Newser Story Index from February, 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.
Spurs Snag Thomas from Sonics
San Antonio Express-News
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Feb 21, 2008 4:13 AM CST
(Newser) -
Shortly after the Suns and Lakers each made high-profile trades for big inside men, the San Antonio Spurs moved to follow suit, picking up veteran center Kurt Thomas from the Seattle SuperSonics. In return, the Spurs send under-utilized Francisco Elson and frequently injured Brent Barry, along with a 2009 first-round draft pick, reports the San Antonio...
Microsoft Opens Game Creation to Users
MSNBC
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Feb 21, 2008 4:01 AM CST
(Newser) -
Microsoft says it's going to bring democracy to video game creation and distribution, MSNBC reports. Microsoft's game-making kit has been a popular download, and the company is now introducing a way for gamers to share the games they make with millions of fellow enthusiasts. They plan to launch a YouTube-style XBox Live Community this fall where...
Stars Miss Mark Against Flames 3-2
Dallas Morning News
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Feb 21, 2008 3:58 AM CST
(Newser) -
Dallas has seen the stars align in its favor plenty of times in the past weeks, but last night all the luck went Calgary's way, and the Flames skated away with a 3-2 victory. Grabbing a short-handed goal as well as a power-play score, Calgary won on just 18 shots to the Stars' 31, reports the Dallas Morning News. Elsewhere in the NHL:
Record Brain Drain Rocks Britain as Emigration Soars
Telegraph (UK)
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Feb 21, 2008 3:35 AM CST
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The UK is experiencing the worst "brain drain" of any country as the British move abroad to seek better lives at the highest rate since just after World War II, a study has found. More than a tenth of the highest-skilled Brits have moved overseas for reasons that one professor said had to "do with quality of life, laws and bureaucracy,...
Warriors Hand Celts 2nd Straight Loss
Boston Globe
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Feb 21, 2008 3:29 AM CST
(Newser) -
Boston's Ray Allen had the game-high 32 points, but couldn't stop Baron Davis when it counted as the Warriors handed the Celtics a 119-117 loss. It was only the second time Boston has fallen in consecutive games this season, the Boston Globe reports. Davis had 29 points, Monta Ellis added 26, and Al Harrington put up 22. In other hoops action:
Lakers Fell Shaq in Suns Debut
Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
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Feb 21, 2008 3:10 AM CST
(Newser) -
Despite being on the wrong end of a 130-124 finale, the "Big Cactus" proved his worth in his debut with Phoenix against the Lakers last night, the Arizona Republic reports. Shaquille O'Neal had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Suns, who are now locked in a first-place tie with Los Angeles in the fight for the Pacific Division.
Clinton Camp Unveils Victory Blueprint
Washington Post
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Feb 21, 2008 3:04 AM CST
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As Barack Obama continues to bask in the glow of a string of impressive primary victories, Team Clinton is pulling out the stops to capture important wins in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania. Clinton advisers have hardly given up hope. They're optimistic Hillary can accomplish the latest victory blueprint: nail pending debates against Barack, exploit the...
Hornets Sting Kidd in Debut With Mavs
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
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Feb 21, 2008 12:50 AM CST
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Chris Paul showed his mettle again, scoring 31 points in the Hornets' 104-93 besting of Dallas last night, the Times-Picayune reports. " Every camera in America said it was a great starting line up with J-Kidd coming in," Paul said after the game. Kidd, in his first game with Dallas after Tuesday's trade, had eight points. Elsewhere in...
Calipari Gets No. 400 as Memphis Rolls
Associated Press
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Feb 21, 2008 12:29 AM CST
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Coach John Calipari earned his 400th victory last night, as his No.1 Tigers easily defeated Tulane, 97-71. The victory continues an intimidating Memphis regular season winning streak dating back to March 2006, including 35 straight conference victories, the AP reports. Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 29 to lead the Tigers' attack. The loss marked the...
Miami Sends No. 5 Duke to 2nd Straight L
Associated Press
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Feb 20, 2008 11:57 PM CST
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The Miami Hurricanes handed No. 5 Duke its second consecutive loss; the 96-95 victory was the Hurricanes first win against the Blue Devils in over 45 years. Miami built a large lead early in the second half and was able to hit free-throws down the stretch to preserve the win. Dwayne Collins led the Hurricanes with 27 points, according to the Associated...
No. 3 North Carolina Bests NC State 84-70
Associated Press
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Feb 20, 2008 11:28 PM CST
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Tyler Hansbrough’s 32 points and 12 rebounds led No. 3 North Carolina past in-state rival North Carolina State 84-70. The Tar Heels had a 31-7 run that spanned the two halves; the Wolfpack was never close after that stretch. Wayne Ellington contributed 21 points for the 25-2 Heels. Gavin Grant led N.C. State with 17 points, reports the Associated...
Over-Testing of Rodriguez Raises Questions
New York Times
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Feb 20, 2008 11:21 PM CST
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"Last year, I got tested 9 to 10 times," Alex Rodriguez told reporters yesterday. The high number of tests raises questions, according to the New York Times . MLB mandates two tests a year per player, plus 600 random tests, for which "There is no limit on the number of times a player can be tested," according to spokesman Richard...
Brodeur, Devils Down Sharks 3-2
Associated Press
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Feb 20, 2008 11:13 PM CST
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The New Jersey Devils scored three goals in the second period and beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2. Sergei Brylin scored the third goal of the pivotal period just 1:10 after John Madden had scored. New Jersey has now won three straight and five of their last six. Conversely San Jose is now on a season-worst five-game slide, reports the Associated Press....
Stanford Drops Tuition for Lower-Income Students
San Jose Mercury News
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Feb 20, 2008 11:08 PM CST
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Tapping into its $17 billion endowment to boost financial aid, Stanford University said yesterday it will now offer free tuition—that's a $36,000 a year value—to students from families making less than $100,000 per year. Students from families that earn less than $60,000 won't have to shell out for room and board, either, the San Jose...
Sprint May Go Lower Than $99.99
Reuters
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Feb 20, 2008 10:42 PM CST
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With both AT&T and Verizon unveiling $99.99 flat-rate unlimited calling plans this week, Sprint's is expected to undercut its rivals by up to 40%, plunging the wireless industry headlong into a price war. Sprint isn't telling yet, but analysts predict it will offer unlimited calling for roughly $60 a month, more than enough to rattle the market,...
LeBron has Triple-Double in Win
Associated Press
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Feb 20, 2008 10:35 PM CST
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LeBron James recorded his second straight triple-double in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 106-97 win over the Indiana Pacers. The King finished with 31 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists; it was the sixth time this season he had a triple-double, reports the Associated Press. James’ teammates also helped out: Larry Hughes had 19 points and Zydrunas...
Knicks Hear 'Fire Isiah' in Road Blowout
Associated Press
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Feb 20, 2008 10:31 PM CST
(Newser) -
Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheeks received a one-year contract extension, then a commanding 124-84 victory over defense-averse New York. The 76ers started hot and didn't look back, leading 37-17 after the first quarter and 100-54 near the end of the third. Their 14 first-half steals were a franchise record.
Efficient Raps Gouge Orlando
Orlando Sentinel
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Feb 20, 2008 10:05 PM CST
(Newser) -
All-Star big men Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard battled mightily in Toronto, but Raptors point guard Jose Calderon's canny distribution tipped the balance in a 127-110 rout by the home squad, reports the Orlando Sentinel . Howard had 37 points and 15 boards—10 on offense—but Bosh had 40 on 14-of-16 shooting, while making all 11 of his...
Tiger Rallies for Match Play Win
New York Times
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Feb 20, 2008 10:02 PM CST
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Tiger Woods was down three holes with five remaining at the World Golf Championships' Match Play Championship, but roared back to win four straight holes from 14- through 17, playing the final five holes in 5-under par to steal the win from J.B. Holmes. “I was just going to have to start playing a hell of a lot better. Then all of a sudden,...
Navy Hits Errant Satellite
Associated Press
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Feb 20, 2008 9:55 PM CST
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The Navy tonight struck an errant spy satellite with its first missile shot, the AP reports. A ship in the Pacific hit the satellite as it passed about 130 miles above the ocean. The military says it needed to destroy the satellite before it crashed to Earth because the toxic fuel aboard posed a risk. It will take a day or two to confirm that the fuel...
McCain Ties to Female Lobbyist Questioned
New York Times
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Feb 20, 2008 9:13 PM CST
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In his last run for the presidency, John McCain developed a close relationship with a female lobbyist that worried his advisers so much they intervened with both McCain and the woman to keep them apart, the New York Times reports. The paper cites the incident in a lengthy look at McCain's track record on his signature issue of ethics and finds that...
Take a Peek at Lunar Eclipse
Space.com
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Feb 20, 2008 8:10 PM CST
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The sky is putting on a show tonight. The last total eclipse of the moon until 2010 got under way about 8:45pm ET, Space.com reports. The moon went into full eclipse at 10:01, and the show will be over at 12:09. The spectacle should be visible from all points in the US, astronomers say. No special equipment is needed, except maybe some warm clothes.
Former UK Intel Boss Refutes Diana Charges
Telegraph (UK)
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Feb 20, 2008 7:51 PM CST
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In uncharacteristic public statements, the former head of British intelligence service MI6 denied during a court appearance today that agents were behind Princess Diana's 1997 death, the Telegraph reports. While Sir Richard Dearlove—known as "C" during his 1999-2004 tenure as agency boss—admitted MI6 can authorize assassinations,...
Polyester Sticking to the Runway
W
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Feb 20, 2008 7:04 PM CST
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Once shunned as tacky, scratchy and smelly, polyester was front and center on spring runways this year. "In fashion when something's so hideous, it's great," Marc Jacobs tells W about his use of the synthetic in Louis Vuitton cardigans and skirts. Japanese designers Rei Kawakubo and Issey Miyake have spearheaded polyester's return to the...
Fed Sees Slower Growth, Higher Unemployment
New York Times
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Feb 20, 2008 6:58 PM CST
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The Federal Reserve issued a bleak assessment of the economy today, predicting weak growth and rising unemployment this year. Fed officials expect the economy to grow between 1.3% and 2% in 2008, the slowest in five years, the New York Times reports. A separate report today showed consumer prices rising, putting the Fed in a tricky spot as it weighs...
Wanted: Comic Who Can Imitate This Candidate
New York Post
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Feb 20, 2008 6:31 PM CST
(Newser) -
The latest indication Barack Obama is one of a kind: Saturday Night Live can’t find an actor to impersonate the Democratic presidential candidate. Show mastermind Lorne Michaels says mimicking any celeb's “mildly irritating” minor tics is crucial to any impersonation. The show, returning Saturday from the writers' strike, could...
Supreme Court Ruling Boosts Medical Tech
New York Times
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Feb 20, 2008 6:20 PM CST
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A Supreme Court ruling today makes it nearly impossible for patients and their families to sue makers of federally approved medical devices under state law. The court ruled 8-1 in favor of cardiovascular device company Medtronic, dismissing a suit brought by a patient injured after one of the company's balloon catheters burst during an angioplasty,...
Kenya Airways Halts Flights from Paris
Reuters
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Feb 20, 2008 6:05 PM CST
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Plummeting tourism in the wake of January's post-election violence and France's sweeping advisory against travel to Kenya have emptied airline seats, triggering the cancellation of all Kenya Airways flights from Paris to Nairobi. The cancellation, which begins Feb. 26, will disrupt travel to other African destinations, including Congo and Rwanda.
Picky Eater Decodes the Beef Scare
Newsweek
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Feb 20, 2008 5:53 PM CST
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Don't fault slaughterhouse workers for this week's enormous beef recall, author and foodie Michael Pollan tells Newsweek —it's the system. Blinding-fast production lines that expect workers to slaughter up to seven cows per minute do not a safe or ethical steak make. "It's one of those episodes that peels back the curtain on how our food...
Surrogate Ups the Ante on Obama Attacks
New York Times
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Feb 20, 2008 5:20 PM CST
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Political surrogates often get stuck with the dirty work, but one Clinton-backing union leader came “close to redefining the genre” last night, the New York Times ’ John M. Broder reports: R. Thomas Buffenbarger called Barack Obama a “silver-tongued warrior with a microphone…dancing to the tune of billionaires.”...
Abu Ghraib Film: Too Soft on Abuses?
Guardian (UK)
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Feb 20, 2008 4:59 PM CST
(Newser) -
Documentary-maker Errol Morris has often spoken truth to power, but his new film about the Abu Ghraib prison scandal may tread too lightly, Geoffrey Macnab writes in the Guardian . Though Standard Operating Procedure explores the infamous prison photos in gritty detail, Morris’ interview style—focusing mainly on implicated American soldiers...
NBC Ditching Fall Debuts
New York Times
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Feb 20, 2008 4:37 PM CST
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NBC appears to have followed through on pledges to use the writers' strike as a springboard to changing the television industry, ditching traditional fall debuts of new shows for staggered introductions throughout the year. The move is designed so the network can keep things fresh, and work more closely with advertisers, the New York Times reports.
3Com Buyout Doesn't Pass Security Review
Wall Street Journal
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Feb 20, 2008 4:10 PM CST
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National security concerns have scuttled the buyout deal for 3Com by private equity firm Bain Capital and a Chinese telecom, the Wall Street Journal reports. 3Com, which supplies networking services to the Defense Department, withdrew its application from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, having been unable to reach an agreement on the...
Market Up After Seesaw Session
MarketWatch
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Feb 20, 2008 3:45 PM CST
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The Dow rose 90.04 points to 12,427.26 today in roller-coaster trading despite rising fears of inflation, MarketWatch reports. US consumer prices rose 0.4% last month in what one investment officer called “a nagging problem for the Fed.” The Nasdaq climbed 20.90 to 2,327.10, and the S&P rose 11.25 to 1,360.03.
Teamsters Endorse Obama Over Clinton
Chicago Tribune
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Feb 20, 2008 3:31 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Teamsters union endorsed Barack Obama today, giving him a chance to make further inroads into Hillary Clinton's base of blue-collar workers. Obama met with Teamsters chief Jim Hoffa today, who afterward gave Obama the backing of the 1.4-million-member union, the Chicago Tribune reports. The move could help in Ohio and Pennsylvania, two big upcoming...
Three Takes on How He's Doing
New Republic
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Feb 20, 2008 3:08 PM CST
(Newser) -
More than ever, Barack Obama looks the Democratic front-runner—and pundits are focusing on chinks in his armor: After much difficulty working policy into his “soaring oratory,” the New Republic' s Jonathan Cohn writes, Obama recently found the right balance—but now “he may be getting a little too wonky.”...
MySpace Makes Music Overtures
Wall Street Journal
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Feb 20, 2008 2:54 PM CST
(Newser) -
MySpace has spent the past few weeks approaching major record labels, trying to hammer out a deal for a new online music service, the Wall Street Journal reports. The deal—tentatively MySpace Music—would likely let users stream unlimited music for free, and buy downloads that could be played on mp3 players, the Wall Street Journal reports.
January Take: Obama $36M, Clinton $13.5M, Mac $11.6M
Associated Press
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Feb 20, 2008 2:51 PM CST
(Newser) -
Barack Obama vastly outpaced his rivals in January fundraising, scoring $36 million to Hillary Clinton’s $13.5 million and John McCain’s $11.6 million. The Democratic front-runner drew $28 million online, with 90% of donations at or below $100. Obama is now on the spot over a 2007 pledge to accept public financing; the fundraising-averse...
Look Out Jenny, Here Comes Kirstie!
People
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Feb 20, 2008 2:37 PM CST
(Newser) -
After cutting her ties with weight-loss company Jenny Craig, former spokeswoman Kirstie Alley tells People she's getting into the diet field herself. "I want to create something new that will help millions of people end the seemingly never-ending fatty roller-coaster ride," says the slimmer 57-year-old, who aims to have her brand on store...
Trawling Scars Ocean Floors
LiveScience
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Feb 20, 2008 2:22 PM CST
(Newser) -
Scientists can now see the destruction caused to the ocean floor by bottom trawling in satellite photos, LiveScience reports. The pictures show huge plumes kicked up from the ocean's bottom as fishing nets dragged along the floor wreak havoc on undersea ecosystems. "Bottom trawling is the most destructive of any actions that humans conduct in...
Musharraf Opposition Seek to Build Alliance
Reuters
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Feb 20, 2008 2:09 PM CST
(Newser) -
The party of fallen Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto is moving toward an alliance with longtime rival Nawaz Sharif after a strong showing in Monday's parliamentary election, Reuters reports. A coalition of the two parties, along with smaller independents, could control enough of the legislature to oust President Pervez Musharraf, a mutual...
Retailers Bully Shoplifters for $$
Wall Street Journal
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Feb 20, 2008 2:00 PM CST
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A system designed to compensate retailers for losses incurred by shoplifters has few controls to prevent the extortion or harassment, the Wall Street Journal reports. “Civil recovery” laws allow retailers to turn the names of suspected shoplifters over to collection agencies who demand fees of $200 or much more—even if merchandise...
$3.7M Study Questions Origins of Faith
Times (UK)
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Feb 20, 2008 1:40 PM CST
(Newser) -
UK researchers will spend $3.7 million probing whether belief in God is a matter of nature or nurture, the Times of London reports. The University of Oxford crew will examine whether faith in a deity conferred an evolutionary advantage, or might be byproduct of other advantageous human characteristics, such as sociability.
Future Sunny for Solar Power
LiveScience
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Feb 20, 2008 1:26 PM CST
(Newser) -
Don’t sweat the energy crisis, say scientist Ray Kurzweil and Google co-founder Larry Page, who predict that within 20 years we’ll be getting 100% of our energy from the sun, based on current solar technology and growth trends. Kurzweil’s fortune-telling record is pretty good: He foresaw the fall of the Soviet Union, and the Internet...
Olympic Sponsors Targeted Over China-Darfur Links
BusinessWeek
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Feb 20, 2008 1:19 PM CST
(Newser) -
Activists are preparing to plaster college campuses with posters with charges like “McDonald’s: Proud Sponsor of the Genocide Olympics,” hoping to pressure multinational corporations sponsoring the Beijing Games into doing more about Darfur, BusinessWeek reports. Buying oil from Sudan makes China a sponsor of the region's genocide,...
Arts Nazis Stole Goes on Exhibit
Associated Press
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Feb 20, 2008 1:07 PM CST
(Newser) -
Authorities in France and Israel are attempting to return paintings seized by Nazis during World War II to families to whom they belong, and have organized an exhibit of 50 “orphaned” works in Israel to solicit rightful claims. The tranquil themes of many of the works in the exhibit, “Looking for Owners,” contrast sharply with...
Outcry Over Leak Site Closure Order
ComputerWorld
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Feb 20, 2008 1:04 PM CST
(Newser) -
Privacy and First Amendment advocates are fuming after a judge ordered an entire website shut down in response to a lawsuit. Wikileaks.org had allowed whistleblowers to anonymously post confidential documents, reports ComputerWorld . A critic calls closing down the whole website in response to a Swiss bank's complaint "like putting a padlock...
Italian Church Pairs Perfume With Prayer
Smithsonian
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Feb 20, 2008 1:00 PM CST
(Newser) -
Florence's Santa Maria Novella church has an intriguing sideline: It's home to one of the world's oldest pharmacies, which today churns out tonics and perfumes made according to medieval recipes. Smithsonian profiles the church, where Dominican monks began concocting herbal remedies and rose water, used to clean plague-touched homes, more than 600...
Celeb Babies Bundles of Joy, $$
Advertising Age
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Feb 20, 2008 12:52 PM CST
(Newser) -
Having a baby is hard, but these days it’s a well-compensated job if you’re a celebrity, Advertising Age reports. People is supposedly ready to pay Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez $4-$6 million for exclusive domestic rights to pictures of their impending twins—a possible record amount—and reportedly shelled out $1.5 million...
Clinton Camp: How Low Can She Go?
MSNBC
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Feb 20, 2008 12:43 PM CST
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With Hillary Clinton’s campaign down to its last moves, her advisers are duking it out over how negative the candidate should go, MSNBC reports. Pollster Mark Penn wants to go ahead full throttle, while communications director Howard Wolfson and ad guru Mandy Grunwald are concerned that Hillary might damage her future—including a potential...
