Tuesday October 31, 2006

The Final Word: “Halloween Gelt 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

Bombs Sweep Baghdad; Cleric Faults U.S.:

The other American whose death was tallied on Monday was a marine who was killed in fighting in Anbar Province the day before.

U.S. Envoy Arrives in Iraq as Tough Options Loom:

Iraqi newspapers have adopted the theme of a government change, speculating on the possible composition of a "national salvation government," backed by the United States, that would wrest power from the Shiite alliance that chose Mr. Maliki for prime minister. Iraqi officials have said that Mr. Maliki has been deeply shaken by rumors that he might be forced from office by year's end. However, President Bush, in two conversations over the past two weeks, has assured him of support.

Democrats Are Seen to Gain in Statehouse Races:

The Republicans began a surge in the 1980s, making major strides in 1994, when they gained 514 seats overnight. They finally gained dominance in 2002, picking up enough seats to surpass the Democrats for the first time in 50 years. There has been almost perfect parity since then.

U.S. Drops Bid Over Royalties From Chevron:

The agency confirmed in a statement that it knew of the lawyers' case. Asked why it refused to accept their letter, the Minerals Management Service said it could not comment "because these matters are the subject of pending litigation."

A G.O.P. Leader and Star Struggles for Traction:

Moments later, when reporters pressed Mr. Casey about the possibility of more debates, he shot back: "We've spent enough time together, the two of us. Let's go meet the voters. I'll see him at the finish line."

Father's Guiding Force Is Felt in Cuomo's New York Campaign:

Mr. Weiner continued: "What it showed me was that this campaign was thorough, they're pretty tough, and if there was even an inch of space that I was going to endorse someone else, the two of them would jump right in there. And it was clear, as if it needed to be, that Mario was devoted to Andrew's victory."

Campaign to End Race Preferences Splits Michigan:

"The entire elite establishment is all lined up on the other side of this issue," Ms. Gratz said, "but the mainstream, normal, everyday people who go to work every day think their husbands, their wives, their kids, should be treated equally by our government, and should not be judged on race or sex."

In Boulder, Runners Gather in Guarded Isolation:

But will they come at the same time?

Other News

Whitney Museum May Move Expansion to Downtown Site:

Now the Upper East Siders who vehemently opposed the expansion in their neighborhood are celebrating. In an e-mail message last week to fellow members of the Coalition of Concerned Whitney Neighbors, Edward Klimerman wrote, "Hope springs eternal."

Scientist at Work | Claudia I. Henschke: When It Comes to Lung Cancer, She Doesn't Believe in Waiting:

"She is smart, passionate, serious," Dr. Bach said. "She has worked so hard on this. You can't imagine the logistical challenges of coordinating a study like she's coordinated. I am incredibly impressed by her devotion to this, and I hope she's right. But we differ on what needs to be done to find out if she is right. It's an honest disagreement."

Richard Gilman, Theater Critic, Dies at 83:

Its subtitle reflects what Mr. Gilman sought throughout his career: "An Opening Into Eternity."

Fossil Found of a Big Bird That Kermit Wouldn't Like:

And with this ability, these big birds appear to have become the top predator of the continent for millions of years. Other fossil evidence shows that the phorusrhacids lived the fast life between 60 million and 2 million years ago, passing from the scene after the emergence of the Panamanian land bridge ended South America's isolation.

International

Pilot of Nigerian Jet Ignored Storm Warning, Senior Official Says:

Among the dead was the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido, the spiritual leader of Nigeria's estimated 70 million Muslims. The plane was bound for Sokoto, a center of Islamic history and learning near the northern border.

Chad Villages Hit by Echoes of Ethnic War Across Border:

"I think we will be here for a long time," he said. "We cannot go home."

London Journal: Trick or Treat? For Many Britons, the Reply Is Neither:

"You would never see American children hustling for money on the 29th of October," he said.

Pakistan Says It Killed 80 Militants in Attack on Islamic School:

The Afghan government has accused Pakistan of allowing the Taliban and Al Qaeda to build a power base among the independent tribal population along the border. The Pakistani government has said it has sent more than 80,000 troops to the tribal areas near the Afghan border to flush out the militants.

Britain Warns of High Costs of Global Warming:

A United Nations report released Monday said that greenhouse gas emissions of industrial nations that are part of the United Nations panel on climate change increased 11 percent between 1990 and 2004.

Olmert Says Israel May Widen Military Role in Gaza:

Ophir Pines-Paz, the minister of science, culture and sports, who is from the left-leaning Labor Party, voted against including the new faction and announced that he was resigning as a cabinet minister.

U.S.-Led Exercise in Persian Gulf Sets Sights on Deadliest Weapons:

The initiative, first proposed by President Bush in May 2003, has held 24 other training exercises in Europe and Asia in the last three years.

China May Be Using Oil to Press North Korea:

North Korea also buys small amounts of oil from Iran.

Violence Flares as Congo Tallies Election Results:

"These politicians, no matter what they say, can't control their people," said Dominique Mandjenga, a top police official in Kinshasa.

Mexican Protesters Keep Their Message Alive, and on the Air:

"The other stations only say things in support of Ulises," said Sal Lozano, 43, a farmer, speaking of Mr. Ruiz, the governor. "We're going to defend this station with everything we have."

News Analysis: In 2nd Term, Brazil's Leader Has Agenda Topped by Ethics:

"The Workers Party said it was restructuring, and then, at the first curve in the road, it gets involved in this bizarre scandal," said Jairo Nicolau, a political science professor at Candido Mendes University here. "If they haven't learned between 2005 and now, there is no guarantee they won't do it again."

National Report

Appeals Court Blocks South Dakota Law on Doctors' Statement to Seekers of Abortion:

Judges Murphy and Schreier were appointed by President Bill Clinton, and Judges Melloy and Gruender by President George W. Bush.

Trained by Inmates, New Best Friends for Disabled Veterans:

"I've got a feeling that lots of guys who see me with Rainbow are going to want a dog," he said.

At University for Deaf, Protesters Press Broader Demands:

Justin Reynolds, a Gallaudet student who was taking a semester off, said this weekend's victory for the protesters signaled the ascent of deaf power. "From here on out, the world wants to know what we'll do next," Mr. Reynolds said. "With this unity, what are we capable of?"

Political Action: Remember, Politics Is Local:

In the Senate, Democrats still face substantial obstacles to capturing the six seats they need to win control. Republicans said they had renewed hope of picking off Maryland after the Cook Political Report moved the race from leaning Democratic to the toss-up category, though a Washington Post poll over the weekend showed the Democrat, Representative Ben Cardin, with an 11-point lead. Republicans are checking for signs of life in the campaigns of two of their most endangered incumbents, Senators Conrad Burns of Montana and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island.

In Ohio, Democrats Show a Religious Side to Voters:

Still, Mr. Burress commended the Democrats for at least competing for conservative Christian voters. And, he added, "if he is successful in breaking into that bloc of voters, it is going to be a very interesting 2008."

Though Not on the Ballot, Bush Campaigns Like a Candidate in Georgia and Texas:

"He's still got legs," Mr. Buchanan said.

Italian Arms Contractor and a Pennsylvania Congressman Share Close Ties:

Oto Melara selected its site as Mr. Weldon asked Navy officials to reconsider a decision to put a rival company's guns, instead of those from Oto Melara, on its new Littoral Combat Ships.

Voting Machine Company Submits to Inquiry:

Mr. Mugica said that Smartmatic acquired Bizta in 2005, even though he, his father and Mr. Anzola still controlled 60 percent of Bizta stock.

Controversy Gives Hastert Time at Home:

Two weeks after the Congressional page scandal erupted, Mr. Hastert bought some farmland along Wisconsin's western edge. The parcel is the second he had bought there in less than a year. Mr. Hastert and his wife, Jean, have told friends they intend to spend part of their retirement on the property, which sits on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

Bernice Kanner, 57, Ad Columnist and Author, Dies:

In "Are You Normal About Money?" (Bloomberg Press, 2001), Ms. Kanner posed hypothetical questions, both serious and strange, about Americans' drive to acquire money: Would you swallow a worm for $300? (Twenty-one percent said yes.) Would you shave your head for $10,000? (Fifty-nine percent said yes.) Would you rather personally strike it rich but have a nation at war? (Twelve percent said yes.)

Support
The Final Word:
Buy A Bumper Sticker

Page 1

Other News

International

National Report

Previously...