Newser Story Index from December, 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.
Obama Unveils Security Team Starring Clinton, Gates
Associated Press
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Dec 1, 2008 10:31 AM CST
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Barack Obama officially announced his national-security team today, a group including primary rival Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and Bush holdover Robert Gates as defense secretary, the AP reports. “One of the dangers in a White House, is that you get wrapped up in group-think,” Obama said, explaining his potentially clashing picks....
Ford May Sell Off Volvo
Wall Street Journal
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Dec 1, 2008 10:29 AM CST
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Ford is looking to cut costs wherever it can, and that might mean selling off its Volvo unit, the Wall Street Journal reports today. US sales for Volvo dropped off 28% in the first 10 months of 2008, and Ford, bleeding cash, plans to trim down and focus on its namesake brand; it’s already sold off other luxury brands like Jaguar.
Morgan Stanley Eyes Smaller Fish to Boost Banking Cred
Wall Street Journal
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Dec 1, 2008 10:27 AM CST
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Just months after converting from an investment firm into a bank-holding company, Morgan Stanley is already one of the top 50 US banks in terms of deposits, the Wall Street Journal reports—and is looking to acquire regional banks that will speed its climb. Analysts say it’s unlikely Morgan Stanley will move to turn its current brokerage...
Penn Embraced Gay Love Scene
New York Post
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Dec 1, 2008 10:19 AM CST
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As he got into the character of Harvey Milk, Sean Penn pushed for a more explicit sex scene in Milk, surprising his co-star, the New York Post reports. James Franco tells Elle magazine the one kissing scene he read in the original movie script turned into “a full-on love scene.” Franco says he asked Gus Van Sant what was going on,...
Next Stimulus Plan Will Hinge on Spending
New York Times
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Dec 1, 2008 10:09 AM CST
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With President-elect Obama promising 2.5 million new jobs, analysts see a stimulus package that will rival, if not eclipse, the nearly $1.4 trillion spent to calm Wall Street, Louis Uchitelle writes in the New York Times . And with the economy contracting, federal spending should have a greater effect than tax breaks alone, many say.
Giants' Burress Turns Himself In
Associated Press
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Dec 1, 2008 10:00 AM CST
(AP) -
Plaxico Burress arrived at a police station this morning where he was expected to be charged after accidentally shooting himself in the right thigh at a Manhattan nightclub. The New York Giants' star wide receiver plans to plead not guilty to a weapon possession charge during an afternoon court appearance, his lawyer said. Conviction could result in...
Once United, Big 3 Take Different Roads to Bailout
New York Times
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Dec 1, 2008 9:53 AM CST
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When the automakers return to Congress this week to beg for a federal bailout, they’ll no longer be presenting one case among them. Each company will unveil its own rejuvenation plan, reports the New York Times . Ford, in best financial shape, wants only the promise of access to federal funds; General Motors and Chrysler need near-immediate...
Hubby: I Got Amy Addicted
News of the World (UK)
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Dec 1, 2008 9:48 AM CST
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Amy Winehouse’s husband admits he made her into a junkie, and tells News of the World he is leaving the troubled singer to save her life. “I am not abandoning her. I am doing this out of love,” Blake Fielder-Civil said, taking blame for her crack and heroine addictions. He also confirmed Winehouse cheated on him, and denied going...
US Readies 20,000 Troops Against Homeland Threats
Washington Post
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Dec 1, 2008 9:41 AM CST
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After years of planning, the military will have 20,000 troops stationed inside the US ready to handle domestic crises such as nuclear terrorism by 2011, the Washington Post reports. That’s almost seven times the number of domestic-response troops 5 years ago—a move that would have been “unbelievable” before 9/11, says a defense...
Luxury Hotels Emerge as Terrorist Targets
New York Times
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Dec 1, 2008 9:32 AM CST
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The Mumbai attacks have provided world travelers with a new cause for concern, writes the New York Times : Increasingly, luxury hotels in developing countries are becoming terrorist targets. The raids on the Taj and Oberoi hotels come only 2 months after a car bomb blew apart the Islamabad Marriott, and American hotel chains are now actively discussing...
Canadian Opposition Moves to Sink Righty Gov't
Globe and Mail
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Dec 1, 2008 9:20 AM CST
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Canada’s main opposition parties have reached an unprecedented deal to topple the Conservative government, only weeks after it won re-election, reports the Globe and Mail . PM Stephen Harper infuriated rivals by attempting to end public support for political parties under the veil of an economic stimulus bill. The Liberals, New Democrats, and...
Forget the Deficit: Spend, Spend, Spend!
New York Times
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Dec 1, 2008 9:07 AM CST
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As the incoming administration prepares a massive fiscal stimulus to jolt America's floundering economy back to life, some are worrying about what billions in spending will do to the budget deficit. On the contrary, writes Paul Krugman in the New York Times : Deficit spending now will help, not harm, the country's long-term prospects, and worrying...
A Very Different Rice to be UN Ambassador
New York Times
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Dec 1, 2008 9:06 AM CST
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Barack Obama will name Susan Rice as his UN ambassador when he unveils his foreign policy team today, the New York Times reports. Rice (no relation to Condoleezza), was an assistant secretary of state under Bill Clinton, but has been an Obama adviser since the beginning. She’s an advocate of using “dramatic action” against genocide,...
Rally Over; Dow Down 300
Wall Street Journal
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Dec 1, 2008 8:52 AM CST
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Stocks plunged this morning, giving back a big chunk of last week’s big rally. The Dow dropped 350 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq gave up 41 and 65 points respectively. “Investors are saying in these turbulent times it is best to take what comes your way,” said one strategist. A number of economic indicators are expected this...
Obama Finds Intelligence Posts Tough to Fill
Wall Street Journal
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Dec 1, 2008 8:50 AM CST
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No surprises are expected as Barack Obama formally nominates his national security team today, leading with Hillary Clinton, Gen. James Jones, and Robert Gates. But the president-elect is having trouble with intelligence positions, the Wall Street Journal reports, as he looks for experienced hands not tainted by service in the Bush administration....
Venice Flooding Hits 20-Year High
BBC
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Dec 1, 2008 8:45 AM CST
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The Queen of the Seas is wetter than usual these days, as seasonal flooding has hit a 20-year high, submerging Venice's streets in up to 5 feet of water, BBC reports. The city of canals is now a veritable lake, and the mayor has warned citizens not to go out unless absolutely necessary, and waved away any tourists thinking about visiting.
Who's That Guy on the Local News?
New York Times
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Dec 1, 2008 8:25 AM CST
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Across the country, star local news anchors are signing off for good, the New York Times reports, as local network affiliates look for ways to cut costs, and find big anchor salaries tempting targets. Newscasters with more than 20 years behind the desk have been dropped in Chicago, Houston, Denver, and Boston. “I don’t think we’re...
Chavez Seeks Power Until 2021
BBC
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Dec 1, 2008 8:15 AM CST
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is again maneuvering to stay in power for at least another decade, the BBC reports. Chavez plans to seek a constitutional change that will allow him to seek re-election indefinitely, he told a weekend rally. Chavez lost a referendum just a year ago on a series of constitutional amendments that would have eliminated...
Obama Foreign-Policy Team Signals Shift to Diplomacy
New York Times
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Dec 1, 2008 7:58 AM CST
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The three lead players on the national security team Barack Obama will announce today have each historically been more hawkish than the president-elect—but all have embraced his plan for a sweeping foreign policy shift, the New York Times reports. Hillary Clinton, Gen. James Jones, and Robert Gates will work toward Obama’s goal of dramatically...
Bombings Kill 31 in Baghdad, Mosul
Associated Press
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Dec 1, 2008 7:40 AM CST
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Suicide bombers struck today near a Baghdad police academy and in Mosul against a joint US-Iraqi patrol, together killing 31 people, Iraqi officials said. In Baghdad, a car bomb exploded outside the heavily fortified academy. Minutes later, a suicide attacker blew himself up as police rushed to respond to the blast. Sixteen people were killed and 45...
Cemetery in Mumbai Won't Bury Terrorists
Associated Press
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Dec 1, 2008 7:31 AM CST
(AP) -
A Muslim graveyard has refused to bury nine gunmen who terrorized Mumbai over three days last week, leaving at least 172 people dead and wreaking havoc at some of its most famous landmarks. The shooters, whose bodies are unclaimed thus far, are not true followers of the Islamic faith, according to an influential Muslim trust that runs a 7.5-acre graveyard...
Holiday Sales Surge on Deep Discounts
New York Times
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Dec 1, 2008 7:19 AM CST
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Desperate retailers received a jolt of good news this weekend as shoppers poured into stores and spent 7% more—an average $372.57 each—than they did a year ago, reports the New York Times . But Black Friday glee may be replaced with gloom as retailers tote up the slim profits earned on deeply discounted merchandise that shoppers gobbled...
Madge, A-Rod Coincidentally Hit Mexico at Same Time
Associated Press
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Dec 1, 2008 7:00 AM CST
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After their much-discussed Thanksgiving was over, Madonna and Alex Rodriguez both ended up in Mexico City yesterday, the AP reports. While Madonna performed in two sold-out concerts, A-Rod ran a baseball clinic for impoverished children. It was not clear if they met, but when asked about being there at the same time as the singer, the slugger simply...
Time, CNN Top College Faves
Advertising Age
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Dec 1, 2008 6:34 AM CST
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College students took a break from beer pong to take stock of the world, a study of their favorite brands suggests. Time unseated Cosmopolitan as top magazine among the 1,000 students surveyed, while CNN.com bumped Perez Hilton off the list of top websites, Advertising Age reports. "World peace" became the fourth most desired wish for...
Consumers May See 45% Cut in Available Credit
Reuters
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Dec 1, 2008 6:00 AM CST
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Americans already struggling with tight credit are in for another blow: banks may cut available credit card lines up to 45% over the next 18 months, reducing available credit by some $2 trillion, reports Reuters. Home equity and credit card limits already are lower than in the second quarter, an Oppenheimer and Co. analyst says, calling it a “dangerous...
Rice to Jet to Mumbai as India Talks War
Guardian (UK)
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Dec 1, 2008 5:28 AM CST
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US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is preparing to fly to India as the Indian government yesterday raised its security to "war level," proclaiming it has proof that Pakistan played a role in the Mumbai terror attacks that killed more than 170 people. Pakistan has responded by threatening to end military operations against the Taliban...
Signs of Consensus Emerge on Universal Health Care
Los Angeles Times
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Dec 1, 2008 5:00 AM CST
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Washington is approaching a broad consensus: It’s time for the government to step in to create universal health care, the Los Angeles Times reports. Both left and right have abandoned pet plans in favor of a middle ground that maintains the current employer-based system, while driving down costs and rewarding good care. And leaders in the debate...
UK Deporting HIV Patients to 'Death Sentence'
Guardian (UK)
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Dec 1, 2008 4:58 AM CST
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An African policy group is accusing the UK of deporting immigrants who were being treated for HIV to almost certain death in places where they will be unable to acquire drugs needed to survive. Advocates call the move hypocritical since Britain is a vocal backer of an international declaration calling for universal access to AIDS drugs, the Guardian...
Why Actors Strike Wouldn't Hurt TV
Los Angeles Times
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Dec 1, 2008 4:34 AM CST
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No offense, actors, but TV viewers probably wouldn't notice a Screen Actors Guild strike if it happens. Production schedules will suffer, but not nearly like the disruption last year's writers strike caused, reports the Los Angeles Times . Many scripted series are almost done filming for the season, and more of them are now covered by AFTRA,...
Put the Brakes on Car Chiefs' Pay: UAW Boss
Reuters
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Dec 1, 2008 4:11 AM CST
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The nation's Big Three automakers should pledge to limit executive pay—including bonuses and severance packages—in exchange for federal money, insists the president of the United Auto Workers. Ron Gettelfinger warned that everyone is going to have to tighten his belt, including the rank-and-file, in order to save jobs. He called federal...
Brits Turn to Sex for Cheap Thrills
BBC
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Dec 1, 2008 3:41 AM CST
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For those who can't afford to shop during the holidays, the British offer a suggestion: have sex instead. Love-making topped a list of increasingly popular cost-free activities, followed by window shopping and gossiping—which beat out sex among women—in a survey of 2,000 Brits. The findings coincide with a recent boost in condom sales,...
Shoppers Are Even Grinchier Than Expected
Reuters
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Dec 1, 2008 3:16 AM CST
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Holiday shopping sales are looking even worse than forecast, Reuters reports. A new survey conducted over the traditional weekend launch of holiday gift-buying, found that 38% of shoppers said they spent less over the weekend than during the same period last year—and 30% were unimpressed by this year's discounts.
Thai Protesters Let Empty Planes Leave Airport
New York Times
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Dec 1, 2008 2:43 AM CST
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Thai protesters allowed 37 empty planes to be flown today from Bangkok's main airport after European nations announced they would charter flights to evacuate nationals trapped there. The planes flew to a naval base, where travelers can try to arrange to catch flights home, CNN reports. Protesters will allow another 50 flights out later today, according...
NYC Subway Pens Excuses for Late Commuters
New York Post
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Dec 1, 2008 2:19 AM CST
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New York City's subway and bus agency issues excuses for tardiness that workers delayed by mass transit snafus can present to their frustrated bosses. The program, which will go online next year, issues 34,000 "late notes" each year, even though few commuters know that it exists, reports the New York Post .
N. Korea Clamps Down on Border
Los Angeles Times
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Dec 1, 2008 1:50 AM CST
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North Korea today made good on its threat to restrict border crossings from South Korea, severely hampering trade and ending tourism with its neighbor. The move, blocking large numbers of South Koreans and reducing border-crossing hours, is a protest against South Korea's new hardline president that negates years of hard-fought progress. It's likely...
