Random bits.

Turns out an ultrafine, "nanoscale" powder of iron shavings can be used to help clean up contaminated water and soil.

Leif and a team from Utne will begin blogging from the World Trade Organization conference in Cancun on Sunday. Tune in here.

In politics, Estrada backs out, and the courts put the kibosh on the FCC's plan to relax media ownership rules. One account says Bush must be thrilled; the ruling will delay this hot-button issue til a non-election year.

Richard Reeves offers ten reasons why Bush can't win.

The Dalai Lama, in an exclusive Guardian interview, imagines a time when he might be able to end his exile and move back to Lhasa.

And, in closing, low-tech ninja ping-pong.