Maurice Sendak, Children's Author Who Upended Tradition, Dies at 83  —  Maurice Sendak, widely considered the most important children's book artist of the 20th century, who wrenched the picture book out of the safe, sanitized world of the nursery and plunged it into the dark …

Santorum endorses Romney: ‘All hands on deck’  —  A reader forwards this email Rick Santorum is sending to his list of supporters in which he announces he's endorsing Mitt Romney.  —  Santorum makes clear that he felt Romney had answered questions about his commitment to principles …

Half of Americans Support Legal Gay Marriage  —  Democrats and independents in favor; Republicans opposed  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Fifty percent of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages — down slightly from 53% last year …

6 a.m. update: Polls open  —  Polls opened at 6 a.m. today as Hoosiers make their final picks for Republican and Democratic nominees for the November election.  —  Headlining today's election is the Republican race for U.S. Senate between Sen. Richard Lugar and Treasurer Richard Mourdock.

Liberals Steer Outside Money to Grass-Roots Organizing  —  After months on the sidelines, major liberal donors including the financier George Soros are preparing to inject up to $100 million into independent groups to aid Democrats' chances this fall.  But instead of going head to head …

US: CIA thwarts new al-Qaida underwear bomb plot  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The CIA thwarted an ambitious plot by al-Qaida's affiliate in Yemen to destroy a U.S.-bound airliner using a bomb with a sophisticated new design around the one-year anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden, The Associated Press has learned.

A Note to Readers  —  When we published Naomi Schaefer Riley's blog posting on Brainstorm last week ("The Most Persuasive Case for Eliminating Black Studies?  Just Read the Dissertations"), several thousand of you spoke out in outrage and disappointment that The Chronicle had published …

Obama team: Romney must rebuke ‘extreme voices’ after ‘treason’ call at rally  —  President Obama's campaign is looking to seize on a pair of controversial comments by supporters at Mitt Romney's town hall meeting in Cleveland Monday, calling on the presumptive Republican nominee to “stand up to the extreme voices in his party.”

Top Obama donors witholding money over executive order punt  —  Some leading gay and progressive donors are so angry over President Obama's refusal to sign an executive order barring same sex discrimination by federal contractors that they are refusing to give any more money to the pro-Obama super PAC …

In surprise move, Netanyahu, Mofaz agree to form unity government, cancel early elections  —  PM, opposition leader reach dramatic late-night agreement to form national unity government, in which Kadima head Mofaz expected to be appointed deputy prime minister.  —  Get Haaretz on iPhone

Beyond Boston  —  Among politicos, Mitt Romney's presidential campaign is frequently referenced as “Boston.”  Romney's headquarters is housed there, and for much of the campaign season, the phrase has been used to describe the former governor's tight-knit group of senior advisers …

Gov. Christie's approval rate highest ever amongst N.J. residents  —  TRENTON — Fifty-six percent of New Jersey voters approve of Gov. Chris Christie, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll this morning.  —  That's Christie's highest ever rating in a Fairleigh Dickinson poll.

No Accountability for Torture  —  Sometimes I think being American means never having to say you're sorry.  On Wednesday, May 2, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, a federal appeals court in San Francisco, unanimously dismissed a lawsuit against former Justice Department lawyer John Yoo …

Al Jazeera English to close China bureau  —  Move comes after authorities refuse to renew correspondent's press credentials and visa.  —  Al Jazeera English has closed its bureau in Beijing after the Chinese authorities refused to renew its correspondent's press credentials and visa, or allow a replacement journalist.

Greek Government Mandate Passes to Syriza After Samaras Fails  —  A Greek political party leader who has vowed to rip up the terms of Greece's international bailout was handed the mandate to try and form a government after Antonis Samaras of New Democracy failed to forge an agreement.

Official: EU to move forward on transaction tax  —  The European Union will continue to press ahead with discussions on a financial transactions tax even if the idea stagnates in the United States, a top official said Monday.  —  Algirdas Šemeta, the EU commissioner for taxation …

WTF?  Democratic Party of Wisconsin Cancels post-primary Unity Rally  —  Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 8th, Wisconsin voters will vote in a special recall election primary.  On the Democratic ballot for governor are four legitimate contenders.  The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Governor Scott Walker on June 5th.

Ambassador to Pakistan set to leave post  —  U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter announced to his staff Monday morning that he was stepping down this summer after serving less than two years on the job.  —  We're told his early departure — ambassadors usually serve three-year tours …