Thursday, December 26, 2013

In the news, Friday, December 20, 2013


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DEC 19      INDEX      DEC 21
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from ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice)

"Clarification" - n. - Administrative Rewrite of a Congressionally Enacted Law



from AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens


Sister Adele Brambilla, a Comboni nun working at the Italian hospital in Karak (southern Jordan) describes the daily life of Syrian refugees. Thousands of families are camped with nothing to keep them warm in the cold winter. Diseases and cold are killing children. The smile on the face of a young mother holding her ​​baby breaks through the tragedy, bearing witness to the beauty of Christmas.


In Asia, especially China, consumers are getting a sweet tooth for chocolate
In China, the demand for chocolate confectionery has double in the past ten years. In the Asia-Pacific region, sales are expected to rise 5 per cent annually. Confectionery makers plan new plants in Indonesia and Malaysia.


Catholics call on Bangladesh government to protect churches at Christmas
After Islamic fundamentalists attack minority Hindus, Christians live in fear. The country's political cleavages could lead the country into a new phase of violence and instability. According to a local NGO, 433 people have been killed in political clashes since the start of the year with thousands more injured.


Nepal, migrants' money sustains the economy at the cost of slavery and violence
€ 3.2 billion per year remittances from migrant workers account for 24% of the local economy. In five years, more than 2630 Nepalese have died in mysterious circumstances in Arab countries.
Jamyang Geshe Ngawang, a religious teacher much loved by his community, was arrested on November 23 in Lhasa. His body, with obvious signs of violence, was returned to the family by agents who threatened to kill his family to silence them.


Missionaries of Mother Teresa: The silent God lights up Christmas for people with HIV
Brother Yesudas, director of the Shanti Bavan men's hostel, is about to leave on a new mission. The past nine years during which he helped men with HIV/AIDS fill with gratitude for "the struggles, the pain, criticism, non-cooperation, jealousy, humiliation, and above all the joy of seeing the resurrected life in so many young men." At Christmas, he calls on others to open their hearts to those "who suffer discrimination and non-acceptance."


World Bank and Vietnamese Church against forced expropriations: they halt development
Social tensions arising from land disputes drive away foreign investors and diminish growth. Expected development index lowest since 1999. In three years, more than 700 thousand disputes put dozens of infrastructure projects at risk. Bishops' Conference: Constitutional amendments are needed to protect ownership of property. UN official in support of the Catholics of Con Dau.


Pope: Like Mary, silence - not publicity - covers the mystery of our relationship with God
"The Shadow" which covers the Virgin is the silence in which her relationship with God grows. This guarantees fruitfulness and hope, even in the darkest moments. The silence of Mary at the foot of the Cross.


Chaldean Patriarch: amid war and crises, Christmas is the Middle East's real hope
On his first Christmas as patriarch, Mar Raphael Louis Sako I will address the Christians of Iraq, the Middle East and the Diaspora, pointing out that the face of the Child Jesus is a source of wellness and prosperity, for our "Muslim brothers" too. Priests and the faithful must turn churches into "real grottoes," enlivened by the love and warmth of the faith.
Pope Francis's apostolic exhortation is a great comfort for those who seek to build bridges to each other, without fear of going against public feelings. The "mild light of Christ" can confound and ultimately cancel the artificial light of the world. Best wishes from AsiaNews to its readers and friends; that they may "work" with the Saviour who is born.
Two people, disguised as policemen, killed Ukol Talumpa, mayor of the province of Zamboanga del Sur. His wife and a toddler of one and a half also killed. The raid took place outside Terminal 3, at least 20 shots fired. In the past, the man had been the target of attacks.

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from BBC News


Ugandan MPs pass life in jail anti-homosexual law
Uganda's parliament has passed a new anti-#gay law which US President Barack Obama has called "odious." The bill toughens the punishment for homosexual acts to include life imprisonment for repeat offenders. It also makes it a crime - punishable by a prison sentence - not to report homosexual activities to the police. President Yoweri Museveni still has to sign the bill before it becomes law.

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from The Blaze


JUSTIN AMASH AFRAID OBAMA IS ‘SETTING THE STAGE FOR SOMETHING VERY DANGEROUS IN THE FUTURE’
President Barack Obama’s strengthening of the executive branch may jeopardize America’s future, Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) told an online conservative news outlet.


FUTURE OF ‘DUCK DYNASTY’ IN QUESTION? ‘WE CANNOT IMAGINE THE SHOW GOING FORWARD WITHOUT OUR PATRIARCH’
The Robertson family is speaking out about the future of “Duck Dynasty” following patriarch Phil Robertson’s indefinite suspension from the hit A&E series over comments he made about homosexuality, saying in an official statement that they cannot imagine the show moving forward without Phil at the helm.

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from CNSNews.com (& NewsBusters)


Piers Morgan Compares Rush Limbaugh to 'The Devil Incarnate'
The comparison he makes doesn't even make sense.. All Coulter can do is just smile with bewilderment.

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from Columbia Basin Herald


State sees big increase in pot license applicants
The state's Liquor Control Board experienced a big jump in marijuana business applications in the past week, including Grant County, as the deadline to submit nears.


Warnick looks forward to continuing work on education, water, budget
The state legislature may not be in session, but Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, is keeping busy preparing for the upcoming issues.



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from Conservative Outfitters


Walmart SELLS OUT of Duck Dynasty Shirts

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from Discovery News

2013 May Tie for 4th Warmest Year Ever

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from EarthSky

New earthrise visualization lets you experience it
A new visualization of events leading to one of the iconic photographs of the 20th century – Earth rising over the moon.


Winter solstice as seen from Stonehenge
At Stonehenge in England on the northern winter solstice, people watch the sunrise and sunset. Learn more and see photos here.


Largest-ever true-color photo of the night sky
The photographer trekked 60,000 miles (100,000 km) across the western United States and South Africa to create this massive composite image.


What is the ecliptic?
The ecliptic marks the path of the sun. It’s the projection of Earth’s orbit onto the sky. And it’s an essential part of any stargazer’s vocabulary. From temperate latitudes, the ecliptic is lowest in the sky at noon on the winter solstice, sunrise on the spring equinox, midnight on the summer solstice and sunset on the autumn equinox.


Interested in sundials? Check this out
As measured by the ultimate sundial - the rotating Earth itself - the longest days of the year come in December and January. By day, we mean the period of time from noon to noon.

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from Facecrooks


Iowa Mom Arrested For Facebook School Shooting Threat
An Iowa mom could be facing several years behind bars due to terroristic threats she made on Facebook. No matter how frustrated you get at a situation, always keep a cool head. What you post online can definitely come back to haunt you!


Don’t Depend on Facebook to Protect Your Children From Graph Search Stalkers
Graph Search makes it incredibly easy for people to find things on Facebook, and unfortunately, this includes predators. Facebook has put some safety controls in place to help protect teens, but these aren't foolproof. Check out the post for more information and for some safety tips you and your teens can use.

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from The Farmacy (& Strawbale City)


Oreos Are Found to Be as Addictive as Cocaine



from The Federalist Papers
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from Fox News

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from The Heritage Foundation


A&E, Duck Dynasty, and the Climate of Intolerance in America
A&E enjoys rights to free contract and free speech in determining whom they employ and what they allow them to say. But just because you have a right to do something doesn’t make it the right thing to do. Bakers, florists, adoption agencies -- and MORE -- are being discriminated against for their biblical views on marriage. Check out what some have been forced to do just because they stand up for what they believe in.


This Is No Obamacare Success Story, Mr. President
Most of the people applying for Obamacare are being funneled into Medicaid. President Obama boasted that sending these 803,000 people to Medicaid is an under-reported Obamacare success.


It's Official—HHS Says Obamacare Is a Hardship

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from International Christian Concern
(PERSECUTION.org)


Christian Families Affected by All Saints Church Bombing Receive Aid
On September 22, two suicide bombers attacked All Saints Church the Pakistani city of Peshawar. Over 130 Christians were killed in the blasts and over 150 were injured. The Christians of All Saints Church were exiting the church and gathering in a courtyard when the two suicide bombers attacked. According to reports, the Joyce Meyer Ministries has given each family affected by the blasts 15,000 Pakistani Rupees to help them through this Christmas season. Please pray for continued aid to poured out on this community.


Attempted Arson at Jeevana Diya Church in Sri Lanka
Anti-Christian ideologies continue to take hold of the island nation of Sri Lanka. Over the past 2 years, Buddhist nationalism has taken the country by storm and has led to a dramatic increase in attacks on Christians. On December 12th, a group of unknown attackers attempted to burn down the Jeevana Diya Church. The pastor of the church and his family live on the church premises and were barely able to escape the flames with their lives. Please pray for a reduction in the levels of persecution now being seen in Sri Lanka.


Muslim Leaders in Indonesia Warn Followers Not to Celebrate Christmas
The "Ulema Council," a group of Islamic leaders in the northern Indonesian province of Aceh, have warned the Muslim community not to celebrate the Christmas holiday, calling it "haram," or sin. While Indonesia is considered a moderate Islamic nation, the province of Aceh is governed by Sharia law. Christians in the province have also been warned to "respect" Islamic traditions. Last year several small churches were shut down by the local government for ostensibly violating permit laws on places of worship, a justification often used by radical groups to put pressure on Christian places of worship.


Unexpected Freedom of Iranian Pastor Farhad Sabok-Rouh
An Iranian pastor who was freed after having served only 5 months of a 12 month sentence continues to face strange treatment. Pastor Sabok-Rouh was detained along with more than 100 others during a raid in December of 2011. Following that he was sentenced to one year in prison and he, along with three others, began serving his sentence in May of this year. In early December he was released, though without guidance on whether his time has been completed or if he will ultimately be required to serve the remainder of his sentence.


Bishop Makes an Appeal in Negotiations for the Release of the Maaloula Nuns
The Syrian nuns and other women who were taken by Islamist rebels from the Mar Tekla monastery in Maaloula Syria remain under the control of the rebels. The women are believed to still be held in the town of Yabroud, which is under the control of a deputy of the Al-Nusra Front Commander. Church leaders have made contact with their captors, but there has not been any reported progress on securing their release.


Colombian Guerrilla Group Bans Worship Services, Threatens Pastors
Christians in a rural area of  Columbia live in fear of guerrilla militants who have banned worship services. Things have grown steadily worse since July and an estimated 150 churches have been closed since then.

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from The Jerusalem Post


Oren calls on US Congress to quell movement to boycott Israel academically
Former Israeli ambassador to US says in Politico op-ed that more organizations could follow American Studies Association's example and boycott Israeli academic institutions if action not taken.
State Department says UN special rapporteur's claims that Israel is "genocidal" represent "a new low."

Israeli film 'Bethlehem' fails to make Oscar short list
Yuval Adler's film left off list of films vying for best foreign language film, while Palestinian thriller 'Omar' makes the cut.

Israel unmoved by reports that US, UK intelligence spied on Olmert, Barak in 2009
The Guardian and The New York Times cites British intelligence document indicating that surveillance was conducted against Israeli leaders, other allies.

Internal Islamist feud in Turkey threatens stability of Erdogan’s government
Rift between the Turkish prime minister and US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen weakens Erdogan, as the Gulen-dominated security forces he used to go after his enemies now target his allies.

'Iran has nuclear fuel reserve to last four years'
As technical talks to implement the Nov. 24 Geneva deal continue, Iranian nuclear chief says six-month freeze won't hinder the country's nuclear program;

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from KING 5 (Seattle)

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from KIRO 7 Eyewitness News (Seattle)

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from KOMO News (Seattle)


Animal Control officers confiscated seven dead pigs and a host of sick animals during a Friday afternoon raid on a recently abandoned Roy farm. Officers confiscated 16 pigs, two steers, a bull, a horse, a dog and several cats. All the animals will be held at a contractor's farm for evidence.


What's blocking Bertha? Answers elude engineers


Obama: 2014 can be 'breakthrough year for America'
Citing progress on the economy, President Barack Obama said at his annual year-end news conference Friday that 2014 "can be a breakthrough year for America" after a long era of recession and slow recovery.

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from KREM 2 News (Spokane)


25,000 in Washington to lose extended unemployment benefits
Among all the holiday greetings arriving in the mail, 1.3 million Americans are getting letters with bad tidings. Those are the people who will see their unemployment benefits expire on December 28, because Congress decided not to extend them.

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from KXLY 4 News (Spokane)


Homeless remembered in morning memorial
The list of those who have passed is compiled by several organizations that serve Spokane’s homeless community, including CHAS, The House of Charity and City Gate.


Church helping clean up Spokane, one addict at a time
Nik Ehli has cleaned up his life; he was a meth addict for more than 13 years. He's been drug free for more than a year, and credits a north Spokane church for keeping him that way. "I know for a fact, I would be dead today it wasn't for Pastor Danny Green and Family of Faith Church," he said.


Target offers 10% discount after credit card hack
40 million shoppers had credit, debit card data breached


N. Korea threatens to 'strike South Korea'
North Korea sent a fax to South Korea on Thursday, threatening to "strike mercilessly without notice" after protests against the secretive regime this week in Seoul.


Pot business application deadline looms Friday
There are currently 33 applications for retail pot stores in Spokane County where 18 licenses are available.

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from Money Talks News

How to Develop an Effortless Budget You’ll Stick To

Take 5: A Roundup of Reads From Around the Web
1. 8 Habits for Financial Success
2. 4 Ways Financial Adversity Makes You a Better Person
3. New Year’s Resolutions That Will Save You a Ton of Money
4. What’s More Important Than Money
5. 9 Ways to Maintain Motivation When the Going Gets Tough


from Mother Nature Network

The best animal photos of December

Yes, your cat is ignoring you
Study reveals what cat owners have suspected all along: Your cat recognizes your voice when you call — he just chooses not to respond.

Why are my feet always cold?
Do you feel like you're standing on ice, or make your partner shriek when your toes come in contact with their oh-so-warm legs? This is for you.

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from Natural Society

Top 5 Alkaline Foods and Why You Should Care

Mushroom Compound Lengthens Lives for Dogs with Cancer by more than 400%, Research Finds

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from New York Times


Weary Obama at Break, Hoping for a Breakthrough
President Obama’s news conference on Friday was full of banter and holiday wishes, in keeping with the year-end White House ritual. But Mr. Obama’s demeanor and words were often downbeat, leaving no doubt that the gathering was not, as he said at the beginning, “the most wonderful news conference of the year.”


John Boehner’s Betrayal
The [budget] deal is a betrayal of the conservatives who fueled the Republicans’ 2010 midterm shellacking of Democrats.

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from NPR


The Cost To Keep The Home Team At Home May Not Be Worth It
Many sports teams want fancier digs and are asking taxpayers to pick up the bill.


Drilling Into Our Fear Of The Dentist — And What To Do About It


Diaspora Sounds Alarm As Dominicans Face Statelessness
The Dominican Republic made a constitutional change in September that retroactively revokes citizenship for thousands living in the country. Those born in the Dominican Republic since 1929 could lose citizenship if they don't have at least one Dominican parent. The ruling has the potential to upend the lives of thousands, mostly people of Haitian descent. It could impact everything from marriages to school eligibility, health care and travel.


Makeover USA: Short, 'Dowdy' D.C. Considers High Heels
Building height restrictions in Washington, D.C. are being debated.


They're Back! Chesapeake Oysters Return To Menus After Rebound


Feds Drop Mandate For People Whose Insurance Was Canceled
People whose policies were canceled get hardship exemptions that excuse them from penalties.


Have Yourself A Sullen Little Christmas
Holly-jolly holiday music abounds, and if you're not feeling holly or jolly, it can be hard to take.


Pensions, Health Care, Casino Profits All At Stake As NW Tribes Debate Disenrollment
A dispute over enrollment is dividing members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. A number of Grand Ronde citizens are fighting for their future in the tribe. Hearings this month could lead to the disenrollment of 79 people from one family.


Idaho Wolf Hunting Contest Highlights Ongoing Divide Between Hunters And Advocates


Tennessee Woman Serving Life Sentence Earns College Degree, Sense Of PurposeLipscomb University is educating inmates with private donations, but some critics say that money could be better spent.


In suburban isolation, ‘cookie lady’ built community at the school bus stopMinnesota's cookie lady has been shut down after 15 years of giving cookies to children at a school bus stop. Somebody blew the whistle on her.


What It Costs To Fill Your Belly In New Delhi
With over a billion people, India's $1.7 trillion economy is as varied as its culture. But if you still think of it as a land of endless bargains, then you'd better think again. From chaat vendors to fancy haute cuisine, how far do your dollars stretch in India these days?

49ers Tailgaters From 'Pole E' Say Goodbye to The 'Stick'
Next Monday night, the San Francisco 49ers will play their final regular season football game at Candlestick Park.

Angelina Didn't Help Educate People About Breast Cancer Risk
Remember when Angelina Jolie decided to have a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of breast cancer? Her story got a lot of people talking about preventive mastectomies. But it didn't do much to increase people's understanding of breast cancer risk. a study found.


New York City Extends Smoking Ban To E-Cigarettes
The smoking ban was pushed by outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg and backed by public health advocates in the city. It comes just weeks after New York became the first major city to raise the age for buying tobacco to 21.

U.N. Ambassador Laments Misery In Central African Republic
The nation where Muslims and Christians used to live in peace is now on the brink of genocide.


Methodist Minister Who Officiated At Gay Wedding Is Defrocked
Leaders of the United Methodist Church have defrocked a Pennsylvania minister who officiated at the wedding of his son to another man. His church says same-sex marriage is "incompatible with Christian teaching." The pastor disagrees.

How Fraud Flourishes Unchecked In Medicare's Drug Plan
A ProPublica investigation reveals how the theft of one doctor's identity was used to ring up over $6 million in fraudulent prescription drug charges to Medicare Part D. Medicare's poorly managed system for catching fraud allows prescription drug scams to slide by.

Bay Area's Steep Housing Costs Spark Return To Communal Living
It's no secret rents have skyrocketed in the San Francisco Bay Area, fueled by tight housing stock and the latest tech boom. But some young professionals have turned the situation into an opportunity with a return to communal living, or "co-living," as it's now called.

Hold The Cheese: Israelis Sway Domino's To Make Vegan Pizza
Pizza Hut's head chef told Yahoo, "Consumers always want more cheese." But in Israel, apparently, they don't. The company bowed to a Facebook campaign by a group that promotes the vegan lifestyle in Israel.

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from RetroVision (news.kjosy.com)

John “Higgins” Hillerman is 81 years old today!

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from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer


Students take protest over gay teacher to archdiocese
A crowd of more than 250 high school students mounted a Friday “snow day” protest at the Archdiocese of Seattle against the diocese’s action in ordering the resignation of an Eastside Catholic High School vice principal who married his same-sex partner.

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The observational record of temperatures on Earth stretches back 134 years. In that time, no November has ever topped the global average temperature of this most recent November.

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from Space.com (& CollectSpace)


from The Spokesman-Review


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from The Weekly Standard


Government Man
President Obama is more perceptive about the shortcomings of government than we thought. “We have these big agencies, some of which are outdated, some of which are not designed properly,” he told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews.


Escape from Obamacare
How to get health insurance while avoiding the exchanges.

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from The Wenatchee World


 Leavenworth resort expands, but movie house will close
 Icicle Village Resort launched its latest expansion project with the announcement here Monday of more suites, more meeting space and more spa services. One casualty: the resort’s movie theater, Junction Cinema, will close Dec. 31. It’s the only theater in the upper Wenatchee Valley.


Port of Quincy selling land for Microsoft server farm


Brewster hospital makes cuts amid physician concerns



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from 100 Percent FED Up

UNDER ARMOUR WILL CONTINUE TO SPONSOR DUCK DYNASTY BUSINESS

FLORIDA: 60 ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED IN FOOD STAMP FRAUD CASE



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