When you’re a dictator, you’d better show up for public events … North Korean leader Kim Jong-il did not attend a celebration of the country’s 60th birthday, and a western intelligence official said the Dear Leader may have suffered a stroke weeks ago. Kim’s last public appearance was on Aug. 14. The United States and South Korea have been unable to independently verify Kim’s current health status. The New York Times is reporting North Korea doesn’t appear to have any succession plan in place.

And speaking of world domination and tight-lipped dictatorships … Apple released a new version of iTunes and showed off the look of its new Nano at its annual September music preview event today. ITunes 8 gives recommendations for similar songs when users click a new “genius” button, and the Nano has a more vertical design and built-in accelerometer that displays pictures and video horizontally when tilted.

The polls are in … And Sarah Palin is looking like a better and better choice for vice president. In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll white women have swung dramatically for the McCain ticket, going from 50-42 percent in favor of Obama before the conventions to 53-41 percent in favor of McCain after both VP picks.

When the numbers are this big, they all blur together … The Congressional Budget Office estimates the U.S. deficit will grow by $246 billion this year, and reach $407 billion. The large jump is partly due to a a decline in corporate tax receipts. The $407 billion estimate was reached before the government’s temporary takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, so the deficit is expected to rise.

No soup for you! And no government too! Thailand’s Constitutional Court forced Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej out of office today because he had violated conflict-of-interest rules by being paid to appear on various cooking shows. Because Samak’s party will remain in power it will likely nominate him again, as early as Friday, to retake his post as prime minister.