Headlines from March 27, 2014

In 2013, as executions rose 15%, people were killed for adultery, blasphemy, and watching banned videos.
Economists fear recession in Russia as investors yank out their money and growth evaporates.
Six million of the seven million people killed by air pollution in 2012 lived in Asia.
In remote areas of Vietnam where there are no bridges across rivers, people are loaded into plastic bags and swum across by men. #video
Four years later and 140,000 dead, war in Syria continues to rage. #photography
Scientists turn to old paintings to learn about Earth’s atmosphere in earlier centuries.
See also: As the world gets hotter, salamanders get smaller.
The “Three-Country Cairn”—Treriksröset to Swedes, Treriksrøysa to Norwegians, Kolmen valtakunnan rajapyykki to Finns—is where Scandinavian nations meet.
Data suggests French will be “the language of the future”—but the data is probably wrong.
Wu-Tang Clan has a goal for its next album: sell a single copy.
Northwestern football players win right to unionize in a ruling that may transform college sports.
ESPN’s ombudsman says the network should focus on tougher issues in sports—racism, concussions—even to the chagrin of fans.
Chicago’s sexiest dog, Paradiso Błekitna Przystan, does not like talk of lovesickness.
Everyone mainly cares more about talking to socialize, relative to gaining insight. Conversation tips for introverts.
March Madness referee explains what he does to stay in shape for games, during which he typically runs six miles.
In case you missed Monday’s TMN party, a reader recounts what it was like to drink the Rooster sauce. #tobx
Related: Guess the outcome of ToBX for a chance to win a Field Notes prize pack.