New Republic, Oct. 9

The cover story attributes the Bush comeback to his recent unwillingness to talk to the press. When he spoke freely, reporters lampooned his every gaffe. Now they have no choice but to report the highlights of his stump speeches. … An article  explains how the rivalry between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh has destroyed the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. The socially conservative but economically liberal Pittsburgh area provides many votes, but almost all the campaign cash is raised from socially liberal but economically conservative Philadelphians. The state has more registered Democrats than Republicans, but the GOP wins most of the statewide offices.

Economist, Sept. 30

An article suggests that Slobodan Milosevic will eventually concede defeat in the Yugoslav presidential election. His political friends are deserting him, and even if he forces another election, there is no evidence that he will fare any better. … A piece gives mixed reviews to 10-year-old unified Germany. The East is still much poorer than the West, and government, the media, and big business are dominated by the West, but such growing pains are only natural, and the East has made tremendous economic and political strides since unification. … An article says that the next round of peace talks between Israel and Syria could yield fruit. Rights to the Sea of Galilee remain a sticking point, and both Ehud Barak and Bashar Assad need to feel more secure in their leadership before they make a deal; but Syria, in dire need of money and desirous of a more democratic society, badly wants to call off its 37-year state of emergency.

New York Times Magazine, Oct. 1

The cover story reviews how one corrupt cop unraveled the Los Angeles Police Department. Caught stealing cocaine from the evidence room and selling it on the street, anti-gang cop Rafael Perez testified about how officers routinely framed suspected gang members and occasionally shot them without provocation. Now the "Ramparts" scandal has placed 70 officers under investigation, released 100 prisoners, and caused the federal government to supervise the department. … A piece describes the lonely life of an Iraqi defector. Khidhir Hamza once developed nuclear weapons for Saddam Hussein and now advises the CIA, but he lives in perpetual fear of assassination. Hussein famously chooses friends and family members of the target to carry out the murder.

Time, Oct. 2

Time comes late to the Napster controversy. The cover story says that even if the music file-sharing Web site loses its copyright suit and is shut down, it has spawned a tech revolution as important as e-mail and instant messaging. Napster's 19-year-old founder Shawn Fanning tells Time that he wants to return to writing code instead of testifying in court and posing for magazine covers. … A piece says that the new presidential debate format, which allows the candidates to discuss questions for as long as six minutes, may help Al Gore. The veep can display his policy mastery while exposing George W. Bush's less thorough understanding of the issues, but Bush has been practicing for months and knows how to avoid getting bogged down. … An article reports that exorcism is making a comeback (just in time for the rerelease of The Exorcist). The rite lost popularity in the early 1970s, when doctors found new medicines for conditions such as Tourette's syndrome that had been attributed to demonic possession. But a recent exorcism convention in Rome attracted 230 participants, and the four archdiocesan exorcists in New York now perform 15 exorcisms a year.

Newsweek, Oct. 2

The cover story warns of a looming teacher shortage in American schools. The robust economy has attracted math and science teachers to the private sector, so many schools are offering signing bonuses and cheap housing, recruiting immigrant mathematicians and scientists, and targeting middle-aged professionals looking for a career change. … As Americans keep losing interest in politics as usual, candidates rely on unorthodox forums to let voters know what they're really like. The Bush campaign is trying to get him on Monday Night Football and Saturday Night Live because he did so well on Live With Regis and Oprah. … A piece says oil prices are still relatively low compared to other "crisis" periods and that last year's low prices were as much an aberration as this year's high ones. Oil production slowed when prices fell a few years ago, but current high prices will increase output, and energy costs could drop back to normal after a tough winter.