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First Line News

Thursday, January 8, 2009

LDS Blog Chooses Romney As 2008 Mormon of the Year
Despite a strong campaign by supporters of Mormon blogger Stephanie Nielson and fans of singing sensation David Archuleta, the staff of Times and Seasons (http://www.timesandseasons.org) has selected Mitt Romney as 2008 Mormon of the Year.

LDS Temples Boost Property Values
Homeowners near the proposed site of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in Gilbert could see their property values increase, even in this depressed real-estate market.

LDS Church Imposes Hiring Freeze
In a written statement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Wednesday, that as of December 19, 2008, there is a hiring freeze of “…all Church employment in the United States and internationally, including BYU.”

Romney Returns to Business World, Marriott Board
Mitt Romney is making his first foray back into the business world, rejoining the board of directors for Marriott International Inc.

Israel Hit by Rockets From Lebanon; Clashes Rage in Gaza
Three rockets fired from Lebanon exploded in northern Israel on Thursday, the first since the Jewish state launched an offensive in Gaza two weeks ago, Israeli police said.

Obama Stumbles after Smooth Road to Top
In the past four days, President-elect Barack Obama, once lauded as having the smoothest transition to power in modern history, has learned how hard it is to navigate the political high wire.

Federal Judge to Hear Atheist's Attempt to Stop Inauguration Prayers
Will the Rev. Rick Warren be allowed to give the invocation at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama? Maybe not, if atheist Michael Newdow gets his way.

Obama, Bush and Ex-Presidents Have 'Historic Moment'
President-elect Barack Obama, President Bush and all of the surviving past presidents got together Wednesday for a historic meeting at the White House.

Unemployment Could Get 'Truly Gruesome', Analysts Predict
The job market was even weaker at the end of 2008 than earlier thought, according to new data that do not offer hope that the picture will brighten any time soon.

Signs of the Book of Mormon
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe the Book of Mormon to be the "keystone" of their religion. As such, it is no wonder that a number of Utah cities -- Nephi, Lehi, Bountiful, Manti and others -- derive their titles from this sacred book. Some church members over the years have also used Book of Mormon names for their children.

Washington Avalanches, Mudslides Send Residents Fleeing
More than 30,000 people were told to leave their flood-endangered homes in Western Washington on Wednesday as rain and high winds lashed much of Washington state, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides and high water that could reach record levels.

Man Allegedly Threatened to Bomb Jet in Los Angeles, FBI Says
A man who claimed to have a bomb aboard a Los Angeles-bound jetliner and was then tackled and bound by other passengers will not face federal charges, the FBI said Wednesday.

Obama Inauguration Attractive Target For Terrorist Attacks
The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.

Panetta Pick As CIA Chief under Fire
Could someone without intelligence experience effectively lead the United States' top spy agency, particularly in a time of war?

Ill. Panel Nears Decision on Blagojevich Impeachment
An Illinois House committee might decide as soon as Thursday whether to recommend the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, says Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, the panel's chairperson.

Judge Orders Homosexuals’ Names Placed on Adopted Boy’s La. Birth Certificate
The State of Louisiana is expected to appeal a federal court decision last week ordering the state’s Office of Vital Records to change a child’s birth certificate to list two homosexual men as his parents.

CDC: Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 388 in 42 States
An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning has made 388 people sick across 42 states, sending 18 percent of them to the hospital, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday.

Army Sorry for 'John Doe' Letters to Relatives of War Dead
The U.S. Army is apologizing to thousands of Army families who received letters beginning "Dear John Doe" after losing a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Russia-Ukraine 'Cold War' Grips Europe
Schools closed, heating shut down and nearly a dozen European nations reported a cutoff of natural-gas supplies in one of the coldest winters in recent memory.

Teen Birth Rates Up in 26 States
The newest and most detailed data on teen birth rates shows significant increases in 26 states and represents most regions of the USA.

C-sections Best for Baby When Close to Due Date
Babies do better after a scheduled Caesarean section if they're born no sooner than seven days before their due date, a new large study of U.S. births shows.

Drug from Genetically Engineered Goats a First
You've heard of making cheese from goats' milk, but prescription drugs? In what would be a scientific first, an anti-clotting drug made from the milk of genetically engineered goats moved closer to government approval Wednesday after experts at the Food and Drug Administration reported that the medication works and its safety is acceptable.

FDA Sends Out More Diet Pill Alerts; Criminal Charges Possible
The Food and Drug Administration is adding an additional 41 products to an alert about tainted diet pills issued late last month, bringing the total to 69, officials said Wednesday.

U.N. Chief Demands Gaza Cease-Fire as Truce Is Floated
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate end to fighting in the Gaza Strip during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council in New York late Tuesday.