EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA--National News

Today in History

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:37:00 EST

Today is Monday, Nov. 17, the 322nd day of 2008. There are 44 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History:
On Nov. 17, 1968, the NBC television network outraged football fans by cutting away from the closing minutes of a New York Jets-Oakland Raiders game to begin a special presentation of "Heidi" on schedule. (Home viewers were prevented from seeing the Raiders come from behind to beat the Jets, 43-32.)

Bushes and Obamas: All smiles at White House

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:15:00 EST

WASHINGTON — All smiles and compliments, President-elect Obama and his wife, Michelle, called on President Bush and first lady Laura Bush yesterday in a White House visit that was part political ritual, part practical introduction and a striking symbol of the historic transfer of power to come.

Bailout for AIG swells to more than $150B

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:14:00 EST

WASHINGTON — When the government offered an emergency loan to insurer American International Group in September, eyebrows shot up at the $85 billion price tag. Now it looks like pocket change.
The size of the AIG lifeline swelled to more than $150 billion yesterday, a record for a private company. But the head of the broader financial rescue package was cool to other companies reaching for a piece of the bailout pie.

President-elect plans US terror trials to replace Guantanamo

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:14:00 EST

WASHINGTON — President-elect Obama's advisers are crafting plans to close the Guantanamo Bay prison and prosecute terrorism suspects in the United States, a plan the Bush administration said yesterday was easier said than done.

Circuit City files for bankruptcy protection

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:13:00 EST

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — In the 59 years since Circuit City began as a humble television store in this sleepy Southern capital, none of its actions have been as arduous as those of late.
In recent months, the nation's second-largest consumer electronics retailer has defused a proxy battle, opened its books to potential buyers, changed management and closed stores.

Today in History

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:25:00 EST

Today is Monday, Nov. 10, the 315th day of 2008. There are 51 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History:
On Nov. 10, 1775, the U.S. Marines were organized under authority of the Continental Congress.

Arizona town offers support for accused boy's family

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:58:00 EST

ST. JOHNS, Ariz. (AP) — People in this small, tight-knit community are reeling from the killing of a well-liked man police say was shot by his own 8-year-old son, and they will likely turn out in droves for his funeral.

It's transition time, too, for Michelle Obama to first lady

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:32:00 EST

WASHINGTON — She's been compared to Jacqueline Kennedy, is every bit as high-powered as Hillary Rodham Clinton was and has praised Laura Bush's calm and rational approach to issues.
So what kind of first lady will Michelle Obama be?

Obama to use executive orders for swift impact

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:29:00 EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Obama plans to use his executive powers to make an immediate impact when he takes office, perhaps reversing Bush administration policies on stem cell research and domestic drilling for oil and natural gas.

A worried America chooses its course for change

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:26:00 EST

In a season of profound political and cultural fissures, the American people stood together at the ballot box with a resounding chorus that drowned out their deep differences: Something, they said, has got to give.

Exit poll: Obama wins votes from women, blacks, Hispanics

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:26:00 EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama soaked up most of the votes from the nation's women, blacks and Hispanics and siphoned off enough white support to leave John McCain with no way to win.
Exit polls showed that Republican McCain won the votes of 55 percent of white voters, whose strong support has been vital to the GOP. But that wasn't a big enough margin to compensate for the lopsided support that Obama drew from other voters who make up a quarter of the electorate.

After election, new president has to wait 77 days

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:25:00 EST

WASHINGTON — The world is anxiously awaiting new ideas and fresh leadership from America's new president to deal with the economic crisis that has encircled the globe with sickening speed. Unemployment is climbing, the stock market has plummeted and businesses are teetering.

Democrats expand their control of Senate

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:25:00 EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats fattened their majority control of the Senate yesterday, ousting Republican Sens. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and John Sununu of New Hampshire and capturing seats held by retiring GOP senators in Virginia, New Mexico and Colorado.

Voters wait hours to cast ballots with few problems

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:04:00 EST

Lines stretched around buildings and down city blocks as people waited hours to cast ballots in the historic presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain. Some touch-screen machines briefly malfunctioned, but the country's election system seemed to run smoothly.

Obama on the ballot: Elation and disbelief

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:03:00 EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Less than five miles from the White House, separated by a river and so much history, people spoke of popping champagne, of winning the lottery. They remembered those who died before witnessing this day, and they stored away "I Voted" stickers as if they were precious heirlooms.

Obama triumphs, will be first black US president

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:55:00 EST

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama swept to victory as the nation's first black president last night in an Electoral College landslide that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.
The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his historic triumph by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.

Kerry re-elected to Senate

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:23:00 EST

BOSTON (AP) — Sen. John Kerry easily won re-election just four years after he fell short in his bid for the presidency.
The Massachusetts Democrat on Tuesday beat a fellow veteran, Republican Jeff Beatty, in his first campaign since failing as his party's 2004 White House nominee.

Shaheen wins Senate seat; Lynch re-elected

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:18:00 EST

(AP) — Jeanne Shaheen elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating John Sununu. Gov. John Lynch win third term.

Obama's grandmother, 86, dies just before Election Day

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:00:00 EST

HONOLULU — Barack Obama's grandmother, whose personality and bearing shaped much of the life of the Democratic presidential contender, has died, Obama announced yesterday, one day before the election. Madelyn Payne Dunham was 86.

Today in History

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:30:00 EST

Today is Monday, Nov. 3, the 308th day of 2008. There are 58 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History:
One hundred years ago, on Nov. 3, 1908, Republican William Howard Taft was elected president, outpolling Democrat William Jennings Bryan.