The Brief, May 22: UN Def Jam, Faithful Facebook

Is it summer yet? Why yes, dear readers, it is. If you consider Memorial Day weekend the unofficial kickoff to that season of short shorts and long days. Welcome it in with some bits of good news, then heat up the grill and get busy flipping burgers and blaring Bob Marley. That's an order.

Next superstar set to save the world? Why U.N. Def Goodwill Ambassador Russell Simmons, of course. New — and abruptly unsettling — policy revoked, New York homeless have time to protect their rent rights. Let the bill rejoicing begin! From the Pope to Indonesian imams, religion's heavy-hitters give their Facebook thumbs-up. As if you needed an excuse to soak up some sun. Now you know it makes you even brighter.