Headlines from December 15, 2008

Reporting from the Congo continues to be a war correspondents' Everest, painting the craft as a noble, mythical undertaking.
Found yourself hugging a Rembrandt as SWAT burst in next door? You're probably an art-crime agent.
The country will be ruled by his slash-and-burn ideology for a long time to come. Bush's last-minute regulations may repay his benefactors.
During Kabul speech, Iraqi journalist throws his shoes at Bush.
"Why does Saddam Hussein sound like my old grocer in Jerusalem?" This may be Hollywood's Arab moment, and Israelis are getting all the parts.
Video: Just Like the Movies splices footage to create a movie that feels like Sept. 11.
"I could probably live here for $100 a month. There's a lot of gourmet shops here that throw out great food." Reasons to love New York in 2008.
Video from Charlie White's new film, OMG BFF LOL: Mall, Bathroom, Bedroom.
More from White in TMN Galleries: "Monsters."
The Guardian tracks down the real people who inspired famous pop songs.
"I don't see the kids or Diane as often as I should." From 2002, Paul Ford finds the fake people who didn't really inspire famous pop songs.
With gifts worse than coal: the Bad Gift Emporium.
Video: Warm holiday greetings.
Thousands in Iraq rally for release of "shoe-bomber"; Saddam's lawyer, along with 200 more, will defend him for free.
Of course: The inevitable online video game.
Retrospective of video game design since 1990.
Instapaper for the commute: Zadie Smith on her father's comedy snobbery.
Note: Mugabe was being sarcastic when describing the cholera epidemic as "cured" last week.
Five former Latin American presidents urge Obama to pursue free trade.
Op: Under Obama, we'll see more lobbying, not less, and for good or for ill, it's democracy in action.
Times op-ed contributors on how Obama can keep us safe (e.g., clear up the wiretapping mess).
It's hard to overstate the economic impact that a new plant can have. How the auto world's "little eight" have transformed the American south.
The news may lead you to believe otherwise, but Florida, Rhode Island, and D.C. all beat Illinois for state corruption.
Finland's population the most promiscuous of major countries, report finds.
Bizarre teeth of beaked male whales found to attract mates.
This year, more than ever, people afflicted by "compulsive buying" have it tough.
The photo that says a thousand words for us right now (see here for explanation).
Top 10 books in Mexico last week; "Best of Asia" in 2008 for the Japan Times.
Times analysis for David Foster Wallace's college philosophy thesis.
Fluxus artist George Brecht dead at 82.
A fugue for traffic in Mexico City; a paean to ghosts in Bangkok.