New 'Call of Duty' boasts star power and fire power

The latest version of the popular video game franchise, "Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare" launched on November 3.  The sensory assault experience is said to rival the quality of a fast-paced action movie.  The realm of Call of Duty puts players in realistic warfare situations, with an intriguing story line voiced by Oscar-winning actor, Kevin Spacey. One setting is the streets of Seoul, South Korea, which is under attack by North Korean troops.  Sales of the game for its first year are expected to top $1.26 billion.  

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What is pushing oil and gas prices lower?

Gas prices are at their lowest price in over four years.  Several factors have led to this decline, according to economic experts.  One of the main reasons for lower prices is the boom in domestic oil production.  U.S. oil production has risen 50% in the past several years.  Higher efficiency energy sources are contributing to the price drop as well.  Another reason for the low prices is overproduction by oil producing countries in oil cartels like OPEC.  OPEC controlled prices for years and kept them at an artificially high level.  The duration of low prices is uncertain, however, as some of the factors do not have a predictable outcome.

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Instead of Columbus Day, some cities honoring indigenous people

In a trend that has been continuing for the past ten years or so, some cities, including Seattle and Minneapolis, have adopted resolutions that shift the focus from Christopher Columbus to indigenous people who are generally thought to be native to the North American continent.  Some feel the holiday honors the colonization of the Americans by Europeans, which had many negative impacts on native tribal groups.  By renaming the day 'Indigenous People's Day', the thriving cultural contributions that native people have made are honored and celebrated.  

The holiday, which was originally celebrated on October 12, was enacted by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892.  It was moved to the second Monday in October in 1971, and is still a federal holiday, although 16 states don't honor it.

CNN story

17 year old Pakastani girl wins Nobel Peace Prize

Pakistani teen Malala Yousafzai and Indian children's rights activist, Kailash Satyarthi, were jointly awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.  It is the youngest winner ever, and the awards were significant in that the two countries have been involved in deadly clashes along their common border.  Malala was shot in the head by Taliban members in 2012 on a school bus for attending school. She is still receiving treatment in Britain for her injuries. She later wrote a book about her experience, "I am Malala".  The other winner, Satyarthi, 60, has continued to fight against the exploitation of children for financial gain.

Youtube interview with Malala

MSNBC News story

Bees sting and kill Arizona man, injure four others

An aggressive swarm of perhaps more than 800,000 bees was responsible for the attack and death of a man in the southern Arizona town of Douglas.  The bees were discovered in a 3 by 8 foot hive in the attic of an elderly homeowner's house.  Officials said that the massive hive could have been accumulating for 10 years inside the house, and that the owner probably did not know they were there.  An exterminator described the bees as Africanized or 'killer bees' which have steadily been migrating northward since their development in Brazil in the 1950's.  Arizona is one of several southwest U.S. states where Aficanized bees have been found.  Africanized bees tend to be more defensive of the hive and sting in groups, thus causing death in certain cases after multiple stings.

USA Today story

Where is Kim Jung-Un?

In the 34 days since North Korea's leader Kim Jung-Un has been seen publicly, speculation has increased about his whereabouts.  Theories ranging from poor health to a bloodless coup have abounded.  The 31-year-old leader had been recently seen walking with a limp, and the visit by a North Korean military delegation to the South Korean capital for surprise talks stirred talk of unrest in North Korea.  A medical history of cardiac disease and cardiovascular issues of Kim's father, Kim Jong-Il, and weight issues are the leading factors for beliefs about health problems. Some analysts are even suggesting that Kim's younger sister is running the country.  The official government will likely release pictures soon of Kim to reassure people of his well-being.

ABC News story

Total lunar eclipse on Wednesday morning offers unusual twist

Because of the timing of the total lunar eclipse expected to be visible on Wednesday morning, observers might be able to see an unusual occurrence.  Occasionally, the eclipse occurs simultaneously with the sun rising.  The eclipse which is expected to occur between about 5:30 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. Wednesday morning might offer this event especially in areas of the U.S., like Minnesota and Iowa.  The moon will be totally immersed in the earth's shadow right before it sets, and the sun is coming up.  The totally eclipsed moon, which is sometimes referred to as a "blood moon" will resemble a weirdly illuminated red globe, if weather conditions are favorable.

CBS News story