What's Next

Liberia Bailout

America pardons nation's debt

The U.S. plans to cancel a $391 million debt owed by Liberia and ask Congress for $200 million to aid the struggling nation this year. That helps, but Liberia still owes $3.7 billion to other lenders.

Doomsday Safe

Facility to protect agriculture

The Norwegian government will construct a seed vault, to be completed in 2008 on the Arctic island of Svalbard, that would preserve the world's agriculture in case of a global climate crisis.

Gates Rings In

Microsoft unveils new phone

This spring Microsoft will launch Windows Mobile 6, a new operating system for wireless technologies that promises to display phone e-mail as clearly as its desktop counterparts.

The Flipper Patrol

Marine mammals on guard

The Navy wants to recruit trained dolphins and sea lions for guard duty at a base on Puget Sound, close to Seattle, where they would detect terrorist swimmers and scuba divers.

Bring on the Beads

The Big Easy awaits Mardi Gras

Hard-luck New Orleans, just hit by a tornado that destroyed several dozen homes, could use a party. Some 80% of the city's hotel space is booked for Mardi Gras, which wraps on Feb. 20.