Protests have broken out in Venezuela following Nicolas Maduro being declared as the winner of the presidential election by Venezuela’s government.

MUSLIM HATE PREACHER, who was granted asylum in the UK after being kicked out of Kuwait for being “too radical,” has been blocked from purchasing a Scottish island and turning it into a fundamentalist Islamic sharia state. The Times Sheikh Yasser al-Habib and his supporters, called the Mahdi Servants Union, were in talks to buy […]

On July 29, 2024, about 500 communists marched in Philadelphia, once the capital of the United States. They brazenly waved the hammer and sickle flags through the streets. “Say hello to America’s communist generation,” tweeted the X handle of the Revolutionary Communists of America (RCA) as it posted a video of some 500 party members […] The post 500 Revolutionary Communists March in Philadelphia appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

American swimmer Nic Fink broke a 120-year-old Olympic record on Sunday when he tied British champion Adam Peaty for the silver medal in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke: he competed — and medaled — in the Olympic Games at the age of 31 while also holding down a day job. In a finish that was almost too close to call, Italian swimmer Nicolo Martinenghi took the gold medal with a time of 59.03 and Fink — a New Jersey native — touched the wall at 59.05 seconds, exactly at the same time as the British defending champion. “It’s kind of strange splitting a medal, but I’ve actually split a silver medal before in the 100 breast. It’s kind of funny how it’s happened again,” Fink said, referencing a three-way tie in the event that had occurred at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan in 2023. “With Adam, he’s a legend in the sport, and it’s awesome to see his comeback and his return, and to share the podium with him — let alone the silver medal — is an awesome experience,” Fink added, giving a nod to Peaty’s recent break from competition to focus on his mental health. “To see Nicolo there as well, we’ve been racing together quite a while, so it’s really cool to share the podium with all those guys.” But what made the event a record-breaker was neither the impressively fast time nor the fact that in a race where hundredths of a second count, there was a tie. It wasn’t even the fact that Fink holds a full-time job in addition to his rigorous training and competition schedules. On Sunday, at the age of 31, Fink became the oldest American swimmer to medal in the Olympic Games since 1904. “At 31 years old, Fink became the oldest first-time U.S. Olympic swimming medalist in modern history — and the oldest in 120 years if you count 36-year-old Edgar Adams and his silver medal in the ‘plunge for distance’ from the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis,” SwimSwam reported.

What is it about a smiling baby that just makes life so much better? No matter what kind of mood we are in, a sweet little baby with a giant grin will change our tune. Dom Pidala is a talented pianist who loves to play music. He is also the father of a baby girl named Vera Mary, and he makes sure to share his piano music with her. Vera loves to listen to her dad play, and he knows just how to make her smile. Thankfully for us, he’s sharing their joy on social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dom Pidala (@dom_pidala) Dom perches baby Vera on his piano and plays beautiful music for her. The baby girl smiles at her daddy, who smiles back while sharing his passion with his daughter. It is very clear the father and daughter have a deep connection and music plays a huge part in their relationship. Dom captioned a viral video, “Music brings joy to all.” Dom And Vera Are Beacons Of Joy. The video has been viewed 9.7 million times on Instagram, and people can’t get enough of the beautiful bond. One person wrote, “This is beautiful!! I watched it over and over. Lucky baby to have this for her daddy.” “This is literally the most beautiful thing in the world! The connection between parent and child through music, eye contact, and smiles. Amazing. Nothing is nothing better,” someone commented. This person agreed, “I can’t even explain what it does to me when I see new parents in *love* with their children. I saw two parents with their toddler in a waiting room the other day — just enthralled with her *every* move. That all children would be so loved.” Thank you, Dom, for sharing your music and equally beautiful daughter. It’s a nice reminder that sometimes life’s simplest pleasures bring the biggest smiles. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Father Plays Piano For His Smiling Baby & The Music Speaks To Her Soul appeared first on InspireMore.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When the summer heat approaches, it’s easy to forget that our pets feel it as well, especially via their sensitive paws. Imagine walking barefoot on a sweltering sidewalk—this is what your dog goes through during these summer months! Protecting your dog’s paws against burns and pain is absolutely necessary. Here are some excellent techniques to help your dog enjoy the season safely and happily. Adjust your walking schedule Summer treks need careful planning and timing. The Humane Society of the United States recommends walking your dog in the early morning or late evening. During these hours, the pavement is cooler, which reduces the likelihood of paw pad burns. Midday walks should be avoided when temperatures are high and surfaces are at their warmest. Get off the concrete Whenever possible, choose grass or dirt walkways over concrete or asphalt. These natural surfaces are cooler and kinder to your dog’s paws. This not only helps to prevent burns but also makes the walk more enjoyable for your furry friend. Try it for yourself Before taking your dog outside, run a simple test to determine the surface temperature. Press the back of your hand against the pavement for seven to ten seconds. If it’s too hot for your hands, it’s certainly too hot for your dog’s paws. The Humane Society of Charlotte emphasizes the importance of performing a quick check to verify that your pet is on safe footing. Cover-up Protective booties or paw wax might be lifesavers in the summer. Booties create a physical barrier between your dog’s feet and the heated earth, whereas paw wax protects against heat and rough surfaces. Both options help to avoid burns and other harm. Build-up some calluses Gradually developing calluses on your dog’s paw pads can also be beneficial. The Oregon Humane Society recommends walking your dog on the pavement during the cooler hours of the day. This helps to strengthen their pads, making them more resistant to heat and mild abrasions. Be cautious at the beach Sand can get as hot as pavement, therefore the same precautions apply. Before allowing your dog to walk on the sand, conduct a hand test to make sure it’s at a safe temperature. Additionally, your dog’s paws may become more sensitive after being in the water. After beach trips, always clean their feet with cool water and check their pads for any symptoms of inflammation. What to look for Even with protection, it is critical to periodically inspect your dog’s paws for symptoms of burns or injuries, particularly after walks. Symptoms of burned paw pads include: limping or refusing to walk licking or chewing on the feet darker-colored pads blisters, sores, or redness on the paw missing paw pad parts Immediate treatment for burned paws If you think your dog has burned their paw pads, follow the instructions outlined by the Oregon Humane Society: 1. Move to a cool area Take your dog to a grassy or shaded area to avoid further harm. 2. Rinse with cool water Immediately rinse their paws with cool water to relieve the burns. 3. Use antibacterial cream Gently apply an antibacterial cream or liquid to the affected regions. 4. Prevent licking Stop your dog from licking their paws to avoid infection. 5. Bandage minor burns Apply antibiotic ointment to minor burns and loosely bandage the paws. 6. Consult a vet for serious burns For more severe burns, consult your vet right away to avoid infection and for correct treatment. Summer should be a time to have fun and relax with your dog. By taking these steps and monitoring your pet’s paw health, you may avoid unpleasant burns and keep your dog happy and active throughout the season. Remember that a little additional care can go a long way toward ensuring that your pet enjoys the summer as much as you do.The post How to protect your dog’s paws in summer heat first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro signed legislation prohibiting bullfighting, marking a historic step forward for animal rights. Animal rights advocates are celebrating the decision, which marks a shift in cultural attitudes. The practice will be phased out nationwide by 2027. Legislative milestone for animal rights Last Monday, in front of hundreds of supporters at Bogota’s bullring, President Petro signed the historic bill prohibiting bullfighting. “We cannot tell the world that killing living and sentient beings for entertainment is culture,” Petro said at the ceremony. He underlined that a culture of animal killing for sport had the potential to desensitize society to human brutality.  The bullfighting prohibition, which Congress enacted in May after considerable discussion, calls for the end of bullfighting by 2027. It also directs the conversion of over a dozen bullrings into cultural and sporting facilities. A declining tradition Bullfighting has a lengthy history in Colombia, extending back to the Spanish colonial period. However, its popularity has declined as cultural attitudes on animal welfare have shifted. For the past two decades, animal rights advocates have lobbied Congress to prohibit bullfighting, often losing by razor-thin majorities.  Their perseverance paid off in May when they received backing from legislators from all sides of the political spectrum, including Petro’s Historical Pact Party and some centrist and conservative parties. Chucho Merchan, a vegan activist and musician, spoke at the event, expressing hope for a more just and cruelty-free world: “For many years we have staged protests, we have lobbied Congress and we have tried to win the hearts of Colombia’s people.” Opposition from bullfighting enthusiasts Despite the celebrations, bullfighting fans claim that the ban violates their traditional heritage and threatens their livelihoods. Matadors, event planners, merchants, and ranchers who raise bulls for fights stand to lose their traditional sources of income. Pro-bullfighting groups began a social media campaign in support of the tradition, claiming that the bill was passed without involvement from Colombia’s labor ministry. They intend to challenge the measure before Colombia’s Constitutional Court. The global context Colombia has joined a growing list of regions that are abandoning bullfighting because of new rules. Only seven nations currently allow bullfighting: Spain, France, Portugal, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru, however, some municipal governments within these countries have enforced their own restrictions. Petro’s steady stance Petro’s objection to bullfighting isn’t new. As mayor of Bogota in 2012, he canceled a city contract that permitted bullfighting activities in the city’s bullring. His long-standing devotion to animal rights has now resulted in important national legislation. Colombia’s decision to outlaw bullfighting reflects a broader shift in attitudes about animal welfare and cultural traditions. Colombia hopes to provide an example of how to evolve into a cruelty-free society by phasing out this tradition. As the country progresses, the conversion of bullrings into cultural venues will represent a new era of respect for life and equality.The post Colombia bans bullfighting, a historic step for animal rights first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'I really believe we saw the hand of God that day'

'I'm honored to be endorsed again by President Trump'