Widening the Table: Hybrid Support Groups in Conflict Mediation – Traditional diplomatic mediation occurs between two states with a third-party “big man” mediator, normally a state or an international organization. The process is usually based upon the assumption that those involved in the conflict operate according to defined hierarchies of power, and thus that the way to manage the conflict is to identify and work with the relevant power-holding authorities within those hierarchies.

Divorce Advice: Have You Sent Out Your Holiday Cards Yet? – Here’s what sending cards might do for you. For me, sending holiday cards as a divorced person makes me feel strong, independent and self-assured. It makes me feel like my kids and I are a “normal” family, a family that just like any other family wants to wish everyone goodness, and bring joy and good cheer to our loved ones. It’s empowering, and it’s sending a message that the spirit of the holiday season doesn’t go away because you got divorced.

Will new rules make it harder to get a mortgage? – A slew of new mortgage regulations will take effect between Jan. 10 and Jan. 20 next year. The most noteworthy of these for borrowers is the ability-to-repay rule and the qualified mortgage, or QM, rule, which together establish new standards and practices for mortgages that lenders must follow.