* More than a dozen killed by devastating storms in the Midwest, and more storms are expected. * Imagining the UK if it faced austerity cuts on the scale currently facing Greece. * British and German leaders vocally back Sarkozy to their detriment should Hollande win. * Nature of romantic love considered philosophically, via
* In the first talks with the U.S. in three years, North Korea agrees to halt production of nuclear weapons. * Even if Pyongyang does live up to the deal, they will almost certainly start the program back up in a few years. * Iran conjures the Great Satan to lure voters
* U.S. and France draft resolution for humanitarian access to Syria. * Conflicting stories show Obama and Bibi battling behind the scenes over Iran. * Profiles of the women behind the Arab world's dictators. * Queen seeks baby born at Knebworth show, Aug. 9, 1986—the reincarnation of Freddie Mercury? * El
According to Philip Larkin, our parents fuck us up. This is perhaps more true for children of celebrities, dictators, and renowned writers. Who can blame them?
* U.S. military acknowledges sending unidentified 9/11 victims' remains to landfill. * With a plan to expand Bush's massive health efforts, Santorum is the best hope for global health. * Doctor data mines patient in the ultimate search for the "quantified self." * The adoption of memory-
Our man in Boston talks to author and artist Ben Katchor about the history of picture-stories—from the days when literature included drawings to our current world of (sadly) more purified genres.
* Obama administration more prone than any in history to silence and prosecute federal workers. * Chart: Where not to be a toddler. * DC-area plastic surgeon developing procedures for people concerned about their appearance during video calls. * Pictures of the nearly forgotten mailbox. * For those seeking to learn a second language
* Stratfor is hardly the super-secret intelligence org WikiLeaks wants us to believe. * Cuyahoga County late-night news station acts out racketeering trial with puppets. * Explained: The idea of a climate change hoax is ridiculous. * Q&A with the creator of LBJ's "Daisy" ad. * TSG
Big-budget films tell us earthquakes are bad, volcanic eruptions can be catastrophic, and meteorite strikes—barring the presence of Bruce Willis—may kill us all. Seeking expert advice on how scared we should be.
* "Meh," once an obscure Yiddish word, now synonymous with (Meh) Romney. * The Kennedys are back, with a 31-year-old former prosecutor who wears "voluminous Kennedy hair." * Researchers believe Maryland girl who doesn't age may have clues to universal longevity. * Let's remember
