ESPN Is Splitting With Bill Simmons, Who Offers an Uncharacteristic Word Count: Zero
Date: 09 May 2015
By RICHARD SANDOMIR
Richard SANDOMIR
Normally outspoken sportswriter Bill Simmons gives no public response to announcement that ESPN will not renew his contract; details of departure are not clear, but network will continue website Grantland, podcast BS Report and documentary film series 30 for 30 without distinct personality that started them.
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Appeal to Dwindling Core Proves Costly for Labour Party in Britain
Date: 10 May 2015
By STEVEN ERLANGER and STEPHEN CASTLE
Steven ERLANGER
News Analysis; stinging defeat suffered by Labour Party in Great Britain's elections points to party's failure to connect to voters as its traditional working class base fades; party is left to debate how to rework its central message and appeal to rising nationalism in both England and Scotland.
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Invite Some Germs to Dinner
Date: 10 May 2015
By KATE MURPHY
Kate MURPHY
News Analysis; consistent rates of food-borne illness in United States from the 1990s to present, despite advances in quality control and food processing, has led some experts to suggest hygiene hypothesis, namely that Americans are 'too clean'; absence of small doses of harmful or pathogenic bacteria may lead to weaker immune response due to less diverse microbiome.
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To Cameron, the Tory Victor, Now Go the Headaches
Date: 09 May 2015
By STEVEN ERLANGER
Steven ERLANGER
News Analysis; British Prime Min David Cameron, having won sweeping victory in country's general election and absolute majority in Parliament, faces several big challenges that temper sense of victory; among them are issues surrounding Britain's place in European Union and unity within United Kingdom itself, as well as far-right faction and divisions in his Conservative party.
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Crying ‘Gotcha’
Date: 10 May 2015
By MARK LEIBOVICH
Mark LEIBOVICH
Mark Leibovich First Words column examines rising sense among politicians that reporters are unfairly attacking them with 'gotcha' questions, or inquiries that are unwelcome, surprising and force politician to say things they would rather not say; contends crying 'gotcha' has become overused, reflexive defense that confuses difficult questions with irrelevant ones.
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Campus Debates on Israel Drive a Wedge Between Jews and Minorities
Date: 10 May 2015
By JENNIFER MEDINA and TAMAR LEWIN
Jennifer MEDINA
Student government councils in dozens of American colleges have passed resolutions urging school administrations to divest from companies that many see as helping Israel mistreat Palestinians; resolutions are inspired by Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions campaign; debates are emotional, with many minorities expressing solidarity with Palestinians, and supporters of Israel, worried that debates are motivated by anti-Semitism and a questioning of legitimacy of Israel itself.
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