Politics:
ISIS or ISIL (depending on whether you translate that last letter as "Syria" or "Levant" has been active in the regions since the war started in 2003, but is now gaining ground in both Iraq and Syria. They are Sunni fighters, well organized, and are profiting from the "sectarian strife between Sunnis and Shiites", and they are advancing on the Iraqui capital quickly, having captured resources on their way while the US and Western powers struggle to find the words to say that intervention is necessary but nobody's willing to put troops on the ground.
Pop Culture:
Douglas Coupland and Chuck Palahniuk involve the audience at the New York Public Library.
This is a gorgeous song from French producer Paume, preceding his record which comes out on June 20th.