However, the main reason why Labour has found it hard to mount a convincing assault is that the Tory plans to restrain public-spending growth are so modest.

ECONOMIST: Spending plans

California Rep. Mike Thompson told CNN on Tuesday that a ban on high-capacity magazines could garner Republican support, but a full-scale assault weapon ban would be hard to get passed in the GOP-controlled House.

CNN: GOP balks at Obama's post-Newtown gun control proposals

These moves may seem small-bore compared to gun laws in many other countries, but they are a very big deal here, and it is hard to see how the ban on assault rifles will get past Republican (and indeed some Democratic) opposition in Congress.

BBC: President Obama's next campaign - against the gun lobby

Such ploys can make it hard to identify exactly who is behind a particular online assault, says Adam Vincent of Cyber Squared, another security firm.

ECONOMIST: Hackers hit big companies, the IMF and the headlines

"If you've had any experience with someone who has been traumatized by sexual assault, reliving it in your mind is hard enough, " attorney Jeffrey Shapiro said on CNN's "American Morning" Thursday.

CNN: Ex-IMF chief granted bail amid sexual assault allegations

If Johnston beats back the assault from Wal-Mart, it will be hard to know whether sales motivation or better throughput at the warehouses is doing the trick.

FORBES: The Guru in the Vegetable Bin

But a hard core of 2, 000-5, 000 is likely to stay in the jungle, waiting for the assault to subside.

ECONOMIST: Strife in eastern Congo