Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Times Wire

About 1 minute ago

Active-Duty Suicides Fall

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Suicides among active duty soldiers dropped slightly in 2010 after five years of record increases, Army leaders said Wednesday.
3 minutes ago

Louisiana: Jail Term Set for Man Whose Firm Had Role in ’08 Spill

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The co-owner of a company whose towboat was involved in an oil spill that closed part of the Mississippi River for nearly a week in 2008 has been sentenced to 21 months in prison and fined $50,000.
5 minutes ago

Maine: Evidence that Man Bit Dog

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Researchers say they have found a bone fragment from what they are calling the earliest confirmed domesticated dog in the Americas — and it was eaten by a human.
7 minutes ago

Alabama: Governor Apologizes for Excluding Non-Christians

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gov. Robert Bentley apologized Wednesday for his inauguration day remarks about only Christians being his brothers and sisters and said he would work for people of all faiths.
13 minutes ago

Court Weighs Whether Corporations Have Personal Privacy Rights

By ADAM LIPTAK

A case involves AT&T;’s effort to block the release of documents it had provided to the F.C.C.
15 minutes ago

Cousins Under the Skin

As we learn more about our ancestral past, the mysteries and the fascination seem only to keep growing.
16 minutes ago

Report Blames Dust for West Virginia Mine Blast

By JOHN M. BRODER
A memorial in July in Whitesville, W.Va., to the miners killed April 5 in the Upper Big Branch blast, which remains under inquiry.
Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

Federal officials say mine operators repeatedly violated regulations intended to reduce the risk of explosion.
24 minutes ago

Drug to Fight Melanoma Prolonged Life in Trial

By AMY HARMON

The results pave the way for Roche, the manufacturer, to seek approval to market the drug.
28 minutes ago
Knicks, Perhaps Distracted by Anthony Talk, Fall

Knicks, Perhaps Distracted by Anthony Talk, Fall

By HOWARD BECK

The Knicks lost their fourth straight but reached the season’s midpoint with 22 wins and 19 losses, their best 41-game record since 2001.
31 minutes ago
Anthony Spotlight Now Turns to Knicks

Anthony Spotlight Now Turns to Knicks

By HOWARD BECK

With the Nets surprisingly withdrawing from the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, the Knicks will instantly leap to the forefront of the discussion.
33 minutes ago

What's Good For G.M. Is Good For Homeowners

By WILLIAM D. COHAN

Why can't those who face foreclosure get the same sorts of help as bankrupt companies?

34 minutes ago

Judges Take Another Look at Ex-Alabama Governor’s Conviction

By JOHN SCHWARTZ
Former Gov. Don Siegelman before his sentencing in 2007. A court heard an appeal Wednesday.
Dana Mixer/Bloomberg

Lawyers for former Gov. Don E. Siegelman asked a federal appeals court to overturn his 2006 bribery conviction.
37 minutes ago

Cosmos: No Longer Looking for Eric

By JACK BELL

Fourteen years after he last kicked a ball in anger, and 16 years after his kung-fu kick (in anger, of course), Eric Cantona is back in soccer -- improbably as the director of soccer for the reborn New York Cosmos.

40 minutes ago
Freaks at Yale

Freaks at Yale

By ADAM GOODHEART

A campus prank with portents of battles to come.

40 minutes ago

Approaching Civility (if Perhaps Falling Short of Eloquence) in Debate

By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
At a news conference Wednesday, House Democrats discussed the impact of health care repeal on minority communities.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

House members made an effort to remain polite as they debated a bill to repeal the health law.
42 minutes ago
Bottom Is Falling Out on Woeful Cavaliers

Bottom Is Falling Out on Woeful Cavaliers

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The visiting Phoenix Suns sent the Cleveland Cavaliers to their 14th straight loss Wednesday night.
45 minutes ago

Swiss Weigh Future Role Of Bunkers In the Alps

By CHRISTOPHER SOLOMON
A guard, at left, stood sentry at the peeling entrance to a former military bunker in Gstaad that now houses computer servers.
Nicole Tung for The New York Times

Switzerland is undergoing a soul-searching over the role of its military, including the need for a system of 26,000 bunkers and fortifications meant to deter attacking armies.
55 minutes ago

Aristide Says He Is Ready to Return to Haiti, Too

By GINGER THOMPSON

Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was ousted in 2004, said “the people of Haiti have never stopped calling for my return,” but the United States is expected to block any attempt that he do so.
57 minutes ago

Israeli Soldier Discharged Over Killing of Unarmed Palestinian

By ISABEL KERSHNER

The soldier, the Israeli military said, acted “unprofessionally” in a raid in Hebron.
58 minutes ago

Bariatric Surgery: The View From a Doctors’ Group

A reader responds to a recent op-ed.
59 minutes ago

Haiti’s Children

A reader responds to a recent editorial.
60 minutes ago

Brad Smith Is Healthy, Giving Jets Options vs. Steelers

By DAVE CALDWELL

The Jets expect to have the versatile Brad Smith available for Sunday’s A.F.C. championship game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
22:25

How China Succeeded

A reader responds to a recent blog post.
22:25

Corrections

Corrections appearing in print on January 20, 2011.
22:23

Victims of Violence

A reader responds to recent news coverage.
22:21

A Parent’s Road: Which Way Is Best?

Jessica Hagy

Readers respond to a recent column.
22:19

In China, Economy Grew 9.8%, a Higher Rate Than Expected

By IAN JOHNSON

The report from the National Bureau of Statistics did little to quell concern that China’s economy was growing at an unsustainable pace.
22:17

St. John’s Has Trouble Keeping Up in Louisville

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Red Storm had 25 turnovers in an 88-63 defeat at Louisville, its worst loss of the season.
22:16

A New Finale for 'Spider-Man'

By GERRY MULLANY

A new ending to 'Spider-Man' is something of a technical challenge.

22:15

Missing Mandate From Rome

The Vatican’s insistence that it never impeded criminal investigations of pedophile priests has been thrown into doubt.
22:13

The Last Thing Haiti Needs

Jean-Claude Duvalier, the former Haitian dictator, should answer for his squalid legacy of disappearance, torture and murder.
22:12
Rangers Lose Two Forwards, but Get Four Goals From Gaborik

Rangers Lose Two Forwards, but Get Four Goals From Gaborik

By JEFF Z. KLEIN

In a 7-0 victory over Toronto, Marian Gaborik ended his scoring slump with four goals, the most by a Ranger in 10 years.
22:09

Beyond the Happy Visuals

Even though a few Democrats and Republicans will be sitting next to each other during the State of the Union speech, a wide and deep aisle between the parties remains.
22:04
Yankees’ Consideration of Carl Pavano Seemed Unthinkable

Yankees’ Consideration of Carl Pavano Seemed Unthinkable

By MARK VIERA

That General Manager Brian Cashman inquired about Carl Pavano after the aggravation Pavano caused the Yankees from 2005 to 2008 only underlines Cashman’s limited options as he tries to find more pitchers.
22:00

Thursday: He's Flipped!

By DEB AMLEN

Initially, this puzzle may seem hard to crack, but don't flip out.

22:00

From Struggling Owners to Stable Renters

By David E. Kapell

To solve the housing crisis, take a page from the auto bailout.
21:59

Lottery Numbers

Lottery numbers for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
21:54
Woman Abducted as Infant in 1987 Meets Family

Woman Abducted as Infant in 1987 Meets Family

By ANAHAD O’CONNOR and AL BAKER

A reunion ended one of the New York Police Department’s most baffling missing-persons cases.
21:51

Subtle Signs of Progress in U.S.-China Relations

By MICHAEL WINES
At a news conference with President Obama at the White House on Wednesday, President Hu Jintao said that China “recognizes and also respects the universality of human rights.”
Doug Mills/The New York Times

President Hu Jintao came offering some concessions to demonstrate that constructive relations were essential.
21:47

Soriano on Board; Cashman, Too

By MARK VIERA
Joe Girardi helping the Yankees' newest reliever, Rafael Soriano, with his pinstriped jersey.
Librado Romero/The New York Times

Brian Cashman introduced relief pitcher Rafael Soriano, then explained why he was opposed to the way the Yankees went about acquiring him.
21:44
The Rise of Chinese Cheneys

The Rise of Chinese Cheneys

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

China today resembles the Bush era in America: Hard-liners are ascendant. Brace yourself.
21:38

Last Christians Ponder Leaving a Hometown in Iraq

By JOHN LELAND and DURAID ADNAN
A confessional at Mary Queen of Peace Church in Habbaniya Cece goes unused, and services are no longer held. The town's last Christian man acts as caretaker but aches for what has been lost.
Jehad Nga for The New York Times

A town known for its religious harmony had about 70 Christian families before the 2003 invasion by the United States. Now it is down to just one.
21:37

It's a Deal! Giant Pandas Are Staying

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian will be making their home at the National Zoo in Washington for another five years.

21:36
Goodbye to a Guy Named Joe

Goodbye to a Guy Named Joe

By GAIL COLLINS

Senator Lieberman is leaving a behind a long list of achievements. For real. We can even name a few.
21:35

Familiar Face Among Connecticut Pack of Maybes for Senate

By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ
Linda E. McMahon, a Connecticut Republican who lost in her bid for the Senate last fall, says she may run next year for an open seat.
Marcus Yam for The New York Times

Linda McMahon, the professional wrestling mogul who spent $50 million in her failed Senate bid last year, is the most prominent possible candidate to replace Senator Joseph Lieberman.
21:29

Ambitions of Going Abroad, but Bills to Pay at Home

By ERIC V. COPAGE
Destiny Sanchez, 17, with her mother, Maria Espada, must pay $5,600 in order to attend a three-week European travel program. They are planning a Valentine’s Day cake sale, among other things, to help pay for it.
Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times

A 17-year-old girl from the South Bronx has an opportunity her mother could only have dreamed of: to participate in a three-week travel-abroad program.
21:26
What I Learned From Sargent Shriver

What I Learned From Sargent Shriver

By BONO

For the founding director of the Peace Corps, faith demanded action: from him, from all of us.
21:25

As Lockout Looms, N.F.L. Players Go to Washington

By KEN BELSON
Pete Kendall, left, who retired from the N.F.L. in 2008, and Colts center Jeff Saturday were among those who visited lawmakers.
Alex Brandon/Associated Press

With the Super Bowl less than three weeks away, the league and its players have taken their cases public while football is still in the spotlight.
21:21

City Opens Inquiry on Grading Practices at a Top-Scoring Bronx School

By SHARON OTTERMAN

Theater Arts Production Company High School boasts a near perfect graduation rate and the city’s best report card.
21:17

Higher Taxes Wouldn’t End Some Deficits

By MICHAEL POWELL
Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois signed an income tax increase.
Seth Perlman/Associated Press

The limited impact of an increase in the personal income tax in three troubled states underlines the vast challenge in confronting budget deficits.

Photos

Click on a photo to view related article

 
Stephen Crowley/The New York Times
- 17 minutes ago

Report Blames Dust for West Virginia Mine Blast

By JOHN M. BRODER

Federal officials say mine operators repeatedly violated regulations intended to reduce the risk of explosion.

 
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
- 29 minutes ago

Knicks, Perhaps Distracted by Anthony Talk, Fall

By HOWARD BECK

The Knicks lost their fourth straight but reached the season’s midpoint with 22 wins and 19 losses, their best 41-game record since 2001.

 
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
- 31 minutes ago

Anthony Spotlight Now Turns to Knicks

By HOWARD BECK

With the Nets surprisingly withdrawing from the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, the Knicks will instantly leap to the forefront of the discussion.

 
Dana Mixer/Bloomberg
- 35 minutes ago

Judges Take Another Look at Ex-Alabama Governor’s Conviction

By JOHN SCHWARTZ

Lawyers for former Gov. Don E. Siegelman asked a federal appeals court to overturn his 2006 bribery conviction.

 
- 41 minutes ago

Freaks at Yale

By ADAM GOODHEART

A campus prank with portents of battles to come.

 
John Raoux/Associated Press
- 42 minutes ago

Bottom Is Falling Out on Woeful Cavaliers

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The visiting Phoenix Suns sent the Cleveland Cavaliers to their 14th straight loss Wednesday night.

 
Nicole Tung for The New York Times
- 46 minutes ago

Swiss Weigh Future Role Of Bunkers In the Alps

By CHRISTOPHER SOLOMON

Switzerland is undergoing a soul-searching over the role of its military, including the need for a system of 26,000 bunkers and fortifications meant to deter attacking armies.

 
Jessica Hagy
- 22:21

A Parent’s Road: Which Way Is Best?

Readers respond to a recent column.

 
Ray Stubblebine/Reuters
- 22:12

Rangers Lose Two Forwards, but Get Four Goals From Gaborik

By JEFF Z. KLEIN

In a 7-0 victory over Toronto, Marian Gaborik ended his scoring slump with four goals, the most by a Ranger in 10 years.

 
- 22:04

Yankees’ Consideration of Carl Pavano Seemed Unthinkable

By MARK VIERA

That General Manager Brian Cashman inquired about Carl Pavano after the aggravation Pavano caused the Yankees from 2005 to 2008 only underlines Cashman’s limited options as he tries to find more pitchers.

 
- 21:54

Woman Abducted as Infant in 1987 Meets Family

By ANAHAD O’CONNOR and AL BAKER

A reunion ended one of the New York Police Department’s most baffling missing-persons cases.

 
Doug Mills/The New York Times
- 21:51

Subtle Signs of Progress in U.S.-China Relations

By MICHAEL WINES

President Hu Jintao came offering some concessions to demonstrate that constructive relations were essential.

 
Librado Romero/The New York Times
- 21:47

Soriano on Board; Cashman, Too

By MARK VIERA

Brian Cashman introduced relief pitcher Rafael Soriano, then explained why he was opposed to the way the Yankees went about acquiring him.

 
Damon Winter/The New York Times
- 21:44

The Rise of Chinese Cheneys

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

China today resembles the Bush era in America: Hard-liners are ascendant. Brace yourself.

 
Jehad Nga for The New York Times
- 21:38

Last Christians Ponder Leaving a Hometown in Iraq

By JOHN LELAND and DURAID ADNAN

A town known for its religious harmony had about 70 Christian families before the 2003 invasion by the United States. Now it is down to just one.

 
Earl Wilson/The New York Times
- 21:36

Goodbye to a Guy Named Joe

By GAIL COLLINS

Senator Lieberman is leaving a behind a long list of achievements. For real. We can even name a few.

 
Marcus Yam for The New York Times
- 21:35

Familiar Face Among Connecticut Pack of Maybes for Senate

By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ

Linda McMahon, the professional wrestling mogul who spent $50 million in her failed Senate bid last year, is the most prominent possible candidate to replace Senator Joseph Lieberman.

 
Justin Gabbard
- 21:26

What I Learned From Sargent Shriver

By BONO

For the founding director of the Peace Corps, faith demanded action: from him, from all of us.

 
Seth Perlman/Associated Press
- 21:17

Higher Taxes Wouldn’t End Some Deficits

By MICHAEL POWELL

The limited impact of an increase in the personal income tax in three troubled states underlines the vast challenge in confronting budget deficits.

 
Pool photo by Brennan Linsley
- 21:16

U.S. Prepares to Lift Ban on Guantánamo Cases

By CHARLIE SAVAGE

The move would clear the way for tribunal officials to bring new charges against detainees for the first time under the Obama administration.

 
MTV, via Associated Press
- 21:16

A Racy Show With Teenagers Steps Back From a Boundary

By BRIAN STELTER

MTV executives are concerned that some scenes from the provocative new program “Skins” may violate federal child pornography statutes.

 
Isaac Brekken for The New York Times
- 21:07

In an Ocean of Firearms, Tucson Is Far Away

By ADAM NAGOURNEY

People at the nation’s largest gun trade show rejected suggestions of a connection between the shooting rampage in Tucson and gun control legislation.