Stephanie Dilyard was working alone when the incident occurred

'All happened pretty quickly'

Column SFF Bestiary The Lore and the Weird Magic of the Jellyfish Even as sea creatures go, the jellyfish is especially alien… By Judith Tarr | Published on November 24, 2025 Photo by Katarzyna Urbanek [via Unsplash] Comment 0 Share New Share Photo by Katarzyna Urbanek [via Unsplash] Even as sea creatures go, the jellyfish is weird. It’s 95% water. It has no bones, no brain, no blood, no heart. It’s been swimming through the sea for hundreds of millions of years. At the rate it’s going, it may be the last thing left after everything else has succumbed to climate change and plain old entropy. I’ve talked about the jellyfish that may be immortal, but that’s only one of hundreds of different varieties across two phyla, Cnidaria and Ctenophora. They come in all sizes from a tiny pinprick to a monster almost three meters across. What they all have in common is their general shape: a bell or a box with trailing tentacles, nearly always equipped with stinging cells that stun and capture prey. Jellyfish stings are a notorious problem for humans. Most jellies are not lethal, but their stings can hurt like fury, and it’s often impossible to know they’re there until you step or swim into them. Even if you can see the bell, the tentacles can stretch far beyond it. The most venomous animal in the world is the Australian box jellyfish. Unlike most jellies, which aren’t particularly strong swimmers and mostly drift on the currents, this jellyfish can swim against the tide, and it has eyes. It can see you. It’s not just scary, it’s deadly. And it’s big: its tentacles are up to 3 meters (10 feet) long. What we recognize as a jellyfish, or a sea jelly as they’re more properly called, is only one of several life stages: the medusa. That’s the pulsing, graceful, sometimes deadly creature that’s found in every ocean. Under the right conditions it can congregate in groups as small as a meter across and as large as hundreds of meters: a phenomenon called a bloom. This is a supremely simple animal with a complex life cycle. It consists of a bell or box with an orifice that serves as both mouth and anus, a nerve net that’s capable of detecting levels of light, temperature, and chemical changes in the water (i.e., a sort of sense of smell), and the tentacles I mentioned above, which can trail for many meters behind the bell. They eat plankton and small sea creatures and sometimes fellow jellies. They are eaten in turn by other animals including sea turtles, whale sharks, and humans—some species are a delicacy in Asia. Jellies reproduce in two stages, one sexual and one asexual. The medusa releases either eggs and sperm into the water. They fertilize there (or sometimes in the mouth of the female) and develop into free-swimming larvae, which eventually attach to a surface and grow into polyps. These polyps in turn reproduce asexually by budding off ephyrae or infant jellies. Those that survive to adulthood become medusae. And so the cycle begins again. Medusae tend to be short-lived, as little as a few months, but polyps can live for years or even decades. And then of course there’s that wonder of the world, the immortal jellyfish, which can reverse the aging process and transform back into a polyp. Then, when conditions are right, it matures again into a medusa. It’s a complicated process, but it works. Jellies have outlasted most other species that have existed in the world. They’re invaluable to science not just for their longevity and persistence, but for what they can tell us about conditions in the ocean. Jellyfish blooms serve as indicators of climate change, as the water temperature rises and their reproductive cycle speeds up. Warmer water, more jellies, bigger blooms. This affects shipping and fisheries, as well as swimmers and beachgoers. Jellies have been ringing another set of alarm bells for the scientists who study them. As they feed, they accumulate microplastics. When other animals prey on them, the plastics move further on up the food chain. They’re a clear indicator of a growing problem. But there is a possible upside to this. Jellies, and the mucus some of them generate as a means of trapping prey, can actually trap microplastics. It may be possible to use them as a filter, to help clean up the ocean. That would be a serious benefit to the whole planet, not just to humans. While I’m contemplating the strangeness and possible usefulness of the jellyfish, I’m trying to remember where I’ve read of jellyfish-like aliens in science fiction. Anne McCaffrey’s Thread, for example is a kind of medusa-less jellyfish tentacle: all sting, no pretty. Where else do we see this particular kind of beautifully weird alien?[end-mark] The post The Lore and the Weird Magic of the Jellyfish appeared first on Reactor.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced on Monday the conclusion of its emergency mission. The humanitarian group, which received significant financial backing from the U.S. and support from President Donald Trump, delivered 187 million meals to the people of Gaza since its launch at the end of May. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is leaving its aid mission in the hands of the recently established Civil-Military Coordination Center, headquartered in Israel, and other humanitarian groups. “From the outset, [Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s] goal was to meet an urgent need, prove that a new approach could succeed where others had failed, and ultimately hand off that success to the broader international community. With the creation of the Civil-Military Coordination Center and a rejuvenated engagement of the international humanitarian community, GHF believes that moment has now arrived,” John Acree, executive director of the organization, said in a statement Monday.   The organization stood up operations in Gaza following growing reports of Hamas terrorists looting aid trucks. The aid group ran four main distribution sites in Gaza built on a model of using local people to help staff the sites and focused on security, disciplined operations, and delivering food directly to civilians to prevent Hamas interference.   During its operation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation came under intense scrutiny from the U.N. and criticism from world leaders following multiple violent incidents near its distribution sites, some of which resulted in civilian deaths.  U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation “inherently unsafe,” and even claimed the group was “killing people.”  Despite the criticism, and the security risks to its own team, the group continued its work in Gaza until the ceasefire went into effect in October following Hamas and Israel agreeing to a peace plan based on Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war and release the remaining hostages.   “We have faced enormous challenges. Our workers have been attacked and killed. Our integrity has been unfairly questioned. We have operated without the resources and recognition given to others. But we have not stopped,” Rev. Johnnie Moore, the group’s executive chairman, told The Daily Signal during an interview over the summer.   During its roughly five months of operations, the group delivered more than 5,600 metric tons of potatoes and supplied over a million packs of ready-to-use supplementary food for malnourished children. Additionally, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation partnered with the Christian humanitarian group Samaritan’s Purse to provide medical care mothers and infants at its sites, and created dedicated distribution lanes that prioritized women, children, and the elderly.  Women receive food at an aid site in Gaza operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. (GHF) “What our team will miss the most are the friendships and camaraderie developed with thousands of Gazans, especially the women and children we served,” Acree said. “In early July, as the food security situation in Gaza improved, our operations stabilized and we experienced a major shift in winning over the trust of aid seekers to the point where our aid sites became local hangout spots for women and children interacting with our team on a daily basis. We will miss them dearly.”   The group is maintaining its NGO status and will remain prepared to step up and help again should the need arise in Gaza, according to the group.   The post After 187 Million Meals Delivered, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Announces End to Mission  appeared first on The Daily Signal.

After urging members of the military to refuse “illegal orders” from the Trump administration, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., admitted she is not aware of any such orders. “Do you believe President [Donald] Trump has issued any illegal orders?” ABC’s Martha Raddatz asked her. “To my knowledge, I am not aware of things that are illegal—but certainly there are some legal gymnastics that are going on with these Caribbean strikes and everything related to Venezuela,” Slotkin said. In a video posted on X, Slotkin said that “threats to the Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but right here at home.” Slotkin and five other Democrat members of Congress shared a video on X Tuesday, telling the military and intelligence community, the “American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution. Don’t give up the ship.”   “Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home,” the six Democrats say in the video message. “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. … You must refuse illegal orders.”   Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., also appears in the video alongside Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire. All six Democrats formerly served in the U.S. military or in the intelligence community.   “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution,” the elected leaders say. “We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant. But whether you’re serving in the CIA, the Army, our Navy, the Air Force—your vigilance is critical, and know that we have your back because now, more than ever, the American people need you.”   The video earned over five million views on X in less than 24 hours and drew criticism from the White House.   “Democrat lawmakers are now openly calling for insurrection,” Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy, wrote on X.   Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called the Democrats’ video “Stage 4 [Trump Derangement Syndrome].”   The post Sen. Elissa Slotkin Admits She’s ‘Not Aware’ of Any Illegal Military Orders appeared first on The Daily Signal.

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A New York City subway rider was stabbed in the stomach after asking his attacker to stop talking loudly on his cell phone aboard a train Saturday morning, police told the New York Post.The attacker allegedly responded to the request by punching the 54-year-old victim several times in the face before stabbing him in the gut, police told the Post.'I guarantee you they were being loud on purpose to have a reason to stab someone.'The attack occurred aboard an E train at the Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer station in Queens around 11 a.m., police noted to the paper.The attacker jumped off the train at the station and was on the loose, police told the Post, while the victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition.The victim's daughter told the paper in a follow-up story that more police are needed in the NYC subway system.“They’re supposed to be on the station,” the daughter, who requested anonymity, told the Post on Sunday. “I don’t really see them as much anymore.”The paper added that the victim was "heading home from his restaurant gig" when the attack occurred.“It’s a crazy world we live in,” the daughter told the Post as her father — a waiter — recovers in the hospital.Commenters on WPIX-TV's Facebook post about the attack agreed:"Despicable behavior!!!" one commenter declared."Sounds about right for NYC," another user said, adding that "NY needs more lenient gun laws for law-abiding citizens.""I guarantee you they were being loud on purpose to have a reason to stab someone," another commenter wrote."F**king animals," another user said."This cant be true — remember when [Democrat Gov. Kathy] Hochul said it's safe?!" a commenter reacted with just a bit of sarcasm sprinkled in."I can’t anymore," another user lamented. "I just don’t get it."Stabbing spike?The Post said the stabbing occurred just a day after a homeless man was charged after being caught on video allegedly slashing two men in their faces on a Queens subway platform last week.More from the paper:Tyquan Manassa, 28, was charged Friday in connection to the Wednesday afternoon attacks on two men on the southbound platform of the E and F train at the Union Turnpike station in Kew Gardens, the NYPD said.Manassa was identified as the stabbing suspect after cops busted him for a separate, unhinged outburst at the Ward’s Island shelter where he’d been staying Thursday, sources said.RELATED: 'White boy,' 'cracker': Subway rider dares to glance at hollering female behind him — so she veers into beatdown mode: Cops “Unfortunately, I feel like it happens so often that it’s kind of like we’re desensitized to it,” Fatima Shahid, 18, told the Post in regard to subway violence.Shahid, who lives in the area, added to the paper that "it does make me feel a little unsafe. I’m glad that I don’t take the train as often as I used to. ... So I feel a little OK, but I know that somebody who does it every day would be scared and feel unsafe.”Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, was featured along with five other Democrat lawmakers in a video last week urging the military to "refuse illegal orders" from the Trump administration.Neither Slotkin nor the other Democrats bothered identifying in the video precisely which orders were illegal. They did, however, insinuate that the administration posed a general threat to the U.S. Constitution.'To my knowledge, I am not aware of things that are illegal.'After the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces took issue with the apparent call for rebellion and identified those responsible as "traitors," the six Democrats began painting themselves as victims. In the process of attempting to shift attention from her action to the president's reaction, Slotkin made a telling admission that casts the controversial video in a whole new light — namely that she couldn't identify a single "illegal order" from the Trump administration warranting refusal.The president took notice when Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck explained why this was a "BIG DEAL." Crying victimPresident Donald Trump characterized the apparent call for rebellion as "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL" and noted in a Truth Social post on Saturday that "MANY GREAT LEGAL SCHOLARS AGREE THAT THE DEMOCRAT TRAITORS THAT TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS, AS PRESIDENT, HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME OF SERIOUS PROPORTION!"'There is now increased threats against us.'In the wake of Trump's rumblings about possible sedition, the Democrats in the video went on the defensive, reading a similar script.Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) said, "Donald Trump is threatening me with arrest and execution because I'm upholding my oath to the Constitution and standing with our troops," and suggested that the controversy boiled down to a political disagreement.Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) similarly suggested that Trump's response — not his and the other Democrats' apparent call for rebellion — was cause for concern, claiming, "Because of what he says, there is now increased threats against us." "He should understand that his words have, you know, could have serious, serious consequences," Kelly told CBS News' "Face the Nation," adding that the president's response to potentially seditious implorations was at odds with Republicans' criticism of violent rhetoric in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination.RELATED: 'SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR': Trump demands arrest of 'traitor' Democrat congressmen for 'dangerous' video Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagePennsylvania Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, another Democrat featured in the video, echoed the same talking points and claimed that Trump's response "reveals far more about his authoritarian instincts than it does about anything that we said. In fact, he made our case for us."Slotkin once again joined the chorus, suggesting in a video statement that Trump "threatened" her and the others with the textbook consequences for sedition "because he didn't agree with a video we put out."Telling admissionThe Michigan Democrat went farther in her Sunday interview with Martha Raddatz of ABC's "This Week," suggesting that Trump was "trying to get us to shut up because he doesn't want to be talking about this," said Slotkin.'Couldn't you have done a video saying just what you just said?'Silence may have been to Slotkin's benefit, because she ended up admitting that she issued the call to disobedience without being able to identify a single illegal order handed down by the administration. — (@) "There is such things as illegal orders. That's why it's in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, going back to Nuremberg, right? And it's just a — it's a totally benign statement," said Slotkin. "And if the president is concerned about it, then he should stay deeply within the law."When Raddatz asked whether Trump had issued any illegal orders, the Michigan Democrat said, "To my knowledge, I am not aware of things that are illegal, but certainly there are some legal gymnastics that are going on with these Caribbean strikes and everything related to Venezuela.""So it was basically a warning to say, like, if you're asked to do something, particularly against American citizens, you have the ability to go to your JAG officer and push back," Slotkin said later in the interview.Raddatz pressed the issue, asking, "Couldn't you have done a video saying just what you just said? 'If you are asked to do something, if you are worried about whether it is legal or not, you can do this.'"The host noted that the video as-is "does imply that the president is having illegal orders, which you have not seen."The Michigan Democrat wasn't the only individual featured in the video who proved unable in recent days to name a single illegal order issued by the administration.When asked flatly on MSNOW which orders she was telling troops to refuse, Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) couldn't name one.When pressed again on CNN whether she or any of the other Democrats in the video have heard tell of illegal orders from service members or the broader national security community, Goodlander tried talking around the question, alluding only to certain service members' alleged "concerns" about the legality of certain orders.'BIG DEAL'On Sunday, Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck flagged Slotkin's admission and noted, "Democrats just told our military not to follow 'unconstitutional orders' — while admitting none exist. WHY IS THIS A BIG DEAL? They knew and know, that the message wasn't for our soldiers … it was for the Global leadership.""If a video like this were aimed at Putin's military, we'd assume Russia was unstable or nearing a coup," continued Beck. "They didn't give good advice, nor weaken Trump. They weakened America — signaling doubt to allies and opportunity to enemies. They are tilling the soil color revolution. Reckless beyond words."In the post, which President Trump promptly shared on social media without comment, Beck noted that the alleged offense in question is "not treason but a very serious crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2387." Trump also shared Beck's elaboration on 18 U.S.C. § 2387, in which he noted it is a federal crime to advise, urge, or attempt to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty among members of the U.S. military with the intent to interfere with American military operations. — (@) Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!