SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:52 P.M. ET:

HOPE – From The Times of Israel:  "Miami-based medical technology company with an R&D subsidiary in Moshav Ora, near Jerusalem, has developed an easy, non-invasive method to detect breast cancer early on – using a simple blood test.  In its laboratories near the capital, Eventus Diagnostics (EventusDx) has developed what it describes as an accurate, cost-effective, immune system-based means of detecting the presence of cancer in the breast tissue.  The Octava tests, which measure cancer-specific antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the growth of tumors, can be used both to quickly diagnose breast cancer before tumors become visible in mammogram, as well as identify false negative and false positive mammogram results."  We do hope this is accurate.  Any cancer breakthrough is welcome news.

A FEE TO HEAR NANCY – From The Washington Times:  "University of California-Berkeley can expect to spend roughly $120,000 for a four-year degree. This year, they still must pay an extra $10 to attend their own graduation ceremony, where they will also listen to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.  Students who do not cough up the cash before Wednesday, April 30 for the campus-wide commencement ceremony have been told they will not be able to attend on May 17 at California Memorial Stadium.   '[The money is] to absorb the cost of commencement,' Lila Blanco, director of external relations and the Office of Protocol at the university, said in an interview with The Daily Californian, the school’s official newspaper, Campus Reform reported."  You'd think the university would be embarrassed, but there's no embarrassment in higher education, just "alternative narratives."

RIVALS – From London's Daily Mail:  "Russia has announced plans to build a super-heavy carrier rocket that could propel its cosmonauts to Mars.  The rocket will rival Nasa's Space Launch System (SLS) which is expected to come in two variants capable of lifting 70 and 130 tonnes into orbit.  Construction of the first stage of Russia's super-rocket - capable of lifting 80 tonnes - is already underway, according to Roscosmos chief Oleg Ostapenko."   This is another sign that Putin is engaged in a new Cold War with the United States.  The Russian space program is back.  And I doubt very much if Barack Obama even cares.

MAJOR SPORTS NEWS – With the Donald Sterling/L.A. Clippers scandal still fresh, the usual suspects are already fighting over the corpse.  From AP:  "LOS ANGELES (AP) — If Donald Sterling is compelled to sell the Los Angeles Clippers, the list of potential buyers will have more stars than the team's roster.  Oprah Winfrey leads the list of wealthy luminaries who announced their interest in purchasing the club shortly after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling from the league for life.  Winfrey's spokesperson confirmed Wednesday she is already in discussions with record-label mogul David Geffen and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison to pool their vast resources for a bid.  They won't be alone, either. Music mogul Sean Combs tweeted his interest in going after the Clippers, and boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants to form a group to buy the team.  Celebrities ranging from Matt Damon to Oscar De La Hoya expressed interest in joining an ownership group."  In the end, this will be about money, not racial decency.  You may be sure that not one African-American kid will benefit from the chaos.  But lip service to "social justice" will be paid, for about a minute.

April 30,  2014