On Monday, seven U.S. troops were killed in Afghanistan--the largest one-day death toll in months. A savvier China spins unrest; the state has invited foreign journalists to Xinjiang "to know better about the riots." Obama and Medvedev agree to reduce American and Russian strategic nuclear
Op: The aid community should be less surprised that Liberia's Johnson Sirleaf has been banned from office. Reasons why baby-seal hunters use clubs instead of guns. Doctor says "most doctors today, whether in academic or private practice, constantly have to think about money." Teacher'
Volatile oil prices mean businesses can't plan, could jeopardize economic recovery. Had she refused John McCain, Palin would still be a popular female governor in a Republican Party starved for future stars. The mainstream media responds: Palin is hardly ordinary; how can she equate herself with "ordinary
Obama and Medvedev disagree on missile defense, agree on arms reduction. New scandal emerges for Sarkozy-haters, though it may in the end merely simmer. Mystery of a U.S. immigrant whose death in detention goes uncounted, even though his arrest helped boost agency statistics. "Herc and the Modern
Fascinating profile of one governor's election as a study of drugs in Mexican politics. Iraq war video game incites fury, raises ethical questions, gets pulled from production. Instapaper for Saturday morning: Why groups do things that group members would never do on their own. Another good July 4th
"We never thought we would do it again." California readies more than $53 million in IOUs, mainly for residents awaiting tax refunds. Krugman: The turmoil of states' budgets and yesterday's jobs report mean we need a bigger stimulus, now. Rising unemployment rates beget tightened immigration
The new U.S. strategy in Afghanistan begins today, as thousands of Marines fan out to villages, many on foot. Traveling in California and New York the last couple of weeks, Timothy Egan notices something different: American flags. "A majority of society, of which I personally am a member,
Charting better and worse governance over the last decade. Fantastic: Boyfriend of Berlusconi's alleged teenaged mistress says his relationship was staged. India decriminalizes homosexuality; five countries still punish it by death. Europe lifts ban on oddly shaped fruits. Building evolutionary trees with perfect math takes forever; shakier math
After an eight-month battle, Minnesota declares Al Franken its next U.S. Senator--and seals a filibuster-proof majority. Shiite militia leaders in Iraq say the resolve of their backers, hard-liners in Iran, means more orders to step up attacks. As troops depart Iraq's cities, U.
BRICs--Brazil, Russia, India, China--continue investing in Africa, looking for benefits in the long haul. Chávez finds it sticky linking Obama to the Honduras coup; opposition says he's "the George Bush of Latin America." New York dyke "blown away" by the queer party
