From France 24: Will the real unilateralists please stand

Will the real unilateralists please stand

http://f24.my/1zsCsGn

Palestinians submit draft resolution to UN

From France 24:  Palestinians submit draft resolution to UN

http://f24.my/1GRLqgH

Castro urges US to lift Cuba embargo

Castro urges US to lift Cuba embargo http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30526694

The Risks Of Indoor Tanning Are So Much More Than Skin Cancer

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6342224

Health Highlights: Dec. 17, 2014 – WebMD

http://www.webmd.com/news/20141217/health-highlights-dec-17-2014

Congressional critics ready to block Obama push to normalize Cuban relations | Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/12/17/american-alan-gross-released-from-cuban-prison-official-says/

Kazakh villages in guard wolf craze

Kazakh villages in guard wolf craze http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-30515646

City of Angels returns to London

City of Angels returns to London http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30512290

Tanzania AG quits amid fraud claims

Tanzania AG quits amid fraud claims http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30513108

Oil price forces new Nigeria budget

Oil price forces new Nigeria budget http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30518956

Greece fails to elect new president

Greece fails to elect new president http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30515780

Fifa investigator Garcia resigns

Fifa investigator Garcia resigns http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30522170

EU leaders focus on investment boost

EU leaders focus on investment boost http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30523615

‘Vast store’ of world’s oldest water

‘Vast store’ of world’s oldest water http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30527357

New York bans fracking due to risk

New York bans fracking due to risk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30525540

Mass grave ‘found in eastern Syria’

Mass grave ‘found in eastern Syria’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30515483

Death penalty for Nigerian soldiers

Death penalty for Nigerian soldiers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30526725

Congress quietly ends federal government’s ban on medical marijuana – LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-medical-pot-20141216-story.html

14 indicted in deadly 2012 meningitis outbreak – LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-massachusetts-meningitis-arrests-20141217-story.html

Pope Francis played crucial role in historic thawing of relations between U.S. and Cuba | Fox News Latino

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/12/17/pope-francis-played-crucial-role-in-historic-thawing-relations-between-us-and/

Israel suffers sharp rebuffs from Europe – The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israel-suffers-sharp-rebuffs-from-europe-while-palestinians-press-un-for-statehood/2014/12/17/ba5e77ac-861a-11e4-9534-f79a23c40e6c_story.html

From NPR News: For Crop-Duster Pilots, Wind Towers Present Danger

For Crop-Duster Pilots, Wind Towers Present Danger http://n.pr/1vJHzvx

From NPR News: Behind The Scenes At The Lab That Fingerprints Microbiomes

Behind The Scenes At The Lab That Fingerprints Microbiomes http://n.pr/XXhrUN

Pakistan lifts death penalty ban after school attack

Pakistan lifts death penalty ban after school attack

http://f24.my/1J1iAyf

‘China needs Tibetan culture of peace,’ says Dalai Lama

‘China needs Tibetan culture of peace,’ says Dalai Lama

http://f24.my/1J1C8CH

Russians training on Mistral warship ‘to leave France’

Russians training on Mistral warship ‘to leave France’

http://f24.my/13bXZ9k

Festival lights viewed from space

Festival lights viewed from space http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30525559

‘New chapter’ in US-Cuba ties

‘New chapter’ in US-Cuba ties http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30516740

this pressed for clarity: A black hole for our best and brightest | The Washington Post

NEW YORK — The thing Deborah Jackson remembers from her first interviews at Goldman Sachs is the slogan. It was stamped on the glass doors of the offices in the investment bank’s headquarters just off Wall Street, the lure of the place in two words, eight syllables: “Uncommon capability.”

Jackson joined Goldman in 1980, fresh from business school and steeped in the workings of government and finance. She found crackerjack colleagues and more business than she could handle. She worked in municipal finance, lending money to local governments, hospitals and nonprofits around the country. She flew first class to scout potential deals — “The issue was, can you really be productive if you’re in a tiny seat in the back?” — and when the time came to seal one, she’d welcome clients and their attorneys to Manhattan’s best restaurants.

The clients would bring their spouses and go to shows.

A black hole for our best and brightest

Wall Street is expanding, and the economy is worse off for it.

via A black hole for our best and brightest | The Washington Post.

Related articles

• If all New York commuters drove, Manhattan would need an obscene amount of roadways – The Washington Post
• Grand Jury Declines To Indict Officer In Chokehold Death Of Eric Garner
• Moron Risk
• Protesters march on 17th Street NW, no street closures
• Uber Exec Proposed Publishing Journalists’ Personal Secrets to Fight Bad Press
• Teen who lied about making $72 million has bright future on Wall Street
• New York City’s most expensive lease ever: $500,000 a month gets you Central Park view
• December 11’s essential film writing
• Billionaire Paul Allen Donates $100 Million To Study The Basis Of All Life

Saint of the Day for Wednesday, December 17th, 2014: St. Olympias

Saint of the Day for Wednesday, December 17th, 2014

   St. Olympias

Olympias born into a wealthy noble Constantinople family. She was orphaned when a child and was given over to the care of Theodosia by her uncle, the prefect Procopius. She married Nebridius, also a … continue reading

More Saints of the Day

St. Olympias St. Begga St. Briarch St. Eigil of Fulda St. Florian

St. John of Martha St. Jose Manyanet y Vives St. Maxentiolus St. Tydecho St. Wivina

Related articles

• HYGEIAINIC THEMES IN THE HOLY ROOMANIA’s EMPIRE (I)
• Greek Digitisation Project Update: 40 Manuscripts Newly Uploaded
• Goodies from Ol’ Remus
• Classics Reissued: The Wars of Justinian

Just a thought: “If it only was so easy to give up ones poorlessnes, as it is wealth!” –©George-B

Just a thought: “If it only was so easy to give up ones poorlessnes, as it is wealth!”
–©George-B

today’s holiday: Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade (2014)

Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade (2014)

The Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade is a nightly parade of boats at Newport Beach, California. More than 150 boats of all kinds, wildly decorated with lights depicting Santa Claus, snowmen, and other symbols of winter, join the parade. Some boats carry huge inflated figures, and many play music. The floating parades started in 1908 as a Fourth of July spectacular. In 1946, the city put a tree and carolers on a barge and towed it around the harbor, and that began the current December parades. Today, about a million spectators watch them during the festival. More… Discuss

Related articles

• Newport Beach PD Warns ‘We’ll Know If You Are Drunk’ In Viral Holiday Jingle
• Lights on the Water
• Newport Beach Boat Parade 2014

Quotation: Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing. Abraham Lincoln

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) Discuss

today’s birthday: John Kennedy Toole (1937)

Today’s Birthday

John Kennedy Toole (1937) Toole was an American novelist from New Orleans, Louisiana, best known for his novel A Confederacy of Dunces. His mental health began to deteriorate after his manuscript, into which he had poured so much of himself, was rejected by a publisher, and he committed suicide in 1969. Years after his death, Toole’s mother brought the manuscript to novelist Walker Percy, who ushered the book into print. In 1981, Toole was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize. What is Toole’s only other novel? More… Discuss

Related articles

• Hapless Heroes Never Learn
• Open Book: The Big Easy
• NIBJ Outameni write-off condemns NHT board
• Points of View, Points of Origin
• Slap Noir: Medlin’s latest artistic endeavor is a mesmerizing, pull-no-punches mixture of hard-edged satire, noir and a town much like, ahem, Odessa

this day ibn the yesteryear: The Simpsons Debuts (1989)

The Simpsons Debuts (1989)

One of the most popular animated TV shows in US history, The Simpsons has earned its spot in pop culture history through its parodies of the “Middle American” lifestyle. The show, created by Matt Groening, is a spin-off of a series of animated shorts originally aired on The Tracey Ullman Show and is currently both the longest-running American sitcom and the longest-running American animated program. What are some of the characters’ famous catchphrases? More… Discuss

Related articles

• 25 random facts about ‘The Simpsons’ on its 25th anniversary
• This Day in Entertainment History – December 17, 1989 – “The Simpsons” Animated Series Debuts
• 25 random facts about ‘The Simpsons’
• The Simpsons Make It to 25 Years
• Smithers was black… but it was all a mistake: Simpsons creator Matt Groening reveals why Burns’ assistant started a different color and the reason behind making all the characters yellow
• December 17, 1989: First Simpsons Episode

in the news: Massacre at Pakistan School (All we have to fear is fear itself: the sooner we remove the cause of fear, the more we can enjoy the rest of ourr days!)

Massacre at Pakistan School

Pakistani Taliban terrorists brutally attacked a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar yesterday, killing at least 132 children, 10 staff members, and three soldiers, and injuring more than 100. Pakistani officials said all nine attackers were killed after an eight-hour battle with security forces at the school, which is run by the military. The Pakistani Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it retaliation for the Pakistani military‘s recent operations against militants in the region. The attackers entered the school disguised as paramilitary soldiers. More… Discuss

Related articles

• U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan kills 11
• Drone strike in Afghanistan kills 4 Pakistani Taliban – official
• Drone strike in Afghanistan kills four Pakistani Taliban, official says
• Four Pakistani Taliban killed in Afghanistan drone strike
• Who’s behind the Pakistan terror attack?

The St. Bernard

Monks at the Hospice of the St. Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps originally bred the St. Bernard for rescue and guide work. Endowed with an uncanny sense of direction, the breed was able to guide the monks over trails that had been obliterated by windblown snow. One St. Bernard is said to have rescued at least 40 people from harsh Alpine conditions, although such tales might be exaggerated. Why do depictions of St. Bernards

Word: encomium

encomium

Definition:	(noun) A formal expression of praise; a tribute.
Synonyms:	eulogy, paean, panegyric
Usage:	We stand humbled by his heroics, and cannot help feeling that this encomium is inadequate to extol his virtue. Discuss.

Amgen Leukemia Treatment to Cost $178,000, Among Priciest Drugs – Businessweek

http://mobile.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-17/amgen-leukemia-treatment-to-cost-178-000-among-priciest-drugs

Biggest Price Drop in Six Years Lifts U.S. Consumers – Businessweek

http://mobile.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-17/consumer-prices-in-u-dot-s-dot-decline-by-most-in-six-years-on-fuel

Obama Announces U.S. and Cuba Will Resume Relations – NYTimes.com

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/world/americas/us-cuba-relations.html?referrer=

From BBC: Jeans made to block wireless signals

Jeans made to block wireless signals http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30513497

Couples tango for Pope in Rome

Couples tango for Pope in Rome http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30513509

Colombia to print Garcia Marquez notes

Colombia to print Garcia Marquez notes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30515259

Mexico vigilantes in deadly clash

Mexico vigilantes in deadly clash http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30512544

White heroin victim’s girlfriend speaks out

White heroin victim’s girlfriend speaks out http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/30449326

Fishermen criticise ‘ramshackle’ ban

Fishermen criticise ‘ramshackle’ ban http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-30508367

Apple halts Russian online sales

Apple halts Russian online sales http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30510969

Russia plans new action over rouble

Russia plans new action over rouble http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30512079

1st woman bishop named for Church of England

1st woman bishop named for Church of England
http://www.cnn.com//2014/12/17/world/europe/uk-first-woman-bishop/index.html