Newser Story Index from May, 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.
Astronauts Take Final Hubble Spacewalk
Associated Press
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May 18, 2009 9:26 AM CDT
(AP) -
Spacewalking astronauts ventured out today to finish repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope, never to be touched by human hands again. It was the fifth and final spacewalk for the crew of the shuttle Atlantis, and the final planned visit by astronauts, ever, to Hubble. The astronauts outfitted Hubble with two state-of-the-art science instruments totaling...
Phelps Takes Another Loss in Charlotte
Associated Press
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May 18, 2009 9:10 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A day after losing his first final in nearly a year, Michael Phelps lost again last night in Charlotte, this time in the 100-meter freestyle, the AP reports. The American came in almost a second behind France’s Frederick Bousquet, who holds the world record for 50 meters. “The biggest thing that killed me were my turns and my finishes,”...
How Much Is Donald Worth? Here's How He Figures It
Wall Street Journal
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May 18, 2009 9:04 AM CDT
(Newser) -
As a defamation action brought by Donald Trump against a writer for allegedly understating the Donald’s net worth gets under way today, the question on everyone’s mind is: How much is Trump really worth? The 2005 book put the figure at $250 million, Deutsche Bank pegs it at $788 million, and Trump says he's worth $5 billion. The discrepancy,...
In Alaska, Melting Glaciers Cause Land to Rise
New York Times
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May 18, 2009 9:01 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Around Juneau, Alaska, climate change is causing an unexpected problem, the New York Times reports: As glaciers melt, the land is rising away from the sea. The change—10 feet in about 200 years—is enough to dry up local streams and wetland habitats, and is the result of land springing back after the weight of glaciers is removed.
Stocks Start Week on Rebound
Wall Street Journal
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May 18, 2009 8:49 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Stocks headed higher at today’s open, following a week of profit-taking that left the Dow and S&P down 3.6% and 5% respectively. The Dow was up 107 points, while the Nasdaq added 1.2% and the S&P 1.4%, including a 3% surge in financials. Lowe's soared 11% after reporting a smaller-than-expected dip in earnings, the Wall Street Journal...
Sex Tape Ruined Princess Di Dream: Paris
Sun (UK)
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May 18, 2009 8:36 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Of all the hard-hitting documentaries being screened at Cannes, the juiciest is probably Paris, Not France . The film, which delves into Paris Hilton’s world, reveals the socialite’s inner thoughts, the Sun reports. For example, “That’s not what I wanted when I was a little girl,” Hilton says of her infamous sex tape....
'Google Killer' Search Site Clever, but Not Killer
Times (UK)
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May 18, 2009 8:36 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The search engine some are calling a “Google Killer” launched Friday, and tech critics see potential—though the science-heavy searcher is no replacement for Google, notes Mike Harvey in the Times of London. WolframAlpha “takes serious scientific data and produces answers that simply don't exist as easily or as accessibly...
Antichrist Shocks Cannes
Reuters
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May 18, 2009 8:14 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Lars von Trier’s Antichrist quickly became the most talked-about film at Cannes, eliciting audience reactions that ran the gamut from laughter to applause to boos at its screening last night, Reuters reports. The film, which one critic called “offensive,” features graphic sexual mutilation and a talking fox, among other questionable...
From Food to Health Care, the Poor Pay More
Washington Post
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May 18, 2009 7:54 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The economics of poverty are complicated, the Washington Post reports, but it boils down to this: “The poorer you are, the more things cost.” The poor spend more in time, money, hassle, and exhaustion than do the middle class or wealthy on everything from a loaf of bread to a bank loan. Lacking transportation, the poor often shop for...
A Win for Obama, Moderate Catholics
Washington Post
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May 18, 2009 7:52 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Abortion opponents protested and pro-life students skipped, but Barack Obama's Notre Dame commencement address was at once "the most radical and the most conservative speech of his presidency," writes Washington Post columnist EJ Dionne. The president refused to indulge the protesters' desire to "reignite the culture wars,"...
Celebrity Pornhab Mocks Dr Drew
TMZ
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May 18, 2009 7:21 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Porn star Mary Carey must not have left Celebrity Rehab with a good impression of Dr Drew Pinsky. She’s lashing out at him with a porno mock-up of his show— Celebrity Pornhab with Dr Screw . TMZ’s behind-the-scenes footage (view at the link below) features Carey admitting she likes Dr Screw “better than Dr Drew” and...
Branson's Next Launch: Virgin Internet Bank
Observer
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May 18, 2009 7:16 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Capitalizing on public disgust with Britain’s big banks, Richard Branson plans to launch an Internet bank through subsidiary Virgin Money that will take deposits and offer mortgages, the Guardian reports. Branson is talking to investors and some US banks about financial backing and could set in motion more ambitious plans to acquire Northern...
Six Reasons for Netanyahu and Obama to Clash
Time
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May 18, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Publicly there will be few fireworks when Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu meet today. But here are the issues the vastly different leaders will wrestle with behind closed doors: The Two-State Solution: It’s the overwhelming international consensus, but Netanyahu insists it would compromise Israel’s security. Iran’s...
Dollmaker Turns From First Daughters to Dog
Chicago Tribune
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May 18, 2009 6:53 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Toymaker Ty couldn't resist another attempt to capitalize on Obamania, this time with Bo—the Portuguese Water Dog doll being billed as "inspired by the First Family's new puppy. It's spurring unprecedented demand, retailers tell the Chicago Tribune. But the dolls are unlikely to garner anywhere near the $1000 discontinued Sasha and...
Dowd Sorry for 'Plagiarizing' Liberal Blog
Talking Points Memo
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May 18, 2009 6:41 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Fans of Talking Points Memo did a doubletake when they got to a passage in Maureen Dowd's column yesterday on the timing of Bush use of torture; Josh Marshall had written the same thing—short of three words—three days back. Dowd has corrected her column online, and the New York Times issued a correction today, but she calls it an oversight,...
Painful Family Pics Find Online Following
Telegraph (UK)
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May 18, 2009 6:27 AM CDT
(Newser) -
If you think your crazy Uncle Jackie's penchant for lederhosen makes for some uncomfortable family images, you have an online refuge, reports the Telegraph. Awkwardfamilyphotos.com, which debuted this month and is now pulling in 2 million visitors a day, struck a chord with everyone who's ever posed in matching Christmas sweaters. It's a chance to...
Exercisers Boost Power Grid
Telegraph (UK)
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May 18, 2009 6:20 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Exercise buffs who hop on an elliptical machine for half an hour can power a laptop for an hour with the generated energy, thanks to a tweak made by a young Florida entrepreneur. The technique takes advantage of a generator already built into a popular model of the cross-trainers. About a dozen organizations have started using the modified machines—and...
Israel Starts New Settlement in Palestinian Area
Haaretz (Israel)
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May 18, 2009 6:11 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Israel began construction today on a new settlement in the northern West Bank for the first time in 26 years, Haaretz reports. The move comes as PM Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington for his first meeting with Barack Obama, whose administration opposes the settlements. An official insisted that the new buildings were legal, but a peace...
Geithner's Understaffed Treasury Is Stalled
Washington Post
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May 18, 2009 5:56 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Nearly two months ago the Treasury announced it was booting Rick Wagoner as CEO of General Motors. But he's still technically on the payroll—because Treasury officials continue to debate whether he should receive the $20 million severance package he was promised. It's only one of many key decisions that have been put on hold at Tim Geithner's...
US Frets as Pakistan Rapidly Expands Nukes
New York Times
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May 18, 2009 5:41 AM CDT
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Pakistan is rapidly building its nuclear arsenal even as it struggles to fight a growing insurgency, reports the New York Times . While Washington remains concerned about the security of Pakistan's 80 to 100 existing weapons, the country is producing uranium and on its way to manufacturing bomb-grade plutonium. US legislators worry that aid intended...
Indian Stocks Soar 17% on Election Win
Times of India (India)
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May 18, 2009 5:35 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The benchmark Indian stock index soared an unprecedented 17% this morning as investors voiced their resounding approval of the Congress Party's electoral victory. Trading on the Sensex had to be suspended within seconds of opening after a 1,300-point surge; following a two-hour delay, the index jumped again and was shut for the day. Other markets in...
Stuck Bolt Throws Wrench in Hubble Repairs
Space.com
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May 18, 2009 5:03 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Yesterday was a frustratingly long day in space as Atlantis astronauts struggled to fix a long-broken spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. They ultimately succeeded, but a stuck bolt and dead battery prolonged the spacewalk to 8 hours—making it the sixth longest in history, Space.com reports. Astronauts also ran out of time to insulate...
Chinese Raze Sex Theme Park
BBC
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May 18, 2009 4:39 AM CDT
(Newser) -
China's revolutionary sex theme park has been crushed before it could even get off the ground, reports the BBC. Just as the world press was touting "Love Land" and its giant plastic genitalia and sexual technique workshops, outraged Chinese officials were demolishing the park that had been slated to open in October. The owners were "interested...
K9 Who Bolted Thunder Rumble Is Reunited With Partner
Chicago Tribune
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May 18, 2009 4:15 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A Chicago police dog is back home after disappearing four days ago amid a thunderstorm, the Chicago Tribune reports. A man spotted Bear, dirty but unharmed, near a cemetery yesterday. The 2-year-old German shepherd was likely hunting small animals in nearby woods, said his relieved partner, who has been chasing leads since Bear jumped a 5-foot fence...
Tamil Boss Shot Dead Trying to Flee
Guardian (UK)
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May 18, 2009 3:51 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The leader of the Tamil Tigers was shot dead before dawn this morning as the Sri Lankan army moved into the rebel group's final stronghold, the Guardian reports. Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed while trying to flee the war zone in an ambulance. Four other senior Tigers, including his son, were also killed. News of his death sparked celebrations...
4.7 Quake Shakes Southern Cal
Los Angeles Times
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May 18, 2009 3:29 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake rattled much of southern California last night and caused minor property damage, reports the Los Angeles Times . Windows were broken and items toppled off shelves when the temblor struck east of Los Angeles Airport. No injuries were reported. The 15-second shaker was deep, originating some 8.4 miles below the earth's surface,...
Gene Tests Yield Results in AIDS Fight
Associated Press
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May 18, 2009 3:01 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A back-door approach to battling AIDS that could revolutionize treatment has succeeded in monkeys, AP reports. Scientists inserted a gene that produces protective antibodies into the muscles of six monkeys, then injected them with SIV—the animal equivalent of HIV. None developed AIDS, and most still had high amounts of the antibodies...
Zoo Webcasts Elephant Birth
BBC
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May 18, 2009 2:39 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A Belgium zoo webcast its first elephant birth to enthralled animal lovers yesterday as the newborn plopped out of mom Phyo Phyo after 38 hours of labor. The mother, sister and aunt scrambled in excitement in a circle around the newborn, trumpeting, until the baby responded with squeals of its own. The newborn female was up on its feet shortly after...
NYC School Official Dies From Swine Flu
New York Post
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May 18, 2009 2:17 AM CDT
(Newser) -
An assistant principal in New York has become the sixth person to die from swine flu in the US, reports the New York Post . Mitchell Wiener, 55, fell ill more than week ago, but didn't seek medical help until his symptoms became severe, officials said. His school was shut last week as several students became ill. His death late yesterday came as five...
Suu Kyi on Trial Today to Answer for American
BBC
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May 18, 2009 1:52 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Myanmar democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi is on trial today for breaking the conditions of her house arrest because an American "well wisher" entered her home. She planned to plead not guilty because the intruder was not invited, her attorney told the BBC. Suu Kyi has already spent 13 years in jail or under house arrest. If she's found...
Retire Later, Delay Alzheimer's: Study
BBC
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May 18, 2009 1:27 AM CDT
(Newser) -
It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but delaying retirement is one way to stave off Alzheimer's, a new study has found. Each extra year of work amounted to a six-week delay in the condition's development among patients studied. Alzheimer's is caused by brain cell loss, and the mental stimulation of work may help keep those cells connected, BBC reports....
Taller Workers Top Pay Ladder
AFP
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May 17, 2009 7:52 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Taller workers have a leg up when it comes to paychecks, AFP reports. An Australian study has found that every additional 4 inches of height adds 3% to a man's hourly wage and 2% to a woman's. Five inches of extra height earns a man the salary of a worker with an extra year's experience. Surprisingly, the survey of more than 20,000 Australians...
Iraqi Hospitals Crumble as Drugs Vanish
McClatchy Newspapers
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May 17, 2009 7:19 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Filthy, bug-infested Iraqi hospitals still lack basic equipment and supplies that could save thousands of lives, McClatchy reports. With sectarian violence down, doctors and aid groups are blaming government corruption for the nation's health woes. "The government has money," said a fourth-year resident at a Baghdad hospital. "So...
Don't Count A-Rod's Homers: Wells
New York Daily News
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May 17, 2009 6:47 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Former Yankees pitcher David Wells said slugger Alex Rodriguez should lose home runs for taking steroids, and other drug cheaters ought to be banned permanently, the New York Daily News reports. Wells made his comments as a play-by-play analyst at today's Yankees game. "It sucks because of the fact that these guys are playing dirty and that's...
Shock, Anger Settle In for Car Dealers
CBS News
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May 17, 2009 6:20 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Hundreds of Chrysler dealers are reeling from notices that give them less than a month to close up shop, CBS News reports. "This was a sucker punch for my brother and I," said Rob Engel, who has been selling Chrysler vehicles in New Jersey since the Reagan presidency. "I'm making the transition from shock to anger." With...
Cut Down on C-Sections, Experts Tell US Women
Los Angeles Times
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May 17, 2009 5:55 PM CDT
(Newser) -
American women are risking their health and driving up medical costs by having too many cesarean sections, the Los Angeles Times reports. The most common operation in the US, the C-section is used in 31% of births and accounts for 45% of rising birth costs. It can also lead to infections, blood clots, and premature births. And it often isn't necessary,...
Hitler Memoir Gets English Translation
New York Post
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May 17, 2009 5:29 PM CDT
(Newser) -
After serving as Adolph Hitler’s adoring secretary for 12 years, Christa Schroeder recounted her experiences in a 1949 memoir, Hitler in Private. With an English translation on the way, the New York Post reveals some highlights—including an account of Hitler’s doctor injecting him with hormones from bull testicles. Some notable...
Lakers Rout Rockets, Make West Finals
Associated Press
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May 17, 2009 5:08 PM CDT
(AP) -
Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and the Los Angeles Lakers emphatically silenced the doubters and the Houston Rockets, winning Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals 89-70 today to advance to the Western finals against the Denver Nuggets. With Gasol scoring 21 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, the Lakers looked like the conference's top-seeded team, not...
Obama Loves Star Trek , Not Cheney
Newsweek
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May 17, 2009 4:48 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Often compared to Spock, President Obama recently took time out to see the new Star Trek blockbuster—and liked it. “ Star Trek was ahead of its time,” he said in a wide-ranging interview with Newsweek . Turning to Dick Cheney, Obama said the VP's arguments for torture and unilateral action eventually lost ground inside the GOP....
Feminist Camps Brawl Over Sex and Booze
Guardian (UK)
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May 17, 2009 4:20 PM CDT
(Newser) -
It's second-wave feminism vs. the "Slut Machine." A writer on Slate's women-oriented Double X site recently blasted bloggers on Jezebel for shrugging off date rape and boasting about boozing. Self-indulgence furthers no political goal, cried feminist Linda Hirshman. Retorted Jezebel: "I have seen misogyny and, most of the time,...
Attorneys Learn Loan Law to Help Homeowners
NPR
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May 17, 2009 3:58 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Lawyers nationwide are learning about foreclosure law to help new clients keep their homes, NPR reports. Housing attorneys are even teaching seminars to lawyers, who accept cases pro bono, knowing homeowners can't turn to swamped legal aid offices. Some find it "incredibly rewarding to help someone save their house as opposed to help protect a...
Angels & Demons Blessed With $48M Win
Entertainment Weekly
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May 17, 2009 3:31 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Angels & Demons ascended to the box office heavens this weekend with a $48 million debut, Entertainment Weekly reports. That’s well behind The Da Vince Code ’s $77.1 million opening in 2006, due in part to Star Trek ’s strong second-weekend haul of $43 million. Wolverine came in third with $14.8 million, while sleeper...
Airline Pitches the Really Friendly Skies
Boston Globe
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May 17, 2009 3:12 PM CDT
(Newser) -
To tout its distaste for hidden fees, Air New Zealand is mounting a tasteful display—of nudity. The airline's new commercial features employees wearing nothing but body paint, the Boston Globe reports. The campaign, called “Nothing to Hide,” touts the now-antiquated practice of providing meals and not charging for baggage. But...
Eminem: Serial Killers 'Inspire' Me
Guardian (UK)
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May 17, 2009 2:33 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Where has Eminem been since his last album hit the shelves in 2004? At first, mostly drowning in a sea of depression and prescription drugs, the rapper says in an interview with the Guardian . But for a year now he's been clean and focused on getting back to his roots—which means drawing inspiration from serial killer films.
Ladies, Mars Wants You to Have a Fling
NPR
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May 17, 2009 1:48 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Mars has introduced its first new candy bar in 20 years—and a racy marketing campaign to go along with it, NPR reports. The Fling is a "chocolate finger" of meringue and truffle painted with a "shimmering" chocolate coating, and both the 85-calorie size and the very pink, faux scandalous advertisements are aimed squarely at...
Obama Calls for 'Open Minds, Fair-Minded Words'
Associated Press
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May 17, 2009 1:32 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Speaking amid the swirl of controversy as his pro-choice views and the pro-life values of a Catholic university collided, President Obama today called for "open minds" and "fair-minded words" in Notre Dame's debate surrounding abortion, reports the AP. Amid heckles and students booing hecklers, Obama faced the treacherous issue...
Bullying Rumsfeld Used Bible to Sway Bush on Iraq
GQ
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May 17, 2009 1:00 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Donald Rumsfeld isn’t a preacher, but nearly every morning after the Iraq invasion, he handed President Bush a national security digest containing Biblical quotations intended to influence his decisions. This tactic, Robert Draper writes for GQ in a lengthy look at Rummy's standing among administration contemporaries, epitomizes the former...
Pakistan: 1000 Taliban Dead in Swat Offensive
Associated Press
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May 17, 2009 12:35 PM CDT
(AP) -
Pakistani security forces fought Taliban militants in the northwest's Swat Valley and entered two Taliban-held towns there, the army said today, foreshadowing what could become bloody urban battles. A top government official said the offensive had already killed more than 1000 Taliban fighters, while a group of pro-government religious leaders endorsed...
London Teen: How I Was Recruited for Jihad
Times (UK)
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May 17, 2009 12:27 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The Islamists approached him in the mosque, and before he knew it a 15-year-old Londoner was watching jihadist videos and being encouraged to train in Pakistan, the boy tells the Times of London in the “first inside account” of the recruitment process. “A lot of people think that terrorists are recruited in special recruiting grounds,...
Toxic Teen Website Infuriates Parents, Cops
Washington Post
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May 17, 2009 12:01 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The creator of the online message board Peoplesdirt.com says he's just providing an "avenue for people to express their feelings," but parents and teachers disagree. The website allows teenagers to anonymously post slurs and false rumors about fellow students. Although it's legal, it's also hateful and humiliating, students and parents tell...
