2008 news stories on Newser

This Isn't a Repeat of 2008

Mark Russell — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:25:56 CDT

With a new round of financial turmoil cascading from country to country and market to market, many are labeling the current chaos a repeat of 2008—just substitute "downgrade" for "Lehman collapse." But that would be a mistake, as this crisis differs from 2008 in three major ways, writes Francesco...

'Top Moneymaker' Status Comes With Math Problem

Harry Kimball — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:42:08 CST

The annual ranking of movie stars based on exhibitors' sentiment is out. Thing is, the Quigley Poll bases its list on what industry insiders think the stars brought in, not on hard numbers. Gina Serpe of E! takes a look at the discrepancies. Will Smith: Theater owners had a lot...

'Green' Tops 2008's Most Annoying Terms

Nick McMaster — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:23:28 CST

Did you get your fill of mavericks this year? Or companies claiming to go green? Those words made Lake Superior State University’s list of the most overused words and phrases of 2008, the AP reports. Other annoying winners: Carbon footprint First dude Bailout Wall Street, in comparison with Main Street

Cruise, Obama Top List of 2008 Viral Videos

Harry Kimball — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:50:21 CST

In the vast, fragmented online universe, videos tend to entice some and disgust others. But every year offers a list of viral vids enjoyed by all. The Washington Post runs down 2008's best: Tom Cruise on Scientology: A rambling, fervent Cruise extols his religion, saying he's the "only one who...

Top New Phrases of 2008

Jason Farago — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:55:02 CST

2008 will be remembered not only for a historic election and financial gyrations, but for the words and phrases that came into use this year. Ben Schott, author of Schott's Almanac , lists some of 2008's most interesting neologisms in the London Times . Terrorist fist jab : A blunt Fox News-ism to...

Google Taps Zeitgeist, Finds Palin a Winner

Harry Kimball — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:34:35 CST

Every year, Google releases its analysis of the global zeitgeist based on billions of searches around the world. Newsweek reports the highlights: Sarah Palin: "Obama" was the most searched for term overall, but the Alaska governor grabbed the top spot on the fastest-rising list. Beijing 2008: The world was understandably...

Morrison Tops Times 10 Best Books List

Harry Kimball — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:41:02 CST

Nobel Prize-winner Toni Morrison's most recent novel and nonfiction books about two wars feature on the New York Times list of the 10 best books of the year. They include: A Mercy : Morrison's tale of 17th-century slaves and masters is "part Faulknerian puzzle, part dream-song." 2666 : Chilean author Roberto Bolaño...