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.
London-NYC Exec Airline Eos Files Chapter 11
Times (UK)
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Apr 28, 2008 6:06 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Business-class only Eos, struggling with rising fuel prices and unable to land a $50 million cash infusion to keep it aloft, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last night, reports the Times of London. The airline, which offered business travelers cheap, high-quality flights between London and New York, follows fellow premium carrier Maxjet...
Thousands Cheer Torch in N. Korea
Reuters
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Apr 28, 2008 5:28 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Tens of thousands of North Koreans took to the streets to herald the arrival of the Olympic torch today, marking a radically different greeting for the often-harried flame, Reuters reports. People waved North Korean and Chinese flags, danced, cheered, and sang military songs. The welcome contrasted sharply with waves of protests at other global relays...
Daily Paper Dumps Print Edition for Web
New York Times
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Apr 28, 2008 4:56 AM CDT
(Newser) -
In an ominous sign of the times for printed news, a struggling 90-year-old Wisconsin daily newspaper is shutting down its daily print operation, but will continue to exist online, the New York Times reports. Most of the 18,000 current subscribers of Madison's afternoon Capital Times are switching to the city's bigger daily.
All Safe in 5.8 Mexico Quake
Associated Press
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Apr 28, 2008 4:21 AM CDT
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A 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook Mexico yesterday, but no major damage or injuries were reported, AP reports. The rumble, centered 96 miles north of Acapulco, rattled buildings in Mexico City and sent many scurrying into the streets. "It scared us. It was strong," remarked one resident who recalled the 1985 quake that killed thousands. “We’re...
Mars Photos Suggest Ancient Hot Springs
Washington Post
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Apr 28, 2008 3:45 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Scientists have found what look like the remains of hot springs on Mars—a sign life could have existed there, reports the Washington Post . Sophisticated equipment returned images of “mounds” that appear remarkably similar to springs found in Australia, according to scientists. They appear to have dried up tens of millions of years...
Bush Strikes Chord at Scribes Dinner
Variety
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Apr 28, 2008 3:30 AM CDT
(Newser) -
President Bush did a star turn at his final White House correspondents dinner—showing video snippets of previous appearances and grabbing a baton to conduct the Marine Corps Band in Stars & Stripes Forever . Correspondents were way down the pecking order behind celebrities like Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Martha Stewart, and Jenny McCarthy...
Diaw Has Near Triple-Double in Suns Rout
Associated Press
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Apr 28, 2008 3:05 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Boris Diaw had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in one of the best playoff performances of his career, and the Phoenix Suns stayed alive with a 105-86 rout of San Antonio on Sunday. Diaw, starting in place of injured Grant Hill, also led the Suns' vastly improved defense, guarding the Spurs’ Tony Parker much of the game.
Gene Breakthrough Aids Blind
Reuters
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Apr 28, 2008 2:42 AM CDT
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A rare and incurable congenital disease which causes blindness has been successfully treated for the first time using gene therapy, Reuters reports. Doctors inserted a healthy gene directly into one eye of patients suffering from Leber congenital amaurosis using a genetically engineered cold virus. Patients reported an improvement in their eyesight...
Mavs on Brink of Another Early Exit
Associated Press
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Apr 28, 2008 12:43 AM CDT
(Newser) -
David West let out his pent-up frustration over a poor Game 3 with a determined effort Sunday, scoring 10 of his 24 points in a quick stretch early in the second half to help the New Orleans Hornets pull away for a 97-84 victory and a 3-1 lead in the first-round series. Chris Paul added 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Four Goal Third Gives Stars 2-0 Series Lead
Associated Press
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Apr 28, 2008 12:41 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Mike Modano scored the tiebreaking goal early in the Stars' four-goal third period, and Marty Turco made 29 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Sharks in Game 2 on Sunday night, sending Dallas home with a commanding series lead. The Sharks might have a better chance to get competitive in Texas, since they were the NHL's best road team this season.
Hunter, Aybar Lead Angels Past Tigers
Associated Press
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Apr 28, 2008 12:40 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Torii Hunter hit an RBI triple in the fourth inning and added a two-run double in a four-run sixth to help chase Justin Verlander, lifting the Los Angeles Angels to a 6-2 win over the Tigers on Sunday. Erick Aybar also drove in three runs, helping the Angels win the three-game series. Jered Weaver (2-3) got his first win in four starts.
D-backs Win Again as Webb Outduels Peavy
Associated Press
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Apr 28, 2008 12:39 AM CDT
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Brandon Webb outpitched Jake Peavy in a battle of the last two NL Cy Young Award winners, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Webb allowed just one unearned run and twice escaped bases-loaded jams before leaving after six innings. He’s the majors’ first six-game winner and now has a 1.98...
Cincinnati, Volquez Rip Shaky Zito, 10-1
Associated Press
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Apr 28, 2008 12:38 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Edinson Volquez struck out a career-high 10 in seven innings, Brandon Phillips homered twice and the Cincinnati Reds roughed up Barry Zito in a 10-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Volquez (4-0) allowed one run and five hits to win his third consecutive start, and Ryan Freel's two-run single keyed a six-run first inning for Cincinnati.
Dodgers Beat Rockies on Loney Single in 10th
Associated Press
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Apr 28, 2008 12:38 AM CDT
(Newser) -
James Loney singled home the winning run in the 10th inning, and the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of NL champion Colorado with a 3-2 victory on Sunday. It's the first three-game winning streak of the season for the Dodgers under new manager Joe Torre, who used his 24th different lineup in 25 games as he searches for a consistent combination.
8th-Inning Rally Leads A's Over Seattle
Associated Press
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Apr 28, 2008 12:24 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Emil Brown's broken-bat, two-run single finally got Oakland on the board, Jack Cust's RBI single gave Oakland its first lead and the Athletics scored four times in the eighth to beat the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Sunday. Seattle starter Felix Hernandez cruised through seven innings, giving up just four hits and striking out 10, but couldn’t escape...
Prince, Wallace Help Pistons Even Series
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 11:21 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The Pistons squashed the chatter about heading home with a series deficit. Tayshaun Prince scored 23 points and made all but one shot from the field, and Detroit played with a purpose and dominated the second half to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 93-84 on Sunday night, tying the best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series at two. Game 5 is Tuesday...
Kyle Busch Wins at Talladega Under Caution
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 7:48 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Kyle Busch, the kid who couldn't conquer Talladega, finally won at the harrowing track Sunday, and in this, his breakout season, it was only fitting that he coasted to the victory. Busch came back from a lap down for his first win there, which came under caution when a 13-car accident brought out the yellow flag on the final lap.
Fleury, Pens Blank Rangers
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 7:47 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Jordan Staal scored a power-play goal in the second period and Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made the lead stand up, giving the Penguins a 2-0 victory Sunday over New York Rangers and a home-ice sweep of the first two games of their second-round series. Staal's goal was all the offensive support Fleury needed while making 26 saves.
Rangers' Padilla Tosses Shutout Against Twins
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 7:45 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Vicente Padilla threw a seven-hitter for his third career shutout, Milton Bradley had a three-run homer and the Texas Rangers beat the Minnesota Twins 10-0 on Sunday. Padilla (3-2) struck out two, walked two and didn't allow a runner past second. Jason Botts and Josh Hamilton also homered, and Hamilton and Michael Young each had three hits for the...
Glaus' 1st Homer Leads Cardinals Over Houston
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 7:44 PM CDT
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Troy Glaus hit his first home run with St. Louis and Albert Pujols also connected to lead the Cardinals to a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday. Glaus, who was acquired in an offseason trade that sent Scott Rolen to Toronto, had entered the game leading the majors with 15 RBIs without a single home run.
Rolen Homers, Helps Jays Snap Losing Streak
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 7:43 PM CDT
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Scott Rolen homered and drove in two runs, Alex Rios collected four hits and scored three times and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-2 Sunday to snap a six-game losing streak. Rios, who raised his average to .330, scored the go-ahead run in the fifth from first base on Rolen's single to left.
Konerko Hits Two Bombs in White Sox's Win
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 7:43 PM CDT
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Paul Konerko hit a pair of home runs to lead the Chicago White Sox over the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 Sunday. Hitting just .197 with three homers coming in, Konerko connected off Jeremy Guthrie leading off the second and sixth innings. Jose Contreras (2-2) earned his second win against Baltimore this season, giving up Brian Roberts' home run in the third.
Shields Tosses Shutout as Rays Beat Red Sox
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 7:42 PM CDT
(Newser) -
James Shields threw a two-hitter for his first career shutout, Evan Longoria homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Josh Beckett and Boston 3-0 to complete their first three-game sweep of the Red Sox. Shields (3-1) struck out seven and walked one while Beckett (2-2) struck out a career-high 13 and walked one in seven innings for the Red Sox.
Sex Scandal Tees Are All the Rage
Radar
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Apr 27, 2008 7:40 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Americans love their ironic T-shirts, especially when they make coy references to politicians' sex scandals. The Internet is awash with "Client #9" and "Zippergate '98" gear, but the phenomenon isn't restricted to the digital age. It's version 2.0 of the traditional smear campaign—"as American as apple pie," one...
Boy Marries Boy: Then What?
New York Times
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Apr 27, 2008 7:25 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Wedding bells have rung for more than 700 homosexual couples in Massachusetts since the state started marrying gays in 2004, prompting the New York Times to profile young gay men who said “I do.” But there are many things the spouses don’t do, such as follow traditional norms: “We don’t think there is any set way to...
Baby Mama Tickles Box Office Rally
Variety
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Apr 27, 2008 7:02 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Comedy sparked a box office comeback this weekend as Baby Mama banked $18.3 million from mostly female film-goers, Variety reports. Also fueling the 17.2% hike over last year's frame were stoner sequel Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay with $14.6 million in second, and Jackie Chan's Forbidden Kingdom with $11.2 million in third.
Green Zone Strike Kills 2 in Sandstorm
Los Angeles Times
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Apr 27, 2008 6:35 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Hidden in a sandstorm, militants struck the US-protected Green Zone in Baghdad today and killed at least two Iraqis, the Los Angeles Times reports. The mortar or rocket attack, which also wounded 25, came just 2 days after influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered members of his Mahdi Army to end recent fighting.
French Wine Goes Pop
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 6:09 PM CDT
(Newser) -
A screw-top Bordeaux? The once-laughable notion is bubbling up in France these days as wine makers try to reverse decades of sour sales, the AP reports. Even snazzy labels and boxed-wine-with-a-straw are fair game, after French wineries exported a record $15 billion last year with "New World"-style packaging.
Lannan Tough as Nats Blank Cubbies
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 6:06 PM CDT
(Newser) -
John Lannan pitched four-hit ball for seven innnings, and Wily Mo Pena and Wil Nieves had back-to-back RBI singles to lead the Washington Nationals to a 2-0 win over Chicago on Sunday. Lannan (2-2) matched a career high with his seven innings, struck out three, walked four and didn't allow a hit until Ronny Cedeno singled to start the fifth.
West's Late 3-Pointer Hands Cavs 3-1 Series Edge
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 5:55 PM CDT
(Newser) -
LeBron James had 34 points and 12 rebounds, and dished the ball to Delonte West for a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds left Sunday, helping the Cavaliers get past the Wizards 100-97 to take a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series. Cleveland led by 15 in the third quarter, but Washington came back, with Gilbert Arenas...
Wang Leads Yankees to 1-0 Win at Cleveland
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 5:54 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Chien-Ming Wang shut down Cleveland for seven innings and outpitched C.C. Sabathia, whose lone mistake turned into a homer by Melky Cabrera, to help the New York Yankees end a three-game slide with a 1-0 win over the Indians on Sunday. Wang (5-0) allowed four hits, struck out a season-high nine. Only one Cleveland runner reached third against the right-hander.
Delgado's Two Homers Lift Mets Over Braves
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 5:53 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Carlos Delgado turned boos into a standing ovation with his first two-homer game in almost a year, leading the New York Mets to a 6-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. The Mets knocked out John Smoltz after four innings in his first shaky outing of the season and got a three-hit game from backup catcher Raul Casanova.
Maholm, McLouth Power Pirates Past Philly
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 5:52 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Paul Maholm tossed a two-hitter, Nate McLouth hit two home runs and Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia 5-1 Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep. Maholm (2-2) walked four and struck out two in his third career complete game. He improved to 2-0 in three starts at PNC Park this season and has allowed just two runs in 20 1/3 innings there.
Continental Scuttles Merger With United
New York Times
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Apr 27, 2008 5:39 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Continental Airlines scuttled merger talks with United Airlines today and likely triggered other deals in the plunging industry. United's $357 million first-quarter losses and a plan to lay off 1,000 workers scared away Continental execs, the New York Times reports. Now United parent UAL will likely scramble to cut another deal before fuel prices...
Obama Says No to More Debates
Chicago Tribune
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Apr 27, 2008 5:33 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Barack Obama today rejected the idea of additional debates against Hillary Clinton, the Chicago Tribune reports. “I’m not ducking. We’ve had 21” debates, the senator said, insisting he prefers face-to-face talks with the kind of blue-collar voters who helped clinch Clinton’s Pennsylvania win.
Celebrity Scents Wrinkle Noses
I.D. Magazine
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Apr 27, 2008 4:55 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Just about every week seems to bring another entry into the field of celebrity fragrances, but the news that architect Zaha Hadid has her own scent moved I.D. Magazine to ask industrial designers how they'd approach the process. Hold your nose for this sampling: France's Inga Sempé gets equine with an unnamed "blend of horse dung,...
Dems Assail McCain on War
Fox News
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Apr 27, 2008 4:33 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Barack Obama and John McCain clashed over Iraq today, as the DNC readies an ad campaign criticizing McCain's now-infamous remark about keeping troops in Iraq for 100 years. In a Fox News interview, Obama pledged to withdraw troops from Iraq even if Gen. David Petraeus advised against it. But the McCain camp says Obama's leadership "can't deliver."
1,000 Flee Raging SoCal Wildfire
Los Angeles Times
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Apr 27, 2008 4:21 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Roughly 1,000 people abandoned 400 California homes today as firefighters battled a blaze in the Sierra Madre foothills, the Los Angeles Times reports. The fire spread through some 400 acres, and containment is not expected for days. Record-setting temperatures are to blame for the blaze marking an early start of the fire season. "This...
Microsoft's Price Wasn't Right: Yahoo Offer Expires
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 27, 2008 4:05 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Microsoft may get nasty now that its deadline for a friendly Yahoo purchase expired yesterday. Talks died quietly after Microsoft refused to up its offer from $29.68 a share on Friday; Yahoo execs wanted $35. Microsoft could now press Yahoo, tack back the offer, or deal directly with Yahoo shareholders, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Rice Is the New Oil
Newsweek
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Apr 27, 2008 3:31 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Even as the burgeoning price of oil slaps consumers at the pump, a darker global market crisis looms as rising commodities prices compound the pressures of poverty worldwide. The UN has said that spiking food prices have started "a silent tsunami threatening to plunge more than 100 million people on every continent into hunger." Newsweek...
Turkey Rounds Up Experts to Revise Islam
McClatchy Newspapers
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Apr 27, 2008 3:04 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Ankara has gathered a team of experts to parse through Muhammad's words and deeds and decode them for modern-day Muslims, McClatchy Newspapers reports. Their planned 5-volume set will point out anachronisms—no, Muslims need not brush their teeth with a twig—and will likely remove lines about women being bad luck or stupid. "Those definitely...
Why We Love Gossip Girl
New York
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Apr 27, 2008 2:49 PM CDT
(Newser) -
New York magazine writers Jessica Pressler and Chris Rovzar have come out of the closet. No, not that closet—the one hiding adult fans of Gossip Girl . The pair once justified their love for the CW's teen soap opera by calling it "awesomely bad … like Showgirls . Or a Bloomin' Onion." Now they declare it "awesomely awesome."...
Austrian Man Held Daughter Captive 24 Years
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 2:32 PM CDT
(Newser) -
A 42-year-old Austrian woman missing since 1984 has been found—in her father’s cellar, where she says he kept her prisoner for 24 years. Elisabeth F. told police her father, Josef F., began sexually abusing her at age 11, and locked her in the cellar when she turned 18, fathering her 7 children over the next two and a half decades....
Fill 'Er Up— In Your Own Back Yard
New York Times
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Apr 27, 2008 1:56 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Backyard brew may soon ease the pain at the gas pump if two entrepreneurs pushing a home ethanol system have their way, reports the New York Times. E-Fuel Corporation's device is roughly the size of a stackable washer-dryer and will sell for about $10,000 . Using sugar or feedstock and a specially designed yeast, it creates ethanol for as little...
BP Strike Shuts Down Top UK Oil Refinery
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 1:27 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Britain is facing an oil pinch after workers walked off a Scottish oil refinery today over pension issues, the AP reports. The 48-hour BP strike will halt 700,000 barrels of UK oil a day, nearly one-third of its North Sea supply. But 10 Downing St. is urging drivers not to hoard gas. "There is plenty of petrol and diesel in Scotland to meet demand...
J'Accuse, Part Deux
New York Times
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Apr 27, 2008 1:08 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Economist, writer, actor, and lawyer Ben Stein follows up his December excoriation of Goldman Sachs' contribution to the subprime crisis with a look in today's New York Times into how Wall Street executives can get away with reckless behavior at the expense of the public. This time he targets the SEC, which has been so weakened in the Bush administration...
Times Reporter Recounts Time Jailed in Zimbabwe
New York Times
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Apr 27, 2008 12:37 PM CDT
(Newser) -
On April 3, Barry Bearak was arrested in Harare on charges of "committing journalism" and locked in a Zimbabwean prison. The New York Times reporter now tells the story of his imprisonment, which involved four days of negotiating the murky legal system with the help of one of the country's top human rights lawyers, and finally gaining...
Campaign Fatigue Grips Dems
Washington Post
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Apr 27, 2008 12:10 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Barack Obama likes to joke that since his campaign started, "babies have been born and are now walking and talking," but he's hardly exaggerating. The last 15 months have seen staffers from both his and Hillary Clinton's camps get married, become parents, and grow increasingly exhausted as the campaign grinds on. The Washington Post takes...
Restaurants, Retailers Gulp as Consumers Tighten Belts
New York Times
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Apr 27, 2008 11:46 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The rising price of staples like milk and gas, coupled with layoffs and flat-lining wages, is creating a nation of penny-pinching consumers, the New York Times reports. Industry is taking notice as buyers substitute generic brands for top-of-the-line products and skip eating out at restaurants.
Sect Style: Flamboyant Modesty
Washington Post
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Apr 27, 2008 11:19 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The women’s clothes from the Texas polygamist compound call to mind both Little House on the Prairie and prison garb. Yet there’s something elaborate, or even flamboyant, in the carefully crafted styles that set these women so distinctly at odds with modern culture, writes Robin Givhan in the Washington Post. In a sect that uses cell...
