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.
There's Plenty of Oil Left: Study
Wall Street Journal
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Jan 17, 2008 9:37 AM CST
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New oilfields being brought online more than offset losses from depleted fields, says an optimistic report released today. Though it cited an Iran-sized 4.5% annual loss, key oil industry adviser CERA contends “there is no impending short-term peak in global oil production," reports the Wall Street Journal. Researchers, however, had little...
Housing Starts Nosedive to Lowest Level Since 1991
Wall Street Journal
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Jan 17, 2008 9:15 AM CST
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Housing starts plunged 14% in December, demolishing median analyst estimates, which foresaw a mere 5% dip. November’s numbers were also revised down, reports the Wall Street Journal, from the 3.7% drop originally reported to 7.9%. When the dust settled, construction was at its lowest point since 1991, after suffering the biggest year-over-year...
Kenyan Police Fire on Protesters
BBC
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Jan 17, 2008 8:39 AM CST
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Kenyan police clashed with protesters in the streets of Nairobi today; opposition leader Raila Odinga claims seven were killed as police fired on angry crowds protesting president Mwai Kibaki’s disputed reelection. One witness said police fired live rounds “indiscriminately,” despite assurances that only batons and teargas were authorized....
'Hill Force One' Takes Off
CBS News
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Jan 17, 2008 7:49 AM CST
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Hillary Clinton played flight attendant yesterday as she inaugurated her new campaign jet, dubbed "Hill Force One." The candidate traded up to a chartered Boeing 737 from a small jet, and had a little fun with the press corps on board. "I am going to switch off the 'Fasten Your Seat Belt' sign. However, I've learned that...
Latinos the Wild Card in Nevada
Christian Science Monitor
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Jan 17, 2008 7:15 AM CST
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Hispanic voters could be key next November because they form a significant minority of eligible voters in states President Bush won by less than 5% four years ago—Florida, New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada. Saturday's Nevada caucus is expected to offer important insight into how Hispanics will vote in November, reports the Christian Science...
Merrill: $9.8B Loss on $11.5B Writedown
Bloomberg
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Jan 17, 2008 6:31 AM CST
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Merrill Lynch reported a fourth-quarter loss of $9.8 billion, or $12.01 a share, nearly triple the per-share loss most analysts predicted, reports Bloomberg. It was the second straight losing quarter for the nation’s largest broker, and capped the company’s first full-year loss since 1989. Merrill said it took $11.5 billion in writedowns...
Federer Takes Friendly Win Over Santoro
Associated Press
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Jan 17, 2008 6:28 AM CST
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Roger Federer certainly didn't go easy on Fabrice Santoro in their Australian Open match today, but the world's number one ace did give his ami a breather before match point of the 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 contest. "It's so beautiful, what he's doing," the appreciative Frenchman told the AP. In other second-round action:
Ditch Cold Meds for Tots: FDA
Associated Press
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Jan 17, 2008 6:04 AM CST
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Although cold and cough medicine manufacturers pulled their baby and toddler lines off the shelves in October, the FDA is issuing an official advisory today to warn parents of the risk of giving any such remedies to children under 2. The government worries that uninformed parents are simply dosing their sniffly little ones with old medicines still...
Aussies Demand Whalers Release Eco-Warriors
CNN
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Jan 17, 2008 5:37 AM CST
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An Australian customs ship is steaming on it way to pick up two protesters being held on board a Japanese whaling ship, where they were lashed to a railing, CNN reports. The activists were seized by the ship's crew Tuesday after they boarded to deliver a protest letter saying that the Yushin Maru was violating the law by killing whales. A video has...
Indignant NATO Allies Blast Gates' Critique
Times (UK)
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Jan 17, 2008 5:02 AM CST
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US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has sparked an uproar among America's allies after he complained to the Los Angeles Times that some NATO forces are unprepared for their jobs in Afghanistan. The Dutch, British and Canadians—who all have troops in the south of the country—immediately slammed the comments, with one Brit official calling...
Bizarre Skin Disease Probed
USA Today
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Jan 17, 2008 5:00 AM CST
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Federal disease experts have launched an investigation into the outbreak of a mysterious skin condition that causes a stinging or crawling sensation, confusion and fatique, USA Today reports. Cases of Morgellons disease are on the rise, especially in California and Texas. The condition is so little-known that it was only named in 2002, after a similar...
Bush Abandoned Mideast Democracy Push: Activists
Washington Post
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Jan 17, 2008 4:31 AM CST
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President Bush wound up a Middle East tour yesterday leaving many pro-democracy activists in the region bitter and disappointed, reports the Washington Post . The president and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pressured authoritarian Arab governments for political reforms in 2005, but now activists worry that the White House is favoring the stability...
Texas Tech Win Is Knight's 900th
Dallas Morning News
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Jan 17, 2008 4:11 AM CST
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With a 68-53 upset of No. 10 Texas A&M, the Texas Tech Red Raiders also secured a record 900th win for coach Bob Knight. The first men's Division 1 coach to hit the 900-win milestone chalked his achievement up as "a mark of longevity," and admitted, "I'm glad it's over," writes the Dallas Morning News.
Scorsese's Stones Film to Launch Berlin Film Festival
Der Spiegel
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Jan 17, 2008 3:57 AM CST
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The Berlin Film Festival will kick off next month with the world premiere of Martin Scorsese's rockumentary about the Rolling Stones, Der Spiegel reports. Scorsese and his team shot over half a million feet of film at two 2006 Rolling Stone gigs in New York. Performances by Jack White and Christina Aguilera also feature in Shine a Light.
Hornets Smash Lagging Sonics 123-92
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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Jan 17, 2008 3:44 AM CST
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The Hornets were up by 19 points at halftime last night, and although Seattle briefly showed some spark in a 15-4 third-quarter run, the Sonics fell further behind to lose by their familiarly large margin. The 123-92 win featured 21 rebounds from New Orleans center Tyson Chandler, 17 of those in the first half, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer...
Kamikaze Palm Baffles Botanists
Sydney Morning Herald
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Jan 17, 2008 3:30 AM CST
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Scientists have found a gigantic—and suicidal—new species of palm tree in a remote area of Madagascar, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The tree, so big it can be seen in satellite photos, grows normally for a century or so until it spectacularly erupts with countless tiny flowers that morph into fruit. Then it dies, apparently exhausted.
Wi-Fi Hotspots Become Hackers' Delight
Wall Street Journal
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Jan 17, 2008 3:05 AM CST
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Wi-Fi hotspots multiplying around the nation are boosting convenience for internet users on the go, but are also making life easier for hackers, the Wall Street Journal reports. Hackers at hotspots in hotels, airports and cafes can pluck other users' financial details and company information out of the air.
Wild Can't Stop Iginla, Lose 3-2
Associated Press
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Jan 17, 2008 12:39 AM CST
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Jarome Iginla scored the winning goal in a shootout to give the Calgary Flames a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Iginla has made a habit of tormenting the Wild; he has 41 points against them, including 24 goals, in only 38 games. Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff had 29 saves in regulation, reports the Associated Press. Elsewhere in the NHL:
Allen's 35 Pushes Celts Past Blazers
Associated Press
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Jan 17, 2008 12:33 AM CST
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Ray Allen led the Celtics out of a mini-slump by scoring a season-high 35 points in Boston’s 100-90 victory over the Portland Trailblazers. The Celtics had lost their past two games and three of their last four. Allen, who had been relatively quiet during that stretch, scored 26 in the second half and was 12-for-20 from the floor, reports the...
No. 7 Duke Hangs On to Beat FSU
Associated Press
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Jan 17, 2008 12:30 AM CST
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The No. 7 Duke Blue Devils almost blew a 17-point lead to Florida State but hit eight consecutive free throws in the final 1:34 to seal the game and escaped with a 70-57 victory. FSU’s Jason Rich led the Seminoles attempted comeback by scoring all of his 18 points in the second half, reports the Associated Press. Elsewhere in men’s basketball:
Welcome to Miami: New Coach Inks $11M Deal
Miami Herald
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Jan 17, 2008 12:26 AM CST
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Miami's coaching hire Tony Sparano signed a 4-year deal worth almost $11 million with his new team, then told the press he wouldn't make any predictions regarding their performance under his administration. "There are no promises, there are no commitments, there are none of those things right now. That's not what I do," said Sparano.
Bosh, Red Hot Raptors Down Kings 116-91
Associated Press
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Jan 17, 2008 12:23 AM CST
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Chris Bosh continues to light up the scoreboard in 2008. The forward scored 31 points, on 11-of-12 shooting, to lead the Raptors past the Kings 116-91. Bosh is averaging over 27 points per game in the New Year. Mike Bibby made his season debut for the Kings after missing time with a left thumb injury, and performed well, scoring 19 points, reports...
Devils Can't Solve Islanders in 3-1 Loss
Associated Press
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Jan 17, 2008 12:18 AM CST
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The Islanders extended their unlikely domination of the Devils and Rick DiPietro played masterfully, stopping 37 of 38 shots in New York's 3-1 win. DiPietro's 15-for-16 third period was a gem, including a save of a point-blank would-be equalizer with 90 seconds left. Bill Guerin's two goals proved the difference. In other Eastern games:
President Dobbs? Group Begins Its Push
Associated Press
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Jan 16, 2008 10:48 PM CST
(Newser) -
With the Republican race in disarray—and many of the party's candidates too soft on immigration for its liking—a conservative group today began a campaign to draft Lou Dobbs as an independent candidate. The Americans for Legal Immigration PAC launched a website seeking support for the CNN host, a vocal advocate of cracking down on illegals,...
Antidepressant Studies Distort Drugs' Usefulness
Wall Street Journal
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Jan 16, 2008 9:37 PM CST
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Roughly half of the medical studies involving antidepressants that found little or no effect on patients have gone unpublished or had their findings mischaracterized as positive, a new study reveals. The emphasis on publishing only studies with glowing reviews gives patients and doctors a false sense of the effectiveness of drugs such as Zoloft and...
Gawker Draws Facebook's Ire
Portfolio
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Jan 16, 2008 8:51 PM CST
(Newser) -
Gawker.com and managing editor Nick Denton are well-known for poking fun at media types, but managers of Facebook say he went too far yesterday, Portfolio.com writes. Gawker posted an item lampooning the daughter of American Law Media founder Steven Brill, poking fun at the 25-year-old’s weight alongside screenshots and other content lifted from...
Turner Died of Cocaine OD
MTV
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Jan 16, 2008 8:17 PM CST
(Newser) -
Rock and soul legend Ike Turner died last month from a cocaine oversdose, a coroner's report says. Turner, 76, perhaps as famous for his abusive relationship with Tina Turner as for his pioneering music, had lifelong problems with drugs. The San Diego medical examiner says the overdose appears to have been accidental, MTV reports.
Bernanke Backs Stimulus Plans for Economy
New York Times
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Jan 16, 2008 7:51 PM CST
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Ben Bernanke insists he won’t take sides in a congressional fray over how to revive the nation’s flat-lining economy. But the Fed chief says he will support an economic stimulus package—be it GOP tax cuts or Democrats' increased spending—as long as it is quick and temporary, the New York Times reports. Lawmakers are scrambling...
Romney Rolls Into SC
New York Times
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Jan 16, 2008 7:12 PM CST
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Mitt Romney rolled into South Carolina today, hoping to cash in on the momentum from his win in Michigan but positioning himself as the underdog in Saturday's primary. "It would be an enormous surprise if he was unable to win here," he said of John McCain. Romney vowed to "fight for every job we have in this country," continuing...
Experts Check Out Supposed Van Gogh Sketchbook
Reuters
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Jan 16, 2008 6:37 PM CST
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Experts will take a look at a sketchbook said to be Vincent van Gogh's, Reuters reports, to determine its authenticity. The book was found by Greek writer Doreta Peppa, who said it was taken from a Nazi train by her father, a resistance fighter. The book contains several sketches that appear to be studies for some of the artist's most well-known paintings.
Dolphins Tab Sparano as Coach
Miami Herald
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Jan 16, 2008 6:30 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Miami Dolphins, coming off an NFL-worst 1-15 season, introduced Tony Sparano as head coach today, the Miami Herald reports. Sparano, most recently assistant head coach with the Dallas Cowboys and a confidante of Dolphins kingmaker Bill Parcells, gets a four-year contract for about $11 million and a heaping helping of New Jersey-mob-boss jokes.
Wanted Marine May Be in Mexico: FBI
CNN
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Jan 16, 2008 6:19 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Marine charged in North Carolina with the murder of a pregnant colleague might have fled to his native Mexico, the FBI said today. US officials have teamed with Mexican authorities to catch Cpl. Cesar Laurean, who wrote a letter to wife claiming he buried Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach’s body after she committed suicide in their home, the AP...
Magnetic Fields Score Again
Pitchfork
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Jan 16, 2008 6:13 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Magnetic Fields have hit the jackpot on their eighth album, Distortion. Frontman Stephen Merritt ignored his penchant for “cleverness and theatricality,” turned up the “1960s pop fetish,” and let the feedback roll. It’s a rebound from 2004’s i , says Pitchfork’s Matt LeMay, which was both flat and stagy....
Sun Reveals Profit Boom, $1B MySQL Buyout
MarketWatch
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Jan 16, 2008 6:07 PM CST
(Newser) -
Sun Microsystems revealed two surprises today: The computer company showed quarterly earnings that have nearly doubled from a year ago, and it said it would buy open-source software developer MySQL for $800 million in cash and $200 million in assumed options. Sun’s earnings in the second quarter—which ended Dec. 30—could reach $265...
Mexico Spiraling Out of Control
Reuters
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Jan 16, 2008 5:56 PM CST
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The violent conflict between drug cartels and Mexico's government has the country perilously close to spinning out of control, writes Reuters' Bernd Debusmann. The battle for control of the drug trade that delivers the majority of the US’ cocaine and marijuana has produced a culture in which there is “widespread acceptance of insecurity...
You're Only as Healthy as Your Last Meal
Time
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Jan 16, 2008 5:41 PM CST
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One meal can make you healthy…or quite the opposite, according to a review of recent dietary research. Eating junk food instantly causes inflamed tissue and creates molecules that damage cells. “People don’t understand this, even most physicians,” one researcher tells Time . “Your health and vigor, at a very basic level,...
ER Waiting Times Tripled Since 1997
Reuters
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Jan 16, 2008 4:51 PM CST
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With emergency room visits and hospital overcrowding on the rise, waiting times have grown dangerously long—36% longer than they were in 1997. A new study in medical journal Health Affairs cites especially troubling waits for heart attack victims, with 25% waiting at least 50 minutes to see a doctor in 2004. The average heart attack patient...
Patriots' Moss Denies Battery Accusation
Boston Globe
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Jan 16, 2008 4:37 PM CST
(Newser) -
New England receiver Randy Moss today said an incident in which a Florida woman is accusing him of battery was "an accident" and that the accusations are financially motivated, the Boston Globe reports. "I've never put my hand on one woman, physically or in an angry manner," said Moss, whose Patriots host San Diego on Sunday for...
Americans' Mood Sours Over Economy
Reuters
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Jan 16, 2008 4:23 PM CST
(Newser) -
America’s spirits are sinking along with the economy, a new poll says. The Reuters/Zogby mood index fell from 97.3 to 94.2 this month, the lowest mark since polling began in July. The poll found that 48% of Americans expect a recession, up from 43% last month, and two-thirds think the US is headed in the wrong direction.
Top Chefs Meet Their Meat
New York Times
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Jan 16, 2008 4:08 PM CST
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Top chefs are trying to change the way we eat by calling attention to how animals are raised for meat. In Britain, Jamie Oliver killed a chicken on live television, and supermarkets across the UK sold out of free-range chickens and eggs. The New York Times reports it’s part of a movement by some chefs to become more involved with their food—before...
Stop Waiting for Windows to Load
MIT Technology Review
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Jan 16, 2008 3:54 PM CST
(Newser) -
Starting up a Windows machine is normally an exercise in patience, but that could be changing, thanks to several companies working to do away with the eternal boot-up. One startup, for example, has introduced Splashtop, a tiny, simple operating system you can boot instead of Windows. Boot time? About 5 seconds, Technology Review reports.
Stocks Teeter on Oil News
Wall Street Journal
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Jan 16, 2008 3:42 PM CST
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Stocks ended slightly down today partly in response to falling oil prices, which could provide a possible jump-start for consumer spending, the Wall Street Journal reports. "Considering that oil was near $100 not too long ago, this is a big move," one trader said. The Dow ended down 34.95 to 12,466.16, the Nasdaq 23.00 to 2,394.59, and...
Ex-Brocade CEO Gets 21 Months for Backdating
Wall Street Journal
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Jan 16, 2008 3:23 PM CST
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The first executive ever convicted of backdating stock options was sentenced today to 21 month in prison and ordered to pay a $15 million fine, the Wall Street Journal reports. Former Brocade CEO Gregory Reyes was found guilty in August of 10 fraud and conspiracy charges. He said today he was “humbled” by the case.
How They See Obama Overseas
New Republic
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Jan 16, 2008 3:19 PM CST
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It’s not just Americans who are weighing in on Barack Obama’s candidacy: The New Republic ’s Antonio Vargas Llosa reads the tea leaves in overseas attitudes towards the potential first black president: The European left is relatively mum, showing “a quiet shame” that mainstream America—often mocked for its...
Former US Rep. Charged With Aiding Terrorists
Associated Press
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Jan 16, 2008 3:06 PM CST
(Newser) -
An investigation into an Islamic charity that allegedly provided covert financial support for terrorists now involves a former US congressman, the AP reports. Former Michigan Republican Rep. Mark Deli Siljander was charged today with money laundering, conspiracy and obstruction of justice for receiving $50,000 in illegally redirected money to lobby...
Iran Sanctions Might Not be Working: GAO
Reuters
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Jan 16, 2008 3:01 PM CST
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Sanctioning Iran may not have actually worked, the Government Accountability Office said yesterday, just as the US pushes for a fresh round of UN sanctions. Restrictions on state-owned banks are easy to circumvent, the report notes, and Iran has signed $20 billion in energy contracts since 2003. The “evidence raises questions about the extent...
Battery Mishaps Lead to Major AT&T Recall Effort
Wall Street Journal
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Jan 16, 2008 2:50 PM CST
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AT&T will replace 17,000 backup batteries for its U-Verse TV system after a handful of small explosions and fires, reports the Wall Street Journal . The batteries, made by a now-defunct Québec company, were housed in outside equipment cabinets. There was property damage in two cases but no one was hurt by the mishaps, which AT&T says...
Fed Survey Shows Slowing Economy
Bloomberg
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Jan 16, 2008 2:34 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Federal Reserve's regional business survey—released today, ahead of chief Ben Bernanke's appearance tomorrow before Congress—shows economic activity increasing more slowly, thanks to "disappointing" holiday sales. Some analysts think the survey—nicknamed the Beige Book—is evidence for a general economic slowdown,...
Bush Begs Saudi King for Oil
ABC News
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Jan 16, 2008 2:31 PM CST
(Newser) -
After his public request for increased oil production and the resulting price drop was rejected yesterday, President Bush made a personal appeal to Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah to be more generous with his wells, ABC News reports. Only an hour after Bush’s public plea, the Saudi oil minister announced the country would increase production “when...
Second Life Offers Aid for Asperger's
ABC News
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Jan 16, 2008 2:18 PM CST
(Newser) -
Sufferers from Asperger’s syndrome, characterized by an inability to pick up social cues, are getting an unlikely assist from the virtual world Second Life, ABC News reports. Researchers have found that the site, in which users communicate through online avatars, is more effective than other therapies for guiding patients through social exercises...
