A new series of article summaries to help true gentlemen- Monsieurs, get a better handle on things going on globally, culturally and nationally. Consider this a cheat sheet for intellectual conversations.

1. What the Hell happened in London?

Britain burns and the question on everyone’s mind is what the hell happened in London? It all began with a peaceful demonstration in front of Tottenham Police Station demanding “justice” for 29-year-old Mark Duggan. It’s unclear exactly what sparked the violence, notes the Washington Post. Some say police hit a female protester, but police insist the chaos began when demonstrators used Molotov cocktails to set two police cars on fire. The Metropolitan Police admitted Sunday that it “had not anticipated” the violence, saying a peaceful vigil was “hijacked by mindless thugs.” [via Slate]

2. The Mission to Kill Osama Bin Laden

Brian, James, and Mark selected a team of two dozen SEALs from Red Squadron and told them to report to a densely forested site in North Carolina for a training exercise on April 10th. (Red Squadron is one of four squadrons in DEVGRU, which has about three hundred operators in all.) None of the SEALs, besides James and Mark, were aware of the C.I.A. intelligence on bin Laden’s compound until a lieutenant commander walked into an office at the site. He found a two-star Army general from JSOC headquarters seated at a conference table with Brian, James, Mark, and several analysts from the C.I.A. This obviously wasn’t a training exercise. This was a mission to kill Osama Bin Laden. [via NewYorker]

3. Downgrading US Bond Ratings. Justified?

Apparently Moody doesn’t think so. Moody’s said it expects the economy will improve and additional measures to reduce the budget deficit will be in place by 2013. The rating agency said this is why it reiterated its AAA rating for U.S. debt on Aug. 2, when the Senate agreed on a 10-year plan to reduce the deficit by more than $2 trillion. While Moody quite obviously doesn’t agree with Standard & Poor’s downgrade of US Bond ratings, they do share a common sentiment- That is whatever is happening, Congress has no business playing politics with the financial affairs of a nation. [via CNNMoney]