New York’s currently: feeling relatively like summer

 Plane crash in Iran kills 302 Elite Iranian soldiers.

 Richard Gephardt hits the presidential campaign trail.

 …the government here knows that some influential Western opinion-makers and politicians think of Syria as little more than Iraq II, painting it as a dictatorship bent on supporting terrorism, suppressing human rights, and acquiring weapons of mass destruction. General tensions with the West prompt Syria to get a makeover.

 This Saturday in New York Emerging Arts presents ‘Love, Art & War.’

 Bachelorette finale: Trista chooses Ryan (the fireman), a nation coos.

 Cheese thieves strike cellar in France.

 Author of ‘the worst novel ever published in the English language.’ agrees to a harsh interview, purely for the publicity. Via mf

 Mickey Mouse gas masks.

 Teens stab man with knife, then return it to the Wal-Mart they bought it at. And get their money back.

 Porky’s revisited: Female employee claims a Chicago Hooters changing room has peepholes.

 Johnny PayCheck, singer of ‘Take This Job and Shove It,’ dead at 64.

 Rock ’n’ Roll Camp for Girls: A summer day camp for girls 8–18, with classes on music writing and playing, zine making, and safe moshing. Featuring guest lecturer Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney.

 A crisp riesling is the perfect wine for these braised pork chops with five-spice powder and orange peel on a bed of polenta. Hesser matches wine with dinner, makes editor hungry.