Winners & Losers

Winners

African democrats: Run a functioning democracy, win $5 million.

Google: Even Bush wastes time on Google Earth.

Putin: Bullies Europe over energy, then announces he'll continue to guide Russia once he steps down - and no one objects.

Oil companies: Posting record third quarter profits. 

Obama: Everyone is talking about a possible presidential bid. But how long will the honeymoon last?

Losers

Rush Limbaugh: Forced to backtrack after he suggests that Michael J. Fox fakes Parkinson's symptoms. 

Choice in Nicaragua: The country bans all abortions, even those in the case of rape or when the mother's life is threatened. 

DeBeers: Upcoming film Blood Diamond isn't even out yet, but early press is making conflict diamonds a news fixture.

NATO: A bloody week for civilians as the fight for Afghanistan worsens.

"Staying the course": Joins "axis of evil" and "dead or alive" in rhetorical retirement.