Though recently gaining the limelight as a superior alternative to lobster tail, a species of giant isopod is making headlines for another reason: it was never officially entered into the scientific record. Now that it has, it happened to be through the work of Peter Ng, a “carcinologist” or crustacean researcher (i.e. cancer, in both […] The post Ominous and Helmeted, New Species of Giant Deep-Sea Crustacean Named After Darth Vader appeared first on Good News Network.

Books Five Books Five SFF Works Featuring Treacherous or Ineffectual Advisers Whether corrupt schemers or hapless hacks, bad advisers excel at creating drama… By James Davis Nicoll | Published on January 30, 2025 Comment 0 Share New Share It is a rare ruler who really is the state, various Sun King claims to the contrary. Look closer and one often finds that even the most autocratic of autocrats are dependent on functionaries. I was reminded of this recently by an article on Emperor Ping. Emperor Ping of Han ascended the throne of China in 1 BCE, aged just eight. The ability of a child to rule an empire is open to question. Emperor Ping was fortunate enough to have as his regent Wang Mang, who seems to have been an all-around competent, energetic adviser. Unfortunately, the article discussing Emperor Ping and Wang Mang had some pages missing, so I am not sure what happened after January, 6 CE. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that Wang Mang served Emperor Ping capably until the end of the emperor’s days. [Editor: ahem] Unsurprisingly, many authors have spotted the utility of having the right adviser in the right position for moving plots along sharpish. Take these five examples. Amaury from Huon of the Horn by Andre Norton (1951) In Norton’s historical fantasy, Amaury shapes history. First, Amaury convinces Charlemagne to overlook the past transgressions of Charlemagne’s oldest son Charlot. Amaury then persuades Charlot to assist Amaury in murdering Huon and Gerard, the sons of an old enemy of Amaury’s1. The assassination doesn’t go well. Neither Huon nor Gerard die. Instead, Charlot is struck down by Huon. One might expect this would end in Huon’s death once Charlemagne discovers who killed his son. Instead, the canny king sends Huon on an epic quest, one from which Huon is unlikely to return. Modern readers may be struck by three elements of this tale. First, how characters cannot seem to spot even the most obvious lies. Second, the ease with which persons of this era resorted to lethal violence. Third, the pacing: the events described above occur in the first two dozen or so pages of the novel. ‘Uqba from The Tale of Princess Fatima, Warrior Woman, edited and translated by Melanie Magidow (1980/2021) Although Fatima is a fearsome warrior little interested in domesticity, even she cannot avoid marriage to her disappointing cousin Walid. Walid soon discovers that Fatima has no intention of being a submissive, obedient wife. As she could as easily snip Walid’s head off as she could strike a poppy from its stem, Walid and Fatima are at an impasse. Enter ꜤUqba, adviser to Walid. His bold suggestions about domestic relations further alienate Fatima from Walid. ꜤUqba then orchestrates Walid’s defection to Christian Byzantium, whose ruler will surely favor Walid… only for Fatima to win the sincere gratitude of Constantinople’s ruler Leo by defeating the invading King of Poland, thus saving Constantinople. Readers might be surprised that Fatima would intervene on Constantinople’s behalf, what with Byzantium being the regional rival to the late Umayyad and early Abbasid Caliphates. For the most part, with some very notable exceptions, Fatima is quite willing to befriend today the enemy she fought yesterday. The trick is surviving long enough for her to warm to a former opponent. Archdeacon Goribani from Wizenbeak by Alexis Gilliland (1986) Senior cleric Goribani plays a vital role in Prince Kahun’s court. Whenever the prince expresses some firmly held belief—such as proclaiming that Kahun’s father King Grathnys is undead, kept upright and mobile only through the dark magic of Kahun’s manifestly evil stepmother Queen Shaia—Goribani agrees with Kahun… or at least keeps doubts to himself. The short-term effect of Goribani’s support is to enable Kahun’s bold campaign of regicide and civil war. The long-term effect is entirely beneficial to Kahan, in that he is liberated from all concern about dynastic disputes. Goribani is not so fortunate. He is appointed Patriarch after the position is abruptly vacated. He remains entangled in the complex (and violent) politics of the realm. Readers may wonder how Wizenbeak figures into this. He’s a water wizard whose bold irrigation plan for a heretofore barren region entangles him in the struggle for the throne. He’s not so much a deliberate instigator as a guy just trying to survive his choice of funding. Setheris Nelar from The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (2014) For the crime of being a living, half-goblin reminder of an unfortunate political marriage, Emperor Varenechibel the Fourth relegated his son Maia to an isolated manor next to a swamp. To ensure that Maia received an appropriate education, Varenechibel relegated Setheris Nelar as well. The resentful Setheris spent years taking out his displeasure on Maia. Persecuting Maia was perfectly safe, because as long as the emperor was alive, or as long as one of Maia’s older half-brothers survived the emperor, there was no chance that the despised Maia would ever become emperor. Following the sudden, simultaneous deaths of the emperor and his three older sons, Maia is unexpectedly elevated to the throne. Setheris’ years of abuse finally have their chance to shape Maia’s reign… by providing Maia with an opportunity to demonstrate that he is such a virtuous, noble person that he will not launch a memorable and bloody series of reprisals, starting with Setheris. Very fortunate for Setheris and extremely fortunate for the empire. The Winged Lion from Delicious in Dungeon by Ryōko Kui (2015 to 2023) Although it began as a service contractor of sorts, the otherworldly being known to mortals as the Winged Lion added consulting services to its resume. The Winged Lion is adept at helping mortals visualize their goals, to focus on that which is most important to them, and—with the help of the Winged Lion—turn those dreams into reality. Thus, with the Winged Lion’s advice and assistance, Thistle rose from servant to all-powerful mage. Thistle provided his beloved Golden Kingdom with immortality, the world with a fascinating labyrinth to explore and loot, and series protagonists Laios and his dungeon-delving companions the opportunity for great heroism. The Winged Lion could have used some helpful advice itself. It took the otherworldly being some time to realize that it shouldn’t grant every wish, or at least not wishes that involve global apocalypse. In its defense, it wasn’t really a person to begin with, but a natural force that was imbued with personhood through its interactions with mortals. These are, of course, only a few of the advisers whose helpful words furnished protagonists with the opportunity to shine… by providing advice that did not turn out well. No doubt you have favorites not mentioned above2. Feel free to mention them in comments.[end-mark] The old enemy, Duke Sevin of Bordeaux, is himself immune to assassination, having already died. ︎In defense of poor Ja’far ibn Yahya, being presented as a villain is a very recent development. His term as Harun al-Rashid’s vizier was on the whole pretty successful up until the moment Harun al-Rashid had him executed. For some reason, a number of 20th century movies landed on Jafar as a go-to baddy—not just Disney, please don’t sue me—but it is a disservice to the historical figure from whom the various Jafars take their shared name. ︎The post Five SFF Works Featuring Treacherous or Ineffectual Advisers appeared first on Reactor.

A day after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott demanded criminal and civil investigations into the Irving Independent School District, an administrator resigned Wednesday amid the uproar over his comments about circumventing a state law regarding transgender athletes. “This Irving ISD Administrator should be fired on the spot,” Abbott wrote on X after an undercover video appeared to show the administrator discussing ways to get around a 2022 state law. The video, produced by the conservative watchdog group Accuracy in Media, shows Irving ISD’s director of campus operations, Reny Lizardo, discussing how a transgender athlete could compete on a sports team that does not align with the student’s biological sex. Texas law requires student athletes to compete on teams that correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate.  “It’s not illegal if you don’t get caught, right?” Lizardo told the undercover journalist.   “If no one knew … then we’re good. … If a parent found out, or a student found out, and said, ‘Wait a minute, this person isn’t this gender,’ and they sued the district, we’d be in trouble.” Lizardo continued, “But we could also say, ‘We didn’t know.’”  Lizardo also told the undercover journalist that students do not “technically” need a birth certificate to enroll, though the school district would ask for the document.  Irving Independent School District, located in the Dallas metro area, issued a statement Wednesday claiming the individual did not speak on behalf of the school district. “The individual identified was acting outside of his role as it relates to legal and regulatory expertise,” the statement said. “While the matter continues to be under investigation, the individual identified in the video has tendered his resignation. The resignation was accepted upon receipt in accordance with district policy.” In 2022, Abbott signed the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” the law requiring student athletes to play on the team that aligns with their sex. In its statement Wednesday, the school district confirmed that “all Irving ISD student-athletes are participating in their sport in accordance with the sex they were assigned at birth.” The governor reacted swiftly to AIM’s investigation Tuesday.  “Both criminal & civil investigations must be taken against both the Administrator & Irving ISD,” Abbott wrote. “Has Irving ISD and its employees been involved in a fraudulent breach of state laws & a cover up? We must get the facts.” This Irving ISD Administrator should be fired on the spot.Both criminal & civil investigations must be taken against both the Administrator & Irving ISD.Has Irving ISD and its employees been involved in a fraudulent breach of state laws & a cover up?We must get the facts. https://t.co/G2w5guqezl— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 29, 2025 In conjunction with the release of the investigation, AIM launched a website enabling citizens to contact elected officials about taking corrective measures against Texas schools that ignore state laws.   This is not the first time Texas public schools were caught violating state laws.  In an interview with The Daily Signal in 2023, Accuracy in Media President Adam Guillette said public schools in Texas continued to teach critical race theory (CRT) and the New York Times’ 1619 Project without the knowledge of parents.  CRT suggests race is a social and cultural construct designed to oppress non-white racial groups. The 1619 Project applies the CRT framework to American history, boosting “claims of victimization by white supremacy,” according to an article by The Daily Signal.  “All over Texas, administrators are pushing critical race theory into every facet of public education,” Guillette said during the interview.  He stated anti-CRT laws “provide a false sense of security to parents in Texas.”  The post Undercover Video Prompts Texas School Official’s Resignation Over Transgender Athlete Policy appeared first on The Daily Signal.

No Survivors: 67 Feared Dead in DC Mid-Air Collision (Updates)

Rollin', rollin' on the river.

Laser beams are being used to trap glass spheres in a peculiar interaction.

Future historians will read this article and laugh.

Hello, 911? Can someone please rescue us from a Hollywood Show that’s gone overboard with its desperate attempts to push a liberal agenda? 9-1-1: Lone Star may be coming to a close after being canceled by Fox, but it’s making sure to preach as much woke propaganda as possible on the way out.   The show aired part one of a two-part series finale this week which featured a gay male couple attempting to adopt a young family member, a life-or-death rescue of a non-binary child *after* workers get “their” pronouns straight, an adult trans character “mentoring” said child, and a beloved “Dreamer” character facing deportation after defending himself against a bad cop. One look at the show’s character descriptions from TVSeriesFinale.com tells you everything you need to know about its agenda: Working with (main characters Owen and his son T.K.) are mother and paramedic captain Tommy Vega (Torres), Muslim firefighter Marjan Marwani (Karam), transgender firefighter Paul Strickland (Smith), police officer Carlos Reyes (Silva), DREAM-er firefighter Mateo Chavez (Works), and gruff firefighter Judd Ryder (Parrack). They surprisingly left out T.K. (Ronen Rubinstein) and Carlos being married, which, added to the rest, basically covers all the spots on a liberal Hollywood Bingo card. Watching this week’s episode, “Impact,” felt like those causes were being shoved down our throats with a firehose (pun intended). In addition to the storyline of T.K. and Carlos attempting to adopt a young family member, there was a ridiculous scene with a non-binary teen Jax (played by LGBTQ activist Miles McKenna) hanging on to a raised gate for his life. Instead of rushing to get to him as fast as possible, there’s dialogue between a firefighter and the kid’s friend about Jax being non-binary and using “they/them” pronouns: Operator: 911, what’s your emergency? Teen: Please send help! My friend is stuck! Operator: Stuck where? Teen: Uh… I… So, they were on the door when it went up and got caught in the gears. Judd: They? Friend: Jax is non-binary. They use they/them. Judd: Got you. Trans firefighter Paul’s (played by real-life trans actor Brian Michael Smith) gay-Spidey senses were tingling during this life-or-death rescue because he could somehow tell this child who was a complete stranger needed “mentoring,” which is Hollywood-speak for grooming. Paul visits the hospital to speak to Jax, and while it’s true everyone has worth whether they’re gay/trans or straight, there is a valid concern in our current culture about kids being influenced, confused, and groomed by adults who have no business discussing such sensitive and controversial matters with minors who aren’t their own children: Paul: You’re a brave kid, but some of those stunts you’re doing are just plain stupid. Jax: I don't know what to tell you, man. You don't get likes playing it safe. Paul: That's kinda what I wanted to talk to you about. You know, of all the videos I've seen, do you know which one was the most concerning to me? Jax: Grocery cart on the highway? Paul: No, no. It's the one you posted before you started doing all the daredevil stuff. Jax (on video): Today was rough, you guys. I had to introduce myself at my new school, and when I said my pronouns, the teacher groaned and then some kids started laughing. People just don't get how painful it is to not be seen. Paul: Jax, I know what it's like to wanna feel seen. And doing this stuff is going to get you eyeballs, but it's going to get you killed. Jax: That's not true. Paul: Yes, it is. You have no idea how many kids I've scraped off the pavement because of one stupid mistake. Jax: No, I mean, respectfully, you don't know what it's like to not be seen. Paul: What makes you say that? Jax: Oh, come on, man, you're a firefighter. You're a hero. Nobody cares about me. Everybody looks up to you. Paul: First of all, I care about you. And I'm also trans. Jax: What? You? No way. Paul: I wasted so much time trying to prove who I was to everybody else. Trying to justify my existence. But I don't have to do that. We do not have to do that. But believing that we do is dangerous. I just wish I had someone who would have told me that I was enough. So, I'm telling you... You are enough. Jax: Um, thanks. Thanks for saying that. Paul: You're welcome. While Paul’s character may be a good person with good intentions, the scene still had creeper vibes since it’s exactly how a predator would target and approach an insecure, vulnerable young boy. In a separate storyline, there was an obvious attempt to drum up sympathy for illegal immigrants via Hollywood’s cliché plot of the sad deportation of a sympathetic character, just as President Donald Trump has ordered the mass deportation of criminal illegals in real life. Firefighter and “Dreamer” Mateo (Julian Works) ends up in an altercation with an off-duty police officer while shopping with his girlfriend. Despite Mateo being unaware it was a cop and the officer taking the first swing, Mateo ends up getting arrested: Mateo: What about this one? You like that one? Nancy: Yeah. Let's get that one. Mateo: Oh, hey, bro. I was gonna pick that one. Landon: Well, then why is it in my hands? Mateo: Uh, because you snaked it from me. Landon: What's your problem? Nancy: Hey, babe. Teo, let's just get another. Mateo: I don't want another plant, okay? I want this one. Landon: Listen to your wife, buddy. You don't want any part of this. Mateo: She's not my wife, jerk! Landon: Let it go. Mateo: Or what? Huh? Landon: Or I'm gonna kick your little... Mateo: You said let it go. Hey, just stay down, bro, okay? Look, we don't even need to do this right now. I'm sorry. I didn't mean… Yo! Nancy: Whoa! Dude! Landon: Get back, the both of you! You, you're under arrest for assault. Nancy: Dude, are you making a citizen's arrest right now? Landon: No, I'm off-duty APD. Mateo: Bro, I'm a firefighter. We're on the same side here. Landon: Call 9-1-1. Tell 'em Sgt. Landon is code 3 at this address, they'll know what that means. Mateo: But you swung first. Landon: Yeah? Tell it to the judge. Back at the police station, a female officer tells Mateo the off-duty cop “has always been such a d*ck.” But an ICE agent announces he’s being deported anyway: Ross: Mr. Chavez, I'm Officer Ross. This is Agent Sutton. Mateo: Listen, what that cop said is BS, okay? I'm AFD, and he totally started it. Ross: We know. Mateo: You do? Ross: That guy's always been such a dick. Here, let me help you with those. Mateo: Oh... Thank you. So, does this mean that I'm off the hook? Ross: No, you'll still be charged with disorderly conduct for smashing all those plants, but we should have you out of here soon. Mateo: So why is there an FBI agent here? Sutton: Well, I'm not with the FBI, Mr. Chavez. I'm from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Mateo: Ice. Sutton: As a “Dreamer,” I'm sure you're aware, any unlawful actions puts (sic) your DACA status in jeopardy. And that we take all attacks on law enforcement extremely seriously. No matter who started it. Mateo: That's crazy. I didn't know that was a cop. Sutton: Well, be that as it may, considering the severity of the incident, we've had to make a very difficult decision. Mateo: Decision? What decision? Sutton: Mateo Chavez, this letter is to notify you of the process of removal. If you leave the country voluntarily, you'll be allowed to reapply for legal re-entry in the next two to three years. Mateo: What are you saying? Sutton: I'm saying we're deporting you, Mr. Chavez. So, on the off chance a “Dreamer” might run into an off-duty cop who looks like a regular citizen at a nursery who attempts to assault them over a plant and they end up having to defend themself, let’s do away with deporting all criminal “Dreamers.” Sure, Jan. Funny how they never depict the type of stories that are actually happening in real life such as the murder of young nursing student Laken Riley by an illegal immigrant. By the end of the episode, a meteor was heading toward the city as residents braced for impact. Will it wipe everyone out the way 9-1-1: Lone Star and its liberal propaganda have been wiped out by FOX, or will we be subjected to one more hour of left-wing propaganda before the show is over for good?

NBC’s Seth Meyers gushed over Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday’s installment of Late Night when he recalled how she has managed to clear the lowest of bars by claiming she will not automatically refuse all cooperation with the Trump Administration. According to Meyers, this showed “how much you care” about the people of Michigan. Meyers declared to Whitmer that Democrats in Congress have a different role, “I feel like there's two different roles for the Democratic Party right now. I think, you know, it is incumbent upon Democratic members of the Senate and the House to get in the way of, you know, his agenda.”     If a Republican said that, Meyers would label them as blind partisans who want to see the country fail, but nevertheless, he rolled on, “But I do feel like as a Democratic governor—you have even said you're not looking to pick fights with him. You do want to work together with this administration, and I feel like that speaks to how much you care about the people in your state.” Quite proud of herself, Whitmer replied, “Well, I got a job to do and, you know, when I took my oath of office, just like my colleagues, it was to serve our people. And, you know, as capable as I am to throw a counterpunch, I don't. Because my oath is to the people of Michigan and that means working with whomever is in the White House. It also means living my values. And I don't look for a fight, but I don't back down from one either. I'm going to fight for the people of Michigan and the people of this country.” Elsewhere in the interview, the duo made some discussion about tariffs, trade, and electric vehicles, but it was mostly a softball book tour with discussion ranging from the Detroit Lions to the time she knocked her teeth out at church camp. Whitmer's young adult version of her memoir can be seen as the opening of the 2028 election, but even a new election follows old patterns, such as Democratic politicians finding comfy interviews on the late night comedy shows. Here is a transcript for the January 29-taped show: NBC Late Night with Seth Meyers 1/30/2025 1:01 AM ET SETH MEYERS: I feel like there's two different roles for the Democratic Party right now. I think, you know, it is incumbent upon Democratic members of the Senate and the House to get in the way of, you know, his agenda, but I do feel like as a Democratic governor — you have even said you're not looking to pick fights with him. You do want to work together with this administration, and I feel like that speaks to how much you care about the people in your state. GRETCHEN WHITMER: Well, I got a job to do and, you know, when I took my oath of office, just like my colleagues, it was to serve our people. And, you know, as capable as I am to throw a counterpunch, I don't. Because my oath is to the people of Michigan and that means working with whomever is in the White House. It also means living my values. And I don't look for a fight, but I don't back down from one either. I'm going to fight for the people of Michigan and the people of this country.