One selling point: Instead of an adjustable, long stem for a bike seat, Scott's seat posts are cut and bolted tight (by dealers in the store) to fit the rider.

FORBES: Spinning Wheels

As members of the conference's preparatory committee, the 20 members of the Governing Council who did not win posts in Mr Allawi's government have already awarded themselves seats in the 100-seat National Assembly, which will leave the 1, 000 delegates at the conference to scrap over the remaining 80.

ECONOMIST: Onward, Muslim soldiers? | The