The chimp has a skill once attributed only to humans but now known to occur in various animal groups --- the use of simple tools. The chimp even makes its own tools for specific purposes. It will take a leafy twig and strip the leaves to make a long, thin stick for use as a termite catcher. The chimp pokes it through a narrow entrance into a termite nest, then it extracts the stick and licks off the juicy termites. 

        Chimps also crush leaves in their palms for use as sponges. They hold the leaves in water that they cannot reach with their mouths, such as that in a hollow log. Then they extract the leafy sponge and suck the moisture from it. 

        Like the young gorillas and humans, baby chimps have a long childhood, up to ten years in some cases. During this time, they find out how to feed and groom themselves, avoid danger, and communicate with other members of their group. Their behavior is partly instinctive. They also learn by observing other members of the group, and through trial and error.

Many are the journalists who dream about reporting on the world’s deadliest scenes of strife. Few are the ones who actually do it. Even fewer are those who do it well. Camille Lepage, a young photographer from France who was educated in the U.K. but 41 work took her far from Europe, was among the latter. Last fall, Lepage ventured into the Central Africa Republic, where a coup staged by mainly Muslim rebels had crumpled the state and prompted largely Christian militias to retaliate with fury. She spent her time 42 the fighters and also those most affected by the turmoil, while learning all she could about its roots. William Daniels, a photographer who worked with her here, 43 that locals respected her commitment and professionalism. “She was very active, very patient, very passionate about this work,” he says. “Very brave.” On May 13 the office of French President Francois Hollande issued a statement 44 Lepage’s death, at the age of 26, which it described as murder. French peacekeeping troops had discovered her body after they stopped a car driven by antibalaka militiamen. On a recent trip to New York City, Lepage admitted to fears about the conflict she was covering but said that she did not seek out scenes of violence on purpose. 45 , she wanted, in a way typical of her, to find the humanity in that bleak situation. The pictures she made in her brief life will define how she will be remembered, but the pictures she was going to take will help form her legacy.

        Gregg Bleakney’s dream was to travel the Americas from top to bottom. He got this idea after he finished a 1,600 kilometer (1,000 meter) bike ride. Gregg’s friend, Brooks Allen, was also a cyclist. The two friends talked and slowly formed a plan: they would travel from Alaska to Argentina—by bike. 

        To pay for the trip, Gregg and Brooks worked and saved their money for years. Once they were on the road, they often camped outdoors and stayed in hostels. In many places, local people opened their homes to the two friends and gave them food. During their trip, Gregg and Brooks cycled through deserts, rainforests, and mountains. They visited modern cities and ancient ruins such as Machu Picchu in Peru. And everywhere they went, they met other cyclists from all over the world. 

        In May 2007—two years, twelve countries, and over 30,500 km (19,000 miles) later—Gregg eventually reached Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. Before this, when getting near Guatemala, Brooks had to return to the U.S., and Gregg continued without him. 

        The trip taught both men a lot about traveling, especially if you travel abroad. What did they learn? Here is some of Gregg’s advice: travel light, be flexible, and be polite. The last advice comes from another smart traveler who once told Gregg, "Always remember that nobody wants to fight, cheat or rob a nice guy."

     When Emily Cooper headed off to first grade in Moody, Ala., last week, she was prepared with all the stuff on her elementary school’s must-bring list: two double rolls of paper towels, three packages of Clorox wipes, three boxes of baby wipes, two boxes of garbage bags, liquid soap, Kleenex and Ziplocs. 

    “The first time I saw it, my mouth hit the floor’’ Emily’s mother, Kristin Cooper, said of the list, which also included perennials like glue sticks, scissors and crayons. Schools across the country are beginning the new school year with shrinking budgets and outsize demands for basic supplies. And while many parents are wincing at picking up the bill, retailers are rushing to cash in by expanding the back-to-school category like never before.

    Now some back-to-school aisles are almost becoming j anitorial-supply destinations as multipacks of paper towels, cleaning spray and hand sanitizer are crammed alongside pens, notepads and backpacks. State and local school financing, which make up almost all of public schools’ money, is falling because of budget-balancing efforts and lower property- and sales-tax revenue. 

   For the retailers, back-to-school season is second only to the holidays, and parents’ longer school-supply lists are a bonus — especially at a time when shoppers are reluctant to spend. While the impact is not enormous, retailers are looking for anything to lift sales.