JANUARY 28, 2004

Full News Archive

• Headline: Kerry's Triumph in New Hampshire Primary. Impact: Kerry's victory led to a series of increasingly awkward Democratic debates, ultimately setting the stage for the 2004 election where Howard Dean’s infamous 'scream' became a meme. This vocal explosion may have inadvertently inspired future political candidates to embrace theatrical antics, effectively turning debates into reality shows.. Fact: Did you know that Howard Dean’s scream is still considered the most impressive vocal performance this side of a heavy metal concert? Talk about range!.
• Headline: 9/11 Commission Seeks Deadline Extension. Impact: The 9/11 Commission's need for more time led to a prolonged national conversation about security and civil liberties. This, in turn, sparked the rise of conspiracy theories more convoluted than a time travel plot, with folks debating whether the report was just a cover-up for a reality show about aliens.. Fact: Did you know that the 9/11 Commission's eventual report was so lengthy that it could've been used as a doorstop, or perhaps a very heavy pillow for catching up on sleep?.
• Headline: Ohio Gambler's Kidnapping Scheme Unraveled. Impact: Douglas Warner's ill-fated kidnapping attempt showcased the lengths desperate gamblers will go to. This incident would later inspire countless bad TV dramas, leading to a culture of glorifying crime as a ‘get-rich-quick’ scheme that still permeates pop culture today.. Fact: Did you know that the odds of successfully kidnapping someone for ransom are roughly equivalent to winning the lottery? But hey, at least the lottery doesn't land you in jail... usually..
• Headline: World Business Briefing | Asia: Japan: Drug Maker Increases Sales. Impact: Takeda Chemical Industries' sales increase was a small victory in the corporate world, but it set off a chain reaction of pharmaceutical companies trying to one-up each other, leading to an era of drug commercials featuring more side effects than actual benefits—a trend that continues to confuse and amuse.. Fact: Did you know that if you take enough drugs advertised on TV, you might just be able to convince yourself that you're feeling better, even if it’s just the side effect of being utterly bewildered?.
• Headline: World Business Briefing | Asia: India: Power Plant Planned. Impact: Reliance Group's ambitious power plant project became a catalyst for India’s energy expansion, causing a chain reaction of ecological debates and protests that would have environmentalists scratching their heads in confusion about whether to cheer for progress or weep for the planet.. Fact: Did you know that building the world's largest gas-run power plant is like trying to win a race with a three-legged tortoise? Sure, it sounds impressive, but the finish line is a long way off!.