1 November 2007: Morning

  • Madrid bombing verdict: 21 convictions, some sentenced up to 40,000 years, others less than 20, seven acquitted.
  • An account of the 2004 explosions, their political ramifications, and a photo of the defendants guffawing in court.
  • Victims' families distraught over acquittals, light sentences; theories on the verdict.
  • Much that is hurt and disappointed in me feels momentarily allayed, and almost healed, when I am in the spell of her art. Schjeldahl on Kahlo.
  • Thank you for flying Singapore Airlines. Please fasten your seatbelt and refrain from sexual intercourse.
  • U.K. building towns around obesity-reducing guidelines, including regular weigh-ins for schoolchildren.
  • When someone under 12 sets a fire, his or her actions are considered "playing with fire" and not arson. Prosecutors eye the 10-year-old who burned up 38,000 acres, 21 homes.
  • Security at Belgian jails can be lackluster: a prisoner's fourth escape, hijacked helicopters, 20-some still at large.
  • Co-founder of Sire Records, realtor Linda Stein was murdered in her Upper East Side apartment on Tuesday.
  • What really happened at the Democratic debate this week? Kucinich phoned home.
  • "Keep elevating the threat"... "link Iraq to Iran"... develop "bumper sticker statements"... As war cheerleader, Rumsfeld wrote 20 to 60 memos a day.
  • Civilian deaths plunge in Iraq--some credit the surge, others segregation.
  • Bombings kill at least 16 across Baghdad, but the real concern is the threat of Turkish attacks.
  • Requiem for the last American soldier to die in Iraq.