Extra, Extra
Syrian Pound: “Russia’s indiscriminate bombing, in particular, turned the tide against the rebels. It also transformed then rebel-held cities such as Aleppo and Homs into moonscapes of rubble and rebar. In all, the U.N. has documented more than 350,000 deaths but says this is ‘certainly an undercount. Today, however, Russia, Iran and Lebanon are distracted and depleted.” What’s happening in Syria? How an old conflict in the Middle East erupted again. The rebels are betting that a distracted Russia and a depleted Iran/Hezbollah created an opportunity. What to know about the complex, long-simmering civil war.
+ Breaking Worse: “In their quest to build fentanyl empires, Mexican criminal groups are turning to an unusual talent pool: not hit men or corrupt police officers, but chemistry students studying at Mexican universities.” NYT (Gift Article): Mexican Cartels Lure Chemistry Students to Make Fentanyl. “The cartels also have a more ambitious goal: to synthesize the chemical compounds, known as precursors, that are essential to making fentanyl, freeing them from having to import those raw materials from China.”
+ Pain and Buffering: “Doctors have long taken for granted a devil’s bargain: Relieving intense pain, such as that caused by surgery and traumatic injury, risks inducing the sort of pleasure that could leave patients addicted.” But what if drugmakers could decouple the pain relief from the addictive qualities? The Atlantic (Gift Article): Imagine a Drug That Feels Like Tylenol and Works Like OxyContin.
+ Flag Football: “Amid a host of college football rivalry clashes, the Michigan-Ohio State fracas kickstarted a day full of jawing coaches, postgame punches and flag-planting field assaults. Left hooks were landed. Helmets were thrown. Fans, coaches and players exchanged words, shoves and, yes, flags.” Does college football have a flag-planting problem? (America has a winning with grace and losing with dignity problem. Actually, the problem is that people think failing on both counts is presidential.)
+ Schmear Campaign: “Apollo Bagels in the West Village is drawing lines out the door — and most of the way down the block. Now it’s in a legal fight to stave off eviction.” The Hole in This Bagel Shop’s Business Model? It’s Too Popular.
+ The Bridge Chorus: “Engineers have been working to quell the Golden Gate Bridge’s “song,” which is produced when gusts of wind pass through 12,000 sidewalk slats on the western handrail, transforming the landmark into an 840 million pound instrument.” San Francisco officials say an end is coming to the Golden Gate Bridge’s eerie song. This is such a waste of time and money. The song is the coolest thing and they’re treating a feature like a bug.
+ Photo Finish: Associated Press 100 Photos of 2024: An epic catalog of humanity.
