From France 24: Sex and art scandals: Have the French gone soft?

Sex and art scandals: Have the French gone soft?

http://f24.my/14cqk0v

France 24: Lithuania joins euro amid tensions with neighbouring Russia

Lithuania joins euro amid tensions with neighbouring Russia

http://f24.my/1zxXGyL

From France 24: Ebola ‘still spreading’ as cases top 20,000 at year’s end

Ebola ‘still spreading’ as cases top 20,000 at year’s end

http://f24.my/1rAFeru

Fromm France 24: New Year’s Eve stampede kills 35 in Shanghai

New Year’s Eve stampede kills 35 in Shanghai

http://f24.my/1BmKhvO

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is getting a speedy Snapdragon 810 processor

http://mashable.com/2014/12/30/samsung-note-snapdragon-810/

KWWL

http://m.kwwl.com/w/main

Palestinians Join International Criminal Court, Despite Israeli and U.S. Warnings – NYTimes.com

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/01/01/world/middleeast/palestinians-to-join-international-criminal-court-defying-israeli-us-warnings.html?referrer=

Huge crowds welcome in new year

Huge crowds welcome in new year http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30645457

Macavity The Mystery Cat – part one. HD, from Cats the Musical – the film

Cats The Musical

Uploaded on Aug 26, 2010/133,006 views

Featuring Linda Mae Brewer as Demeter and Rosemarie Ford as Bombalurina. From the ‘Cats’ film.

For more Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats, visit our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/catsmusical
Find out more about Cats on the website: http://www.catsthemusical.com/
Or join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/catsthemusica

From NPR News: Food Psychology: How To Trick Your Palate Into A Tastier Meal

Food Psychology: How To Trick Your Palate Into A Tastier Meal http://n.pr/1vJEpYA

From NPR News: After Years Of Conflict, U.S. Mission Shifts In Afghanistan

After Years Of Conflict, U.S. Mission Shifts In Afghanistan http://n.pr/13Kc9yN

From NPR News: Fallen Heroes: A Tribute To The Health Workers Who Died Of Ebola

Fallen Heroes: A Tribute To The Health Workers Who Died Of Ebola http://n.pr/1D5wxac

From NPR News: Waiting For A Break: Obama on ‘Strategic Patience’ In Foreign Policy

Waiting For A Break: Obama on ‘Strategic Patience’ In Foreign Policy http://n.pr/1zPoZap

Rocket ‘kills 15’ at Afghan wedding

Rocket ‘kills 15’ at Afghan wedding http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30647124

From BBC: Palestinians sign up to join ICC

Palestinians sign up to join ICC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30645462
ICC is International Criminal Court

Burj Khalifa & Downtown Dubai 2015 New Year’s Gala

DowntownDubai

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// ]]>

CRUX: 2014: The year in review in Catholicism

2014 snapshot

Catholic News Service

Published on Dec 31, 2014

A look back at some of the images that made us laugh, cry and think.
**************************************************************************

By Michael O’Loughlin

National reporter December 31, 2014

Debate, diplomacy, and dynamism: 2014 was a headline-generating year for Pope Francis and the Catholic Church. The pope encouraged open debate about controversial topics, stepped up his diplomatic game on the world stage, and continued to shape the Church in his unpredictable yet wholly entertaining style.

The Synod of Bishops on the Family in October riveted the Catholic world, with cardinals battling one another in the media while taking on previously verboten topics such as divorce and homosexuality. The pope encouraged the back-and-forth, although the result had something of a roller-coaster feel as leaked documents made their way into the press before eventual retraction and clarification.

Ending months of speculation about his future after being booted from the powerful Congregation for Bishops a year ago, Cardinal Raymond Burke was removed as head of the Vatican’s highest court by the pope.

More HERE

 

 

from Life Noggin: A BRIEF YEAR IN REVIEW OF 2014 (you wanna make time to watch this video!)

A BRIEF YEAR IN REVIEW OF 2014

Life Noggin

Published on Dec 30, 2014/6036 views

Help us grow! Share this video with one click to Facebook (http://m301.me/1JZU68V) and Twitter (http://ctt.ec/a4sQM).

Can you believe it’s the end of the year already?! So many things have happened this year and this video is just scratching the surface. Here is 2014 in review.

Click here to see more videos: http://www.m301.me/lifenoggin

Life Noggin is a weekly animated educational series. Whether it’s science, pop culture, history or art, we explore it all and have a ton of fun doing it.

Follow Us!
https://twitter.com/LifeNoggin
https://facebook.com/LifeNoggin
https://www.LifeNoggin

Life Noggin Team:
Animation by: http://www.krofl.com
Voiced by: http://youtube.com/patdoesit
Designed by: http://www.jmccartney3d.com/
Written by: https://www.youtube.com/AwkwardAdoles…
Produced by: http://www.twitter.com/IanDokie
This video uses many sounds from freesound,
for the full list see here: https://testtube.com/lifenoggin/a-bri…

.@eharris_it Francis is NOT pope he has violated God’s law & Christ’s teachings & seeks to corrupt the #Catholic faith— Pray For Life (@Pray_4_Life)

.@eharris_it Francis is NOT pope he has violated God’s law & Christ’s teachings & seeks to corrupt the #Catholic faith .@cnalive .@Pontifex

— Pray For Life (@Pray_4_Life) December 31, 2014

Bosnian indicted over recruiting militants for Syria and Iraq

Bosnian indicted over recruiting militants for Syria and Iraq

By Info on December 31, 2014 worldNews

SARAJEVO (Reuters) – A Bosnian court indicted a Muslim priest on Wednesday for recruiting people to fight for the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, using a new law aimed at stopping people traveling to fight alongside militants in the Middle East.

Husein Bosnic, known as an unofficial leader of the ultra-conservative Salafi movement in Bosnia, was arrested in September along with four other men who were later released but who had their passports confiscated.

The indictment accused Bosnic of urging members of his community to join Islamic State militants, saying he had “publicly encouraged others to join terrorist organizations during 2013 and 2014, consciously and from a position of religious authority.”

It was the first use of a law adopted in April which sets jail terms of up to 10 years for financing terrorist activities and recruiting and fighting abroad.

Bosnic, who is in custody, was not available to comment on the indictment. He has not yet been required to enter a plea.

Police say up to 180 Bosnians, including women and children, have left for Syria over the past three years, of whom more than 50 returned to Bosnia while more than 20 were killed.

via Bosnian indicted over recruiting militants for Syria and Iraq.

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• Bosnian indicted for ‘recruiting for ISIL’
• Police in Serbia and Bosnia arrest 15 individuals for role in Balkan war massacre

Musharraf plotter hanged in Pakistan

Musharraf plotter hanged in Pakistan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30642951

Philippines flooding ‘kills 53’

Philippines flooding ‘kills 53’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30645210

Woman held over Syria terror offences

Woman held over Syria terror offences http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30642210

Katie Hopkins’ Ebola tweets probed

Katie Hopkins’ Ebola tweets probed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-30641705

Warning over abuse inquiry victims

Warning over abuse inquiry victims http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30640879

City Link announces 2,356 job losses

City Link announces 2,356 job losses http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30646076

Experimental drug for UK Ebola nurse

Experimental drug for UK Ebola nurse http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30644986

New frog ‘gives birth to tadpoles’

New frog ‘gives birth to tadpoles’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30643756

Aretha Franklin – I say a little prayer ( Official song ) HQ version , Photos / Photoshoots: Happy New Year!

Aretha Franklin – I say a little prayer ( Official song ) HQ version , Photos / Photoshoots

IoannkaPapa

Uploaded on Oct 30, 2010/22,993,985views

Lyrics:
The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little pray for you
While combing my hair now,
And wondering what dress to wear now,
I say a little prayer for you

Forever, and ever, you’ll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever, and ever, we never will part
Oh, how I love you
Together, forever, that’s how it must be
To live without you
Would only meen heartbreak for me.

I run for the bus, dear,
While riding I think of us, dear,
I say a little prayer for you.
At work I just take time
And all through my coffee break-time,
I say a little prayer for you.

Forever, and ever, you’ll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever, and ever we never will part
Oh, how I’ll love you
Together, forever, that’s how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me.

I say a little prayer for you

I say a little prayer for you

My darling believe me, ( believe me)
For me there is no one but you!
Please love me too (answer his pray)
And I’m in love with you (answer his pray)
Answer my prayer now babe (answer his pray)

Forever, and ever, you’ll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever, and ever we never will part
Oh, how I’ll love you
Together, forever, that’s how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me (oooooooooh)

• Music

  • “I Say a Little Prayer” by Aretha Franklin (Google Play • AmazonMP3 • iTunes)

From BBC: World starts new year celebrations

World starts new year celebrations http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-30640656

early morning new year eve day!

early morning New year eve day!

 

gas prices we can live and grow with!

gas prices we can live and grow with!

 

LOOK WHO’S TALKING: AM PM BLOODLINE PRICE NEW YEAR’s EVE TODAY

bloodline prices (gas) finally to a level at which both the economy and the citizen can grow: Too bad market fixers and speculantors alike!

AM – PM gas station:   BLOODLINE PRICE NEW YEAR’s EVE TODAY

Large families are schools of solidarity and sharing, Francis affirms

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during the General Audience held Jan. 8, 2014. Credit: Kyle Burkhart/CNA

Credit for this message of Hope and Peace >>  here <<

Vatican City, Dec 29, 2014 / 01:27 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In an address on Sunday to Italy’s National Numerous Family Association, Pope Francis thanked the members of large families for their cultivation of virtues that benefit society at large, as well as themselves.

“The fact of having brothers and sisters is good for you,” he said Dec. 28 to the children among the some 7,000 members of large families from across Italy at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

“The sons and daughters of large families are more inclined to fraternal communion from early childhood. In a world that is frequently marred by selfishness, a large family is a school of solidarity and sharing; and these attitudes are of benefit to all society.”

The audience was on the occasion of the association’s tenth anniversary, and marked the feast of the Holy Family.

“You have come here with the most beautiful fruits of your love,” he said to the parents of the families. “Maternity and paternity are gifts from God, but your task is to receive this gift, to be amazed by its beauty and to let it shine in society. Each of your children is a unique creation that will never be repeated in the history of humanity. When we understand this, that each person is willed by God, we are astonished by the great miracle that is a child! A child changes your life!”

We have all seen, he reminded them, men and women who have profoundly changed “when a child arrives,” adding that a child is “the unique fruit of love,” coming from and growing in love.

“You, children and young people, are the fruit of the tree that is the family: you are good fruit when the tree has good roots – grandparents – and a good trunk – the parents,” Pope Francis said. “The great human family is like a forest, in which the trees bear solidarity, communion, fidelity, support, security, happy moderation, friendship. The presence of large families is a hope for society.”

This, he said, “is why the presence of grandparents is very important: a valuable presence both in terms of practical assistance, but above all for their contribution to education. Grandparents conserve the values of a people, of a family, and they help parents transmit them to their children. Throughout the last century, in many countries in Europe, it was the grandparents who transmitted the faith.”

“Dear parents, thank you for your example of love for life that you protect from conception to its natural end, in spite of all the difficulties and burdens of life, that unfortunately public institutions do not always help you to bear.”

He lamented that while the Italian constitution calls for particular regard for large families, this is only “words” and is “not adequately reflected in the facts.”

Considering Italy’s low birth rate, he voiced hope that it’s politicians and public administrators would give large families “all due support.”

“Every family is a cell of society, but the large family is a richer, more vital cell, and the state has much to gain by investing in it.”

In light of this, he affirmed the National Numerous Family Association, and groups like it, for advocating for large families in the European nations, and for being “present and visible in society and in politics.”

He concluded by praying in particular “for those families most affected by the economic crisis, those in which the mother or father have lost their jobs and in which the young are unable to find work, and those families in which the closest relationships are marked by suffering and who are tempted to give in to loneliness and separation.”

unsolved crimes: The Disappearance of the Grimes Sisters

The Disappearance of the Grimes Sisters

Posted by: Doug MacGowan in Categories, Criminal Cases November 9, 2014 0 Comments

 

They should have been home before midnight.

On December 28, 1956, 15-year-old Barbara Grimes and her 13-year-old sister Patricia went to a nearby Chicago movie theater to see the Elvis Presley movie “Love Me Tender.”

Several reliable sightings at the theater determined the fact that the two did arrive safely at the movie. A friend sat behind them during the film and this same friend saw them later in the line to purchase snacks.

The two sisters apparently stayed for the second show of a double-feature.

Then they vanished.

When the Grimes sisters did not arrive home by midnight, their worried mother sent out two of her other children to the bus stop closest to their house to wait for the two girls. Several buses passed by, but the sisters were not on any of them. At a little after 2am on the morning of the 29th, their mother called the police. It was quickly determined that it was unlikely that the two girls had run away on their own.

In the subsequent days, police fanned out across the Chicago areas and found people who eagerly reported having seen the two girls. It became a headache for the police to keep up with all of the alleged sightings:

• Several people claimed that they witnessed two young girls matching a description of the Grimes sisters get on a bus heading east into the heart of Chicago. Nobody saw these two girls get off the bus at any stop on the route, however. Similarly, a train conductor would claim to have seen them on a train near the Chicago suburb of Glenview.
• A night security guard claimed that he was asked for directions by two young girls the night of their disappearance.
• On the following evening, the evening of the 29th, a fellow student of Patricia’s reportedly saw her walking past a restaurant in the company of two other girls — neither of which was Barbara.
• A restaurant worker reported a sighting early in the morning of the 30th. He said they were in the company of a man at this point, and that one of the girls acted sickly or drunk and had to be assisted when walking.
• A hotel clerk stated the girls briefly stayed at his hotel. A clerk at another hotel claimed that he had refused them a room due to their young age.
• Several days later, employees of a department store reported seeing the Grimes sisters in their store, listening to Elvis Presley records.
• Most mysteriously, roughly two weeks after the girls’ disappearance, a classmate of Patricia’s got two puzzling phone calls near midnight. During the first call, there was nothing but silence on the line. During the next call, a voice the mother was sure was Patricia’s said: “Is that you, Sandra? Is Sandra there?” The caller then hung up.

The fate of the Grimes sisters would become known before the month was up. On January 22, 1957, a day laborer found their bodies near a road.  They appeared to have been dumped or thrown there by someone in a passing car.

The search for the killers became complicated when the autopsy pathologists and the chief investigator of the county coroner’s office could not agree on a time of death. Similarly, the wounds on the bodies were puzzling enough that no clear cause of death could be agreed upon.

The police conducted a massive search for possible culprits and finally focused on three likely suspects:

• A homeless man from Tennessee. He originally admitted to killing the Grimes sisters, but later recanted, saying that the police had forced him to issue a false confession.
• A young man in his teens who offered to take a lie detector test, which he failed. The police began to focus on him as a prime suspect until they were told that it was illegal to polygraph someone underage. The police released him, many of the authorities thinking he was their man. He was later imprisoned for the unrelated murder of a young woman.
• A man in his early 50s called the police before the bodies were found to say that he dreamed a location of the bodies which proved, in the end, to be remarkably accurate. Police grilled the man but were unable to come up with enough evidence to proceed.

Despite a long investigation, the crime has never been solved.

Sources:
“Murder of the Grimes sisters,” Wikipedia, pulled 10-29-14.
“10 Strange Mysteries Involving Anonymous Letters,” Listverse website, pulled 10-29-14.

Saint of the Day for Wednesday, December 31st, 2014: St. Sylvester

Saint of the Day for Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

St. Sylvester

St. Sylvester, born in Rome, was ordained by Pope St. Marcellinus during the peace that preceded the persecutions of Diocletian. He passed through those days of terror, witnessed the abdication of … continue reading

More Saints of the Day

St. Sylvester St. Barbatian St. Columba of Sens St. Donata St. Hermes

St. Melania St. Offa Sts. Sabinian & Potentian St. Zoticus

today’s holiday: Ladouvane (2014)

Ladouvane (2014)

Ladouvane, or the Singing to Rings, is a Bulgarian fertility ritual. Traditionally, young girls drop their rings, together with oats and barley (symbols of fertility), into a cauldron of spring water. The rings are tied with a red thread to a bunch of ivy, crane’s bill, basil, or some other perennial plant. Ritual dances are performed around the cauldron, and the girls’ fortunes are told. In western Bulgaria, the Central Balkan Range, and along the Danube River, Ladouvane is observed on New Year‘s Eve. In the rest of the country, it is observed on Midsummer Day. More… Discuss

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quotation: You shall judge of a man by his foes as well as by his friends. Joseph Conrad (1857-1924)

You shall judge of a man by his foes as well as by his friends.Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) Discuss

Today’s Birthday: Simon Wiesenthal (1908)

Today’s Birthday

Simon Wiesenthal (1908) One of just a few hundred Galician Jews to have survived the Nazi death machine that was Hitler‘s Final Solution, Wiesenthal devoted his remaining years to tracking down fugitive Nazi war criminals and bringing them to justice. “Many times I was thinking,” he told his biographer, “that everything in life has a price, so to stay alive must also have a price. And my price was always that, if I lived, I must be deputy for many people who are not alive.” How many of

this day in the yesteryear: Roberto Clemente Dies in Plane Crash (1972)

Roberto Clemente Dies in Plane Crash (1972)

Right fielder Roberto Clemente played 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning the National League MVP award in 1966, as well as 12 Gold Glove Awards throughout his career. In 1973, he became the first Latin-American player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Clemente, who was dedicated to charity work, was traveling to Nicaragua to deliver aid to earthquake victims when his plane crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico. Why did Clemente’s teammate and good friend miss his funeral? More… Discuss

Google Lists Its Top Searches of 2014

What were you searching for in 2014? Google recently released its report of the fastest-rising search requests from 2014, and the suicide of comedian Robin Williams topped the list. The actor’s tragic death outranked the year’s other much-discussed topics, including the Ebola outbreak, the World Cup, the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, and the Ice Bucket Challenge—a viral campaign to raise awareness and funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. More… Discuss

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• Carpe annum! Robin Williams is the world’s most Googled search of 2014
• Google Reveals 2014’s Top Searches

Castanets

Now used primarily in Spanish dance music, castanets are percussion instruments that were known to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. Of the many kinds, the most common consist of two small matching pieces of hard wood or ivory, joined at the inner edge and used with a thin strap in the player’s hand. They are snapped together between the palm and fingers and used to produce clicks for rhythmic accents, especially to accompany dancing. What is the origin of the instrument’s name? More… Discuss

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• Contemporary Classical Composer Sabrina Pena Young Official Music Site: Composer’s Guide to Drums and Percussion: Top 10 Mistakes when Composing for Percussion Instruments
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• Percussive Christmas

surfeit

Definition:	(noun) An excessive amount.
Synonyms:	overabundance, excess
Usage:	The surfeit of goods produced caused prices to fall, hurting the economy. Discuss.

From BBC: Global new year celebrations begin – BBC News

http://m.bbc.com/news/world-30640656

From NPR News: Roxane Gay: 2014 Was The Year Of ‘Enough Is Enough’

Roxane Gay: 2014 Was The Year Of ‘Enough Is Enough’ http://n.pr/13R2xma

From NPR News: Potent Powdered Caffeine Raises Safety Worries

Potent Powdered Caffeine Raises Safety Worries http://n.pr/1AwqQ3l

From NPR News: There And Back Again For U.S. Military In Iraq

There And Back Again For U.S. Military In Iraq http://n.pr/13RgDnt

Voice of Babe and Rugrats dies at 51

Voice of Babe and Rugrats dies at 51 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30641026

Knighthood for actor John Hurt

Knighthood for actor John Hurt http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30625196

Kazakhstan takes Guantanamo inmates

Kazakhstan takes Guantanamo inmates http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30640651