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.
Bhutto Widower Warns of Pakistan Election Backlash
Times (UK)
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Feb 17, 2008 8:52 AM CST
(Newser) -
The Pakistani government's suspected plans to disrupt tomorrow's elections will trigger widespread violence and the possible collapse of the nation, warned the widower of assassinated leader Benazir Bhutto. "People are absolutely on the warpath" and will take to the streets if the election is rigged, Asif Ali Zardari told the Times of London.
Wild Girls Rate, Bad Boys Skate
New York Times
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Feb 17, 2008 8:39 AM CST
(Newser) -
There's a clear gender disparity in the obsessive media coverage of celebrity meltdowns, writes the New York Times. Just compare the relative restraint Entertainment Tonight exercised in holding back a video of Heath Ledger doing drugs with the news outlet gusto that greets the latest Amy Winehouse or Lindsay Lohan misbehavior. Or compare Kiefer...
Lofton Lifts Tennessee With Big Second Half
Associated Press
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Feb 17, 2008 7:49 AM CST
(Newser) -
When Georgia took a lead early in the second half yesterday, Chris Lofton knew it was time to take control for Tennessee. Lofton scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half, allowing the Volunteers to escape with a 74-71 SEC win, the AP reports. Lofton hit only one 3-pointer in the first half—but nailed three in the second to raise his SEC...
Reno Cops Hunt Murderous Serial Rapist
Reno Gazette-Journal
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Feb 17, 2008 7:45 AM CST
(Newser) -
A murdered 19-year-old Reno woman is believed to be the third victim of a serial rapist preying on women near the local campus of the University of Nevada, reports the Reno Gazette . The woman was abducted from a friend's home and strangled. "This is a serial rapist," said a police official. "We have two, probably three cases linked...
Howard Super in Dunk Contest
Associated Press
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Feb 17, 2008 7:32 AM CST
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Clark Kent couldn't have done any better: Using a number of creative moves, including wearing a Superman costume, Orlando's Dwight Howard flew to a win in the NBA's slam dunk contest last night, the AP reports/ The 6-foot-11 Howard scored perfect 50s in the first two rounds and then easily beat last year's champ Gerald Green in the finals.
Canadiens Deal Flyers Sixth Straight Defeat
Philadelphia Inquirer
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Feb 17, 2008 7:24 AM CST
(Newser) -
Carey Price made 34 saves and held off a 5-on-3 power play in the closing minutes to lift the Montreal Canadiens past the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 last night, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer . The loss was the sixth straight for Philly. Andrei Kostitsyn scored a power-play goal in the second period to give the Canadiens all the offense they would...
Slashed Skater Recounts Life-Saving Dash to Bench
Buffalo News
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Feb 17, 2008 7:20 AM CST
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Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik "didn’t feel anything" after a teammate's skate severed his carotid artery last week, but the gushing blood told him he "had to get to the bench." There was " so much blood. I was like, ‘Whoa.' I knew I was in trouble," Zednik told the Buffalo News after he was released...
Bush Signs $700M Grant for Tanzania
Reuters
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Feb 17, 2008 6:35 AM CST
(Newser) -
During the second stop on his whirlwind African tour, President Bush heaped praise on Tanzania's president and signed over a $698 million grant for infrastructure development. "We like dealing with honest people and compassionate people," Bush said of his trip, which is avoiding current hot spots like Kenya in favor of countries with strong...
Weber Powers Predators Past Blues in OT
Associated Press
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Feb 17, 2008 6:31 AM CST
(Newser) -
Shea Weber scored a power-play goal 40 seconds into overtime last night as the Nashville Predators beat the St. Louis Blues 2-1, reports the Associated Press. The Predators have allowed four first-period goals in their last two games, but have still outscored opponents 26-11 in the past 22 games. Scott Nichol had the other Nashville goal. In...
Memphis Stays Perfect, Barely
Commercial Appeal (Memphis)
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Feb 17, 2008 6:20 AM CST
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Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts had an astonishing 32 points and Antonio Anderson another 27, but the Tigers still nearly lost last night's game—and their perfect record—to a determined UAB. In a 77-70 hole with 83 seconds remaining, the NCAA's top-ranked team showed the Blazers what they're made of, reports the Commercial Appeal .
Tarnished Indiana Takes Out Spartans
Associated Press
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Feb 17, 2008 5:44 AM CST
(Newser) -
Indiana fans finally got something to cheer about last night. After dealing with a week of accusations of NCAA violations by their coach, Hoosier rooters had to smile after an 80-61 Big Ten upset of No. 10 Michigan State, reports AP. Eric Gordan led the way with 28 points as the No. 13 Hoosiers put aside the woes of coach Kelvin Sampson. In other Top...
80 Killed in Afghan Bombing
BBC
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Feb 17, 2008 5:40 AM CST
(Newser) -
A suicide blast today killed at least 80 in a crowd of spectators watching a dog fight in the Afghan city of Kandahar. Nobody claimed responsibility for the attack, but local authorities believe it was the work of the Taliban, which has a large presence in the area, BBC reports. Militia leaders watching the dog fight were the likely target of the attack.
US Satellite Shoot a Screen for Space War Games: Russia
BBC
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Feb 17, 2008 5:23 AM CST
(Newser) -
Russia's not buying the US military's story that it must shoot down an errant spy satellite before it crashes to Earth with its load of toxic fuel, the BBC reports. The Kremlin says America is using the incident as an excuse to test a new generation of space weaponry and its "capability to destroy other countries' satellites."
Kings Send Bibby to Atlanta
Sacramento Bee
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Feb 17, 2008 5:16 AM CST
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Mike Bibby is headed to Atlanta as part of a trade that will give the Sacramento Kings four expiring contracts and a second-round draft pick, and allow the Hawks to (so they hope) make a run at the playoffs, reports the Sacramento Bee . "I had some good times here in Sacramento," said the veteran point guard, who had expected a trade.
With 3-2 Win, Devils Gain on Senators
National Post (Canada)
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Feb 17, 2008 5:14 AM CST
(Newser) -
New Jersey moved to the top of the Atlantic Division, and now threatens to soon assume the Eastern Conference crown, after holding on for a 3-2 victory over Ottawa. The suddenly struggling Senators now retain a slim two-point lead over the Devils and the Canadiens, the National Post reports. Elsewhere in the world of hockey:
10 'Yeah, Right' Movie Couples
Yahoo
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Feb 17, 2008 5:01 AM CST
(Newser) -
The silver screen has seen countless memorable romances; unfortunately, it has also produced a host of bizarre on-screen hook-ups. Yahoo! Movies runs down the 10 worst: Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte in I Love Trouble The original Bennifer in Gigli Anne Heche and Harrison Ford in Six Days, Seven Nights Kevin Spacey (Bobby...
NIU Shooter Delved Into Satanism
Chicago Sun-Times
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Feb 17, 2008 4:55 AM CST
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The shooter in the NIU carnage that left five students dead last week began to exhibit troubling signs of mental illness as a high school student as he explored satanism and white-power movements, reports AP. Steven Kazmierczak "started to identify more with hatred-type stuff," said a friend. His behavioral problems became so severe...
No. 16 Texas A&M Shocked at Home by OSU
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 11:02 PM CST
(Newser) -
Oklahoma State ended a 19-game road losing streak with a 59-54 win at Texas A&M. OSU's Terrel Harris had the play of the game, blocking a potential tying layup by the Aggies' Donald Sloan in the last minute. OSU was led by Byron Eaton's 17 points, two of which were clinching free throws with nine seconds remaining. In other action:
No. 9 Butler Holds Back Cleveland State
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 10:53 PM CST
(Newser) -
Butler made up for a loss earlier in the season to Cleveland State with an improved defensive game in a 51-46 win over the Vikings. Matt Howard and A.J. Graves led the Bulldogs, who lead the Horizon league at 13-2, with 17 and 15 points respectively. The teams combined for a mere 39 points in the second half. Elsewhere in hoops:
Lopez Twins Lift No. 7 Stanford Over Arizona
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 10:52 PM CST
(Newser) -
Stanford blew a large lead late for the second straight game, but this time was able to rebound against Arizona thanks to twin brothers Robin and Brook Lopez, reports the AP. The Cardinal's two 7-footers combined for 37 points against a smaller Wildcats lineup, including two free throws by Brook for the winning margin of 67-66. Elsewhere in hoops:
McCain Grins and Bears Far-Right Republicans
New York Times
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Feb 16, 2008 8:00 PM CST
(Newser) -
Playing presumptive GOP nominee means smiling a lot, in John McCain's case. Now that he's aiming to “unify the party,” he’s cozying up to far-right Republicans he can’t stand and putting his infamous temper on the shelf, the New York Times reports. He even called Mitt Romney "honorable" and remembered to flash a...
Families Battle Feds Over US Border Fence
Washington Post
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Feb 16, 2008 7:30 PM CST
(Newser) -
Americans on the southern US border are fuming over a federal fence that threatens to cut their properties in two, the Washington Post reports. The feds have erected about 165 miles of fence in the West and southwest, but some families, protecting land they have held for generations, are turning back surveyors. "This is the land that gave me...
A.I. Will Match Human Brain in 20 Years
BBC
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Feb 16, 2008 6:54 PM CST
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One engineer and futurist says it’s only a matter of time before machines are as smart as people, and people are part machine, the BBC reports. Ray Kurzweil claims that artificial intelligence will produce human-level smarts and even emotions by 2029. Humans, meanwhile, will inject nanobots into their brains to improve intelligence.
Badgers Beat Gophers, Keep Pace in Big Ten
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 6:52 PM CST
(Newser) -
Excellent free-throw shooting and a balanced scoring attack led Wisconsin to a nine-point home win over Tubby Smith's Minnesota squad, reports the AP. The 15th-ranked Badgers were led by Marcus Landry with 12 points, and had four other players score 11 each while holding the Golden Gophers to 33% shooting, including a paltry 25% from two -point ...
I-35 Beckons the Faithful
NPR
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Feb 16, 2008 6:45 PM CST
(Newser) -
A group of Dallas Pentecostal Christians reading the Bible one day noted that Isaiah 35, Verse 8, mentions a "highway for holiness." That put them in mind of nearby Interstate 35, which runs from Laredo, Texas, to Duluth, Minn., NPR reports, and that, in turn, prompted an unusual prayer movement. Originally set to last 35 days, the idea was...
Deputy Charged for Dumping Quadriplegic
MSNBC
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Feb 16, 2008 6:12 PM CST
(Newser) -
A Florida sheriff’s deputy turned herself in today after dumping a quadriplegic from his wheelchair during a jailhouse booking last month, MSNBC reports. Deputy Charlette Marshall-Jones was promptly released on $3,500 bail and will face a charge of felony abuse of a disabled person. She was already a known suspect: A videotape of her toppling...
Rangers' Quick Start Halts Sabres' Streak
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 5:35 PM CST
(Newser) -
The Rangers had a rare midseason five-day layoff, and apparently the rest helped, as Sean Avery scored 10 seconds into the game, setting the tone for the first period of a 5-1 win over Buffalo, writes the Associated Press. Ryan Miller, who looked very shaky on two straight goals, was pulled after giving up four in 12-plus minutes.
No. 3 Kansas Clamps Down on Colorado
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 5:14 PM CST
(Newser) -
Over 200 former Kansas players and coaches who were in Lawrence today for a celebration of KU's 110 years of basketball left Allen Fieldhouse happy, after the Jayhawks stifled Colorado, 69-45. Mario Chalmers led the nine KU players who scored with 13 points, and the hosts held Colorado's leading scorer, Richard Roby, to one-of-11 shooting and two points,...
General's Iraqi Shift Mirrors US Strategy
Washington Post
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Feb 16, 2008 5:02 PM CST
(Newser) -
Gen Raymond Odierno stepped down from his post as the No. 2 general in Iraq this week, having evolved from a proponent of heavy-handed tactics to a believer in nonlethal methods to win favor with Iraqis and reduce violence, the Washington Post reports. In a lengthy profile of the so-called General O, the Post says his conversion in many ways mirrors...
Cops Arrest Suspect in Shrink Slaying
New York Post
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Feb 16, 2008 4:20 PM CST
(Newser) -
Police arrested an "emotionally disturbed" patient today for brutally slaying a New York psychologist earlier this week, the New York Post reports. Suspect David Tarloff "made statements implicating himself in the homicide," police said, and was identified by four witnesses as the killer of psychologist Kathryn Faughey. Tarloff's...
No. 5 UNC Crushes Va. Tech
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 4:00 PM CST
(Newser) -
A banged up No. 5 North Carolina squad got exactly what it needed from Virginia Tech: not much resistance. Tyler Hansbrough scored 23 points and added nine rebounds as the Tar Heels cruised to a 92-53 ACC win over the reeling Hokies. North Carolina shot 50% from the floor and out-rebounded Tech 54-24.
EcoMoms Talk and Shop for Green Cause
New York Times
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Feb 16, 2008 3:42 PM CST
(Newser) -
A gathering of women may look like a book club, sewing circle, or Tupperware party these days—but is just as likely to be part of the 9,000-strong EcoMom Alliance, where mothers talk fluorescent lightbulbs, waste-free school lunches, and local produce. Long essential to America's green movement, young women are now using it to inspire coffee...
Cool Austrie Helps UConn Sink So. Florida
Hartford Courant (Conn.)
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Feb 16, 2008 3:38 PM CST
(Newser) -
Craig Austrie made sure No. 17 Connecticut didn't see its win streak end in South Florida today. After Dominique Jones hit a shot to put South Florida ahead with six seconds left in overtime, Austrie coolly took the ball down the floor and sank a shot with .2 seconds left for a 74-73 Big East win, reports the Hartford Courant .
Orange Hold Off Hoyas in Front of Huge Crowd
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 3:35 PM CST
(Newser) -
The largest on-campus crowd for an NCAA men's basketball game this season saw Syracuse pump some life into its season today with a 77-70 Big East win over No. 8 Georgetown, reports the Associated Press. The Orange (17-9, 7-6) got 22 points from Paul Harris and 18 from Donte Green to the delight of 31,327 fans.
Liverpool Stunned By Cinderella
BBC
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Feb 16, 2008 3:26 PM CST
(Newser) -
Brian Howard scored in injury time as heavy underdog Barnsley shocked seven-time FA Cup champion Liverpool 2-1 today at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium home, reports the BBC. Liverpool is now out of both major UK cup competitions and out of contention for the English Premier League title. Barnsley plays in the lesser League Championship, a competitive...
8 Killed in Street Race Crash
Washington Post
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Feb 16, 2008 3:06 PM CST
(Newser) -
A driver skidded into a crowd of street-race spectators in Maryland this morning and killed eight people, but later told police he was not part of the race, the Washington Post reports. The driver and at least four others were injured in the crash, which also killed the car's passenger. “It was a very horrific scene,” one policeman said....
Bush Chides House Dems for Law Expiration
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 2:30 PM CST
(Newser) -
With a law that expands the government's power to eavesdrop due to expire at midnight, President Bush scolded Congress today for sitting idly by and allowing it to happen. Bush said Congress' failure to act could cause the US to “lose a vital lead that could prevent an attack,” the AP reports. Democrats accused Bush of "whipping up...
NIU Shooting Victims Profiled
Chicago Tribune
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Feb 16, 2008 2:08 PM CST
(Newser) -
An Army Corps of Engineers vet who wanted to be a first grade teacher. A violinist who knit for fun. A rugby player and frat man who worked for the student newspaper. The Chicago Tribune profiles the five students gunned down in their oceanography class Thursday at North Illinois University, while police are still searching for the killer's motive....
McCartney Coughs Up $108M to Mills
Daily Mail (UK)
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Feb 16, 2008 1:32 PM CST
(Newser) -
Maybe all you need is love, but when that fails, $108 million isn’t bad either. That’s how much Heather Mills will get from her ex-Beatle ex-hubby Paul McCartney in a divorce settlement both have agreed to, the Daily Mail reports. But Mills will have to sign a confidentiality agreement, vowing not to speak publicly or write about the...
Dems Take Aim at Big Business
Wall Street Journal
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Feb 16, 2008 1:07 PM CST
(Newser) -
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, heading into primaries in states struggling with joblessness and the mortgage crisis, are sharpening their attacks on big business, the Wall Street Journal reports. Both are lambasting oil companies, corporate tax cuts, and health insurers. Tuesday’s Wisconsin primary will be a test of which candidate has gained...
Critics Blast Sarkozy's Holocaust School Plan
New York Times
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Feb 16, 2008 12:53 PM CST
(Newser) -
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has sparked a new controversy: The maverick leader is now defending his plan to have every fifth grader study a French youth killed in the Holocaust. Critics, including Jewish analysts, warn the move could traumatize students. But one historian applauded Sarkozy's "courage" and said what children "see...
Scientists Near Invisibility Cloak for Sound
Telegraph (UK)
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Feb 16, 2008 12:30 PM CST
(Newser) -
Researchers are making progress on something that sounds right out of the pages of Harry Potter —a sort of invisibility cloak for sound. A team of scientists in Spain is trying to turn theory into reality by creating a cloak that causes sound waves to slip around an object, the Daily Telegraph reports. Possible uses: shielding submarines from...
Satellite Shootdown May Cost $60M
CNN
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Feb 16, 2008 11:51 AM CST
(Newser) -
The Navy's attempt to shoot down a malfunctioning spy satellite will cost up to $60 million, CNN reports. Three Navy ships are preparing for the mission, which could take place next week, but only after the space shuttle Atlantis returns. The Navy hopes to destroy the satellite, which has half a ton of toxic fuel aboard, before it crashes to Earth...
Pakistan Car Bomb Kills 37 Two Days Before Vote
CNN
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Feb 16, 2008 11:14 AM CST
(Newser) -
A car bomb exploded during a rally by Benazir Bhutto’s political party in Pakistan today, killing 37 people and wounding nearly 100 just two days before crucial elections. The blast happened in front of an election office of the Pakistan People’s Party, which Bhutto led before her assassination last December. "It was a suicide attack,”...
Police Piece Together Shooter's Trail
Chicago Tribune
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Feb 16, 2008 10:43 AM CST
(Newser) -
Before his shooting rampage at NIU, Steven Kazmierczak spent two days in a motel, taking cold medicine and drinking Red Bull, the Chicago Tribune reports. He left behind no note, only a sealed duffel bag filled with gun ammo. Kazmierczak, who had stopped taking medication for anxiety, also sent his ex-girlfriend packages loaded with gun accessories....
EU Force Set for Kosovo on Eve of Independence
BBC
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Feb 16, 2008 9:39 AM CST
(Newser) -
As Kosovo stands poised to declare independence from Serbia, the European Union is preparing to send a civilian police and justice mission to help enforce the rule of law in the fledgling country. The US and most of the EU support Kosovar independence; Serbia and Russia oppose it, but will not intervene with the EU mission, BBC reports.
'70s Rocker to Mike: Hands Off My Song, Dude
Associated Press
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Feb 16, 2008 8:59 AM CST
(Newser) -
The founder of '70s rock band Boston is sick of Mike Huckabee using his hit song "More Than a Feeling" without permission, the AP reports. "By using my song, and my band's name Boston, you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed," wrote Eric Scholz, an Obama supporter, to Huckabee. "In...
Amazon 'S3' Server Offline for Hours
PC World
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Feb 16, 2008 8:42 AM CST
(Newser) -
Part of Amazon.com’s 2-year-old Simple Storage Service went down for several hours Friday, leaving some customers in the dark and unable to access their own files, reports PC World . The pay-as-you-go “S3” service is used by companies to run websites and warehouse large amounts of data. The outage was resolved by 7am Pacific Time...
Slaughterhouse Boss Faces Felony Charges
Press-Enterprise
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Feb 16, 2008 8:26 AM CST
(Newser) -
Prosecutors hit a slaughterhouse manager with what they say are unprecedented felony charges yesterday after a video released last month showed abusive methods being used to push ailing cattle into a slaughter box, the Press-Enterprise reports. Daniel Ugarte Navarro, 49, faces over 8 years in prison if convicted of five felony counts of animal cruelty...
Mars Was Too Salty for Life
BBC
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Feb 16, 2008 7:58 AM CST
(Newser) -
Hopes that Mars may once have supported life have taken a blow with the discovery that the planet has been too salty for life for much of its history, the BBC reports. "It was salty enough that only a handful of known terrestrial organisms would have a ghost of a chance of surviving there when conditions were at their best," a member of NASA's...
