There seems an unwillingness to recognise that when people are cornered, humiliated and crushed, and have no hope of escaping, some of them at least will no longer be afraid to die or care about which of their perceived enemies they take with them.

ECONOMIST: The battle against terror

That is because about a quarter of these people would be expected to die from cancer even had they not been exposed to Chernobyl's radiation.

ECONOMIST: Nuclear power: Little to fear but fear itself | The

Decisions about issues like civil unions or right-to-die legislation should be made by the states, not the federal government.

FORBES: '08 Tracker: December