Week of July 26th

Starting with the hard stuff first this week.  Heavy news week in general. 

A cease fire followed the bombing of a school that was used as a UN shelter in Gaza.  If you need a more info on what is going on the in area, you can read or listen to this NPR piece or this more comprehensive NY Times article-- it seems like daily updates are needed to stay totally informed right now (I started this yesterday, and the cease fire has expired since....)

It looks as though those responsible for the downing of Flight 17 were actually Ukrainian rebels, thinking they were targeting a military plane. 

You should have heard about Eric Garner this week... the Staten Island man who was arrested and ultimately killed (died... guess it depends on how you want to put it).  Meanwhile, Newark's police force is getting a federal monitor due to repeated rights violations.

Have you been hearing anything about the Syrian civil war?  I have not...and probably wouldn't have at all if it weren't for looking for news for this blog.  And yet, 1700 people have been killed in the past week.  Leaving me realizing that I don't do a good enough job staying informed and informing Christina!

More on Finland this week, too- it just so happens that this article about Finland's success with education was one I found today as well.  I think it oversimplifies, however-- yes, the respect for teachers is something to look at deeply, but the demographics may also play a role.  Thoughts?

And in New York demographics-- check out this building with separate entrances for rich and poor.  I hope two star crossed lovers end up violating door use here one day.

Continuing with "what now" in the Hobby Lobby and religious right right's conversation, check out this story about a nurse-midwife who is suing because she wasn't hired because she won't prescribe the pill.

I still don't have a name picked out for this new baby who's coming any day....unless we go with Zoe's pick of Grandma.  But this article regarding using the mom's last name and people's reactions is interesting to consider.  Thoughts?  Reactions?  Opinions?

Some news I didn't get to..... the Tour de France, other airplane crashes, etc....so check out this week in pictures from BBC to see if you want more.  My favorite is pictured below- don't you want to jump from there?