In Venice, turmoil over a new bridge
The center span of what will be the fourth bridge across the Grand Canal was put in place amid concerns over construction delays, its nearly $14 million cost, its access for people in wheelchairs - and its modern appearance.

Poland heads for early vote
Seeking to end months of political turmoil, Polish officials confirmed Sunday that the government will hold early elections by November.

Iraq pullout could take years, top Democrats say
Even as they call for an end to the war, Democratic presidential aspirants are setting out positions that could leave the U.S. engaged in Iraq for years.
- Bomb in Iraq kills 5, including a governor

Musharraf admits Taliban getting cross-border aid
President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan acknowledged Sunday that Afghan militants were operating from Pakistani territory.

Scorsese on Antonioni's expanding worlds
Nineteen-sixty-one -- a long time ago. But the sensation of seeing "L'Avventura" for the first time is still with me.
- Woody Allen remembers Ingmar Bergman
- Before them, films were just movies

Bush hosts Sarkozy, sans 'freedom fries'
Low-key discussions emphasize U.S. friendship during French president's visit to Kennebunkport, Maine. Above, Sarkozy with the Bush family.

Merv Griffin, a TV innovator, dies at 82
One of television's most popular talk-show hosts, Griffin also created some of the medium's most successful game shows before becoming a major figure in the hotel and gambling businesses, died Sunday.

Astronauts survey damage to shuttle's heat shield
Astronauts worked Sunday to give NASA a closer look at a troubling gouge on the protective heat shield of the space shuttle Endeavour.

Variations on a theme: Thai women and foreign husbands
Sometimes the reasons are economic, but sometimes the matches between foreign men - now mostly Europeans - and Thais may not only save the women from poverty, but lead to happiness as well.

Advertisers find new headaches in lawless world of social Web sites
For traditional advertisers rushing headlong into this new territory to reach tantalizing, young users, the ultimate nightmare is the surprise of sharing virtual real estate with risqué material or racist rants.

Chairs sitting pretty as a design icon, but for how long?
If you want to trace changes in aesthetics, production technology, materials and social trends, you can spot them all in different chairs. Will the chair remain as important to design in the future? Probably not.