1
Science
Video: ScienceTake: Angry Birds
Mockingbirds furiously protect their nests against intruding cowbirds, with mixed results.
2
Magazine
Video: Holiday Feast: Goose
Sam Sifton shows how to make a goose fit any wintertime special occasion.
3
Real Estate
Beechhurst: Stepping Out of Whitestone’s Shadow
A 70-block waterfront enclave in the northeast corner of Whitestone, Queens, with a storied history, a strong sense of community and an abundance of beaches.
5
http://classic.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/article.html
6
World
Leading the Charge Against Spain’s Mortgage Crisis
Ada Colau’s group, the Platform for People Affected by Mortgages, has blocked hundreds of evictions and pressed for changes in Spain’s hard-line mortgage laws.
"THREE months ago, Ms. Colau accepted a European Citizens’ Prize
for the PAH given by the European Parliament. Mr. Rajoy’s party
promptly called the award a scandal and asked that it be withdrawn.
Shortly after, the government drafted a set of strict new laws
against public protests, laws that many believe are aimed at her
initiatives. The laws introduce steep fines for those who take part in
unauthorized protests, publish pictures of police officers or interrupt
public events. Demonstrating near Parliament without permission, for
instance, could draw a fine of 600,000 euros, or about $820,000.
Ms. Colau seems unperturbed. She responded on Twitter, calling on her
followers to stage a day of general disobedience if the law is passed.
“Either we disobey,” she wrote, “or we accept slavery.”"
Liberal politician.
Many have been killed in Spain.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/01/spanish-government-approves-law-demonstrations
I have no intention of joining a renewed Spanish Civil War.
7
Business Day
‘The Walking Dead’ Creator Is Suing AMC Over Payouts
Frank Darabont claims in his suit that he has been cheated out of millions of dollars by the network that is the producing studio for the show, the most successful ever on cable.-
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- Sooner would I stand
-
-
-
-
-
- Three times to face their battles, shield in hand,
- Than bear one child![11] "
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristophanes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mask_of_Apollo
8
World
China: A Denial on Hacked Europeans
China has denied recent allegations that it was responsible for computer breaches at the foreign ministries of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia and Portugal.
“U.S. computer security firms have been keen on playing up the
so-called cyberthreat from China,” said Hong Lei, a Foreign Ministry
spokesman, according to the Xinhua report. “But their so-called evidence
is never solid but widely doubted by professionals.”
Mr. Hong added, “They are trying to gain attention with fake facts,
which will neither be conducive to international cybersecurity
cooperation nor the professional qualifications and reputation of the
firms involved.”
I wish I could believe anyone on this.
9
Business Day
Whole Foods Finds Success in Smaller Cities
In a furious effort to expand, the chain is opening shop and looking for local suppliers in places like Boise, Idaho.
10
Opinion
What Tech Hasn’t Learned From Urban Planning
Companies flock to cities talking of community, then proceed to isolate themselves from the urban experience.
11
N.Y. / Region
Federal Case Is Brought Over Fruit
Del Monte claims that 110,000 cartons of bananas that traveled from Guatemala to South Jersey arrived “in a distressed state.”
12
Books
Three-Ring Circuses
Hucksterism and exploitation loom large in the 200-year history of elephants in America.
13
Crosswords/Games
Simon Singh Presents 'The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets'
Take a crack at puzzles from Simon Singh’s new book “The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets.”
14
Opinion
‘The Night Witch’
This animated Op-Doc explores the life of Nadezhda Popova, who became a World War II hero as part of a Soviet all-female bombing regiment.
15
Opinion
Santa Spotted in Night Sky
But this year it looks like he’s doing things a little differently.
16
N.Y. / Region
Signals Upgraded for Curve in Track Where Metro-North Crash Occurred
Operators nearing the area, just north of Spuyten Duyvil station, will be warned of a reduced speed limit, and the train will brake automatically.
17
Your Money
For Top Earners, a Bigger Tax Bite This Year
Tax policy has stayed out of the headlines, but higher rates, new laws and disappearing deductions mean that higher-income taxpayers are likely to pay more.
18
N.Y. / Region
Christie Agrees to In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Gov. Chris Christie said he would sign the legislation, known as the Dream Act, but rejected a plan to allow the immigrants in New Jersey access to state financial aid programs.
19
U.S.
Senate Passes Pentagon Bill After Compromise on Obama Nominees
The bill will delay Janet L. Yellen’s confirmation as chairwoman of the Federal Reserve until 2014.
20
Automobiles
BMW and Infiniti Issue Recalls
BMW issued a 77,000-vehicle recall for air bag-related problems; Infiniti recalled 23 of its new Q50 sedans for a potential steering issue.
1
Science
Video: ScienceTake: Angry Birds
Mockingbirds furiously protect their nests against intruding cowbirds, with mixed results.
2
Magazine
Video: Holiday Feast: Goose
Sam Sifton shows how to make a goose fit any wintertime special occasion."Ballantine's famous gaggle of ferocious white geese - the Scotch Watch - has featured in international TV documentaries, magazine articles, even record covers.
The security value of geese has been well known since Roman times. The best-known story of their efficiency dates from when enemy Gauls stealthily advanced towards Roman soldiers as they slept in their hilltop fortress, the Capitol. The first invader was almost over the ramparts when the geese, kept by Romans as sacred birds, began screeching to alert their masters to the imminent attack."
3
U.S.
Texas Conservative Steve Stockman to Challenge Senator John Cornyn
Steve Stockman’s challenge of John Cornyn, the second-ranking Senate Republican, offers the potential for yet another ideological showdown in the 2014 Republican Senate primaries.
4
Magazine
The First Amendment Right to Nonpolitical Homework
Giving points for climate-change activism.
5
World
Video: Photographer's Journal: Sergey Ponomarev
Covering the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan was a challenging assignment in many ways. Sergey Ponomarev, a freelance photographer, reflects on his experience.
"How high was Haiyan's storm surge?
According to storm surge expert Dr. Hal Needham, the record highest storm surge in modern history in East Asia was 24 feet (7.3-meters) in 1897 on Samar Island, Philippines--the same location where Haiyan initially hit. He estimated that Haiyan's surge was very close to that at the Tacloban Airport: 21.3 feet (6.5 meters). Storm chaser Josh Morgerman of iCyclone.com rode out the storm in a hotel a mile northwest of the airport, where the surge may have been even higher, due to the shape of the coast. He stated in an email to me that "we determined our location to be at 26 ft (based on USGS data), and we flooded to a depth of about 4 ft, suggesting a whopping 30-ft surge. (Afterward, I had a geography expert research this, and he came up with the same value for our location—8 m or 26 ft.)" A storm surge of 21 - 30 feet hitting densely populated Tacloban, which did not fully evacuate low-lying areas, was bound to cause thousands of deaths.
A detailed look at Haiyan's storm surge
Hurricane scientist Margie Kieper, who wrote a remarkable analysis of Hurricane Katrina's storm surge for wunderground, also studied Haiyan's storm surge in detail. The rest of this post is her analysis.
You know the more I reflect on the surge damage from STY Haiyan the more I realize this is an enormously extensive surge. Even considerably far north of the eye along Eastern Samar's Pacific coast water came inland with enough height and velocity to destroy all coastal towns. And in the Gulf of Leyte, the surge damage along the coast was just as extensive and dramatic. Unfortunately, there seems to be only the one main coastal road ringing the island of Samar, to provide access to all these coastal communities.
Figure 1. Locations in the Philippines where a significant storm surge from Super Typhoon Haiyan was observed.
I just don't think I have ever seen anything on par with this. And this was a primarily rural area with small towns, not a developed coastline as with Katrina, Ike, etc. Haiyan's surge was most severe in Leyte, Samar, and Eastern Samar bordering the Gulf of Leyte, and the Pacific Coast of Eastern Samar (see map). Surge heights were on par with forecasts publicized by Philippines meteorological service, and may even have been a little higher than the forecasts. Their surge numbers were generated using the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Storm Surge model using JMA forecast data and WXTide results. The model predicted 15 feet (4.5 meters) for Tacloban, and an estimate of about 21 feet has been suggested by Dr. Hal Needham on stormsurge2010.blogspot.com.
The storm surges at Tacloban and across the bay at Basey have been well-documented in the news. But along the Leyte coast south of Tacloban, the communities of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, and Dulag also received significant surge. Coastal communities along the northern shore of the Gulf of Leyte, and the connecting road, which runs in many places right along the shore, were all also destroyed by surge. Here, also, bridges along the coastal road such as at Lawaan, were also destroyed. In Samar, Basey and Marabut were heavily damaged by surge.
Figure 2. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Palo, near where the center of the eye passed. This location is just south of Tacolban on Leyte Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 3. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Tolosa, just south of where the center of the eye passed. This location is south of Tacolban on Leyte Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 4. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Hernani on Samar Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 5. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Lawaan on Samar Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 6. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Marabut on Samar Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 7. Storm surge damage from Haiyan on Victory Island, Samar. Image credit: Getty Images.
Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone, in an interview with Rappler, noted that eleven out of the 23 municipalities in Eastern Samar were devastated by the storm, plus the Borongan City and the island of Homohon: Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, Macarthur, Hernani, Balankayan, Maydolong, Salcedo, Mercedes, and Guiuan. After a helicopter survey, he told reporters, “There is no more Eastern Samar province. You cannot recognize it. The devastation was horrific."
One other location that had extremely high surge was Hernani, facing the Pacific Ocean north of Matarinao Bay, where the storm surge was described as being two stories high. Hernani and Balangkayan are described as "destroyed" by the surge, and photos from Rappler's Franz Lopez bear this out (the entire photo essay can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTrNTNNiIQA ). The surge obliterated the "first two rows" of houses along the shore at Balangkayan and eroded the beachfront there.
North of Hernani, along the Pacific Coast of Eastern Samar, surge destroyed bridges at the capital Borongan and at General MacArthur. The governor of Eastern Samar was not familiar with the term "storm surge" and was quoted as saying, "Nobody expected the sea water to surge through the towns. Usually, typhoons here just bring rain. Those who live near rivers and rice fields, they’re the ones who are asked to evacuated. Those living near the shoreline, that’s unexpected." In other words, they were familiar with freshwater flooding issues from heavy rainfall, but not familiar with storm surge. A resident of Maydolong, north of Balangkayan, described the damage as similar to a nuclear bomb, an analogy commonly invoked to describe surge damage. These areas also received strong winds which resulted in flying debris in the air at the same time the surge was moving inland. South of Hernani, in Guiuan, homes right on the coastline or built on peninsulas little more than sandbars, known in the U.S. as being in the "velocity zone", were also obliterated by water."
According to storm surge expert Dr. Hal Needham, the record highest storm surge in modern history in East Asia was 24 feet (7.3-meters) in 1897 on Samar Island, Philippines--the same location where Haiyan initially hit. He estimated that Haiyan's surge was very close to that at the Tacloban Airport: 21.3 feet (6.5 meters). Storm chaser Josh Morgerman of iCyclone.com rode out the storm in a hotel a mile northwest of the airport, where the surge may have been even higher, due to the shape of the coast. He stated in an email to me that "we determined our location to be at 26 ft (based on USGS data), and we flooded to a depth of about 4 ft, suggesting a whopping 30-ft surge. (Afterward, I had a geography expert research this, and he came up with the same value for our location—8 m or 26 ft.)" A storm surge of 21 - 30 feet hitting densely populated Tacloban, which did not fully evacuate low-lying areas, was bound to cause thousands of deaths.
A detailed look at Haiyan's storm surge
Hurricane scientist Margie Kieper, who wrote a remarkable analysis of Hurricane Katrina's storm surge for wunderground, also studied Haiyan's storm surge in detail. The rest of this post is her analysis.
You know the more I reflect on the surge damage from STY Haiyan the more I realize this is an enormously extensive surge. Even considerably far north of the eye along Eastern Samar's Pacific coast water came inland with enough height and velocity to destroy all coastal towns. And in the Gulf of Leyte, the surge damage along the coast was just as extensive and dramatic. Unfortunately, there seems to be only the one main coastal road ringing the island of Samar, to provide access to all these coastal communities.
Figure 1. Locations in the Philippines where a significant storm surge from Super Typhoon Haiyan was observed.
I just don't think I have ever seen anything on par with this. And this was a primarily rural area with small towns, not a developed coastline as with Katrina, Ike, etc. Haiyan's surge was most severe in Leyte, Samar, and Eastern Samar bordering the Gulf of Leyte, and the Pacific Coast of Eastern Samar (see map). Surge heights were on par with forecasts publicized by Philippines meteorological service, and may even have been a little higher than the forecasts. Their surge numbers were generated using the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Storm Surge model using JMA forecast data and WXTide results. The model predicted 15 feet (4.5 meters) for Tacloban, and an estimate of about 21 feet has been suggested by Dr. Hal Needham on stormsurge2010.blogspot.com.
The storm surges at Tacloban and across the bay at Basey have been well-documented in the news. But along the Leyte coast south of Tacloban, the communities of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, and Dulag also received significant surge. Coastal communities along the northern shore of the Gulf of Leyte, and the connecting road, which runs in many places right along the shore, were all also destroyed by surge. Here, also, bridges along the coastal road such as at Lawaan, were also destroyed. In Samar, Basey and Marabut were heavily damaged by surge.
Figure 2. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Palo, near where the center of the eye passed. This location is just south of Tacolban on Leyte Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 3. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Tolosa, just south of where the center of the eye passed. This location is south of Tacolban on Leyte Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 4. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Hernani on Samar Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 5. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Lawaan on Samar Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 6. Storm surge damage from Haiyan in Marabut on Samar Island. Image credit: rappler.com.
Figure 7. Storm surge damage from Haiyan on Victory Island, Samar. Image credit: Getty Images.
Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone, in an interview with Rappler, noted that eleven out of the 23 municipalities in Eastern Samar were devastated by the storm, plus the Borongan City and the island of Homohon: Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, Macarthur, Hernani, Balankayan, Maydolong, Salcedo, Mercedes, and Guiuan. After a helicopter survey, he told reporters, “There is no more Eastern Samar province. You cannot recognize it. The devastation was horrific."
One other location that had extremely high surge was Hernani, facing the Pacific Ocean north of Matarinao Bay, where the storm surge was described as being two stories high. Hernani and Balangkayan are described as "destroyed" by the surge, and photos from Rappler's Franz Lopez bear this out (the entire photo essay can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTrNTNNiIQA ). The surge obliterated the "first two rows" of houses along the shore at Balangkayan and eroded the beachfront there.
North of Hernani, along the Pacific Coast of Eastern Samar, surge destroyed bridges at the capital Borongan and at General MacArthur. The governor of Eastern Samar was not familiar with the term "storm surge" and was quoted as saying, "Nobody expected the sea water to surge through the towns. Usually, typhoons here just bring rain. Those who live near rivers and rice fields, they’re the ones who are asked to evacuated. Those living near the shoreline, that’s unexpected." In other words, they were familiar with freshwater flooding issues from heavy rainfall, but not familiar with storm surge. A resident of Maydolong, north of Balangkayan, described the damage as similar to a nuclear bomb, an analogy commonly invoked to describe surge damage. These areas also received strong winds which resulted in flying debris in the air at the same time the surge was moving inland. South of Hernani, in Guiuan, homes right on the coastline or built on peninsulas little more than sandbars, known in the U.S. as being in the "velocity zone", were also obliterated by water."
6
World
China: A Denial on Hacked Europeans
China has denied recent allegations that it was responsible for computer breaches at the foreign ministries of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia and Portugal.How can I know?
7
Business Day
Whole Foods Finds Success in Smaller Cities
In a furious effort to expand, the chain is opening shop and looking for local suppliers in places like Boise, Idaho.
8
Opinion
What Tech Hasn’t Learned From Urban Planning
Companies flock to cities talking of community, then proceed to isolate themselves from the urban experience.
9
N.Y. / Region
Federal Case Is Brought Over Fruit
Del Monte claims that 110,000 cartons of bananas that traveled from Guatemala to South Jersey arrived “in a distressed state.”
10
Books
Three-Ring Circuses
Hucksterism and exploitation loom large in the 200-year history of elephants in America.
11
Crosswords/Games
Simon Singh Presents 'The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets'
Take a crack at puzzles from Simon Singh’s new book “The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets.”
12
Opinion
‘The Night Witch’
This animated Op-Doc explores the life of Nadezhda Popova, who became a World War II hero as part of a Soviet all-female bombing regiment.
13
Opinion
Santa Spotted in Night Sky
But this year it looks like he’s doing things a little differently.
14
N.Y. / Region
Signals Upgraded for Curve in Track Where Metro-North Crash Occurred
Operators nearing the area, just north of Spuyten Duyvil station, will be warned of a reduced speed limit, and the train will brake automatically.
15
Your Money
For Top Earners, a Bigger Tax Bite This Year
Tax policy has stayed out of the headlines, but higher rates, new laws and disappearing deductions mean that higher-income taxpayers are likely to pay more.
16
N.Y. / Region
Christie Agrees to In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Gov. Chris Christie said he would sign the legislation, known as the Dream Act, but rejected a plan to allow the immigrants in New Jersey access to state financial aid programs.
17
U.S.
Senate Passes Pentagon Bill After Compromise on Obama Nominees
The bill will delay Janet L. Yellen’s confirmation as chairwoman of the Federal Reserve until 2014.
18
Automobiles
BMW and Infiniti Issue Recalls
BMW issued a 77,000-vehicle recall for air bag-related problems; Infiniti recalled 23 of its new Q50 sedans for a potential steering issue.
19
World
Nonpayment Taking a Toll on South African Colleges
The problem of unpaid tuition makes funding a constant challenge for public universities — and nearly impossible for some private, nonprofit ones.
20
World
German Parliament Elects Merkel to Third Term
The vote came nearly three months after Ms. Merkel fell short of winning a clear majority in the general election, forcing her to form a “grand coalition.”
1
Automobiles
Wheelies: The Vezel View Edition
Honda says it will bring its Vezel compact crossover to the United States; Senator Tom Carper of Delaware says Fisker won’t build cars there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Motors
2
Penny pinching.
3
4
5
N.Y. / Region
Life Expectancy of New Yorkers Rises With Influx of Immigrants, Study Finds
New Yorkers’ longevity rose over the past 20 years, the study says, citing factors like declines in AIDS deaths, homicide and smoking-related illnesses, along with immigrants, who tend to have lower mortality rates.
6
Business Day
Brazil Snubs Boeing in Fighter Jet Deal
The announcement that Brazil picked the aircraft maker Saab for a $4.5 billion contract to build 36 fighter jets comes at a time of heightened tension with the United States over spying.
7
U.S.
When the Right to Bear Arms Includes the Mentally Ill
Law enforcement is often powerless when it comes to keeping firearms out of the hands of people who are mentally ill, an unresolved issue in the debate over the Second Amendment.
8
Opinion
‘The Night Witch’
This animated Op-Doc explores the life of Nadezhda Popova, who became a World War II hero as part of a Soviet all-female bombing regiment.
9
Health
Should We Toss Our Vitamin Pills?
Remember how good we thought they were supposed to be for us? Well, not really, some doctors say, with one medical journal editorial arguing that they were a waste of money.
10
U.S.
Food Stamp Fraud, Rare but Troubling
Although the percentage of food stamp money lost to fraud is small, any amount is bad publicity for a program already under scrutiny.
11
World
Nonpayment Taking a Toll on South African Colleges
The problem of unpaid tuition makes funding a constant challenge for public universities — and nearly impossible for some private, nonprofit ones.
12
Opinion
Social Conservatives and Social Science
On the “curious absence” of social conservatives in economics (and other fields as well).
13
U.S.
Setting the Table for a Regal Butterfly Comeback, With Milkweed
Conservationists have planted milkweed, a favored food of the butterfly, along migratory routes where natural habitat has been plowed under for crops.
14
N.Y. / Region
Time Is Up for High-Security Wine Cellar Hit by Hurricane, Judge Rules
Since WineCare Storage was damaged during Hurricane Sandy, many of its wealthy clients have been unable to retrieve valuable cases of wine.
15
Opinion
Santa Spotted in Night Sky
But this year it looks like he’s doing things a little differently.
16
Opinion
John Boehner’s Betrayal
On the budget deal, Republican leaders sold out conservative values.
17
Sports
Two Milestone Goals Help Devils to a Victory
Jaromir Jagr scored the 693rd goal of his N.H.L. career, Reid Boucher scored the first of his, and the Devils beat the Senators.
18
World
German Parliament Elects Merkel to Third Term
The vote came nearly three months after Ms. Merkel fell short of winning a clear majority in the general election, forcing her to form a “grand coalition.”
19
U.S.
Massachusetts: Student Is Charged in Bomb Threat
Federal prosecutors have charged a Harvard student with making bomb threats that led to the evacuation of four campus buildings on Monday.
20
U.S.
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