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Newser Story Index from April, 2009

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.

Cheap, Deadly Beauty Fix On the Rise
New York Times | Apr 17, 2009 7:28 AM CDT
(Newser) - Illegal and potentially fatal silicone injections—a cheaper way to plump up the body than cosmetic surgery—are on the rise, the New York Times reports. The underground treatment, usually administered at home or at "pumping parties," has spread among Latinas and transgender women attracted by the quick way to feminize their...
Travolta Extortion Case Nears Trial
E! Online | Apr 17, 2009 7:18 AM CDT
(Newser) - Bahamian prosecutors are ready to begin the extortion trial against two people accused of trying to profit from the death of Jett Travolta, E! reports. A former senator and a paramedic are charged with attempting to blackmail the Travoltas into giving up $25 million. They had a "failure to transport" document, apparently trying to suggest...
Pirate Bay Founders Get Jail, Fines for File Sharing
CNET | Apr 17, 2009 6:53 AM CDT
(Newser) - In a big win for the movie and music business, four men behind the file-sharing service The Pirate Bay, including its two founders, have been found guilty of making copyrighted files available for downloading, CNET reports. A Swedish court sentenced each to a year in jail; the men must also pay $3.6 million to copyright holders like 20th Century Fox,...
Citi Swings to Surprise $1.6B Profit—1st in 18 Months
Bloomberg | Apr 17, 2009 6:45 AM CDT
(Newser) - Citigroup posted its first profitable quarter in 18 months today, thanks in no small part to $45 billion in bailout funds and changes to accounting rules, Bloomberg reports. The company posted a $1.6 billion profit, up from a $5.1 billion loss last year. The company reported a loss per share of 18 cents, beating estimates of a 32-cent loss.
Alaskan Lawmakers Reject Palin's Pick for AG
Anchorage Daily News | Apr 17, 2009 6:43 AM CDT
(Newser) - Alaska's legislature has voted to reject Sarah Palin's controversial pick for state attorney general, the Anchorage Daily News reports. Nine Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in nixing the nomination of outspoken pro-gun, anti-abortion lawyer Wayne Ross—the first time in Alaskan history the head of a state agency has failed to be confirmed...
Madonna, Jesus Back Together
Daily Mirror (UK) | Apr 17, 2009 6:41 AM CDT
(Newser) - Madonna has been reunited with Jesus, the Sun reports. The 50-year-old singer, who dumped her 22-year-old model boyfriend last month and tweeted that she was “glad,” was recently spotted with him at a New York Kabbalah center. An insider says Madonna’s adoption fiasco prompted the reunion: “She has been through heartache and...
Rattner, Obama's Auto Chief, Caught Up in Kickbacks Probe
Wall Street Journal | Apr 17, 2009 5:52 AM CDT
(Newser) - Steven Rattner, the head of President Obama's auto task force, is involved in an SEC probe of a kickback scandal involving New York state's pension fund, a source tells the Wall Street Journal . Rattner is not accused of any wrongdoing, but is believed to have directed a $1.1 million payment from his private equity firm Quadrangle to an intermediary...
Obama, Castro Say They're Ready to Talk
Associated Press | Apr 17, 2009 5:32 AM CDT
(Newser) - An unusually direct exchange between Barack Obama and Raul Castro is moving Cuban-American relations towards their warmest since the Eisenhower administration, the AP reports. After Obama said yesterday that it was up to Cuba to take the next step, Castro swiftly replied that Cuba is "willing to discuss everything—human rights, freedom of...
Dozens Feared Dead in Afghan Quakes
Reuters | Apr 17, 2009 5:08 AM CDT
(Newser) - Two strong earthquakes killed at least 22 people in eastern Afghanistan early today and authorities fear many more bodies are in the rubble, reports Reuters. A 5.5 magnitude earthquake before dawn was followed by a 5.1 aftershock two hours later. Hundreds of mud-brick houses have collapsed in remote villages.
Britney Fan, Idol Wannabe Arrested for Trespassing
E! Online | Apr 17, 2009 4:43 AM CDT
(Newser) - A peeping tom was arrested for trespassing on Britney Spears’ property, E! reports. The looky-loo, a two-time American Idol contestant and Spears fan, was caught in camouflage gear peeking through the windows of Brit’s home in a gated California community. She was released and will appear in court June 16. Meanwhile, Spears ex Adnan Ghalib...
Gunman Kills 2, Self at Calif. Medical Center
Los Angeles Times | Apr 17, 2009 4:08 AM CDT
(Newser) - A worker at the Long Beach Medical Center shot and killed his boss and another manager before taking his own life yesterday, reports the Los Angeles Times . Witnesses said pharmacy technician Mario Ramirez, 50, showed up for work brandishing a pair of handguns and deliberately sought out his victims. Friends say he had heard rumors of impending layoffs....
Ashton Twitters to 1M-Mark Victory Over CNN
CNN | Apr 17, 2009 3:30 AM CDT
(Newser) - Ashton Kutcher beat CNN to 1 million Twitter followers today, winning the popularity contest he started 3 days ago, CNN reports. He is the first Twitter user to break the 1 million mark, and has promised to donate 10,000 mosquito bed nets to charity for World Malaria Day—as well as “ding-dong ditching” CNN founder Ted Turner—to...
Captured Pirate to Face Trial in US
CBS News | Apr 17, 2009 2:45 AM CDT
(Newser) - The only surviving pirate from the gang that attacked the Maersk Alabama will be put on trial in New York, authorities tell CBS News. The pirate—identified as Abdulwali Muse, 19—is believed to have been the ringleader. Muse, whose three cohorts were killed by Navy snipers, is likely to face charges that carry a maximum sentence of life...
Hilton Sued for Stealing Info From Rival
MarketWatch | Apr 17, 2009 2:17 AM CDT
(Newser) - Starwood Hotels is accusing archrival Hilton of using stolen documents to build its new luxury brand in record time, Marketwatch reports. Starwood—which says the pilfered information amounts to a "blueprint" for building a luxury chain like the successful W hotels—is suing Hilton and two ex-Starwood execs for theft and corporate...
Gunmen Attack Thai Protest Leader
Associated Press | Apr 17, 2009 1:48 AM CDT
(AP) - The founder of Thailand's "yellow shirt" protest movement that shut down Bangkok airports last year was shot and wounded today in an attack that his supporters called politically motivated. Police say at least two men in a pickup truck ambushed Sondhi Limthongkul's car as he was being driven to work, first aiming to shoot out the tires and...
We Need a Torture Commission
Salon | Apr 16, 2009 9:31 PM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama appears ready to put the whole issue of CIA torture behind him. He owes it to the nation to do otherwise, writes Mark Benjamin in Salon. In particular, he should appoint a torture commission—a bipartisan group to evaluate what, if anything, the US gained from these interrogation techniques. Most likely, they just made...
Yanks Open Stadium, Then Get Clobbered
New York Daily News | Apr 16, 2009 8:32 PM CDT
(Newser) - The New York Yankees pulled out all the stops in pregame ceremonies today to christen their new $1.5 billion stadium. Then they went and ruined things by playing baseball. The Indians routed the Yankees 10-2 after putting up nine runs in the 7th inning, the Daily News reports. "It's not how you want to start out a new stadium, but one game is...
After Backlash, Time Warner Shelves Pricing Change
BusinessWeek | Apr 16, 2009 8:13 PM CDT
(Newser) - Time Warner is scrapping plans to test a new way of billing for Internet access in the wake of a furious backlash from consumers and politicians, BusinessWeek reports. The No. 2 cable provider had planned to bill people in a handful of test markets based on how much bandwidth they used rather than charging them the usual flat fee. Those who watch...
YouTube Edging Closer to Hollywood
Wired | Apr 16, 2009 8:00 PM CDT
(Newser) - YouTube's latest move to add Sony as a partner highlights the delicate balance it's trying to strike between Hollywood and its own roots in "homegrown video," writes Chris Snyder in Wired . The deals with Sony and others authorize the site—under pressure to curb unauthorized uploads—to show full-length movies and thousands of...
Sarko: Obama's Not So Hot
Times (UK) | Apr 16, 2009 7:26 PM CDT
(Newser) - Someone sounds a little jealous the international media has found a new darling. Nicolas Sarkozy sniped today at President Obama for being inexperienced and indecisive, the Times of London reports. While praising Obama's "clever" mind, the French president complained to party members that "he was elected two months ago and had never...
Bush Interrogation Memo Approved Use of Insects
Time | Apr 16, 2009 6:36 PM CDT
(Newser) - Among the weirder revelations emerging from the newly released CIA memos on harsh interrogations: Bush administration lawyers approved the use of insects. Apparently, one detainee in particular had a phobia about them, so interrogators wanted to slip one into his "cramped confinement box," Time reports. The technique never got used,...
New Lichen Named for Obama
Associated Press | Apr 16, 2009 6:00 PM CDT
(Newser) - The latest honor for the president: A University of California scientist has named a new species of lichen after him, the Los Angeles Times reports. It's a compliment. The scientist did much of his research on Caloplaca obamae during the campaign and says the strain shares a characteristic with the president: they're both resilient. He also wanted...
Google Makes a Profit, But Growth Slows
Associated Press | Apr 16, 2009 5:28 PM CDT
(AP) - Google Inc. eked out a higher profit in the first quarter, although the Internet search leader's revenue growth decelerated to the slowest pace since the company went public nearly five years ago. The company boosted its profit largely by cutting costs, including reducing the size of its work force for the first time since its August 2004 IPO.
With Madden Exit, Less BOOM! in NFL
Fox Sports | Apr 16, 2009 4:58 PM CDT
(Newser) - John Madden’s outsize presence in the world of football will be hard to fill, Alex Marvez writes for Fox Sports. Personality aside, the Hall of Fame coach—who announced his retirement today—was meticulous about preparing for his TV commentary. “Madden made football fun for the casual fan with every-guy humor,” Marvez writes,...
Oprah's First Tweet Comes Tomorrow
Chicago Sun-Times | Apr 16, 2009 4:40 PM CDT
(Newser) - If Twitter isn’t already a certified American phenomenon, it becomes so tomorrow—Oprah will issue her first tweet. Winfrey just signed up for an account and already has 35,000 followers (and counting, quickly) despite her tweetlessness, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. She will tweet during her show, joined by Twitterer extraordinaire Ashton...
Napolitano Apologizes to Vets for Report
CNN | Apr 16, 2009 4:30 PM CDT
(Newser) - Janet Napolitano apologized today for language in a recent Homeland Security report suggesting that veterans were more likely to be wooed by far-right extremist groups, CNN reports. “The return of military veterans facing significant challenges,” said the report evaluating domestic threats, “could lead to the potential emergence of...
Dylan's Favorite Songwriters
Huffington Post | Apr 16, 2009 4:20 PM CDT
(Newser) - Bob Dylan is one of the most widely influential living songwriters—but who has influenced him? Bill Flanagan got Dylan to dish on some of his favorite songwriters for the Huffington Post. The winners? Jimmy Buffett, Gordon Lightfoot, Randy Newman, John Prine, and Guy Clark all got nods. Though Dylan’s probably not a Margaritaville fan,...
Obama to Push for Treaty on Arms Trafficking
Washington Post | Apr 16, 2009 3:57 PM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama wants to add muscle to America’s promise to curb the flow of weapons to Mexico’s drug cartels. After meeting with Mexican leader Felipe Calderon today, Obama said he would push the Senate to ratify a decade-old treaty on the matter, the Washington Post reports. President Clinton signed the pact, negotiated by the Organization...
Mitchell Pushes Two-State Solution in Israel
Reuters | Apr 16, 2009 3:49 PM CDT
(Newser) - The Obama administration’s envoy to the Middle East told the Israeli government today that Washington will “vigorously pursue” the creation of a Palestinian state, Reuters reports. George Mitchell stated America’s purpose as a means to organize statehood talks with Israel; PM Benjamin Netanyahu said it would first be necessary...
Obama Releases Bush Memos Detailing Torture
Reuters | Apr 16, 2009 3:41 PM CDT
(Newser) - A Bush-era memo on interrogation techniques acknowledged that waterboarding represented a “threat of imminent death,” but that the simulated-drowning procedure was not torture because it caused no lasting psychological harm, Reuters reports. The Justice Department memo and three others on interrogations were released to the public today—and...
Tech Gains; Dow Up 96
Wall Street Journal | Apr 16, 2009 3:20 PM CDT
(Newser) - Investors looked past bad news on home construction to signs of economic stabilization and drove broad advances in stocks today, the Wall Street Journal reports. HP rose 5.3% on reports that it’s the top computer seller. Nokia rocketed 11.5% on signs the cell-phone market was picking up again. The Dow closed up 95.81 at 8,125.43. The Nasdaq...
Under Antarctic Glacier, Life Exists Without Light, Oxygen
Guardian (UK) | Apr 16, 2009 3:00 PM CDT
(Newser) - Scientists have discovered an Antarctic ecosystem of microorganisms cut off from light and oxygen for as many as 2 million years, the Guardian reports. The microbes, living under one-third of a mile of ice, in a 14-degree lake four times as salty as seawater, give researchers clues to how life could exist on other planets, and how it survived on...
Viral Marketing Stunt Puts TV Actor on ... TV
Variety | Apr 16, 2009 2:40 PM CDT
(Newser) - A mysterious bald audience member turning up on various live Fox broadcasts is a viral marketing plant—as well as an actor on the show he’s subtly promoting. Michael Cerveris, in character as “The Observer” from the sci-fi drama Fringe , has so far been spotted, well, observing football, auto racing, and American Idol , reports...
Obama Hatred Boils Over
Economist | Apr 16, 2009 2:20 PM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama has enjoyed a pretty good week—the rescue of the kidnapped cargo-ship captain went swimmingly, and the first family enjoyed some softball coverage of its new dog. But this week also saw the boiling-over of the segment of Americans who loathe the president, observes the Economist. Besides the tax day “tea party” protests,...
At Most Brit Funerals, Pop Music Plays You Out
Telegraph (UK) | Apr 16, 2009 2:07 PM CDT
(Newser) - Pop songs are handily beating out traditional hymns in England as the preferred soundtrack for the final goodbye, the Telegraph reports. A survey by a funeral-services company shows that 58% of funerals feature popular music as the top request, versus 35% for hymns; classical grabs just 7%. The top request? Frank Sinatra’s My Way , of course.
CIA Waterboarders Won't Be Prosecuted
Associated Press | Apr 16, 2009 1:56 PM CDT
(AP) - Seeking to move beyond what he calls a "a dark and painful chapter in our history," President Barack Obama said today that CIA officials who used harsh interrogation tactics during the Bush administration will not be prosecuted. Obama officials also released four secret memos detailing tactics against 28 prisoners, from waterboarding to using...
Senate Will Probe NSA in Wiretapping 'Overcollection'
New York Times | Apr 16, 2009 1:31 PM CDT
(Newser) - The Senate Intelligence Committee is planning an inquiry into the National Security Agency after reports the spy group has been engaged in “overcollection” of information domestically, the New York Times reports. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the chair of the committee, said a hearing would be held within the month. The Justice Department says...
18 Dead in Indian Election Violence
Guardian (UK) | Apr 16, 2009 1:22 PM CDT
(Newser) - Eighteen people have died as a result of attacks by Maoist guerrillas during the first day of voting in India's national elections, the Guardian reports. The guerrillas, called Naxalites, staged violent attacks today on polling stations, killing security guards and kidnapping at least four electoral officials.
First Dog Stars in First Book
USA Today | Apr 16, 2009 1:20 PM CDT
(Newser) - Bo Obama just became the nation’s first dog, but he already has his own book, USA Today reports. Bo, America’s Commander in Leash , will hit stores next week. The story features the pup stealing President Obama’s letter opener, serving burgers to Vice President Biden, even sticking his head out the president’s helicopter...
Selfish Google Stands to Kill Golden News Goose
Steveouting.com | Apr 16, 2009 1:06 PM CDT
(Newser) - By refusing to share revenue with news providers, Google is essentially dooming itself, writes blogger Steve Outing, who has a message for CEO Eric Schmidt: “What’s the deal, Mr. Schmidt? Have you deleted Sergey Brin and Larry Page’s ‘Don’t Be Evil’ mantra from the corporate mission statement?” Hoarding ad...
Going Public in Bear Market Is Risky Bet for Rosetta Stone
Marketplace | Apr 16, 2009 12:48 PM CDT
(Newser) - Rosetta Stone, the popular language-learning software maker, holds its initial public stock offering today—a risky move in a bear market, Jennifer Collins reports for Marketplace. Rosetta Stone’s profit has quadrupled since 2007, but it could make twice as much by waiting. It’s possible Rosetta needs cash now, which would be an acceptable...
Opinion on 'Tea Parties' Split Down Party Lines
Washington Post | Apr 16, 2009 12:36 PM CDT
(Newser) - Evaluations of the effectiveness of yesterday’s anti-tax “tea parties” are split predictably down partisan lines, Chris Cillizza writes for the Washington Post . Republicans touted the protests, which brought out tens of thousands and garnered major media coverage, as a success. “I think something is going on out there,”...
Spam Doesn't Waste Energy, Humans Do
PC Magazine | Apr 16, 2009 12:25 PM CDT
(Newser) - A recent study that equates spam’s carbon footprint to that of a whopping 2.4 million homes is fascinating, but completely wrong, Jeremy Kaplan writes in PC Magazine . The researchers traced most of the energy usage to the end user’s computer, but that energy-waster would probably be left on even if no one was manually filtering spam,...
Stanford Pulled in $5B While SEC Dithered
Bloomberg | Apr 16, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
(Newser) - When the Securities and Exchange Commission sent probing questionnaires in 2005 to investors who’d bought certificates of deposit from Stanford Group, panic set in. “Then it all seemed to go away,” says one former Stanford employee. Concerns over jurisdiction stayed the SEC’s hand for almost 4 years, Bloomberg reports, while...
Boyle 'Decent,' But Attention Is 'Condescending'
Entertainment Weekly | Apr 16, 2009 12:07 PM CDT
(Newser) - Susan Boyle just isn’t that extraordinary, Adam Markovitz writes in Entertainment Weekly . The middle-aged singer who wowed Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent and sparked a viral YouTube hit is getting by on her lack of looks. Her voice is adequate, Markovitz writes, but “her talent is only really shocking if you’ve already...
Genes Reveal Elevated Risk of Stroke
Reuters | Apr 16, 2009 11:54 AM CDT
(Newser) - Two genetic variations that increase the risk of stroke are present in an unexpectedly large proportion of the population, Reuters reports. Scientists analyzed the genomes of over 19,000 people, looking for single-letter changes in DNA in those who had experienced ischemic strokes. The two variations they identified, located near genes already implicated...
Paterson Introduces Gay-Marriage Bill
New York Post | Apr 16, 2009 11:43 AM CDT
(Newser) - Inspired by Vermont’s legalization of gay marriage, New York Gov. David Paterson has introduced legislation to bring “equality to everyone” in his state, too. It’s the second time he has touted the same-sex marriage bill, the Post reports. Paterson today urged the legislature to move it forward—even if it won’t...
Palin's Pop to Levi: 'Buy Some Diapers'
Us Weekly | Apr 16, 2009 11:41 AM CDT
(Newser) - Sarah Palin’s father—the great-grandfather of Bristol Palin’s son, Tripp—says 19-year-old babydaddy Levi Johnston “has not contributed anything” to raising the boy, Us reports. Chuck Heath took exception to Johnston’s recent Palin-bashing media tour. “He’s broke, so he’s trying to capitalize...
Citing Too-Low Prices, Banks Won't Sell Toxic Assets
Time | Apr 16, 2009 11:37 AM CDT
(Newser) - Banks are proving so reluctant to part with their so-called “toxic assets” that the Obama administration may have to strong-arm them into doing so, Time reports. Banks are protesting that the prices being offered—about $70 per $100 bond by the magazine’s calculations—are too low. That’s part of the reason Treasury...
Taliban Flouts Deal to Disarm in NW Pakistan
Christian Science Monitor | Apr 16, 2009 11:27 AM CDT
(Newser) - The Taliban's refusal to disarm in Pakistan's Swat province—believed to be a provision of the recent deal that officially brought Islamic law in the area—raises doubts about the prospects for peace, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The strict cleric who brokered the Swat deal agreed to the weapons ban, but has limited power...
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