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
Seventy-one-year-old Klansman convicted in 1964 kidnappings; British sleeper terrorists get 15 years to life. Not content with federal efforts, states speed laws through congresses, tackle illegal immigration on their own terms. Ban lifted for a one-time ivory sale--some conservationists applaud, others worry. A visit from
Hamas seizes Gaza control, potentially dooming the Palestinian vision of a unified Gaza and West Bank. Abbas tries to dissolve the Palestinian government--Hamas says he no longer has the authority. Hamas announces amnesty for all senior Fatah leaders. This summer in France, Count Rochambeau will hold a festival honoring
Executing opponents in the street, occupying half of Fatah's security compounds, Hamas may soon control Gaza. Beyond a few retribution attacks, Iraq remains calm after Wednesday's bombing of a Shiite shrine. Iran's parliament votes in favor of executing porno actors. Non-Middle East foreign
Hamas's demonstration of broad control in Gaza "a problem" for Israel; "madness is going on," says Abbas. Pentagon reports rise in violence in Iraq post-surge. Accident dries Rome's fountains; see ancient Rome in three dimensions. Report details hot nodes in human
Internal U.N. report says U.S. has sidelined the organization's role in the Middle East, everything else going to Hell. "If they were not used in Micronesia, they were definitely not used in the spirit of the way this was written." Boats earmarked for faith-
