Wednesday September 20, 2006

The Final Word: “Well Now That's Reassuring 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.)

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Doubts Increase About Strength of Iraq's Premier:

"With whom should we reconcile?" asked Sheik Muhammad Saleh al-Bajari, a spokesman for tribes in Falluja, the Sunni Arab stronghold. "With those who brought the occupier and killed and destroyed the future of this country?"

Presidents Spar Over Iran's Aims and U.S. Power:

In his remarks, Mr. Bush did not mention Mr. Ahmadinejad by name, directing his criticism at Iran's "leaders" in general. White House officials disputed any suggestion that Mr. Bush had avoided using the Iranian president's name so as not to inflame the situation.

For Governors in G.O.P. Slots, a Liberal Turn:

"He is a centrist Republican running in a state with heavy Democratic majority," said James G. Gimpel, a professor at the University of Maryland. "So the reality of re-election suggests that he has to do that. There aren't enough Republicans to elect him in this state even if they all turned out."

Settling Disputes Across a Table When Officer and Citizen Clash:

"I like the concept of mediation," he said. "I think it's win-win for both the public and for police officers who receive complaints. It gives everyone an opportunity to express their position."

For New-Sport Athletes, High School Finishes 2nd:

When it comes to homework, she said, "He waits till the last minute."

Other News

H.P. Is Said to Study Infiltrating Newsrooms:

Mr. Rapp said he had spoken with Mr. Wagoner twice yesterday. "He keeps trying to tell me that Action doesn't do that kind of work anymore," Mr. Rapp said. But he said Mr. Wagoner had told him that he did believe he had worked on H.P. case. "He did do the work," Mr. Rapp said. "He does remember that."

After Remark, Judge in Trial of Hussein Loses His Post:

"It's not clear whether the proper procedure was used or not," said Richard Dicker, the director of the international justice program at Human Rights Watch.

No Cutback Likely in U.S. Troop Levels for Iraq Before Spring, Top Regional Commander Says:

"I'm very, very skeptical about this notion that people who have been harbored in the tribal areas are no longer going to be harbored," he said. "I'll believe that when I see it."

Shuttle Mission Is Extended to Allow a Search for Damage:

If the shuttle passes inspection and the crew is not too tired, Mr. Hale said the Atlantis would be cleared to land in Florida on Thursday at 6:21 a.m. E.D.T. The craft has supplies to stay in orbit through Saturday.

Movie Review | 'Old Joy': A Journey Through Forests and a Sense of Regret:

All journeys come to an end, and Mark and Kurt's brings the friends almost full circle, back to the same city street where they met up. It's an unceremonious parting, absent any of the warmth that surfaced during their hot-spring idyll. From the way Kurt looks at Mark, it seems clear he knows there won't be another reunion. From the way Mark automatically switches on the car radio and its drone ("the uncertainty about the future"), it's just as evident that only one traveler went anywhere. Joy wears out naturally for some people; others use it up. That Ms. Reichardt chooses to end her film with an image of Kurt, out in the streets and alive to the world, suggests that he hasn't given up on it, and neither has she.

International

Israel Hopes to Complete Its Withdrawal From Lebanon on Friday:

Such phrases, and another emphasizing "the right of return" of Palestinian refugees, are seen by Israel as only a conditional acceptance of a two-state solution and thus falling short of international demands.

Yemen Leader Is Now Paying for Providing Open Election:

"In the past there was no real election here," said Faris Sanabani, an adviser to Mr. Saleh and the publisher of The Yemen Observer. "But this time, you've got a real opposition, real campaigning, and real democracy — the Yemeni way."

Fugu Journal: Powering China's Juggernaut: Truckers Hauling Coal:

If sometimes tedious: a few minutes later, the elder Mr. Zhu cranked up the engine and lurched forward another 30 feet. Then he turned it off.

Iranian Leader Accepts Efforts by Pope to Recast His Remarks:

Also at the meeting was the Vatican's top official on interfaith dialogue, Cardinal Paul Poupard, who echoed the imam's call for discussion. "The alternative to terrorism and violence is dialogue,'' he said.

Iraq Must Act on Security Now, U.S. Advisory Panel Chief Says:

Only one member of the panel, former Senator Charles S. Robb of Virginia, ventured outside the heavily fortified Green Zone when the group went to Iraq this month. Mr. Robb visited Anbar Province, where the insurgents have been particularly active and the security situation has become dire.

British Soldier Pleads Guilty to War Crime:

The defense lawyers have not presented their case.

Hungary's Leader, Under Siege Over Lies, Refuses to Resign:

Mr. Gyurcsany reversed course this month when he said he would introduce higher taxes, health charges and student fees in order to rein in the deficit, aiming to lower the deficit to 3.5 percent of G.D.P. in three years.

Canadian Man Tortured in Syria Wants Explanation From U.S.:

Mr. Arar acknowledged that years might pass before he received any action in the United States. Still, he said, "The fact that I have yet to get answers from the American government doesn't mean that the American people aren't interested."

Mubarak's Son Proposes Nuclear Program:

For the decades ahead, atomic experts foresee strong international growth in the use of nuclear power and expect developing states like Egypt to eventually build reactors. "The N.D.P. has been discussing and deliberating the issue of developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes for about three months," said Mr. Abou Taleb of the Ahram Center. "This is not a secret."

National Report

Air Controllers Chafe at Plan to Reduce Staffing Levels:

Nonetheless, the controller said, he loved his work and would not quit despite significant pay cuts and the difficulty in planning vacations.

Bangor Journal: Saying Thank You to Those Who Answered the Call of Duty:

"This is really good for the young kids," Chaplain Jeff Neuberger, 56, said as he motioned to a room filled with baby-faced soldiers. "It's one little gesture, but the support means everything to these guys and gals."

White House Drops a Condition on Interrogation Bill:

Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the majority leader, said, "I think the president is on very firm ground here."

Nuclear Site Nears End of Its Conversion to a Park:

"It seemed to take forever," Mr. Bierer said. "Basically we started with a huge environmental disaster and ended up with an environmental asset."

Federal Judges Take Steps to Improve Accountability:

Justice Breyer described his committee's work as a "direct response" to criticism about lapses in judicial discipline. "The criticism turned out to be constructive," he said, adding that while the system was not "riddled with problems," it needed improvement to maintain public confidence.

New Twist in Senate Race in Virginia:

Mr. Allen apologized to the young volunteer of Indian ancestry who was the object of the comment, which was perceived by some as a racial slur.

After Arrest, a 2nd Suspect Is Sought in Duquesne Case:

"Well, now, she obviously has to deal with the repercussions," Mr. Postell said.

Easy Victories in Primaries in 2 States:

Mr. Patrick was the most liberal of the Democratic candidates for governor, opposing an income tax cut and supporting the granting of driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. All three candidates supported same-sex marriage, legalized here in 2003, and stem cell research.

State Judge Voids Georgia Law Requiring a Photo ID of Voters:

Kathy A. Rogers, director of elections in the Georgia secretary of state's office, said her office had never investigated any cases of a person trying to pose as someone else at the polls. Judge Bedford noted that he had heard from one witness who testified she had personal knowledge of only one case of voter fraud in her 26 years as an employee for the Fulton County Board of Elections.

Boeing Said to Be Selected to Lead Border Program:

"Nevertheless, my colleagues and I are prepared to give D.H.S. the resources it needs — provided funding is linked to results — to get the job done."

Border Fence Must Skirt Objections From Arizona Tribe:

There is considerable support for the idea in the Senate, although President Bush's position on the proposal remains uncertain. The Homeland Security secretary, Michael Chertoff, has expressed doubts about sealing the border with fences.

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