The Center for Disease Control has announced that more cases of flu are being reported than normal documented amounts in several states. US officials say that such upticks usually don't occur until after Christmas.

Please, cover your mouth when you cough, sneeze into your shoulder. If you have to sneeze again, then sneeze into your opposite shoulder. If you’re one of those people who always sneezes three times in a row, you should have had time to take out a handkerchief and cover your nose and mouth.

SYRIA'S CHEMICAL WEAPONS. Receiving Extra Scrutiny.
US warns Assad that the world is watching and points to serious consequences, if Syria dares to use its stockpile of chemical weapons.

FISCAL CLIFF BALL GAME. Going Back and Forth.
Whitehorse rejects latest GOP $2.2 trillion counteroffer House Republicans made calling for raising the eligibility age for Medicare, without raising taxes.

EGYPT ON ALERT. Large Scale Planned Strike.
Massive march and general strike are raising new fears of increasing unrest.

ISRAEL'S NEW CONSTRUCTION. Alone In Danger Zone.

NYC Parks will be re-opening Orchard Beach to the public on Wednesday, December 5.

The facility was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy with more than 60 large mature trees uprooted and toppled, and lots of hanging tree limbs to contend with. The beach and promenade needed to be cleaned and cleared of debris.

The massive parking lot has been serving as a storm response site for government agencies, and as a collection site for large woody debris from throughout The Bronx.

Although work will continue as tree debris is hauled off-site, there will be an area set aside for public parking.

AVOIDING THE FISCAL CLIFF. Washington Deadlock Wars.
28 days left and our politicians play chicken, while Pelosi says she'll try to force a House vote on a Senate-passed bill favored by Democrats to break this deadlock.

EGYPT'S JUDGES ABANDON THE BENCH. Egypt's Supreme Court.
Supreme Constitutional Court has declared an open-ended strike while responding to Morsi's power grab.

SYRIA CONFLICT IS FLARING. Violence Continues.
Assad's warplanes and artillery hit Damascus and its suburbs as rebels try to reach his power base.

FOOTBALL MURDER-SUICIDE. Questions and Pain For KC Chiefs.

This Week in History, Dec 2 - Dec 8

Dec 02, 2001

With all the talk about the proverbial fiscal cliff, we may have forgotten that the Mayan Calendar predicts a major date is quickly approaching.

But hurry, because doomsday prophecies are around us as Dec. 21 quickly comes closer. The Mayans and Hopi Indians recognize that we are approaching the end of a World Age. Hopi and Mayan elders do not prophesy that everything will come to an end. Rather, this is a time of transition from one World Age into another. The message they give concerns our making a choice of how we enter the future ahead, not how we party on our final days.

BIG PENTAGON PLANS. Expanding Espionage Operations.
An ambitious overseas push will develop an espionage network that rivals the CIA in size.

GAZA EGYPT TUNNELS. Back in Business Following Cease-fire
Smuggling practices have resumed, while Israel watches to see if Hamas begins rearming during a cease-fire.

PRESIDENT MORSI'S POLITICS. Charter Referendum.
Egypt’s president decides on December 15 as the date for vote for Islamist charter, while his supporters flood the streets.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER CHANGES. Mexico’s New President.

According to recent surveys, approximately 14% of US citizens are confident they will have enough funds to afford retirement at age 65.

As more baby boomers elect to stay in the workplace, as opposed to going into full retirement mode, one decision to make is what do do with your 401K, which in many cases has replaced the traditional pension enjoyed by folks who entered the workplace in the mid 1900's.

Similar studies indicate that that delaying retirement by just one year can your ability to of successfully retiring by 18%, two years by 37% and three 55%.