Normally I'd launch into some pressing international intrigue/sickening catastrophe, but not today! Instead, I'm urging you to read this, which is as breezy and engaging an effort at explaining the many rifts in Iraq (and elsewhere in the Arab world) as I've seen. Read it.

Then, read about how the US and others don't want Iran involved in efforts to stymie ISIS, hopefully with a more full picture of the sticky politics involved.

Highlighting the helplessness of family members of those who fall into ISIS' clutches, James Foley's parents have described how the US government threatened to prosecute them if they tried to raise ransom money.

On Thursday, Scotland decides whether to break from the United Kingdom. But what will happen to Berwick-Upon-Tweed?!

You know the voter ID laws Republicans states are always pushing to combat the nonexistent problem of voter fraud? Well, Rhode Island's actively prevents people from legally voting.

Today in Ebola quotes: “I am being honest with you when I say that at this rate, we will never break the transmission chain and the virus will overwhelm us.”

Meet the California man who (allegedly) cooked his ex-girlfriend's dog for her. Then left its paws on her doorstep.

America's Favorite Sport: NFL star Adrian Peterson was arrested yesterday for disciplining his son with a switch. Which is going to raise a lot of debates all over the place.

Someone ambushed a couple of Pennsylvania troopers outside their headquarters, killing one.