Events that will matter.

Get in the know and find out next week’s news with our interactive feature.July 10 – 13

Muggles Unite

Only grown-up J.K. Rowling fans will be in Dallas for Portus, a serious symposium on the Harry Potter series. Topics like “Gay Night at the Three Broomsticks” and “Postmodern Pedagogy in Harry Potter” make it clear this is an adult-only Harry lovefest.

July 11

Electronic Harvest

To the delight of many mobile multi-taskers, Apple’s long-awaited 3G iPhone will hit the stores in 22 countries today. The second-generation model boasts speedier Internet access and a GPS mapper while being considerably less costly than its predecessor.

July 13

Passing Down the Crown

Eighty international beauties will fight for the crown at the 57th annual Miss Universe pageant in Nha Tran, Vietnam. Last year’s winner, Riyo Mori of Japan, will be on hand to crown her successor during the festivities, which will be broadcast in more than 180 countries.

July 15

Summer Classic

Yankee Stadium plays host to Major League Baseball’s 2008 All-Star Game. The celebrations will be a fitting commemoration for the 84th and final season at the House that Ruth Built, as the Yankees are scheduled to move into their new ballpark next season.

July 15 – 20

Digging “Il Papa”

Half a million people are expected join Pope Benedict XVI in celebrating World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. The event, which actually lasts five days and is hosted by the Catholic church, will be the largest Australia has ever hosted—surpassing even the 2000 Olympics.

July 17 – 20

Going for the Gold

The four rounds of the 137th British Open will be played at Royal Birkdale in England. With would-be probative favorite Tiger Woods out after his recent knee surgery, a wide-open field of Europe and the U.S.’s best golfers will be squaring off for golf’s oldest trophy.

July 17

Dr. Death Does Politics

After assisting in more than 130 deaths, Jack “Dr. Death” Kevorkian, the retired pathologist, is running for Congress in Michigan. He needs to deliver 3,000 signatures supporting his candidacy by the end of the day in order to get his name on the November ballot.

July 18

Ledger Returns

Audiences will get a last glimpse of Heath Ledger, who plays a grotesque, sadistic Joker, when Dark Knight is released today. Early reviews are generating talk of the first posthumous best-actor Oscar since Peter Finch won in 1976 for his performance in Network.