LA: We Need to Limit Paparazzi

Weary of the scrums of photographers chasing celebs at the airport, on the beach and through the streets, some Los Angeles-area leaders are contemplating tougher regulations

Samuel Beckett: Dead Laughing

A trio of Beckett performances bring the playwright's deadpan words to life

Scientists Find Hidden Van Gogh

A team of European scientists unveiled on Wednesday a new method for extracting images hidden under old masters' paintings, recreating a color portrait of a woman's face unseen since Vincent van Gogh painted over it in 1887.

Cheech and Chong to Reunite in Comedy Tour

Now that their feud is up in smoke, Cheech and Chong are high on plans to reunite for their first comedy tour in more than 25 years

Alicia Keys Snuffs Cigarette Branding

Philip Morris International has pulled down billboards and posters promoting an Alicia Keys concert Thursday in Indonesia's capital after the singer protested the cigarette company's sponsorship.

Tuned In

Too Many Different McCain Attacks

You can make Obama into Britney Spears, or John Kerry, or Malcolm X. I'm not sure you can make him into all three at the same time. (Is there a template in American culture for an Ivy-league-snob, black-militant, out-of-control former Mouseketeer?)

Looking Around

The Art of Loafing

Even critics need vacations. This critic is taking one until August 11th.

Tea and a Hotel

From tea tourism in Malaysia to afternoon tastings in Picadilly, the not-so-new brew is giving coffee a jolt and history meets hospitality in Sri Lanka

I will step aside properly in an honorable and responsible way, and afterwards I will prove my innocence.

• EHUD OLMERT,
• Israeli Prime Minister, announcing his resignation following accusations of corruption