BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For many people around the world, Halloween is the pinnacle of the spooky season, with costumes, jack-o’-lanterns, and trick-or-treating providing a lively mix of fun and terror. However, Halloween is not the only holiday that honors the creepy, ghostly, and mysterious. Across countries, people gather to respect the dead, ward off evil, and enjoy customs that combine food, music, and costumes—some of which are scarier than Halloween itself! Here are eight Halloween celebrations, each with its own distinct way of commemorating the macabre. Setsubun (Japan): driving out demons with magic beans Setsubun is a Japanese festival that commemorates the entrance of spring and the expulsion of evil spirits. This centuries-old practice observed every February, involves flinging roasted soybeans, known as fukumame, to ward off devils and bring happiness. Adults, often wearing demon masks, play the “evil spirits,” as children gleefully hit them with beans and cry “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons are out! Happiness is in!”). Food also plays an important role in Setsubun. People eat a sushi roll known as ehomaki in silence while facing the year’s lucky direction, hoping for wealth and prosperity. And to ensure good health for the coming year, it is usual to consume the same amount of beans as your age! Día de los Muertos (Mexico): a vibrant celebration of life and death Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a joyful holiday honoring deceased loved ones. Celebrated on November 1 and 2, it is thought that on these days, the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, allowing spirits to return for family reunions. Día de los Muertos celebrates life via music, parades, and food and drink offerings, rather than sadness. Families set up ofrendas—altars with images of the departed, sugar skulls, and candles—and leave offerings of water, sweet bread, and fruits for the spirits. The festival’s vivid costumes, skull face painting, and marigold decorations serve as a poignant reminder that death is a natural part of life and not anything to be afraid of. Correfoc (Catalonia): dancing devils and fiery dragons The Correfoc event in Catalonia, Spain, combines fear and fun to great effect. On Catholic saint days, this event turns the streets into a fiery playground for devils and dragons. Performers dressed as devils with rockets attached to their pitchforks rush through the streets, creating a magnificent display of light and sound. Spectators, frequently brave enough to participate in the turmoil, dash alongside them to “run with the fire.” Correfoc, based on medieval street performances known as ball de diables (devils’ dance), is both thrilling and hazardous, making it one of the world’s most dramatic and exhilarating festivals. Awuru Odo (Nigeria): welcoming spirits back home The Igbo people of Nigeria celebrate Awuru Odo, a warm and inviting holiday during which spirits return from the afterlife to spend many months with their kin. This celebration, which takes place every two years between September and November, is a joyful reunion complete with music, dancing, and extravagant masks. The ghosts, represented by masked men, are regarded as honored guests, remaining with their loved ones until it is time for them to leave again. During the event, families eat together and pray for the returning spirits, demonstrating that in Igbo culture, the deceased are not feared but rather cherished as protectors and guides. Basler Fasnacht (Switzerland): a carnival of light and music Basler Fasnacht, Switzerland’s largest carnival, starts at 4 a.m. on the Monday following Ash Wednesday and lasts 72 hours of nonstop festivity. The streets of Basel are illuminated only by the glow of magnificently painted lanterns, as singers and entertainers march around the city dressed in elaborate costumes and masks. This celebration, which originated as ancient Celtic ceremonies, features everything from military marching bands to fairy-tale characters. Crowds flock to witness the processions, gather confetti and flowers from the floats, and enjoy a night of fun and music. The Kinderfasnacht on Tuesday allows children to join in the excitement by dressing up as their favorite characters. Gai Jatra (Nepal): a procession of cows for the souls of the deceased Nepal’s Gai Jatra, also known as the Festival of Cows, is a one-of-a-kind celebration full of pleasure and fun. The celebration began in the 17th century, when a king, lamenting the loss of his son, urged his subjects to perform a parade to cheer up his queen. Today, Gai Jatra is a means for families to remember loved ones who died during the preceding year. During the celebration, families carry cows (or children disguised as cows) through the streets, guiding the souls of the deceased to the hereafter. Gai Jatra uses music, dancing, and comic acts to transform sadness into a moment of shared laughter and reflection. Matariki (Aotearoa New Zealand): honoring the past, present, and future The Matariki star cluster marks the start of the new year for Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand. Families meet to remember loved ones who have died, express gratitude for the present, and plan for the future. The event centers on music, storytelling, and feasts. According to Māori mythology, the stars of Matariki are the eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea, who cast them into the sky in mourning after his parents, Ranginui (the Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (the Earth Mother), split. This celebration is a time for introspection and thankfulness, as family gather to recall the past and look forward to a bright future. Fèt Gede (Haiti): celebrating the dead with joy and respect Fèt Gede, Haiti’s Festival of the Dead, is a lively celebration that honors the spirits of the deceased. The event, which runs throughout November, includes music, dancing, and food and drink offerings to the spirits, particularly the Gede, who are associated with death in the Voodoo faith. People dress in black, white, and purple during Fèt Gede, typically wearing skull makeup and top hats in remembrance of Papa Gede, the first to die. Fèt Gede, with processions leading to graves and rum-fueled festivities, is a joyous time to connect with the deceased and seek their blessings for the living.The post Halloween isn’t the only spooky celebration: 8 fascinating festivals from all across the world first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

The word “nothing” might initially suggest emptiness or absence, but in many iconic rock songs, it conveys the complete opposite: a powerful emotional reaction to life’s deepest struggles, relationships, and societal issues. When artists use “nothing” in their lyrics, they often capture the overwhelming impact of trauma, heartache, or existential contemplation. In these moments of emptiness, there’s a plea for connection, understanding, or even a prayer for peace. In many ways, the word “nothing” becomes a potent expression of the very emotions people often suppress but deeply feel. Rather than meaning absence, “nothing” transforms into a response to overwhelming situations—a The post 10 Best Rock Songs With The Word ‘Nothing’ In The Title appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

The small stellar objects were seen by JWST in the Small Magellanic Cloud.

If the AMOC collapses, there would be serious and possibly irreversible consequences for the world.

There are surfable waves, then there are mass extinction event waves.

The UAP Coalition Netherlands (UAPCNL) has announced that the Dutch Safety Board (Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid, OOV) will now accept reports from aviation professionals who have encountered Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). This marks a significant step in addressing concerns about the safety risks UAP may pose in Dutch airspace. The Dutch Safety Board, an independent body that investigates safety-related incidents, made it clear that reports from aviation professionals will be considered seriously. In a statement on its official website, the Board emphasized that “serious accidents or even disasters can still happen. The Dutch Safety Board investigates occurrences and draws lessons from them. In this way, the Board contributes to safer procedures and organization.” The announcement came following a post on X (formerly Twitter) by UAPCNL Chairman Joachim Dekkers. An article published on the UAPCNL website elaborated on the news, highlighting the Board’s willingness to independently assess reports to determine whether a formal investigation will be launched. “Anyone can report any situation or incident to the Safety Board,” the article stated. “The Board then independently weighs up whether an investigation will be initiated. If an unsafe situation has occurred, the Safety Board may decide to investigate the UAP report further.” The UAP Coalition expressed its satisfaction with the decision, viewing it as a positive development for air safety. “As a Coalition, we are pleased to report that the OVV has indicated that it wants to receive reports of UAP from Dutch aviation professionals,” UAPCNL noted in an official statement. “Airspace can be endangered by experiences with UAP, so it is positive that an independent administrative body wants to gain more insight into this and takes reports seriously. We see this as recognition and an important step towards achieving our goals.” The post Netherlands Urges Pilots to Report UAP Encounters appeared first on Anomalien.com.

The WNBA has wrapped up its most notable season since its inception, breaking multiple viewership records while increasing attendance across the league. The rookie season of Caitlin Clark saw ticket prices skyrocket wherever she played, with games even having to change locations to accommodate the fans who wanted to see her. 'I'm speaking on a particular group that is motivated by hate and destruction.' But with more eyeballs came far more scrutiny of — and pressure on — the players. Not only did many players buckle under their newfound fame but so did owners and reporters. What resulted from this historic season wasn't a showering of praise on the league's new fans or an increased appreciation for the sport but rather a historic series of blunders.5. WNBA owner calls Clark fans 'racist' Typically, sports franchise owners want to pull fans into arenas, not alienate them. That note seemingly didn't make its way to the desk of Renee Montgomery, former WNBA star and part owner of the Atlanta Dream. Not only did Montgomery claim there was a prevalence of "bots" and "faux fans" within Clark's massive online following, but also the owner doubted that the new star's fans even watched her games. "I'm speaking on a particular group that is motivated by hate and destruction," Montgomery said in a clip she posted to X. "I like when our fans are so engaged and so passionate that they just don't like the other team. But being racist, sexist, and violent with your words — come on now, what are we doing? ... That's not acceptable," she added. For some reason, the owner even brought Boston Celtics fans into the mix and accused them of "racist treatment of players." The Dream finished 15-25 and were swept in the playoffs. Karma? 4. Reporter says a single MAGA hat made a WNBA game 'unsafe' It wasn't enough in the 2024 season simply not to be a fan of Clark. Any connection to conservative politics that possibly could have been made was made — and then connected to some form of hatred. Take WNBA writer Frankie de la Cretaz. The "they/them" journalist attended Game 2 of the playoff series between Clark's Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun. De la Cretaz's reporting included citing the game's "vibe" as "horrendous" while also claiming she and her "partner" told off a "racist" fan sitting behind them. The fan's crime was daring to mock one of the Sun players for wearing fake eyelashes on the court. The writer was even more outraged by "a man in a MAGA hat" and a woman wearing a "ban nails" shirt. The fan also sported props of giant fingernails on her hands. When all was said and done, de la Cretaz said she'd be writing a scathing review about her horrible experience before adding, "I've never felt unsafe at a WNBA game & tonight I did." 3. Players complain their private planes are too small After Clark was photographed on a luxury private flight — likely due to her being responsible for the massive attention the league was getting — players began demanding similar amenities. Did they take their issues to WNBA brass and ownership? Of course not. Instead they took to their social media pages and press interviews. Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese was the first to complain, posting a photo of herself seemingly embarrassed to be on a commercial flight. On her Instagram story, Reese showed herself in sunglasses and a paper mask with the caption: "Just praying that this is one of the last commercial flights the Chicago Sky has to fly." A second caption read, "Practicing gratitude & patience as the league introduces charter flights for all teams." Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham went about her request far more arrogantly, saying, "Butterflies and rainbows now that we got the charters" before adding that the private planes weren't big enough. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images "We are so grateful to be able to start chartering, but with that, there's a lot of things that need to be adjusted," she said during an interview. "Our bags and some of our people can't fly with us because our charter is too small. While other teams get big planes." Cunningham seems to be unaware that while the league is losing a reported $50 million in 2024, its private plane program is responsible for half that debt at $25 million. 2. A'ja Wilson claims black players don't get endorsements — and is immediately proven wrong In what may have been a cruel joke by a reporter, Las Vegas Aces player A'ja Wilson made wild, racially charged accusations, only to be immediately proven wrong. In an interview with the Associated Press, Wilson claimed that race has played a "huge" role in Clark's popularity while adding that black women aren't seen as marketable and, despite what they may accomplish, are still ignored. "It doesn't matter what we all do as black women; we're still going to be swept underneath the rug," Wilson argued. To the surprise of very few, Wilson's claims were completely destroyed before they were even published. A week before the interview went public, Wilson signed a deal with Gatorade. Then, on May 11, Wilson and Nike announced that she would be endorsed and given her own signature shoe. On May 12, Wilson's interview with the Associated Press was published, leaving egg all over her face. Wilson called it a "dream" of hers to be able to work with such an iconic brand as Nike, but she failed to mention anything about being unmarketable due to her race. 1. Cameron Brink accidentally calls her teammates ugly The most jaw-dropping quote of the season came from the right place — that is, if you believe woke culture and social justice are forces for good. When Cameron Brink gave an interview about "tired narratives," she focused on the idea of breaking stereotypes and tropes. However, the 22-year-old actually just ended up calling her teammates ugly and manly. 'Some of my teammates go by they/them pronouns.' In an attempt to spew woke dogma, Brink initially went with race as a factor in popularity: "I will acknowledge there's a privilege for the younger white players of the league. That's not always true, but there is a privilege that we have inherently, and the privilege of appearing feminine." Your browser does not support the video tag. Video by Dave Tolley/Getty Images After stating there is pressure for women to appear womanly, Brink attempted to explain why her more "masculine" teammates should be more popular despite their looks. "Some of my teammates are more masculine. Some of my teammates go by they/them pronouns," she said. "I want to bring more acceptance to that and not just have people support us because of the way that we look. I know I can feed into that because I like to dress femininely, but that's just me. I want everyone to be accepted — not just paid attention to because of how they look." Brink has since continued to dress like a woman. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A new exhibition at the British Library explores the public, private and spiritual lives of such figures as Joan of Arc, Christine de Pizan and Hildegard of Bingen

The Biden-Harris administration has announced yet another round of student-loan ‘forgiveness.’

Joy and Brat galore in Jeffrey Gibson’s exhibition but not much else.