gleans at 5:30 PM MT, 4/11

 

U.S. military expands role in West Africa

The USS Fort McHenry is traveling the coast – training soldiers and providing relief.

 

 

Marine quick reaction force starts to settle into southern Afghanistan

The focus of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is largely security, but will include humanitarian work.

 

 

 

 

 

One thousand and one delights Despite the many obstacles it faces - censorship, a lack of translations, exile - Arabic literature has never been more vital. We asked authors and critics about which works they think the world should have the chance to read More fiction

In his own words Booker-winning James Kelman has been called 'an illiterate savage', but his novels have made him one of Scotland's most influential writers

Don't forget the F-word Erica Jong on how the hope she had for women in 1968 has been extinguished Quiz: Are you tuned into 1968, man?

 

 

The atheist delusion
Over the past few years, leading writers and thinkers have published bestselling tracts against God. John Gray on why the 'secular fundamentalists' have got it all wrong

Scrubs up nicely
Lucy Ellmann finds out in Katherine Ashenburg's Clean how we learnt to wash and go
More history

 

McCain 'would confront Russia and China'

A John McCain presidency would take to a more forceful approach to Russia and China, according to senior foreign policy advisers.

Bill's misguided Clinton 'misspeak' rant

Barack Obama gets flirty (again)

Elton John backs Clinton in election race

Elton John is an ardent Clinton supporter

If Hillary was a man, would she win race?

Colin Powell speaks out in praise of Obama

Full coverage: US election 2008