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July 28, 2012 | | FOREIGN AFFAIRS The Republican hopeful’s visit to Jerusalem could be a turning point for the GOP. The Daily Beast’s Eli Lake reports on why a tide of super-PAC funds and Obama’s shaky diplomatic relations might loosen Democrats’ grip on Jewish voters. FAIL While Britons and Europeans enjoyed Danny Boyle's eclectic opening spectacular live last night, thousands Americans were left waiting in frustration. NBC, which has exclusive rights to screen the 2012 London Olympics, waived its right to live-broadcast the ceremony on television or online, choosing instead to show the festivities later, during primetime. But as news from the live event leaked out on Twitter and elsewhere, many American fans were angry. One user posted, "NBC showing complete contempt for its audience." An NBC spokesman told the Wall Street Journal, “They are complex entertainment spectacles that do not translate well online because they require context." 2012 GAMES Hugh McCutcheon’s steely resolve has put the U.S. women’s team in reach of their first gold. Tony Dokoupil on how the coach is coping with the murder that rocked his family at the last Games. SYRIA As Syria's athletes walked proudly into last night's Olympic opening ceremony, fighting in their homeland reached its highest pitch yet. Aleppo, the nation's largest city and commercial center, fell under aerial assault Saturday from scores of military helicopters determined to turn the tide back toward the country’s president, Bashar al-Assad. "Helicopters are participating in clashes at the entrance of Salaheddine district and bombarding it," a human-rights group told Reuters, and reported that 160 people were killed across the country on Friday. As the rebels face their fiercest challenge yet, even Turkey, a former Syria ally, has stepped up pressure on al-Assad. GOLDEN More good news out of Olympics land—rating agency Standard and Poor's says that the United Kingdom will get to keep its coveted AAA rating, which means riskless debt and lower borrowing costs. The rating comes at a welcome time, days after new economic figures put Britain's growth-rate at its lowest in 50 years. S&P cited the likelihood of growth going into autumn, as well as the government's austerity policy, as reasons for the rating. George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, was thrilled. "On the day Britain welcomes the world to our country for the Olympic Games," he said, "this is a reminder that despite the economic problems we face, the world has confidence that we are dealing with them." | | 
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