* Grim outlook for the U.S. economy, with high odds for a double dip—and it's all our politicians' fault. * With his positions largely unknown, Obama stared into the eyes of history and averted his gaze. * Police threaten to arrest people inciting violence in London via Twitter.
* A U.S. ban on conflict minerals has helped the Congolese warlords it intended to depose. * Researchers find that birds abused as chicks grow up to abuse others. * In Chile, anti-government protestors accuse rescued miners of selling out, throw fruit. * After 12 years of diminished hauls, Long Island lobstermen
* After ferocious assault, Syria claims to have put down revolt in Hama, hundreds of civilians feared dead. * Standard and Poor's math mistake miscalculated debt projection by $2 trillion. * Timely Kickstarter project: "Is Capitalism Working for You," interactive public art strapped to a truck. * Five-star hotel
* New York bank soon to start charging negative interest, or fees to hold your cash. * Video: A trip to the wilds of Brooklyn, where the bodega cat reigns supreme. * Air France reportedly staffs Paris-bound Strauss-Kahn flight with all-male cabin crew. * Internal Stasi photos shows masters--and sometimes
* Chinese parents whose children were kidnapped by government-sanctioned officials find little justice. * Feds may have let Sinaloa cartel move cocaine into the U.S. in exchange for information on rivals. * Tale of sidekick's botched escape from New York-Albanian mob, recently exploded by police. * New images provide
* Mogadishu included among three new regions added to Somalia's famine. * Gadhafi's son forging an alliance with radical Islamists within Libya's rebels. * Our generation's new collective goal—health—is futile considering the likelihood of, you know, death. * Lesbian couple saved 40 kids from
* Explaining the moon's variable terrain and lopsidedness, scientists say it may once have been two moons. * Quora users collect "some of the most important, iconic, and/or beautiful scientific images." * Texas drought drops lake levels enough to uncover new Columbia wreckage. * Interview with an Amarillo church
* Op: We've always tried to fight invasive species, but they have an important environmental role. * Scientists tempt bees with food, shake them in a box, conclude they may have feelings. * Famous resignations. * Beyond the fake Apple Store, shoppers in China visit knockoff Ikeas, Dairy Queens, and Subways. * Illustrators
* Saudi lawmakers create "blistering array" of punishments for anyone "harming the interests of the state." * Tennessee introduces bill to punish "material support" for Islamic law. * Italy calls emergency talks as market pressure sucks it deeper into euro danger zone. * Novelist Richard Powers reports from
* British women determine Pippa Middleton's "Royal Mocha" skin tone to be "most desirable" of all shades. * Fighting in Afghanistan, Ivory Coast, Chad, and Libya, France's military feared to be stretched too thin. * North Korea eager to resume six-party talks, "without
