Newser Story Index from September, 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.

Rockies, Padres End Race in Tie
Denver Post | Sep 30, 07 7:57 PM CDT
(Newser) - Rookie starter Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a lights-out game for Colorado, who held off Arizona in the season's final game to pull into a tie with San Diego for the NL wild card. The two teams will play an elimination game tomorrow in Denver, with the winner facing the Phillies in the first round of the playoffs. The Padres blew a 4-2 5th inning lead and...

Thompson Lacks Zeal, Charge Conservatives
New York Times | Sep 30, 07 7:25 PM CDT
(Newser) - Fred Thompson was supposed to be the conservative movement’s savior in the presidential campaign. But now, less than a month after entering the race, many on the right question his devotion to their causes and passion for politics, the New York Times reports. His record in the Senate reflects a tendency to break with the Republican pack and...

Bond's Moneypenny Dies at 80
BBC | Sep 30, 07 7:04 PM CDT
(Newser) - Lois Maxwell—better known as Miss Moneypenny, to James Bond devotees—has died at age 80 of cancer in an Australian hospital. She starred alongside Sir Sean Connery and Sir Roger Moore, and clocked a longer Bond career than either of the legendary 007's, the BBC reports. In 14 Bond films, the Canadian actress played the role of secretary...

Gebrselassie Sets Record in Berlin Race
New York Times | Sep 30, 07 6:58 PM CDT
(Newser) - Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie set a new world record at the Berlin marathon today, beating the previous record of close friend Paul Tergat by 29 seconds. Tergat called to congratulate his rival 10 minutes after he crossed the finish line. The champion’s response? “Sorry, Paul, try next year” reports the New Y ork Times .

Calatrava Unveils Designs for Chicago Spire Interiors
Chicago Tribune | Sep 30, 07 6:55 PM CDT
(Newser) - Taking a page from Frank Lloyd Wright's book, architect Santiago Calatrava has created a '"total design" for his Chicago Spire, which will be the the world's tallest residential building upon completion. Unlike Wright, who could be downright dictatorial about what furniture would be placed in his houses (and where), Calatrava's interior designs...

Iran Pledges to Help Keep Arms Out of Iraq
Los Angeles Times | Sep 30, 07 6:37 PM CDT
(Newser) - Iraqi officials claim they've secured a pledge from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to curb the flow of weapons and insurgent support across the Iraq-Iran border. Although Iran has not confirmed this pledge, Gen. David Petraeus said that attacks may have fallen slightly since the agreement last month. Petraeus said it's still "wait-and-see...

Homeowners Lure Free Labor With Libations
Wall Street Journal | Sep 30, 07 5:57 PM CDT
(Newser) - Word of advice: Cocktails and power tools don't mix. Renovation parties are sweeping the nation, as homeowners look for ways around rising construction costs. But handing out martinis and sledgehammers doesn’t always produce the best results, the Wall Street Journal counsels, recounting horror stories of crooked tiles, drywall hung backwards,...

Lifestyle Changes Could Cut Breast Cancer by10%
BBC | Sep 30, 07 5:45 PM CDT
(Newser) - A tenth of all breast cancer cases could be prevented by 2024, a UK cancer research foundation projects, if women made simple lifestyle changes beginning now: reducing the duration of hormone replacement therapy, avoiding obesity, drinking less, getting more exercise, and breastfeeding longer.

Racing to Fly With Biofuel
BBC | Sep 30, 07 5:45 PM CDT
(Newser) - Kiwis are planning to launch the first green commercial flight in about a year, the BBC reports. Air New Zealand promises to fly a 747 with 1 of 4 engines running on a kerosene-biofuel blend, but Virgin Atlantic may beat them to it with a bio-flight in early 2008. "It's not particularly a race, that's not the objective," says a spokeswoman.

Mets' Collapse Complete, Phillies Win East
New York Times | Sep 30, 07 5:30 PM CDT
(Newser) - In a stunning September reversal, the Mets completed an epic collapse — and the Phillies a historic comeback — to give Philadelphia the NL East title by one game, the New York Times reports. Future Hall-of-Famer Tom Glavine got only one out in the first before New York manager Willie Randolph pulled him, and the Marlins raced to a 7-0...

Bain, Chinese Firm Buy 3Com
Wall Street Journal | Sep 30, 07 5:14 PM CDT
(Newser) - Chinese company Huawei Technologies Co. will help private equity firm Bain Capital buy 3Com Corp., a flailing US telecommunications company, by picking up almost 20% of the tab. Recently Chinese businesses have bought strategic stakes in US companies rather than full buyouts to skirt political scrutiny, which can lead to a deal collapse, reports the...

Rock Scores With Game Plan
Variety | Sep 30, 07 5:12 PM CDT
(Newser) - Disney blitzed the weekend box office with The Game Plan , a PG comedy that outscored Universal's geopolitical shoot-'em-up, The Kingdom , $22.7 million to $17.7 million. They held a near-tie until Game Plan pulled away with a 63% increase on Saturday and Sunday. Variety reports that a third wide opening, The Feast of Love , served up just $1.7...

Bluetongue Means Crisis for UK Farmers
Guardian (UK) | Sep 30, 07 4:54 PM CDT
(Newser) - Bluetongue cases will keep infecting UK cattle and mire farmers in a financial crisis, possibly for years, the Guardian reports. Almost a dozen cows have been hit so far, the first tremor of UK bluetongue after 3,000 cattle were hit this summer in Northern Europe. So far Gordon Brown has set up a protection zone and vowed to find a bluetongue vaccine.

Supreme Court Returns for a Big Session
Reuters | Sep 30, 07 4:14 PM CDT
(Newser) - The Supreme Court enters its second session with Bush appointees John Roberts and Samuel Alito tomorrow, which means it will likely resume last session’s rightward slant, Reuters says. Before the court will be big cases on Guantanamo inmates’ right to habeas corpus, the legality of the lethal injection death penalty, and a variety of cases...

Favre Breaks All-Time TD Record
Associated Press | Sep 30, 07 3:55 PM CDT
(Newser) - Brett Favre zinged a 16-yard pass into history in today’s Packers-Vikings contest. With 4:56 to go in the first, Favre connected with Greg Jennings for his 421st career touchdown, breaking Dan Marino’s all-time record. He then rushed into the end zone and hoisted Jennings onto his shoulders, as even Minnesota fans applauded the accomplishment,...

German Women Win World Cup
Associated Press | Sep 30, 07 3:44 PM CDT
(Newser) - Germany took down Brazil 2-0 today, to win its second straight women’s World Cup. The game’s pivotal moment came in the second half, when Brazilian star Marta had a chance to tie the game on a penalty kick, but was blocked by goalkeeper Nadine Angerer. “After the penalty save, I felt it was meant to be," said Germany coach Silvia...

Hardy Bacteria Plagues Military Hospitals
Los Angeles Times | Sep 30, 07 3:29 PM CDT
(Newser) - It runs rampant in military hospitals, not virulent enough to infect the healthy, but highly resistant to many antibiotics and capable of lying dormant for years. Dozens infected by it have died, but it may not be the actual killer. The strange bacterium Acinetobacter has scientists scratching their heads, the LA Times reports.

Downtown LA Finally 'Happens'
Washington Post | Sep 30, 07 3:08 PM CDT
(Newser) - The clutter of buildings known as "downtown LA" is morphing from a nightly ghost town into a hip 'hood, the Washington Post reports. Recent laws have turned offices into lofts, and attracted hipsters to enjoy the high ceilings and roof parties. Artists are hightailing out as six-figure professionals come looking for what one expert calls...

Only Details Left in North Korea Disarmament
Reuters | Sep 30, 07 2:47 PM CDT
(Newser) - North Korea’s nuclear disarmament seems near at hand. Delegates from six-party negotiations returned home today to walk their governments through the plan's “nuts and bolts.” The talks fleshed out Korea’s February pledge to disarm for fuel aid. “Assuming we go forward with this, it lays out an entire roadmap through the...

Arctic Melt Nears 'Tipping Point'
Reuters | Sep 30, 07 2:15 PM CDT
(Newser) - Arctic ice has shrunk so significantly this past summer that scientists fear the region is at a dangerous "tipping point" that could trigger accelerated melting and dangerous consequences for weather patterns and environments. Ice shrank 20% below 2005’s record low. Scientists theorize that the darker sea holds more heat than the reflective...

DDT Linked to Breast Cancer
Los Angeles Times | Sep 30, 07 1:50 PM CDT
(Newser) - Women heavily exposed to DDT during childhood are five times more likely to develop breast cancer, according to a new study. Those born between the years 1945 and 1965— when the pesticide was used routinely in the US to kill mosquitoes—likely suffered the greatest exposure, reports the Los Angeles Times . The research suggests that as...

The Boss Works Old, New 'Magic'
New York Times | Sep 30, 07 1:25 PM CDT
(Newser) - In an era of has-been acts making a mockery of themselves, Bruce Springsteen rolls out his fourth album in five years—a poppy album with steely political undertones that proves he's as relevant as ever. Magic drops sugar-coated bombs on the Bushies, the New York Times' A.O. Scott writes, and the Boss is taking his E-Street Band polemic on...

Should Tonsil Hockey Be More Taboo?
CNN | Sep 30, 07 1:00 PM CDT
(Newser) - Birds do it. Bees do it. Even Tipper and Al do it. Smooch sloppily in public, that is. A recent rash of public heavy petting has Miss Manners everywhere exasperated, CNN reports. The year’s most outrageous makeout may be Richard Gere’s caresses of a Bollywood actress, leading to storms of protest across India, but it's hardly an isolated...

Mexican Border Fence Grows
Los Angeles Times | Sep 30, 07 12:32 PM CDT
(Newser) - After a slow start, the federal government has ramped up construction of the fence along the Mexican border in recent weeks. The steel barrier now reaches far into rural areas for the first time, in response to a shift in smugglers' strategy, the Los Angeles Times reports. Workers have finished 145 miles of fencing, including a 32-mile stretch—the...

Darfur Rebels Kill at Least 10 Peacekeepers in Raid
BBC | Sep 30, 07 12:06 PM CDT
(Newser) - An overnight rebel attack on the African Union's base in Darfur has left at least 10 soldiers dead and 50 others missing in the bloodiest incident the peacekeeping force has seen since its 2003 inception. Some 30 rebel vehicles stormed and pillaged the base, but rebel sources told the BBC that breakaway factions were responsible.

Taiwan Flexing Missile Muscle
New York Times | Sep 30, 07 11:29 AM CDT
(Newser) - As China quietly stockpiles weapons aimed at Taiwan, the renegade island confirms it is developing its own cruise missiles capable of hitting the mainland, including Shanghai and many military bases. The controversial weapon, intended to "make China hesitate before launching any attack," is more likely to ramp up the arms race between the...

UN Burma Envoy Meets Activist Leader
Associated Press | Sep 30, 07 11:06 AM CDT
(Newser) - The United Nations' envoy to Burma met briefly today with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, reports AP. The UN representative first met with leaders of the military junta, which continued to lock down the nation's largest cities in the wake of  violent reprisals that killed...

Clinton 2008 Looks Oddly Like Gore 2000
New York Times | Sep 30, 07 10:29 AM CDT
(Newser) - Hillary Clinton is riding high in the polls now, but so was Al Gore around this time in 2000, Frank Rich warns. Worse, the New York Times columnist says, Clinton displays an alarming number of the ex-VP’s worst qualities as a campaigner. During TV appearances, she provides “rambling and often tedious Gore-like filibuster,” coming...

US Women Take Third in Cup
Sports Illustrated | Sep 30, 07 10:19 AM CDT
(Newser) - Well, it’s better than nothing. The US women’s soccer team demolished Norway 4-1 yesterday to take third place in the women’s World Cup. Abby Wambach scored in the 30th and 46th minutes, giving the women a lead they never relinquished. It’s a small consolation after the brutal 4-0 loss to Brazil that kept the top-ranked US out...

Man Charged In Cruise Extortion Found Dead
Los Angeles Times | Sep 30, 07 9:50 AM CDT
(Newser) - The self-proclaimed "Sultan of Sleaze," who exploited celebs' embarrassing moments and pleaded guilty to attempting to extort $1 million from Tom Cruise for wedding photos, was found dead yesterday in an apparent suicide. David Hans Schmidt, who was under house arrest, was to be sentenced next month in the Cruise case, reports the Los Angeles...

Dems Have Few Options on Iraq
Washington Post | Sep 30, 07 9:08 AM CDT
(Newser) - No matter who wins the White House in '08, he or she will preside over a significant US troop presence in Iraq through the majority of their first term, say Democratic presidential candidates and their short-list picks for defense secretary. And at last week's Democratic debate, the Washington Post reports, none of the candidates would promise a...

Rudy Tells Moral Critics: 'Cast the First Stone'
Associated Press | Sep 30, 07 8:50 AM CDT
(Newser) - Rudy Giuliani has compared critics of his personal life to the biblical villagers Jesus rebuked when he said, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” The Republican frontrunner cited the parable in a Christian Broadcasting Network interview, saying those who take issue with his three marriages are not themselves...

Feds Pursue Fewer Polluters
Washington Post | Sep 30, 07 8:15 AM CDT
(Newser) - The EPA has taken a decidedly less aggressive tack in criminal cases, the Washington Post reports, a trend advocates fear will embolden polluters. The number of prosecutions, new investigations, and total convictions have all dropped by more than a third. One ex-official, who resigned in protest, blamed the Bush administration, saying agents couldn’t...

Roadside Bombs Redefine Iraqi War, Bedevil US
Washington Post | Sep 30, 07 7:49 AM CDT
(Newser) - Simple, cheap and lethal roadside bombs have become the defining weapon of the Iraq war, confounding the Pentagon and taking a devastating toll on US troops, the Washington Post reports in a history and analysis of our tk Iraq. The devices, which account for nearly two-thirds of US combat deaths, are nearly impossible to wipe out because they're...

Obama Shifts Strategy, Takes Aim at Iowa
Washington Post | Sep 30, 07 6:53 AM CDT
(Newser) - Barack Obama will skip Senate voting this week to get in some quality time with voters in Iowa on a trip his camp is calling the "Judgement and Experience Tour." This surge in campaigning is likely to be the first of several as the Illinois senator tries to regain ground on Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, reports the Washington...

US Cruising to Presidents Cup Victory
ESPN | Sep 30, 07 5:43 AM CDT
(Newser) - The Americans' trouncing of the International team in yesterday's Presidents Cup matches brings the standings to14½-7½, which leaves little chance for Gary Player's Internationals to rally. But ESPN forecasts some potential drama in today's 12 singles matches with Phil Mickelson teeing off against Fiji's Vijay Singh, and Canadian Mike...

Quakes Rattle Pacific
BBC | Sep 30, 07 5:17 AM CDT
(Newser) - Major earthquakes rattled Guam and New Zealand last night but no major damage or injuries were reported. A 6.8 quake off the coast swayed high-rise buildings and knocked goods off supermarket shelves in Guam. Hours later the uninhabited Auckland Islands south of the New Zealand mainland were struck by a 7.3 magnitude quake.

Brawling Mets Bring It Down to the Wire
New York Times | Sep 30, 07 5:05 AM CDT
(Newser) - The Mets pulled out of their five-game tailspin in a huge way yesterday, dismantling the Florida Marlins 13-0 on John Maine's near no-hitter as the benches cleared twice for a brawl. With the Phillies' loss to the Nationals, the Mets are again tied for first place in the Nation League East, reports the New York Times.

Sooners, Gators Lose in Upsets
ESPN | Sep 30, 07 4:54 AM CDT
(Newser) - The college football  landscape shifted yet again this weekend as underdogs upset five teams ranked in the top 10, ESPN reports. The biggest to fall was No. 3 Oklahoma, which lost on a last-second field goal to Colorado. Fourth-ranked Florida also lost yesterday, along with No. 7 Texas and No. 10 Rutgers. West Virginia (No. 5) fell the day before.

Ethanol Glut Sinking Farmers' Hopes
New York Times | Sep 30, 07 4:46 AM CDT
(Newser) - A glut of ethanol has sent prices plumetting, staggering the hopes of farmers and businesses who once counted on a biofuel gold rush, reports the New York Times. Companies and farm cooperatives built so many ethanol distilleries that production has far outpaced demand, in part because distribution hasn't kept up.

Red Sox Clinch Best Record in Baseball
MLB.com | Sep 30, 07 4:31 AM CDT
(Newser) - J.D. Drew's clutch home run last night secured Boston's 6-4 victory over the Twins, which in turn ensured that the Red Sox will go down as having the top regular-season record in 2007. This distinction allowed the Sox to choose the longer, 8-day schedule for their playoff series against the Angels, reports MLB.com.

Florida Growth Runs Out of Gas
Wall Street Journal | Sep 29, 07 9:41 PM CDT
(Newser) - Americans’ 80-year love affair with Florida is on the rocks, says the Wall Street Journal. With housing prices up 64% compared with five years ago and property taxes skyrocketing, the magnetic effect of the long-time fastest-growing state is weakening. “I thought it would be like a vacation," said one transplant. "It turned...

Google Phone Rumors Build
BusinessWeek | Sep 29, 07 7:12 PM CDT
(Newser) - Consumers may soon be able to trade free phone calls for targeted advertising, if Google gets its way. Industry experts speculate that the tech giant is quietly developing plans to market cell phones with an ad-based service in exchange for free minutes, BusinessWeek reports. The big wireless carriers, while privately haunted by the idea, are publicly...

After World Cup Dismissal, Hope to Fly Solo
Chicago Tribune | Sep 29, 07 6:48 PM CDT
(Newser) - The US women’s soccer team just suffered one of its worst World Cup losses, but all eyes are focused on the team’s outspoken player and embattled coach. Goalie Hope Solo was banished today after publicly criticizing the choice of veteran teammate Briana Scurry to replace her in the Brazil match. Solo has apologized, but one of her teammates...

Will Lust, Caution Break NC-17 Taboo?
Los Angeles Times | Sep 29, 07 5:56 PM CDT
(Newser) - Ang Lee, who turned taboo into gold with Brokeback Mountain , hopes theaters will show his new flick despite its NC-17 rating. And Hollywood is watching to see if the film — Lust, Caution , an erotic spy thriller — jumps hurdles for other filmmakers. NC-17 has been box office death for movies ever since it replaced the "X" rating...

Photos Show Auschwitz, on the Weekend
BBC | Sep 29, 07 5:30 PM CDT
(Newser) - A photo album of co-workers decorating Christmas trees, playing with dogs, eating blueberries—fond memories, but for the swastikas on the merrymakers' uniforms. The US Holocaust Museum has posted online 116 photos showing how Auschwitz guards "unwound after 'a hard day's work,' " archivist Rebecca Erbelding tells the BBC. The album...

Scientists Stumped by Blast From Outer Space
PhysOrg | Sep 29, 07 5:15 PM CDT
(Newser) - A bizarre burst from outer space has scientists talking black holes and colliding stars, Physorg reports — and may even help us "determine the amount of material in intergalactic space," one researcher says. The radio waves, which were measured in milliseconds, might be a blast from 2 superdense neutron stars or the "last gasp"...

Pakistanis Protest Court Ruling
CNN | Sep 29, 07 4:45 PM CDT
(Newser) - Protests broke out in Pakistan today after lawmakers approved Pervez Musharraf's run for re-election. Protesters, led by journalists and lawyers. clashed with police, who hurled tear gas and brandished riot batons outside a federal building. At least 3 demonstrators were hospitalized and 2 journalists arrested after the melee, CNN reports.

First Woman Conductor Leads in Baltimore
Baltimore Sun | Sep 29, 07 4:17 PM CDT
(Newser) - Hearing this week's applause, it's easy to forget the storm surrounding Marin Alsop’s appointment as music director in Baltimore. The first woman to lead a major US ensemble, Alsop faced angry musicians when she was named 2 years ago. But in her debut, she lead a driving, demanding performance, impressing the Baltimore Sun's   critic with...

Reno Thrives Although Most Bets Are Off
Economist | Sep 29, 07 3:44 PM CDT
(Newser) - Reno's lost billions to Native American casinos, yet the Nevada town is growing again, even thriving. How did Renoans react when Tribal casinos lured away their business? They put up shop as gambling consultants and sold even more slot machines. Now downtown is growing: Developers are free to build without powerful casinos blocking their path, the...