Headlines from November 27, 2012

Despite national losses, Republicans won supermajorities in statehouses across the South and Great Plains. #politics
Don’t believe Call of Duty: There won’t be a cold war between China and the U.S. over rare earth minerals.
China’s Communist Party newspaper congratulates Kim Jong-un on being named “Sexiest Man Alive” by the Onion.
India stamps new Chinese passports—which show disputed territory as China’s—with “corrected” map.
Oh Devi Ma, please let us learn English! “Hinglish” could be India’s future language.
Book claims former OED editor tried to rewrite dictionary to be more Anglocentric.
Collected tragic endings from the Choose Your Own Adventure series.
Clemens and Bonds would be automatic Hall of Fame inductees next year were it not for looming steroid questions. #baseball
San Antonio school district under fire for tracking students with microchips—attendance equals more budget dollars.
The United States is a nation of explorers. SpaceX founder wants to send 80,000 colonists to Mars.
Scott Kelly preps for a year at the ISS—the most consecutive days an American has spent in space.
How a woman’s struggle with oversleeping changed our basic knowledge of the phenomenon.
Dr. Feldman identified a new manifestation of the syndrome, one that isn’t listed in the DSM-IV…Munchausen syndrome by internet. via
Confidential police documents about Romney accidentally used as confetti in Thanksgiving parade.
It wasn’t the Russian winter that stopped Napoleon—it was the constant attacks by swarms of Cossacks and peasants. #history
U.S. fiscal cliff and eurozone debt crisis viewed as biggest risks to the global economy.
Legs may be stronger, but arms and hands are smarter. Afghanistan veteran learns how to use a prosthetic arm.
Israel Defense Forces’ PR rep poses in blackface, calling it “Obama style.”
Colbert on the biggest problem with Homeland: Everyone gets terrific cell-phone service everywhere.
Portraits of extraordinary mums, a uniquely Texan homecoming tradition. via
See also: Exactly what are Texan mums.
Welcome to the refrigeration age, with design innovations in shipping containers and meat-ageing lockers.
Remembrance of early Roman geography as we prepare today for heat waves, severe drought, and major floods.
Airports’ smoking lounges affect air in nearby non-smoking areas.
Overview of narcotics production now that we admit the war on drugs has failed. #longreads
In pictures: UK’s Poultry Club 2012 national show.
Outright world sailing speed record broken off Namibia. #video
Hong Kong’s A-list tutors considered royalty, with faces plastered on buses and billboards.
I don’t pick baby names. I sculpt them. Satire, but just barely: Bob Powers on artisanal baby-naming.
Study finds people make more rational decisions about money when operating in a foreign language.
Improv Everywhere spends Black Friday camped outside a Dollar Store. #video
How do I justify laughing at this joke? Analyzing a joke about a pedophile.
Website to help you keep track of exactly how many people are in space right now. via
Truman Capote’s last book embarrassed his friends, practically killed him, and remains missing.