Denver, Colo., Dec 30, 2016 / 08:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).-
It’s a common sight at a city intersection. A man or a woman holds a
cardboard sign: “Homeless, Hungry. Please Give. Anything Helps.”

Most motorists, stopped at the light and eager to move on, just ignore the person. But what should you do before the light changes?

The Denver-based urban ministry Christ in the City offers some advice. “Ask the person’s name,” said the group’s tip sheet. “One of our
friends on the street told us he went four months without hearing his
own name. Ask the person’s name and remember it. Those with a regular commute should remember that name and say hello the next time. “You’ll be amazed how his or her face will light up that you remembered.”

“To love is to know and be known,” Christ in the City said. “And so,
the chronically homeless become unknown, they become separated, not just
from society but from the experience of love itself.”

by Reuters , Saturday 31 Dec 2016

Lebanese daily newspaper As-Safir printed its final edition on Saturday,
forced to close after 42 years because of financial problems as other
news outlets in the country face similar difficulties. The front page led with an editorial entitled “The nation without As-Safir”.

“The economy is not well, and nor is politics. This cannot but reflect on and impact the press,” the article said. Chief editor Talal Salman earlier in the year blamed the newspaper’s
planned closure on falling revenues and Lebanon’s political and
sectarian problems, including the absence of a president and functioning
state institutions.

Lebanon’s parliament elected President Michel Aoun in October after
more than two years without a head of state, and a new government was
named this month. Growth in Lebanon’s economy has been sluggish since the collapse of a
unity government and the start of the Syrian civil war next door in
2011. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew at only two percent in 2014.

As-Safir’s editorial said that despite Lebanon escaping the levels of
violence that have plagued much of the region in recent years, the
knock-on economic and political effects on the tiny Mediterranean
country, which hosts over 1 million Syrian refugees, have taken their
toll on its once thriving press. The daily, which is close to the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah, was
founded in 1974 with the slogan “a voice for those who have no voice”.

Bryan Logan

Russian hackers breached a Vermont electrical utility, The
Washington Post
reported on Friday. Investigators found malicious code associated with the hackers
during an analysis of Russia’s cyberattacks against Democratic
Party organizations.

That code was apparently discovered on a laptop at the Burlington
Electric Department in Vermont,
the Burlington Free Press wrote on Friday. The code was apparently not used to disrupt operations at the
Vermont utility, and officials there said the laptop in question
is not associated with the operation of the electrical grid.

“The grid is not in danger,” Vermont Public Service Commissioner
Christopher Recchia told the Burlington Free Press. “The utility
flagged it, saw it, notified appropriate parties and isolated
that one laptop with that malware on it.” Officials interviewed by The Post said it is not clear how
hackers may have intended to execute the malware, if at all.

One of the biggest threats with breaches of utility sites is the
potential to disrupt the US electrical grid en masse. Such an
attack could have a devastating effect on emergency services
nationwide.

by Alex Lockie and Bryan Logan Sanitation trucks filled with sand acting as barricades along Fifth Avenue outside Trump Tower in New York City on November 8. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Massive dump trucks filled with sand will line the streets surrounding New Year’s Eve celebrations in New York City this weekend. The 20-ton vehicles will hold […]

By Paul Astih –

Beirut – Contrary to the status quo that prevailed in Lebanon by the
end of 2015, the situation today in the Mediterranean country looks
significantly more positive, especially following the election of a new
Lebanese president in October and the formation of a unity government
that has restored life to the different state institutions. Nonetheless, the new government, led by Prime Minister Saad
al-Hariri, has a major challenge, represented in the adoption of an
electoral law that would gain the approval of the different Lebanese
factions.

In this regard, sources told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that there has
been an overwhelming agreement over the need to put behind the 1960
electoral law, which was used in the last parliamentary elections in
2009. Based on the majority system, the electoral law, which was adopted in
1960, divides the country into 24 electoral districts. However,
Lebanese politicians are currently studying the adoption of a modern
electoral law that provides an appropriate representation of the
different Lebanese factions.

While Hezbollah and other political factions are insisting on a law
that would be solely based on the proportional system, other parties,
including the Future Movement, the Lebanese Forces and the Progressive
Socialist Party, back the adoption of a proportional system in some
regions and the majority system in others.

by  Pamela Engel – Business insider

The prime suspect in the German Christmas market attack
was from a north African country that has become a breeding
ground for extremism and is one of the top exporters of
jihadists. Tunisia was once thought to be an Arab Spring success story — it
was called
the “sole democratic success” of the uprisings that swept the
Middle East starting in 2010.

But the country has been struggling with an extremism
problem that was exacerbated with the arrival of the terrorist
group ISIS, which has attracted thousands of Tunisian recruits. A

2015 study by The Soufan Group, a strategic security firm,
found that Tunisia supplied more foreign fighters to
ISIS than any other country, between 6,000 and 7,000 as of
October of that year.

One Tunisian ISIS supporter drove a truck through a
Christmas market in Berlin earlier this week, killing 12 people
and injuring dozens more, according to authorities. Tunisia
native Anis Amri, who was killed in a Friday shootout with
police, was German authorities’ prime suspect in the
attack. Officials had been investigating Amri, but after
surveilling him for months, they couldn’t find any evidence of a
specific plot.

By Nazeer Rida

Beirut – The Lebanese Cabinet approved on Saturday the Ministerial
Statement for the new government to be presented to the parliament to
gain the vote of confidence the upcoming week. Minister Michel Pharaon as well as ministers of the Lebanese Forces
objected to the paragraph pertaining to the right of Lebanese citizens
to form a resistance, considering that resistance was the sole right of
the State. After lengthy deliberations, the Cabinet approved the ministerial statement.

In this context, parliament Speaker Nabih Berri set the confidence vote sessions for next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Lebanese government approved the statement during the session
that was convened on Saturday in Baabda presidential palace and chaired
by President Michel Aoun. President Aoun underscored the importance of the work of the government to be productive and fast.

He added: “after gaining confidence, we will be working on issuing a
new electoral law and preparing necessary measures to hold the elections
on due date.” For his part, Prime Minister Saad Hariri hoped that the new
government would gain confidence between Christmas and New Year so it
would “focus on issuing a new electoral law and taking care of daily
life issues.”

To view the link for the horoscope of 2018 – 2019 please click here 

Summary for Horoscope signs during 2017-2018 (Zodiac sign)  (for detail summary please click read more). Please scroll all way down as we have compiled the horoscope signs for the year of 2017-2018 from multiple sources – Your horoscope sign will be listed through the article

Aries Horoscope 2017

2017 for the Aries will be a period of fun and adventure. This might be a good time to start a new business. Do not forget to go for vacations with your loved ones in 2017. Health can be excellent if you are regular in your exercise workouts. Love life will be blissful for the Rams provided you do not make promises that you cannot keep. 

Taurus Horoscope 2017

The 2017 horoscope prediction for the Taurus star sign forecasts a harmonious and peaceful year for the bulls. Spiritually you will be inclined towards finding your inner peace. And do not let your fears spoil your well being. Love affairs have chances of becoming permanent. Married couples can plan for a baby. A healthy diet is a must if do not wish to fall sick. 

Gemini Horoscope 2017

2017 is a year of major changes for the Gemini sun sign. Do not let your hyperactivity spoil your happiness this year. Be it career or finance, think long term before planning anything drastic. Your psychic abilities too might improve in 2017 which help you understand your life better. The sun sign 2017 forecasts suggest that this might be the year when you find your right partner. 

Cancer Horoscope 2017

2017 is a year of difficult choices for the Cancerians. Be prepared for change in many aspects of your life. Do not go about splurging money on expensive stuff that you don’t need. Your partner might need your help in overcoming their fears. Health and relationships for the Crabs will need a lot of hard work in order to be stable. 

Leo Horoscope 2017

The 2017 horoscope prediction for the Leo sun sign predicts a fabulous year. You will be blessed with good luck and happiness. Don’t keep waiting for the right moment in your job or relationships. Just enjoy the journey and learn as you go along. You never know, you might even win that lucky lottery that you have been buying for so many years! 

Virgo Horoscope 2017

2017 for Virgo will need to be dealt with in a diplomatic way. Some old decisions might create problems if you don’t handle them the right way. This is the right time to let go of relationships that haven’t been working out. And do not let stress get the better of you. 

Libra Horoscope 2017

The 2017 Libra horoscope predictions forecast that this will be your year of discovery and innovations. Let your creative side come to the forefront. Express your ideas to other so that they can understand your dreams better. You will be a leading example for everyone around you. And do not forget to spend quality time with your family and loved ones. 

Scorpio Horoscope 2017

2017 year horoscope predictions for Scorpio astrology sign foretell that this year you are in a hurry to put your past behind. You will take the initiative to make your goals and targets work out for you. Love affairs will be many but only few will be serious. Eat healthily if you wish to be physically and emotionally fit. 

Sagittarius Horoscope 2017

Sagittarius zodiac in 2017 will have the enthusiasm and will power to move ahead with a firm mind. Your social life will be amazing. Career and business projects will be challenging but profitable. Skin allergies will need to be taken care of. Sex and romance will be at all time high for the Archers in 2017. 

Capricorn Horoscope 2017

The 2017 astrology predictions for the Capricorn zodiac sign forecast year of peace and harmony. Though you have a reputation of being practical, in 2017 the sea goats will see an innovative side to their personality. Love and romance too will be an important part of your life. This is a good year to get married. 

Aquarius Horoscope 2017

Astrology 2017 for the Aquarius predicts a year of excellent and positive opportunities. Be it love or career you will flourish in anything you put your heart to. Work will be plentiful and so will the remuneration. The pregnancy horoscope 2017 forecasts birth of a child for the Water Bearers in 2017.

Pisces Horoscope 2017

The birthday horoscope 2017 predicts that the Pisces sun sign people will be able to look at life in a positive and calm manner. This cool demeanor will be the secret to their success in personal and professional life. The career prediction 2017 by date of birth warns you not to let your dreams and illusions stop you from achieving your goals. Fulfill all your projects with utmost sincerity and integrity.