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.
One Unrivaled Market Force: Vacation
Financial Times (UK)
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Aug 25, 2007 6:19 AM CDT
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The FT leads with a prediction that market volatility will decrease over the next week for a simple reason: everyone's going on vacation. Major decisions by banks, hedge funds and mortgage lenders will be on hold as the financial world bails New York, London and Frankfurt for the end of the summer season.
Choi Takes Lead at Barclays
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 10:23 PM CDT
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K.J. Choi gave Tiger Woods a run for his money at the Barclays today, even though the new dad wasn't entered in the first round of the FedEx Cup. Choi, who's having his best year in golf, made a 5-under 66, giving him a two-shot lead over Rich Beem going into the weekend, and the possibility of upsetting Tiger as the No. 1 seed, the AP reports.
How Much Does It Cost to Tie the Knot?
Wall Street Journal
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Aug 24, 2007 6:58 PM CDT
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The notion that Americans are blowing vast sums of money on weddings is debunked by the Numbers Guy at the Wall Street Journal . The figure is often touted that the average US wedding costs $30,000; in fact, it's closer to half that price. Carl Bialik says the surveys, distributed by the bridal business, are skewed by interviewing only couples likely...
File-sharing Felon Forced to Use Windows
ZDNet
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Aug 24, 2007 6:36 PM CDT
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An individual convicted of operating an illegal BitTorrent site shut down by the FBI will be forced to either make the switch from Linux to Windows or give up his computer altogether, ZDNet reports. Scott McCausland had previously been a user of the Ubuntu OS, a popular open-source Linux variant, with which his probation-mandated monitoring software...
Obama Has GOP Crossover Appeal
Salon
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Aug 24, 2007 6:28 PM CDT
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Here's one race where Barack isn't trailing Hillary: the one for GOP defectors. In a recent poll, Iowa Republicans chose the freshman senator as their third-favored presidential candidate (after Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani), Salon reports. And in recent GOP focus groups, Obama’s crossover appeal was more than twice that of any of his Dem rivals.
Judge Allows Noriega Extradition
Miami Herald
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Aug 24, 2007 5:29 PM CDT
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A federal judge today rejected former dictator Manuel Noriega's request to return to Panama following his release from a Miami prison next month, the Miami Herald reports. Noriega sought to avoid extradition to France, where he faces a 10-year sentence for a conviction in abstentia on money laundering charges. Noriega argued that he was entitled...
NFL Bans Vick Indefinitely
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 5:15 PM CDT
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Michael Vick was suspended from the NFL indefinitely without pay this afternoon, hours after he admitted in a federal plea agreement to financing a dogfighting operation that involved gambling, the AP reports. Vick maintains that he didn't bet himself or receive any winnings, but commissioner Roger Goodell called his actions "not only illegal...
Web, TV Cut Sleep Quality
Reuters
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Aug 24, 2007 5:07 PM CDT
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Watching TV or surfing the web before bed can reduce the quality of sleep, a Japanese study has found. Reuters reports that people who unglue themselves from the screen before hitting the sheets reported less sleep, even though they sleep as much as the less addicted.
Storms, Floods Shake Midwest
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 4:50 PM CDT
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Powerful thunderstorms, humidity, and sky-high temperatures are making the flooding situation in the Midwest even stickier. The death toll has climbed to 17, and businesses and infrastructure have taken a big hit. Meanwhile, residents are returning home in droves as floodwaters abate, only to find that the electricity is out and they have no way to...
Teen Hacker Switches iPhone Carriers
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 4:49 PM CDT
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A 17-year-old New Jersey student has unlocked Apple's previously AT&T-exclusive iPhone, the AP reports, potentially opening the floodgates for users who want to use the vaunted handset with other carriers. Teen hacker George Hotz used a complex combination of software alterations—and hardware soldering—to let his phone onto T-Mobile's...
Ex-Astronaut Faces Romantic Rival in Court
Orlando Sentinel
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Aug 24, 2007 4:37 PM CDT
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The Air Force captain who was allegedly stalked and attacked by Lisa Nowak testified today she is still afraid of the ex-astronaut. At a pretrial hearing in Orlando, Colleen Shipman told the court she would feel more comfortable if Nowak continues wearing an ankle monitor that tracks her location, the Sentinel reports, in case Nowak tries to come...
Stocks Climb Following Surprising Home Sales Numbers
Bloomberg
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Aug 24, 2007 4:27 PM CDT
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The Dow closed at 13,378.87 today, up 142.99 on strong durable goods orders and a better-than-expected home sales forecast. The S&P 500 jumped 16.87 to 1,479.37, and the Nasdaq rose 34.99 to 2,576.69. Nucor Corp., the second-largest American steel manufacturer, spearheaded the rally with a 7% gain following a favorable report from Merrill Lynch.
Ex-Klansman Gets 3 Life Terms for 1964 Murders
Clarion-Ledger
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Aug 24, 2007 3:45 PM CDT
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A 72-year-old ex-Klansman drew three life sentences today for his involvement in the 1964 murders of two black teens in Mississippi, the Clarion-Ledger reports. "Justice is ageless," the judge told James Ford Seale, who was found guilty in June of kidnapping and conspiracy in the abduction, beating, and drowning of Henry Hezekiah Dee and...
Remains of Russian Royals Found
Guardian (UK)
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Aug 24, 2007 3:12 PM CDT
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Russian archaeologists say they’ve unearthed remains belonging to two children of Nicholas II, the Russian czar executed along with the rest of his family almost 90 years ago. The discovery of Alexei and Maria Romanov may help prove the authenticity of remains found in 1991 that are believed to be those of their parents and their three sisters.
Just Call San Francisco Lucky Town
Forbes
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Aug 24, 2007 2:57 PM CDT
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True love is hard to find, but your odds are substantially higher if you live in one of Forbes ' top 40 cities for singles. San Francisco-Oakland New York Los Angeles
Murdoch’s Shadow Looms at Journal
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 24, 2007 2:25 PM CDT
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Rupert Murdoch is on a yacht in the Mediterranean, but his presence is already being felt at the newspaper in lower Manhattan he doesn't own yet. The media baron rolled up his sleeves and called three reporters at the Wall Street Journal —which he bought for $5 billion last month—asking them to reconsider leaving the paper.
Historian Begs to Differ With the Decider
Politico
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Aug 24, 2007 1:53 PM CDT
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A historian quoted by President Bush yesterday said his words were misused in a “perverse” attempt to defend the Iraq War , Politico reports. At issue is John Dower's statement in a 1999 book that if naysayers had had their way, the fledgling democracy in Japan after WWII “would have died of ridicule at an early age.” Bush...
Giuliani Tops McCain With Vets
New York Post
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Aug 24, 2007 1:29 PM CDT
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In a new poll, military veterans like Rudy Giuliani best of the top-tier presidential hopefuls. Rudy beats ex-POW John McCain's favorable rating 64% to 52%, the Post reports. Surprisingly, the third place candidate is Barack Obama, at 44%, edging out Edwards (43%) and Thompson (40%). Clinton (37%) and Romney (33%) bring up the rear.
Summer of Scandals Leaves BBC in Crisis
Guardian (UK)
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Aug 24, 2007 1:04 PM CDT
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The Brits are having a crisis of conscience over the BBC: A summer of scandals has left the BBC's squeaky-clean image compromised. The UK's public broadcaster has aired rigged call-in games, sneakily edited news stories, and credulity-straining reality shows. A leading broadcaster charges the station has suffered "a catastrophic loss of nerve."
Put Your Best Line Forward
Spinner
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Aug 24, 2007 12:30 PM CDT
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It's good to lead off with a bang, especially if your business is song lyrics. Spinner.com lists the 25 best opening lines: "She's a very kinky girl" (Rick James, "Superfreak") "I was born in a cross-fire hurricane" (The Rolling Stones, "Jumpin' Jack Flash") "Hey, ho, let's go!"...
Vick Signs Guilty Plea, Denies Killing Dogs
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Aug 24, 2007 12:08 PM CDT
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Michael Vick admits sponsoring a dogfighting operation and denies killing dogs but acknowledges that dogs were killed through his and two co-defendants' "collective efforts," according to the plea agreement the disgraced Falcons QB signed yesterday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He also acknowledges promoting gambling but denies...
'Champ' Packs a Weak Punch
Rotten Tomatoes
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Aug 24, 2007 11:45 AM CDT
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The newsroom-meets-boxing-ring drama "Resurrecting the Champ" is slow on its feet, critics say, weighed down by its own sentimentality, despite a powerful performance by Samuel L. Jackson—"slumming again in a role miles beneath him," writes Stephen Hunter of the Washington Post —and a taste of the nuts and bolts of...
Roses Are Red, Viagra Is Blue ...
Reuters
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Aug 24, 2007 11:35 AM CDT
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Viagra and other ED drugs may elevate levels of a hormone linked with feelings of love, a new study shows. Oxytocin, long associated with breastfeeding and maternal affection, also plays a part in arousal and orgasm; Viagra and related meds work on the part of the brain that controls levels of the hormone in rats, Reuters reports.
New-Home Sales Grow, Spur Wall St.
Bloomberg
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Aug 24, 2007 11:21 AM CDT
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New-home sales grew 2.8% last month, delivering an unexpected bit of good news to investors still reeling from the credit crunch. But the housing market, which had been rebounding in recent months from a slump, will likely show renewed weakness after he mortgage crisis dust settles, Bloomberg reports.
Top General to Advise Iraq Troop Cut
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 24, 2007 10:55 AM CDT
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Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is expected to advise President Bush to cut the troop level in Iraq next year by nearly half, the Los Angeles Times reports. He will be conveying the Joint Chiefs' concern that attempting to maintain elevated troop levels in Iraq will cripple the US military, sources tell the Times .
Porn Queen Downsizes
Us Weekly
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Aug 24, 2007 10:21 AM CDT
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Relieved porn queen Jenna Jameson has had her breast implants removed to mark her retirement from the industry. "When I had implants, I felt uncomfortable," the 33-year-old multimillionare tells Us. "I would be shy at the beach. So I thought, 'Why don't I be who I am and get my real ones back?'"
Three UK Soldiers Killed by US Fire
Times (UK)
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Aug 24, 2007 9:59 AM CDT
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Fire from an American jet killed three British soldiers in Afghanistan yesterday evening in one of the worst “friendly fire” disasters in years. The US air support was called in to aid the soldiers, who were fighting Taliban forces; a single bomb from the F15 killed the Royal Anglian soldiers and wounded two others. An investigation was...
China Declares War on Tainted Exports
Reuters
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Aug 24, 2007 9:43 AM CDT
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In an effort to counteract the flood of bad publicity about its product-safety system, China will mount a 4-month "war" on tainted exports that focuses on whipping government officials into shape, Reuters reports. The short-term campaign is "a special battle to protect the health and personal interests of the public," says the vice...
This 'Nanny' Is No 'Devil'
Metacritic
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Aug 24, 2007 9:08 AM CDT
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One-dimensional characters and wooden acting cripple "The Nanny Diaries," critics say, calling the lavishly appointed frustrated-underling tale similar to "The Devil Wears Prada" in everything except quality. "They should've thrown everything away except the title and the outline," writes Michael Phillips in the Chicago...
Boy, 11, Shot Dead, and UK Press Reels
Sun (UK)
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Aug 24, 2007 8:37 AM CDT
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An 11-year-old boy was shot dead in Liverpool yesterday, leading to soul-searching and recriminations across the British press. Rhys Jones died in his mother's arms, apparently an innocent victim in a showdown between two local gangs. Rhys's photograph is on the cover of almost every newspaper today alongside claims of "anarchy in the UK."
Beckham Loses His Cool
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 7:59 AM CDT
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David Beckham got into a fight with an opponent during last night's 3-0 loss to Chivas USA in LA. The groggy, jet-lagged Galaxy star started shouting when Jesse Marsch fouled him on the leg, and the spat quickly devolved into a shoving match between the teams. Marsch said he apologized but Beckham "was kind of done with me."
Banks Might Derail Home Depot Deal
Wall Street Journal
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Aug 24, 2007 7:10 AM CDT
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The pending sale of part of Home Depot took an ugly turn last night as three banks and three private equity firms entered into a showdown over financing. Home Depot dropped its asking price by over $1 billion, but the banks involved—JPMorgan Chase, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch—have threatened to withdraw from a deal that may become...
Credit Crunch Continues, and So Do Ads
Washington Post
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Aug 24, 2007 6:43 AM CDT
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As the credit crunch transforms the financial landscape, one thing hasn't changed: lenders continue to offer loans that are too good to be true. The Washington Post writes that mortgage companies are still offering risky products to risky customers—even Countrywide, which barely avoided bankruptcy, is flogging cheap money with the slogan "We...
LSU's Odom Suspended After Attempted Break-In
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 6:41 AM CDT
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LSU linebacker Derrick Odom III was arrested yesterday after attempting to force his way into a condo following an argument with the resident last month, police said. Odom, considered one of the NCAA's most promising athletes, has been suspended from the team indefinitely pending further investigation, said a school spokesman.
Mother Teresa Tormented by Long, Dark Night of The Soul
Time
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Aug 24, 2007 6:01 AM CDT
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Even as she was selflessly ministering to the poor, Mother Teresa felt nothing of God’s presence, according to stunning personal letters published in a new book and this week’s TIME magazine. The nun wrote of a great “silence and emptiness” and the “pain and darkness” in her soul during a spiritual crisis that haunted...
Panda Fever Takes Vienna
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 5:58 AM CDT
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After Berlin's paroxysms over the polar cub Knut, now it's Vienna's turn: the giant panda Yang Yang has given birth to a 3.5-ounce cub, the first born in Europe in 25 years. The birth was a complete surprise; Yang Yang had shown no signs of pregnancy during a recent ultrasound, but zookeepers detected squealing from her compound yesterday.
College Athletes Scrape for Cash for Low-Profile Sports
New York Times
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Aug 24, 2007 5:34 AM CDT
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Football and basketball squads are big money makers for colleges, but less popular spectator sports have trouble just staying afloat. How much trouble? Penn State's fencing team clears trash at the football stadium after games to earn funds for the team, reports the New York Times . Star athletes at many other colleges also do menial tasks to...
NY Jets Trade Kendall to Skins
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 5:29 AM CDT
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The Jets traded left guard Pete Kendall to the Redskins yesterday after months of tension with the 11-year veteran. Kendall, a three-year starter with the Jets, had been refusing to participate in team functions because he was dissatisfied with his contract. In exchange for Kendall, New York will pick up at least a fifth-round draft pick next year.
Lohan Sentenced to Day in Jail
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 4:48 AM CDT
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Hollywood wild child Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to a single day in jail as part of a plea deal on misdemeanor charges of drunk driving and cocaine possession, reports AP. The actress was also sentenced to three years probation, ten days of community service, a rehab program, and three days visiting a morgue and speaking with the victims of drunk...
Richie Squirts Out of Jailhouse in 82 Minutes
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 24, 2007 4:48 AM CDT
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Nicole Richie was in and out of the jailhouse yesterday in less time than it takes to get her highlights done. The pregnant socialite was sentenced to four days after she pleaded no contest to a DUI rap, but spent just 82 minutes being processed, providing fingerprints and posing for a mug shot. She never made it to her cell, AP reports.
Chavez Hands Nation New Time Zone
Reuters
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Aug 24, 2007 4:45 AM CDT
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez plans to bump clocks in his nation back half an hour next month to add daylight to citizens' lives and create "a more fair distribution of the sunrise," Reuters reports. The change will particularly help poor children who wake up before dawn to go to school, explained Chavez' science and technology minister.
Out-of-Body Experience Induced in Lab
BBC
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Aug 24, 2007 4:13 AM CDT
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Scientists researching out-of-body experiences have discovered ways to trigger the phenomenon in volunteers, the BBC reports. Researchers using virtual reality goggles and body images were able to trick participants into thinking they had moved several feet away from their bodies. The results, published in the journal Science , offer intriguing...
Enormous Hole Found in Cosmos
Space.com
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Aug 24, 2007 3:32 AM CDT
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Astronomers have discovered a mysterious gigantic hole in the universe, reports Space.com. Unlike black holes, created by super dense material, this hole is devoid of matter. It measures nearly a billion light years wide and is 10 billion light years from earth. The hole was discovered by examining input from the Very Large Array radio telescope in...
Indians Zing Zumaya & Tigers in the 10th
USA Today
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Aug 24, 2007 3:31 AM CDT
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The Indians bested the Tigers 3-1 last night, clinching a 2-1 series win and climbing to 2½ games ahead of Detroit in the American League Central division. Though starters Jake Westbrook and Nate Robertson pitched shutouts through eight innings, Tigers closer Joel Zumaya surrendered three hits to Victor Martinez, Kenny Lofton and Chris Gomez...
Dodgers Sign David Wells
Associated Press
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Aug 24, 2007 3:30 AM CDT
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The Los Angeles Dodgers became the ninth team to sign David Wells yesterday, one week after the San Diego Padres placed him on release waivers. Wells, 44, posted a 14.33 ERA in his last three starts , dropping to 5-8 with a 5.54 ERA this season. The one-time Bronx hero is slated to start Sunday against the Mets in New York.
Wii Are the Champions
Bloomberg
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Aug 24, 2007 3:29 AM CDT
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Vdeo gamers were reaching for the Wii-mote in July after buying up an impressive 425,000 Nintendo Wii consoles—more than twice the sales of either X-Box 360 or Playstation 3. It was a strong month for video games as a whole, with console sales more than doubling since June to $286 million.
2 Airlines Fined $300M Each for Price Fixing
Associated Press
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Aug 23, 2007 6:55 PM CDT
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A US judge has fined British Airways and Korean Air $300 million apiece for conspiring to fix prices. Both carriers had their fines reduced—British Airways could have faced a fine as high as $900 million—after pleading guilty and cooperating with the Justice Department investigation into a global price-fixing scheme.
Romney: Dubya in Centrist's Clothing
American Prospect
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Aug 23, 2007 6:36 PM CDT
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Mitt Romney’s centrist past and anti-bigot pleasantries are belied by the hardcore conservative base he’s building, writes the American Prospect ’s Garance Franke-Ruta. The Republican presidential hopeful's overtures to the middle echo those of George W. Bush's 2000 campaign—in which Bush ultimately won by relying on his social...
AT&T Slims Down Mammoth iPhone Bills
New York Times
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Aug 23, 2007 6:14 PM CDT
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AT&T will no longer mail out meticulously itemized iPhone bills after receiving a wave of complaints from consumers, some of whom had received bills tens—or even hundreds—of pages long. The bills listed each and every data transfer charge, the Times reports, even though iPhones come with an unlimited data plan.
Writer Grace Paley Dies at 84
Los Angeles Times
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Aug 23, 2007 6:07 PM CDT
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Acclaimed writer and activist Grace Paley, who in only three collections of short stories gave earthy voice to the interior life of the Bronx Everywoman, died yesterday at age 84 in her Vermont home, the Los Angeles Times reports. Paley—whose sensibility admirer Philip Roth called "splendidly comic and unladylike"—suffered...
