Olympics, we love you, you're not bringing us down!
Bangladesh arrests more than 10,000 people after weeks of protests. / The Guardian
Russia frees journalist Evan Gershkovich, part of the largest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War. / The Associated Press
See also: Fascinating details from the secret negotiations to free Gershkovich. / The Wall Street Journal [+]
In addition: "A number of US citizens remain in jail in Russia. There are no journalists among them. But a number of Russian journalists are still behind bars." / The Columbia Journalism Review
Some three-quarters of American parents believe college is worth paying for, even though tuition has ballooned in the past two decades. / FastCompany
Unrelated: Some questions for the notion that "if you are a skilled manager of your own mind, your feelings will not go on strike." / The Drift
Famine is officially declared in Sudan's Darfur region—only the third time in the last 20 years that famine has been declared. / Reuters
One in 11 people went hungry last year, while one in three struggled to afford a healthy diet. / Grist
See also: Can thunderstorms spoil milk? No, but people thought so in the 19th century. / Atlas Obscura
Yet another big study of basic income finds "overwhelmingly beneficial" results. / The Los Angeles Times
How many times can a public beach vanish? As many times as Congress pays to rebuild it—"over a very long time." / E&E News
Examples from eight contemporary painters capturing urban life around the world. / Artsy
Physicist Sara Walker says "assembly theory"—the idea that everything is made from smaller parts—can explain what life is. / The New York Times [+]
Some notes on the design of the world's first powered pants. / dezeen
A "renaissance" in designing miniatures is said to be here. / Architectural Digest
Remembering the design of 1984's Summer Olympics in Los Angeles: "That ecstatic joy with design still feels unexpected and original, even three decades on." / Hyperallergic
One surprise from this summer's games? The French, especially the Parisians, are barely complaining. / The Wall Street Journal [+]
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