Newser Story Index from April, 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.
Credit Suisse Posts $2.1B Loss
Financial Times (UK)
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Apr 24, 2008 4:39 AM CDT
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Credit Suisse has announced it lost a mammoth $2.1 billion in the first quarter, reports the Financial Times. The Swiss banking group, which until recently appeared to have escaped the worst of the credit crunch, continued to post strong earnings from its private banking sector—but that wasn't enough to outweigh writedowns of $5.2 billion.
Anne Frank Postcard Found
BBC
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Apr 24, 2008 4:20 AM CDT
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A postcard sent by Nazi victim Anne Frank to one of her best friends has been found in a Dutch antique shop, the BBC reports. The card, sent by the 8-year-old Anne in 1937, shows a Christmas bell in a snowy field and wishes her friend good luck for the New Year. Amsterdam's Anne Frank museum believes the card is authentic.
Hitler Gets Dolled Up in Ukraine
BBC
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Apr 24, 2008 3:58 AM CDT
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Adolf Hitler dolls—with arms that move to make the infamous "sieg heil" salute—will soon be on sale in the Ukraine, the BBC reports. The Barbie-sized figure, which even comes with a change of outfits, is certain to spark an outcry in the country where the Nazis killed 3 million people and positive depictions of the Nazi regime...
Equal Pay Bill Blocked in Senate
Reuters
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Apr 24, 2008 3:34 AM CDT
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Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama interrupted their rival campaigns yesterday to vote together on a bill that would make it easier for women to sue employers for pay discrimination. But their moment of unity proved fruitless as Senate Republicans blocked the bill, likely killing it for the rest of the year, reports Reuters.
VA 'Lying About Vet Suicides'
Dallas Morning News
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Apr 24, 2008 3:09 AM CDT
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A Democratic senator is calling for the resignation of the Veterans Administration mental health chief, accusing him of deliberately hiding the truth about suicide attempts among US veterans, the Dallas Morning News reports. A secret agency email put the number of suicide attempts at 12,000 a year—not the 790 the VA officially reported, according...
House Panel OKs $15B Plan to Buy Foreclosed Homes
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 24, 2008 2:39 AM CDT
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Lawmakers have backed a $15 billion aid package for municipalities so they can buy and fix up foreclosed homes, the Wall Street Journal reports. A House panel voted 38-26 for the measure, which would be split evenly between loans and grants. States could use the money to get vacated homes in shape and filled quickly. It's part of a larger relief...
Pacman Headed to Dallas
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 11:02 PM CDT
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The Tennessee Titans finally washed their hands of suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones on Wednesday, agreeing in principle to trade him to the Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple confirmed the teams had an agreement, but no terms had been filed with the NFL office, which already had closed for the day.
Angels Blast BoSox 6-4
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 10:54 PM CDT
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Casey Kotchman's solo home run put Los Angeles ahead in the sixth inning, Gary Matthews Jr. hit two solo homers of his own and the Angels snapped the Boston Red Sox's six-game winning streak with a 6-4 victory Wednesday night. Kotchman hit his sixth of the season off Craig Hansen, who was recalled before the game.
Astros Offense Stays Hot in 9-3 Frolic Over Reds
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 10:49 PM CDT
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Kazuo Matsui sparked Houston's seven-run rally with a two-run single, and the Astros coasted to their fourth straight victory Wednesday night, 9-3 over the unsettled Cincinnati Reds. Houston has won four in a row for the first time since last May, getting 36 runs out of a lineup producing top-to-bottom.
Longoria, Hammel Lead Rays Over Jays
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 10:36 PM CDT
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Jason Hammel allowed four hits in six innings and Evan Longoria drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single to help the Tampa Bay Rays rally against Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays for a 5-3 victory at Disney World on Wednesday night. The Rays improved to 5-0 in games they've played here the past two seasons.
Pirates Rally to Beat Cardinals, 7-4
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 10:35 PM CDT
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Jose Bautista and pinch-hitter Doug Mientkiewicz had RBI singles during a three-run eighth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates erased a four-run deficit in a 7-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Jason Bay hit a two-run homer and Freddy Sanchez had two hits and scored two runs for Pittsburgh.
Pistons Even Series With Game 2 Rout
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 10:32 PM CDT
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Rasheed Wallace had another good game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Unlike the series opener, a few Detroit Pistons starters helped him out. Wallace scored 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter and Detroit went on to beat Philadelphia 105-88 in Game 2 on Wednesday night to even the first-round series.
Denzel, Others Go to Bat for Snipes
Ocala Star-Banner
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Apr 23, 2008 9:35 PM CDT
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Wesley Snipes is not merely an actor trying to get out of a jail sentence on tax charges. He is a "mighty oak," says Denzel Washington. "True citizen of the world," says Woody Harrelson. "Goodness in his heart," says Judge Joe Brown. Snipes is hoping such character references will persuade a judge to go easy on him at...
Sarko Too Nice to China: Critics
Der Spiegel
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Apr 23, 2008 9:01 PM CDT
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Paris seems to have reversed a tide of anti-French sentiment in China, but critics wonder if President Nicolas Sarkozy’s charm offensive has undermined his country’s commitment to human rights, Der Spiegel reports. Since Sarkozy’s messages of conciliation have gone out, China’s Foreign Ministry has praised the French president...
Sam's Club Joins Costco in Limiting Rice Purchases
Bloomberg
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Apr 23, 2008 8:25 PM CDT
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Sam's Club joined Costco today in limiting how much rice customers can buy, Bloomberg reports. The restrictions by the nation's largest warehouse retail chains come with the price of rice at record highs around the world, which has spurred some to begin hoarding, Bloomberg notes. Sam's Club customers can buy no more than four bags per visit.
Suri's Birthday Tab: $100K
New York Daily News
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Apr 23, 2008 8:00 PM CDT
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Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes certainly upgraded from last year's piñatas-and-pizza party for daughter Suri's first birthday, spending $100,000 to celebrate her second last Friday. The event's 24 guests each got their own designer cake (shaped like a hat, with a butterfly and a daisy on the brim), the Daily News reports; TomKat also shelled...
Rezko Pal, Rove Tried to Oust US Attorney, Witness Says
Chicago Tribune
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Apr 23, 2008 7:34 PM CDT
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One of Tony Rezko's associates conspired with Karl Rove to try to get US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald fired to quash a federal investigation of Rezko, the Chicago Tribune reports. Prosecutors hope a judge will allow testimony to that effect in Rezko's corruption trial. Rove denies the allegations, as does the man with whom he allegedly discussed the...
Star Jones Wants a Divorce
Entertainment Tonight
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Apr 23, 2008 7:12 PM CDT
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Star Jones is filing for divorce, 3½ years after her lavish wedding to Al Reynolds, Entertainment Tonight reports. The high-profile attorney representing Reynolds previously worked on the divorces of Howard Stern, Donald Trump, and Diana Ross. "The dissolution of a marriage is a difficult time in anyone's life that requires privacy with...
Starbucks Goes Decaf on Earnings Outlook
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 23, 2008 7:05 PM CDT
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The slumping US economy means Starbucks' quarterly profits won't meet estimates when figures are released April 30, the coffee giant said today. Analysts expected earnings of 21 cents per share for the quarter ended March 30; Starbucks expects 15 cents, the Wall Street Journal reports. It now predicts yearly sales to be lower than last year's 87...
Murdoch Calls FCC Bluff With Newsday Move
New York Times
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Apr 23, 2008 6:43 PM CDT
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Rupert Murdoch is betting new federal standards limiting media ownership to one TV station and one newspaper (per market) won't keep him from buying a fifth New York outlet. The mogul has long held waivers to control media in excess of the rules, and he doesn't think recent enforcement pledges will stop him from winning permission to own Newsday ,...
Clinton Plea Raises $10M
Reuters
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Apr 23, 2008 6:22 PM CDT
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The Clinton campaign has raised nearly $10 million since Hillary made a plea to voters last night in her Pennsylvania victory speech, Reuters reports. Clinton urged supporters to contribute through her website, and she struck a chord with 60,000 donors, campaign chief Terry McAuliffe said. It's the single biggest fundraising day for Clinton since the...
China Has Only 12 Days Left of Coal
Australia's News Network
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Apr 23, 2008 6:01 PM CDT
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China only has coal reserves left for about 12 days, and in some regions only about a week's supply is left, Australia's News Network reports. The demand for coal—the most important energy source in the country—has skyrocketed, with huge numbers of new power plants being built in the past decade.
Amazon Q1 Profit Spikes
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 23, 2008 5:35 PM CDT
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Amazon posted a 30% profit jump in the first quarter, the Wall Street Journal reports, defying the sluggish economy. Net income was $143 million (34 cents a share) compared with $111 million (26 cents a share) in last year's first quarter. The company’s operating income guidance for the fiscal year fell, however—pushing shares sharply...
No More Expense-Account Hookers for Deutsche Bank
Independent (UK)
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Apr 23, 2008 5:10 PM CDT
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In a sign of just how bad the credit crisis has become, Deutsche Bank has forbidden its employees from using expense accounts to pay for brothel visits and hotel porn, the Independent reports. It's unclear if execs have been seeking relief from subprime woes—the German giant has written down $4 billion—in fleshier pleasures, the paper...
Israel Would Leave Golan: Syria
Reuters
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Apr 23, 2008 4:55 PM CDT
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Israel is willing to return the Golan Heights to Syria in return for peace, Reuters reports. A Syrian minister said in a TV interview that the Israeli message was relayed through Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan, set to visit Syria this weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said last week he was working on a "significant move" toward...
Closet Smokers Might Get Canned
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 4:42 PM CDT
(Newser) -
A group of factory workers who lied about their smoking habits could be fired. The Whirlpool company charges lower premiums for health insurance to nonsmoking workers—and relies on the honor code when employees sign up. Now 39 workers at an Indiana factory have been suspended and face losing their jobs after being spotted smoking or chewing,...
Apple's Profit Rises 36% on Strong Mac Sales
Bloomberg
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Apr 23, 2008 4:29 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Apple's profit surged 36% in its second quarter, beating analysts' estimates thanks to strong sales of laptops, Bloomberg reports. The company earned $1.05 billion, or $1.16 a share; analysts expected $1.06 a share. Revenue grew 43%, to $7.5 billion, despite the sluggish economy. The company sold 2.29 million Macs, with strong sales in particular of...
McCain Wants GOP to Pull Wright-Referencing Ad in NC
Politico
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Apr 23, 2008 4:15 PM CDT
(Newser) -
John McCain has demanded North Carolina Republicans drop an ad attacking two Democratic candidates for governor—by tarnishing them with connections to Barack Obama and his controversial pastor. Wrote McCain, “In the strongest terms, I implore you to not run this advertisement.” The spot airs Wright’s “God damn America”...
National Park, Meet Coal Smog
Christian Science Monitor
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Apr 23, 2008 4:03 PM CDT
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The Environmental Protection Agency is set to change its rules to allow the construction of coal power plants in previously off-limits areas near national parks, the Christian Science Monitor reports. A draft revision to the Clean Air Act would soften standards of pollution in “Class 1” areas (ie, national parks) and how much pollution...
Harvard Buys Mailer Mistress' Lusty Litany
New York Post
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Apr 23, 2008 3:51 PM CDT
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Harvard missed out on acquiring the papers of late novelist Norman Mailer, but it's bought the next-best thing—those of his longtime mistress Carole Mallory, the New York Post reports. The package includes a 20-page sex scene from an unpublished memoir called Making Love With Norman. "Norman was a real man and he knew what he was doing,"...
Techs Give Lift to Markets
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 23, 2008 3:38 PM CDT
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Stocks ended slightly up today on mixed news, as techs did well but many financials struggled. "Tech is one of the few bright spots across a sluggish earnings quarter," a market strategist tells the Wall Street Journal . The Dow ended up 42.99 to 12,763.22, the Nasdaq 28.27 to 2,405.21, and the S&P 4.04 to 1,379.98.
Florida Moves to Stop Piping Sewage Into the Ocean
Reuters
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Apr 23, 2008 3:25 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Florida has been dumping sewage into the ocean for over 60 years, but is moving towards cleaning up its act, Reuters reports. Florida’s Senate recently passed a bill that would replace the system, which pumps 300 million gallons of partially treated waste into the Atlantic daily. Passage in the House is expected, but the state's EPA says it will...
Hollywood Poised to Engulf Cannes
Variety
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Apr 23, 2008 3:12 PM CDT
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The lineup at this year's Cannes Film Festival was unveiled today, and the schedule is packed with Hollywood films, Variety reports. Steven Soderbergh and Clint Eastwood both have films in contention, and the release of the new Indiana Jones movie, though not for competition, is likely to be the biggest premiere at the May event.
Carter: Rice Is Fibbing, Didn't Nix Hamas Meet
Reuters
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Apr 23, 2008 3:00 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Jimmy Carter continued a war of words with Condoleezza Rice today over whether he was officially warned against meeting with Hamas leaders last week—insisting through reps that, “perhaps inadvertently, she is continuing to make a statement that is not true.” The Secretary of State said yesterday a top diplomat counseled Carter against...
Ballmer to Yahoo: That's Our Final Offer
Bloomberg
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Apr 23, 2008 2:48 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Microsoft won't raise its $44.6 billion takeover bid for Yahoo despite the Internet firm's strong first-quarter earnings, Bloomberg reports. "We are prepared to go forward without a merger," said CEO Steve Ballmer, who has threatened a proxy shareholder revolt to push the deal through, possibly at a lower price, if Yahoo didn’t agree...
Vintage Baseball: It's Back, It's Way Back
NPR
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Apr 23, 2008 2:31 PM CDT
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Vintage has as much of a niche in sports as in fashion: Old-timey baseball leagues are introducing short-brimmed hats and hardball attitudes to athletes across the country, NPR reports. The most important difference between games of then and now? "Vintage is without a glove. Only sissies wear a mitt," says a member of the Brooklyn Athletics.
Is Barack on the Rocks?
Guardian (UK)
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Apr 23, 2008 2:19 PM CDT
(Newser) -
How bad is the Pennsylvania result for Team Obama and what does it mean going forward? Three writers think it through: “He can’t finish her off,” says Dan Kennedy in the Guardian . Obama scooped up presumptive-nominee status too soon, and now Americans have “buyer’s remorse”—realizing Clinton is the...
Exiting Journal Editor Was Stuck Between Rupe and 'DNA'
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 23, 2008 2:07 PM CDT
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Continuing to report on the aftershocks of its own takeover, the Wall Street Journal does a postmortem on the departure of top editor Marcus Brauchli, detailing his uncomfortable position between a demanding new owner and the paper's institutional “DNA.” Rupert Murdoch wanted to build a direct competitor to the New York Times , with...
Climate Killing Medical Hopes
AFP
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Apr 23, 2008 1:53 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The loss of biodiversity on Earth will seriously hamper efforts to cure human disease, AFP reports. Researchers at the UN-backed Business for the Environment conference highlighted undiscovered cures for pain, infections and even cancer that risk being lost forever if humans fail to reverse the widespread extinction of thousands of species caused,...
OJ to Trump: 'Hire Me!'
New York Post
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Apr 23, 2008 1:40 PM CDT
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OJ Simpson, who is awaiting trial on kidnap and robbery charges, wants a shot at Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice , the New York Post reports. Trump and NBC "are being very cautious," the source said. "There's a certain amount of heat associated with Simpson."
Toyota Overtakes GM in Q1
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 23, 2008 1:29 PM CDT
(Newser) -
GM’s vehicle sales fell 0.6% in the first quarter, helping Toyota, on 2.7% growth, take the global sales lead, the Wall Street Journal reports. Toyota sold 2.41 million vehicles worldwide to 2.25 million for the American giant, which was hurt badly by a 10.2% drop in US sales. GM blamed tough economic times, noting solid overseas figures nevertheless.
US Farmers Want Feds' Help on Food Crisis
Washington Times
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Apr 23, 2008 1:24 PM CDT
(Newser) -
US farmers asked for federal help yesterday in stemming a tide that has seen speculators hitting grocery stores and consumers hoarding basic foodstuffs, the Washington Times reports. "The public is all too aware of the recent credit crisis on Wall Street," a farmers-union rep said. "We don't want a lack of oversight and regulation...
Pa. Primary Changed the Spin, not the Race
Newsweek
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Apr 23, 2008 1:13 PM CDT
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The Pennsylvania primary didn't change the basic parameters of the race for the Democratic nomination in any significant way, Andrew Romano writes in Newsweek. But it had a huge effect on the narrative, handing Hillary Clinton Exhibit A for her claim that Barack Obama can't win over white men. She will taunt him, as she did last night, for...
Introducing ... Coach 'Sheed?
ESPN
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Apr 23, 2008 1:01 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Detroit's Rasheed Wallace is a great basketball player, but he could become an even better coach, writes Eric Adelson in ESPN the Magazine . He may collect more than his share of technical fouls, says Pistons coach Flip Saunders, but he "has all the makings of a great coach. He sees things before they happen." Even opposing coaches agree.
Schultz Sues to Keep Sonics in Seattle
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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Apr 23, 2008 12:59 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Howard Schultz filed a suit yesterday seeking to reverse the sale of the SuperSonics to Oklahoma-based investor Clay Bennett. The Starbucks CEO and former Sonics owner cites email evidence that Bennett's ultimate goal was always to bring a basketball team to his hometown. The lawsuit asks the court to void the sale and help transfer the team to "an...
1 in 6 Drink and Drive: Survey
Reuters
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Apr 23, 2008 12:48 PM CDT
(Newser) -
About 15% of Americans drove under the influence of alcohol in the past year, and another 4.7% drove while on drugs, according to a new government survey. Wisconsinites were particularly hammered, with 26.4% driving drunk, followed closely by North Dakota (24.9%) and Minnesota (23.4%). Utah had the national low at 9.5%, Reuters reports.
Doesn't Matter If Dems Fight: McCain Has Already Peaked
The Atlantic
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Apr 23, 2008 12:36 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The bruising Obama-Clinton battle is giving Republicans hope and Dems heartburn, but those feelings are misplaced, bloggers right and left agree: John McCain isn’t gaining on either potential fall opponents—and might indeed have hit his ceiling. At a moment that “ought to be peak time” for McCain, Ross Douthat writes in the...
Yoko Goes to Court Over Lennon Footage
Reuters
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Apr 23, 2008 12:22 PM CDT
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Yoko Ono is headed to court to fight for the copyright to 9 hours of raw footage of her late husband shot before the Beatles broke up in 1970. In the videos, John Lennon smokes pot, writes songs— Remember and Mind Games —blow-dries Yoko's hair and contemplates slipping LSD into Richard Nixon’s tea. Yoko is battling a Massachusetts-based...
Microsoft Syncs Phone, PC Data with 'Live Mesh'
Reuters
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Apr 23, 2008 12:10 PM CDT
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Microsoft is testing a new product that will allow users to link data across multiple electronic devices through the internet—so the picture you took on your phone can be in the digital picture frame in your home within minutes. It’s a big step for Microsoft, which until now has resisted the “cloud computing” movement, Reuters...
How-to Vids Breed New Industry
New York Times
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Apr 23, 2008 11:57 AM CDT
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Take an idea, a video camera and an Internet connection, add a little how-to know-how and a portal like YouTube, and start counting your clicks. Reach enough viewers, and start counting your cash. That’s the premise behind a burgeoning Web industry attracting entrepreneurs and investors hoping to catch the next big wave, the New York Times ...
