Illustrations by Istvan Banyai

Five alleged radical Islamists go on trial today in Camden, N.J., accused of training, scouting, and gathering weapons for a planned attack last year on nearby Fort Dix. A sixth group member, who supplied arms, has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in February.


Coming in the heat of the presidential primaries, today’s 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade should make abortion an even more prominent topic, especially given the proven adaptability of several Republican front-runners on the subject.


The talent-show craze taking over television reaches the acme of American culture: the Super Bowl commercial. Doritos invited garage bands to submit their acts. The winner will debut today during the annual marketing blowout.
Three New York City detectives stand trial in Queens for killing Sean Bell, an unarmed black man who was shot 50 times on his wedding day in 2006 as he left a bachelor party. Police say they thought he was getting a gun from his car.
After Apple introduced the iPhone last year, ambitious hackers competed to put third-party apps on the hot new gadget—only to be thwarted by an update from Apple. This month, Apple releases a software- development kit for the iPhone and iPod Touch, meaning the—authorized!— fun can begin anew.
Ecuador introduces a new strategy to combat the Latin American diaspora. “Plan Retorno” aims to lure natives living abroad with loans for new homes and businesses, improved education and health programs, and exceptions to the usual duties when they bring back cars, cash, and goods. Starting this month, Ecuadoreans in the U.S. are eligible.