Headlines from February 8, 2012

Syrian forces said to be attacking civilian areas in Homs; Putin proposes advice, angering European diplomats.
Italy imposes emergency measures to conserve gas supplies during Europe’s big freeze.
100,000 Muscovites turned out in sub-zero weather to protest Putin.
List of jobs held in a Medieval city.
Wagner’s Rienzi had a big effect on Hitler, but there’s no reason to call it “Hitler’s favorite,” and no reason to cancel performances on his birthday.
Reporters face jail time for secretly recording an interview with a Nazi war criminal.
Unfortunately I don’t get to decide which facts are stupid; I have to check all of them. Entertaining exchange between a reporter and his fact-checker.
Li-Fi is an LED-based alternative to household Wi-Fi that requires phones and light bulbs to communicate.
Consumerization has been disastrous for R.I.M., because the company has seemed clueless about what consumers want.
Trailer of the day: Bombay Beach. #video
The only true, authentic Cindy Sherman is the one who makes the pictures: a conversation.
American and British covers compared from 2012’s Tournament of Books’ contenders.
Portable signs of America. #photography
Of 10 men in a Dallas coffeeshop, seven wear pageboy hats, seven wear beards.
Drop something like a cherry out of your cocktail. Advice on flirting from Ira Glass, a 10-year-old girl, and more.
Excerpts from steamy romance novels for parents of young children.
Electrodes on the brain may be the shortcut to the 10,000-hour talent rule.
Willpower is the root of all happiness; a new book explains how to exercise yours to get more.
Diners travel to a Hudson Valley monastery to experience mindful eating, where each bite can last 20 minutes.
Once an American food staple, squirrel could make a comeback—though they can carry bubonic plague.
Police discover sommelier decorated his apartment with $430K in stolen art.
It’s just horrible. Hoping to boost productivity, Spain moves traditional mid-week holidays to Mondays and Fridays.
Sarkozy’s socialist rival’s campaign survives by putting “an American spin on cultural revival” (i.e., The New Deal).
Rising temperatures at Fukushima cast doubt on government claim that the reactors are stabilized.
Researchers find increased stress hormones in whale feces, which they believe are caused by ship traffic.
This week New York City settled a 30-year, $15 million class-action lawsuit over illegal loitering arrests.
The most terrifying Valentine’s Day gift ever. #video