$611,000 fine as TripAdvisor gets bad review

$611,000 fine as TripAdvisor gets bad review
http://www.cnn.com//2014/12/23/travel/tripadvisor-fine/index.html

$611,000 fine as TripAdvisor gets bad review

$611,000 fine as TripAdvisor gets bad review
http://www.cnn.com//2014/12/23/travel/tripadvisor-fine/index.html

Best photographer in Army’s biggest battle

Best photographer in Army’s biggest battle
http://www.cnn.com//2014/12/25/world/europe/cnnphotos-robert-capa-battle-of-the-bulge/index.html

Cambodia orders probe into ‘HIV village’

Cambodia orders probe into ‘HIV village’
http://www.cnn.com//2014/12/19/world/asia/cambodia-hiv-probe/index.html

Best of Sri Lanka in three minutes

Best of Sri Lanka in three minutes
http://www.cnn.com//2014/12/23/travel/sri-lanka-travel-video/index.html

Comanche makes fast start to yachting classic

Comanche makes fast start to yachting classic
http://www.cnn.com//2014/12/26/sport/yachting-sydney-hobart/index.html

Christmas baby born on US train

Christmas baby born on US train http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30606653

REPORTERS – USA – Mexico: A danger-ridden border – France 24

http://m.france24.com/en/20141031-reporters-mexico-usa-danger-ridden-border-immigration-illegal/

From France 24: Top UN officials ordered to leave Sudan for ‘insulting’ the country

Top UN officials ordered to leave Sudan for ‘insulting’ the country

http://f24.my/1ATe0ye

Whooping cough virus ‘evolving fast’

Whooping cough virus ‘evolving fast’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30551093

From NPR News: Nutmeg Spice Has A Secret Story That Isn’t So Nice

Nutmeg Spice Has A Secret Story That Isn’t So Nice http://n.pr/1Hwftuu

From NPR News: One More Reason To Reach For A Paper Book Before Bed

One More Reason To Reach For A Paper Book Before Bed http://n.pr/1sYLmFw

From the BBC: Archbishop of Canterbury has pneumonia

Archbishop of Canterbury has pneumonia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30604249

Pakistan orders arrest of cleric

Pakistan orders arrest of cleric http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30607078

Opinion: Is AI a threat to humanity?

Opinion: Is AI a threat to humanity?
http://www.cnn.com//2014/12/26/opinion/scoblete-ai-human-threat/index.html

Google – Year in Search 2014 (Published on Dec 15, 2014/7,231,183 views)

Google – Year in Search 2014

Google

Published on Dec 15, 2014/7,231,183 views

In 2014 we searched trillions of times. What do these searches say about us? Explore the Year in Search http://www.google.com/2014 and follow the conversation on #YearInSearch

Watch past Year in Search videos: http://goo.gl/LXA4nQ

Soundtrack is ‘Divinity’, by Porter Robinson
Porter Robinon’s new album ‘Worlds’ is available on Google Play: http://goo.gl/q6ljz4

Nicky Minaj’s new album ‘The Pinkprint’ is available on Google Play: http://goo.gl/utOZxd
HBO’s Game of Thrones is available on Google Play (not all countries are eligible): http://goo.gl/xOgofr

Credits:
Two people hugging: Dida Mulder
Boy with 3D Printed hand: E-NABLE/RIT University News/RIT MAGIC Center
Ebola doctors and patients: Plan International
Perth passenger train footage: vision courtesy of the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia
Malala Yousafzai collecting the Nobel Peace Prize: Nobel Media AB

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From the BBC: Azerbaijan raids US radio station

Azerbaijan raids US radio station http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30606466

From the BBC: US city sues Petrobras for corruption

US city sues Petrobras for corruption http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30607403

From the bbc: Xbox and PlayStation tackle attacks

Xbox and PlayStation tackle attacks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30602609

From the BBC: Ukraine and rebels trade prisoners

Ukraine and rebels trade prisoners http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30606486

Did Anastasia Survive? (THE GREATEST UNSOLVED MYSTERIES OF ALL TIME) (My media collection)

SEVERAL APPS WERE EMPLOYED IN THE MAKING OF THIS IMAGE:

1. Scanner
2. IrfanView Software (to assemble the two jpegs, in horizontal display)
3. FastStone Photo Editor Software ( for image editing-colors, contrast and illumination, and finally for the border mask and final cropping)

I like what came out of it!

Did Anastasia Survive? (THE GREATEST UNSOLVED MYSTERIES OF ALL TIME) (My Media Collecttion)

Troparul si Condacul Sf Stefan cel Mare-Maicile de la Diaconesti: 26 decembrie 2014 (a Saint for all Christians, around the world)

Troparul si Condacul Sf Stefan cel Mare-Maicile de la Diaconesti

Ortodoxia si Patria

Saint of the Day for Friday, December 26th, 2014: St. Stephen Observed worldwide by Christians of all denominations

Pope Dionysius (259 – 268), Fresco in Sixtine Chapel, Vatican (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Saint of the Day for Friday, December 26th, 2014

St. Stephen

Stephen’s name means “crown,” and he was the first disciple of Jesus to receive the martyr’s crown. Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian Church. The apostles had found that they … continue reading

Pope Zosimus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

More Saints of the Day

St. Stephen St. Abadiu St. Amaethlu St. Archelaus St. Pope Dionysius St. Marinus St. Neol Chabanel

St. Tathal St. Theodore the Sacrist St. Vincentia Maria Lopez Y Vicuna St. Zeno St. Zosimus St. Zosimus

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today’s holiday: Junkanoo Festival (2014)

Junkanoo Festival (2014)

The Junkanoo Parade and Festival, held in Nassau‘s native quarter, is celebrated each year on December 26, Boxing Day, and January 1, New Year’s Day. Masqueraded marchers wearing colorful headpieces and costumes dance to the beat of an Afro-Bahamian rhythm called Goombay. The music is played by a variety of unusual native instruments, including goat skin drums, lignum vitae sticks, pebble-filled “shak-shaks,” and steel drums. The Junkanoo parade, which begins at two o’clock in the morning and continues until sunrise, is followed by the judging of costumes and awarding of prizes. More… Discuss

quotation: The artist produces for the liberation of his soul. It is his nature to create as it is the nature of water to run down hill. W. Somerset Maugham

The artist produces for the liberation of his soul. It is his nature to create as it is the nature of water to run down hill.W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Discuss

today’s birthday: Mao Zedong (1893)

Mao Zedong (1893)

Chairman Mao established the People’s Republic of China in 1949. His Great Leap Forward, an economic plan launched in 1958 to modernize and industrialize China, was an unmitigated disaster that eventually led to the starvation of tens of millions of people. He later launched a movement to eliminate counterrevolutionary elements in the country’s institutions, leading to the destruction of much of China’s cultural heritage and the imprisonment of many Chinese intellectuals. What was it called? More… Discuss

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THIS DAY IN THE YESTERYEAR: Indian Ocean Tsunami Strikes (2004)

Indian Ocean Tsunami Strikes (2004)

A tsunami is a series of massive waves generated when a body of water is rapidly displaced. The deadliest tsunami in recorded history, the Indian Ocean tsunami killed some 230,000 people in Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and other countries as far away as Somalia on the Horn of Africa. It was triggered by an undersea earthquake near Sumatra with a magnitude of between 9.1 and 9.3 and inundated coastal communities with waves up to 100 ft (30 m) high. How far away were the effects felt? More… Discuss

E-Cigarette Use Surpasses Smoking Among US Teens

For the first time, more American teens are using electronic cigarettes than traditional tobacco cigarettes, according to the government’s annual drug use survey of more than 41,000 students. The report released by the National Institutes of Health noted that between 4 percent and 7 percent of students who reported trying e-cigarettes said they had never smoked a tobacco cigarette. Health officials have expressed concern about the trend, especially since 10 states allow e-cigarettes to be sold to minors. More… Discuss

The Saguaro

The saguaro is a large, candelabra-shaped cactus that can grow up to 50 feet (15 m). Native to the deserts of Mexico and the southwestern US, it takes up to 75 years to develop but can live more than 200 years and can weigh up to 10 tons (9,000 kg). This mammoth typically dies by being uprooted by wind or washouts. It produces edible red fruits and white flowers that bloom at night but remain open into the next day. What are “saguaro boots,” and how have they been used by Native Americans? More… Discuss

WORD: vendetta

vendetta

Definition:	(noun) A feud between two families or clans that arises out of a slaying and is perpetuated by retaliatory acts of revenge.
Synonyms:	blood feud
Usage:	No one remembers how the vendetta between the families began, but it will only end when the desire for revenge is not heeded. Discuss.

From NPR News: Christmas In Liberia: Ebola Fears, No Snow, Holiday Spirit

Christmas In Liberia: Ebola Fears, No Snow, Holiday Spirit http://n.pr/1HvGhuV

From NPR News: Obama Administration Downplays Court Challenge To Health Law

Obama Administration Downplays Court Challenge To Health Law http://n.pr/1wiqQ2E

From NPR News: When Home And Health Are Just Out Of Reach

When Home And Health Are Just Out Of Reach http://n.pr/1zGkUV5

From NPR News: How To Make An Unboring Documentary About Polio

How To Make An Unboring Documentary About Polio http://n.pr/1ACs5Oa

From NPR News: Europe’s Far Right And Putin Get Cozy, With Benefits For Both

Europe’s Far Right And Putin Get Cozy, With Benefits For Both http://n.pr/1Avecln

From NPR News: As Uber Expands, It Asks Cities For Forgivness Instead Of Permission

As Uber Expands, It Asks Cities For Forgivness Instead Of Permission http://n.pr/1zW6SzT

From NPR News: A Split View On Obamacare’s Past And Future

A Split View On Obamacare’s Past And Future http://n.pr/1zEWGeL

From NPR News: Sony Hack Highlights The Global Underground Market For Malware

Sony Hack Highlights The Global Underground Market For Malware http://n.pr/1CPMKQF

From Frsnce 24: Islamists kill Libyan soldiers in attack on oil ports

Islamists kill Libyan soldiers in attack on oil ports

http://f24.my/1vvxXFY

From France 24: France 24’s best documentaries of 2014

France 24’s best documentaries of 2014

http://f24.my/1tl1gQi

‘The Interview’ illegally downloaded 750,000 times on Christmas

‘The Interview’ illegally downloaded 750,000 times on Christmas
http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/26/technology/the-interview-illegal-download/index.html

Egypt bans Exodus Hollywood film

Egypt bans Exodus Hollywood film http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30605059

Egypt bans Exodus Hollywood film

Egypt bans Exodus Hollywood film http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30605059

From Project Gutenberg (widget on sidebar): THe Devil’s Dictionary, by Ambrose Bierce (downloadable HTML, TXT and AUDIO

widget: Project Gutenberg at euzicasa

The Devil’s Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

This audio reading of The Devil’s Dictionary is read by

Peter Yearsley, Chip, John Hicken, Kathy, Geetu Melwani, Michael Kirkpatrick, Kara Shallenberg, Denny Sayers, Fox in the Stars, Kevin Devine, Gesine, David Barnes, Aldark, dreamword

Contents (SampleS) 17 sections: Preface, and Letters A-Z (like the ones bellow)

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23080/mp3/23080-01.mp3

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23080/mp3/23080-15.mp3

Librivox Audio Recording Public Domain Certification:

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