The Obama Administration deals a historic blow to Israel at the United Nations Security Council. The U.S. abstains on a resolution condemning Israel instead of exercising a veto as usual. The action comes despite fierce lobbying by Israel and interference by President-Elect Donald Trump. California releases a massive environmental impact report supporting Governor Jerry Brown’s plans for twin water tunnels. Water protectors who remain at the Standing Rock encampment in North Dakota are bracing for a weekend blizzard, while the battle for cultural survival is also waged in the classroom and in workshops seeking to preserve the Lakota language.