Newser Story Index from January, 2008
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.
Political Rift Weakens Ahmadinejad
Guardian (UK)
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Jan 22, 2008 5:57 AM CST
(Newser) -
Iran's firebrand president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suffered a serious political humiliation yesterday when the nation's supreme leader sided with his opponents to force him to supply a billion dollars worth of natural gas to remote villages suffering power cuts. Iran's poorest communities are enduring one of the harshest winters in years, reports...
European Markets Yo-Yo
Financial Times (UK)
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Jan 22, 2008 5:30 AM CST
(Newser) -
European markets went haywire in early trading Tuesday as investors reacted to a second straight day of Asian declines and awaited the reopening of Wall Street. After a disastrous showing for the Nikkei, Hang Seng and other Asian bourses, European markets plunged: the FTSE 100 dropped 200 points minutes after opening. Yet shares in London rallied amid...
NATO Must Be Ready to Strike 1st With Nukes: Manifesto
Guardian (UK)
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Jan 22, 2008 4:39 AM CST
(Newser) -
Top military strategists from the US and Europe say that NATO must be prepared to launch a preemptive nuclear strike to keep the world safe, the Guardian reports. The five ex-military chiefs have issued a manifesto calling for a sweeping overhaul of NATO to deal with a world where the West faces many threats and nuclear war remains a very real possibility....
Wild Win Gets Minnesota Back on Top of NW
Minneapolis Star Tribune
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Jan 22, 2008 4:37 AM CST
(Newser) -
The Wild nabbed first place in the hotly contested Northwest Division on a monster game by Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The center alternated assists with goals until he'd had a hand in all of Minnesota's points in the 4-2 triumph, the Star Tribune reports. With the Canucks taking 40 shots on goal to the Wild's 26, goalie Niklas Backstrom also had a busy...
Yahoo to Slash Jobs in Shakeup
New York Times
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Jan 22, 2008 4:14 AM CST
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Yahoo! is preparing for its first big round of layoffs since the 2001 dot.com bust, the New York Times reports, seeking to narrow its focus, increase profitability, and revive its tumbling share price. A statement from the company said it planned to "eliminate some areas of the business."
Wade's 42 Not Enough for Heat
Miami Herald
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Jan 22, 2008 3:56 AM CST
(Newser) -
Dwyane Wade scored 42 points against the Cavaliers—32 in the second half—but even that wasn't enough to pull off something that hasn't happened in 14 games: a Miami win. LeBron James had 28 points and help from four teammates scoring in the double digits to put together a 97-90 victory, the Miami Herald reports.
EBay Honcho Whitman to Step Down
Wall Street Journal
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Jan 22, 2008 3:50 AM CST
(Newser) -
Meg Whitman is getting ready step down as eBay chief executive, the Wall Street Journal reports. She has been delegating more of her responsibilities, insiders tell the Journal , and preparing for a successor to take charge. Whitman has been at the helm of eBay for almost a decade, a particularly long time for Silicon Valley.
Double Trouble for Nuggets: Anthony Hurt in Big Loss
Rocky Mountain News
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Jan 22, 2008 3:40 AM CST
(Newser) -
Kobe Bryant's foot is as dangerous as his jumper, apparently—when Denver's Carmelo Anthony came down on it in the second period of last night's 116-99 loss to the Lakers, he got up with a sprained ankle. Kobe's contribution to the Lakers was a pass-first offense, with 17 points and 11 assists, reports the Rocky Mountain News.
Asian Stocks Continue Plunge
MarketWatch
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Jan 22, 2008 3:25 AM CST
(Newser) -
Jitters over the US economy led to a major sell-off in Asian markets for the second straight day, with Australia's benchmark index closing down 7.1%—the biggest single-day loss in nearly 20 years. India's Sensex index skidded 10%, triggering a shutdown, but rallied to close down 4.6%. Japan's Nikkei and the broader Topix index finished 5.7% lower,...
Former UN Boss Tackling Kenya Crisis
Reuters
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Jan 22, 2008 2:57 AM CST
(Newser) -
Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan will fly to Kenya today to try to mediate the nation's political crisis and stop the violence. He faces a difficult task. Members of President Mwai Kibaki's cabinet are hostile to mediation, and opposition leader Raila Odinga is in no mood to back down. "I'm the rightful elected president. Kibaki...
Caps Edge Penguins in Wild One
Associated Press
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Jan 22, 2008 12:29 AM CST
(Newser) -
Washington continued to play improved hockey, passing the .500 mark, as it took advantage of the absence of Penguins captain Sidney Crosby in posting a 6-5 win in a shootout. Russian stars Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin went 1-2 in the 2004 NHL draft and it showed tonight as each had two goals and an assist, writes the AP.
No. 9 Hoyas Scrape Past Pesky Orange
Associated Press
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Jan 22, 2008 12:03 AM CST
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Syracuse had been in this position before - an underdog heading into a game against No. 9 Georgetown. But this time the Orange couldn't pull the upset as they fell to the Hoyas, who rallied from seven down with four minutes left to force overtime, reports AP. Roy Hibbert, who scored 15 points, then had the lone basket in OT.
Serena Bounced in Australia
Associated Press
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Jan 22, 2008 12:00 AM CST
(Newser) -
Third-ranked Jelena Jankovic ended the run of defending champion Serena Williams today in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, 6-3, 6-4, reports the AP. Williams, who had cruised through her first four matches without losing so much as a set, appeared sluggish chasing down shots and lost some speed on her normally overpowering serve, which Jankovic...
No. 12 Texas Edges OSU 63-61
Associated Press
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Jan 22, 2008 12:00 AM CST
(Newser) -
D.J. Augustin and No. 12 Texas barely held on to defeat Oklahoma State 63-61. Augustin led the Longhorns with 26 points, including their final 10, and Damion Jones added 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Cowboys were held scoreless for two separate six minute stretches in the game, including one that went into the game’s final minute, reports the...
T'Wolves Beat Warriors for Rare Road Win
Associated Press
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Jan 21, 2008 11:58 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Timberwolves beat the Warriors 109-108 to snap their 16-game road losing streak; it was just Minnesota’s second road victory of the season and their first since November. Ryan Gomes scored a career-high 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Al Jefferson added 21 points for the Timberwolves. Monta Ellis led Golden State with 28 points, reports...
Dungy Will Be Back with Colts Next Year
Indianapolis Star
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Jan 21, 2008 10:45 PM CST
(Newser) -
Tony Dungy will return for his seventh season at the helm of the Colts. Dungy had contemplated retirement each of the past couple seasons, but after discussing the matter with his family he decided to return. "I'm happy to be back. … My whole family's happy and hopefully our team and everyone here is happy," said Dungy, reports the...
Wiz Conjure Rare Season Sweep of Mavs
Associated Press
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Jan 21, 2008 10:41 PM CST
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For the first time in eleven years, Washington swept their series with Dallas with a 102-84 win—the Mavericks' worst loss of the season. It was just one more in a litany of impressive wins for the Gilbert Arenas-free Wizards, who have also beaten the NBA-leading Celtics twice in their last six games. Also in pro hoops:
UConn Women Overcome UNC, Improve to 18-0
Associated Press
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Jan 21, 2008 10:35 PM CST
(Newser) -
The North Carolina women's basketball team is the only one with a winning record against Geno Auriemma's UConn squad since 1995. But that record slipped some tonight after blowing an 11-point halftime lead to the No. 1 team in the nation, falling 82-71 at Storrs, CT. Connecticut's Renee Montgomery scored 26 including her 1,000th career point, writes...
Lewis Heroics Drop Detroit
Associated Press
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Jan 21, 2008 10:24 PM CST
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Rashard Lewis hit the game-winning shot as time expired to give the Orlando Magic a 102-100 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Orlando had dropped nine straight contests to Detroit, including a four-game sweep in the first round of last year’s playoffs. The Magic’s Hedo Turkoglu led all scorers with 26 points; he also tallied eight assists,...
Spurs Return to Form Vs. 'Cats
Gaston Gazette
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Jan 21, 2008 10:08 PM CST
(Newser) -
After dropping two close games—and four of their last six overall—the reigning NBA champs reverted to their methodical, unscintillating, and highly effective old selves. Tim Duncan's 19 points and 10 rebounds led San Antonio, who improved to 5-0 in Charlotte against the Bobcats. Trusty sidekicks Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker added 16 apiece.
Celtics Blow Out Lowly Knicks
New York Post
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Jan 21, 2008 10:04 PM CST
(Newser) -
A 109-93 Boston win over the Knicks today is hardly a surprise, but how they did it was, as center Kendrick Perkins, who's never mistaken for Tim Duncan, had a career-high 24 points. Meanwhile, the game got testy late, with two ejections and New York coach Isiah Thomas becoming agitated after taunts by a Celtics player, reports the Post . Elsewhere:
'Canes Rough Up Islanders, Win 3-2 in OT
Associated Press
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Jan 21, 2008 9:52 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Hurricanes scored two unanswered third period goals to pull even with the New York Islanders and Cory Stillman provided the power play winner in the extra period to give Carolina a 3-2 win. New York also blew a two-goal lead in their previous game, a 5-3 loss to Philadelphia. Cam Ward had 23 saves for the Hurricanes, reports the Associated Press....
What Makes a Black Sellout ?
Salon
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Jan 21, 2008 8:59 PM CST
(Newser) -
A black intellectual's new book, Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal , goes easy on Clarence Thomas for dissing the very affirmative action that helped him succeed, Salon 's James Hannaham writes. Does that make Sellout author Randall Kennedy a sellout? Maybe Kennedy is able to do what free-thinking blacks must: "separate what we think...
Dem Debaters Get Feisty
CNN
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Jan 21, 2008 8:35 PM CST
(Newser) -
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama drowned out policy talk in a South Carolina presidential debate tonight as they bickered over Ronald Reagan and what Obama called Clinton's "corporate" past, CNN reports. On economic policy, they wrangled over Senate votes as much as subprime bailout plans. “This kind of squabbling, how many kids are...
If You Really Want to Hear About It ...
NPR
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Jan 21, 2008 7:57 PM CST
(Newser) -
Holden Caulfield was an angsty teen before James Dean and rock and roll made alientaed youth an icon. "There's really not the sense of teen culture that there is now," says the producer of "Gossip Girl." NPR takes the measure of Holden, J.D. Salinger, and the 1951 classic The Catcher in the Rye .
Lift Weights, Reap Hefty Benefits
Boston Globe
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Jan 21, 2008 7:45 PM CST
(Newser) -
Pumping iron has long been known to improve strength and prevent injury, but evidence increasingly points to a wide range of other benefits, writes Judy Foreman in the Boston Globe . The findings—decreased heart disease and neck pain, improved metabolism and balance—are driving groups such as the American Heart Association to bump weight...
Super Tuesday May Be Super Confused
McClatchy Newspapers
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Jan 21, 2008 7:01 PM CST
(Newser) -
Some 70 million voters in 24 states will make their presidential primary picks in two weeks, but pundits doubt whether Super Tuesday will resolve 2008's muddled race in either party, McClatchy Newspapers report. "No one has ever seen anything like this," said one Bush-Cheney adviser. A political science professor conceded: "We're in...
Super Bowl Ads Mirror US Mood
MSNBC
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Jan 21, 2008 6:40 PM CST
(Newser) -
Super Bowl ads reveal the economic tenor of our times, MSNBC reports. Boom times spark creative commercials, like Apple's famed Ridley Scott-directed "1984" plug, which aired as economic confidence was rising. “Every year it really does mirror the biggest trends that year—what’s happening in the economy and what’s...
More Patients Undoing Nips and Tucks
Chicago Tribune
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Jan 21, 2008 6:14 PM CST
(Newser) -
Thousands are feeling a little too "cookie-cutter" with their new nipped noses and tucked chins, one doctor says—so they're ponying up for surgery to look like (gasp!) themselves again. These 'undo-plasties' are becoming big business; some doctors spend half their time as "revision plastic surgeons." Even stars like Courtney...
Michelle Takes Barack's Case to Black Voters
Newsweek
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Jan 21, 2008 5:45 PM CST
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Transcending race means that Barack Obama often keeps black voters at arm’s length, but his wife is taking the contest to African Americans, Newsweek reports. Born on Chicago’s South Side, Michelle Obama has more in common with black Americans than her Indonesia- and Hawaii-raised husband—and has no qualms about speaking candidly.
Right-Wing MoveOn Rival Raises $250M
Talking Points Memo
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Jan 21, 2008 5:20 PM CST
(Newser) -
A new political advocacy group pitching itself as a right-wing answer to MoveOn is mobilizing to spend $250 million to support candidates in 2008, more than twice the figure spent by the largest liberal group in 2004. Freedoms Watch's principals are two former Bush officials, Talking Points Memo reports, and the group’s spokesman is former Bush...
A Man, Not a Soundbite
Associated Press
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Jan 21, 2008 4:54 PM CST
(Newser) -
In the decades since his death, Martin Luther King Jr. has been transformed from a flesh-and-blood figure into a one-dimensional icon. Historians fear memory has frozen King on the Washington Mall in 1963, reducing him to a soundbite and a “symbol that people use and manipulate for their own purposes,” says one professor. The Associated...
Apple Lets Businesses in on iPhones
Apple Insider
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Jan 21, 2008 4:37 PM CST
(Newser) -
Get ready to send a more fashionable Out-of-Office Auto Reply. Apple and AT&T today revealed their first iPhone plans for businesses, allowing for discounted voice plans but charging a $25 monthly premium for data plans. New customers must sign up for a 2-year agreement, and existing AT&T customers must renew for 2 years, AppleInsider reports.
Israel Loosens Gaza Blockade
Reuters
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Jan 21, 2008 4:28 PM CST
(Newser) -
Israel will loosen its border blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, permitting an EU fuel delivery to pass through, Reuters reports. The shipment, which will allow Gaza’s main power plant to run for a week, includes diesel fuel for generators, cooking gas, and limited supplies of food and medicine. Gas for cars is still not allowed.
Europe Sees Biggest Stock Plunge Since 9/11
MarketWatch
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Jan 21, 2008 4:10 PM CST
(Newser) -
Amid continuing concerns about a US recession, European stocks took their biggest single-day plunge since 9/11 today, reports MarketWatch. Losses from financial institutions appeared to be the biggest culprit in the day's 5.4% drop, which added to a crippling trend: The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 index has dropped 23% since mid-2007. On American shores, Dow...
Israel Revs Up Electric Cars
Time
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Jan 21, 2008 3:59 PM CST
(Newser) -
Israel is taking the first steps toward getting drivers behind the electric wheel. The country today unveiled a joint project that calls for Renault-Nissan to build cars and a California startup to build the infrastructure. The electric cars are to hit the mass market by 2010 with half a million charging points in place, but some call the plan unrealistic,...
UK Social Network Badoo Gets $30M to Enter Russia
TechCrunch
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Jan 21, 2008 3:57 PM CST
(Newser) -
UK social networking site Badoo has received $30 million to build its service in Russia from Russian investor Finam, giving Finam a 10% stake in the company. The network will face competition from several Russian sites and from the local version of MySpace, which launched last week, reports TechCrunch. Badoo has one attribute that sets it apart from...
Western Towns Rebuild Library Jeffs Destroyed
Deseret News (Salt Lake)
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Jan 21, 2008 3:42 PM CST
(Newser) -
Two tiny towns on the Utah-Arizona border are pushing to restock the shelves of their library, reports the Deseret Morning News, in a first step toward healing rifts caused by imprisoned polygamist Warren Jeffs. With Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., firmly in the grip of the Mormon splinter group's leader, the library simply disappeared one...
Lohan, Murphy Top Razzie Noms
Associated Press
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Jan 21, 2008 3:39 PM CST
(Newser) -
Playing multiple characters in a single flick earned Lindsay Lohan and Eddie Murphy multiple Razzie nods this year, the AP reports. Lohan nabbed a worst actress nomination for each of the characters she portrays in split-personality thriller I Know Who Killed Me , and their (lack of) onscreen synergy resulted in another nom for worst screen couple.
Is MySpace Murdoch's Top Investment?
New York Times
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Jan 21, 2008 3:21 PM CST
(Newser) -
Two years after Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. bought MySpace, and shortly after its two founders signed up for another couple of fabulously well-paid years at the helm, the site is expanding and evolving. Despite challenges (read: Facebook), MySpace represents an impressive return for Murdoch. “He may find that this is the single best investment...
King's Church Rings With Praise
Associated Press
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Jan 21, 2008 3:04 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Atlanta church where Martin Luther King Jr. preached his message of racial equality rang with praise today for the slain civil rights leader, reports the AP. Hundreds of notables, including Bill Clinton, Mike Huckabee, and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, crammed into Ebenezer Baptist Church. "King's legacy gives light to our hopes, permission...
'Model Prisoner' Sutherland Leaves Jail
People
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Jan 21, 2008 2:55 PM CST
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Actor Kiefer Sutherland walked out of a California jail today after serving all 48 days of his sentence for DUI and violating probation, People reports. The 24 star looked "glad to be out," said a prison spokesman. Sutherland did his time in an 8-by-10 cell, spending his birthday, Christmas, and New Year's in the can.
Double Save for Giants Kicker
CBS News
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Jan 21, 2008 2:43 PM CST
(Newser) -
The minus-20 wind chill wasn't the only thing freezing Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes on the sidelines after he missed two critical field goals last night in Green Bay. His coach snarled, his teammates kept silent, managers didn't even bother to drape a jacket over his shoulders, writes Greg Doyel of CBS Sports. But Tynes calmly studied his failures...
Northern Rock Bailout Plan a Money Shuffle
Times (UK)
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Jan 21, 2008 2:21 PM CST
(Newser) -
The British government today unveiled its last-gasp plan to hand off the Northern Rock hot potato and prevent nationalization, the London Times reports. Under the plan, the bank would immediately pay back the £25 billion it owes the government by selling the debt to private investors as bonds. But since the government is backing the bonds,...
Gotta Have My (Barbie) MP3
Advertising Age
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Jan 21, 2008 2:18 PM CST
(Newser) -
Digital music players are hot—even with the lunchbox set: A recent study shows 31% of 6 to 10-year-olds use them. This means a whole new market for kid-themed players, accessories, music and video, reports Advertising Age . Indeed, players aimed at children have proliferated in the past two years. “They have a whole wall of them in Toys...
Rudy Trails McCain in NY: Poll
NBC 4 New York
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Jan 21, 2008 2:09 PM CST
(Newser) -
Onetime favorite Rudy Giuliani lags John McCain in his home state, two polls out today report, in another blow to the ex-New York mayor's sputtering campaign. In a Siena College poll, 36% of New York Republicans support McCain, to Giuliani's 24%, while a WNBC poll put the split at 34% to 23%. Only last month, Giuliani held a 33-point lead over McCain.
Right Church, Wrong Pew
Associated Press
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Jan 21, 2008 2:03 PM CST
(Newser) -
Oscar nominees have often delivered more than one award-worthy performance in a single category in the same year. Sometimes, Tariq Khan tells the LA Times, the academy picks the wrong one. On the eve of this year's nominations, he lists his top 10 mistakes. Catherine Keener, Capote, Best Supporting Actress 2005 (should have been nominated...
Calif. GOP Alienates Independents
Los Angeles Times
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Jan 21, 2008 1:54 PM CST
(Newser) -
The California GOP decided last year to bar independent voters from its presidential primary, and the decision may cost the party dearly, the LA Times reports. Independents are welcome to vote in the Democratic primary—and once they've voted for a party in a primary, they usually stick to it in the general election, experts say.
Son Calls on Osama to Drop His Weapons
CNN
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Jan 21, 2008 1:30 PM CST
(Newser) -
The world's most notorious terrorist's peace-loving son is calling on Osama bin Laden to “find another way.” Omar bin Laden, Osama’s fourth son, tells CNN many other Muslims share his sentiments about al-Qaeda but acknowledges that his dad “doesn't have the power to stop the movement at this moment."
Top Dems Tell Bill to Chill
Newsweek
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Jan 21, 2008 1:01 PM CST
(Newser) -
Top Democrats are telling Bill Clinton to tone down his anti-Obama rhetoric, Newsweek reports. He draws crowds, money, and support for his wife, but Democratic leaders like Ted Kennedy and Rahm Emanuel have confronted Clinton about his down-and-dirty approach. They see it as unpresidential, not beneficial to the party, and possibly harmful to his...
