* Papandreou says he's ready to kill the referendum idea on Greece's eurozone bailout deal. * Other species on Earth that exceed, equal, or approach the seven-billion mark. * Bengalese finches' tweets tested for grammatical order. * Kenya's message of peace, with thousands of troops on
* Despite tension in Kashmir, Pakistan agrees to normalize trade relations with India. * Catapults seized that smugglers used to fling weed over the border. * "The Shameless Republican Race to Cut Rich People's Taxes." * U.S. drops from fourth place to 23rd in global test for internal inequalities
* Merkel would like "clarity" on the whole Greece risking a big populist "no" vote and chaotic E.U. exit. * Former skinhead renounces hate, needs 25 surgeries to remove tattoos. * Infographics are a thoroughly Victorian, not modern, phenomenon. * Tweeting Birmingham, England's newspaper ads of yore.
* Iowa uninterested in Herman Cain's sexual-harassment past. * Is Jon Huntsman fluent in Chinese? The answer appears to be no. * Obama gets to say things Cameron can't—Brits reach for Shakespeare, Americans for Lincoln. * Scientists tell subjects that fingernail-on-chalkboard sound is contemporary music; subjects
The view from Chatham County, NC.
* Chart shows how many Manhattans, standing-room only, are required by seven billion people. * Chinese immigrants explain why they're in Laos. * Whether or not to spank a child. * Anticipating tomorrow's Biblioracle session on TMN: "A book everyone should read and why." * Issue two of
* Since 2001, Britain consumes less stuff; economy grows without noticeably increasing resource use. * Jon Lee Anderson on contemporary Libya and the fall of Gadhafi. * Zambians proud of their stability, with an ousted president retiring with grace. * Historian on extinct states in Europe offers five books to read now and why.
* Everyone thinks women fall in love more easily, but a study of college students finds the opposite. * Lament of an aging professor observing his own brain slowing down, with a killer conclusion. * University of Chicago hosts Jersey Shore academic conference. * Funded by Jeff Bezos, the 10,000-year clock will
* Studies find mind-reading is now feasible, if a bit crude. * Phrases like "god particle" may drive scientists batty, but they stoke interest that promotes research. * Photos leak from "foreclosure mill" law firm Halloween Party that mocked evicted homeowners. * Photographs taken inside haunted houses when the
* Much of the growth beyond seven billion people will come from fragile states. * Businesses from NATO countries hope Libyan gratitude becomes opportunity to cash-in. * Equatorial Guinea invites first delegation to see how the country has changed—it hasn't. * From last year: TMN's Liz Entman watched
