Headlines from May 6, 2010

This is the year British politics went presidential. How televised debates and X-Factor played into the election.
A short history of Britain's Loony Party, which, nearing its third decade, has seen a surge of applicants.
Maternal favoritism, though possibly a cultural development, affects lifelong psychological health.
In Sudan, a daughter can be traded for up to 100 cows--if she's tall enough.
Nutritionists, mothers say chocolate- and vanilla-flavored formulas are a gateway to obesity.
In-depth discussion of babies' cognition suggests some morals are born, not made.
Fake Science: "For when the facts are too confusing."
Oatmeal and spinach are particularly stubborn; mashed potatoes have been eliminated as "too easy." Inside the Consumer Reports testing labs.
Farmer/food journalist Tom Philpott says class and culture of convenience are vital to the politics of food.
The Cook's Illustrated/food52 culinary smackdown begins.
Judge's rejection of a brain scan as evidence issues a blow to proponents of lie detector credibility.
Discussion of ballet legend Balanchine, and why everything created after his death is meaningless.
American Gods is selected as the first title for a worldwide Twitter book club.
Roger Waters apologizes for accidentally pasting over an Elliott Smith memorial.
Greece's prosperity hid strains of ultranationalism and xenophobia that may now be unleashed.
Greek protesters say they accept the cuts, just not the politicians.
Increasing overlap suspected among domestic Pakistani groups and Pakistan-based Afghan Taliban and al Qaeda.
Op: Wishful thinking on the West's part to believe Ukraine could be easily torn away from Russia.
Russian governor says he was interrogated by aliens; state deputy requests he be interrogated to learn what he told them.
To deport the U.S.'s 12 million illegal immigrants en masse, it would take more than 200,000 buses.
Anti-profiling masks available for Arizona Latinos.
Zimbabwean activists vow to disrupt Mugabe's training camp for North Korea's soccer team.
Nigerian President dead; analyst remembers him restoring confidence, fixing Niger Delta.
Eighty-seven percent of Americans aware of Twitter; seven percent use it.
Newsweek goes up for sale; not dead yet, but probably dead soon.
Coffee-break read: History of prohibition, and how it gave us the income tax.
Riveting piece on suicide, and the great life-saving service done to King County, Wash., by Courtney Love.
Inside the home of designer Irving Harper.
Wine vendors advise drinking according to the lunar cycle--better on "fruit days," not "root days."