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.
50 Favorite Cult Books
Telegraph (UK)
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Apr 27, 2008 10:53 AM CDT
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It’s hard to define the "cult" book, but the Telegraph compiled 50 of the top contenders that “rewire your head.” The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe (1968) Baby and Child Care by Dr Benjamin Spock (1946) Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (1922) The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand (1943) ...
Torch Protests Continue in S. Korea
Reuters
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Apr 27, 2008 10:30 AM CDT
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The Olympic torch again met with a clash of protesters today as it arrived in South Korea, Reuters reports. Some South Koreans are angered by Beijing’s human rights record, but the majority are pro-Chinese, wearing their country’s flag and chanting, “No politics, only Olympics.” Despite 8,000 police officers, the rallies turned...
Wright Received Death Threats
Guardian (UK)
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Apr 27, 2008 9:39 AM CDT
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Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whose controversial rants scuttled Barack Obama's "post-racial" campaign, reemerged in the headlines yesterday just ahead of the Dems' primary showdown on May 6. Asked by PBS' Bill Moyers if he’d received death threats, Wright says: “Yes, and bomb threats at the church. People (are) telling us how they are...
Trade Show Offers Top Gear to China Cops
New York Times
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Apr 27, 2008 9:00 AM CDT
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A police trade show packed with Western goods is thriving in Beijing despite worldwide outrage against China, the New York Times reports. DuPont and Motorola are among big-name companies selling items like bulletproof Kevlar and wireless systems for cops. Washington, which forbids the sale of police technology to China, was shocked to hear about...
Afghan Prez Escapes Assassination Attempt
Reuters
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Apr 27, 2008 8:38 AM CDT
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One person was killed and 11 wounded in a Taliban attack this morning in Kabul aimed at assassinating Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The president escaped the rockets and gunfire unhurt. The attack occurred as Karzai, government ministers, foreign diplomats, and military top brass gathered for the 16th anniversary of the fall of the Afghan communist...
CIA Can Skirt Torture Laws, Justice Claims
New York Times
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Apr 27, 2008 8:11 AM CDT
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International anti-torture laws don't necessarily apply to CIA agents fighting terrorism, the Justice Department has explained to Congress in letters recently made public, reports the New York Times . The letters reveal the White House position that interrogators have some legal "latitude" outside the Geneva Conventions protecting detainees...
Iraqi Dad Freed in Daughter's 'Honor Killing'
Guardian (UK)
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Apr 27, 2008 7:29 AM CDT
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Iraqi authorities will not press charges against a father who murdered his 17-year-old daughter for falling in love with a British soldier because it was an "honor killing," reports the Guardian . The father stood on the girl's neck and stabbed her last month after he learned she was attracted to a soldier distributing relief supplies in...
Divorcee, 8, Tells of Abuse in Yemen
ABC News
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Apr 27, 2008 6:56 AM CDT
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An 8-year-old girl granted a divorce by a Yemeni court last week has described how she ran from "room to room" to escape her 30-year-old husband until he "beat me and then did what he wanted," reports ABC News. "I cried so much, but no one listened to me." The girl, forced into the arranged marriage by her father, fled...
Scientists Warn Reno to Brace for Major Quake
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 6:25 AM CDT
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Scientists are warning Reno residents to prepare for a major quake following a series of smaller rumbles that have shaken the area for two months, AP reports. The strongest was Friday night’s magnitude 4.7 tremor, which cracked walls and rattled products off store shelves. Now, “a magnitude 6 quake wouldn't be a scientific surprise,”...
Lover Suspected Mailer of Gay Sex
Times (UK)
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Apr 27, 2008 5:52 AM CDT
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One of Norman Mailer’s mistresses suspected the writer of having a gay affair—or perhaps several, reports the Times of London. Mailer also asked lover Carole Mallory to have three-way sex with a gay man, according to her notes in archives recently purchased by Harvard University. One of the men Mallory suspected of being romantically...
Masseuse Chastity Pants Spark Uproar in Indonesia
Los Angeles Times
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Apr 27, 2008 5:25 AM CDT
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Reacting to clients’ demands for sex, some Indonesian masseuses have begun wearing locked pants reminiscent of ancient chastity belts, the Los Angeles Times reports. What began as one parlor entrepreneur's idea to deflect pushy clients has spread and may now spawn legislation. But many, including Indonesia's minister for women’s empowerment,...
Docs Suffer Highest Suicide Rate
Newsweek
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Apr 27, 2008 5:10 AM CDT
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Depression among physicians sparks 300 to 400 suicides a year, the highest rate of any profession, Newsweek reports. While male suicides outnumber female 4 to 1 in the general population, the rate among male and female doctors is about the same. "Undiagnosed and untreated depression is the culprit here," said a psychiatry professor.
Clinton Ties Obama at 47% After Winning Pa.
Gallup
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Apr 27, 2008 4:34 AM CDT
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Hillary Clinton is riding high from her Keystone State win. After lagging in Gallup polls much of this month, she tied Barack Obama in the latest tracking poll at 47%. She also leads John McCain by 3 points, while Obama is even with the GOP nominee at 45%. The two Democratic hopefuls had been roughly tied with McCain since Gallup started polling election...
White Sox Salvage Split With Orioles
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:31 AM CDT
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Brian Anderson hit a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth last night to give the Chicago White Sox a 6-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles and a split of their day-night doubleheader. Baltimore captured the opener when Brian Burres, who faced one batter before Friday night's rainout, came back this afternoon and allowed just three singles in...
Guillen Helps Power Royals Past Blue Jays
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:28 AM CDT
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Luke Hochevar picked up his first big league victory in his third career start, Jose Guillen homered and the Kansas City Royals edged the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 last night. The Blue Jays have lost six straight and 10 of 13, and fell five games below .500 for the first time since last May 25. Hochevar (1-1) held Toronto to six hits and one run in six...
Smith Soars Over Celtics
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:28 AM CDT
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Led by high-flying Josh Smith, the Atlanta Hawks finally showed they can beat the Boston Celtics. Good timing. Smith scored 27 points—and give him a perfect 10 in his own personal dunking contest—to lead the Hawks to a 102-93 victory Saturday night that breathed life into their long-shot playoff hopes, cutting Boston's lead in the opening-round...
Fielder Homers to Lead Brewers Past Marlins
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:21 AM CDT
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Prince Fielder hit a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning and also had an RBI single to power the Milwaukee Brewers past the Florida Marlins 4-3 last night. Fielder's fourth home run of the season, a mammoth shot to dead center off reliever Renyel Pinto (1-1), broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the eighth. Pinto had not allowed a run in his previous...
Iguchi Homers in 13th Inning to Lift Padres
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:20 AM CDT
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Tadahito Iguchi hit a home run off Yusmeiro Petit with one out in the 13th inning to lift the San Diego Padres to an 8-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks last night and snap a five-game skid. San Diego went extra innings for the third time in five home games, including a 22-inning loss to Colorado on April 17 that lasted 6 hours, 16 minutes. This...
Martinez's RBI Single in 9th Lifts Indians
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:15 AM CDT
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Victor Martinez's bases-loaded single scored Grady Sizemore from third with one out in the ninth inning and the Cleveland Indians won their season-high fifth straight, 4-3 over the New York Yankees. Martinez slapped a pitch from Ross Ohlendorf (0-1) into left to bring in Sizemore, who moments earlier came up limping while running the bases. But Cleveland's...
Iwamura Homers in Eighth to Lead Tampa Bay
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:10 AM CDT
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Akinori Iwamura homered in the eighth inning and Tampa Bay beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 last night for the Rays' first five-game winning streak in more than two years. Iwamura's two-out, two-run homer, his first since Sept. 3, came on a 1-1 pitch from Clay Buchholz (1-2), who took a one-hit shutout into the inning.
Zambrano Pitches Cubs Past Nationals
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:04 AM CDT
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Carlos Zambrano pitched five-hit ball over seven innings, Derrek Lee drove in three runs and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 7-0 tonight. Zambrano (4-1) walked four and struck out five to improve to 86-56 for his career and help the Cubs snap a two-game skid. Since entering Chicago's rotation for good on July 1, 2002, his 45 road victories...
Kobe Scores 22 as Lakers Seize 3-0 Series Lead
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:03 AM CDT
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Once again, the Denver Nuggets couldn't keep their emotions or Kobe Bryant in check. Bryant scored 22 points and the Los Angeles Lakers took a 3-0 lead in their first-round series, routing the flustered Nuggets 102-84 tonight. The Nuggets are going to have to get more out of their All-Star duo of Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson if they hope to take...
Umberger Scores Twice as Flyers Win
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:01 AM CDT
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R.J. Umberger scored twice, Martin Biron made 34 saves and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 tonight to even the second-round series at a game apiece. Jeff Carter and Daniel Briere also scored to help the Flyers rebound after they blew 2-0 and 3-2 leads Thursday night a 4-3 overtime loss. Saku Koivu scored his first goal of the...
Howard Sparks Philly to Win Over Pittsburgh
Associated Press
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Apr 27, 2008 12:00 AM CDT
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Ryan Howard homered in his return to the starting lineup and Kyle Kendrick pitched into the eighth inning, helping the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-4 last night. Chase Utley had two hits and scored twice and Geoff Jenkins added two hits and an RBI for the Phillies, who have won three straight and six of seven.
Tigers Cruise by Angels
Associated Press
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Apr 26, 2008 9:24 PM CDT
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Placido Polanco and Magglio Ordonez each drove in a pair of runs, and Detroit beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 today for the Tigers' fourth win in five games. Tigers rookie Armando Galarraga didn't get a decision after pitching 5 2/3 hitless innings to start the game. He wound up allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in six-plus innings.
Madonna's Gardener Directs Her AIDS Film
People
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Apr 26, 2008 7:52 PM CDT
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Madonna tapped a director whose work she knew well for her new documentary about AIDS orphans in Malawi, People reports. Nathan Rissman "was my gardener. He was my carpenter," she said. And his home videos of her kids "were amazing."
15 Dead in Tijuana Shootout
Reuters
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Apr 26, 2008 7:20 PM CDT
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A gunfight between Tijuana drug cartel rivals left 15 dead and eight wounded near the US border today, Reuters reports. The worst violence in Mexico's 3-year drug war, it filled a city road with bodies and took the lives of two top hit men from the Arellano Felix cartel. "Today shows we are facing a terrible war never seen before on the (U.S.-Mexico)...
Doctors Fear Flu-Superbug Combo
ABC News
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Apr 26, 2008 6:51 PM CDT
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Doctors nationwide took notice yesterday when two Boston kids died of a combined flu and fatal superbug—an increasingly common mix, ABC News reports. The blend of influenza and the staph infection MRSA killed 22 people last year, a huge jump from three cases the year before. Now, doctors fear a wave of co-infections may be upon us.
Nearly 50 Missing After Conn. Blaze
Norwich Bulletin
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Apr 26, 2008 6:28 PM CDT
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Flames engulfed an apartment complex in Norwich, Conn., today and left more than 100 residents homeless, the Norwich Bulletin reports. The fire had already consumed two buildings when firefighters showed up at 1:30am, and they scrambled to get 105 of 150 tenants out in time. The rest are accounted for; the rubble remains too hot for corpse-sniffing...
Fashionistas Sporting Specs, Even With 20/20 Vision
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 26, 2008 6:08 PM CDT
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Eyeglasses are no longer just for the optically challenged: Fashionistas everywhere see them as the latest must-have (eye)piece and are stocking up on non-prescription glasses to match every outfit, the Wall Street Journal says. Seeing wasn’t believing for one man who underwent Lasik surgery but continues to sport his specs. “It’s...
Franzen's Hat Trick Pulls Red Wings Past Avs
Associated Press
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Apr 26, 2008 6:02 PM CDT
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Johan Franzen and the Detroit Red Wings are kicking the Colorado Avalanche when they're down. Franzen scored three times to lift Detroit to a 5-1 victory today over the banged-up Avs, giving them a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinal. Franzen redirected a shot early in the game, scored on a wraparound in the second and whacked a rebound out...
Magic Outmuscles Raptors
Associated Press
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Apr 26, 2008 6:01 PM CDT
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Rashard Lewis had 27 points and 13 rebounds, Dwight Howard added 19 points and 16 boards, and the Orlando Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 106-94 today to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. Jameer Nelson scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, while Hedo Turkoglu had 18 points and nine rebounds for the third-seeded Magic.
Burres Pitches Orioles Past White Sox
Associated Press
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Apr 26, 2008 5:59 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Brian Burres allowed three singles in eight shutout innings and Guillermo Quiroz hit his first major league homer today as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Chicago White Sox 5-1 in the first game of a split doubleheader. The game was a makeup from Friday night's rainout. Burres (3-1) had faced one batter in the bottom of the first Friday before rains...
Schumaker's Single in 9th Lifts Cards
Associated Press
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Apr 26, 2008 5:57 PM CDT
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Skip Schumaker singled to left to score pinch-runner Cesar Izturis in the bottom of the ninth inning today, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 4-3 victory that snapped the Houston Astros' six-game winning streak. Schumaker singled off Wesley Wright, who relieved Dave Borkowski (0-1) after Borkowski walked leadoff batter Brian Barton to start the ninth....
Stanford Hires Duke's Dawkins as Coach
Associated Press
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Apr 26, 2008 5:56 PM CDT
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Johnny Dawkins, a longtime assistant coach at Duke, has been hired as Stanford's new men's basketball coach. Dawkins replaces Pac-10 Coach of the Year Trent Johnson, who left for LSU earlier this month, two people close to the situation said today. Both people requested anonymity because Stanford had not made an official announcement, which could come...
Car Lovers Pay $5K for a Spin
Los Angeles Times
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Apr 26, 2008 5:50 PM CDT
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Car nuts are flying to Los Angeles and coughing up nearly $5,000 to drive a Porsche 997 Turbo. Why the numbing bill? Because Supercar Life, a fantasy camp, lets motorists spend all day driving a host of pricey cars at outrageous speeds. For many, the 140-mph thrill ride is too much. “I tossed my cookies,” one driver said. “But what...
Plagiarist Priests May Face Jail Time in Poland
Guardian (UK)
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Apr 26, 2008 5:20 PM CDT
(Newser) -
If Polish priests don’t stop their plagiarizing ways, they could be slapped with a fine or even thrown in jail for 3 years, church authorities warn. Uninspired priests have been swiping their homilies off the Internet, and “unfortunately the practice has become more usual than not,” said Father Wieslaw Przyczyna, who opposes the “unethical”...
Maine, Mets Hold On for Win Over Braves
Associated Press
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Apr 26, 2008 4:52 PM CDT
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Carlos Beltran hit a two-run double in the Mets' four-run third inning, and New York held on for a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves today. John Maine pitched five effective innings and David Wright snapped out of a slump with two hits for the Mets. Atlanta dropped to 0-8 in one-run games and is the only team in the majors without a win in that situation.
Clinton Calls for Moderator-Free Debate
New York Times
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Apr 26, 2008 4:51 PM CDT
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Hillary Clinton wants one last debate before the Indiana and North Carolina primaries next month, and she’s ready to do it Lincoln-Douglas style. “After the last debate, Sen. Obama’s supporters complained a little about the tough questions,” Clinton told a crowd in South Bend today. “I’m offering Senator Obama a...
Genitals On the Menu at Beijing's Penis Bistro
Der Spiegel
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Apr 26, 2008 4:27 PM CDT
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If your idea of good eating doesn't stretch to yak's penis or duck testicles, then Beijing's Guolizhuang restaurant definitely isn't the place for you. The exclusive restaurant's menu is made up almost entirely of penis and testicle dishes, Der Speigel reports. Well-heeled businessmen flock in for dishes such as "Jasmine Flowers with 1,000...
Atheist Soldier Sues Army for Harassment
Topeka Capital-Journal
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Apr 26, 2008 3:53 PM CDT
(Newser) -
An atheist soldier is suing the US military for harassment after commanders pressured him to find faith, the Topeka Capital-Journal reports. One officer broke into Jeremy Hall's atheist meeting in Iraq last year and said, “People like you are going against what the founding fathers, who were Christians, wanted for America!” according...
Under 35's Break Salary Talk Taboo
New York Times
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Apr 26, 2008 3:23 PM CDT
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Unlike mom and dad, young Americans are likely to gab about salary with friends, the New York Times reports. To older generations, "it’s very hush-hush," one 22-year-old said. "You don’t talk about money, politics, or religion with friends. But in this generation, it’s important.” Many young professionals say...
Longs Top Draft, Ryan Goes #3
NBC Sports
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Apr 26, 2008 3:00 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The two top picks at today's NFL draft were spoiled ahead of time: Everyone knew Jake Long and Chris Long would go first and second. The real drama started with pick #3, in which the Atlanta Falcons chose Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. The Raiders took Darren McFadden with pick #4, and Glenn Dorsey went fifth to Kansas City, NBC Sports reports.
Rogue Trader Gets a Job
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 26, 2008 2:37 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Jérôme Kerviel is working once again, despite having cost France’s Société Générale $7.68 billion in unauthorized trading. Released from prison a few weeks ago, the rogue trader is employed as an IT consultant for a French company specializing in networks and security, the Wall Street Journal reports....
Bill Resumes Central Role in Hillary's Campaign
Wall Street Journal
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Apr 26, 2008 2:12 PM CDT
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Despite controversial remarks on more than one occasion, Bill Clinton has moved to the forefront of his wife’s campaign, the Wall Street Journal reports. In what some insiders call the “Billification” of Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, the ex-President is pushing for sharper attacks on Barack Obama amid an aggressive stumping...
Fiancée: 'They Killed Sean All Over Again'
Associated Press
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Apr 26, 2008 1:37 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Sean Bell’s fiancé spoke out today, condemning the court for acquitting the men who shot her husband. “The justice system let me down,” Nicole Paultre Bell said. “April 25, 2008: They killed Sean all over again.” In her first public comments since yesterday’s verdict, Paultre Bell vowed to fight for another...
Canada Declares Polar Bears 'At Risk'
BBC
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Apr 26, 2008 1:07 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Canada has classified polar bears as a species of “special concern” requiring legislative protection, the BBC reports. While the panel of experts stopped short of declaring the bears endangered, it said that melting ice and hunting problems had put the bears in jeopardy. Canada is home to 15,000 bears, and the summer sea ice they prowl...
Top Clinton Fundraiser Jumps to Obama Camp
Los Angeles Times
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Apr 26, 2008 12:35 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Hillary Clinton will lose one of her key fundraisers to Barack Obama, the Los Angeles Times reports. Gabriel Guerra-Mondragon, a former ambassador under President Clinton who had raised $300,000, “became concerned about the tone of the race,” an Obama aide said. But a Democratic strategist said one defection isn’t enough to sink...
50 Ways to Hock Your Lover
New York Times
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Apr 26, 2008 12:08 PM CDT
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Diamonds really are a girl's best friend, especially when auctioned off to sympathetic sisters on ExBoyfriendJewelry.com. EBay offers goods without much backstory, but the founders of the gem-hocking site put a personal twist on swapping, selling, and auctioning artifacts of toxic relationships, the New York Times reports.
After Bell Shooting, NYPD Awaits Its Own Verdict
New York Times
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Apr 26, 2008 11:39 AM CDT
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A New York judge yesterday cleared the detectives who fatally shot Sean Bell, but the NYPD is awaiting its own verdict, after the case provoked charges of shoddy undercover police work. The shooting “revealed significant deficiencies in supervision, tactical planning, communications and management accountability,” said the Queens district...
