Saturday November 18, 2006

The Final Word: “Unsportsmanlike Conduct 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

Allies Wage Raid in Iraq, Seeking Abducted Guards:

Defense Minister Henk Kamp, speaking to reporters hours after the publication of the report, said the government had been previously informed of "possible improper" treatment of prisoners. He said that an investigation by the Dutch military police established that in October 2003 interrogators with Dutch troops in Muthanna questioned 15 Iraqi suspects, but that no "punishable offenses had taken place."

F.D.A. Will Allow Breast Implants Made of Silicone:

In Canada, which also withdrew the devices, the implants were cleared for sale and implantation in October.

For West Bank, It's a Highway to Frustration:

"The whole thing was ridiculous," the grandfather said. "But it shows how crazy our life has become."

Preaching Free-Market Gospel to Skeptical Africa:

Mr. Shikwati beamed. "Ever since we corresponded, my strength to change Africa is so strong," he said.

No Grunting, They Told Him, and He Was at Gym:

Hundreds of e-mail messages have poured into Mr. Stern's Web site. Most are supportive, he said, but not all. "Occasionally, I do get an e-mail from someone who says this is a good thing," Mr. Stern said. "They write in and say, 'You know, this gym is for people like me who are used to getting sand kicked in our face, and we're tired of it.' "

For Top 2, Grief Adds to Lore of the Big Game:

"I'm sure there's a little extra ginger in Michigan as they get ready to play this game," Jackson said.

Other News

Bo Schembechler, Football Great of Michigan, Dies:

"Football is the American game that typifies the old American spirit," he said. "It's physical. It's hard work. It's aggressive. It's kind of a swashbuckling American sport. Football is not going to die. It is our American heritage."

Los Angeles Journal: Landmarks Fade, but New Book Revives Old Debate:

"The system is prejudiced, that's for sure," Ms. Tillman said. "But I think this book is bad. It is making money off a tragedy."

Dutch Consider Banning Burqas in Public:

Ms. Verdonk said she learned only this week that the Dutch cabinet could pursue a burqa ban after getting the go-ahead from legal experts. Those consulted by the government do not believe that such a ban would violate Dutch or European Union laws regarding religious freedom.

Bush Praises Vietnam's Rise:

Still, Ms. Rice said, "I think it certainly is a real opportunity to resolve what is an extremely difficult problem and to get back on a road where innocent people can be protected and the Sudanese government has a chance to make right with the international system."

Ruth Brown, 78, a Queen of R&B, Dies:

Ms. Brown never learned to read music. "In school we had music classes, but I ducked them," she said in 1995. "They were just a little too slow. I didn't want to learn to read no note. I knew I could sing it. I woke up one morning and I could sing."

International

Satirical Humor Aimed at the Vatican Strikes a Nerve:

"We're convinced that smiles bring religion closer to the people," he said, "because a smile is never a sin."

The Saturday Profile: A Kenyan Runner Seeks Peace for Her Corner of the World:

"And another problem," she said, "is that I don't like sports guys."

U.S. Senate Vote on Nuclear Deal Draws Guarded Praise by India:

Mr. Boucher, on a visit here on Friday, said in an interview that the Bush administration was working on expanding Pakistan's access to other nonnuclear sources of energy.

Military Analysis: A Shifting Enemy: U.S. Generals Say Civil War, Not Insurgency, Is Greatest Threat:

Under questioning from Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, he referred to Iraq instead as an "absolutely critical battlefront."

Syrian Officials and Iraq Study Group Met, Envoy Says:

Mr. Moustapha described his sessions with Mr. Baker and the Iraq Study Group as very encouraging, saying they addressed "every single issue in the Middle East," including Syria's support for the group that captured two Israeli soldiers this past summer, which helped to spark a war between Israel and Hezbollah.