Monday, February 29, 2016

MAYOR PENS NOTE OF GOOD WILL OVER PUBLISHER'S MISHAP ON SUNDAY

Readers,
As a curtsy I send these reports to all elected officials regarding local topics that make headlines.
One topic I wrote about yesterday was regarding my little mishap heading to church services on Sunday. I sent the article to all governmental types as a curtsy, but never expected this note from the Mayor:
Peter,

I am so glad you survived what could have been a much worse outcome on Sunday. That individuals, especially the police/sheriffs, were nearby when bad things began to happen, may well be attributed to Heavenly Father looking out for one his favorite children, who simply was on his appointed way to worship among other children of God.

Best regards,

-Patrick Downie

I wrote the mayor and thanked him for the kind words, and said I was thinking on those same lines that the Heavenly Father figures I am still of some use in this big world of ours yet. 

WORLD NEWS DIGEST/ BUSINESS & FINANCE REPORTS

UN CALLS FOR CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN SYRIA, SOME DIDN'T GET THE MEMO.

 Explanation of Vote at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2268 on the Cessation of Hostilities in Syria
Quote: " There is some skepticism as to whether this cessation of hostilities – which is scheduled to go into effect in less than an hour, at midnight Damascus time – will be respected from the outset, or, just as important, whether it will hold with time. That skepticism is more than reasonable, given previous efforts that this Council and other multilateral institutions have undertaken to try to stop the monstrous violence and immeasurable suffering experienced by the Syrian people. Yet that record does not change the fact that this is our best chance, it’s our best chance to reduce the violence. Today, as in every previous effort, the only measure that matters is not the words on the page of this resolution, it is whether these commitments are actually put into practice and whether these commitments lead to real changes on the ground."---Ambassador Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
ref. http://usun.state.gov/remarks/7156

Related stories:
UN chief says Syria truce holding despite growing breaches (AP)


Syrian army recaptures town in Aleppo province from IS group (AP)


Opposition activists report airstrikes in northern Syria (AP)

Syrian opposition says government wrecking truce deal (REU)


UN plans aid for 154,000 besieged Syrians in next 5 days (REU)


The Latest: Erdogan Says Hostilities Continuing in Syria--NYTIMES


Turkish artillery hit Islamic State positions in Syria on Sunday, official says (REU)


News from the UN NEWS CENTER

South Sudan: UN deputy humanitarian chief calls for end to civilian suffering


UN report finds migrants play critical role in Asia-Pacific development


Yemen: Ban condemns apparent airstrike on Sana'a market; calls for prompt investigation


Ban urges all involved in Comoros electoral process to refrain from violence


In other world news headlines...

Iranian moderates win majority in parliament, clerical body (AP)


North Korea puts tearful detained American before cameras (AP)


Suicide bombing at Iraqi funeral kills at least 25 (AP)

As Europe bickers, police fire tear gas on migrants storming border (REU)


Major powers team up to tell China of concerns over new laws (REU)


BUSINESS & FINANCE:

Fight Against Power Plant Rule Gains Steam---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Happy Leap Day! Here are 5 Examples of Regulators Not Looking Before Leaping---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


Labor's Retirement Rule Would Throw Small Business Retirement Plans Out With the Bathwater--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


U.S. Government Enlists Hackers to Help Break Down Global Trade Barriers---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


US TREASURY DEPT: Remarks of Secretary Lew Before Meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

USDA Improves the WIC Shopping Experience to Better Serve our Nation's Low-Income, New and Expecting Mothers and Their Young Children


USDA BLOG: Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production


USDA BLOG: Tribal Conservation Partnership Provides Aquaculture Ponds for Walleye


IRS: March 1 Tax Deadline Nears for Many Farmers and Fishermen; New IRS Direct Pay Tool Offers Easiest Way to E-Pay Taxes


IRS Statement On “Get Transcript”


In other business and finance news...
'My taxes are none of your business': Mark Cuban--CNBC


Why Wal-Mart can't grow anymore---MOTLEY FOOL


Lumber Liquidators Falls as Turmoil Shows No Sign of Letting Up---BLOOMBERG


Why losing a home means losing everything---WASHINGTON POST

Why Mercedes is halting robots' reign on the production line---BLOOMBERG



DAILY DEVOTIONAL
[ Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes ] [ A Song of Ascents. ] In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me.
Psalm 120:1 NKJV