US Cyber Command was officially stood up in 2010, based at Fort Meade in the Maryland suburbs of the nation’s capital, consolidating intelligence and cyber warfare capabilities of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines under one house. Soon, billions of dollars were being invested in the concept that cyber attackers targeting America should be prepared to sustain their own damage.

Little has been discussed in public about US Cyber Command’s specific capabilities since, though budget documents detail a growing commitment to this form of warfare. The Pentagon’s cyber warfare budget has grown from $3.9 billion in 2013 to $4.7 billion in 2014 and an estimated $5.1 billion in 2015.

The good news is that it’s cheaper to fill up your car at the pumps, but what does it mean for Britain’s national security? The most pressing issue for Britain is the fate of the North Sea basin, where costs are rising as oil and gas fields are depleting and exploration becomes more difficult. ‘It’s almost impossible to make money at these prices — it’s a huge crisis,’ the chairman of the independent oil explorers’ association said last week.

That is bleak news for the tens of thousands of workers employed in our offshore industry and their families. But it is even worse news for the Scottish Nationalists. Their dreams of an independent Scotland were balanced precariously — ludicrously, some said — on the idea that oil and gas revenues would pay for the lavish socialist spending and bloated bureaucracy they hold dear. Now, their sums simply no longer add up.

The good news is that, even as high-cost oil producers are being squeezed by falling prices, it is a different story for consumers. A $40 fall in the oil price shifts some $1.3 trillion from producers to consumers each year, largely through tumbling prices at the petrol pumps. The RAC believes that petrol could fall to below £1 per litre — a price not seen since May 2009. That will keep millions of pounds in motorists’ pockets.

But they should not spend it on champagne — at least, not yet.

Oil production still rests on some of the most ill-run and fragile states in the world. Iraq produces 3.4 million barrels a day, and Libya another million. That is half of the total produced by America. But both countries are precariously balanced on the edge of collapse. Libya is no longer a functioning state, riven by a bloody struggle between parliamentary forces and Islamist militias. Iraq has already come perilously close to succumbing to the fanatical fighters of the so-called Islamic State.

The big picture is that the world is changing for the better: a number of despotic regimes — notably Russia’s — that depend on looting their country’s natural resources are facing a well-deserved comeuppance. The question is whether they accept their fate, or whether the power of black gold to spark violent upheaval will see us all sucked into conflicts that could shake the world.

1) Feeling immortal, immune or indispensable. "A Curia that doesn't criticize itself, that doesn't update itself, that doesn't seek to improve itself is a sick body."

2) Working too hard. "Rest for those who have done their work is necessary, good and should be taken seriously."

3) Becoming spiritually and mentally hardened. "It's dangerous to lose that human sensibility that lets you cry with those who are crying, and celebrate those who are joyful."

4) Planning too much. "Preparing things well is necessary, but don't fall into the temptation of trying to close or direct the freedom of the Holy Spirit, which is bigger and more generous than any human plan."

5) Working without coordination, like an orchestra that produces noise. "When the foot tells the hand, 'I don't need you' or the hand tells the head 'I'm in charge.'"

6) Having 'spiritual Alzheimer's.' "We see it in the people who have forgotten their encounter with the Lord … in those who depend completely on their here and now, on their passions, whims and manias, in those who build walls around themselves and become enslaved to the idols that they have built with their own hands."

7) Being rivals or boastful. "When one's appearance, the color of one's vestments or honorific titles become the primary objective of life."

8) Suffering from 'existential schizophrenia.' "It's the sickness of those who live a double life, fruit of hypocrisy that is typical of mediocre and progressive spiritual emptiness that academic degrees cannot fill. It's a sickness that often affects those who, abandoning pastoral service, limit themselves to bureaucratic work, losing contact with reality and concrete people."

9) Committing the 'terrorism of gossip.' "It's the sickness of cowardly people who, not having the courage to speak directly, talk behind people's backs."

10) Glorifying one's bosses. "It's the sickness of those who court their superiors, hoping for their benevolence. They are victims of careerism and opportunism, they honor people who aren't God."

11) Being indifferent to others. "When, out of jealousy or cunning, one finds joy in seeing another fall rather than helping him up and encouraging him."

12) Having a 'funereal face.' "In reality, theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity. The apostle must be polite, serene, enthusiastic and happy and transmit joy wherever he goes."

13) Wanting more. "When the apostle tries to fill an existential emptiness in his heart by accumulating material goods, not because he needs them but because he'll feel more secure."

14) Forming 'closed circles' that seek to be stronger than the whole. "This sickness always starts with good intentions but as time goes by, it enslaves its members by becoming a cancer that threatens the harmony of the body and causes so much bad — scandals — especially to our younger brothers."

15) Seeking worldly profit and showing off. "It's the sickness of those who insatiably try to multiply their powers and to do so are capable of calumny, defamation and discrediting others, even in newspapers and magazines, naturally to show themselves as being more capable than others."

President Petro Poroshenko had vowed to put Ukraine under Western military protection after winning an election called in the wake of the February ouster in Kiev of a Moscow-backed president. "Ukraine's fight for its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty has turned into a decisive factor in our relations with the world," Poroshenko told foreign ambassadors in Kiev on Monday night.

Ukraine assumed neutrality under strong Russian pressure in 2010. It had sought Nato membership in the early post-Soviet era but – its once-mighty army in ruins and riven by corruption – was never viewed as a serious candidate. Last winter's revolution in Kiev upset Russian President Vladimir Putin's plans to enlist Ukraine in a new, Kremlin-led bloc that could rival both Nato and the European Union.

"Whether it goes down to $20, $40, $50, $60, it is irrelevant," he said in an interview with Middle East Economic Survey (Mees). Mr Naimi’s remarks sent oil prices back into reverse after finishing last week firmer. Brent crude fell over 2.3 percent to trade below the $60 per barrel range.

The minister – who is the most powerful voice with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) – said that the cartel had changed its strategy from defending a certain price to focusing on retaining its market share.

Oil Derivatives are but a tiny fraction of the share of the 280-trillion dollar derivative market. It is not enough to trigger a financial crisis 2.0 just yet. However, a year-end closing below $57 will set in motion a cascade effect. How? This will start to impact the Credit Default Swaps in debt. Why? The Middle East, Russia, and many other nations rely upon energy revenue. As that revenue collapses, we will see more and more problems emerge in the interest rate sector.

Keep in mind that this is by no means an exclusive US banking problem. The money-center banks in Britain, Germany and Switzerland are also exposed since they followed the lead of New York.

A letter leaked at the weekend showed that Theresa May, the Home Secretary, is considering abandoning the current panel, amid a catalogue of problems including the resignations of two chairman. A victims’ representative said the only people who wished to see the inquiry fail were the abusers themselves. He warned that victims could engage in “direct action” unless they began to see justice.

In a nutshell, researchers urge being very mindful of what's purchased at Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, Dollar Tree, CVS and Lowe's. According to experts at an environmental non-profit, The Ecology Center, two-thirds of the 69 seasonal holiday products they tested were laden with at least one hazardous chemical.

Beaded garlands, for example, were found to contain a "multitude of toxic contaminants," according to a HealthyStuff.org press release. HealthyStuff.org, which was created by The Ecology Center, houses information based on research from many environmental health organizations and others around the country in an effort to keep the public aware of such occurrences.

Sadly, these toxic chemicals and heavy metals are associated with a wide range of health problems from birth defects and learning disabilities to cancer and liver toxicity. "Scientists that study these chemicals are telling us that even smaller exposures are of concern for hormone-disrupting chemicals such as these," said Mike Schade of Safer Chemicals. "Evidence continues to pile up that shows even babies are affected by exposure to these chemicals in the womb."

Shockingly, many home decorations are legally allowed to forgo labeling that indicates the presence of such harmful chemicals. So long as a product is not labeled as being meant for use by children, then informing the public of its lead, phthalate and cadmium levels is not necessary. "The sad truth is that our chemical safety system is fundamentally broken," said Schade. Such harmful materials aren't just confined to holiday decorations, either. Many children's toys are also harboring harmful materials.

Yi Gang, the deputy governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), said the yuan’s rise had been “very fast” over the past year as it surges in tandem with the US dollar, making it the world’s second strongest currency.

The country has quietly joined Asia’s escalating currency wars, steering the yuan down by 2 percent against the dollar since early November. This looks increasingly like a move to protect itself against Japan’s dramatic devaluation and against weakening currencies in Korea and other key Asian states.

Psychologists Anthony Jurek and Michael Caldwell testified for the defense that they interviewed the first girl several times. They said she’s clearly intelligent but has trouble making decisions when she’s bombarded with information. She doesn’t understand the nuances of the criminal justice system, such as the risk of turning down a plea bargain, they said.

Psychiatrist Robert Rawski testified for the state that he believed the first girl was highly capable. Ted Szczupakiewicz, an assistant district attorney, said judging by the two defense psychologists’ reports the girl answered their questions about the legal process correctly. Bohren said that by all accounts the girl is highly intelligent. “I’m satisfied that the issues of age and maturity do not override her competency,” he said. “She’s competent to make the decisions that have to be made.”

The judge ordered the other girl to undergo mental health treatment in August after a psychologist testified that she claimed to see and hear unicorns, Slender Man and Lord Voldemort, the villain from the “Harry Potter” series. Her attorney, Anthony Cotton, told the judge the girl suffers from schizophrenia, but he declined to challenge Casimir’s report, offering the judge no explanation.

Prosecutors have charged both girls with attempted first-degree intentional homicide in the attack in May in Waukesha, a city of 71,000 about 15 miles west of Milwaukee. They say the girls plotted for months to kill classmate Payton Leutner, luring her to a wooded park after a sleepover and stabbing her 19 times. After her attackers left, Leutner crawled through the woods to a sidewalk where a bicyclist found her and called 911.

The two girls charged in the case were found walking toward a national forest where they said they believed Slender Man lived in a mansion. All three girls were 12 at the time.

What is going on in Germany, the world's second most popular destination for immigrants? Has the open-mindedness for which Germans had long been praised now ended? Are we seeing a return of the vague fear of being overwhelmed by immigrants that Germany experienced in the 1990s, when a hostel for asylum seekers was burned down? How large is the new right-wing movement, and will it remain limited to Dresden, or is it spreading nationwide?

Violence has erupted at the protests again and again. Right-wing perpetrators are attacking accommodations for immigrants an average of twice a week in Germany. On December 11, three buildings that had been converted to house refugees but were still empty became the targets of right-wing hate, when they were painted with swastikas and set on fire. Attacks like these are "intolerable," Chancellor Angela Merkel said after the incidents.

Francis' Christmas greeting to the cardinals, bishops and priests who run the Holy See was no joyful exchange of holiday good wishes. Rather, it was a sobering catalog of 15 sins of the Curia that Francis said he hoped would be atoned for and cured in the New Year.

He had some zingers: How the "terrorism of gossip" can "kill the reputation of our colleagues and brothers in cold blood." How cliques can "enslave their members and become a cancer that threatens the harmony of the body" and eventually kill it by "friendly fire." About how those living hypocritical double lives are "typical of mediocre and progressive spiritual emptiness that no academic degree can fill."

"The Curia is called on to always improve itself and grow in communion, holiness and knowledge to fulfill its mission," Francis said. "But even it, as any human body, can suffer from ailments, dysfunctions, illnesses."

Francis started off his list with the "ailment of feeling immortal, immune or even indispensable." Then one-by-one he went on:

Being vain.

Wanting to accumulate things.

Having a "hardened heart."

Wooing superiors for personal gain.

Having a "funereal face" and

being too "rigid, tough and arrogant," especially toward underlings — a possible reference to the recently relieved Swiss Guard commander said to have been too tough on his recruits for Francis' tastes.

At the end of the speech, Francis asked the prelates to pray that the "wounds of the sins that each one of us carries are healed" and that the Church and Curia itself are made healthy.