Although average room rates were slightly higher from January through June compared with last year, occupancies fell slightly to 62%, in line with a national softening in demand that pushed U.S. vacancies down to 61%.

WSJ: With Republican Convention, It's a Green State

Moving the Taylor case to the ICC facilities seems to be part of this trend of the Bush Administration softening its line, but the State Department's John Bellinger said people shouldn't read too much into it.

NPR: Taylor War Crimes Trial Worries West Africa

Hope has flickered that the quake might advance India's peace process with Pakistan, by bringing about a softening of the line of control.

ECONOMIST: A race against winter | The