Headlines from January 3, 2014

Indonesian miners’ use of mercury to expedite gold production takes a devastating environmental, human toll.
Cocaine trafficking has claimed more lives than the Spanish Inquisition—ongoing deaths are equal to Nazi Germany.
Developing countries’ obesity rates far exceed industrial nations’; China and Mexico’s figures have doubled since 1980.
In post-Mubarak Egypt, urban slums’ graffiti and music, considered vulgar three years ago, now dominate pop culture.
Urban legends have evolved—or devolved—into “Creepypasta.”
Delhi’s first gourmet grocer has responded to India’s evolving food tastes for the past 50 years—and never sold beef.
Researchers hope to end organ donor waiting lists on a massive scale by growing replacement parts inside pigs.
Chinese diplomat criticizes glorification of WWII memorial in Tokyo, compares President Abe to Lord Voldemort.
The Australian aboriginal language favors compass points over “left” and “right”; i.e., “That girl to the east of you is my sister.”
Southern Manitoba’s current -24°F cold snap makes it as cold as Mars.
How do you address two or more people? Motherfuckers. A regional slang quiz.
George W. Bush, Muhammad, and WWE employees are among 2013’s most edited Wikipedia pages.
Margaret Thatcher had 120 hair appointments in 1984, an average of once every three days.
The London Underground’s twisted, disorderly path is due in part to impassable masses of dead bodies.
The fight over Richard III’s bones is just another incident in the larger, longer battle to make the past into what we want it to have been.
Popular on Reddit: hypnotic gif of Pop-Tarts being folded in a factory.