Headlines from June 16, 2009

Four biological advances that suggest we'll someday be able to explain how life started.
Universal health-care fans fret as Obama's stance becomes murkier.
Better profile of Zeke Emanuel and the Office of Management and Budget than you expect.
Extravagance in Norway's ritual of youth--"the Russ"--bodes well for the country's economy.
In terms of finding a job, research finds being black in America is equivalent to having a felony conviction.
Castro's son falls for online dating prank; "impenetrable security" claimed to be breached.
From prostitutes to lawn chairs: How red-light districts worldwide have evolved (or not).
Today's white paper: Helen DeWitt's "working girl's guide to game theory."
I was not the first author to take lit-roids, but neither was William T. Vollmann.
Arthur Miller comments on the steroids he took to improve his monologues.
Author finds his grandfather in Ulysses on Bloomsday.
Reading schedule for anyone participating in Infinite Summer--the super-cool endurance-reading event that all the kids are talking about.
Video: Feature-length documentary to focus on the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.
If you measure the health of literature by its impact on language, than there's no genre in better condition than SF.
A new genre of photography: temporary ski jumps.
For those who grill outside the law, lessons suggest you should know your local rules.
Iran's council agrees to recount some ballots; Mousavi, fellow opposition candidates call for a new election.
Japan fears new demographic of men who like walks, don't like spending money or having sex.
Report: 90% of Waking Hours Spent Staring at Glowing Rectangles.
Run on virtual bank in Eve Online video game offers world economy a lesson on allowing banks to fail.
Life lessons learned from Dungeons and Dragons.
I flew too close to the sun and the wings melted. I then fell into the ocean below. I can't swim. FML.
P.E.T.A. wants Pike Place fishmongers to think of the dead fish before hurling them, asks if dead kittens or lambs would be so photogenic.
Taiwan's professional tug-of-war team fights for victory and political recognition.
In Indonesia, honor-system cafes fight corruption.
Maybe a little alcohol is good for you; some scientists say it's the ones who can have just a little who are healthier.
New findings indicate language influences cognition more than previously thought.
"Try saying 'puppy' without using your lips and tongue." Dogs can speak our language--sort of.
A chat with farmer, corporate comedian, and Bill Clinton impersonator Damian Mason.