Headlines from June 20, 2014

The Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs are taking steps to provide some recognition of same-sex couples.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has declined to veto penalties for college assigning “gay-themed” books in the 2014 state budget.
Concerned for female students’ future in the workplace, UK principal implements strict dress code.
Photographer fights racial profiling and negative stereotypes with images of African-American fathers and their children.
They ask the right question. In praise of editors.
Australia sends troops to Iraq to secure its embassy.
At its current growth rate, Beijing will soon have more residents than all of Australia.
A short history of Grand Central Terminal.
The right way to cut a cake. #video
Accents are a visible tang on people’s lips. For lipreaders, some speakers obscure comprehension.
The case against cognitive enhancement: If smart drugs become the new normal, they won’t be a choice but a responsibility.
John Harney, tea visionary and founder of Harney & Sons, dies.
American Apparel fires its founder and CEO Dov Charney over charges of professional misconduct.
See also: Claudine Ko’s infamous 2004 profile of Charney, who pleasured himself during an interview. #longreads
A critical profile of the lead investor of Yo, an intentionally worthless app that recently scored $1 million in funding.
Everybody should have his own owl. UK Labour Party’s Twitter is hacked.
Portraits of record collectors with their massive collections. #photos
An interview with Hanson about “MMMBop,” 17 years after it was released.