Headlines from November 1, 2007

Reviewing the next steps in Spanish politics in light of the bombing verdicts.
Our friends and allies would be more confident to stand with us if we seek to increase pressure, including tougher sanctions on Iran. Letter from Senator Hegel to Bush pleading for talks with Iran.
Blackwater hires big guns to plead its case to the world.
Hundreds of diplomats upset after State forces them to take jobs in Iraq, "potential death sentences."
Out-of-towners account for 10 percent of New York suicides since 1990.
Survey finds former child soldiers are rarely "damaged, traumatized pariahs who pose an ongoing security threat after war."
Father of Marine wins $11 million in damages from anti-gay religious group that pickets soldiers' funerals.
Much of that group's anger, however, is directed at an unlikely target: Sweden.
What happens when a country's economics, mapped on a plot, actually resemble the country in question.
Some orthodontists have called it Halloween Hell, Candy Craze and, this year, Black Thursday. Orthodontists can't take vacation in early November.
Now that Ron Paul's fan base includes sophisticated spammers, will junk mail elect a libertarian?
Video question of the day: Will champion walker run when samurais attack him?
Hertzmann instructs on how to keep the edge on your knives.
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.