C.I.A. invests in a search engine that mines data to predict the future. Stephen Elliott, Blake Butler, and Christina Kingston confab on the challenges of intimacy on social networks. How e-reading changes your attention span; James Bridle explains shared reading through e-books. Conversations with David Sedaris
Trial of Russian arms dealer, if he talks, may cause "a new ice age" between U.S. and Russia. Iran's best-known Holocaust denier seeks to throw a rock at Israel from Lebanon. Newly discovered language, Koro, found to be spoken by a few hundred Indians.
Bulldozers working on 350 new settlement housing units; Netanyahu contemplates settlement freeze. Lithuania to debunk "dumb blonde" myth by creating island resort operated entirely by blonde staff. Rental friends in New York offer companionship, task-doing, shoulders to cry on. Twin attacks on Western targets in Yemen. Bolivia&
Nine years after Sept. 11, U.S. counter-terrorism analysts still frustrated with databases that won't talk to each other. In India, more parents are opting for c-sections to land on lucky birthdays. They adjust their equipment or spit into their gloves. How batters abuse the on-
Boom in medical marijuana ads fuel western newspapers; features include "Toke of the Town." Vatican denounces Berlusconi for telling his favorite anti-Semitic joke. Swiss right-wingers caricaturize Italians as rodents. Cameron: "There is an element of American conservatism that is headed in a very culture war
Corporations kept borrowing and saving to ride out the recession--unless they start spending, the economy will stay flat. "There's never been a recession for us." Pre-Giuliani-style squeegee man spotted. Theories conflict over whether unemployment makes you sick or being sick makes you unemployed.
Two hundred women raped in Luvungi, "the U.N.'s crowning failure" in Congo. Diplomats say Mitchell overstated initial success during peace talks. Medal of Honor makers remove option to play game as Taliban, replace it with "opposing force," e.g., al Qaeda. Op: D.
Pakistani military pushing for government shakeup. Ecuador's president will not forgive or forget kidnapping. Significant probability, says report, that Afghanistan's security forces won't be ready for transfer of responsibility. Palestinians expected to withdraw from negotations Saturday assuming settlement construction isn't halted. David
New power couple emerges in North Korea: Kim Jong-un's aunt and uncle. Gambian president brags of winning made-up awards, including an admiralship in Nebraska's Great Navy. Germany pays final debt for World War I: €69.9 million. Professional athletes' high salaries help them
Democrats up for reelection find distancing from Obama helps their chances for keeping their seats. The U.S. Postal Service may soon run out of cash, wants a 5.6% postage rate hike or $5 billion, or both. Across the country, the recession forced police departments to cut ranks--and
