Chatter: What we're hearing

An insightful article on NYTimes.com tells of the conspicuous absence of wealthy landowners, the economic pillar of the rural society in Pakistan, in the masses of people streaming back into the Swat Valley after months of fighting, and its potentially hazardous social and economic consequences. Displaying remarkable courage and concern, the so-called "princess of Swat" has returned to do her bit to help her people rebuild.

Dull but important: U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he is still working on a deal with Israel to halt West Bank settlement activity so peace talks can resume. The envoy has held top-level talks in Britain, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Egypt, and Israel over the past week. Meantime, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, also in Israel, has tried to reassure Jerusalem over Washington's efforts to talk Iran into giving up nuclear work.

Just because: It has the potential to change the way we choose and pay for items at a supermarket, find a book in a library (remember those?), dine out ... Those MIT brainiacs have been hard at work coming up with the replacement for the ubiquitous barcode. Enter the "Bokode." 

Wacky: Germany's Social Democrat (SPD) health minister is under pressure to explain why she took her official limousine, complete with chauffeur, to Spain where the vehicle was stolen.