Headlines from November 30, 2010

As a recession few economists saw coming enters the background, some look for new prediction models.
Obama takes initiative on economic reforms ahead of Republicans, proposes two-year federal pay freeze.
Moscow braced for the Wikileaks dump, though the data only proved what everyone knew: Medvedev is Robin, Putin is Batman.
Op: Wikileaks wins where investigative journalism comes up short--and secret diplomacy always finds a way to survive.
"It's one of the things I've always admired about you." Bush and the Zuck confab about the Facebook.
Parties to commemorate Confederate secession on the Civil War anniversary are criticized as glamorizing slavery.
The Bygone Bureau invites bloggers--including three of TMN's own--to pick the best blogs of 2010.
Simon Kuper explains how a group of 22 old men will pick the next World Cup host this Thursday.
"Think of the impact she has every Sunday." Professional football players reveal their secret weapon: Lisa Ripi, traveling N.F.L. acupuncturist.
Man indicted on charges he siphoned $5 million from Columbia University.
From Michael Jackson to Annie Leibovitz, fallen (but hopeful) celebrities are the newest business opportunity.
Pollan and Schlosser on the food safety bill: Finally, the F.D.A. would have the authority to test for pathogens and recall tainted food.
I have a fart machine that I usually bring with me. Leslie Nielsen: What I've Learned.
Al Qaeda launches glossy web magazine Inspire to rouse Americans to kill other Americans.
We're creating a tremendous reputational tax on the unethical. Wikileaks's Assanage says up next is a big bank.
State Department memo on how diplomats deal with walk-in informants.
White people outraged to be treated like criminals by T.S.A.; black and Hispanic Americans have long known the frisk.
Why Kanye's new album is $3.99 on Amazon: That's how Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend got to no. 1.
Cookbook authors and editors admit predicted cooking times are, as Chris Kimball says, "utter bullshit."
"Age arbitrage": when companies trade old employees for younger, cheaper workers elsewhere.
A lepidopterist mounting a tough-skinned insect. Rowan Somerville wins "Bad Sex in Fiction" award.
Lifetime of Updike in pictures; everything Garfunkel's ever read.

Art auction to benefit cancer patient includes work by Tema Stauffer, Swoon, etc.