Edition: U.S. / Global

Wednesday, January 8, 2014 Last Update: 9:41 AM ET

Despite Fears Over Al Qaeda, Saudis Back Syrian Rebels

The Saudis are bent on ousting Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, and his patron, Iran. But their only real means of fighting them is through a proxy war using fighters over whom they have almost no control.

DealBook

Steep Penalties Are Taken in Stride by JPMorgan Chase

The bank has agreed to pay $20 billion over the last year to settle cases filed by the government, an amount that doesn’t seem to have strained it much at all.

Slowly, Asia’s Factories Begin to Turn Green

Multinationals and local suppliers are increasingly going beyond local regulations in designing factories that cut energy costs and pollute less.

Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images

danger zone Mount Sinabung sent smoke over western Indonesia Wednesday. Local reports said tens of thousands of people had been displaced by the volcano's eruptions.

To Our Readers

The New York Times introduces today a new design for NYTimes.com, its first since April 2006. The images are larger, the layout and typography are cleaner and the site navigation is better. More enhancements will follow.

U.S. Criticizes Zero-Tolerance Policies in Schools

The Obama administration on Wednesday recommended that public schools emphasize positive behavior.

Pregnant, and Forced to Stay on Life Support

Defying the family’s wishes, a Texas hospital has refused to take a woman off life support because she is pregnant.

Webcams See All (Tortoise, Watch Your Back)

While the public is increasingly wary of the government recording their behavior, there has been little introspection about routinely monitoring people, pets or handymen.

Report Finds More Flaws in Digitizing Patient Files

The report is the second in two months to raise concerns about a federal program aimed at converting paper records.

Sneaky Judges Find Their Pianist

The Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz will be announced on Wednesday as the winner of the $300,000 Gilmore Artist Award, given every four years to an unsuspecting pianist.

Theater Review
Theater Review | 'Tyson vs. Ali'
‘Tyson vs. Ali,’ a Dream Fight Made Real Onstage

Reid Farrington splices together video footage and live performance to produce a theoretical matchup of Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali.

Op-Ed Contributors
What’s the Matter With Kansas’ Schools?

The state’s relentless cuts in education could hurt the whole country.

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Dining & Wine »

The Pour
Your 2014 Resolution: Drink Adventurously

Twenty winter wines for $20 apiece offer not only value but intrigue.

Energy Bars That Put a Chirp in Your Step

Banking that cricket-filled protein bars will jump off the shelves.

 

Turning Cheese Into a Cook’s Assistant

Its variety may be daunting, but a few tips can help harness its versatility.

Behind the Wheel
Electric Service From $199 a Month

Electric cars are getting cheaper, with the Chevrolet Spark E.V., Smart Electric Drive Cabriolet and Fiat 500e all available for lease at less than $240 a month.

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