Opinion - CNN

German-born British author and illustrator Judith Kerr, poses for a photograph at her home in west London on June 12, 2018. - As British author Judith Kerr celebrates turning 95 on Thursday, her famous children's book "The Tiger Who Came To Tea" remains the crowning achievement of a life devoted to writing and drawing after she fled Nazi Germany. The story chronicles Sophie and her mother, having tea in the kitchen when the doorbell rings. In steps a huge tiger who devours all the food and drink before never being seen again. "It was a bedtime story I made up for my daughter who was then three," said the nonagenarian, with curly grey hair and a mischievous smile, in the living room of her south west London brick house where she raised two children. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY by Pauline FROISSART (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Judith Kerr's light helped us understand the world's darkness

By Holly Thomas

Buried at the heart of all great children's literature, even the loveliest and most innocent, is a thread of darkness. This was ever true of books by Judith Kerr, beloved author of "The Tiger Who Came To Tea," the Mog the Cat stories, and "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit," who has died aged 95.

The sign for the Hidden Oaks apartment complex in Jefferson City Missouri stands bent Thursday, May 23, 2019, from a tornado in front of a tree that was ripped apart. The National Weather Service has confirmed a large and destructive tornado has touched down in Missouri's state capital, causing heavy damage and trapping multiple people in the wreckage of their homes. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

The devastating storm recovery problem hiding in plain sight

By Yuliya Panfil and Tim Robustelli

On Wednesday night a violent tornado tore through Missouri, destroying portions of the state's capital and leaving at least three people dead. The deadly storm comes on the heels of at least 21 tornadoes reported in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas earlier this week, putting more than 17 million people at the risk from flash flooding and destructive winds.

Private Charlie Nease, in his 45th Infantry Division uniform.

The World War II veteran says he didn't do anything. I almost believed him

By John Kirby, CNN National Security Analyst

On Memorial Day weekend, John Kirby salutes Private Charlie Nease, a veteran of the World War II battle at Anzio, and a man who like many in his generation didn't want to take credit for all he accomplished

As John Walker Lindh walks out of prison, we have to figure out what awaits him

By Moustafa Ayad and Amarnath Amarasingam

The message arrived as we were passing through airport security. A US returnee from ISIS-held territory needed help. Reintegrating back into his American community was not going well. His past was doggedly blocking his prospects for the future. And the same drivers that often push people into extremist groups -- isolation, trauma and societal marginalization -- were weighing on him once again.