The GOP's never-ending Obamacare tantrum—days from forcing a very inconvenient and unnecessary shutdown of the federal government—could be ending! For a month. The president hasn't caved to their budget demands, forcing Republicans to maybe move the circus over to October's looming debt ceiling fight.

Qatar's plans for the 2022 World Cup are as grandiose you might expect from one of the world's richest countries (per capita!). They might also involve the deaths of some 4,000 migrant workers, according to concerns raised by a major trade union.

Syria's rebellion, always built on somewhat weak ties, is fracturing. Amid notions of peace, important militant factions have begun disavowing the internationally sanctioned rebel front group representing the enemies of Damascus in cease-fire negotiations.

Détente with Iran seems to be oozing along into an actual thing, based on continuing developments from this week's United Nations huddle. Secretary of State John Kerry will sit with Iran's foreign minister, Javed Zarif, in what's being called the highest-level talks between our two countries since the Bush administration.

Oregon's very own Ron Wyden has presented new legislation meant to bring to heel the National Security Agency—whose rampant excesses, flaws, and abuses have been ripped from the classified shadows thanks to the leaks of former contractor (and current fugitive) Edward Snowden.

Still-living ex-president George H.W. Bush maybe also supports marriage equality. He and his wife, Barbara, served as witnesses for the nuptials of a store owner in Kennebunkport, Maine, and her partner. Photos of the president signing the couple's license were posted on Facebook and don't appear to be Photoshopped.

An Alpine mountain climber is hoping like crazy no one claims the box of rare jewels he uncovered on the side of a Mont Blanc glacier. Worth $332,000, the jewels were lost decades ago during an Indian Air plane crash.

Hopefully Bill Nye, the Science Guy, can use his science magic to heal injuries suffered during a slip as part of television's Dancing With the Stars.

Apple's long-awaited iOS overhaul, which went live last week, put immense strain on the network infrastructure most American drones rely upon when connecting with the Collective Internet.

Last Thursday is still in big trouble. Mayor Charlie Hales' office, helping manage the thing with volunteers after deciding the thing had too many problems, has said it wants O-U-T of the street festival business.

SOMETIMES, WHEN WAITING TO PAY FOR YOUR DELICIOUS DELIVERY PIZZA, YOU HAVE TO LIFT UP YOUR SKELETON MASK FOR A FIZZY AND FORTIFYING SIP OF COCA-COLA.