August 22, 2005

After only three weeks, Current is not a joke. It actually lives up to its billing as a slick, commercial cable network that gives its audience a voice in the programming.

A trove of recently discovered vintage prints is generating renewed interest in the work of Mike Disfarmer, an eccentric portrait photographer from Heber Springs, Ark.

Google's announcement that it will raise additional $4 billion by selling stocks is fueling speculation about company's plans, but its disposition is more toward building its future than buying it and it has been eyeing variety of projects; two products about to be introduced give hint of how it seeks to broaden its strategy; one is second-generation and customizable version of its downloadable computer search tool Google Desktop and other is 'communications tool' that is potentially clear step beyond company's search-related business focus (M)

United States is having its deadliest year in Afghanistan since 2001--65 soldiers killed so far this year--and violence is expected to intensify before nation's legislative elections Sept 18; 13 soldiers are killed in Aug alone; latest four are killed Aug 21 when roadside bomb hits their vehicle in south; two United States Embassy employees are wounded when their convoy is hit by explosion close to Kabul; Afghan general says some fighters want to disrupt elections, while others are coming across border from Pakistan to help ousted Taliban or Al Qaeda with long-term aim of dislodging American troops from Afghanistan; notes Taliban claim to have new antiaircraft missiles; senior security official says more money is coming in, probably from Arab countries, and unit of Qaeda fighters has returned to region; in addition to attacks on election workers and candidates, more than six clerics and tribal elders have been killed since May; photo (M)

Four people were shot last night, one fatally, when gunfire broke out after a fight at a festival in Queens. Article, Page B2