Milestones

INDUCTED. Assia Djebar, 69, Algerian writer and filmmaker, into the lite Acadmie franaise, its first member from France's former North African colonies; in Paris. In a writing career spanning half a century, Djebar has won acclaim for tackling difficulties faced by women in Muslim societies. Currently a professor of French literature at New York University, Djebar becomes one of only 40 "immortals," as the Acadmie's members are known.

ADMITTED. Magen David Adom, Israeli aid society, as a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, ending decades of isolation from the humanitarian group; in Geneva. Since...