Tuesday, February 11, 2014

In the news, Monday, July 10, 1905


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SUN 09      INDEX      TUE 11
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from The Wenatchee World
VOLUME I.---NO. 7.

p. 1, col. 1


MOODY'S JOB MAY GO TO ATTORNEY MORRISON
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RESULTS OF BEEF INVESTIGATION HAVE PLACED MOODY IN BAD LIGHT
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MOODY UNDECIDED
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DECLARED THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO INDICT PACKERS
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   WASHINGTON, D. C. July 8,--The indictments of the beef barons of Chicago were the direct results of the President's attitude toward the beef trust cases when he last discussed the testimony with Attorney General Moody.  The principal point raised by Moody was that there was not enough legal evidence upon which to justify the cases being put to trial.
   President Roosevelt declared then that as long as there was a difference of opinion between United States Attorney Morrison and the Attorney General, the United States attorney should proceed at once to have the persons against whom the strongest cases were made, indicted.  He declared that it was not the province of the attorney general to say whether a jury would convict; that must be left to the jury.
   The outcome of the cases therefore will determine whether Morrison or Moody was right, and it is understood that if Morrison "makes good" he may get Moody's place.

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p. 1, col. 2


CHINA WANTS A HAND IN PEACE MAKING
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ASKS PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT FOR REPRESENTATION AT PEACE CONFERENCE
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JAPAN UNWILLING
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CLAIM THAT THIRD POWER WOULD BE NUISANCE
--TO GIVE MANCHURIA TO CHINA
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   WASHINGTON, July 9--China's request to be represented in the Washington conference, on the ground that she is vitally interested in its proceedings, has been received by the president and informally transmitted to the belligerents.  Whether the president has received the formal replies cannot be learned, but it can be stated that while Russia is inclined to favor the suggestion Japan will not consent to it.
   Japan has already made public her assurance that Manchuria is to be restored to China.  That is one of the principles for which she says that she has been fighting.  Japan regards herself as fully capable of executing this promise without the assistance of China, and in view of China's inability before the war to cope with Russia in Manchuria, the Japanese government is unable to see what possible service a Chinese representative would be in the Washington conference.
   The past week has seen few developments in plans for the negotiations.  Negotiations for an armistice are not expected to be concluded until after the plenipotentiaries meet.  It is pointed out again that the beginning of the rainy season in the war zone removes the necessity for the immediate signing of an armistice.

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p. 2, col. 1

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   It is unfortunate that the state oil refinery scheme of Kansas was knocked out by a supreme court decision.  The great fight put up by the people of that state deserved better success and the actual completion and operation of the scheme would have give the country valuable information towards the solution of the Standard Oil problem.

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p. 3, col. 1


KNIAS POTEMKINE SURRENDERS AT LAST
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REBEL SHIP GIVES UP TO ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT AFTER LONG
 PARLEY AND REBELS ARE ALLOWED TO LAND IN ROMANIA
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   Kustenji, Romania, July 9,--The flag of St. Andrew once again floats over the battleship Kniaz Potemkine and the torpedo boat, which have proved such terrors to the Black Sea communities for a couple of weeks past.
   The formal surrender of the mutineers actually took place at 1 o'clock this afternoon after a series 
of discussions and negotiations between the Romanian authorities and the leaders of the mutineers.

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p. 3, col. 2


PEARY DELAYED
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Can't Make Dash for the Pole Unless Men with Money
Come to his Aid and Subscribe Big Sum
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   NEW YORK, July 4.--Unless patriotic citizens come to the financial rescue of Commander Robert E. Peary, his dash to the pole will have to be postponed.  The explorer has his auxiliary rigged schooner Roosevelt, the finest craft ever built for polar exploration.
   She is all paid for, but money is needed for food equipment.  The expedition cannot start unless at least $50,000 more is forthcoming. Peary is of the opinion that the money can be raised in time to prevent delay in the original plan  The Roosevelt, which arrived last night on her maiden trip from Portland, Maine, remained at anchor in the North river off Weehawken today, and was visited by hundreds.

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p. 4, col. 2


EIGHT DIE IN EXPLOSION

   PITTSBURGH, July 6.--Eight men were blown to pieces and two others were injured by the premature explosion of a big blast of powder on the Pennsylvania railroad near New Cumberland at 7:30 A. M. today.
   The accident occurred directly across the Susquehanna river from the scene of the Pennsylvania railroad wreck on May 11, in which 29 persons were killed and many others injured.
   All the victims of today's disaster were employees of P. S. Kenbaugh & Co., Inc, contractors, who are now building the double tracks of the Pennsylvania railroad to connect with the Enola Yards.

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Monday, February 10, 2014

In the news, Friday, January 24, 2014


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JAN 23      INDEX      JAN 25
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Some links to some sources may require subscription.

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The Obama Administration apparently determined that there's nothing criminal about targeting Americans based on ideology, and now Senator Schumer is demanding that the IRS not only renew its targeting of conservatives but that it 'redouble those efforts immediately.'

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from Al Monitor
(Washington D.C. based pro-Iranian regime propaganda channel)

Russia preparing to develop Gaza gas field

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from AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens


from AsiaNews

Geneva II: Negotiations moving towards failure
UN holds separate meetings with Syrian government and rebel negotiators. Syrian Foreign Minister Muallem threatens to quit Geneva if opposition does not agree to direct talks. The Syrian National Council announces that it would meet the other party only if it accepts the terms of Geneva I.

Russia to rebuild its presence in the Holy Land
On a visit to Moscow, PNA leader meets Putin and the leaders of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, which has become a symbol of cooperation between church and state in the defence of Christians in the Holy Land. The NGO is set to open the first Russian school in Bethlehem in September; it also has plans to develop cooperation with the Vatican.

For Christian leader, Graham Staines' death is warning against Hindu fundamentalism
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of the Australian missionary and his two sons, killed by Hindu radicals. The president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reflects on the next general election. The nationalist party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which supports radical groups, is also vying for power.

On the brink of bankruptcy, Kim Jong-un writes to Seoul calling for an end to hostility
An open letter signed by North Korea's powerful National Defence Commission calls for to end to the tensions and the re-opening of communication channels. Analysts and experts see it as a "pre-emptive strike" to undercut upcoming military drills between Seoul and Washington. Source tells AsiaNews that North Korea "needs money and does not want to become a Chinese protectorate."

India still tops the world in 2014 in new cases of leprosy
This Sunday will be World Leprosy Day. Despite progress in recent years in monitoring and treating the disease, new outbreaks still occur and there is still no vaccine. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), South Asia and Southeast Asia account for 71 per cent of new cases worldwide. Of the 16 "worst" countries, eight are in Asia: India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and China.

A mission among Mumbai lepers fighting disease and fear
Sister Bertilla Capra is a missionary of the Immaculate Conception, a female congregation associated with the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME). She has run the Vimala Dermatological Centre in Mumbai since 1981. Founded in 1976, the centre is one of the city's most important medical facilities for leprosy patients. Over the years, it has treated 16,407 patients, conducted localised checks, and provided information, treatment and rehabilitation. Funding comes from Italy and Germany, but has been declining in recent years. The centre relies on the nuns and the "work of our hands".

Seoul, card. Yeom among the sick and homeless: God has always loved you
The prelate, who was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis, celebrated Mass in the village Eun-pyong, a shelter for the homeless and the sick run by Caritas Seoul: "I need your prayers, which are strong, because they are made under difficult circumstances."

Fr. Gheddo: Ten years of AsiaNews
The news agency of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions was established to "provoke" the Churches in Europe and Asia to mission, to report the facts and testimonies from the most populous continent in the world and nourish in many the desire to dedicate their lives to Christ and Asia. A book on the history of AsiaNews and its many success stories.

Pope: Christians always seek dialogue, with meekness and humility 
"To humble oneself, and always build bridges, always. Always. This is being Christian. It’s not easy. It’s not easy. Jesus did." The important thing is to "seek peace as soon as possible", with a word, a gesture. "A bridge rather than a wall".

UN appeal to Naypyidaw: "in-depth" investigation into violence against Rohingya
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay , calls for clarity on the death of dozens of people in Rakhine State . The official speaks of “credible information" confirming the massacre that took place in mid-January. She adds it is an occasion to show "transparency and accountability" . The Burmese government denies the facts because "totally wrong".

Cairo, car bomb outside police headquarters. Three dead and 35 injured
Islamic museum also targeted. Passers-by shout slogans against Muslim Brotherhood . Demonstrations today against the new government and in favor of deposed President Mohamed Morsi.

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from BBC News (UK)

HSBC imposes restrictions on large cash withdrawals
Some HSBC customers have been prevented from withdrawing large amounts of cash because they could not provide evidence of why they wanted it, the BBC has learnt.

More or Less: Calculating how much migrants cost or benefit a nation
Now the initial furore about Romanian and Bulgarian people being allowed to work in the UK has subsided, what does a more detailed look at immigration statistics tell us about the benefits, or otherwise, of welcoming overseas citizens? The picture is mixed.

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from The Blaze

THE ‘EARTH-SHATTERING’ NEWS RUSH LIMBAUGH SAYS THE MEDIA IGNORED, BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The state of Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is “rapidly falling” and the government’s budget ended the year with a $912 million surplus, Limbaugh explained. He says the dramatic turnaround is due in large part to the conservative policies of Gov. Scott Walker.

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from Breitbart

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from CNSNews.com (& NewsBusters)

Piers Morgan Whines to Ann Coulter: 'Pro-Gun Side' Won't 'Relent' Even After 35 School Shootings

Schumer Suggests 'Electoral Reform' As Way to 'Lessen the Grip of the Tea Party'

Sarah Silverman, ‘Jesus F-ing Christ” Mock Faith in Abortion PSA
Sleazy comic uses savior to score points against Christians.

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from Daily Mail

It may not be much to look at but at 9,000 years old, this is the world’s oldest tree (and a little snow isn't going to bother it)
The fir was discovered on a mountain in national park in central Sweden
Although the trunk is much younger, root system is at least 9,500 years
The tree took root at the end of the last ice age, but could be older

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from Discovery News



More than 1 in 3 Americans believe in ESP, but this recently published study is ruling it out as a real possibility. For those who sense the unknown, they're not psychic - there's something else going on.

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from EarthSky

When is the next supermoon?
The January 30 supermoon won’t be a full moon. It’s a new moon. Some are calling it a Black Moon, but that name doesn’t come from astronomy. Watch for slightly higher-than-usual tides.

Video: The known universe
Check out a video simulation of the known universe, as mapped through astronomical observations.

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from East Oregonian

Pilot Rock woman critical after crash
Kathleen Moffett, 57, of Pilot Rock is in critical condition after she crashed Friday morning on Highway 395 about eight miles south of Pendleton. She was driving a 2009 Nissan Frontier pickup northbound when around 6 a.m. she hit an icy stretch, according to Oregon State Police. The pickup traveled off the highway into a ditch, rolled over once and came to a rest on its top. The impact partially crushed the cab, and Moffett was trapped inside. An ambulance took Moffett to St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton, which put her on an air ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University,

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from Facecrooks

AVAST Virus Lab Discovers “Facebook Music Theme” Scam
AVAST Virus Lab experts discovered a new scam spreading on Facebook this week that purports to give users’ Facebook profiles a “music theme” and a playable song if they download and install it. However, just like with previous Facebook theme downloads, this one is a fake. This music theme scam is a script program that, when downloaded by a user, automatically likes Facebook activity on behalf of its victim. See also blog.avast.com: Facebook music theme scam hits a sour note

Beware of Socially Engineered Phishing Attacks on Facebook
If a scammer can hi-jack and take over a Facebook account, then they can work all sorts of mischief. Check out this alert for a breakdown of some of the more common phishing attacks you're likely to see on Facebook!

Four Things You Need To Do If Your Facebook Account Gets Hacked

Facebook Cyber-Crooks Use ‘Leaked’ Snapchats Again
[Scam Alert] Scammers are using the promise of leaked Snapchats photos to lure in unsuspecting. The scam is used to grab user logins. Always be careful of messages like this on Facebook - they are favorite tools used by scammers and spammers! Thanks to our friends Bitdefender Safego for the report!

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from Family Tree Magazine

Vikings could be to blame for why Scots have highest levels of multiple sclerosis in the world, say scientists
[from Daily Mail, 10 Dec 2012]
[Family Tree Magazine shared a similar article from The Times published 24 Jan 2014, but that requires a subscription]

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from The Farmacy (& Strawbale City)
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from The Federalist
I Have A Confession: I Don’t Have The Balls To Get A Vasectomy

IRS Moves To Stamp Out Scourge Of Hollywood Conservatives

Congratulations, Progressive Millennials: You’re The Cheapest Date In Town
Over the past two decades, the forces who favor technocratic corporatism have subjugated the ideological core of progressivism under a new strain of elitist authority-based transactional politics, built on false promises of systemic change and sustained by shallow appeals to hot button social issues.

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from Fox News (& affiliates)

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from Freedom Foundation

Freedom Foundation congratulates Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, from Washington’s 5th Congressional District, has been chosen to deliver the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address on Jan. 28.

Union Executives Defend Their Monopoly
This week in front of a state senate committee, three union executives testified against a bill that would limit the ability of public sector unions to overcharge workers for workplace representation.

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from The Guardian

Don't worry – a ghost ship crewed by cannibal rats probably isn't about to hit the British Isles
The Irish Coast Guard believes that 4,000-tonne Lyubov Orlova – not heard of since early last year – has most likely sunk or hit rocks

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from The Heritage Foundation

Should We Raise the Minimum Wage?

Cuccinelli: Not ‘Appropriate’ for Virginia Attorney General to Challenge Marriage Law
“I have always understood that it was the attorney general’s job to defend state laws and the constitution, not to spend taxpayer money attacking them."

5 Things You Might Be Asking about the Sochi Terrorist Threats

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from Huffington Post

Mike Huckabee Makes Epic Flip-Flop On Birth Control Coverage

The Stories That Bind Us: What Are the Twenty Questions?
[from 23 Mar 2013]

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from iFIBER ONE News

Moses Lake High School to expand school day to 5 p.m. next year
The school board agreed with a recommendation to hold classes staring at 7 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m.
The recommendation came from a team helping the school transition to a seven-period day, and would divide the day into 11 50-minute periods. Each student would be in the school for eight of the periods, including a 50-minute lunch. The new schedule would mean no more than 80 percent of the students would be in the school at any one time, allowing the high school to deal with the roughly 2,383 students in a building meant for 1,800 students without using more resources.

Man loses lawsuit for running into a staircase, hitting his head
An appeals court ruled a man should have seen a low overhang on a staircase at a Moses Lake bank. The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III, upheld a decision to dismiss Raymond Robinson’s lawsuit against U.S. Bancorp, ruling the bank wasn’t to blame for Robinson hitting his head.

Victim of robbery helps crash suspect's car into his home
An Ephrata man reportedly used pepper spray to rob a man for marijuana valued at several hundred dollars.

Neighborhood on edge after recent shootings
Gordon Robinson, 73, put his Arlington Drive home up for sale just one day after a 16-year-old boy was shot and wounded while riding his bike nearby. Robinson may have saved the boy's life, letting him into his home after he was chased into Robinson's backyard. The boy was able to make it to the front door, telling Robinson to let him in and someone was trying to kill him. Robinson said he called 911 when he first heard gunshots from down the road, then at least five shots rang out in his backyard, leaving several bullet holes in his shop. Monday's shooting came just two days after another drive-by shooting on the same street that left two vehicles damaged by gunfire.

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from Independent Journal Review

Hollywood Conservative Group: 'IRS Told Us We Had Been Targeted'

Feel the Burn: White House, You Just Got Called 'Very Controlling' and Secretive By An NBC Reporter

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from International Christian Concern
(PERSECUTION.org)

Iran: One Christian Released, More Remain Behind Bars
On January 13th, the Christian community in Iran celebrated the release of Davoud Alijani, a Christian arrested with four others in December of 2011. Davoud had spent more than 250 days in confinement for the "crime" of converting from Islam to Christianity. Several other Christians remain imprisoned in Iran for the same crime. The government of Iran remains highly repressive of Christianity and also continues to hold American citizen and pastor Saeed Abedini in prison, despite calls from organizations around the world for his release.

New Bylaw in Indonesia Would Force Islamic Prayer and Mosque Visits
Indonesia's Home Affairs Minister is speaking out against a new bylaw that would force residents of Bengkulu Province in South Sumatra to pray five times daily and visit the mosque on Friday or face punishment. The Religious Affairs Ministry of the province claims this falls within their jurisdiction, while the federal government disagrees. In November, nineteen district government employees in a separate part of Indonesia were fired for failing to attend 5 a.m. prayers. Indonesia publicly claims to be one of the most tolerant nations in the world when it comes to religious diversity, but recent years have seen a spike in church closings and attacks on religious minorities by hard-line Islamic political groups.

Innocent Pastor in Central Asia Remains in Detention Despite Charges Dropped
Court Maintains Spurious Charge of “Inflicting Damages on a Parishioner”
International Christian Concern (ICC) has just learned that charges of “propagating extremism” against 67-year-old Presbyterian Pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev were dropped by a court in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, late Wednesday. The pastor’s eight month-long detention and harsh treatment has drawn heavy criticism of Kazakhstan’s government from international human rights organizations, including ICC.

Egyptian Christians Cautiously Optimistic Over New Constitution
The following opinion editorial by Nick Gray of Christian Middle East Watch takes a look at Egypt's new constitution, voted in last week, and the hopeful expectations of Egypt's Coptic Christians, who have been heavily persecuted since the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood's regime under Mohammed Morsi. Although the new constitution does promise to provide greater equality for Egypt's religious minorities, attacks on Christian churches and kidnappings by radical groups still continue on a regular basis.

Christian Message Continues to Penetrate North Korea, Despite Persecution
North Korea is undoubtedly the most difficult place for a Christian to live in the world today. An estimated 400,000 Christians live in North Korea, practicing their faith in almost total secrecy. A "crime" as simple as owning a Bible can be punished by life imprisonment or public execution. Nevertheless reports emerge that underground Christians are continuing to share their faith and minister throughout the "Hermit Kingdom", despite risk of death.

Quiet Priest Faces Intense Pressure in Malaysia for Defending Religious Freedom
Father Andrew Lawrence, the founder of a small Catholic newspaper, has become the focal point of a controversy over the use of the Arabic word "Allah" by Christians. A recent court ruling involving his newspaper, The Herald, made the use of the word by non-Christians illegal. A few weeks later a raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia led to the brief arrest of the president of the Bible society and the confiscation of hundreds of Bibles. Now Malaysia is embroiled in controversy as Christians and other religious minorities fear their rights are being eroded with the spread of radical Islamic ideology.

Sudan Turning into Police State for Christians
For Christians living in Sudan, travel restrictions are only the most recent form of persecution that is making it difficult for them to exist. According to Sudanese bishops meeting in South Sudan, many of their fellow bishops from Sudan were denied the right to travel to the meeting and have had their passports taken by government officials. Discrimination, social hostility and harassment are becoming more and more common for Christians in Sudan. Many fear that the Islamic government will soon take even more dramatic action against the Christian faith.

Religious Leaders Call for Peace and Reconciliation in CAR
As the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to descend into a religious civil war, pitting Christian against Muslim, two of the country's top religious leaders are calling on their followers to lay down their arms and reconcile with one another. After a Muslim rebel group called Seleka took over the country in March 2013, attacks on Christians skyrocketed. In response, Christian militias were formed and have been carrying our reprisal attacks on Muslims, regardless of their connection to Seleka. Please pray for peace in CAR.

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from The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com

Inside Iran: Iran’s demographic problem
Author David Goldman sees Iran’s current policies through the prism of the Islamic Republic’s declining birth rate.

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from Money Talks News

Study Predicts a Rapid End to Facebook Fever

10 Inexpensive Valentine’s Gifts That Will Rock Her World

Yes, You Can Afford College: 4 Tips for Getting Scholarships

Take 5: A Roundup of Reads From Around the Web
1. Estimated Taxes – Who, When and How Much
2. 3 More Costco Angles/Loopholes
3. How to See Beyond the Obvious Financial Options
4. One Simple Question That Could Change Your Life
5. 15 Packing Secrets From a Professional Traveler

Justin Bieber Can Afford a DUI. Can You?

Today’s Deals: Friday, Jan. 24

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from Mother Nature Network

8 spices you've never heard of
We know you've heard of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, but what about asafoetida, cassia buds, ghost chile powder, grains of paradise, mahlab, nigella seeds, sumac and wattleseed?
[from 9 Oct 2013]

Apostle Islands ice caves reopen for the first time in 5 years
After being off-limits for five consecutive winters for safety reasons, the stunning ice caves of the Apostle Islands National Seashore in Lake Superior are officially open for seasonal gawking.

Boost your mood in 5 minutes
Beat the blues in a flash with these eight cheer-up techniques.

13 of history's greatest polar explorers

Mystery solved: Why clocks seem to stop ticking the second you look at them
It turns out that the perception of time passing is as much in our heads as it is a part of reality.

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from Natural Society
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]

Over 1,500 Sick in Japan After “Intentional” Pesticide Food Contamination

Sea Cucumber Found to Kill 95% of Cancer Cells, Shrink Tumors

Walking Extra 2,000 Steps Each Day Cuts Heart Disease Risk by 8%

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from Nature

Stephen Hawking: 'There are no black holes'
Notion of an 'event horizon', from which nothing can escape, is incompatible with quantum theory, physicist claims.

from One Minute Healings

The top five foods for beating depression
[shared from Natural News, 3 Oct 2006 via Food Matters]

9 Beauty and Health Benefits of Yogurt
[shared from Mother Earth Living, 19 Jul 2011]

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from The Oregonian


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from Popular Science

Stephen Hawking Says There Are No Black Holes
The physicist offers a new theory that allows energy to escape.

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from PreventDisease.com
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]

Know Your Berries
Our typical impression of berries revolves around strawberries, raspberries and blackberries; however from a botanical perspective, these are not berries at all. In fact, according to world botanical and the scientific definition of a berry, yet watermelon, pumpkin and banana  are true berries.

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from The Right Scoop

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from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Seattle-based law firm nabs top White House aide

Huckabee: Don’t help women who ‘cannot control their libido’

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from The Seattle Times

Dick’s stands pat, celebrates 60 years of flipping simple, beloved burgers
Tuesday marks the 60th anniversary of Dick's Drive In Restaurant. Fun fact: There’s only been one menu change in the eatery's history — when orange soda was dropped to make way for Diet Coke.

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from Space.com (& CollectSpace)

New Night Sky Supernova: How to See It in Telescopes
One of the closest star explosions in nearly 27 years was discovered this week by students and staff at the University of College London, and the supernova can be easily seen by stargazers equipped with a moderately large telescope. Early on the evening of Jan. 21, a team of students — Ben Cooke, Tom Wright, Matthew Wilde and Guy Pollack — assisted by astronomer Steve Fossey, spotted the new supernova in nearby galaxy Messier 82 (M82), popularly known as the "Cigar Galaxy."

NASA's Weird RoboSimian Robot May Save Human Lives One Day
RoboSimian is a strange four-legged machine that looks like an unholy cross between a spider and a chimp. It was one of 16 robots that competed last month in the DARPA Robotics Challenge Trials in Homestead, Fla. The two-day competition was designed to test the robots' abilities to carry out basic disaster-relief tasks.

INCREDIBLE VINTAGE NASA PHOTOS
[shared from ShortList.com]

Trailblazing Mars rover Opportunity marks 10 years exploring Red Planet

NASA Flooded with Ideas for 2020 Mars Rover Science Gear
NASA has received a whopping 58 science-instrument proposals for its next Mars rover, which is slated to launch in 2020 to search for signs of past Red Planet life.

Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser 'space SUV' gets 2016 launch date

NASA Officially Renames Dryden Flight Research Facility for Neil Armstrong

Images: Black Holes of the Universe

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from The Spokesman-Review

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from Time

20 Ways Apple’s Mac Changed Everything (Other Than the Most Obvious Ones)
On January 24, 1984, at the Flint Center on De Anza College’s campus in Cupertino, California, Apple formally announced the Macintosh at its shareholder meeting, in front an audience so packed that large numbers of people who owned Apple stock couldn’t get in at all. Drawing heavily on inspiration from Xerox’s PARC lab and other research that came before it, as well as Apple’s own Lisa — but adding plenty of its own innovations — the Mac was the first successful computer with a graphical user interface, a mouse and the ability to show you what a printed document would look like before you printed it.

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from The Washington Post
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from The Weekly Standard

Obamacare's Dismal California Numbers
900,000 Californians lost their health plans by January 1, 500,000 signed up on the Obamacare exchange.

Privacy or Security: a False Choice
In the wake of all the “leaks” by Edward Snowden of the National Security Agency’s collection programs and the resulting debate over those programs, one constantly

Memo to House GOP
Election Day is almost nine months off. But right now Republicans seem almost certain to hold the House of Representatives and are likely to take the Senate. Which raises the inevitable question: How might the GOP seize defeat from the jaws of victory?

The Go-to Senator
Lindsey Graham’s recipe for success

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In the news, Thursday, January 23, 2014


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JAN 22      INDEX      JAN 24
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Some links to some sources may require subscription.

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from AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens

Moody’s Downgrades Health Insurers over Obamacare Uncertainty

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from AsiaNews

World Economic Forum: Rouhani opens Iran to world economy
The Iranian president stresses the great potential of Iran's economy whose economic and human development can only be achieved by working with others. Nuclear deal is the first step for long-term relationship with international community.


Geneva II: For the Vatican, dialogue, not war, is the only solution to the Syrian crisis
Mgr Silvano Tomasi spoke yesterday at the Peace Conference, noting that the meeting should consider first the people of Syria, not the quest for power of one or the other faction. In his address, the Holy See delegates laid out five proposals for immediate implementation, including full citizenship for all Syrians irrespective of communal affiliation. He also reiterated Pope Francis' commitment to peace and a culture of dialogue.


Nepal becoming a "hub" for gold smuggling out of China
In the past six months, Nepali police made several arrests and seized 46 kilos of the precious metal in connection with the highly profitable activity. Chinese President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption policies are to blame for the growing illegal trade. With India as the main point of destination for Chinese gold, Nepal has become the major transit point for smuggling.


Filipino bishops "join" social media to evangelise
Ahead of its Plenary Assembly, the Bishops' Conference organises a seminar for its members on the use of the Internet and new communication media. For the Conference's president, Mgr Villegas, new social media are a challenge. "Nothing replaces a personal meeting, but the mission can also use these new tools."


Pantura: after decades of "apathy", Catholics revive missionary spirit
For over 50 years, the Church's presence in this region of Central Java has been "insignificant." Now, a renewed commitment in favour of active witness begins with a new pastoral centre, backed by a website. With this in mind, a seminar focusing on interreligious dialogue and evangelisation through the web was held a few days ago.


West Bengal, 20 year-old gang raped: her boyfriend is from another tribe
The head of her village ordered a trial and sexual violence to punish her. Now the victim is in the hospital and identified her rapists, who were arrested by the police. Catholic Bishop : "In order to stop the violence we need to change the mindset, not resort to the death penalty”.

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from The Blaze


THE ‘EARTH-SHATTERING’ NEWS RUSH LIMBAUGH SAYS THE MEDIA IGNORED, BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The state of Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is “rapidly falling” and the government’s budget ended the year with a $912 million surplus, Limbaugh explained. He says the dramatic turnaround is due in large part to the conservative policies of Gov. Scott Walker.
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from Breitbart


BOEHNER DECRIES SHUTDOWN, SAYS UNWILLING TO QUIT GOLF, CIGARETTES TO RUN FOR PREZ IN LENO APPEARANCE


DE BLASIO BACKS CUOMO: WANTS CONSERVATIVES TO GET OUT

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from Business Insider


Eric Schmidt Just Revealed A Key Truth About The Economy That Very Few Rich Investors And Executives Want To Admit
The stagnation in middle-class wages is not just a middle-class problem. It's an economic problem. And it's one of the main reasons that global economic growth is so lousy.

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from CNSNews.com (& NewsBusters)


In Front of Sharpton, MSNBC's Wolffe Says 'There Are People Who Enjoy the Politics of Race,' 'Helps Their Ratings'
In the back of his mind, Sharpton probably realized EVERYTHING this guy was saying applied to him! But he just sits there, pretending he agrees.


ABC Ignores Its Own Reporter, Yawns as Jon Karl Grills White House on First Lady's Birthday Bash

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from Collective Evolution
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]

Spectacular UFO Footage From NASA’s STS-48 Discovery Space Shuttle



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from Columbia Basin Herald

Neighbors helped victim and are now helping police find shooters.

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from EarthSky

Largest asteroid Ceres is venting water vapor into space
This is the first unambiguous detection of water vapor around an object in the asteroid belt.

This date in science: Sweden goes first to ban aerosol sprays
Virtually every country on Earth banned the use of chlorofluorocarbon-propelled aerosol cans with the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in 1989. Since the mid-1990s, scientists say, the area and depth of the Antarctic ozone hole have roughly stabilized. But, they said recently, the ozone hole is still not in recovery.

This date in science: A record-setting dive into the deepest ocean
The submersible vehicle Trieste made a record-setting dive to the deepest surveyed part of the ocean. Trieste was a bathyscaphe – “deep boat” – owned by the U.S. Navy. It was a free-diving, self-propelled deep-sea submersible, and it dove – with two crew members aboard – into the Marianas Trench east of the Philippines, whose deepest portion is called the Challenger Deep. It took nine hours to descend 6.83 miles (10,911 meters) to the deepest ocean.

What’s a safe distance between us and an exploding star?
With the new supernova in M82 (11-12 million light-years away), you might be wondering ... how close is too close? Scientific literature cites 50 to 100 years as the closest safe distance between Earth and a supernova.

What makes a halo around the sun or moon?
Halos around the moon – or sun – are a sign of thin cirrus clouds drifting high above our heads. They are a sign of nearby storms.

KABOOM! Nearby Galaxy M82 Hosts a New Supernova!

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from Facecrooks

Fake Message from Facebook Security Stating You Violated a Policy
[Phishing Alert] Don't believe any emails or messages stating that you have been reported, violated a policy, or you must confirm account, etc. These are phishing schemes designed to steal your Facebook user name and password.
See also Snopes.com: Terms of Service Violation Scam

The EFF Has Your Back
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has released an annual report titled, “Who Has Your Back?” taking a closer look at the privacy policies of major Internet companies.

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from The Farmacy (& Strawbale City)
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]

The Top 10 Healthiest Seeds on Earth
Chia, Hemp, Pomegranate, Flax, Pumpkin, Apricot, Sesame, Sunflower, Cumin, Grape.



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from The Federalist



from Fox News (& affiliates)

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from The Heritage Foundation


Why They Marched, in Their Own Words
Despite temperatures in the teens and wind chills below zero, people from across the country marched in Washington, D.C., yesterday, to speak up for life.


IRS Targeting Hollywood Conservative Group


Sean Hannity for Congress? Talk Show Host Says He's Open to Political Run


Obama Taps B-List Actor to Promote Obamacare
In a new move, the White House has enlisted B-list actor Kal Penn, most famous for his role in the “Harold & Kumar” franchise, to sell Obamacare.


Bill Gates: Raising Minimum Wage Can Destroy Jobs

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from The Hollywood Reporter


'2016: Obama's America' Filmmaker Indicted for Violating Campaign Finance Laws
Conservative filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, whose documentary 2016: Obama's America took a critical look at President Barack Obama and was a surprise hit in 2012, is accused of giving too much money to a candidate who sought to replace former New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Producer Gerald Molen tells The Hollywood Reporter the charges are politically motivated.

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from Independent Journal Review


What O'Reilly And Krauthammer Said About Major News Networks And Why They Hate Fox

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from International Christian Concern
(PERSECUTION.org)

Egypt: Coptic Christians Kidnapped Weekly, Held for Ransom by Radicals
Organization Records 69 Cases of Kidnapping in 2013
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Coptic Christians in Upper Egypt continue to be targeted for kidnapping and extortion on a weekly basis. The most recent case occurred on Tuesday morning when masked men abducted 52-year-old Nady Farag Massad at gunpoint in the governorate of Minya. According to local sources, Mr. Massad was purchasing bread for his family at a local bakery when the gunmen forced him into their vehicle and fled the scene. Two days later, Mr. Massad’s kidnappers have yet to contact anyone demanding a ransom.


Kazakhstan: Foreigners Who Share Faith Targeted for Deportation
Typically outside of the international media spotlight, Kazakhstan has slowly but surely tightening restrictions on the religious freedom of 16.8 million citizens. As the following article points out, foreigners who share their faith are deported, despite the countries commitment to upholding international human rights standards. ICC has also highlighted the case of Pastor Kashkumbayev, a Presbyterian minister from the capital of Astana, who has been imprisoned since May of 2013. The Kazakh government denies it is committing any human rights violations, despite protests from international human rights organizations.


Memorial Services Held on 20th Anniversary of Iranian Pastors Martyrdom
Pastor Haik Hovsepian gave everything for his faith. In 1994, Pastor Haik, the superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church in Iran, was murdered just days after holding a successful protest for the release of a fellow pastor. At the time his murder sparked widespread media coverage and drew attention to the lack of religious freedom in Iran. Sadly, two decades later, little has improved for religious minorities in the country. Today Christians continue to face "systematic persecution" and imprisonment. Perhaps the most well-known religious prisoner in the West currently, Pastor Saeed Abedini, has been in imprisoned in Iran for over a year.


World’s Oldest Christian Communities Threatened with Extinction
The following article provides an excellent overview of the situation for Christians across the Middle East who, if current trends continue, are facing extinction. It also asks the pivotal question, why isn't the West outraged? For a decade the Middle East has been emptying of Christians by the hundreds of thousands as radical Islamic movements in the region become increasingly violent. Syria, Iraq, and Egypt are perhaps the best examples of this trend. ICC is actively working to raise awareness and bring assistance to many of these communities.


Christians in Nanle County, China, Continue to Face Persecution
The arrest of Pastor Zhang Shaojie and 23 of his church members ten weeks ago has sparked one of the most egregious incidents of Christian persecution in China in recent months. While about half of the believers have been released, many continue to face intimidation and harassment, including Pastor Shaojie's family. Lawyers attempting to defend the Christians legal rights have been roughed up by government sponsored thugs and even international film crews have been attacked. Now Pastor Shaojie faces trumped up charges of "fraud" and "disturbing public order." Genuine religious freedom in China remains an elusive dream for its tens of millions of Christian adherents.


US: Christian Business Owners Face Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Fines
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has found that Aaron and Melissa Klein, the Christian owners of a bakery in Portland, are guilty of violating the civil rights of a lesbian couple after refusing to bake a cake for their wedding. The Klein's refused on the basis of their Christian faith and now face possible fines. The Klein's have already moved their bakery out of its location and into their home after pro-LGBT groups targeted the business and its supplies with threats and intimidation. The Klein's children were also issued death threats at school.


Rights Organizations Demand Sri Lanka Protect Its Religious Minorities
In an open letter published in a popular Sri Lankan newspaper, human rights and religious organizations in Sri Lanka have called upon the government to protect religious minorities, including Christians. In 2013 alone, Christians in Sri Lanka have been attacked 103 times. Most of these attacks are perpetrated by Buddhist nationalist groups who believe religions other than Buddhism are foreign to Sri Lanka and are willing to commit acts of violence to protect what they believe is Sri Lanka's Buddhist heritage. Below is an excerpt from the open letter to the Sri Lankan government.


Attacks on Christians Rising in Two Indian States
According to a recent report released by the Catholic Secular Forum, attacks on Christians in two Indian states have been on the rise in 2013. In the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra, attacks on Christians have seen a dramatic increase. Mainly driven by Hindu nationalists, these attacks on Christians are reported to be "low intensity, but widespread." Please pray for the Christians suffering these attacks.


Christian Persecution Continues to Run Rampant in Nigeria
A large number of Christian villages across north and central Nigeria have reported attacks by Islamic extremist in January. According to some reports, as many as 15 Christians have been murdered in these attacks. Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist network operating in northern Nigeria, is though to be behind these attacks. Some attacks have been attributed to Muslim Fulani herdsmen, though many in Nigeria are beginning to suspect that Boko Haram is inciting these groups to attack Christians. Please pray for all Christians living in northern and central Nigeria.

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from The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com

Netanyahu: Rouhani continues trying to fool the world
PM says goal of the "regime of the ayatollahs hiding behind Rouhani's smiles" is to ease sanctions without giving up nukes.

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from Money Talks News
from Mother Nature Network

Przewalski's horse: 10 things you didn't know about the last wild horses on Earth
These small, stocky horses are the only truly wild horses left on the planet, and they have a fascinating history. Here's everything you need to know about this endangered species.

What does your handwriting say about your personality?
[from 5 Jul 2013]
See also Wikipedia: Forer effect

5 spicy chocolate dishes
1. Aztec Bark; 2. Mexican Hot Chocolate; 3. Spiced Chocolate Pudding; 4. Ginger Chocolate Eskimo Pies; 5. Venezuelan Chocolate Chicken.

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from Natural Society
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]

Activists Halt Monsanto Seed Plant Construction in Argentina

Why GMO-Free Cheerios are Nice, But Far From a Major Victory

9 Cleansing House Plants to Detoxify the Air in Your Home

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from New York Times
[may require subscription]


Leaning Right in Hollywood, Under a Lens
In a famously left-leaning Hollywood, where Democratic fund-raisers fill the social calendar, Friends of Abe stands out as a conservative group that bucks the prevailing political winds. Now the Internal Revenue Service is reviewing the group’s activities in connection with its application for tax-exempt status.

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from NPR


Virginia's New Attorney General Will Not Defend Gay-Marriage Ban

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from NWCN

Measure would bump Washington’s minimum wage to $12/hr
At $9.32 an hour, Washington state already has the highest minimum wage in the nation, followed by Oregon's $9.10 an hour. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.

Spokane, Lincoln counties see spike in moose-related calls
A warning to NOT feed moose in your area. Spokane officials say there's a spike in moose related-calls because some animals are habituated to humans who were feeding them.

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from One Minute Healings


ENZYMES-A KEY TO CREATING DIGESTIBLE FOOD
High Enzyme Smoothie: Pineapple Orange-Mango-Papaya Smoothie

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from Popular Science


'Placebo Sleep' Can Improve Cognitive Skills
If you tell people they slept better than they did, they are likely to perform better on math and word association tests.


School Snow Days Are Good For Education
Even if some students make it to the classroom, keeping schools open on the snowiest days can hurt learning.


Why Babies Fake Cry – And Why It Isn’t Fake

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from Slate's The Vault Blog


1919 Map of New York City's Manufacturers Shows a Bygone Industrial Landscape

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from Smithsonian Magazine


No, an Abandoned Ship Full of Diseased Rats Is Not Floating Towards Britain
If you believe the headlines, a ghost ship full of cannibal rats is heading for England. Don't believe the headlines.

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from Space.com (& CollectSpace)


Ancient Mars May Have Been Habitable for Hundreds of Millions of Years
Mars may have once been capable of supporting microbial life for hundreds of millions of years in the distant past, new findings from NASA's Opportunity and Curiosity rovers suggest.


NASA's Opportunity Rover: A Decade of Mars Exploration
No one ever expected this to happen. That after 10 years, a Mars Exploration Rover would continue to operate on the surface of Mars — well beyond its original 90-day mission. This was not in anyone's wildest imagination, to have a rover to continue to function, and continue to function productively and in good health.


Milky Way's Huge Black Hole to Gobble Gas Cloud Soon
A giant gas cloud is set to spiral into the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's core in the next few months, and scientists should get a great view of the dramatic celestial action.

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from The Spokesman-Review

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from ThatsNonsense.com

"Parcel Undelivered" Email spam targets Mac OS X users
Don't think your immune to malware if you use OS X/Mac - there are still scams lurking out there!


Whale slaughters in Faroe Islands - Internet/Facebook Rumour


Facebook Privacy Stories – The Hapless Fugitive
As we often warn our readers, social media can be a powerful tool that can have very real, undesirable consequences on your offline life if not used responsibly.

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from The Washington Post
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from The Weekly Standard


Iran President Rouhani: No Destruction of Centrifuges
The Iranian president tells Fareed Zakaria of CNN that, under the nuclear deal, there will be no limitations to nuclear technology and no destruction of centrifuges.

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from The Wenatchee World
[may require subscription]



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from The Western Center for Journalism
(Western Journalism)


This GOP Leader Just Joined The Amnesty Bandwagon
Despite the fact that a majority of Americans oppose rewarding those who live in constant violation of our immigration laws, leftists continue to push for legislation bestowing legal status on illegal immigrants. As is too often the case, many Republicans are either unwilling to stand up to such demands or actually subscribe to the same belief. In a recent statement, U.S. House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy indicated he belongs in the latter category.

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from WND (World Net Daily)


Obama, Clintons accused in Egypt of aiding terrorists
Two new, classifed documents leaked by Egyptian security implicate President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton in the aiding and abetting of terrorists.

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