The World Health Organisation is facing a $706 million shortfall in contributions after the US withdrawal initiated by President Donald Trump. Maria van Kerkhove has started an online fundraiser asking for donations […]

from The National Pulse: Numerous current and former federal employees are expressing anger and outrage over the cessation of diversity programs within government agencies, according to posts made in a private Facebook group. These discussions, primarily among individuals associated with the National Park Service (NPS) and Department of the Interior (DOI), reveal apprehensions about President Donald J. Trump’s recent […]

Forgeries, Fakes, and Phantom Time JamesHoare Tue, 01/28/2025 - 08:38

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Massachusetts officially joined the ranks of states that prioritize animal welfare over outdated entertainment practices. As of January 1, the state has banned the use of wild animals—such as elephants, tigers, lions, primates, giraffes, and bears—in traveling circuses. The landmark legislation imposes civil penalties ranging from $500 to $10,000 per animal, per offense, and is the result of over two decades of persistent advocacy. The ban reflects widespread support, with over two-thirds of Massachusetts voters in favor. “For years, circuses have harmed the welfare of animals for the sake of entertainment,” said Governor Maura Healey in a statement as she signed the bill into law. “I’m thankful to the Legislature for taking the steps needed to prevent this kind of animal mistreatment in Massachusetts.” The end of inhumane practices The law addresses longstanding concerns about the treatment of wild animals in traveling performances. Preyel Patel, the state director for the Humane Society, emphasized that this legislation ends the era of abusive training methods and cruel living conditions. “This historic legislation marks the end of an era where tigers, elephants, and other wild animals are forced to perform under deplorable conditions, including being whipped and confined to small cages to travel from show to show,” Patel stated. Representative Bradley H. Jones Jr., House Minority Leader, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the harmful realities these animals endure for the sake of entertainment. “These animals are often subject to cruel and inhumane treatment, including prolonged periods of confinement and other forms of neglect and abuse,” he said. Joining a growing movement With this ban, Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to outlaw the use of wild animals in circuses, joining New Jersey, Hawaii, California, Colorado, and Maryland. Local bans had already been enacted in several Massachusetts communities, but a statewide prohibition was long overdue. While the law prohibits the use of wild animals in traveling performances, it includes exemptions for animals used in zoos and movie sets, which are regulated by organizations like the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and the American Humane Society (AHS). This shift reflects a broader trend among major circus companies. Even Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey—once synonymous with wild animal acts—have restructured their shows to exclude elephants, tigers, and lions. Protecting vulnerable species The new law also draws attention to the plight of endangered and vulnerable species often exploited in circuses, such as Asian elephants and wild tigers. Senate President Karen E. Spilka remarked, “Some of the most majestic creatures on our planet should not be treated inhumanely simply for profit or entertainment.” Advocates hope the legislation will inspire greater awareness and action toward protecting these animals in other industries and states. As Massachusetts takes this significant step forward, it signals a growing recognition that the exploitation of animals for entertainment has no place in modern society.The post Massachusetts bans wild animals in circuses in a win for animal welfare first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the fight against the climate crisis, the words we use matter—and so does ensuring everyone can participate in the conversation. For the British deaf community, discussing critical topics like greenhouse gases and carbon emissions has been a challenge due to a lack of vocabulary in British Sign Language (BSL). Now, thanks to a dedicated team at the University of Edinburgh’s Scottish Sensory Centre, that gap is closing. Earlier this year, 400 new environmental science terms were approved in BSL, giving deaf individuals the tools to discuss and engage with climate change and its impacts. “Creating BSL signs for abstract climate concepts is very different from tangible objects like animals, but the process is equally fascinating,” explains Dr. Audrey Cameron, who manages the BSL glossary project. From finger-spelling to conceptual clarity Before these new signs were developed, deaf teachers and students often relied on finger-spelling complex terms like greenhouse gases, spelling out each letter individually. This laborious process made it difficult to have fluid discussions on environmental topics. The new BSL sign for greenhouse gases simplifies this dramatically. Both hands form circular shapes to represent gases in the atmosphere, with gestures illustrating how greenhouse gases trap sunlight. The left hand represents Earth’s surface, while the right hand shows sunlight bouncing off the surface and being trapped—a visually intuitive explanation of the greenhouse effect. Dr. Cameron notes, “This process requires a deep understanding of scientific processes to create meaningful visual representations.” Decoding carbon terminology Given carbon dioxide’s pivotal role in climate change, the team also created a suite of signs centered around carbon-related terms. The sign for carbon emissions begins with the left hand forming a ‘C’ shape for carbon, while the right hand demonstrates the release of carbon into the atmosphere. The intensity of the hand’s movement reflects varying levels of emissions—rapid for high emissions and slow for lower levels. Carbon offsetting, another key term, builds on this foundation. The sign begins with the same ‘C’ shape, then both hands illustrate the imbalance of carbon in the atmosphere. The gesture then shows the act of compressing or balancing those levels through measures like planting trees or using carbon capture technologies. Making climate change visible The sign for climate change uses a compound gesture that begins with climate. Both hands move in a cloud-like motion, representing weather patterns. The sign transitions to show change, with turning movements illustrating how these patterns shift over time. The speed of the movement can be adjusted to show gradual versus dramatic changes, providing nuanced communication. This visual approach makes complex climate concepts not only accessible but also engaging for the deaf community. To see the words in action, there is a video available here. Empowering inclusivity Dr. Cameron and her team’s work goes beyond vocabulary—it’s about inclusion and empowerment. “We’re ensuring deaf people can fully engage with one of the most pressing issues of our time,” she says. The newly developed signs reflect a commitment to making climate science accessible to all, demonstrating that inclusivity can amplify the collective effort to address global challenges. As these signs gain traction, they open the door for more inclusive classrooms, workplaces, and communities. In a time when global action on climate change is critical, this expansion of British Sign Language ensures that no one is left out of the conversation.The post British Sign Language expands to include climate change vocabulary first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Formed in 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Imagine Dragons has cemented itself as a driving force in contemporary rock. The lineup features frontman Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman. Known for their high-energy performances and dynamic sound that blends pop, rock, and electronic influences, Imagine Dragons has released a string of successful albums, including Night Visions (2012), Smoke + Mirrors (2015), Evolve (2017), Origins (2018), and the two-part Mercury – Acts 1 & 2 (2021–2022). Their accolades include Grammy, Billboard Music, and American Music Awards, with hits like “Radioactive,” “Believer,” and “Demons” dominating charts The post Complete List Of Imagine Dragons Songs From A to Z appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

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No Regrets! Scott Jennings Refutes Dem Fantasy Americans Have ‘Buyer’s Remorse’ Over Trump’s Deportations