Halloween is a birthday celebration in our house; we don't get trick or treaters in our neighborhood and we don't go to Halloween parties. So, we don't have Jack O'Lanterns on our porch. But what if we did? Over the years, I've become interested in how I can reduce the amount of waste in our […]
Just days before the 2020 election, President Trump is touting record growth in the economy in a last-ditch effort to persuade voters to stick with him. Yet Democratic rival Joe Biden says the U.S. is stuck in a “deep hole” and that the recovery is in danger of stalling. Here’s where the economy really stands.
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The S&P 500 index on Friday closed below its July 31 finish, a move that turns the “Presidential Predictor” in favor of a victory by Democratic challenger Joe Biden over President Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 election.
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One of his tweaked images of Sen. Kamala Harris depicts her at the vice-presidential debate with her legs spread open. Hobart “Hobie” Young, a member of the Upper Township Committee in Cape May County, New Jersey, resigned from his role after posting vulgar, manipulated images of Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Facebook. One picture is a wide shot of the Oct. 7 vice presidential debate depicting Harris sitting with her legs open opposite Vice President Mike Pence.
Chris Looney helped dismantle the first nest of Asian giant hornets in the US. Now he’s preparing for the next stepThe eradication of the first nest of Asian giant hornets on US soil somewhat resembled a science fiction depiction of an alien landing site. A crew of government specialists in white, astronaut-like protective suits descended upon the hornet nexus to vanquish it with a futuristic-looking vacuum cleaner, to the relief of onlookers.The nest of the fearsome invasive insects, notoriously known as “murder hornets”, was found in a tree crevice near Blaine, in Washington state, via a tracking device attached to a previously captured worker hornet. The Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) confirmed the nest had been successfully removed, with dozens of live captives taken back for inspection.“It was cold so they were docile, so between their slowness and the protective gear no one was hurt,” said Chris Looney, a WSDA entomologist who was tasked with vacuuming up the hornets.Wielding a lengthy, toxic stinger, the hornets can cause renal failure and death in people, as dozens of people in Japan have found out to their cost. One entomologist in Canada described the feeling of being stung as like “having hot tacks pushed into my flesh”.They can also squirt venom, as Looney saw first-hand when his lab workbench was sprayed by hornets as they roused themselves following capture. “I was more worried about getting permanent nerve damage in the eye from the squirted venom than being stung,” said Looney, who wore goggles for the capture. “They are pretty intimidating, even for an inch-and-a-half insect. They are big and loud and I know it would hurt very badly if I get stung. They give me the willies.”Murder hornets do not earn their moniker from killing people, however, with honeybees far more likely to be targeted. A honeybee colony can be decimated within a few hours, with the hornets decapitating their victims and feeding severed body parts to their young. This poses a gnawing concern for hobbyist beekeepers and even farmers in the US north-west, where managed honeybees are crucial for the pollination of crops such as blueberries and raspberries.Asian giant hornets were first discovered in North America last year, popping up in British Columbia, Canada, before a handful of specimens made it south of the border to Washington state. The hornets, native to east Asia, most likely arrived on the continent clinging to imported goods sent via sea or air. A close relative of the hornet has already made separate inroads into France and the UK.A key, and unnerving, question is how far they will manage to spread across America. Looney said the removal of the first nest found in the US was just a “small victory” in a battle likely to rage for several years to contain the insects. Thousands of sightings have been reported in Washington, and while many are false or mistaken, Looney said it was likely the hornets had spread, potentially establishing dozens more nests.“It’s hard to say how they will behave here compared to their native range, but the fear is that there are large apiaries of bees that could be sitting ducks, while as the hornets move south to warmer weather their colonies could grow larger,” he said. “The object of our work is to avoid finding this out.”Scientists who have modeled the potential spread of the hornets predict they will be able to extend down the west coast into California. The Rocky Mountains and drier interior of the US pose major barriers to an eastward push but environs on the east coast such as New York would be ideal homes for the murder hornets should they inadvertently be transported there.Looney said he was “troubled” by evidence that overwintering hornet queens like to bury themselves in straw and hay, commodities that are regularly shifted around the US by train or truck. A hornet queen that hitched a ride would still face challenges establishing a nest even if moved to the east coast – it could immediately be crushed underfoot, after all – but the potential pathway is there.“I’m more worried about human transportation of these hornets than I initially was,” Looney conceded.The Asian giant hornet is just the latest invasive species to make its mark on North America. Burmese pythons are now legion in southern Florida, while Asian carp are common in the Mississippi river system. In the insect world, the spotted lanternfly is a growing agricultural pest and emerald ash borers have arrived to lay waste to stands of trees.These arrivals are symptoms of the growth in international trade and tourism, while climate change is making many parts of the US more hospitable for certain invasive species. The Asian giant hornet, for example, is thought to favor the sort of elevated temperatures that the US is experiencing as the planet heats up. This could help it spread at the rate of its cousin species in France, which has been able to advance up to 78km a year. If it is not controlled, the murder hornet could fundamentally change ecosystems across the US.Still, even in a fraught year racked by a pandemic, social unrest and economic disaster, Looney said any fears of being assailed by a murder hornet should be “low on the anxiety meter”.He added: “We should be concerned about it but we will do our best until the money runs out or the battle is won or lost. If we fail, it will be unpleasant. But there are other things to be much more worried about right now.”
WARNING: Topic and video might be sensitive to some readers.
In many cases, people need to mind their own business when it comes to someone else’s life. Yet, when someone is put in danger, it might be worse not to get involved.
So, when 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way star Deavan Clegg shared an Instagram live video that showed her daughter throwing their dog in the background, fans couldn’t keep quiet. When questioned about it, Clegg denied any harm to the dog and got mad at viewers for talking negatively about her daughter.
While many loyal fans are defending Clegg and telling people to stop bringing it up, others just can’t shake off the horrific scene. So, what really happened?
An Innocent Puppy
Clegg’s 5-year-old daughter Drascilla was supposedly best friends with the couple’s new puppy named Bam Bam. On a recent episode of 90 Day Fiancé: The OtherWay, Clegg and her husband Jihoon Lee introduced Bam Bam to fans. They said they got him for Drascilla, but fans quickly realized that the dog looked a little too familiar.
Before the episode aired, Bam Bam had appeared in one of Clegg’s Instagram live videos. The video is simply of Clegg doing her makeup, but Drascilla and Bam Bam can be seen in the corner of the screen. If you look closely, you can see the toddler throw the puppy into the air several times. Then, there’s a crash in the background. Clegg turns to ask if Drascilla is okay, but shows no concern for the puppy.
At first, Clegg laughs and comments about how Driscilla and the puppy are always laughing and having a good time, as Driscilla continues to throw Bam Bam. After the crash, you can still hear Drascilla in the background. Clegg glances at her and asks her to “please stop throwing the dog” and to “put the dog down.” But then, the girl can be seen in the corner once again with the dog in the air. She doesn’t seem to make any effort to stop Driscilla or take the puppy away from her.
The Couple’s Responses
Since the video, Clegg and Lee have received a lot of backlash for the 5-year-old’s actions. In the past, Lee had accused Driscilla of hurting his Poodle named Bakki. Also, after he and Clegg split up, he came forward to explain that Driscilla beat Bam Bam to the point where he lost some of his fur. This only got fans more riled up about the situation. Of course, Clegg’s explanation was much different though.
“My dog is 100% okay. The thud you hear is [Driscilla] falling down into the window by our bed,” said Clegg. “You guys do know Koreans eat dog right? And if you keep reporting they’ll just take my dog and put him down and you will be responsible for my dog’s death.”
In another live video, Clegg added that they first got Bam Bam because he was strong. She said Bakki was too weak, so she wanted to get a “strong dog that loves Driscilla.” But a poor puppy shouldn’t have to be strong when spending time with a loved one. If anything, the child should learn how to be more careful with an innocent puppy.
Clegg defended herself and Driscilla in several videos, but some of her arguments just didn’t add up. At one point, she claimed that Driscilla never threw Bam Bam and that she only held him up in the air. However, in the original video, you can clearly hear her tell her daughter to stop throwing the dog.
Where is Bam Bam Now?
Clegg soon became furious and continuously told people to stop being rude to her daughter. She eventually turned off Instagram comments and took down all pictures of Bam Bam to avoid dealing with the haters. But when Bam Bam appeared on the show, viewers soon became worried about the dog again and started asking where he went.
Thankfully, Bam Bam has since been adopted by a more suitable family. It happened shortly after the video took place. However, Clegg and Lee have very different reasons for surrendering the dog. Lee explained that they gave up Bam Bam due to the abuse from Driscilla and the fact that their new baby was allergic to him, but Clegg pinned the blame entirely on Lee.
“Jihoon gave Bam Bam away when he had a fit of anger. He didn’t want two dogs and would get angry that Bam Bam got more attention than his Poodle. Bam Bam did go to a loving home,” Clegg said.
Something just doesn’t seem right though. How can there be two drastically different sides to one story? It’s clear that neither one of them are perfect, but trying to defend animal abuse is unforgivable. A 5-year-old might not know better, but a mother should know better than to let her daughter be so rough near a puppy.
If you have any uncertainty about who to believe, watch the video to see what went down on Instagram live.
It all started with a simple tweet prompt from user @edsbs: “Please tell me about your dumbest dog.” Thousands of likes and retweets later, we ended up with tons of hilarious stories about silly, clueless, and lovable dogs.
You don’t need to give a dog lover much before they launch into one of their many tales about the pup. This thread contains so many hilarious replies that you’ll probably have to check it out for yourself. But to make things a bit easier, here are just a select few of some of the best stories about “dumb” dogs and their goofy antics.
“He chewed a hole in the grill cover and then got stuck in it.”
“My dog Frank got stuck between the toilet and the wall. We had to remove the whole toilet from the floor to get him out.”
“Do you have all day?”
“My dog picks up her frisbee in the middle so it covers her eyes and then she freaks out because she can’t see. Just drop it silly!”
My dog picks up her frisbee in the middle so it covers her eyes and then she freaks out because she can’t see
“My old, dumb dumb of a dobie would hear a mosquito or house fly, and run into the bathroom and jump in the tub to hide. He hated baths yet he must have hated the terror that was tiny little insects more.”
“Hercules apparently tried on my underwear while I was in the shower… and then couldn’t get them off…”
“Cousin’s Labradoodle somehow consists of 2 out of the 6 ‘smartest’ breeds”
“Literally this morning tried to poop on an incline and then got so distracted by the poop rolling down the hill that she fell over”
“He is sad because I put hot pepper paste on the OUTLETS because he keeps licking them. New apartment. New dog trick”
“This is Mellie. She can walk up stairs, but not down them. She can jump on the sofa, but not off it. She is terrified of carpet, but tries to attack our 75lb pit bull daily. Wearing a collar makes her legs stop working.”
“She thinks the stuffed one is real. She brings it socks and chewed lamb ears”
Some Honorable Mentions That Didn’t Come With Photos
Even without adding a photo of their less than genius pups, some used their 280 characters to do some storytelling:
“Went to mass on Xmas eve. Left a honey baked ham on a counter. The dog ate it. The ham was so salty he got thristy and drank all the water, from his bowl and the toilet bowls. The ham gave him diarrhea. The water made him have to pee. We came home to a warzone.” – @RobDauster via Twitter
“I had a lab and a pug for a while, and that pug would walk under my lab while he was p*ssing, (in the danger zone no less) and he’d lift his head and look up. He did this at least 3 times, and every time he’d look at me afterward with the confused ‘I got peed on” face.’ So dumb.” -@clfdfinest via Twitter
Our dogs may stick their heads in too small places or eat things they shouldn’t, but every stupid thing they do makes another memory to look back on and laugh.
Animal advocates are fighting for the end of the dog meat trade in South Korea, leading to yet another dog meat farm permanently closing its doors. This recent closure has left 196 dogs in the hands of animal rescuers, and they are now in need of forever homes in America!
Animal shelters across the country have come together to find a home for every single furry friend involved in this rescue. With Humane Society International leading the way, they were able to recruit an impressive team of shelters that are offering a temporary space for each pup to rest their heads.
All 196 dogs have touched down in the U.S. safely, and are adjusting to a life free of constant fear. Once these furry friends have rested and recovered from their long journey, they will need a forever family that’s ready to give them their all. These pups have endured the unthinkable and will need a home that’s filled with the love they so desperately need.
Thankfully for the dogs of South Korea, the dog meat trade is a dying industry. A recent poll shows that 84% of participants would never eat dog meat and that 59% support a legislative ban on the dog meat trade altogether.
“Although most people in South Korea don’t regularly eat dog meat, and support for a ban is growing, there remain thousands of farms of all sizes across the country where dogs of all breeds endure a harsh existence.” – Kelly O’Meara
The current pandemic made bringing these dogs to the states a bit more challenging than usual, but the team at Humane Society International was dedicated to making it happen. Travel regulations tried to stand in their way, but nothing could stop this incredible team of animal advocates.
While this was a huge win for animal lovers everywhere, they still have so much work to do when it comes to animal welfare in countries like South Korea. The passion that HSI has for animals around the world is indescribable, making them fit to take on the challenge ahead!
“With fewer people wanting to eat dog, farmers can see the writing is on the wall for this dying industry and so they work with HSI to find a solution that gives both them and their remaining dogs a chance of a new life. With such interest from dog farmers, and public support, we hope the Korean government will adopt this type of approach to phase out the dog meat industry for good.” – Kelly O’Meara
If you are interested in adopting any of the dogs involved in this rescue, we encourage you to reach out to any of the above rescues that we mentioned above. The pups will be sent to shelters around the country over the next month, hopefully offering them the beautiful future they always deserved!
Two long-rifle shell casings were found in and near Breonna Taylor’s Louisville apartment after a botched police drug raid that ended in Taylor’s death, Kentucky’s attorney general said. It’s the first time these specific shell casings have been mentioned by authorities investigating Taylor’s death. One of the casings was found by Taylor’s sister in her bedroom and the other was found in the parking lot outside the apartment, according to a court filing this week in a criminal case against the sole Louisville police officer charged in connection with the raid.