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1

Business Day

In China, Projects to Make Great Wall Feel Small

By DAVID BARBOZA | Jan 12th 2015

Despite economic choppiness, the country that built the Great Wall is attaining new superlatives in bridges, tunnels, rail links and other projects of immense size — and expense.

Infrastructure (Public Works); Bridges and Tunnels; Subways; Railroads; Levees and Dams; Airports; Canals; Credit and Debt 

Think of these projects not as proud boasts but as desperate stimulus efforts.

They are also boasts.

"If you can't fix it, feature it!"

2

N.Y. / Region

New York City Council Discusses Cap on Prices Charged by Car-Service Apps During Peak Times

By TATIANA SCHLOSSBERG | Jan 12th 2015

Uber’s pricing policy, and those of other car-service apps like Lyft, were at issue Monday at a City Council transportation committee hearing.

Car Services and Livery Cabs; Mobile Applications; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); Regulation and Deregulation of Industry 

The variable fare is good economics.

It is an expression of congestion pricing.

It also limits demand.

3

Business Day

Charging Ahead in Detroit

By BILL VLASIC | Jan 12th 2015

Despite slow demand for hybrid and all-electric cars, tightening rules on fuel efficiency have led to the introduction of many new models at the Detroit auto show.

Electric and Hybrid Vehicles; Fuel Efficiency 

People are not yet comfortable with using multiple cars.

An electric for daily commuting travel within its range and a rented internal combustion engine vehicle for extended trips.

4

World

Strains Show as Afghan Leaders Announce Long-Awaited Cabinet Nominees

By JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN | Jan 12th 2015

Choosing a cabinet proved difficult for President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, who jointly lead the government.

Pashtun (Ethnic Group); Tajiks (Ethnic Group)

There are more factions at war in Afghanistan than I can comprehend.

5

Business Day

As Truck Sales Surge in U.S., Toyota and Nissan Unveil Upgrades

By AARON M. KESSLER | Jan 12th 2015

Japanese pickup makers are seeking a larger market share in the growing American truck market, with redesigned models and more powerful engines.

Trucks and Trucking; Sports Utility Vehicles and Light Trucks 

The sales people will never understand the small truck.

It is a tool.  It is not a Jeep.

6

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Big Movies Plunged Into Our Still-Wrenching History. Did the Golden Globes Award Them?

By FRANK BRUNI and ROSS DOUTHAT | Jan 12th 2015

Frank and Ross tackle the beefy themes of public and private politics as well as historical accuracy in “Selma,” “American Sniper,” “Big Eyes” and more.

Actors and Actresses; Golden Globes (Awards); Identification Devices; Movies; Propaganda; Republican National Convention; September 11 (2001); Terrorism; Theater; Women and Girls; World Trade Center (Manhattan, NY) 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Charge_of_the_Light_Brigade_%28poem%29

""Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred."

I do "reason why".

7

Opinion

Getting Grief Right

By PATRICK O’MALLEY | Jan 12th 2015

Don’t believe what you hear about closure and “stages” of mourning.

Death and Dying; Depression (Mental); Psychology and Psychologists; Therapy and Rehabilitation 

Agreed.

I heard a presentation on obsessive compulsive disorder.

It occurred to me to to pair it with P.T.S.D.

Treating P.T.S.D. as O.C.D. might be a better approach.

8

Education

White House Still Backs Annual Testing in Schools

By MOTOKO RICH | Jan 12th 2015

Arne Duncan outlined the administration’s priorities for a revision of No Child Left Behind, indicating that testing was important to measuring achievement.

Tests and Examinations; Education (K-12); Law and Legislation; No Child Left Behind Act; Teachers and School Employees 

The State of New York has more than a hundred years of testing experience.

It would be good if the federal program studied the historical record before it established a testing regime.

9

Sports

Boston, in Old College Try, Uses Campuses in 2024 Olympic Bid

By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE | Jan 9th 2015

Boston, which was chosen Thursday as the American bid city for the 2024 Olympics, is relying heavily on using the existing facilities at many of the region’s dozens of colleges and universities.

Olympic Games (2024); Colleges and Universities 

Boston has presented a thought out bid.

Harvard has and has had an aristocratic attitude.

It will continue to cost them in unexpected ways.

I like The Lampoon.

10

Business Day

Oil Prices: What Is Behind the Drop? Simple Economics

By CLIFFORD KRAUSS | Jan 12th 2015

The price of oil has plunged in recent months, reaching its lowest point in more than five years.

Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) 

Collusion is not necessary.  

The oil producers are fighting over the market.

11

Science

Your Letters: Cancer’s Luck, Earth-Like Planets and Protecting Pedestrians

Jan 12th 2015

Letters to the Editor.

Planets; Walking; Earth 

A reasonable respect between all users of the streets will go a long way toward safety.

The right of way is not generally absolute.

12

U.S.

Video: In Baltimore, Fighting an Incinerator

Gabriella Demczuk | Jan 10th 2015

I do not need to join this fight.

A clean incinerator should be built.

Change the inks and operate enclosed as far as possible.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/us/garbage-incinerators-make-comeback-kindling-both-garbage-and-debate.html

13

U.S.

Volkswagen and Ford Take Top Awards at the Detroit Auto Show

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Jan 12th 2015 

14

U.S.

Nominee for Attorney General Less an Activist Than Holder

By MATT APUZZO | Jan 12th 2015

Friends say Loretta E. Lynch, an African-American reared in the segregated South, sees herself more as a traditional prosecutor than a civil rights advocate.

Attorneys General; United States Attorneys; Race and Ethnicity; Civil Rights Movement (1954-68); Segregation and Desegregation 

Congress will not act.

15

Business Day

Simon & Schuster to Sell Online Courses Taught by Popular Authors

By ALEXANDRA ALTER | Jan 11th 2015

Three prominent health, finance and self-help authors will teach the first courses, which will cost $25 to $85.

E-Learning; Book Trade and Publishing; Video Recordings, Downloads and Streaming; Writing and Writers; Books and Literature 

Read the books from the public library.

16

U.S.

Paris Attacks Expected to Influence Boston Trial

By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE | Jan 12th 2015

A grim reminder of a global struggle adds to the challenge of selecting a jury for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the defendant in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, analysts said.

Boston Marathon Bombings (2013); Jury System; Terrorism 

Try again.

17

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At the Golden Globes, Beauty Looks Got Matchy-Matchy

By RENATA MOSCI | Jan 12th 2015

A few celebrities embraced what might be considered a faux pas — coordinating their hair, makeup and nails to their fashion choices.

Celebrities; Cosmetics and Toiletries; Fashion and Apparel; Golden Globes (Awards); Hair; Nails (Body Part) 

I don't care.

18

U.S.

Obama to Announce Cybersecurity Plans in State of the Union Preview

By MICHAEL D. SHEAR | Jan 10th 2015

Speeches in the coming week will address identity theft, privacy, protections for government and company computers, and high-speed broadband access.

State of the Union Message (US); Cyberwarfare; Identity Theft; Privacy; Cyberattacks and Hackers; United States Politics and Government; Law and Legislation 

Personal responsibility.

19

Opinion

No Exit for Greece

By JOSEF JOFFE | Jan 12th 2015

Greek rejection of austerity may mean another bailout, but that's the least of Europe's economic problems.

Banking and Financial Institutions; Economic Conditions and Trends; Euro (Currency) 

Ask elsewhere.

20

Opinion

Gun Rights, From Holsters to Bras

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | Jan 10th 2015

The open-carry debate in Texas is the latest barometer of America’s firearm culture, as it veers somewhere between eerie and lethal.

Gun Control; Law and Legislation 

Self destructive.