From The Economist, an excellent article about how an unconventional glut of natural gas in America is shifting the balance of power in the world’s gas markets:

“North America now has an unforeseen surfeit of natural gas. The United States has enough gas under its soil to inspire dreams of self-sufficiency…”

Read on …

“Who can be sure that other aspects of one’s country may not, with time and education and suggestion enough, come to be regarded with similarly effective feelings of pride and shame [as success at arms]?

Why should men not someday feel that it is worth a blood tax to belong to a collectivity superior in any ideal respect?

Why should they not blush with indignant shame if the community that owns them is vile in any way whatsoever?”

Judges, prosecutors, defendants, window cleaners, engine drivers, and fake French cardinals — a weird assortment of “professions” are covered in this week’s sketch from the ever unpredictable Monty Python.

Each Saturday we highlight a humorous and sometimes poignant video, interview, comic, or skit concerning different “careers,” past and present. From W.C. Fields to Rowan Atkinson, from classic films and commercials to Monty Python—all and everything will be tapped for this look each week at various professions and pastimes (loosely defined).

Click here for all of the videos and careers highlighted to date and click below for a larger viewing screen.

Dear Mr. President,

I wish to express my apology again to you for the embarrassing situation that occurred during Vice President Biden’s visit to Jerusalem.

As I said to him and reiterate here, I did not know that the announcement of new construction in our capital was to be made and I have taken measures to ensure that such a mistake does not recur…

Concerning the new “emotionally activated” lip gloss from “Too Faced”:

“A new lipstick has gone on sale that shows when women are in the mood for sex. The lip product changes from clear to deep crimson as the wearer feels more and more frisky. It works by reacting with a woman’s body chemistry.

“Each $18.50 tube comes with a color chart so men can figure out how aroused their partner is feeling.”

To take a break from the constant drone of bustling and smoggy Hanoi, I got away on a three-day, two-night tour of the mysterious, beautiful, and much quieter, Ha Long Bay.

This wonderful landscape of limestone cliffs enshrouded in mist cascading into the gentle waters became a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 1994.

Internationally acclaimed body artist Emma Hack has frequently highlighted her work at the Britannica Blog, discussing her art and describing her unique methods.

Here’s another example of her famed “camouflage body art” with live animals.

Click below for a larger view of the work highlighted today and Emma’s detailed description of her methods.

Visit her Britannica author page for other samples of her work.

The Great Lakes ecosystem is no stranger to exotic species and various threats.

But the threat facing the ecosystem today is one that could potentially restructure the aquatic food chains from top to bottom.

That threat is the Asian carp …

From my 4-Block World site.

Champagne sales may have gone a little flat in the recession, but a visit to this part of France is still a sparkling treat.

Georgia Hunter, one of our travelbite correspondents, raises a glass on a wine-tasting weekend break in the Champagne region of France.