Cheat Sheet

Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

The slightest bit of light has been shed on Steve Jobs' mystery illness: Apple reports today that its CEO, who has been on medical leave since January, underwent a liver transplant two months ago, and he's recovering well. The technology guru is set to return to work later this month, though, following doctors' orders, he may work part-time for a a while—perhaps leading to an expanded role for Apple's #2, Tim Cook. In the past, shareholders have criticized Jobs for disclosing such limited information about his health problems, which began in 2004, when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The gaunt Jobs took a medical leave of absence in January, but offered little insight at the time as to what was ailing him, leading to rampant speculation in the press that he was suffering from a relapse.

After a (relatively speaking) calm two months in Iraq, a suicide bomber killed 67 people and wounded 200 on Saturday afternoon in the deadliest attack this year. The attack raises fears that insurgents will soon take over urban centers after U.S. soldiers, scheduled to leave by June 30, depart under the security pact signed last year. The incident involving a truck filled with explosives took place hours after Iraq prime minister Nuri al-Maliki told leaders of the community, “Don’t lose heart if a breach of security occurs here or there.”

Tammie Arroyo / AP Photo

In what could be a plot line straight from Gossip Girl, a website has put up images from a sex tape they are claiming features Leighton Meester, the show's star. The site shows grainy images of a young woman's breasts with the words: "This is 100% the REAL Leighton Meester" and "Did you know, she's a natural blonde." The site, Celebhotline.com, requires payment to see the tape. (It reportedly involves the woman's feet in a "sex act.") TMZ claims the tape was shot by an ex-boyfriend several years ago. The 23-year-old actress recently crossed over into music, releasing a pop single called "Good Girls Go Bad."

Now this is just a shame: Injured Supreme Court nominee announced her resignation as a member of an elite all-women’s club after GOP senators questioned her participation. Sotomayor wrote that the Belizean Grove “does not practice invidious discrimination and my membership did not violate the Judicial Code of Ethics,” but that she “did not want questions about this to distract anyone from my qualifications and record.” Judges are not allowed to join an organization that discriminates by race, sex, religion, or nationality. The group’s founder was disappointed about the resignation, blaming it on “partisan politics. It is a very sad that she has had to do this.”

Pool / Getty Images

President Obama kept an amiable tone as the guest of honor at Friday night’s 65th annual Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association dinner. During the black-tie affair attended by journalists and politicians—although not quite on par with the celeb-friendly “Nerd Prom” held months ago—he poked fun at his trip to Cairo: “I'm sure you've all seen the pictures of Rahm on that camel. I admit, I was a little nervous about the whole situation. I said at the time, 'This is a wild animal known to bite, kick and spit. And who knows what the camel could do?'" And the overt devotion of members of the media didn’t go overlooked: “Why hang out with celebrities when I can spend time with people who make me one?" said Obama, before he somberly thanked broadcasters for their truthful coverage of the news—including the ongoing disputed presidential election in Iran. On a lighter note, Daily Show contributor and “I’m a PC” commercial guy John Hodgman ribbed Obama about his nerdy tendencies (Dune, anyone?).

In a shocking turn of events, New York Times reporter David Rohde escaped from Taliban captivity today. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist first disappeared in November 2008 while working on a book in Afghanistan. The New York Times reports that Rohde, alongside local reporter Tahir Ludin and their driver Asadullah Mangal, were abducted near Kabul and were held in captivity in the mountains in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The kidnapping was originally kept quiet by The Times and other media due to concerns about the men's safety. To escape, "They just walked over the wall of the company," Rohde's wife said, and were eventually rescued by a Pakistani army scout. Rohde is in good health; Ludin injured his foot during his escape.

Getty Images

First the Chinese government shut down the Twitterverse, and now parts of Google are under siege. Officials met with managers of Chinese operations of the search engine Thursday to warn that if vulgar and pornographic content were not removed from its site, two of Google’s basic functions would be disabled. The associative-word feature, which brings up related terms when words are typed into Google’s search bar, went missing Friday, and the ability to search overseas sites might also be removed. The ban comes at a time when China is making a variety of efforts to govern Internet activity, the most extreme being the government’s plan to order computer makers to implant Internet censorship software on all computers sold after July 1. Unlike the United States, however, where Google is regarded as the definitive search engine, a site called Baidu reigns supreme in China.

Listen up, Sasha and Malia: Your dad does not want a tie for Father’s Day. At his yearly Fatherhood event on the White House’s South Lawn, someone asked President Obama what gift he wanted Sunday. “A health care bill,” he said. He later went on to tend to the grill with celebrity chef Bobby Flay and answered questions from high school students about parenthood. Larry Holmes wanted to know if the President preferred his day job or being father, and Obama responded, “Nothing is more fun than being father.” He continued, perhaps in an attempt to warm up for his comedy routine at the Correspondents’ Dinner: “Now my kids aren't teenagers yet, so I don't know whether that will maintain itself.”

Scott Gries / Getty Images

Skateboarder Tony Hawk has plenty to be proud of in his long career—the guy once spun 900 degrees off a ramp. (It was awesome, YouTube it.) But on Friday he upped the ante for his rivals by skating in the White House, where he was attending a Father's Day forum hosted by President Obama, along with celebrity chef Bobby Flay, NBA star Dwyane Wade, and NBA benchwarmer Etan Thomas. Hawk posted photos of the experience on his Twitter page. According to White House officials, Hawk had permission to skate down its halls. Sellout!

Iranian anti-riot police are using tear gas and water cannons to combat protesters, according to witnesses, while state television is reporting the shrine of Supreme Leader Khomeini has been bombed, injuring at least two. Reuters reports that the bombing was the act of a suicide bomber, who died. Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that a huge security force dispersed a couple thousand protesters in front of Tehran University, and it's unclear if political leaders were also in attendance. Much confusion surrounded the demonstration: The wife of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi said the rally would go ahead early on Saturday, even after the country's Supreme Leader forbade the demonstration the day before. But other reformist groups said the rally was canceled by the Party. Many protesters had already shown up. The police chief said on state TV that police "will act with determination against all illegal demonstrations and protests." and arrest demonstrators. Mousavi was scheduled to make a statement at the rally.