In a "gesture of goodwill," Israel to release 250 Palestinian prisoners. Zimbabwe government orders all prices halved to fight a soaring inflation rate--3,700 percent at last check. Delegitimization of state, factionalized elites: The Failed States Index doesn't leave much to the imagination. Chatty doctors
Supreme Court significantly weakens McCain-Feingold's restrictions on special-interest-funded ads. What America knows, a Newsweek poll suggesting that John Roberts could be hotter. This week's must reads: The Post's "Angler" series about Cheney's term. George Packer's
Suicide bombings kill 40 in Iraq today, including six U.S.-allied sheikhs and eight police cadets. California wildfires destroy 200 homes and near Tahoe city limits. Hamas releases audio message from Israeli soldier captured one year ago. Army of Islam releases a video message from kidnapped BBC reporter, now
Bomb kills six U.N. peacekepers in south Lebanon, the type of attack Hezbollah has feared it will be blamed for. Rice and Sarkozy find common ground in blaming the world for being soft with Sudan. Terrific, frightening summary of Iran's current crackdown on dissenters. Patriotism, testosterone plummets
TMN is currently on its annual retreat and will resume publishing on Monday, June 25--until then, perhaps you'd like to fill out our reader survey and maybe win a new iPod? Change in the rules for war casualty photos requires soldier signatures. Motion sensors at home may
Israel allows 140 Russians to leave Gaza, remains tight-lipped on fates of Palestinians who also want to flee. Questions and answers about the Palestinian territories' two governments. Unlike East Germany's government, Hamas has been democratically elected. Why the West Bank is not like West Berlin. Palestinians
Major offensive in Iraq as U.S. forces target al-Qaeda stronghold. Baghdad car bomb kills at least 75. Bulls, china: Troops in Iraq receive archaeological playing cards on how to preserve antiquities. Cuba's unofficial first lady, Vilma Espin, dies at 77. New York's Chelsea Hotel
U.S. sets free millions to Fatah so Abu Mazan can survive; Gaza gets lopped off, and a democratically-elected government topples. How to make a living smuggling weapons into Gaza. Pakistani minister calls for suicide attack after Rushdie is to be knighted. Hersh on Taguba, the Abu Ghraib investigator.
Casual wardrobes devoted to saving energy in China. Boy meets girl, girl dumps boy, boy maims girl with lye, boy serves time, boy proposes, girl accepts. Stolen car stolen again the same day. Germany's Robin Hood banker sentenced for his non-profit embezzlement. Retired bullfighter returns to Barcelona
One effect of the U.S. attorneys' firings: "Targeted for political reasons" may be popularized as a courtroom defense. Top general in Iraq says surge results won't be sufficient by September, check back in a few years. Targeting al Qaeda in Afghanistan, U.S. airstrikes
