August 1, 2012: Morning
- Gore Vidal dies at 86.
- Vidal in conversation with his literary executor on influence, American education, Palin, the Bill of Rights.
- Electricity and material benefits legitimizes dictatorship while Indian politicians ignore basic life needs.
- Life for Syrians is little improved on entering refugee camps in Turkey's Siberia.
- Scientists rarely point to a single event's link to climate change—America's drought may be an exception.
- An in-depth look at veep vetting as one journalist subjects himself to the process.
- Russian anti-corruption activist and protest leader charged with embezzlement—Putin's getting harsh.
- The IOC is corruption-prone, economic prosperity doesn't follow games, we'll never learn the lesson.
- The math of how Ancient Olympians would fare if competing at London 2012.
- Icelanders have responded to economic problems with less booze, more sleep and marriage.
- What we'll eat in 20 years.