Text Edition for Nov. 21th, 2008
FRONT PAGE
How deep a recession?
The housing-bubble collapse makes recovery hard to predict.
Palestinian security gets a feminine touch
By adding females to the police force, Palestinian officials hope to improve the image of their security forces.
Is Kashmir key to Afghan peace?
Barack Obama says resolving the Indian-Pakistani dispute over Kashmir will be a goal of his presidency, ending eight years
of silence on the issue.
World
Arab countries meet to tackle Somali pirate threat
Egypt hosted Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Sudan, Yemen, and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia on Thursday in a bid to
protect valuable maritime trade routes from pirates.
US airstrikes put Pakistan's leaders on defensive
It summoned the US ambassador Thursday to formally complain after an attack hit deep inside Pakistani territory.
Brussels sprouts relaxed rules for fruits and vegetables
Changes will allow twisted, misshapen, and oddly colored produce on Europe's tables.
Doubt greets IMF bailout offers
The fund seeks to soften effects of the financial collapse, but many Asian leaders – citing bad advice from the '97 crisis
– are wary of conditions attached to assistance.
US forces kill senior Al Qaeda in Iraq leader
Hajji Hammadi, a senior member of Al Qaeda in Iraq, was believed by US military officials to have been responsible for the
abduction and murder of US Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin in 2004.
USA
California Supreme Court to hear challenges to gay-marriage ban
Opponents argue that the ballot initiative amounts to a revision of the state constitution.
Iran: Will talks happen under Obama?
A period of reestablishing relations with Iran's partners seems likely. Also expect contacts with lower-tier Iranian officials.
Commentary
Venezuela's fork in the road: socialism or capitalism?
This election acts as a referendum on Chávez.
Obama's key nonappointment: Bernanke
The Fed chief is needed to slay the dragon of deflation. But Bernanke must be careful.
Letters to the Editor
Readers write about a return to a gold standard, suppressing piracy through rule of law, how a tax on gas would help the Big
Three automakers, and why California's Prop 8 should be reconsidered.
What to do with Guantánamo's detainees
Saudi Arabia's rehabilitation plan works. Imitate it.
News In Brief
Arts & Entertainment
Sci-fi fans go into warp drive over an independent Star Trek film
Web-only feature film made by fans and several Star Trek actors honors the TV series' enduring appeal.
Jazz in the spotlight
Some old-timers impress with their strengths and some one-of-a-kind talents display growing versatility.
New York's freshest shows
From ancient sculpture to Van Gogh's night inspirations, the best of this season's art.
Six Picks: Recommendations from the Monitor staff
Classic puzzlers in a crisp new book, Jack Bauer is back in a '24' movie, Stephen Colbert croons his way into Christmas, and
more.
The Home Forum
Over the hedge
Her grandson crafted a prayer to meet the occasion.
In this economy, how can you tell what's for real?
The Monitor's language columnist tries to do her bit for economic literacy.
On the trail of the blue butterfly
Travelers to Costa Rica discover that butterflies continually capture their attention.
You are not left out in the cold
A Christian Science perspective on daily life.