Urinetown's creative team alleges Midwest productions copped their style--prompting an interesting question of whether intellectual property extends beyond the libretto. Jesus seen on dog's behind. Also: Where have we spotted Jesus this week? U.S. helps end Cuba's critical shortage of chainsaws, Godiva
Eat up company bandwidth: Al Jazeera English goes live. A profile of Dave Marsh, the face of Al Jazeera in the West. In today's Digest, Llewellyn Hinkes reconsiders music he thought he disliked. Drugs in cyclists: Transposing a single digit could mean Rob Landis is innocent. Drugs in
The numbers kidnapped from Baghdad's Higher Education Ministry yesterday vary, but government sources say almost 40 abductees have been freed. Op: Reid says Democrats plan to give a $75 billion boost to military spending. Bono gets his cowboy hat back. Newly elected Texas representative pledges to do as
Phone sex flourishes in Kandahar; Christian satellite channels less popular. Iranian action to restrain sectarian violence [in Iraq] should not be construed as support for Washington’s stabilization efforts. Local newspapers benefit from local owners; why not give your favorite billionaire one for the holidays? Male millionaires and women who
The death of Malachi Ritscher (the Chicago man who set himself on fire) in light of the music scene he loved. Growing number of countries are reversing the longstanding trend of destroying their forests. "Every single bomber or I.E.D. in one way or another is linked to
Up to 150 scientists and staff kidnapped from Baghdad research institute. Israel would not oppose U.S.-Iranian negotiations. Ahmadinejad: "We will soon witness [Israel's] disappearance and destruction." Analyzing the American-Israeli alliance in light of recent events. Lawyers' group asks Germany to sue Rumsfeld
Wal-Mart brings back "Merry Christmas" while Best Buy stands firm behind "Happy Holidays." Diagnose your own tone-deafness. Everything you'd ever wanted to know about American women and guns but were afraid to ask. The illustrated history of folding chairs. Italian trains can&
Ann Coulter alleged to have voted in the wrong Palm Beach precinct to avoid acknowledging her address. Tungsten addicts--as in, everyone--should hope China never stops exporting. Libel tourism: When wealthy foreigners sue American writers and publishers in England. Your favorite Flak Magazine, now available as Flak radio. It&
It's National Fig Month, according to the Dull Men's Club. From car bombs in Baghdad to food pantries in Brooklyn. Not everybody is giggling at Madonna. He boasted in his memoirs that if he went down in espionage history, it should be for perfecting the use
Rumsfeld resigns, to be replaced by former CIA chief Robert Gates; Montana is called for Democrat Tester. The official "Rumsfeld Rules," pragmatic advice from the man himself on how to survive in Washington [PDF]. The Democracy Now interview with Bernie Sanders, the first socialist ever elected to the
