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.
Cameron to Take a Year Off
W
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Apr 23, 2008 11:44 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Cameron Diaz plans to take a year off after she finishes her current movie, she told W before her father’s sudden death last week. “There’s a lot of things that I’ve been wanting to do,” said Diaz, 35. She plans to travel, do charity projects and “get to know myself.” Asked about romance following her split...
No Prom for Young Idol David
TMZ
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Apr 23, 2008 11:31 AM CDT
(Newser) -
American Idol favorite David Archuleta, 17, must skip his high school prom this weekend in Utah to stay in the game, TMZ reports. The reality TV show's strict rules mean that every contestant is on lockdown, including Brooke White, who had to skip her sister's wedding earlier this month.
Silicon Valley Startup Craves Chocolate
Economist
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Apr 23, 2008 11:18 AM CDT
(Newser) -
San Francisco startup Tcho has all the sweet Silicon Valley trimmings, the Economist reports; high-profile tech alums, online beta testing and stock options for all. But its product is even sweeter: top-quality chocolate. The company has developed a means to grade cocoa beans' complex nuances on a "flavor wheel," taking a cutting-edge approach...
Hilton Hit With Hyatt Ban
Sun (UK)
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Apr 23, 2008 11:05 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Paris Hilton is facing a worldwide Hyatt ban after she scrawled her name on a $12,700-a-night presidential suite's luxury wallpaper in Moscow, the Sun reports. The heirhead, who's on tour with her Good Charlotte boyfriend Benji Madden, was fined $7,100 for the "Paris Moscow 2008" graffiti gaffe, which she scrawled in black marker during...
Times Scolds Clinton for 'Demeaning' the Campaign
New York Times
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Apr 23, 2008 10:53 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The New York Times today runs a scathing takedown of the candidate they endorsed for the Democratic nomination, asserting that Hillary Clinton’s attack mentality “undercuts the rationale for her candidacy that led this page ... to support her.” The paper's editorial board said the Pennsylvania primary race was “even meaner,...
Petraeus to Head Centcom
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 10:49 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Gen. David Petraeus was tapped today to be the next commander of US Central Command, in charge of military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. If confirmed, Petraeus would replace Adm. William Fallon, who stepped down over disagreements with President Bush over Iran policy, the AP reports. "I don't know anybody in the US military better qualified...
Oklahoma Gov. Henry Endorses Uniter Obama
Tulsa World
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Apr 23, 2008 10:37 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry endorsed Barack Obama yesterday, saying the Illinois senator was the only one who could “transcend partisan games.” Henry is the third Oklahoma superdelegate to back Obama, the Tulsa World reports, bucking the results of the state’s Feb. 5 primary—which Hillary Clinton won 54-31%. Clinton has just...
Louisiana Pockets Ban on Droopy Drawers
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
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Apr 23, 2008 10:27 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A proposed ban on saggy pants didn’t fly in Louisiana, where a Senate panel rejected the legislation as a violation of freedom of speech, reports the Times-Picayune . “This is a situation that is disgusting and needs state attention,” insisted the state senator pushing the bill. “I have the right to walk down the street and...
Australia Spirits Away Torch Ahead of Relay
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 10:12 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The Olympic torch arrived Down Under today, but was immediately whisked off to a secret location to avoid protesters, the AP reports. Tomorrow’s torch relay in Canberra will be open to the public—unlike those in Jakarta and New Delhi—but the route will be lined with yard-high fences and police.
Mariah Carey: No Babies for Me
New York Daily News
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Apr 23, 2008 10:00 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Mariah Carey may be nearing her 40th birthday but the singer isn't worried about her biological clock, reports the New York Daily News . That's because she has no plans to have kids—in fact, she'd "feel violated' by having a baby. "I know that's a weird thing to say, but that's how I am," she said. "For now, I enjoy my dog...
Buffett Covets Euro Family Businesses
Bloomberg
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Apr 23, 2008 9:44 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Warren Buffett is looking to put some of Berkshire Hathaway’s $40 billion in cash to work outside the US, targeting family-owned European businesses for acquisition, reports Bloomberg. Buffett—who Forbes magazine says is the world’s richest person--is going on a scouting tour next month to four European cities.
A-Rod Scores Baby-Rod No. 2
People
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Apr 23, 2008 9:32 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and his wife welcomed the birth of their second daughter Monday in Miami, People.com reports. The couple, who did not release the newborn's name, already has daughter Natasha, 3.
Bill Would Defend Troops From Incoming Playmates
Military Times
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Apr 23, 2008 9:12 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A Republican lawmaker wants to keep America's fighting men and women out of harm's way—the harm he says is caused by exposure to incoming copies of Playboy and Penthouse . The Military Honor and Decency Act sponsored by Georgia congressman Paul Broun would tighten existing laws to prevent the magazines from being sold on military bases, reports...
Mugabe's Party Wins First Recount
BBC
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Apr 23, 2008 8:56 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF has won the first of the parliamentary recounts, the BBC reports, retaining a seat challenged by the MDC opposition party. The MDC says the partial recount, which mainly targets MDC seats, is an attempt to rig the election. Zanu-PF meanwhile tried to distance itself from an editorial in the state-run newspaper calling...
Olympic Protesters Zero In on Sponsors
Guardian (UK)
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Apr 23, 2008 8:42 AM CDT
(Newser) -
As the Beijing Olympics approach, advocates for a free Tibet and peace in Darfur are trying to hit the Games where it hurts: in the wallet. A coalition of groups has been petitioning the corporations that are sponsoring this year's Olympics to press China on their behalf. The strategy seems to be having at least modest success, writes the Guardian...
Mambo Boots Matlin From DWTS
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 8:23 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Marlee Matlin became the latest also-ran on "Dancing With the Stars" last night when judges and audiences voted her off after an awkward mambo, the AP reports. The deaf actress struggled to stay with the beat, and "looked uncomfortable throughout," according to the head judge. On her way out, Matlin drew praise from the show's host—and...
Bravo! Met's First Encore in 14 Years Wins Huge Ovation
New York Times
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Apr 23, 2008 8:09 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Audiences at New York's Metropolitan Opera Monday night were treated to something they hadn't heard in 14 years: an encore. In the Met's new production of Donizetti's La fille du régiment , tenor Juan Diego Flórez nailed the nine high C's of the difficult aria "Ah! Mes Amis" and won a huge ovation. He then did the whole thing...
Delta Posts $6.39B 1Q Loss
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 23, 2008 7:46 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Staggering fuel prices overwhelmed a 12% sales increase and pushed Delta Air Lines to a $274-million loss in the first quarter, which ballooned to $6.39 billion on a $6.1-billion non-cash charge reflecting a decline in its market value. Excluding special items—including the bankruptcy-related charge—the airline lost 69 cents a share; analysts...
Hillary Win Leaves Dems Unmoved, Barack Weaker
San Francisco Chronicle
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Apr 23, 2008 7:38 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Hillary Clinton's 10-point win in Pennsylvania leaves the Democratic Party in the same quandary it was in before the primary, writes Carolyn Lochhead in the San Francisco Chronicle, but with the pressure ratcheted up. While the race did not much improve Clinton's chances, it did expose Barack Obama's possible weaknesses as a general election candidate....
Moms Go Bananas to Conceive Boys
Guardian (UK)
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Apr 23, 2008 7:27 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Women who want to conceive boys should eat potassium-rich bananas as part of a high calorie, high protein diet, according to the latest British research into influencing gender at conception. Scientists found that 56% of mothers on a high calorie diet conceived boys, compared with 45% of those on a low calorie diet, reports the Guardian .
CIA to Brief Congress on Syria-North Korea Nuke Pact
Reuters
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Apr 23, 2008 7:05 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Details of a suspected secret pact between North Korea and Syria to supply Damascus with nuclear weapons technology will be revealed in closed-door CIA briefings of lawmakers, Reuters reports. The pact is apparently linked to an Israeli air raid on a suspected nuclear site in Syria last year. The briefing comes as Washington moves closer to an agreement...
Greenpeace Wages Tuna Wars
Times (UK)
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Apr 23, 2008 6:51 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The world's tuna stocks are in danger, and Greenpeace is taking matters into its own hands, reports the Times of London . Faced with little action from regulators and boosted by success in tackling Japanese whalers, activists have vowed to continue to "interfere" with boats they say are plundering Pacific tuna at an unsustainable rate.
Bon Jovi Guitarist Cops DUI Deal
E! Online
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Apr 23, 2008 6:40 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Bon Jovi rocker Richie Sambora may have to take extra care next time he gets behind the wheel of a steel horse, but the axman will be staying out of jail after cutting a deal with prosecutors over drunk driving charges, E! Online reports. The guitarist, busted last month for driving under the influence with his 10-year-old daughter in the car, will...
300,000 Dead in Darfur: UN
Los Angeles Times
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Apr 23, 2008 6:27 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The UN's humanitarian chief has painted a grim picture of the situation in Darfur, estimating that disease, war, and famine have claimed 300,000 lives in the region since conflict broke out in 2003—100,000 of them since 2006. People are continuing to die as efforts to solve the crisis have stalled, he warned the Security Council.
Zuma in London for Zimbabwe Talks
BBC
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Apr 23, 2008 6:06 AM CDT
(Newser) -
South African leader Jacob Zuma has arrived in London, where he'll meet with Prime Minister Gordon Brown to discuss the political deadlock in Zimbabwe, reports the BBC. Before the meeting, the head of the ruling African National Congress said that the delay in the release of last month's election results is "unacceptable." But he did not...
Europe's New Coal Plants Trigger Alarm
New York Times
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Apr 23, 2008 5:21 AM CDT
(Newser) -
European countries facing record prices for oil and natural gas are turning to coal to fuel their energy needs, deeply worrying environmentalists, the New York Times reports. During the next five years, about 50 new coal-fired power plants will open across Europe. Many electricity companies say they have no other choice.
Engineer, 84, Busted in Israeli Spy Case
Reuters
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Apr 23, 2008 4:50 AM CDT
(Newser) -
An 84-year-old engineer has been arrested in New Jersey on charges he passed military secrets to Israel in the '80s, Reuters reports. Ben-Ami Kadish, who holds both US and Israeli citizenship, is accused of giving classified information—including details on fighter jets, missiles, and nuclear weapons—to an Israeli consul when he worked...
Showbiz Bear Kills Trainer
Los Angeles Times
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Apr 23, 2008 4:26 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A grizzly bear used in movies attacked and killed its trainer yesterday in California, the Los Angeles Times reports. The 700-pound bear, which appeared in a recent Will Ferrell movie Semi-Pro , lunged at the 39-year-old man and bit him in the neck. Staff at the animal training center managed to subdue the animal with pepper spray. The trainer was...
Steadfast Coalition Delivers 55-45% Clinton Win
Politico
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Apr 23, 2008 4:00 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Hillary Clinton conquered Pennsylvania with the same coalition that drove her to victory in Ohio: white women, blue-collar workers and older voters. And once again, voters who decided in the last days of the primary skewed heavily toward the New York senator, reports Politico. The only surprise in her 55-45% win came among the young—while Barack...
Obama Faces Counterpunch Dilemma
Washington Post
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Apr 23, 2008 3:43 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Without a knockout blow in Pennsylvania, Barack Obama is going to have to keep jabbing back at Hillary Clinton. But those counterpunches could hurt his campaign, warns Jonathan Weisman in the Washington Post. The Obama camp's swing to the negative in the closing days of the Pennsylvania campaign shows he can take on John McCain—but at the same...
EBay Sues Craigslist as 'Family' Kerfuffle Gets Nasty
New York Times
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Apr 23, 2008 3:15 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The uneasy relationship between Craigslist and eBay, its competitor-turned-minority shareholder, has taken a turn for the worse. EBay has filed a lawsuit against Craigslist, accusing the classified ad site of "unfairly" diluting the auction giant's stake in it by 10%, the New York Times reports. Craigslist has fired back, calling eBay "unethical"...
In OT of Game 7, Lupul Lifts Flyers
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 2:57 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The Philadelphia Flyers finally figured out how to put away the Washington Capitals. Joffrey Lupul put in a rebound during a power play 6:06 into overtime in Game 7 to lift Philadelphia past Alex Ovechkin and Washington 3-2 on Tuesday night in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
More Cuts Planned as Ford Shifts Out of Reverse
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 23, 2008 2:41 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Ford was in the worst shape of Detroit's Big 3 a couple of years ago but chief executive Alan Mulally's sweeping changes have put the firm back on the road to profitability, the Wall Street Journal reports. The company has slashed jobs, and will likely cut more, and ditched its Jaguar and Land Rover brands. Insiders say Volvo could be the next to...
Vidro's Two-Out Single in Eighth Wins It for Seattle
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 12:52 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Jose Vidro's two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth broke a 2-all tie, and Arthur Rhodes picked up his first win in nearly three years as the Seattle Mariners beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Tuesday night. Seattle closer J.J. Putz returned after missing 18 games with a ribcage injury to pitch the ninth for his second save in three chances.
Twins Best A's 5-4
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 12:51 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Jason Kubel hit a go-ahead bloop single in the eighth, and Craig Monroe drove in three runs and homered for the first time this season in the Minnesota Twins' 5-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night. Along with his solo homer in the seventh, he had an RBI double in the fifth and singled in a run in the second.
Roenick Stars with 4-point Game in Sharks' Clinching 5-3 Win
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 12:15 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Jeremy Roenick didn't come out of semiretirement for just one playoff round. The veteran San Jose center carried the Sharks one step closer to the Stanley Cup Tuesday night. Roenick had two goals and two assists, including the tying and go-ahead scores midway through the Sharks' four-goal second period in a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames in Game...
Webb Improves to 5-0 as Diamondbacks Beat Giants 5-4
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 12:12 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Brandon Webb hit a two-run double and improved to 5-0 as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated San Francisco 5-4 on Tuesday night. Webb, off to the best start of his career, beat San Francisco's Barry Zito (0-5) for the second time in six days. Webb's five victories match the total of the Giants' rotation.
Pat Burrell's 3-Run Double Sends Phillies Past Rockies
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 12:06 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Pat Burrell's bases-clearing double off Manny Corpas in the ninth inning sent the Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-6 win Tuesday night over the Colorado Rockies. Corpas (0-1) was two outs away from the save when Burrell sent a 2-2 fastball past diving center fielder Willy Taveras in the gap in left-center. That made a winner of Ryan Madson (1-0), who...
Spurs Down Suns, Take 2-0 Series Lead
Associated Press
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Apr 23, 2008 12:05 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Tony Parker scored 32 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 102-96 victory over Phoenix in Game 2 on Tuesday night after the Suns gave away another double-digit, first-half lead. The Spurs were down by as many as 14 in the first half before outscoring Phoenix 27-11 in the third quarter.
Blake Hits Grand Slam in Cleveland Romp
Associated Press
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Apr 22, 2008 11:54 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Casey Blake had a grand slam and six RBIs and C.C. Sabathia struck out 11 in his first victory, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 15-1 rout of the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. Blake, the No. 9 hitter, was 4-for-4 with a single and a grand slam and two RBI doubles in the Indians' 17-hit attack.
Santiago's First Homer in Four Years Lifts Tigers Over Texas
Associated Press
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Apr 22, 2008 11:52 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Ramon Santiago homered for the first time since 2003 and drove in three runs to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Texas Rangers 10-2 on Tuesday night. Magglio Ordonez also homered, giving him 1,000 RBIs for his career, while Edgar Renteria had four hits. Justin Verlander (1-3) struggled early but got out of it with only one run allowed.
Astros Upend Padres 11-7
Associated Press
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Apr 22, 2008 11:52 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Kaz Matsui's two-run single in the eighth inning lifted the Houston Astros to an 11-7 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night. Cy Young winner Jake Peavy allowed four earned runs, matching the total for his four previous starts combined. The Padres ace allowed seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts in six innings.
Pedroia's Hit Helps Red Sox Top Angels
Associated Press
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Apr 22, 2008 11:51 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Dustin Pedroia's tiebreaking RBI double in the eighth inning helped the Boston Red Sox rally for their sixth straight win, 7-6 over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night after ace Josh Beckett was scratched from his start with a stiff neck. It was the teams' first meeting since Boston swept Los Angeles in last year's American League Divisional playoffs.
Howard Has Another 20-20 Game as Magic Beat Raptors
Associated Press
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Apr 22, 2008 11:47 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Dwight Howard had 29 points and 20 rebounds, his second straight 20-20 game, and the Orlando Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 104-103 on Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Chris Bosh had 29 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto, but missed a 19-footer with 1.9 seconds left that could have won the game.
Abreu, Damon Power Yankees
Associated Press
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Apr 22, 2008 11:46 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Bobby Abreu hit a grand slam in the seventh inning, Chien-Ming Wang earned his 50th career victory and the New York Yankees did just fine without A-Rod, beating the Chicago White Sox 9-5 on Tuesday night. Abreu connected for his seventh career grand slam off Octavio Dotel with two outs in the seventh to rally New York from a 3-2 deficit.
Hairston Ignites Cincy Split With Los Angeles
Associated Press
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Apr 22, 2008 10:36 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Jerry Hairston Jr. had four hits in his debut as Cincinnati's leadoff hitter, and Adam Dunn and Brandon Phillips each homered Tuesday night, leading the Reds to an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds split their two-game series with a rare victory over the Dodgers, who are 11-3 against Cincinnati since 2006.
Obama Looks to Next Primaries
CNN
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Apr 22, 2008 10:31 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Barack Obama looked to the next primaries in his speech tonight, applauding his supporters for making inroads against Hillary Clinton in the Pennsylvania primary despite his loss, CNN reports. Obama pushed his theme of changing politics-as-usual, saying, "It's easy to get consumed by the tit-for-tat," when the country is beset by "two...
Smoltz Passes 3000K
Associated Press
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Apr 22, 2008 10:23 PM CDT
(Newser) -
John Smoltz became the 16th pitcher in major league history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts, but was outpitched by John Lannan in the Washington Nationals' 6-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. Smoltz fanned Felipe Lopez in the third inning, the veteran hurler's fourth of the game, to reach the mark.
Pirates Rally After Disputed Call, End Skid
Associated Press
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Apr 22, 2008 9:58 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Xavier Nady's two-run single completed a three-run Pirates comeback after a questionable call apparently cost them a run in the sixth inning, and Pittsburgh ended a six-game losing streak by beating Florida 3-2. Paul Maholm (1-2) limited the Marlins to one run and four hits over six innings, ending a six-game, 11.38-ERA slide for Pittsburgh's starters.
Costco Sees High Demand for Basics Rice, Flour
Reuters
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Apr 22, 2008 9:56 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Costco is seeing unusually high demand for basics such as rice and flour, Reuters reports, a development the warehouse giant attributes to customer uncertainty over global food shortages. The company, which sells to individual shoppers as well as restaurants, has put limits in place for those items at some stores. Customers are apparently stocking...
