Newser Story Index from September, 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.
Maliki Is US Pawn No Longer
Los Angeles Times
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Sep 16, 2008 1:20 PM CDT
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With just four months left on America’s UN mandate to police Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki is playing hardball. Once seen as an embattled US puppet, the Iraqi PM has consolidated his power, and is turning visibly away from his former backers in Washington, the Los Angeles Times reports. He’s demanding a tight leash on US troops, including a withdrawal...
Mac Fathered BlackBerry, Staffer Claims
The Hill
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Sep 16, 2008 1:09 PM CDT
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Barack Obama’s campaign was quick to mock a staffer’s claim today that John McCain helped create the BlackBerry, the Hill reports. An aide suggested that the Republican’s service on the Senate Commerce Committee, which concerns itself with telecommunications, qualified him as a father of the ubiquitous device—recalling Al Gore’s...
Denial Exacerbated Meltdown
New York Times
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Sep 16, 2008 1:04 PM CDT
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The collapse of Lehman Brothers and the fire sale of Merrill Lynch are stunning developments, Joe Nocera writes in the New York Times , as is the fact Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are the only big investment banks standing. But the turmoil isn’t simply the result of complex trading instruments gone awry, Nocera writes; “what’s...
Heart Disease, Diabetes Linked to Everyday BPA
Chicago Tribune
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Sep 16, 2008 12:52 PM CDT
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A chemical found in many containers commonly used by Americans is linked to heart disease and diabetes in a new study, the Chicago Tribune reports. The first large-scale human study of Bisphenol A follows a government advisory on using the chemical near food, and a report connecting it to ill effects on fetal brain and prostate-gland development.
Investigators: Doomed Plane's Flaps Failed
Associated Press
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Sep 16, 2008 12:40 PM CDT
(AP) -
Wing flaps that help lift a plane on takeoff failed on the Spanair flight that crashed last month, and an alarm to warn pilots never sounded, according to an initial report released today on the accident that killed 154 people. Investigators did not say whether they believe the flap problem caused the Aug. 20 crash, offering no theory on what triggered...
Paulson Played Cards Well in High-Stakes Showdown
Washington Post
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Sep 16, 2008 12:27 PM CDT
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Cue the Kenny Rogers, suggests Steve Pearlstein in the Washington Post ; “Hank Paulson knows when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.” Paulson was so determined not to commit federal dollars to bail out Lehman Bros. that when the banks said they couldn't step in without help, he called their bluff. It was the banks that blinked,...
Gere, Winger May Reunite on Broadway
Fox News
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Sep 16, 2008 12:14 PM CDT
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Richard Gere is weighing an offer to play the Spencer Tracy role in a Broadway production of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? —opposite Debra Winger. The famously feuding co-stars of An Officer and a Gentleman haven't worked together since that 1982 smash hit. The production is stalled as producers search for a replacement for Bill Pullman, Fox...
Both Campaigns See Risk, Reward in Wobbly Wall Street
Wall Street Journal
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Sep 16, 2008 12:02 PM CDT
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Wall Street’s troubles pose a challenge for both candidates, though because his party hasn’t held the White House for nearly 8 years, Barack Obama has a slight leg up, writes Gerald Seib in the Wall Street Journal . Neither ticket has a strong market background, with John McCain more a “national-security and character candidate”...
MTV KOs Aging TRL
Associated Press
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Sep 16, 2008 11:50 AM CDT
(AP) -
Start the countdown clock on MTV's countdown era: Total Request Live will shut down after 10 years on the air, the AP reports. The music video show will conclude with a 2-hour special in November, the executive producer said yesterday. Ten "is the number that RL counted down every single day for 10 years, and we hit this 10th (anniversary)...
Genome Project Is a Bust: Expert
New York Times
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Sep 16, 2008 11:40 AM CDT
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The idea behind mapping the human genome (and spending $3 billion to do so) was to uncover common gene variants that cause disease. But a Duke University geneticist says that natural selection has worked better than we thought, that there are no common variants but rather a multitude of rare ones, the New York Times reports.
Barclays to Buy Parts of Lehman's Brokerage
Financial Times (UK)
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Sep 16, 2008 11:28 AM CDT
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Barclays has reached a deal to buy part of Lehman Brothers’ US business, the Financial Times reports. Lehman’s international divisions could eventually be brought into the deal, or the deal could allow for their acquisition later. Exact terms are unclear, but the Wall Street Journal adds that the figure will be around $2 billion.
McCain Running 'Dishonorable' Campaign: Ad
Washington Post
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Sep 16, 2008 11:23 AM CDT
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Barack Obama has launched a new ad accusing John McCain of running a “disgraceful, dishonorable campaign,” part of a wider pushback against Republican attacks, the Washington Post reports. With McCain pulling even in the polls, the campaign held a series of internal strategy meetings, including a rare Sunday get-together in Chicago, and...
Underwear Model Squires Miley to Church
E! Online
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Sep 16, 2008 11:11 AM CDT
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Fifteen-year-old Miley Cyrus is keeping company with a 20-year-old underwear model and aspiring country singer, E! reports. Justin Gaston, an ex-contestant on Billy Ray Cyrus’ reality TV show Nashville Star , attended church with the family, setting tongues wagging. Reps for the possible couple say he's a "friend" who's in LA "for...
Congo Probes Witchcraft Stampede Deaths
BBC
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Sep 16, 2008 11:00 AM CDT
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Accusations of witchcraft led to a deadly stampede at a soccer game in the Congo, the BBC reports. Fighting broke out between rival teams after players from one team accused the rival team's goalkeeper of casting spells. Police intervened but were pelted with rocks by the crowd. They fired tear gas in response, and 13 were suffocated in a crush at...
Palin Is No More Ready Than W. Was: Brooks
New York Times
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Sep 16, 2008 10:47 AM CDT
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The fact that she horrifies liberal elites, however delicious, isn't enough to make Sarah Palin a good candidate for VP, writes David Brooks in the New York Times . Success in government “requires prudence,” which comes from experience. Palin thrills supporters with the “fear, hatred and panic” she prompts, but offers little...
Speculation on New Fed Rate Cut Tempers Losses
Bloomberg
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Sep 16, 2008 10:44 AM CDT
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Stocks swung upward after big opening losses today, the Wall Street Journal reports, helped by speculation that the Federal Reserve might step in to help AIG and cut interest rates. The Dow, down 155 early, was just barely negative before noon, with a similar pattern from other indices. “We're in uncharted territory,” one funds manager...
Double Jeopardy: Victim Was 'Hero' of Earlier LA Crash
Chicago Tribune
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Sep 16, 2008 10:40 AM CDT
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Though Gregory Lintner walked away from a 2005 Metrolink crash that killed 11 people—eight in his train car—he remained haunted by it until last week, when he relived the nightmare. Lintner was one of 25 people who died during Friday’s ill-fated California ride, the Chicago Tribune reports. “He told me he never got off that...
Ike Survivors May Wait Weeks for Hot Meals, Baths
Associated Press
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Sep 16, 2008 10:28 AM CDT
(AP) -
More relief was on the way for Hurricane Ike evacuees today as tens of thousands waited for supplies, the electricity to return to their homes, or their first hot meal and shower. The number of distribution centers was to be quadrupled to 60 by the end of the day to deliver food, water and ice. "A good bath would be nice: have the fire department...
Barbra Hosts Obama Fundraiser
Time
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Sep 16, 2008 10:27 AM CDT
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Barack Obama is expected to bring in a huge haul tonight at an LA fundraiser hosted by Barbra Streisand, Time reports. The event involves “a reception and dinner at $28,500 a person followed by a later event featuring Streisand at $2,500 a ticket.” The reclusive singer had been a Hillary Clinton backer, but has now lined up behind Obama....
Pakistan Orders Troops to Fire if US Launches Raid
Associated Press
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Sep 16, 2008 10:19 AM CDT
(AP) -
Pakistan's military has ordered its forces to open fire if US troops launch another air or ground raid across the Afghan border, an army spokesman said today. The orders come in response to a highly unusual ground attack by American commandos earlier this month, and subsequent repeated reports of US drone aircraft striking militant targets, most recently...
Obama Won't Share Funds With Senate Dems
Politico
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Sep 16, 2008 10:06 AM CDT
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Barack Obama has rejected an appeal from the Senate Democrats to kick some campaign money their way, Politico reports. Obama raised a record $66 million in August, but is currently outmatched by the combination of John McCain and the Republican National Committee. With 23 GOP-held seats being contested, Senate Dems had looked to Obama to help finance...
US Olympic Medalist Details Sex Abuse
Associated Press
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Sep 16, 2008 10:00 AM CDT
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Olympic medalist Margaret Hoelzer was sexually abused, she tells the AP in the hopes of helping other victims. The abuse by the friend of a father started when she was 5 years old, the swimmer says, and did not stop until the family moved 2 years later. The abuser was arrested after Hoelzer told her mother years later, but was never charged.
Petraeus' Successor Has Mixed Record
Guardian (UK)
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Sep 16, 2008 9:34 AM CDT
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Gen. Ray Odierno, who today became the top US commander in Iraq, was instrumental in last year’s troop surge that helped stabilize the country. But though most notably known for mirroring predecessor David Petraeus' focus on protecting Iraqi citizens, some in the military have slammed his methods early in the war as overly aggressive, the Guardian...
Kushner First to Win $200K Prize for Playwrights
New York Times
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Sep 16, 2008 9:22 AM CDT
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Tony Kushner will be the first recipient of a new biennial prize for playwriting, with a whopping $200,000 purse the benefactors hope will allow recipients to focus full-time on not-so-lucrative theater. Although Kushner is widely regarded as one of America's greatest dramatists, he has spent the past several years writing screenplays in Hollywood,...
Stocks Down Again at Open
Bloomberg
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Sep 16, 2008 9:15 AM CDT
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Stocks declined at the opening bell today, sending the S&P 500 into its worst two-day slump since 2002, Bloomberg reports. Investors reacted to an overnight credit downgrade for liquidity-challenged AIG and a weak Goldman Sachs earnings report. Overnight lending rates took a record jump last night, as markets fell around the world.
Georgian Tapes Imply Russia Started War
New York Times
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Sep 16, 2008 9:10 AM CDT
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Although the bloodshed has ended, Georgia and Russia are still fighting—over which nation was the aggressor in last month's conflict. The Georgian government, which insists that Russia invaded its territory, has released tapes of intercepted phone calls implying that a Russian regiment entered South Ossetia 24 hours before Georgia attacked. Top...
GOP Has Twice as Much Cash as Dems
Bloomberg
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Sep 16, 2008 8:51 AM CDT
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Coming into the home stretch, the Republicans have about twice as much campaign money on hand as the Democrats, reports Bloomberg—about $200 million to $95 million. Though Barack Obama has raised record sums, the Democratic National Committee’s current $17.5 million lags far behind the GOP’s $76 million. These committees may continue...
Goldman Profit Drops 70%, Still Beats Estimates
Bloomberg
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Sep 16, 2008 8:37 AM CDT
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Amid the financial industry's meltdown, survivor Goldman Sachs reported that third-quarter profit plunged by 70% —the sharpest decline in its history as a public company, but still enough to beat estimates of $1.71 per share. The bank dipped 7% in New York trading, Bloomberg reports, after reporting an income decline of $1.81 per share...
As Stocks Slide, Hirst Auction Breaks Records
New York Times
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Sep 16, 2008 8:18 AM CDT
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Damien Hirst won the biggest gamble of his career at Sotheby's last night—as lot after lot of the artist's work beat high estimates, totaling $127.2 million in sales. While the markets tumbled in New York, bidders in the London saleroom bought up dozens of brand-new Hirsts, from taxidermied animals to abstract paintings, in an auction that could...
Pelosi Asks Rangel to Step Down as Tax Panel Chair
New York Post
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Sep 16, 2008 7:51 AM CDT
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has privately asked New York Rep. Charles Rangel to step down as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee after it emerged that his personal tax filings neglected to report income from a rental property for some 20 years, says a source to the New York Post . “You have to have one standard—you can't have...
Cowboys Top Eagles in Instant Classic
Dallas Morning News
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Sep 16, 2008 7:40 AM CDT
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From relieved Cowboys fans to heartbroken Eagles diehards, every can agree on one thing: Last night’s contest “will not soon be forgotten,” writes Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News . The final Monday Night game in Texas Stadium was a spectacular 41-37 affair that Tony Romo likened to a shootout. “And it was good that we...
Italian Judge Will Set Course for Knox Case
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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Sep 16, 2008 7:19 AM CDT
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An Italian judge will review evidence today to decide if Amanda Knox, jailed in Italy for 10 months as a suspect in the killing of 20-year-old British roommate Meredith Kercher, should go free or face a trial, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Attorneys will argue both sides of the case in a private hearing examining Knox, 21, and two other...
Europe's Markets Dive Despite Intervention
Financial Times (UK)
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Sep 16, 2008 7:15 AM CDT
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Europe's central banks pumped huge amounts of cash into markets today as stock exchanges dove and interbank lending slowed to a trickle. Just after midday in London, the FTSE 100 was down by nearly 2%, with investment banks and insurers leading declines. The Bank of England injected $35.8 billion into the markets, while the European Central Bank released...
Ukraine Faces Early Election as Coalition Falls
Bloomberg
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Sep 16, 2008 6:47 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The government of Ukraine collapsed today after a falling out between the country's two pro-Western leaders, Bloomberg reports. President Viktor Yushchenko pulled his party out of the government of PM Yulia Tymoshenko last week after she tried to strip him of some of his powers. While Tymoshenko could try to form a new government with pro-Russian parties,...
Powell Sticks to Fence in Prez Race
MSNBC
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Sep 16, 2008 6:10 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Colin Powell has yet to make up his mind which way he'll vote in November, MSNBC reports. Speaking at a forum with four other former secretaries of state yesterday, the Republican said he would let neither his quarter-century friendship with John McCain—nor the "electrifying" prospect of the first African-American president—be...
Barclays in Talks to Buy Lehman Assets
Wall Street Journal
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Sep 16, 2008 5:20 AM CDT
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Barclays is in talks to buy Lehman Brothers’ key assets in a shift that could save 10,000 jobs and some operations, the Wall Street Journal reports. A deal could be finalized today. No sale price has yet emerged for the possible transaction, which wouldn’t touch Lehman’s bad assets. UK-based Barclays pulled out of talks on Sunday...
Creamery Biz Milked Subsidies Under Palin
Wall Street Journal
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Sep 16, 2008 5:02 AM CDT
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Critics who say Sarah Palin is not as fiscally conservative as she claims are questioning extended subsidies paid to a state-run creamery, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Alaska Creamery Board recommended closing the operation in 2007 after it fell $1.5 million in the red. Palin instead fired the board and replaced it with one headed by a childhood...
New York, New York, That Teetering Town
Reuters
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Sep 16, 2008 4:36 AM CDT
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Amid the financial fallout, even Manhattan's wealthiest consumers are beginning to curb their spending, Reuters reports. Wall Street tremors and belt-tightening by the rich are bound to hit New York City especially hard, and will rock stores, restaurants—and even charities. "We still have not hit the bottom of the cycle," warned Mayor...
Mac: Economy's Strong—Or, Er, Maybe Not
Washington Post
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Sep 16, 2008 4:14 AM CDT
(Newser) -
John McCain yesterday appeared to flip flop in his response to the deepening crisis on Wall Street, reports the Washington Post . "The fundamentals of our economy are strong," McCain declared. But just minutes later he said that the "fundamentals of our economy are at risk." A new ad by the McCain campaign declares: "Our economy...
Time for the Dow to Ditch Ailing AIG
CNN
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Sep 16, 2008 3:45 AM CDT
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The downsizing of American International Group should spur its ejection from the Dow Jones 30, Paul R. La Monica writes in CNNMoney. The company's inclusion in the index means its troubles will hurt the market even more than the tribulations of Lehman, Fannie and Freddie—its shedding of divisions will remove the rationale that got the insurance...
Asian Markets Plunge
Wall Street Journal
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Sep 16, 2008 3:25 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Asia's markets took a huge hit today amid fears of a US financial meltdown, the Wall Street Journal reports. Markets in Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea were spared from the global plunge yesterday due to a public holiday—but the respite proved to be short-lived. Japan and Hong Kong's indexes fell close to 5% while Korea dived 6.1%.
Petraeus Hands Over Command of Iraq
BBC
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Sep 16, 2008 2:56 AM CDT
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Citing a "long struggle" in Iraq despite his successes, Gen. David Petraeus handed over his command of the country, reports the BBC, amid a smattering of violence that served as a reminder of reversible gains. Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised security gains made on Petraeus' watch as authority was passed to Gen. Ray Odierno, whom Petraeus...
Stricken Houston Lines Up for Food, Water
Houston Chronicle
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Sep 16, 2008 2:25 AM CDT
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Thousands of weary Houston residents joined lines that stretched for blocks yesterday to collect the basics they need to survive in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Emergency supplies are being strictly rationed and each family is allowed only two bags of ice, a case of bottled water and a 12-pack of ready-to-eat meals. "The rules are in place...
Wall Street Woes Will Wallop Tech Sector
CNET
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Sep 16, 2008 2:02 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Troubles hitting the Wall Street giants promise particularly dark days ahead for the tech business world, analysts tell CNET News. The problems are bound to stifle mergers and acquisitions in the tech industry and further dampen the market for initial public offerings. IPOs have already slowed to a trickle—and may soon grind to a halt.
AIG Credit Rating Cut Triggers Mad Dash for Cash
Wall Street Journal
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Sep 16, 2008 1:35 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Insurance giant AIG teetered on the brink of catastrophe last night as ratings agencies downgraded the beleaguered firm's credit ratings, forcing it to raise $14.5 billion to meet debt obligations, reports the Wall Street Journal . Federal Reserve officials were holding emergency talks with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase in an effort to assemble...
Honeybees Do Puzzling 'Wave' to Scare Enemies
LiveScience
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Sep 15, 2008 8:00 PM CDT
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Honeybees flip over en masse and reflect light with their bellies for a reason, scientists have found: It's to scare off enemies. Bee experts knew that giant honeybees in Southeast Asia flipped over by the hundreds or even thousands but only recently discovered they were warding off predatory wasps. What scientists don't know is how thousands of...
Alleged Simpson Victim Gets Sick in Courtroom
Las Vegas Review-Journal
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Sep 15, 2008 7:35 PM CDT
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The first witness in OJ Simpson's robbery-kidnapping trial cut proceedings short by complaining of chest pain and leaving the courtroom, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Bruce Fromong, 54, who says he has had four heart attacks since the robbery, testified for hours before pointing to his chest and walking out. But he did not go to a hospital...
Palin Refuses to Meet With 'Troopergate' Investigator
Associated Press
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Sep 15, 2008 7:15 PM CDT
(AP) -
Sarah Palin won't speak with an investigator hired by lawmakers to look into the firing of her public safety commissioner, a campaign spokesman said today. He told a news conference that Palin will not cooperate as long as the investigation "remains tainted." He said he doesn't know whether Palin's husband would challenge a subpoena issued...
US Army Orders Mind-Reading Helmets
Time
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Sep 15, 2008 6:53 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The US Army has dished out $4 million for helmets that can read soldiers' minds, Time reports. The goal is to have commanders in the field think up orders that brainwave sensors pick up and distribute to troops. "It'd be radio without a microphone," says a neuroscientist in charge of the 5-year program. "Because soldiers are already...
Founding Member of Pink Floyd Dead at 65
Times (UK)
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Sep 15, 2008 6:11 PM CDT
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Founding Pink Floyd member Richard Wright died today of cancer in London at age 65, the London Times reports. A keyboardist who gave the group its moody, dreamy sound, Wright co-authored many Floyd songs including ones on their masterpiece, Dark Side of the Moon . He left after The Wall in 1979, when band relations broke down and Roger Waters...
