Posted by Rebecca Tapscott

Back to the big stick: After Bush’s policy of eye-connections and trust failed to motivate change, the U.S. takes a tougher stance on terrorism policies in Pakistan.

Some secrets revealed: The International Tracing Service opens the nearly 10 million documents of its Holocaust archive to academic researchers—they have been open to Holocaust survivors for years. On August 20, the tracing service will transfer digital copies to the Holocaust Museums in Washington, D.C. and Jerusalem.

Conspiracy theories: Five Cubans, convicted of conspiracy to commit crimes against the U.S. will have a hearing to appeal for insufficient evidence. For nine years of imprisonment in the U.S., they have provided a communist propaganda tool for Cuba.

A man who likes his eggs unfertilized : Dr. Hwang Woo Suk, a Korean scientist, previously discredited for having fabricated stem-cell research, was perhaps the first to successfully derived stem-cells from an unfertilized egg. Since these cells could never develop into a child, they are may be free from ethical objections.

Water world: Annual seasonal monsoons in South Asia cause flooding. The waters have already caused as many as 1000 deaths and a record number of displacements and injuries for the decade.

GOP fails to enthuse: According to polls, Iowa’s voters are unenthusiastic about the Republican presidential hopefuls. The Washington Post looks at candidates and their respective chances.

One terrorist down: In a military operation, U.S. troops killed the al-Qaeda leader responsible for the bombing of Iraq’s Golden Dome shrine.

Corruption in Alaska: The FBI raids the home of Senator Ted Stevens, Republican of Alaska, trying to confirm suspicions that a campaign contributor financed private renovations of Stevens’ home.

Neck in neck: The Stranger isn’t the only entity weighing the pros and cons between Dems Keith Scully and Bill Sherman for Prosecuting Attorney. Although there seems to be little public interest, the race may be close.

Seafair’s Angels: Opinions on the Blue Angels and hydroplane racing continue to differ—pros and cons aside, it appears observers like to drink. Over 130 people were cited for alcohol offenses at Seafair.