@15:00, 2/15/15

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1

Sports

Ireland and England Win to Set Up a Six Nations Showdown

By HUW RICHARDS | Feb 15th 2015

The two nations were 1-2 in last year's Six Nations and still look to be the class of European rugby. The Irish beat a tough France, and England crushed Italy.

Rugby; Concussions

Enjoy.

2

N.Y. / Region

In the N.Y.P.D, a Union Leader Works to Topple His Longtime Boss

By RACHEL L. SWARNS | Feb 15th 2015

Brian Fusco, a 27-year veteran of the Police Department, is campaigning to unseat Patrick J. Lynch as president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.

Organized Labor; Police

The N.Y.P.D. has been far too cozy with the Republican party.

3

U.S.

F.B.I. Director Speaks Out on Race and Police Bias

By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT | Feb 12th 2015

The F.B.I. is alive again.

4

World

Canadian Police Say They Foiled a Plot by 3 Suspects to Kill People at a Halifax Mall

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Feb 14th 2015

The R.C.M.P. works hard.

5

N.Y. / Region

A Forest’s Family Roots Stand in a Pipeline’s Path

By COREY KILGANNON | Feb 12th 2015

The gas can find another market.

6

U.S.

Val Fitch, Who Discovered Universe to Be Out of Balance, Is Dead at 91

By DENNIS OVERBYE | Feb 10th 2015

The probability of a past event is unity.

7

U.S.

Disillusioned in Iraq, but Prodded to Serve Again

By JEREMY W. PETERS | Feb 8th 2015

He has been learning and should continue to learn.

8

U.S.

Senate Gives Approval for Defense Secretary, if Not His Boss’s Policies

By EMMARIE HUETTEMAN | Feb 12th 2015

The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Ashton B. Carter to replace Chuck Hagel, installing a new Pentagon chief as the United States increases military action against the Islamic State.

United States Defense and Military Forces

Ashton B. Carter will not be commander in chief.

9

World

Video: Leaders Comment on Minsk Agreement

Reuters | Feb 12th 2015

The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, the main players in the cease-fire negotiations in Minsk, discuss the talks.

It may be a Russian surrender.

10

Business Day

Bank of England Expects Prices to Continue Falling in 2015

By JENNY ANDERSON | Feb 12th 2015

Inflation will decline to zero percent in the second quarter, and is likely to dip below zero briefly this year, the central bank said.

Inflation (Economics); Economic Conditions and Trends; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); Interest Rates; Banking and Financial Institutions

This looks like deflation to me.

11

U.S.

Obama Signs Suicide Prevention for Veterans Act Into Law

By PETER BAKER | Feb 12th 2015

The measure was designed to make it easier for veterans to find mental health resources and increase accountability for the government programs serving them.

Veterans; United States Defense and Military Forces; Suicides and Suicide Attempts; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Mental Health and Disorders

It is a step.

12

World

In Spanish Abuse Scandal, a More Open Vatican

By RAPHAEL MINDER | Feb 14th 2015

The case, which includes allegations of a sex ring and a cover-up involving as many as 10 priests, has become one of the most serious abuse scandals to emerge under Pope Francis.

Priests; Sex Crimes; Suits and Litigation (Civil); Child Pornography; Clergy

The Roman Church is not dealing with sex scandals with grace.

13

World

Obama and Netanyahu Clash From Afar Over Israeli’s Planned Speech

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS and ISABEL KERSHNER | Feb 9th 2015

A dispute over politics and protocol dramatized a rift between President Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel about Iran.

United States International Relations; Embargoes and Sanctions; Nuclear Weapons

Netanyahu's policy in the occupied territories is not in accordance with "international law".  The U.S. cannot support those policies. 
The U.S. will not support the Palestinian ambitions for the destruction of Israel.
The Republican Party will seize any advantage against the Democrats.
Obama is doing what he can.   

14

World

Taiwan Charges Dozens of Protesters in Takeover of Government Buildings

By AUSTIN RAMZY | Feb 10th 2015

A total of 118 people face prosecution over the occupation of Taiwan’s legislature and another building, part of a movement to derail a trade pact with China.

Demonstrations, Protests and Riots; International Trade and World Market; Legislatures and Parliaments

Civil disobedience must have a price to be effective.
This effort has not succeeded as yet.
Cheap labor often is not worth its external costs.

15

Magazine

Dorm Wrecker

By CHUCK KLOSTERMAN | Feb 13th 2015

Three’s company, too!

Ethicist, The (Times Column); Dormitories; Roommates; Fraternities and Sororities; Ethics (Personal)

Yes.
All my promises are to myself.
I have no way to bind an other.

Sooner is better.  As soon as you can is best.



16 

Style

Love in the Time of Binge-Watching

By KATHERINE ROSMAN | Feb 13th 2015

How couples align their schedules to watch a favorite TV show or listen to a podcast together.

Television; Podcasts

We need closer communications to play this way.
The proposition is appealing.

17

World

Video: Reaction to Journalists’ Being Freed

Reuters | Feb 12th 2015

Family members of two Al Jazeera journalists arrested in December 2013, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, spoke after an Egyptian court freed the men while the government moved toward a retrial.

News and News Media; Bail

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/13/world/middleeast/egyptian-court-orders-release-of-2-al-jazeera-journalists.html

In their situation I would run for the border.
The Egyptian legal system is not functioning.

18

World

China: Motorist Tries to Drive Into American Consulate

By AUSTIN RAMZY | Feb 13th 2015

A man crashed into a barrier while trying to drive into the United States Consulate in Shanghai late Thursday, the police said. One Chinese guard was slightly injured, the police added.

Diplomatic Service, Embassies and Consulates; Traffic Accidents and Safety; Accidents and Safety

Liu Daojie appears crazy.
It would not be proper to assume it is so without asking questions.

19

World

Paris Aims to Embrace Its Estranged Suburbs

By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN | Feb 12th 2015

As the city looks to expand its population and remedy inequities, France must confront a history of racism that pushed unwanted people out of central Paris.

Area Planning and Renewal; Race and Ethnicity; Discrimination; Muslims and Islam; Unemployment; Immigration and Emigration; Terrorism

Ghettos are not a solution.
I do not know a fix for the situation.

20 

false

Can 'Battery Geniuses' Transform Cars and the Grid?

By ANDREW C. REVKIN | Feb 13th 2015

Can batteries spark a clean-energy revolution? A new book says, maybe.

Batteries; Books and Literature; Electric and Hybrid Vehicles; Electric Light and Power; Inventions and Patents; Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline

The Revkin presentation confused me.
Let us look at the state of the art.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_in_lithium-ion_batteries.

Bookmarked.
It will take me two years of study to get to the point I can contribute.

My cursory look tells me practical application is several years away.
Rechargeable batteries will soon be far better than they are.
Soon is not now.
Rechargeable batteries will not replace internal combustion for trips requiring recharging.
Rechargeable vehicles will not reduce the load on the power grid..

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