Headlines from November 9, 2010

After voting mishaps, Connecticut's rising-star secretary of state finds herself in Katherine Harris territory.
The two men had played together, prayed together, and politicked together. How the election injured G.O.P. nepotism.
Lest anyone get too caught up in nostalgia--reminders of why the Bush presidency was as bad as you thought.
Progress is not the same as perfection, and shifting sand is not the same as progress. How we got from Bush to Obama to last week.
According to a U.K. survey, smokers stop quitting during a recession--researchers blame lack of "mental energy."
The L.A. Philharmonic prepares to live transmit performances to more than 450 movie theaters throughout the U.S. and Canada.
We know the Earth is covered with water and filled with it--scientists want to figure out how it got here.
Despite forensic show hype, scientific evidence is often negligible in murder trials.
Geneticist Malli Adrayha is on a global mission to find the perfect fig for American cultivation.
Michael Specter evaluates the dangers of TB, and whether a new device could save millions.
In decline, their minor virtues come into focus: people spend less time telling you how fortunate you are to be there. Why Tony Judt loved New York's twilight.
Does the Fed print money? If so, how? Questions for the Economist's U.S. correspondent about the basics of monetary policy.
Just like the title says: Lazy Self-Indulgent Book Reviews.
Wonderful glance at sunspots, our Sun's extra-violent explosions which may or may not vary climate.
Terrorists are evil and they may be part of the solution. Diplomat on when to talk to terrorists.
Being afraid of terrorists makes parents dictators toward their children.
Terrorism, violence, and war shown to be addictive--simplifying life and providing purpose.
Evidence-based findings show which myths about grief aren't true.
Many conditions are sufficient for war to occur, but none are necessary. Mead says war is an invention.
Economist hugs his employees; "if I hug everyone this cannot be construed as harassment."
Infant foreskins sold by hospitals for various uses: cosmetics, skin grafts, medical research.
Obama gets lukewarm reviews for dancing in India, but history shows he may bust looose if he wins reelection.
Zimbabwe's Mugabe, 86, stars in hip-hop video to connect with voters.
Disappointing: APEC does away with world-leaders-in-flowing-robes photo-op tradition.
Savvy teens' Facebook risk-reduction strategies include the "super-logoff"--useful when they're present, dead when they're away.
Video: Five-minute account of how a YouTube video inspires a riot.
Video: Cleveland responds to LeBron's Nike commercial.