Checkout our latest article in the ‘Beyond the Bustle’ series of time-saving tips. This topic is close to our hearts because part of the impetus for the blog itself was to help other busy folks stay informed. We will continue to share current events with you as diligently as we can using our specific guidelines (find…
News
Big Week in the Middle East and Asia, Part 2
Afghanistan President Karzai is still refusing to sign a pact concerning post-2014 involvement of U.S. troops despite the almost-unanimous endorsement of a Jirga (assembly of 3000 Afghan tribal elders). His motivation is unconfirmed but there is a serous risk the delay or failure could jeopardize Western aid and confidence in the fragile Afghan economy. China China released a communique following…
Big News Week for the Middle East and Asia, part 1
So the last week I have been uber-busy with my actual day-job… and of course, this would be the week there is a new legitimate news story almost daily! I have done my best to condense these but I think they are all important. this will be split into two posts to make it more…
Super-Typhoon in the Philippines Leaves Thousands Devastated
Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines Friday. The death toll is now estimated at 10,000 but may increase as authorities reach more victims. The UN estimates 660,000 people have been displaced; some without food, water or medicine. International relief efforts have begun to pick up, with many countries pledging tens of millions of dollars. The…
LAX Shooting
One TSA worker has died and at least three others were wounded today when a man opened fire in the LAX terminal. The shooter was apparently suicidal and left a note indicating his intent to kill TSA workers. Read more from a local source.
Government Shutdown Ended
After 17 days the government shutdown is finally over. Don’t get too excited, though, this deal only allows for the Treasury to borrow through Feb. 7 and funds the government through Jan 15. So we will have another round of debate soon. The Affordable Health Care Act is officially up and was not de-funded, and the package provides back pay to…
Government Shut-down
The U.S. federal government “shut-down” due to a disagreement over the budget and funding of the new federal health care plan on October 1st. Approximately 800,000 federal employees were furloughed and most of our national monuments are still closed. Be sure to check the websites of anywhere you were planning to visit that receives funding from the federal…
Colorado Flooding Threatens Thousands
If you have friends or family in the Boulder area, now is the time to touch base, and please know our thoughts and prayers are with them. Severe flooding last week and over the weekend left 1,254 people still unaccounted for Sunday, five fatalities, over 1500 homes destroyed and over 17,500 homes damaged. The extend…
Agreement Reached on Syria Chemical Weapons
Over the weekend Russia and the U.S. reached an agreement to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons, hopefully averting the need for military action against Syria. The undertaking falls under the authority of a United Nations resolution. It will be executed by the international organization responsible for the international chemical weapons ban and will likely take years (it took over a decade…
Shooting at Washington Navy Yard
At least one shooter fired on victims at the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters this morning. At this time, at least one shooter is dead and police are searching for two more suspected shooters. Six fatalities have been reported thus far.