Morning Constitutional – Friday, 3 December 2010

Sorry, cat lovers: a new study from Oxford University found that dogs have developed larger brains relative to body size than cats have, “because highly social species of mammals need more brain power than solitary animals.”  And now, your morning constitutional:

Bad news on the US economic front as the unemployment rate rose to 9.8%, a seven month high, in November.

A bacterium found in a lake in California is the first known organism that breaks the “golden rules” of biochemistry by being able to survive without one of the six chemical elements necessary for life. The organism uses arsenic in place of phosphorous.

In a 333-79 vote, the House yesterday censured Rep. Charles Rangel for 11 rules infractions including unpaid taxes, undisclosed assets, and inappropriate fundraising.  It was the first congressional censure since 1983.

Yesterday, the House passed an extension of middle-class tax cuts.  President Obama continues to negotiate with congressional Republicans over tax cuts after a Senate deal to schedule four votes on taxes for today fell through.

Given the gridlock in Congress over, well, pretty much everything, it seems a bit bizarre that Senator Reid’s staffers are circulating a bill to legalize online poker.

South Korea warns that if North Korea attacks again, it will respond with air strikes.

A massive forest fire in the northern part of Israel has killed at least 41 people and led to the evacuation of 13,000.

After the company providing its domain name cut off service due to cyber attacks, WikiLeaks is back up with a new Swiss web address.

Meanwhile, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is wanted for questioning by Interpol on sex crimes, although apparently no charges have been filed.

Several temperature records show 2010 as the warmest year on record in several parts of the world, and probably among the warmest three years overall.

Finally, self-defense with pastry: a New Mexico store clerk successfully fended off an attempted robber by hitting him in the head with a package of empanadas.

Related posts:

1. Morning Constitutional – Friday, 5 August 2011
2. Morning Constitutional – Friday, 24 December 2010
3. Morning Constitutional – Friday 22 October 2010