Cyrus Farivar

NYT: Google says its mission is “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” But it does not appear to take kindly to those who use its search engine to organize and publish information about its own executives. CNETNews.com, a technology news Web site, said last week that Google had told it that the company would not answer any questions from CNET’s reporters until July 2006. The move came after CNET published an article last month…

WashPost: Iran announced that it resumed work at a key nuclear facility today, effectively ending a suspension of its nuclear program and severing more than two years of negotiations with Europe that held out the promise of closer ties with the West. The Bush administration, along with allies Britain, France and Germany, had warned they would try to take the issue of Iran’s program to the U.N. Security Council if Tehran made good, as it did today, on promises to…

WashPost: By Steve Coll and Susan B. Glasser Washington Post Staff Writers Sunday, August 7, 2005; A01 In the snow-draped mountains near Jalalabad in November 2001, as the Taliban collapsed and al Qaeda lost its Afghan sanctuary, Osama bin Laden biographer Hamid Mir watched “every second al Qaeda member carrying a laptop computer along with a Kalashnikov” as they prepared to scatter into hiding and exile. On the screens were photographs of Sept. 11 hijacker Mohamed Atta. Nearly four years…

NYT: In the commercial, Snoop pulls up in a Dodge truck and, as he emerges, Mr. Iacocca says “nice ride.” Snoop begins to let forth in his inimitable linguistics, a trademark of Mr. Broadus, as the two men go for a ride in the golf cart: Snoop: “Thank you Mocha Cocca. Chrysler and Jeep came up on beaucoup awards and Dodge trucks last as long as the D-O-double gizzle. Plus, I got the hook up nephew, for sure.” Iacocca, looking…

Ed: I figured that this whole Slate/Wikipedia thing would blow over by the end of the week, and it has, pretty much. The discussion as to whether or not I deserve a Wikipedia entry is still ongoing, but has died down a bit. Before the week is up, however, I wanted to post a really weird bit of email that I received: John Stamey of New York State writes: I’m sorry, but I think I missed something in your story.…

WashPost: To Bush and his advisers, that criticism fundamentally misunderstands his Texas sojourns. Those who think he does not remain in command, aides say, do not understand the modern presidency or Bush’s own work habits. At the ranch, White House officials say, Bush continues to receive daily national security briefings, sign documents, hold teleconferences with aides and military commanders, and even meet with foreign leaders. And from the president’s point of view, the long Texas stints are the best way…

Ed: Ok, here’s my idea for the next Slate explainer. How do you start a bloodless coup? Really, do you just waltz in and say, “Ok, I’m taking over.” and all the mindless lackeys look up from their desk and say: “Yeah, ok.” AP: NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) – A military junta overthrew Mauritania’s U.S.-allied president while he was abroad Wednesday, prompting celebrations in this oil-rich Islamic nation that looked increasingly to the West amid alleged threats from al-Qaida linked militants.…

by Cyrus Farivar 02:00 AM Aug. 03, 2005 PT Wired News Last week, a group of Philadelphia bloggers banded together to get national media attention for a young mother who had been missing from home since the middle of July. The group was frustrated that the disappearance of Latoyia Figueroa, 24, who is five months pregnant, did not get national press, though her case is similar to other widely covered disappearances like those of Natalee Holloway and Laci Peterson. The…

Here’s my interview with “The Afternoon Show with Brian Smith” from an hour ago. “The Afternoon Show with Brian Smith” WICC 600 AM Bridgeport, CT August 2 2005 [2 MB (8:44) 32 kbps]

Here’s my interview with Adler On Line from earlier today. “Adler On Line” CJOB 68 Winnipeg August 2 2005 [1.5 MB (6:39) 32 kbps]