13 August 2008: Afternoon

National Geographic story hunts for Persia’s life-loving roots in Iran’s intolerant present.

Russian Times online readers answer questions about Russia and Georgia.

Op: It will take skill and patience to get Russia to a soft landing, and Moscow’s record at soft landings is not good.

McCain (and Obama to some degree) talk one way about the energy crisis and fundamentally act another.

Latitude lacks in McCain’s anti-choice actions, even if his statements are muddled.

Independent fact-checkers work to quell “conservative echo-chamber” surrounding anti-Obama book; author says they’re “nit-picking.”

Millions relieved after Reverend Wright’s new upcoming book is revealed not to exist.

It’ll be the kids growing up with an Obama presidency who could change race politics forever.

Post-Hillary, seven Democratic women to watch.

The secret to the perfect hair that doesn’t seem to move is horse cartilage. Quasi-science facts about synchronized swimming.

What contemporary China really looks like: Picture China.

Photos of blue screens of death from Beijing’s opening ceremonies.

British journalist roughed up by Beijing police at pro-Tibet protest in formerly mistranslated “Racist Park.”

Guide to pirating the Olympics, then and now.

Even if it means “panda porn,” China wants finicky pandas to mate more.