Tuesday September 19, 2006

The Final Word: “Bad Idea Jeans Edition”

(The media experiment in which we conjoin the headline and last paragraph of each bylined article in the A-section of today's New York Times.)

Page 1

Canadians Fault U.S. for Its Role in Torture Case:

Mr. Arar recently moved to Kamloops, British Columbia, where his wife found a teaching position.

Campaign Gifts From Big Insurer Elude the Limit:

Mr. Spitzer's campaign has said that its policy is not to accept contributions from anyone who is the subject of an investigation by the attorney general's office, but that it will not return contributions made by companies or individuals before they come under investigation.

Critics of War Spare Senator in Close Race:

"I think he's almost hoping for self-immolation on the Democratic side," Mr. Smith said. "That seemed like a pretty decent strategy three or four months ago. I don't think that looks like such a decent strategy now."

On India’s Despairing Farms, a Plague of Suicide:

Ms. Shende, squatting in the narrow village lane, shrouded her face in her cheap blue sari and wailed at the top of her lungs. "Your father is dead," she screamed at her small son, who stood before her, dazed.

It's Muslim Boy Meets Girl, Yes, but Please Don't Call It Dating:

"I think I can hold out a couple more years," he said in his soft Texas drawl with a boyish smile. "The sooner the better, but I think I can wait. By 30, hopefully, even if that is kind of late."

Struggle for Sobriety That Knows No Party Lines:

Mr. Ramstad says he has come to "love Patrick like a brother," although there is more of a paternal tone to his manner when they are together. At one point during the interview, Mr. Ramstad tells him to turn off his hyperactive cellphone. Mr. Kennedy sheepishly obliges. He says he is learning to take instructions from a Republican.

Other News

Afghan Suicide Bombs Kill 18, Including 4 Canadian Soldiers:

The three bombings in one day were a clear escalation in insurgent tactics, possibly linked to Mr. Karzai's visit to the United States and to NATO claims of success on the battlefield.

Iran’s Freeze on Enrichment Could Wait, France Suggests:

The Europeans say they have no confidence that Mr. Larijani has full authority to negotiate on behalf of Iran's leadership. They say that at times Mr. Larijani admits he is not sure how far he is authorized to go.

Mets 4, Marlins 0: It's All Good. No, It's Better Than That.:

This year's team does not have the superior pitching or the disarming arrogance of the '86 team, the last Mets club to win the World Series, but it can rest easy. In two weeks, the postseason begins and the Mets — finally the division champions — will be part of it.

International

In Gaza, the Rule by the Gun Draws Many Competitors:

Not far away from the store is a house on a plot of land. The owner died recently, and his son lives abroad. An armed member of another clan came by, neighbors said, to claim the house. He is a member of Mr. Abbas's presidential guard, and the neighbors expect him to move in any day now.

São Paulo Journal: Soccer Skirmish Turns Spotlight on Brazil's Racial Divide:

"All I wanted was an apology," Mr. Andrade said. "I always addressed him by his rank, always treated him respectfully, and he should do the same to me. Now I hope the whole black race will have the courage to denounce prejudice so that our children will not have to accept these offenses."

Five Nations to Tax Airfare to Raise Funds for AIDS Drugs:

The United Nations AIDS agency estimates that only about 80,000 of the 660,000 children who need antiretroviral drugs globally are getting them. Mr. Clinton said in an interview yesterday that the money from Unitaid means poor countries with high H.I.V. infection rates would not have to ask themselves, "Shall I save three 20-year-olds or two kids?"

Departing Japanese Leader Shook Up Politics as Usual:

Mr. Koizumi showed little interest in addressing those concerns. After passing the law to change the postal savings system last fall, which Mr. Koizumi had long regarded as the glue that held together the old Japan, he appeared to lose passion for his job. In June, he refused to extend a parliamentary session despite unfinished legislative business. He could not wait to leave the building, it was said, so that he could go to the United States and travel with Mr. Bush to Graceland.

Somali President Survives Suicide Bomb; 8 Others Are Killed:

"But they are our friends and our brothers," he said. "We are concerned for them."

U.N. Rights Chief Urges Monitors for Sri Lanka:

The killing of 17 aid workers in eastern Sri Lanka last month drew attention to the dangers facing aid agencies in the country. Ms. Arbour said that "restrictions on humanitarian access have been imposed by both sides," making things worse for civilians trapped by fighting.

Attacks in Iraq Leave 23 Dead as Talks Lag on Autonomy:

"Until now, I suffer from the pain," he said. "When I take my glasses off in front of my children, they tell me to put them back on because they get scared of the way my eyes look."

Gauging the Likelihood of a Photo Opportunity Not Taken:

Mr. Bush also met with the leaders of El Salvador, Honduras and Tanzania, before attending a Republican fund-raiser last night at the home of the financier Henry R. Kravis. White House officials said that on Thursday Mr. Bush would focus on Darfur. They hinted that he would appoint a new envoy for the region and did not dispute reports that it would be Andrew S. Natsios, a former United States Agency for International Development administrator.

National Report

Princeton Stops Its Early Admissions, Joining Movement to Make Process Fairer:

Not all of the presidents agree on what needs fixing in college admissions. Many of the most prestigious colleges do not offer merit aid, and some of the less selective institutions are still determined to increase their number of applicants each year, to find more good students and achieve a broader mix in their freshman classes. But many of them believe it is time to take some risks. "If we can't behave well," said Thomas H. Parker, dean of admissions and financial aid at Amherst, "then who can?"

States Await Ruling on Use of Lethal Injection:

"Whether we win or lose," Mr. Doss said, "it's not going to go away. Each and every person coming up behind us is going to raise this issue."

Ohio Lawmaker Who Took Illegal Gifts Rebuffs Calls to Resign:

Despite his acknowledgment of corruption, Mr. Ney may still be able to look forward to a Congressional pension. As a result of the uproar over the lobbying scandals focused on Mr. Abramoff, House leaders proposed new rules this year to block pension benefits for former members convicted of a crime. But the new rules were never approved.

Report Critical of Training of Teachers:

"We should not abandon the schools that produce the highest number of teachers," Sharon Robinson, president of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, said at the news conference. "Rather, we should focus on them."

Proposal on Military Chaplains and Prayer Holds Up Bill:

"Sensitivity is only a word," Mr. Jones said. "You don't have to tell people of faith to be sensitive."

Experts Say Bush's Goal in Terrorism Bill Is Latitude for Interrogators' Methods:

Mr. Graham said, "Everybody felt like what we were telling each other is: 'We share the same goals. We have a different way of achieving them. Let's see if we can write the legislation to meet our goals.' "

Man Charged in Transport of Asian Cats in a Carry-On:

Even Mr. Mulloy's method of concealment is not unprecedented. Among the nation's greatest hits in the wildlife smuggling oeuvre were snakes in the pants of a man crossing the border in 1997, noticed by border control agents who saw his khakis moving in an unusual manner.

An Eerie Quiet at Duquesne After 5 Students Are Shot:

"My mother called today to say that she got the blood out of the jersey I was wearing," he said.

Man With Gun Leads Police on Chase Through the Capitol:

While security around the Capitol increased significantly after the 1998 shooting, and again after the terrorist attacks of September 2001, there have been several security alerts involving the office buildings for members of Congress and their employees.