Thursday October 12, 2006

The Final Word: “Famous Last Words 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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Manhattan Plane Crash Kills Yankee Pitcher:

Gov. George E. Pataki issued a statement saying that the Federal Aviation Administration had issued a temporary flight restriction requiring all planes flying below 1,500 feet to be in communication with air traffic controllers. He said he was asking F.A.A. officials to leave the restrictions in effect while they and officials of the Department of Homeland Security review the rules that apply to private airplanes flying in the New York City area. "New York's airspace should enjoy the same kind of protections as our nation's capital," Mr. Pataki said.

On the Ground: Astonishment, a Quick Response and Echoes of 9/11:

And a strange black S peered into the night, 30 stories in the sky.

Aircraft Traveled a Corridor in the Sky Where Recreational Pilots Fear to Go:

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued several directives for repairs to the SR20, including one this year calling for inspections of wires and fuel lines for chafing that could cause a fire in flight and one in 2005 for the replacement of bolts in the pilot's seat that it said could fail in an emergency. Another, in 2002, called for replacing a faulty nut on the roll and yaw system that could cause a loss of control of the aircraft.

Foley Case Snags Incumbent in Ohio Race for House Seat:

"We just have to gain it back," she said. "We have to work hard to turn this back into lemonade."

Alzheimer's Drugs Offer No Help, Study Finds:

And last week, English researchers published a study that found that schizophrenia patients did as well on older medications — or better — than on newer, atypical drugs.

A Gilded Path to Political Stardom, With Detours:

"I watched as the office moved in directions that could rightfully be improved upon and said maybe this is worth a second shot," he said. "And there was also the stomach, pit in the stomach sort of response. The only way to overcome a loss is to win. You don't quit."

Discounters Go on Road to Find New York Style:

"I saw this woman go by the other day and her baby wore this cute shirt and I thought, 'We need something in that category.' "

Other News

For Bush, Many Questions on Iraq and North Korea:

But Mr. Bush on Wednesday reiterated his stance that it was "unacceptable" for North Korea to have nuclear weapons. Asked if he was "ready to live with a nuclear North Korea," Mr. Bush gave a one-word answer: "No."

North Korea Warns of More Nuclear Tests:

"We're under a lot of pressure both domestically and internationally to give up on engagement," said a senior South Korean official. "But we really don't have an alternative other than the engagement policy."

High Court in Britain Loosens Strict Libel Law:

"Going forward," he said, "this decision means that if you're a quality news organization you can fully and fairly cover the important issues of the day without this nagging problem of having a libel judge in London basically engage in an autopsy of every single thing you did and decide whether he agrees with your editorial judgment."

With YouTube, Grad Student Hits Jackpot Again:

Asked what he thought of the acquisition price, Mr. Karim said: "It sounded good to me." When a reporter looked puzzled, he raised his eyebrows and added: "I was amazed."

China Makes Commitment to Social Harmony:

"China is still a poor country that faces many of the problems of rich countries with far more resources," Mr. Mao said. "It is not so easy to change the focus of the leadership at this stage of development."

Insurers Get an Earful From Senator:

"I think it was systematic," he said.

Lidle Had Passion for Flying, and for Speaking His Mind:

"I'd like to meet you some time," Lidle said, "and we can sit down and you guys can really get to know me."

International

Buenos Aires Journal: Perón Is Dead, but Not Resting: Paternity Suit Is Pending:

"What can you do?" Mr. Cafiero asked with a shrug. "It seems to be the destiny of the Peróns neither to live nor to die in tranquillity."

Victims' Families Criticize Secrecy of Brazil Air Crash Inquiry:

Investigators are also trying to determine why the Legacy lost radio contact with air traffic controllers in the minutes leading up to the accident and why it disappeared from one of two radar systems used to track aircraft visually, which could have helped warn controllers if it was flying at an improper altitude.

Study Links Extinction Cycles to Changes in Earth's Orbit and Tilt:

Ever since the establishment of the northern ice cap, Dr. van Dam said, the climate system has been reacting differently, as reflected in the succession of ice ages. "So it is not easy to predict what the 2.5-million-year cycle will do," he said.

Militants Seize, Then Release, U.S. Teacher in West Bank:

Mr. Sharansky, 58, served nine years in a Soviet labor camp before he was allowed to emigrate to Israel in 1986. He became the leader of an immigrants' party, which eventually merged with Likud.

Remarks Land Sadat Nephew in Military Court:

"In reference to what was attributed to us in terms of defaming the armed forces and a number of its leaders, we are honored to clarify the following: I personally express my respect and admiration for our valiant armed forces, its leaders, its honorable men, and its commander in chief in light of his wise and rightfully guided leadership, to its supreme leader President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak."

In Victory for Shiite Leader, Iraqi Parliament Approves Creating Autonomous Regions:

At least 41 American soldiers have been killed this month, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, an independent Web site that tracks military deaths based on military news releases and media reports.

Top U.S. Officer in Iraq Sees Spike in Violence:

"I've not seen a number higher than 50,000," the general said, "and so I don't give it that much credibility at all."

U.S. Agency Cites Flaws in Another Iraqi Construction Project:

"As a result," General McCoy said, "the performance of this office has greatly improved."

Japanese Back Prime Minister in Handling of Nuclear Crisis:

"The Yasukuni problem is on the shelf for now, but it will come back to plague Mr. Abe," said Mr. Nakanishi of Kyoto University. "Future tensions with South Korea and China are almost unavoidable."

National Report

Greenleaf Journal: Proposal Urges Citizens to Arm for City Growth:

"I keep all of them there but one," he said, "and you don't want to run into that one at night."

States Are Growing More Lenient in Allowing Felons to Vote:

In Texas in 1997, Gov. George W. Bush signed a law eliminating a two-year wait before prisoners ending their parole could vote.

Childhood Cancer Survivors Face Increased Risks Later:

"I'll beat this," he said.

Justices Ponder Relationship of Federal and State Courts:

The California system also places judges in a central role. But there was considerable confusion during the argument in Cunningham v. California, No. 05-6551, about exactly what the judges' role is. The case is being watched closely for hints about the court's next move on federal sentencing.

Top Aide to Illinois Governor Is Indicted in Kickback Inquiry:

"I don't do any business with state government," Mr. Rezko told The Tribune, "and have stayed away from it" since Mr. Blagojevich became governor.

American in Qaeda Tapes Accused of Treason:

But in the late 1990's, he left the United States for Pakistan to study and work among Muslims, and American officials say his views became more radical. By 2004, he was making public videotapes for Al Qaeda, officials say, and declaring that "the streets of America shall run red with blood."

Newer Stents Pose Dangers, 2 Doctors Say:

Johnson & Johnson has said that data for its Cypher stent showed no such problem, although independent research has suggested otherwise. The food and drug agency plans to hold a two-day meeting of experts in early December to review the data and advise the agency on whether changes in labeling or use are needed.

President Sees Signs Favoring G.O.P. Victory:

Democrats have said that such statements mischaracterize their positions — in this case to make it appear that they oppose efforts to listen to terrorists' phone calls, when what they oppose is trying to do so without warrants that they argue can be obtained quickly.

As the Foley Case Unfolds, Hastert Gets a More Enthusiastic Nod From Bush:

"This Foley issue bothers a lot of people, including me," he said. "But I think when they get in that booth, they're going to be thinking about how best to secure the country from attack, and how best to keep the economy growing."

Senator Offers to Amend Financial Forms:

"Desperate to get their scandals off the front page," Mr. Manley said, "the Republican Party is once again trying to smear Democrats. The fact is Senator Reid owned the land from 1998 to 2004, and he fully disclosed that fact."

Judges Can Solicit Election Funds, Court Rules:

A lawyer for Mr. Carey, James Bopp Jr., said in a statement that the rules Judge Caldwell struck down "served as a unconstitutional restriction on judicial candidates' free speech." Judicial candidates, Mr. Bopp added, "have a right to announce their views by stating their political affiliation and to solicit funds for their campaigns for office."

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