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.
Fidel Steps Down After 50 Years
Associated Press
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Feb 19, 2008 4:07 AM CST
(Newser) -
Fidel Castro has resigned after nearly 50 years as Cuba's leader, the AP reports. "I neither will aspire to, nor will I accept, the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," the 81-year-old wrote in a letter published in the Communist Party's online paper today. His brother Raul is widely expected to succeed him...
Navy Ship Prepares to Shoot Down Spy Satellite
CNN
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Feb 19, 2008 3:48 AM CST
(Newser) -
The US Navy will attempt to shoot down a rogue American spy satellite Thursday, just days before it re-enters the earth's atmosphere, reports CNN. Officials plan to bring down the satellite from an Aegis cruiser at sea while it is still 150 miles above the earth, leaving enough time for a second attempt if the first one fails.
Coyotes Give Gretzky 100th Win
Los Angeles Times
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Feb 19, 2008 3:36 AM CST
(Newser) -
The Phoenix Coyotes secured the 100th coaching win for Number 99 with a 4-0 domination of the Kings, their sixth defeat of Los Angeles this season. Wayne Gretzky's decision to replace goalie Ilya Bryzgalov with Mikael Tellqvist paid off in full, as the backup made 34 saves to blank a frustrated Kings line, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Toshiba Throws in HD Towel
Associated Press
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Feb 19, 2008 3:30 AM CST
(Newser) -
Toshiba is quitting the HD DVD player business after taking a licking in the protracted market competition, the company announced today. Toshiba's exit, which leaves Blu-ray's technology alone at the vanguard of digital video, comes after Warner Brothers joined the crowd of Blu-ray backers, leaving HD DVD in the cold, AP reports.
'Frog From Hell' Fossil Turns up in Madagascar
Telegraph (UK)
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Feb 19, 2008 3:15 AM CST
(Newser) -
Fossil hunters digging in Madagascar have discovered a 70 million-year-old, 10 pound ancestor of the horned frog. Over twice as large as its modern-day descendants, the "slightly squashed beach-ball" shaped creature probably lunched on small lizards and baby dinosaurs, and has earned the charming nicknames "frog from hell"...
'Toxic Sperm' Linked to Child Ills
Telegraph (UK)
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Feb 19, 2008 2:50 AM CST
(Newser) -
Men who smoke or drink heavily may transmit genetic abnormalities through their damaged sperm, leading to child health complications, miscarriages or stillbirth, researchers have found. The effects of environmental toxins on paternal health—long held to be far less important than that of mothers—may play a crucial role in explaining birth...
St. Mary's Hits 100-Point Mark vs. Pepperdine
Associated Press
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Feb 19, 2008 1:30 AM CST
(Newser) -
No. 23 St. Mary's used 59% shooting from the field and balanced scoring attack of six players in double figures to blow out host Pepperdine, 100-64, in West Coast Conference action Monday. Diamon Simpson had 13 points, 13 rebounds and Patrick Mills had 18 points for the conference-leading Gaels, who hit a school record 17 3-pointers, reports the Associated...
Cubbies Playing Hardball With Rooftop Seats Owner
Chicago Tribune
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Feb 19, 2008 12:27 AM CST
(Newser) -
Some Chicago fans may get the chance to hear those butchered versions of Take Me Out to The Ballgame from two rooftop clubs outside Wrigley Field while not actually seeing the 7th inning stretch sing-along or the games themselves. That's because the Cubs have filed suit against the clubs' owner, saying he violated a 2004 revenue-sharing agreement...
Longhorns Soar Past Rival Aggies
Associated Press
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Feb 18, 2008 11:42 PM CST
(Newser) -
The No. 7 Texas Longhorns defeated bitter rival No. 22 Texas A&M 77-50 to earn their sixth win in a row. For Texas, the win was payback for a 17-point loss in College Station earlier this season. D.J. Augustin was brilliant, scoring 27 points and dishing nine assists as Texas moved into a tie for first in the Big 12, reports the Associated Press.
Wings Win Chippy One Over Avs
Detroit News
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Feb 18, 2008 11:31 PM CST
(Newser) -
Detroit shook off the loss of all-world defenseman and captain Nicklas Lidstrom to win easily at Colorado, 4-0. Lidstrom, the team's leader in assists and minutes played, was injured on a big hit that required him to be helped off the ice, writes the Detroit News . Fellow defenseman Chris Chelios picked up the slack with his second goal of the season.
Duncan's Perfection Lifts Xavier Over URI
Associated Press
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Feb 18, 2008 10:59 PM CST
(Newser) -
Xavier won its fifth straight on the road and 14th out of 15 overall, 81-77 at Rhode Island tonight. Josh Duncan led the 10th-ranked Musketeers with 23 points and hit all eight of his shots from the field as Xavier withstood a Rams rally in the second half, reports the AP. The loss ended Rhode Island's 11-game home winning streak.
Hockey Star Drops Dead at 19
Globe and Mail
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Feb 18, 2008 10:44 PM CST
(Newser) -
The 19-year-old captain of the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires, NHL draftee Mickey Renaud, died suddenly this morning. Renaud was breakfasting with teammates at his family home when he began convulsing, then passed out. The Ontario native was dead by the time he reached the hospital. Sources lcose to the Renaud’s family said an...
Italian Tennis Player Punished for Gambling
Associated Press
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Feb 18, 2008 10:18 PM CST
(Newser) -
Italian tennis player Giorgio Galimberti was found guilty of betting on tennis matches during a period dating from June 2003 to January 2006; Tour officials did not specify whether or not he ever bet on his own matches. “The ATP's Tennis Anti Corruption Program… unambiguously states that gambling on any form of tennis matches will not...
'Cuse Can't Upset No. 18 Cards
Associated Press
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Feb 18, 2008 10:03 PM CST
(Newser) -
Gunning for their second Big East upset in three days, Syracuse came up short against No. 18 Louisville, 61-50. The Orange had pared a 10-point deficit to two with 2:20 left, but the Cardinals closed the game on a 9-0 run to keep pace atop the Big East with No. 12 Georgetown.
Islanders Rally to Beat Sharks
San Jose Mercury News
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Feb 18, 2008 9:51 PM CST
(Newser) -
Nassau Coliseum on Long Island fell quiet after Joe Thornton put San Jose ahead of New York, 2-0 early in the third period. But goals by Andy Hilbert and Mike Comrie within 59 seconds of each other tied the game, and Freddy Meyer's shot from the right circle gave the Islanders an improbable 3-2 victory today, reports Newsday .
No. 1 Tigers Ready for No. 2 Vols
Associated Press
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Feb 18, 2008 9:47 PM CST
(Newser) -
The No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country will square off for 38th time in NCAA history when the top-ranked Memphis Tigers meet intrastate rival Tennessee on Saturday night. Undefeated Memphis is coming off its closest game of the season, a 79-78 win against UAB. Losses by Kansas and Duke allowed Tennessee to move from fourth to second, reports the...
Rehab Mandate Has Schilling Frustrated, Resigned
Boston Herald
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Feb 18, 2008 9:44 PM CST
(Newser) -
Red Sox postseason phenom Curt Schilling is irked that he isn't able to follow the advice of his favorite surgeon, Dr. Craig Monroe, and get biceps surgery. However, he vows to go along with Boston's prescription of a cortisone shot, followed by a strengthening and conditioning regimen, reports the Boston Herald .
Howard Dean, Shadow of His Former Self
New Republic
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Feb 18, 2008 9:20 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Howard Dean who once shocked Washington is now a model of docility, “unwilling or afraid to confront the establishment that was once so afraid of him," the New Republic ’s Eve Fairbanks argues. The Democratic National Committee chair is also the wrong man for a bitter primary season, refusing to intervene when the party needs...
Bee Die-Off Threatens Dinner, Dessert
CNN
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Feb 18, 2008 9:02 PM CST
(Newser) -
The ongoing mystery of the diminishing honeybee population is threatening an important part of the American diet: ice cream. Bee colonies have been disappearing at a rapid rate, potentially causing problems with supplies of vegetables as well as fruit and nuts, which Haagen Dazs says may keep it from offering a full variety of flavors.
Study Links Cell Use to Mouth Tumors
DailyTech
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Feb 18, 2008 8:45 PM CST
(Newser) -
People who use cell phones frequently are 50% more likely to develop salivary gland tumors, according to a new study. Researchers at Tel Aviv University compared a population of nearly 500 tumor patients to a control group of healthy subjects; more than 400 of the 500 patients selected for study had benign tumors, while 58 suffered from malignant ones.
Serbia Calls Home US Envoy
BBC
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Feb 18, 2008 8:26 PM CST
(Newser) -
Serbia called home its US ambassador today to protest America's recognition of Kosovo's independence, the BBC reports. Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica called the move Serbia's "first urgent measure," and warned that envoys in other countries that recognize Kosovar autonomy will soon be withdrawn.
Pakistani Opposition Claims Win
New York Times
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Feb 18, 2008 7:55 PM CST
(Newser) -
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was trounced in a national election today as opposition leaders declared victory against militant rule and the Bush administration, the New York Times reports. An unofficial tally projected victory and 110 seats for the Pakistan People's Party, and 100 seats for Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N party. Musharraf's...
Clinton's Texas Roots—Are They Too Old?
Washington Post
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Feb 18, 2008 7:30 PM CST
(Newser) -
Hillary Clinton's deep Texan ties may win her next month's primary, but only if young voters feel the same bond, the Washington Post reports. Her romance with the state dates back 35 years and has won her a base “broader than in any other state that I can think of," said Clinton ally Henry Cisneros. But Obama is aiming to entice her young...
24 Dead in China Mine Blast
Xinhua (China)
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Feb 18, 2008 7:12 PM CST
(Newser) -
Twenty-four people died and five were wounded in a blast at an illegal iron mine in China yesterday, Xinhua reports. Mine owners, who fled the scene, had masked the site as a boar farm to dupe authorities. "The owner has violated the law by illegally exploring the state-owned resources," an official said. Rescue crews unearthed miners today,...
Clinton Camp Calls Obama Plagiarist
Chicago Tribune
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Feb 18, 2008 6:48 PM CST
(Newser) -
Hillary Clinton accused Barack Obama of plagiarism today over a speech he gave two nights ago, the Swamp blog reports. Obama retaliated by hitting Hillary with five instances of her robbing his words, including "Yes, we can" and "Bring this country together." But the Illinois senator later admitted to lifting phrases from a 2006...
Pettitte Sorry for Taking HGH
Associated Press
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Feb 18, 2008 6:19 PM CST
(Newser) -
Andy Pettitte apologized to fans and teammates today for using human growth hormone, the AP reports. Pettitte said he had not spoken to Roger Clemens, whom he implicated in HGH use in a congressional deposition, in more than a month. “I can't even describe how uncomfortable” the Clemens situation is, said Pettitte.
L.A. Cites Paris Over 17 Pups
Associated Press
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Feb 18, 2008 6:00 PM CST
(Newser) -
Los Angeles animal cops have cited Paris Hilton over her multi-puppy home, but a rep for the celeb claims her doggies are no longer there. Hilton sparked animal lovers' ire last week by admitting on "Ellen DeGeneres" to owning 17 pups—an illegal act in a city where non-breeders are limited to three dogs. The pups "keep having babies,...
McCartney, Mills Can't Seal Deal
Times (UK)
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Feb 18, 2008 5:35 PM CST
(Newser) -
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills again failed to strike a divorce agreement today, and the judge hearing their case will announce a decision in a few weeks, opening up the possibility that the action will be heard in open court. If either side contests the judge's ruling, the case will move to the Court of Appeal, which Sir Paul wants to avoid but...
Google's Juicy Addiction: Cheap Electric
Harper's
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Feb 18, 2008 5:04 PM CST
(Newser) -
No industrial smokestacks rise from that cute Google logo, but each click of the search button takes an environmental toll, Harper's reports. Google and its competitors are guzzling electricity to power ever-larger server complexes, and a renewable-energy initiative is more about making amends than benevolence. A new taxpayer-subsidized Google center...
McCain Aims for Bush Balance
New York Times
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Feb 18, 2008 4:35 PM CST
(Newser) -
In John McCain's delicate dance to unite his fractious party, one crucial step looms: How to best use the current Oval Office occupant in his quest to become the next. George W. Bush trumps McCain in shoring up conservative voters and raising money, but he's anathema to moderates and independents who gravitate toward the GOP frontrunner, reports the...
3 Stars Take Over Ledger's Last Role
BBC
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Feb 18, 2008 4:22 PM CST
(Newser) -
Hollywood hotties Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law will take over Heath Ledger's final film role, the BBC reports. Each will morph into the part in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus as Ledger's character, an actor, passes through a magic mirror into other dimensions. Ledger's footage will likely remain in Terry Gilliam's fantastical $30...
Clinton, Obama Home In on Wisc.
Politico
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Feb 18, 2008 4:06 PM CST
(Newser) -
Tomorrow's primary in Wisconsin won’t decide the Democratic nomination, but Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are fighting tooth and nail anyway, Politico reports, airing their first negative ads of the campaign and taking shots at each other through aides. At stake is momentum: Obama doesn’t want to break his winning streak, and Clinton...
Devils Best Hurricanes 5-1
Associated Press
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Feb 18, 2008 3:54 PM CST
(Newser) -
An outstanding effort by Travis Zajac led the New Jersey Devils to victory over the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1 this afternoon, the AP reports. Zajac scored the Devils’ first goal at 2:02 and later assisted Mike Mottau for a goal, when Mottau knocked in the rebound on a near-miss. The win moved New Jersey into a tie with Ottawa and Montreal for the...
iPhone Runners Beat Apple to Beijing
New York Times
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Feb 18, 2008 3:50 PM CST
(Newser) -
Even as Apple toils to build exclusive deals with local phone companies and gradually release iPhones abroad, smugglers aren’t holding their breath, and the device is already taking China by storm. As many as one in three iPhones sold last year was unlocked and reprogrammed, the New York Times reports—a blow that could cost Apple $1 billion...
JFK Treasure Trove Revealed
Dallas Morning News
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Feb 18, 2008 3:35 PM CST
(Newser) -
Numerous items related to the JFK assassination were revealed to the public today after having spent years forgotten in a Dallas courthouse safe, the Dallas Morning News reports. Brass knuckles and a holster belonging to Jack Ruby were in the safe, as was a lucrative contract signed by Ruby prosecutor Henry Wade for a film that was never made.
Literary Pioneer, Filmmaker Robbe-Grillet Dead at 85
AFP
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Feb 18, 2008 3:19 PM CST
(Newser) -
French novelist and filmmaker Alain Robbe-Grillet died today at 85, AFP reports. A pioneer of the “new novel” literary style, he was best known in the US as the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Last Year at Marienbad (1961). "The Academie Francaise today loses one of its most illustrious members," Nicolas Sarkozy's office said...
Can Huckabee Bowl Over Wisc.?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Feb 18, 2008 3:00 PM CST
(Newser) -
Despite a chorus of calls for him to give up his campaign, Mike Huckabee is hitting the trail even harder than John McCain in Wisconsin, where he faces an uphill battle, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. And although McCain leads in the delegate count, Huckabee is getting a warm welcome from conservatives: "We feel this nation needs to...
Microsoft’s Yahoo Bid 'Ridiculous'
Reuters
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Feb 18, 2008 2:40 PM CST
(Newser) -
Investment manager Joe Rosenberg takes a swipe at Microsoft's bid for Yahoo in this week's Barron's , disparaging both the deal and CEO Steve Ballmer's financial acumen, Reuters reports. "It's a bad reflection on Ballmer that he's willing to pay a ridiculous price for Yahoo,” says Rosenberg. “Microsoft is not going to earn anything...
Ivory Coast Crazy for Big Butts
BBC
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Feb 18, 2008 2:20 PM CST
(Newser) -
Bobaraba! It means “big bottom,” and it's a hit song and butt-shaking dance phenom sweeping the Ivory Coast, the BBC reports. In fact, some women in the west African nation are so caught up in bobaraba-mania that a black market of “bottom enhancers” has emerged, targeting those who want more junk in the trunk.
Cyprus Vote Raises Hopes for Unification
AFP
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Feb 18, 2008 1:55 PM CST
(Newser) -
After decades of division, Cyprus is a step closer to unification, AFP reports. Greek Cypriots ousted incumbent Tassos Papadopoulos in a three-way election yesterday, and the two remaining candidates will face off in another vote on Sunday. Both seem willing to reach out to Turkish Cypriots, mending bridges the hard-line Papadopoulos administration...
The RNC's Anti-Obama Plan
Politico
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Feb 18, 2008 1:30 PM CST
(Newser) -
At this weekend’s RNC winter retreat, “lowbrow” Hillary Clinton jokes were plentiful, Politico reports, but her opponent got more attention. Said one California Congressman, “a President Hillary doesn’t scare me nearly as much as a President Obama.” The PowerPoint breakdown: Can you picture Obama as commander...
Diana's Butler Cops to Lying at Inquest
Sun (UK)
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Feb 18, 2008 1:10 PM CST
(Newser) -
Princess Diana's ex-butler threw the $20-million inquest into her death "a few red herrings," "didn't tell the whole truth," and could be facing some quality time in the pokey for his trouble, reports the Sun . The British paper says it uncovered a 3-hour videotape in which Paul Burrell confesses to perjury.
Not So Fun to Stay on the Pirate Bay
Ars Technica
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Feb 18, 2008 12:57 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Village People head a list of music industry has-beens pondering legal action against file-sharing site The Pirate Bay, after the service was indicted in Sweden for copyright infringement. The artists would join Prince, who’s been on the war path against the site for some time, reports Ars Technica.
Bush 41 Lauds McCain as 'True Conservative'
Houston Chronicle
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Feb 18, 2008 12:28 PM CST
(Newser) -
George H.W. Bush formally endorsed John McCain today, praising the Arizona senator as a "true conservative" in the latest attempt to rally Republicans behind their presumptive nominee, the Houston Chronicle reports. "I think that our effort to continue to unite the party will be enhanced dramatically by President Bush's words,"...
Giant Bunnies Hit Silver Screen
Der Spiegel
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Feb 18, 2008 12:10 PM CST
(Newser) -
Giant bunnies overran the 2008 Berlin Film Festival, reports Der Spiegel —in the form of a 5-minute documentary on the international intrigue that ensued when a German rabbit breeder sent a dozen of his 20-pounders to North Korea to be bred to help alleviate hunger. Instead, they met a tragic end as part of a birthday feast for playboy-dictator...
US, EU States Recognize Independent Kosovo
Reuters
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Feb 18, 2008 11:41 AM CST
(Newser) -
The US and major European states recognized Kosovo as an independent state today, reports Reuters. Condoleezza Rice issued an official statement several hours after President Bush jumped the gun by saying in a speech in Africa that Kosovo is "now independent." His Secretary of State said later: "We congratulate the people of Kosovo on...
Obama Makes Inroads in Ohio, Texas
Los Angeles Times
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Feb 18, 2008 11:19 AM CST
(Newser) -
Hillary Clinton's staunchest allies include Hispanic and working-class voters, and those are exactly the assets Barack Obama is targeting in the must-win states of Ohio and Texas, the Los Angeles Times reports. He's using young voters as a wedge: In a radio ad aimed at young Latino Texans, the announcer says “Obama is talking to me.”
Facebook Fixes Problems With Its 'Delete' Button
New York Times
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Feb 18, 2008 11:05 AM CST
(Newser) -
Making a profile on Facebook is easy, but before this weekend, deleting one wasn't: Not even Facebook could do it, the New York Times reports. Frustrated users filled out a form intended to delete their profiles but found bits of info still accessible on the site. Facebook says it has solved the problem, and profiles can be completely erased.
GOP No. 2s Try Harder
Washington Post
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Feb 18, 2008 10:40 AM CST
(Newser) -
If history is any guide, Mitt Romney had every reason to smile last week as he endorsed John McCain, the Washington Post reports: Every GOP nominee of the past 30 years, except George W. Bush, finished second in the previous contested primary. Judging from the presumptive 2008 nominee's support of Bush in 2000 and 2004, "McCain understood what...
You've Got No Mail: DC Techies Ponder Life After AOL
Washington Post
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Feb 18, 2008 10:12 AM CST
(Newser) -
AOL is moving its HQ to New York, cutting nearly half of its 5,700 DC-area jobs, and leaving serious questions about the Washington, DC area’s tech industry in its wake. AOL’s declining fortunes have already hurt the sector, but local techies and VCs have fought back with numerous startups, reports the Washington Post .
