And the approaching 2004 conference may tempt him to think that if he loses a referendum in 2002 he could have another go in 2005 or 2006, at which point joining could look both safe and inevitable.

ECONOMIST: And now for Europe?

When he graduated from law school 35 years ago, he made a point of joining a Connecticut law firm that discouraged its associates from running for public office.

NPR: Dodd's First Race Was Call to Service, Legacy

And even though all of you have won 13 straight against the guys at West Point and Colorado Springs, you're all joining the same team now.

WHITEHOUSE: The Commander in Chief Trophy

In doing so, it edged out Sony's own RX1 full-frame compact, which receives an honorable mention in the category, as does the Samsung Galaxy Camera for joining a powerful Android smartphone with a superzoom point-and-shoot.

ENGADGET: Switched On: The 2012 Switchies, Part 1

Instead of joining the previous sample chapter, from the point of view of Theon Greyjoy, this new chapter, about Arianne Martell (a character mentioned in passing in A Storm of Swords but introduced in A Feast for Crows), replaces it altogether.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

Kidd, one of the game's most accomplished point guards, has effectively served as a shooting guard since joining the Knicks.

WSJ: Brewer May Deserve an Encore

Above all, in the best (or worst) Strauss tradition, Mr Stoiber has laid into the Bonn government on everything from joining the euro (he insists the criteria be met to the last decimal point) to autobahn tolls.

ECONOMIST: Bavaria

Denmark's central bank has raised its interest rates by half a percentage point to 5.6% to defend the krone, following the country's vote against joining Europe's monetary union.

BBC: Euro stable after Danish 'no'

Officials point to another poll finding that, of those who plan to vote in a referendum, 62% favour joining the EU. For this majority, the issue is whether the anti-corruption push will speed up or slow down Croatia's path to membership.

ECONOMIST: More stumbles on the path to the European Union