Fox News again beat its competitors for primetime cable ratings. There's no accounting for taste.

The world's shocked and appalled by news and photos that private security forces guarding the American embassy in Kabul, act like pre-teen cave men. Here's something that won't improve the situation: the government's known all along!

Some have questioned whether Drake, perhaps best known for playing Jimmy on excellent Canadian soap Degrassi: The Next Generation, is for real. Well, he is. And he may be the best thing to come out of that show ever.

Hey, Catholics! The Vatican totally wants to get in on your action, which is why it's urging couples — married couples — to pray before sex so that it's not hedonistic, devilish or gay. [Daily Mail]

It's an age-old tale: site becomes popular, slags and hags use it for financial gain, the olds get mad. And Twitter is not immune. Thus, Business Week's Sarah Lacy warns the company to clean up its act.

So, single gal Kourtney Kardashian's with child. While some people will shake a finger at the 30-year old's apparent irresponsibility, her friend and reality show costar Erica Mena calls double-K a "role model." Oh, really?

If you think gas is expensive, try buying pot. It can totally eat a hole in your wallet, which explains why a Maryland man tried to trade leafy greens for gasoline. He should have tried using his coke stash. [AP]

Now that they're safely back in the United States formerly imprisoned journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee are free to spill the beans on their harrowing North Korean adventure. But mostly just justify their mission and assert their innocence.

Glenn Beck's on many rhetorical hit lists these days. And rightfully so: he's built his career out on fear-mongering and histrionics. It's costing him money, yes, but it's also garnering threats on his family. This should stop.

The egg industry's currently engaging in a war on "useless" male chicks, who (duh) produce no eggs. And, like all wars, this one has casualties: cute, innocent, fuzzy, absolutely precious casualties.

The news media pretends it holds moral authority in a world gone mad. But that's just until they find a story so seductive that they can't help but discard said authority, as seen in the storm surrounding psycho Phillip Garrido.

• Is Barneys headed for bankruptcy? Once again, some are suggesting the retailer may go bust, or at least be forced to partner with another company. And once again, Barneys' owner, Dubai-based Istithmar, is reiterating that it remains "fully committed" to the chain. [BN, AP]
• Every other celebrity has a clothing line. Now news personalities are getting in on the action: Al Roker is reportedly in talks with Weatherproof to start up a line of "rain jackets, coats, footwear and cold weather accessories." [WWD]
• A PR agency staffer is accused of ripping off nearly $100K in jewelry. [NYP]

Cities burned; pundits pointed fingers and AOL stood proud for definitely the last time. The Twitterati acted out their primal terror.

From Alderaan to the Crab Nebula, if there is one thing that holds all God's species together it is our faith that the selection of Miss Universe is impartial and free of favoritism. Now that may be in doubt.

[A ghoulishly reflective storefront in Manhattan for a Songül Sarpbas wedding gown. Image via ShellyS's flickr]

The music industry is now only one step shy of launching a line of Moby-branded Night Train bottles. Warners Bros. Records and the California Lottery are producing a line of musician-branded scratch cards.

Pigeons might not be able to tell you what good art is, but they do know it when they see it, according to a Japanese psychologist who trains avian critics.

Fox News' Alisyn Camerota screwed up a throw on Fox & Friends this morning, causing Steve Doocy and Brien Kilmeade to cross swords when Doocy read Kilmeade's copy. So Kilmeade asked, "Why do we have women on the show?"

• Is Drew Nieporent thinking about taking over Café des Artistes? "It's a great space and I'm always interested in great spaces," he says cryptically. [BN]
• A guide to some of your food options at the US Open. [Gothamist]
• Yesterday, the city unveiled its new anti-obesity campaign against sugary soft drinks and the like; today, the beverage industry fired back. [NYP]
• As part of the deal giving him control of Tavern on the Green, Dean Poll also settled a dispute with the city over $100K in unpaid fees. Convenient! [NYP]
• Some tips and tricks to ordering off a menu, courtesy of Frank Bruni. [GS]
• A roundup of recent restaurant closings around town. [Eater]
• Turning your gross black tar rooftop into a sustainable garden full of tasty fruits and veggies is all the rage, in case you haven't heard. [MSNBC]