Pro-Palestinian Protesters Arrested at Columbia University

Rep. Gallagher Releases More Details on Decision on Early Leave from Congress

Spring has sprung in the Northern Hemisphere and if you’re looking to give your garden an all-natural boost‚ scientists have a simple trick: don’t cut your lawn. Gardeners and bug lovers have long sworn by this advice‚ but it's now been reaffirmed by scientific research. In a new study‚ scientists at Butterfly Conservation in the UK found that allowing parts of your garden to grow wild with long grass can increase the number of butterflies by up to 93 percent. “Nature is in crisis; 80 percent of butterflies have declined since the 1970s‚ so we need to take action now to protect them‚” Dr Richard Fox‚ Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation and co-author of the study‚ said in a statement sent to IFLScience. “We wanted to be able to give tried and tested gardening advice that will benefit butterflies as we know lots of people want to help. This study proves‚ for the first time‚ that allowing a patch of grass to grow long will attract more butterflies into your garden‚” Dr Fox continued.To reach these findings‚ the team analyzed butterfly sightings from more than 600 gardens across the UK‚ collected by members of the public over a period of six years. The results showed that gardens with long grass had a significantly higher number of butterflies recorded‚ as well as a greater variety of species. In rural areas‚ gardens with long grass saw up to 93 percent more butterflies‚ while those in urban areas had an 18 percent rise. The European peacock‚ aka the peacock butterfly‚ is a colorful butterfly‚ found in Europe and temperate Asia.Image courtesy of Andrew Cooper/Butterfly ConservationOne of the main reasons that butterflies and other insects are on the demise is habitat destruction. Simply put‚ fewer wildflowers and shorter grass means fewer places for butterflies to feed and breed. By letting grass grow long and full‚ it helps to provide vulnerable bugs with much-needed shelter and can help fight back against the wider trend of insect decline.Along with humble grass‚ the study found that flowering ivy can also raise the number of certain butterfly species – including holly blue‚ red admiral‚ and comma – because they provide the insects with a breeding habitat and nectar source.Even a little bit can make a big difference‚ the researchers say. They found that even just leaving a small portion of grass uncut could help to encourage butterflies to return. Likewise‚ people without gardens can help by planting long grass or wildflowers on their balcony or in a window box.“The simple act of creating wild spaces by allowing a patch of grass to grow long‚ or a border edge to go wild is free and easy to do‚ and can significantly boost butterfly numbers‚ especially in urban and agricultural settings where they are most under pressure. The benefits of each individual wild space are small‚ but if thousands of people get involved the boost to butterflies could be huge‚” explained Dr Fox.The study is published in the journal Science of the Total Environment‚

Earlier this week‚ Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm was grilled in a Senate hearing about allegations of corruption after it was discovered that she had financial ties to some of the very electric vehicle companies she was tasked with regulating and forcing Americans to eventually buy. But none of that was addressed by ABC News in an interview conducted by The View cast on Thursday. Instead‚ America was treated to questions about how energy companies read meters‚ how stupid Trump voters were‚ and when she was running for president. The first question out of the gate came from co-host Sara Haines‚ which only served to promote next week’s Earth Day celebrations and to give Granholm the opportunity to lecture about how to shrink their “carbon footprint”: And as we're all gearing up to celebrate Earth Day‚ from your perspective‚ what is the single most important thing people watching – watching this right now can do to fight climate change and reduce or lower our own carbon footprint&;#63; Granholm also used the question to promote the electric vehicles she had a financial stake in‚ before divesting in response to conservative media scrutiny and an ethics complaint being filed. At no point did she receive any questions – let alone serious ones – about her financial ties or allegations of corruption and ethics violation. Instead‚ moderator Whoopi Goldberg asked about EVs in “the projects” and people without homes to charge them.     Goldberg also wanted Granholm to explain how her electricity company can read her meter: People are getting … electric bills that are insane and I don't understand how you can – Because I watch these guys. And they come and look at the little thing going around then they read the number. How do you know $300 is on there&;#63; How do you know to charge me that&;#63; Faux-conservative Alyssa Farah Griffin was as useless as ever since she didn’t grill Granholm either. Instead‚ she teed up the Secretary to blame the rise in gas prices on something other than President Biden. “Gas prices. They’re are somewhat on the rise‚ but they did go down significantly…What is the administration doing to lower those prices‚ and should we be worried about the conflict in the Middle East contributing&;#63;” she clownishly wondered. For her part‚ co-host Joy Behar proclaimed President Biden “cares about his grandchildren” because he was “working very hard” to stop climate change‚ while former President Trump “couldn’t care less about his grandchildren” because he wanted to “drill‚ drill‚ drill” and pointed out that off-shore wind turbines were harming whales. She panicked that “a new Washington Post poll shows that nearly half of Republicans now believe Trump that climate change is a hoax‚” and wanted Granholm to answer: “How do we convince these people to start believing the truth&;#63;&;#33;” Behar also asked one of the final questions‚ pushing Granholm to run for president. “Jennifer‚ when are you going to run for president&;#63;” she quipped. The View’s refusal to hold Granholm to account was important to call out because the show is under the ABC News umbrella. The transcript is below. Click &;quot;expand&;quot; to read: ABC’s The View April 18‚ 2024 11:32:45 a.m. Eastern WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Welcome back. Our ABC news series‚ The Power of Us: People‚ Climate‚ and Our Future is kicking off just in time for next week's Earth Day and joining us now to weigh in on hot topics from rising temperatures and gas prices to how we can all do our part to save the planet‚ please welcome U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. [Applause] SECY. JENNIFER GRANHOLM (Department of Energy): Thank you so much. GOLDBERG: Welcome. Sara. SARA HAINES: Madam secretary‚ thanks for joining us. GRANHOLM: Yes‚ of course. HAINES: And as we're all gearing up to celebrate Earth Day‚ from your perspective‚ what is the single most important thing people watching – watching this right now can do to fight climate change and reduce or lower our own carbon footprint&;#63; (…) 11:35:02 a.m. Eastern GOLDBERG: What if you live in the projects&;#63; What if you don't have a home‚ what do you – (…) 11:36:48 a.m. Eastern BEHAR: Okay‚ so while President Biden who cares about his grandchildren – GRANHOLM: Yes. BEHAR: -- is working very hard on this as you just pointed out‚ he has record climate investments‚ former president -- can't even say it‚ former p – p – p[resident] Trump he says he would be a dictator on day one and drill‚ drill‚ drill&;#33; You know‚ he couldn't care less about his grandchildren and he spreads conspiracy theories that wind turbines are killing whales and causing cancer. But here's the problem that makes me nuts. A new Washington Post poll shows that nearly half of Republicans now believe Trump that climate change is a hoax. How much more evidence do these people need when they see what goes on with hurricanes‚ et cetera‚ how do we convince these people to start believing the truth&;#63;&;#33; (…) 11:39:47 a.m. Eastern GRANHOLM: Whoopi‚ you don’t look convinced. GOLDBERG: I am convinced but I do have questions‚ because people are getting bills‚ energy bills. HOSTIN: Electric bills. GOLDBERG: Electric bills that are insane and I don't understand how you can – Because I watch these guys. And they come and look at the little thing going around then they read the number. How do you know $300 is on there&;#63; [Laughter] How do you know to charge me that&;#63; HOSTIN: Good point&;#33; (…) 11:40:10 a.m. Eastern ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: More specifically‚ I did want to ask‚ Madam Secretary‚ gas prices. They’re are somewhat on the rise‚ but they did go down significantly. We’re seeing them rise a bit. Former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain had encouraged the President to focus on pocketbook issues to voters. What is the administration doing to lower those prices‚ and should we be worried about the conflict in the Middle East contributing&;#63; GRANHOLM: Yeah‚ we should and thank you for raising that. (…) 11:41:22 a.m. Eastern BEHAR: Jennifer‚ when are you going to run for president&;#63; GRANHOLM: Oh‚ my lord. What were you saying&;#63; HOSTIN: Shouldn't gas companies be better corporate citizens and lower the prices and stop gouging the American people&;#63;&;#33; (…)

As to the double murder case against O.J. Simpson‚ there was so much evidence that his guilt was obvious. This evidence included‚ but was not limited to‚ blood at the crime scene and on and in Simpson’s white Bronco; a bloody glove found at the crime scene and a matching glove found at Simpson’s home; a knit cap‚ with hair that resembled that of Simpson‚ found at the crime scene; footprints matching Simpson’s foot size found at the crime scene; blood found in Simpson’s home; blood on socks found in Simpson’s home; and the limo driver‚ scheduled to pick up Simpson on the night of the murder‚ buzzed Simpson’s intercom and got no response. There was other evidence‚ including the infamous low-speed Bronco chase‚ not used against Simpson. Evidence was not used either because the prosecution elected not to use it‚ the judge refused to allow it‚ or certain things‚ like Simpson taking and flunking a polygraph‚ were inadmissible. One piece of evidence not used was testimony from a witness named Jill Shively. On the night of June 12‚ 1994‚ Shively saw a white Bronco driving quickly and recklessly from near the scene of the crime and around the time of the crime. The driver of the Bronco nearly hit Shively’s car. When she learned about the murders‚ she called the police‚ described what happened‚ gave them the Bronco’s license plate and identified the driver as Simpson. One would consider this a crucial piece of evidence placing Simpson near the crime scene on the night of the murders. Why did the prosecution choose not to use this eyewitness&;#63; Shively sold her story for $5‚000 to one of the tabloids. Lead prosec utor Marcia Clark believed this tainted Shively’s credibility‚ and Clark decided against putting her on the stand to face cross-examination. Besides‚ the prosecution reasoned‚ there is so much evidence pointing to Simpson’s guilt‚ why bother with an iffy witness&;#63; Simpson‚ without a lawyer present‚ was interviewed by the police the day after the murders. The detectives saw cuts on Simpson’s hands. Simpson claimed he sustained them “when I was rushing to get out of my house‚” but in his pretrial deposition he claimed the cuts came from a glass he broke in anger when he heard about the death of his ex-wife. The jury consisted of eight blacks. Given the jury’s unwillingness to apply reason and common sense‚ none of the evidence really mattered. Years after the trial‚ one of the jurors‚ a black woman named Carrie Bess‚ in an interview admitted she ignored the evidence. Interviewer: Do you think there are members of the jury that voted to acquit O.J. because of Rodney King&;#63; Bess: Yes. Interviewer: You do&;#63; Bess: Yes. Interviewer: How many of you do you think felt that way&;#63; Bess: Oh‚ probably 90% of them. Interviewer: 90%. Did you feel that way&;#63; Bess: Yes. Interviewer: That was payback. Bess: Uh-huh. Interviewer: Do you think that’s right&;#63; After that question‚ Bess just put up her hands and shrugged. During the trial‚ an inner-city New Jersey high school teacher wrote an article called “Race‚ O.J.‚ and My Kids.” It was published in a center-left magazine called The New Republic: “No more than four of my 110 students (most of whom are black) think O.J. Simpson is definitely guilty and few are willing to admit the possibility that he might be. This faith in Simpson is strongest among black girls. ... “One student suggested that Ron Goldman killed Nicole before killing himself and then throwing away the knife. Another believes the dog did it. Shenia suggested that Al Cowlings‚ Simpson’s best buddy‚ did it. Bryant believes the killer is O.J.’s son. Philip blames ‘that (gay) dude who wants to marry O.J.’; that would be Kato Kaelin‚ Simpson’s houseguest. ... “Jon‚ a bright student‚ had his own scenario: O.J. was shaving and cut himself. Kato took the blood from the shaving cut‚ brought it to the crime scene and dumped it.” What can one say other than this&;#63; O.J. Simpson has died. Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson were unavailable for comment.

Even though Russia invaded Ukraine over two years ago‚ the ongoing war between the two countries still has many people confused. Who’s the good guy in this situation&;#63; Surely‚ it’s not Putin. But Zelenskyy&;#63; What about the U.S. and the other countries offering aid to Ukraine&;#63; According to founder and CEO of “Truth in Media” Ben Swann‚ &;quot;none of the above&;quot; is the answer. Despite the various narratives surrounding the war‚ Swann claims that Ukraine is actually a pawn in a much bigger game. Swann recently joined Auron MacIntyre to explain how Ukraine became a “corrupt slush fund for the global managerial elite.” “Is there something particular about the culture or the way that Ukraine is structured or the corruption there that allows United States companies or officials to profit uniquely from Ukraine&;#63;” MacIntyre asked. “There’s a couple of things‚ actually‚” Swann said. “Ukraine itself was historically‚ in the last 40 years‚ infamously ... one of the most corrupt countries on the planet. ... It’s run by oligarchs; it was handed over and basically auctioned off to the highest bidder; it is essentially run by gangsters.” Further‚ “we have within the United States a whole lot of political players who have managed to get themselves involved in Ukraine‚” including the Biden family‚ which we know “has business interests” in the country‚ Swann explained. “Ukraine is being handed over. It’s not just about the war but the rebuilding effort afterwards; it’s the massive global funds that are being set up to administer hundreds of billions of dollars going back into Ukraine and the control of that.” Swann went on to explain that Argentina has had the highest International Monetary Fund debt of any country‚ which is why Javier Milei was elected — to hopefully recover their “famously destroyed economy.” However‚ once the warring between Russia and Ukraine comes to an end‚ “by a long margin ... it will be Ukraine.” A lot of the global money being funneled into Ukraine — money we’ve been told is a generous gift to aid their war against Russia — “is no longer a gift” and “no longer aid.” “It’s a loan‚” Swann said. “[The money] is all being restructured into loans that now the nation of Ukraine and the people of Ukraine will owe for generations” — billions‚ if not trillions of dollars that will take “lifetimes” to pay off. “If you really want to look at who’s at war with Ukraine and who just conquered Ukraine‚ it’s multinational corporations; it’s not Russia. The real winner — the real entity that has won a war without firing a bullet at the people of Ukraine — is multinational corporations that now own that country and will own it into the foreseeable future‚” Swann concluded. To hear MacIntyre’s response‚ watch the video below. — (@) Want more from Auron MacIntyre&;#63;To enjoy more of this YouTuber and recovering journalist's commentary on culture and politics‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

Nearly two years ago‚ Glenn Beck issued a warning to his audience: “The federal government [will] use climate change as the national emergency‚” which will “give the president the kinds of powers that a president only gets when we are attacked on the homeland and are at war.” Today‚ Glenn’s prescience was confirmed. According to a Daily Caller article published Thursday‚ “White House officials are weighing whether to declare a national climate emergency several months out from the 2024 election.” However‚ this isn’t the first time the Biden administration has threatened to flex its climate change muscles. “The president’s administration previously considered a similar measure back in 2022 once negotiations over clean energy failed ... Biden also said that he declared a climate emergency in 2023 when he implemented ‘conservative policies‚”’ the article reported. So‚ when Glenn said that “all of the agencies that are supposed to protect and defend the Constitution” would be “used to protect and defend the agenda against climate change‚” it looks like he may be about to be proved right. While the decision to officially declare a national climate emergency has not yet been made‚ the pressure to make such a drastic move is higher than ever considering the upcoming election. The article noted that “such a move could help Biden win over some of the youth vote‚” which he desperately needs to beat Trump‚ whom he’s been trailing in the polls. According to Aru Shiney-Ajay‚ the executive director for the Sunshine Movement — an organization that advocates for political action in matters related to climate change — “If Biden wants to win the youth vote‚ he needs to take forceful action on climate change.” Only time will tell if Biden decides to finally pull the trigger and declare a national climate emergency. However‚ considering Glenn tends to be quite clairvoyant on these matters‚ we won’t be shocked if the official announcement comes. To hear Glenn’s warning from June of 2022‚ watch the clip below. Want more from Glenn Beck&;#63;To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling‚ thought-provoking analysis‚ and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

The remains of a 12-year-old boy who had been missing for years were found in the attic of a residence in New York where a sex offender reportedly lived at a sober living group. Jaylen Griffin left his home on August 4‚ 2020‚ to go to the grocery store and was never seen alive again. On Sunday‚ three and a half years later‚ his grandmother heard the news she had been praying against for years. “I ask the Lord to give me strength. That’s how I process it‚” Shirley Banks said to WGRZ-TV. “I held that up until yesterday when they told me they had found him and he was deceased.” The boy's remains were found on Friday at a home on Sheffield Avenue in South Buffalo‚ and police have designated his death as a homicide. &;quot;The body that was located in the house had been there for a significant amount of time‚&;quot; Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told reporters in a media briefing Monday. The remains were found by a maintenance worker who was working on the home‚ which was located about five miles from where Griffin disappeared. The worker had been called to investigate an odor coming from the attic. Gramaglia said that the Erie County Medical Examiner confirmed the identity of the victim through the use of dental records. &;quot;I do want to extend my sincerest sympathies to the family of Jaylen‚&;quot; he added. &;quot;This department has conducted extensive searches and I want Jaylen's family to know that we are working diligently to bring the next closure for the family.&;quot; Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane said an autopsy report could take months to complete. &;quot;That's going to hopefully reveal to us some forensic evidence that is going to be significant in the investigation‚&;quot; Keane said. The family of the victim has had to deal with a lot of violence and loss. His mother‚ Joanna Ponzo‚ died in September‚ and his brother‚ Jawaan‚ was shot and killed in November 2020 just months after the boy's disappearance.Neighbors living near the home told WGRZ that the home had been damaged by a fire eight years ago and since had been rented out to recent parolees‚ sex offenders‚ and people with mental illness. A report from WKBW-TV found that the house was owned by a company that runs adult support homes. They also confirmed that just a month before the remains were found‚ a sexual offender registered to live at the home was booked on a new sex charge. Police have not yet identified any suspect in the homicide investigation. “This is nothing short of a tragedy for a 12-year-old boy to go missing and for it to end this way‚&;quot; said Gramaglia. &;quot;This is an absolute tragedy and it’s very sad.” The boy would have turned 16 years old the week after his body was found‚ he added. Here's a report about the incident: Like Blaze News&;#63; Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here&;#33;

Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas‚ who has been serving as a House lawmaker since early 2021‚ has announced that he will not seek re-election this year.&;quot;I will proudly serve the remainder of the 118th Congress‚ but after much prayer and consideration‚ I will not seek reelection this Fall. The people of Kansas who elected me to serve in the United States House of Representatives have given me the professional honor of my life‚ but it is time to pursue other opportunities and have the benefit of spending more time with my family‚&;quot; the congressman said in a statement.&;quot;Suzanne and I are the proud parents of four young children‚ and for us the busy schedule of serving in and running for Congress has taken a toll. The unrepeatable season of life we are in‚ where our kids are still young and at home‚ is something I want to be more present for‚&;quot; he explained.GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida suggested that the Congress should become more &;quot;family friendly‚&;quot; tweeting‚ &;quot;@RepLaTurner sits on committee with me. We will be losing a good member of House Oversight. I think this also speaks to the nature of Congress... it's not exactly family friendly. That should change.&;quot;While some House Republicans‚ including Luna‚ voted against passage of two government appropriations packages last month‚ LaTurner was one of the GOP lawmakers who voted in favor of passing both packages.&;quot;While I will not be a candidate in 2024 or the state elections in 2026‚ I am hopeful that in another season of life‚ with new experiences and perspectives‚ I can contribute in some small way and advocate for the issues I care most about‚&;quot; LaTurner said in his statement. — (@) Like Blaze News&;#63; Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here&;#33;

Whether you're a seasoned veteran or brand-new to Fallout 76‚ there's a new area you can explore if you own the game on Steam. Bethesda has opened a new Public Test Server to collect feedback on the new Skyline Valley region‚ so now's your chance to head in and get your bearings ahead of its official release. Continue reading Fallout 76 has a new region to explore on the PTS MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best games like Fallout‚ Fallout 5 release date‚ Best Fallout 4 mods