel reported vague accounts of astronauts drunk on the job, space agency officials said interviews and a review of 20 years' worth records found nothing to support the claim.
Extremists Mark New ‘Cold Peace’
Macleans
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Aug 29, 2007 5:54 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The “sleeping bear” of Mother Russia is either waking to attack its enemies or rolling over a few victims as it dozes, dreaming of a lost empire, Maclean’s reports. Military flights above Guam and flag-posting on the North Pole have been well-reported; but an explosion of violent nationalism, including a video of a beheading on...
Fires Are 'National Humiliation'
BBC
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Aug 29, 2007 5:21 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Firefighters in Greece said today they have tamed the wildfires that have ravaged the countryside, the BBC reports, but the political tempest over the handling of the crisis is just heating up. As protesters demonstrated in Athens against the government, crews said the fires that have claimed 63 lives are “generally receding” but admitted...
Bush: 'Better Days Are Ahead' for New Orleans
Washington Post
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Aug 29, 2007 5:03 PM CDT
(Newser) -
President Bush spoke at a New Orleans charter school today, commemorating the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and promising a "strong commitment" from the federal government to rebuilding the city. But many residents viewed the president's visit with skepticism, the NY Times reports, angered by what they see as the White House's...
Labor Day Traffic Forecast: Not Quite as Bad
Associated Press
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Aug 29, 2007 5:01 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Nearly 29 million people will travel by car during the upcoming Labor Day weekend, AAA reports—slightly fewer than last year, despite lower gas prices. A gallon averages $2.75, down 10 cents from last Labor Day. The overall number of travelers this holiday weekend is expected to go up, however, thanks to a slight increase in air travel.
Start-ups Tap the Passion for Beer Pong
Wall Street Journal
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Aug 29, 2007 4:48 PM CDT
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Weaving along the path more famously trod by Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, recent grads are cashing in on the popularity of the college drinking game beer pong, the Journal reports. With young alums bringing the pastime—which blends ping-pong and beer chugging—out into the real world, entrepreneurs are organizing tournaments and hawking...
Daddy Don't You Dance so Fast
People
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Aug 29, 2007 4:47 PM CDT
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A Spice Girl, a billionaire, a supermodel, a racecar driver, and a soap hunk will all be breaking out their dancing shoes for season five of Dancing with the Stars . The ABC hit, which revealed its new 12-person cast today, is slated to premiere next month with a new format that will emphasize the backgrounds of its stars, People reveals.
Dude! Deadheads Get Own Channel
Variety
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Aug 29, 2007 4:25 PM CDT
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Twelve years after Jerry Garcia's death, the band is getting back together—on satellite radio. Sirius will launch a channel that's all Grateful Dead, all the time on September 7, kicking off with a legendary 1974 performance at the Hollywood Bowl. "This is gonna be one fun channel," says guitarist Bob Weir.
Techs Lead Mega Stock Rally
Wall Street Journal
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Aug 29, 2007 4:14 PM CDT
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The Nasdaq added 2.5% of its value, or 62.52 points, to close at 2563.16, its biggest gain of the year. Techs were up across the board, after hard-disk manufacturer Seagate announced better-than-expected profits and outlook, and Apple hinted at a new line of iPods. Nokia and Intel posted big gains, but the surge was felt widely: winners outnumbered...
Republican Scandal Level Approaches Self-Parody
New York Times
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Aug 29, 2007 4:11 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Sen. Larry Craig's bathroom toe tap is only the latest in a seemingly endless string of scandal that has Republicans at wit's end, the NY Times reports. Such episodes are fueling voter suspicion of a party already tied to an unpopular president and the Iraq war. "We are approaching a level of ridiculousness," fumes one GOP activist.
Tobacco Giant Plans Spinoff of Overseas Arm
Bloomberg
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Aug 29, 2007 4:03 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Altria, the world's largest tobacco company, wants to break its Philip Morris International unit off from its US counterpart, Bloomberg reports, to pursue greater overseas growth while insulating it from health-related US lawsuits. "Tobacco is growing overseas, while in the US it's in decline, making a reasonable argument for separating the two...
8-Year-Old Marathoner's Father Denies Abuse
Reuters
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Aug 29, 2007 3:59 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The father of the Chinese girl who ran more than 2,000 miles in honor of the Beijing Olympics is being accused of child abuse. Experts say her grueling schedule--more than 40 miles a day--was dangerous even for an adult, but the girl's father is defiant. "She is always healthy around me and never said her legs hurt," he told Reuters today.
Lottery's Luster Scratching Off
San Diego Union-Tribune
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Aug 29, 2007 3:43 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The fever over big lottery jackpots is cooling as huge payouts become more common, and lose their once-in-a-lifetime cachet. What's more, the growing casino scene is muscling in on the lotto's territory -- casinos offer a better chance of winning, in a more electric atmosphere than your local 7-Eleven.
All the Space That's Fit to Sell
Wall Street Journal
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Aug 29, 2007 3:42 PM CDT
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Newspapers, in an effort to bring in cash and stave off extinction, are selling iconic properties in downtown districts, the Journal reports. The latest example is the Philadelphia Inquirer, whose new owner hopes to net $70 million for its Beaux-Arts tower; the Boston Herald and Minneapolis Star Tribune are also among the outfits looking to profit...
Owen Wilson Drops Out of Next Movie
Fox News
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Aug 29, 2007 3:41 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Owen Wilson won’t appear in Tropic Thunder after an alleged suicide attempt that's made the actor tabloid fodder, Fox News reports. Wilson was to join the production next week in Hawaii but has struck a “mutual agreement” with director Ben Stiller. The news comes on the heels of an Us Weekly report that Wilson was addicted to...
Feared Extinct, Dolphin Resurfaces
Associated Press
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Aug 29, 2007 3:11 PM CDT
(Newser) -
A member of a dolphin species so rare that it was reported possibly extinct may have been spotted in the Yangtze River. The baiji, or white flag dolphin, was declared extinct last December, but earlier this month a man shot a video showing what appears to be a baiji frolicking in the river. Hopeful scientists plan to search the area.
Cancer Can Wait; Botox Doesn't
New York Times
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Aug 29, 2007 3:00 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Patients have a better chance of seeing their dermatologists if they want Botox than if they want a potentially cancerous mole examined, a new study finds. Researchers, posing as patients in a dozen cities, faced a typical wait of eight days for cosmetic procedures and 26 days to test a suspicious mole that could signal skin cancer.
Credit Crisis Spurs Calls for New Oversight
New York Times
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Aug 29, 2007 2:32 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Financial regulators and politicians across Europe and Asia are banding together to demand an international role in the oversight of American markets. The subprime meltdown has demonstrated that fluctuations in American markets can wreak havoc the world over, the Times reports, and now international players are wondering why they must shoulder American...
Net Startups Go Gaga Over Silly Company Names
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 29, 2007 2:19 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Following in the Google tradition of using a goofy name to stand out from the Silicon Valley pack, a new generation of internet startups is sporting wacky monikers that may rile investors and confuse consumers. Young companies resort to names like Tagtooga and Qoosa to carve out unique identities and snap up domains that aren’t already taken.
Craig’s Seat Up for Grabs, but Not for Dems
Politico
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Aug 29, 2007 1:56 PM CDT
(Newser) -
It’s unlikely that Larry Craig will stand for re-election to the Senate next year—but don’t even think about chalking up another seat for the Democrats. Pleading guilty to disorderly conduct in an airport bathroom will probably end Craig’s career, but Politico says Idaho’s one of the country's most Republican states—68%...
Punk Rock Impresario Kristal Dead
Associated Press
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Aug 29, 2007 1:40 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Hilly Kristal, whose iconic club CBGB was the epicenter of American punk rock, died yesterday at 75 after a battle with lung cancer. The New York venue—fully titled CBGB & OMFUG, or "Country, Bluegrass and Blues & Other Music For Uplifting Gourmandisers"—showcased the Ramones, the Talking Heads and Patti Smith before it...
Helmsley's Heir Is the Dog
New York Post
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Aug 29, 2007 1:16 PM CDT
(Newser) -
When the Queen of Mean’s will was read, Trouble, the billionaire hotel magnate’s pampered, biting Maltese, came calling. Leona Helmsley left $12 million to the 8-year-old pooch, along with $38 million to three other family members. The rest—between $4 and $8 billion—went to her charity trust, the New York Post reports. Helmsley...
Rove's Jag Gets Punk’d
Associated Press
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Aug 29, 2007 12:49 PM CDT
(Newser) -
When Karl Rove drives off into the sunset tonight, his ride will boast a new take on “Just Married” decorations. While the just-resigned strategist was visiting Texas, his Jaguar was pranked at the White House, the AP reports. The jokesters wrapped the vehicle in plastic wrap before slapping on an “I Love Barack Obama” bumper...
Gospel Lives in the Oval Office
Bloomberg
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Aug 29, 2007 12:41 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Billy Graham has seen US leaders laid bare, from skinny-dipping with LBJ to long walks on the beach with GWB. A new book details the ailing 88-year-old preacher’s rendezvous with presidents past, including counseling Ford to pardon Nixon and advising Hillary Clinton to look past Monica Lewinsky. Graham’s refusal to be a party booster has...
Ex-PM Puts Power-Sharing Deal At Risk
Financial Times (UK)
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Aug 29, 2007 12:25 PM CDT
(Newser) -
As Benazir Bhutto prepares to return to Pakistan in a possible power-sharing arrangement with Pervez Musharraf, a second former PM is also heading back to the country to unseat the general. In an interview with the Financial Times , Nawaz Sharif says that he will mount a campaign in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan to wrest back power.
Mattel Gets Tough on Chinese Suppliers
New York Times
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Aug 29, 2007 11:57 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The first batch of lead-tainted toys it had to recall, Mattel wrote off as an isolated incident—"a single vendor who made a big mistake.” But when it came to recalling 1.5 million unsafe Barbie dolls, Sarge jeeps and other toys made in China, the company knew its relationships with Chinese contractors would have to be overhauled, the...
10 Most Expensive Hotel Suites
Times (UK)
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Aug 29, 2007 11:37 AM CDT
(Newser) -
When New York's Four Seasons opened a new penthouse suite costing a cool $30,000 a night, they boasted that it was the world's most expensive hotel room. Think again. The Times of London lists the world's most astronomically priced hotel rooms. Royal Penthouse Suite, Hotel President Wilson, Geneva ($53,000) Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Palms...
Richards Throws Stones at Swedish Critics
Associated Press
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Aug 29, 2007 11:18 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Keith Richards, the man who ate a cigarette onstage and snorted his father’s ashes, has reached his limit. The 63-year-old Rolling Stones guitarist wants Swedish newspaper critics to apologize for scathing reviews of a concert this month in which they called Richards “superdrunk” and “a bit confused,” the AP reports.
Uncertain Art World Awaits Fall Sales
New York Times
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Aug 29, 2007 10:47 AM CDT
(Newser) -
As the art world returns from its summer hiatus, dealers, auctioneers, and collectors are on edge about a possible downturn in the market, the Times reports. Fallout from the global credit crunch has led to speculation that astronomical prices for art, particularly in the contemporary sector, may be heading for a correction.
Al-Sadr Tells Mahdi Army to Stand Down
Associated Press
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Aug 29, 2007 10:14 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has called for a six-month suspension of activity by his Mahdi Army to reorganize the force. The hostile group has splintered into multiple factions recently, some of which may be trained and supplied by Iran.
Iraqis Fleeing to US Hindered
New York Times
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Aug 29, 2007 9:58 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Iraqis who have worked with the occupation forces, endangering their own lives, face overwhelming obstacles if they want to enter the US as refugees. Tens of thousands of locals work for contractors, but because they're not directly employed by the US government, they're not eligible for special immigration status. The Times looks at the difficulties...
Senator, on the Mend, Returns to SD
ABC News
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Aug 29, 2007 9:21 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Tim Johnson will be back in the Senate next week, and yesterday he returned to South Dakota to declare, "I am back!" What's more, in a series of interviews during his recovery from the brain hemorrhage that threw the control of the Senate into question, he told ABC's Bob Woodruff, "I expect to run and to win" in 2008.
Freeman Tapped to Start for Miami
Miami Herald
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Aug 29, 2007 9:13 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Kirby Freeman will be at the helm when Miami opens its season against Marshall on Saturday at the Orange Bowl. The redshirt junior, who was 2-2 in four starts last year, steps into the shoes of friend and ex-starter Kyle Wright, who ended last season early due to injury and is currently nursing a sore knee.
D-Backs Lead Teeters After Padres Win
Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
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Aug 29, 2007 9:01 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The Diamondbacks watched their lead in the NL West narrow to a single game after their second straight loss, 6-4, to the second-place Padres. Arizona ace Brandon Webb gave up six runs on seven hits and earned an error in just over five innings. Arizona skipper Bob Melvin was kicked out of the game for disputing a call at base.
The Force Is With the Discovery
Inside Bay Area (Oakland)
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Aug 29, 2007 8:56 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery will have a bit of extra protection on their next mission: Luke Skywalker's original light saber from 1977's Star Wars . Lucasfilm has loaned the prop—in real life not much more than a slick flashlight—to NASA for the shuttle's launch this October, reports the Oakland Tribune .
Immigration Raid Targets Ohio Plant
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Aug 29, 2007 8:50 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Immigration agents raided a poultry-packing plant in Fairfield, Ohio, and arrested some 160 undocumented workers yesterday. The raid was part of a 2-year investigation into Koch Foods, which officials call an "egregious violator" of immigration laws, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "We’re going to look wherever the evidence...
Couric Will Report From Iraq, Syria
Hollywood Reporter
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Aug 29, 2007 8:24 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Katie Couric leaves today for a 10-day trip to Iraq and Syria, where she will cover the war and the turbulent Middle East as the Pentagon's September 15 deadline for a report on Iraq looms. Couric will spend six days in Iraq, twice anchoring "CBS Evening News" live from Baghdad, before heading to Damascus.
Euro Stocks, US Futures Rise, Asia Dips
Bloomberg
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Aug 29, 2007 7:44 AM CDT
(Newser) -
European stocks and US futures advanced overnight, as traders waxed optimistic that the credit crisis won't spread to affect the broader economy. But Asian markets are more concerned about the general prospect of a US slowdown—which could hit Asia's export-heavy economy hard.
Doctor Killed Beethoven, Says Pathologist
Associated Press
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Aug 29, 2007 7:35 AM CDT
(Newser) -
It's not exactly CSI , but the classical era now has its own forensic murder investigation. A new Austrian study has concluded that Ludwig von Beethoven died from overdoses of lead administered by his doctor with the intention of healing him. Beethoven suffered from cirrhosis of the liver, and that organ's absorption of the lead killed him.
Shiite Factions Fight Amid Pilgrims in Karbala
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 29, 2007 7:14 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A million pilgrims were ordered to evacuate the holy city of Karbala yesterday as Shiite militias fought each other for control of southern Iraq, killing 51 people. Another 200 were injured in chaos after gunmen loyal to anti-US cleric Moqtada al-Sadr fired on members of the Badr Organization, the armed faction of the Supreme Islamic Council. Snipers...
8 Korean Hostages Freed
BBC
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Aug 29, 2007 6:56 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The Taliban released eight hostages today, a day after reaching a deal with the South Korean government. Three who were released earlier this morning were brought to the town of Ghazni by tribal elders—acting as mediators—then handed over to the Red Cross. South Korea has agreed to pull out its troops from Afghanistan (as already planned)...
Burning Man Torched Early
San Francisco Chronicle
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Aug 29, 2007 6:35 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A San Francisco vandal torched a giant effigy four days before it was slated to burn as part of the annual hedonistic Burning Man arts festival, according to police. The vandal was arrested for arson and possession of fireworks. Most of the 40-foot Man is still standing, and organizers are promising to rebuild it and go ahead with Saturday night's...
Crime Rocks New Orleans
Reuters
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Aug 29, 2007 5:59 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Only two-thirds of the population of New Orleans has returned since Hurricane Katrina destroyed large parts of the city two years ago—but crime has returned full force. The murder rate in the Big Easy is rocketing, crime is a constant fear among citizens and many are arming themselves for protection, Reuters reports.
Lucy Debuts in Houston
Houston Chronicle
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Aug 29, 2007 5:20 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Lucy kicks off her public debut at the Houston Museum of Natural Science tomorrow amid controversy that the world's favorite human ancestor should never have left her home in Ethiopia. The public wants the chance to the 3.2 million-year-old remains, but scientists say Lucy's too fragile to travel.
Musharraf to Share Power
Telegraph (UK)
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Aug 29, 2007 5:15 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Pakistan President General Musharraf, a key ally of the US in the war on terror, will quit the army ahead of elections next year in a power-sharing deal with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The deal, brokered by the US and Britain, is aimed at solving a deepening political crisis in Pakistan, reports London's Daily Telegraph.
US Arrests Iranians, Then Admits Error
BBC
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Aug 29, 2007 5:12 AM CDT
(Newser) -
US soldiers detained 8 envoys from Iran's energy ministry in Baghdad yesterday and held them overnight before admitting it was a mistake, the BBC reports. The men, who were energy experts on an official visit, were released after Iraqi leaders intervened. The US military said they were stopped at a checkpoint when their Iraqi escorts were found to...
Asthma Hits 9/11 Rescuers at 12 Times Normal Rate
New York Daily News
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Aug 29, 2007 5:05 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Ground Zero rescue and cleanup workers are developing asthma at 12 times the normal rate, a New York City health report has found. Among 25,000 workers interviewed, 3.6% of them—926 firefighters, police officers, construction workers and volunteers—have been diagnosed with the respiratory illness since 2001 . The normal rate would be 77...
EarthLink Slashing Half Its Workforce
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Aug 29, 2007 4:50 AM CDT
(Newser) -
EarthLink will slash half its workforce after months of losses, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Atlanta-based company will cut 900 jobs, closing offices in six cities. The massive downsizing comes just two months after Rolla P. Huff took over as chief executive of the internet pioneer, which has been overtaken by technology changes...
Sharapova Advances in Style
ESPN
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Aug 29, 2007 4:45 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Maria Sharapova dazzled in her US Open performance last night. The 2006 champion, bedecked in a crystal-studded red dress, downed Italy's Roberta Vinci 6-0, 6-1 in only 50 minutes. The tennis ace, who has struggled with a shoulder injury this year, was all confidence in her custom-made togs, smashing 30 winners to Vinci's 3 and advancing easily to...
