…And the World:

We begin today in Germany, whose president marked the centennial of the Great War, today known as World War I, by denouncing his country’s invasion of Belgium, which precipitated what would become, for twenty years anyway, humanity’s deadliest war. Other European leaders have begun marking the War to End All Wars.

Israel had declared a unilateral humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza for seven hours that, for its duration, slowed violence. Meanwhile the US and Qatar are reviving longer lasting ceasefire initiatives, but is it at the expense of Egypt’s efforts? Twin terror attack, one with a backhoe of all things hit Jerusalem, while Britain reexamines its arms deals to Israel. A slow Israeli withdrawal from Gaza has begun, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the operation will continue until quiet is restored. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman suggests Hamas be toppled and the UN take over administration of Gaza. NPR asks where the empathy in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is.

Some wonder if Egypt will consider armed intervention in Libya as that country’s conditions continue to deteriorate.

As the US considers refugee status for Honduran families and children appearing at its border, the situation in their own country is not improving.

The US has a new ambassador to Russia.

The Feds:         

Often the best Monday are led off by Greg Sargent, who opens his Plum Line this week by documenting the full tilt xenophobia of the GOP House majority. Read both his markup and a separate post on Republicans’ demagoguery. Cong. Joe Kennedy, III is not a fan of the GOP’s bill.

Tom Foley a once and again Republican candidate for governor in Connecticut is using an ad from 2010. Elsewhere in Connecticut, the Hartford Courant endorses John McKinney, Foley’s primary opponent for the GOP nomination. Former Senator Chris Dodd recalls the sausage-making of the Affordable Care Act.

Michigan’s primary tomorrow will likely choose who will ultimately win the seat, but this year it is a particularly large scramble with several open US House seats and many state legislators termed out.

A dispatch from a Maine mill town that does no longer has a paper mill.

The State of Things:

WBUR looks at the passionate divide between supporters of Maura Healey and Warren Tolman, both running for Attorney General.

The media appears ready to declare Don Berwick dead in the water. Both NEPR and The Boston Globe suggest as much. In truth, we still don’t know.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, not surprisingly, vehemently opposes the new buffer zone law, legislators passed and Gov. Deval Patrick signed last month.

Shira Schoenberg considers the political impact of the probation trial from the gubernatorial race on down. The GOP has not fielded enough candidates to seriously shrink Democrats’ legislative advantage, but one Republican rep candidate, Nathan Bech, is trying to lay the blame at the feet of his opponent. Unfortunately, Bech is off base on this one. Democrat Mike Finn was not even elected yet when the probation scandal broke. There are, however, questions about DeLeo’s staying power. Can he stick around? Time will tell.

Both US Senators were in town last Friday to participate in former Hampden County DA and current Springfield-based US District Judge Mark Markstroianni.

The Fourth Estatements:

The Times of Israel, an online periodical often cited by this blog, briefly posted a piece that was seen to justify genocide before quickly pulling it down.

The Boston Globe is eyeing buyouts to reposition itself as it changes its businesses.

City Slickers:

While the city website has yet to be updated, WMassP&I has learned mayoral aide Jose Delgado has left the Domenic Sarno’s office for a job with the new UMass Center in Springfield.

Potpourri economic development efforts. The city is trying to sell a tax-foreclosed restaurant space on Bridge Street. Meanwhile, a developer has purchased Morgan Square apartments with the hope of developing “luxury” style apartments. We’ve been here before, but let’s wait & see.

Twitter Chatter:

Among the impacts from this Supreme Court term was what became of the administrative decisions made via recess appointment, particularly within the National Labor Relations Board. There were decisions in cases, hearings and other matters that effectively disappeared when the Court voided President Obama’s appointments. Today, however, we learn that while the recess appointment may be under threat, the impact on the agency itself may be very little. Today we award the tweet prize to Josh Eidelson, a reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek, whose succinct tweet conveyed upholding of all those previous actions by the current board. Unanimously (the board has 2 Republicans) no less!