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 …

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 …

Mitt Romney: 'I'll Take A Lot Of Credit' For Auto Industry Recovery … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Elections 2012, Mitt Romney, Auto Bailout , Auto Bailout , Barack Obama 2012 , Elections 2012, Barack Obama , Video, Politics News, Mitt Romney 2012, Mitt Romney Auto Bailout, Photo Galleries, Politics News

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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

Sen. Dick Lugar to learn his fate in Indiana; N.C. votes on marriage amendment  —  Dick Lugar could see his 36-year Senate career come to an end Tuesday in the Indiana Republican primary as voters decide whether to send him back to Congress for another six-year term or bank on challenger Richard Mourdock.

For a Blunt Biden, an Uneasy Supporting Role  —  WASHINGTON — As President Obama reviewed the comedy routine he was to deliver at the recent White House Correspondents' Association dinner, one joke struck him as too hot.  It suggested he might dump Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. from the ticket.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

Hollande's Economic Policy May Better Suit the U.S.  —  WASHINGTON — With the victory of the Socialist candidate, François Hollande, in the French presidential election, the White House has lost one of its closest allies on the Continent, but perhaps gained one with economic policy beliefs more closely aligned with its own.

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.

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 …

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 …

Parents: Rule's half-baked  —  State's junk food ban could take bite out of school fundraisers  —  Bake sales, the calorie-laden standby cash-strapped classrooms, PTAs and booster clubs rely on, will be outlawed from public schools as of Aug. 1 as part of new no-nonsense nutrition standards …