Behind-the-scenes saga of public health officials tracking swine flu from day one. Hoping to appear strong, Egypt orders all its pigs slaughtered, and then is mocked for a dumb reaction. The more Obama raises U.S. government spending, the better Canada looks to private investors. Saturday morning read:
W.H.O. says reports of swine flu are on a slow rise, with the total confirmed cases now at 331. Interactive graphic shows the international spread of swine flu from its epicenter in Mexico. Hog farmers ask everyone to stop calling it swine flu, and want you to know
Western analysts flattered but uneasy about jihadists expressing thanks for their understanding. Original reporting of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi citing Western scholars. Fascinating consideration of wife-hierarchy now that South Africa will have a polygamist president. Video: Student footage of Rice defending "enhanced interrogation" techniques as legal and
W.H.O. raises swine flu to pandemic status; scientists say the annual flu season is more deadly. Obama spends his 100th day address on swine flu, tells Americans to cover mouths, wash hands. U.K. ends combat operations in Iraq, withdraws troops. In the old days, politics was something
"Yes We Can Iran": Ahmadinejad borrows Obama's slogan for June election. Snowe: Specter's defection is a sign Republicans must heed Reagan's call that the party should tolerate inner disagreements. Synchrony rituals are powerful; moving and singing in unison builds group cohesiveness, provides
House approves Obama's budget plan 233-193 without a single Republican vote. Facebook-style visualization of the Senate shows Specter never had many Republican friends. Nine moments that mattered in Obama's first 100 days. Even during the Depression, I'm not sure prices fell this
As swine flu cases crop up around the world, countries tighten border controls, brace for the threat of infection. A culture built on physical contact has become a culture muted by fear, by suspicion, a distrust of others, and even ourselves. Daniel Hernandez on All Things Considered. After the SARS
Iceland pisses on its disgraced bankers. White-collar workers in China are adopting English names to achieve Chinese-nationalist economic goals. China undergoes educational upheaval with too many graduates, too much debt, too few jobs. Op: The University must die so that academia can live. Flus are unpredictable and they
Regarding torture: Just because you scored after harpooning the goalie, doesn't suddenly make harpooning OK. We have become so casual about torture that we now openly debate its efficacy. Mexico abandons its "centuries-old Napoleonic system of closed-door, written inquisitions." Study finds a wealthy child
Op: Hope glimmers that the financial crisis has peaked, though recovery will require a lower speed limit, diminished expectations. From February: "Stimulus bill headed for passage minus pandemic funds." In Mexico City, Obama was received by Felipe Solis, an archaeologist who died a day later--Obama's
