Bayreuth’s reputation as the ultimate place to experience Wagner rests on the Festspielhaus, designed by Wagner as a setting for his works, and on the fact that the festival is a family-run enterprise.

Mortals Struggle at Wagner’s Own Valhalla

“One Ocean View,” the Fire Island reality series that begins tonight on ABC, offers one distinctive television character to offer a break from the reality clichés of this “Laguna Beach” rip-off. 

‘One Ocean View’: A Humiliating Vacation

A wave of surrogates swept through Connecticut to campaign for Senator Joseph I. Lieberman and Ned Lamont.

For Rivals in Connecticut, a Dash to Pick Up Votes

Newspapers have typically been reluctant to direct readers to outside Web sites, but three papers have signed a deal with an online news aggregator to do just that. 

Newspapers to Use Links to Rivals on Web Sites

Drug tests continue to ensnare prominent athletes like Floyd Landis, winner of the Tour de France, and Justin Gatlin, who shares the world record in the 100 meters.

Testosterone Seems to Be Enhancer of Choice

In the Mets’ first sweep of at least three games in Atlanta in 21 years, Carlos Beltran had his third  grand slam in July. 

Randolph Likes What He Sees as Beltrán Powers Sweep

Israel agreed to suspend airstrikes after one of its raids killed dozens of Lebanese civilians, but the U.S. is still not calling for an immediate cease-fire.

From Carnage in Lebanon, a Concession

The two families staying in the house in Qana that was struck by an Israeli missile had discussed leaving, but they were poor and travel was difficult.

A Night of Death and Terror for Lebanese Villagers

Israel agreed to suspend its airstrikes for 48 hours while it investigates an air raid on a Lebanese town that killed dozens, many of them children. 

Israel Suspending Lebanon Air Raids After Dozens Die

Jared Kushner spent just under $10 million last week to buy The New York Observer, a small but mighty piece of Manhattan media.

At 25, Media Fates Came to Call

A day care provider said she had reported bruises, abrasions and other signs of abuse to the city more than six weeks ago.

Abuse Report Was Investigated Before Death of 2-Year-Old Bronx Girl

Contour is a futuristic camera system that will add photorealistic three-dimensional effects to digital entertainment.

Camera System Creates Sophisticated 3-D Effects

For years, workplace raids were a low priority for immigration authorities. Now, officials are cracking down on businesses.

U.S. Puts Onus on Employers of Immigrants

For Lebanon’s burgeoning cultural scene, the conflict with Israel has put a stop, at least for the moment, to the patient work begun after the civil war ended in 1990.

In Beirut, Cultural Life Is Another War Casualty

Filling a void created by for-profit drug companies, one group hopes to stamp out black fever.

A Small Charity Takes Lead in Fighting a Disease

Aaron Russo's new film, “America: From Freedom to Fascism,” contends that the government illegally extracts income taxes, even though courts have ruled them to be constitutional.

Facts Refute Filmmaker’s Assertions on Income Tax in ‘America’

Jeremy Shockey, the Giants’ fifth-year tight end, is the first to admit that he has grown older, though probably not more mature.

Shockey Watches His Mouth, but a Pattern Remains

The team used the financial advantage it has over other teams to acquire right fielder Bobby Abreu and pitcher Cory Lidle for four minor leaguers.

Filling Two Holes With One Trade, Yanks Get Phillies’ Abreu and Lidle

This year's Ozzfest recruited younger bands to attract a younger audience to the metal and hard rock festival.

Ozzfest and Its Quest for Fresh Blood

The possibility of one more day without an image of Baby Suri, the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, has driven the celebrity magazines and tabloids into a tizzy.

Celebrity Baby, M.I.A., Stokes a Frenzy

Workers at Wal-Mart Stores have formed their first trade union, in China, but the union is known for siding with management rather than workers.

Official Union Set Up in China at Wal-Mart

The city plans to expand a composting program in Soundview Park in the South Bronx that some blame for foul odors.

Making Mulch, and Some Angry Neighbors, Too

Documents suggest political concerns behind the banning of protests during the Republican convention in New York.

In Court Papers, a Political Note on ’04 Protests

Millions of men are turning down jobs they think beneath them or cannot find work for which they are qualified.

Men Not Working, and Not Wanting Just Any Job

Taken aback by the carnage from the Israeli bombing of Qana, Lebanon, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrung the first significant concession from Israel late on Sunday in its nearly three-week-old war against the Hezbollah militia: an immediate 48-hour suspension of aerial strikes.      Especially notable about the suspension was that Ms. Rice's deputy, Adam Ereli, and not the Israelis, announced it after she held intensive talks with both Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni.  

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was a Cuban politician and revolutionary who was the leader of Cuba from 1959 to 2008, serving as the prime minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and president from 1976 to 2008. Ideologically a Marxist–Leninist and Cuban nationalist, he also served as the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from 1965 until 2011. Under his administration, Cuba became a one-party communist state; industry and business were nationalized, and socialist reforms were implemented throughout society.

Fidel Castro hands over power to his brother, Raúl.

July 31, 2006

Headlines from July 31, 2006

Mortals Struggle at Wagner’s Own Valhalla

‘One Ocean View’: A Humiliating Vacation

For Rivals in Connecticut, a Dash to Pick Up Votes

Newspapers to Use Links to Rivals on Web Sites

Testosterone Seems to Be Enhancer of Choice

Billboard 200

NOW 22

The Eraser

Pimpalation

Loose

St. Elsewhere

Historical Events

Historical Context for July 31, 2006