from ZeroHedge: There’s been little progress in Russia-Ukraine talks, which the Trump administration has backed – the latest held in Istanbul a week ago – and by all appearances the war continues to heat up and possibly expand. Russia’s defense ministry (MoD) has published battlefield footage which purports to show a Russian Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system destroying a US-supplied […]

from Mark Dice: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

The House’s big, beautiful bill ends Medicaid payments for gender mutilations on minors and it takes illegal aliens off the rolls. However, the Senate plans to change it and then it has to go back to the House. So far Congress has enshrined nothing that DOGE and Trump have implemented and they are going to […] The post The House Bill Won’t Pay for Child Mutilations or Illegal Aliens appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Boss and Baksy are brother and sister Oriental shorthair cats. They live in a tall apartment building on the 13th floor with their human Mom. She takes good care of them, but can’t always keep them out of trouble. And so it was the day that the strange beetles appeared. The cat did what cats do: it caught and ate a beetle. The reaction wasn’t instant, but the malady quickly affected both cats. It was not a pretty sight. @bossbaksy OMG #bossbaksy #oriental #beetles #bugs #help ♬ M83 Solitude – Grace Baksy is a solid gray, while Boss is lighter and has visible stripes. It doesn’t matter which cat is which because they both caught whatever it is from those odd beetles. The vet bills for this are going to be ginormous. The cat’s human mom appealed to their fans for help. Unfortunately, no one has ever seen anything like this. Someone recommended giving them some Beetlejuice, but that was a scary proposition. Image from TikTok. One fan suggested that pet insurance would be beneficial in this situation. Someone else countered that something similar had happened to their cats, and the insurance company rejected the claim as a pre-existing condition. Poor Andy said this happened with his cat, but a spider bite rather than a beetle bite. He said he can’t get his cat off the ceiling now. That might be preferable to the wings. It’s probably just a matter of time before Boss and Baksy fly around the apartment. @bossbaksy Beetles invasion #bossbaksy #oriental #beetles #help ♬ original sound – Funny Sound Effects Use extra caution if you see strange beetles around your home. Please do not allow your animals to play with them. For future updates about their worsening condition, please follow Boss and Baksy on TikTok. DISCLAIMER: No cats were harmed by the cat beetle mutations depicted here. Please share. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Cats Develop Unusual Condition After Interaction With Wild Beetle appeared first on InspireMore.

The new A24 horror-comedy Friendship elicits plenty of cringe laughs from a topic that shouldn’t be so awkward: friendship between adult men. Alas, in a society plagued by rising loneliness, shrinking social circles, fewer parties, the ongoing disappearance of third spaces, and what’s been called a “midlife male friendship crisis,” laughing at the difficult dynamics of male friendship is probably a cultural coping mechanism. We know this is a dire problem, but we don’t know how to solve it. Our society is plagued by what’s been called a ‘midlife male friendship crisis.’ As a “midlife male” myself, I can attest to the challenges, yes, but also the vital importance and joy of life-giving friendships with other men. Such friendships are God-given gifts that shape us and strengthen us. We need to encourage men of every age toward healthy, deep relationships with other men. And though contemporary Hollywood films like Friendship tend to make light of the vulnerabilities and awkwardness of friendships between men, other films have sincerely celebrated their virtues and pondered their complexities in ways Christians can appreciate. Here are 11 films of that sort (listed in alphabetical order). Watch them on your own or—better yet—with a group of guy friends. Devotion (2022) I could have included a lot of war films on this list. From the recent (and stellar) Iraq War film Warfare to Terrence Malick’s WWII epic The Thin Red Line (1998), many have captured how the bonds of battle forge unique intimacy between men. Based on a true story, Devotion is a Korean War–set drama that focuses on the cross-racial friendship between naval aviators Jesse L. Brown and Tom Hudner. Even as it doesn’t sugarcoat the asymmetrical dynamics of their friendship at a time of racial segregation, Devotion is a pure-hearted celebration of the emboldening power of friendship in the crucible of war. Watch for free on Tubi. Rated PG-13. The Eight Mountains (2023) There’s a lot to praise about this Italian-language film based on a great novel. The cinematography in the Italian Alps is stunning. The soundtrack by Swedish singer-songwriter Daniel Norgren is haunting. But the story’s central relationship between Pietro and Bruno—a boyhood friendship that becomes a fraught but enduring bond in adulthood—is the film’s heart. The movie captures the painful truth that even our best efforts to pull a friend back from the brink of self-destruction sometimes aren’t enough. We can show up and be a steady and wise presence, but we can’t live a friend’s life for him or make him make good choices. Available to rent. Not rated. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–3) Bound by a daunting shared goal and constantly facing multifaceted dangers, the nine-member, all-male fellowship in Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga is an inspiring picture of the dynamics of male friendship. Whether in the friendly rivalry between Legolas and Gimli, the “I’ll carry you” devotion between Sam and Frodo, or any number of other relationships explored in the series, the Rings adventure is rife with insightful observations about the ennobling power of friendship and camaraderie in an evil and perilous world. Watch on Max. Rated PG-13. Man on the Train (2003) This French film from director Patrice Leconte is a slower burn and more cerebral than some films on this list. But it’s also a tender, thought-provoking examination of how men from different worlds can share a real, odd-couple connection and be changed for the better by even a brief time of friendship. While some films on this list explore the goodness of lifelong friendships between men, Man on the Train ponders the bittersweet goodness of fleeting fellowship that nevertheless makes a mark. Available to rent. Rated R. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) I recently listed this classic as #2 on my 50 Most Edifying Films of the 21st Century list. Among its many merits, Peter Weir’s seafaring epic is a portrait of a friendship between men. As the ship’s captain and doctor, Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany shine as they explore the tensions, trust, and shared trials of a wartime friendship. I particularly love the scenes where the two men put down their weapons and take up their instruments (violin and cello) to riff their way through Bach, Mozart, and Corelli. They don’t speak in these scenes, but the music they make together communicates volumes about their bond. Available to rent. Rated PG-13. Nickel Boys (2024) This adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel has a radical approach to cinematic storytelling, turning the camera into an “eye” of each of its two main characters: Elwood (Ethan Herisse) and Turner (Brandon Wilson). We only see these boys through the visual field of the other—a brilliant aesthetic choice that underscores the way friendship is dignifying as an act of truly seeing others. The powerful story also captures the way even a relatively brief friendship can change us forever, spurring us on to growth and virtue. Watch on Prime Video. Rated PG-13.  Old Joy (2006) An acclaimed film from Kelly Reichardt, Old Joy stars Will Oldham and Daniel London as two old friends who reunite for a weekend camping trip in the mountains outside Portland, Oregon. Featuring a stunning instrumental soundtrack from Yo La Tengo, the film has a meditative, somber tone that captures the beauty of friendship but also the pain when paths diverge and distance grows. It’s a decidedly indie, arthouse film that poignantly captures the way friendship between men changes as single independence gives way to familial responsibility, and maturity necessarily signals “the end of an era.” Watch on Max. Not rated. A Real Pain (2024) Technically, this film is about cousins. But a cousin bond can feel a lot like a deep friendship. And the complex, lifelong friendship between David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) in A Real Pain is beautiful, funny, and compelling. As with several other films on this list, the friendship dynamic explored here concerns the diverging paths friends sometimes take and how relationships can change when the adulthood gulf widens. What does friendship look like when we still love each other but don’t relate as much anymore? Watch on Hulu. Rated R. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Prison dramas can provide good fodder for friendship themes (see also: last year’s Sing Sing). Friendship is crucial to survival anywhere, but especially in a highly taxing environment like prison. The Shawshank friendship between Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) is one of cinema’s most iconic friendships. It’s a friendship that expands the horizons of both men and gives them reason to hope: to “get busy living” rather than resigning to futureless despair. Indeed, friendship is a key part of the “redemption” alluded to in the title. It’s a film that reminds us that God can use friends in our lives to shape and refine us in powerful ways. Available to rent. Rated R.  Our Friend (2021) Adapted from Matt Teague’s 2015 Esquire article “The Friend: Love Is Not a Big Enough Word,” Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s film highlights the crucial value of true friends when we face the lowest moments of life. The film chronicles the cancer story of Nicole Teague (Dakota Johnson); her husband, Matt (Casey Affleck); and their best friend, Dane (Jason Segel), who shows up and provides support when they need him. As Dane walks with Matt through the horrific deterioration and eventual loss of his spouse, he provides a beautifully Christlike picture of a friend who’s closer than a brother. Watch on Peacock. Rated R. The Rider (2018) I love Chloé Zhao’s neorealist western for so many reasons, and I assign it often in “faith and film” cohorts and classes. Among its many merits, The Rider shows the beauty of a friendship that persists even after tragedy. True friends don’t leave when the going gets tough. They stay intentional in our lives, keep pushing us to persevere, keep showing up. In the friendship between Brady and Lane, two former rodeo cowboys whose careers were sidelined by injury, the two men show how friendship can be a lifeline that encourages us to lift our heads and keep going. Available to rent. Rated R.

Our partner Rob Brezsny, who has a new book out, Astrology Is Real: Revelations from My Life as an Oracle, provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote […] The post Your Weekly Horoscope – ‘Free Will Astrology’ by Rob Brezsny appeared first on Good News Network.

Birds of a feather usually flock together, but a lucky blackbird was ‘adopted’ by a mistle thrush mama who took the juvenile ‘under her wing’ in a rare case of inter-species feeding. Photographer Andrew Fusek-Peters captured the rare phenomenon in adorable close-up photos that show the female adult thrush diligently feeding her own chicks before […] The post Rare Bird Moment as Photographer Witnesses Mistle Thrush Feeding Orphaned Blackbird as Her Own appeared first on Good News Network.

Just last year, Maine—one of only two states that apportions its Electoral College votes—opted to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.  But the New England state is now poised to exit the compact, which would kick in only if enough states voted to reach the magic 270 electoral votes required to elect a president. While the state has only four electoral votes, a departure would mark a significant first in a compact currently with 17 states and the District of Columbia. “We were the first state in the nation to split our Electoral College votes by congressional district—a system that reflects our political diversity and values, every voice, whether rural or urban,” said Maine state Rep. Barbara Bagshaw, sponsor of the bill to withdraw from the compact, which passed the House on Tuesday on a bipartisan vote, and now heads to the state Senate, according to the Maine Morning Star.  “By joining the National Popular Vote Compact we have undermined that,” said Bagshaw, R-Windham.  The usually blue Maine and generally red Nebraska each have battleground congressional districts that would sometimes draw the attention of presidential candidates. The 48 other states are winner-take-all.  Maine is among 17 mostly blue states and the District of Columbia that joined the compact, bringing the total to 209 electoral votes, well short of 270. Participating states include California with 52 electoral votes and New York with 28. Maine state Rep. Arthur Bell, who sponsored the legislation to enter the interstate compact last year, said the Electoral College leads to candidates ignoring Maine.  “To me, it’s as simple as: Every vote should be equal,” said Bell, D-Yarmouth.  Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, opposed joining the compact, but let it go into effect without her signature last year. The movement gained steam mostly on the Left after the 2016 election, when Donald Trump won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote. However, several Republicans have also supported the measure.  However, Trump’s popular vote victory in 2024 could prompt more blue-leaning states such as Maine to exit the pact. As The Daily Signal reported, had the interstate compact been in effect with just the current members, Trump would have carried 520 electoral votes. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among states to give their states’ Electoral College votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the national popular vote, regardless of who their state voters choose. Proponents contend the last presidential election was fought out in seven swing states, and a popular voting contest would force candidates to pay attention to all states. Opponents contend that a popular national vote would undermine the influence of all states and concentrate the candidates entirely on large metropolitan areas at the expense of rural areas.  The post Maine Poised to Become First State to Withdraw From Popular Vote Compact appeared first on The Daily Signal.

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Credit: artists Sebastian Woscyk Courtesy Philip MantleOne of the most electrifying UFO contact cases occurred on October 11, 1973, to two fishermen in Pascagoula, Mississippi. On that evening, Calvin Parker, 19, and Charles Hickson, 42 sat in their favorite fishing spot near an old shipyard. Hickson had just caught a fish when they both heard a weird “zipping sound” coming from behind, then it landed in a clearing about 35 yards behind them. Turning around, they saw a 30-foot-long football shaped object with two portholes. Suddenly, a door opened and a bright white light streamed out. Seconds later, three five-foot-tall figures glided out of the craft and floated toward the two frightened fishermen. During an interview on Oct. 18, 1973, Charles Hickson, left, and Calvin Parker Jr. of Pascagoula, Miss., recount their alleged abduction by aliens from the banks of the Pascagoula River where they were fishing. It was instantly obvious that these figures were not human. The odd-appearing beings were gray-colored with wrinkled bodies and clawlike hands..Says Hickson, “If they had a more human likeness, it would not have shocked me so. The head seemed to come directly to the shoulders, no neck, and something resembling a nose came out to a point about two inches long. On each side of the head, about where ears would be, was something similar to the nose. Directly under the nose was a slit resembling a mouth. The arms were something like human arms, but long in proportion to the body; the hands resembled a mitten—there was a thumb attached. The legs remained together and the feet looked something like elephant’s feet. The entire body was wrinkled and had a grayish color. There could have been eyes, but the area above the nose was so wrinkled, I couldn’t tell.” Both the men had the impression that the figures were actually robots. Calvin Parker was so frightened that he fainted. Two of the entities grabbed Hickson by the arms, and the man felt himself becoming paralyzed. The third picked up Parker, and together the group moved back into the craft. Hickson, who has since died, tried to explain during the 1973 interview what happened and what he saw, including going into the craft. “And they glided me into that thing,” Hickson said. “You know, how you just guide somebody. “All of us moved like we were floating through air. When I got in there they had me, you know, they just kind of had me there. There were no seats, no chain, they just moved me around. I couldn’t resist them. I just floated, felt no sensation, no pain. They kept me in that position a little while, then they’d raise me back up.” Hickson also tried to describe a machine he thought was used for a medical examination. “No, it wasn’t like no x-ray machine,” Hickson said. “There ain’t no way to describe it. “It looked like an eye, like a big eye. It had some kind of an attachment to it. It moved. It looked like a big eye and it went all over my body, up and down. And then they left me.” Hickson answered many questions and described the the aliens as being about five feet tall with a single leg and foot-like appendage without toes. He said they had what appeared to be ears, a nose and a mouth, but none of the features looked human. He said he was so scared he couldn’t remember if they had eyes. He also said he couldn’t remember details about leaving the craft, only Parker’s reaction. “The only thing I remember is that kid, Calvin, just standing there,” Hickson said. “I’ve never seen that sort of fear on a man’s face as I saw on Calvin’s. “It took me a while to get him back to his senses, and the first thing I told him was, ‘Son, ain’t nobody gonna believe this. Let’s just keep this whole thing to ourselves.’ Well, the more I thought about it, the more I thought I had to let some officials know.” Calvin Parker with painting of UFO abduction Charles Hickson, however, had been in the Korean War and knew what intense fear was like. This experience, he said, was far scarier. He found himself in a room with white, rounded walls, floating and unable to move. They were each taken to separate rooms. Next, bright light with an eye-shaped lens came out of the wall and circled around his body as if it was examining him. The E.T.s left for a moment. Hickson called out for his friend, but got no response. Moments later, the E.T.s returned and floated Hickson back into the first room and then outside the craft. Calvin was also there, shaking with fear. The E.T.s then returned to their craft and took off. As they left Hickson received a strong message through telepathy from the E.T.s: “We are peaceful; we meant you no harm.” The two men raced to the police station to report their encounter. To see if they were lying, the sheriff hid a tape recorder inside his desk and left the men alone. He knew that if they were lying, they would probably talk about it. But when he reviewed the tape, the men stuck to their story. Parker even broke down crying. Further investigation revealed that several police officers in the area had also seen UFOs around the same time. The case soon became hugely famous. Both men later underwent hypnosis and lie detector tests. No evidence of hoaxing was ever found. Hickson later had further encounters involving much of his family. Sources: Mysteries, Legends, and Unexplained Phenomena: “UFOs and Aliens” by Preston Dennett; UFOs and Popular Culture: “An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Myth” by James R. Lewis The post Pascagoula Abduction: The Lives of Two Men Turned Upside Down appeared first on Anomalien.com.