Headlines from July 31, 2012

If you live in America, you are four times more likely to be murdered than if you live in Britain.
Obama’s winning on messages, but Romney’s talking points are Americans’ hot-button issues, Gallup shows.
It does not describe how the singer constructed songs, but how he reacted to being spurned by beautiful women. Jonah Lehrer’s deceptions.
The 2012 Olympics gold medals are mostly silver, silver medals are actually sterling silver, bronze metals are copper.
Follow your favorite countries’ Olympics wins with Animal New York’s medal tracker.
Iraq invented boxing, Sweden introduced rhythmic gymnastics, yet both struggle at the sports they created.
Bill Simmons falls for women’s handball.
Social media addicts take up new habits to avoid Olympics spoilers due to NBC’s time delay.
I don’t want to meet the Assads, and they don’t want to meet a Jew. Behind the infamous Vogue profile of Syria’s first lady.
Study of shipwreck mortality finds that until the Titanic, “women and children first” was largely a myth.
Inside Dubai’s Museum of Women.
I definitely had the feeling I’d be appalled. Portraits of trophy-hunting tourists in Africa.
Toilet paper has come a long way since its origins in 14th-century China. #history
Clichés were easily reinforced. Texan BBQ aficionado visits Manhattan’s Hill Country.
A species of termite in French Guiana defends against attackers with exploding bugs packed with toxic crystals. #nature
We will be glad to consider your “idea.” Vintage motivational posters.
600 million without power in India.
Daily life becomes a tale of survival as Aleppo fight continues in Syria, sparking a refugee crisis.
Syrian rebels explain why they left the Free Syrian Army to fight with al Qaeda against Assad.
I see fathers with mothers, I see kids playing soccer. Drone pilots talk about their day job.
Promises of free expression made during Beijing 2008 completely ignored by China and the IOC.
Protests in Hong Kong at school partriotism lessons with elite costly schools exempt.
Performance of swimmer Yi Shiwen called “disturbing” and “not believable” by world’s top coach.
How Speedo developed a new swimsuit after record-breaker suit banned post-Beijing.
Shark scientists don’t want to talk about shark sex because it reinforces brutal perception of sharks.
NASA hopes to land a $2.5 billion rover on Mars on Monday, in search of the building blocks of life.
The fax remains a vital business tool in Japan due to an aging population, ability to convey personality.
After a Red Sox outfielder is abused by a police officer, details on how “Monday” became a racial slur.