McDonald's has a new Kit Kat Banana Split McFlurry to help customers cool down this summer. But is this split a success or surprising dessert dud?

You may have noticed the Orange Creamsicle flavor popping up everywhere, but this trend is hardly a surprise if you've been paying close attention.

It’s now confirmed the “Hannibal Directive” was used on October 7th. Was the Israeli military a full partner in what the Biden administration has called "the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust"? Don't miss this week's episode of "Reckoning: Israel and… pic.twitter.com/wsL3X2bMuf — Truth In Media (@Truth_InMedia) July 9, 2024

by Peter Koenig, Global Research: It looks and feels like this past Sunday, 7 July 2024, second round French election is one of the biggest election frauds in French history, maybe even in European history. The vote engineers have been at it in the same way they have been at it in the 2020 US […]

from The Dan Bongino Show: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

by Chris Menahan, Information Liberation: Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, under lobbying from the World Jewish Congress, announced Tuesday that claims of “Zionists” “running the world or controlling the media” will be banned as “hate speech” going forward. “After hearing input and looking at research from different perspectives, we will now remove speech targeting ‘Zionists’ in several […]

from Man in America: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

Welcome back to our weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s getting our team talking. Let us know what you think at info@reasonstobecheerful.world. Bee friendly A Colorado law recently took effect that bans retail stores from selling neonics — insecticides known to harm bees and other pollinators. According to a story Executive Editor Will Doig shared from Environment Colorado, this is a major milestone in the protection of vitally important insects and the ecosystems they support. Will says:   Neonics have been identified as a major contributor to the decline of bees and other pollinators. At least eight other states have restrictions in place, as does the European Union. Citizens gathered to celebrate in Brussels, Belgium, on the day the EU voted to ban three key bee-killing pesticides in 2018. Credit: Olivier Matthys / AP Images for AVAAZ Knock knock In rural parts of the US, access to health care can be scarce, so people often end up calling 911 for even basic medical needs. One solution that’s gaining traction: bringing back the old-fashioned house call. Through community paramedicine programs, paramedics make regular visits to those with health issues in order to provide care before emergencies arise. One place where a small community paramedicine crew is making a big difference, as Marketplace reports in a story that caught Editorial Director Rebecca Worby’s attention: the remote West Texas town of Terlingua and the surrounding desert. Becca says:   I’ve spent some time in Terlingua and can attest to how out there it is — it’s part of what makes it such a special place, but it’s also of course a challenge for emergency responders, especially during the hot, hot summers. What else we’re reading What does a city that has spurned cars look like? Olympics visitors to Paris will get a look — shared by Contributing Editor Michaela Haas from NBC News Need a new outfit? Try the library. — shared by Rebecca Worby from Grist Los Angeles Homeless Count Drops for the First Time in Seven Years — shared by Michaela Haas from the New York Times In other news… Holiday fireworks are a tradition with a long history. Would we be better off leaving that tradition in the past? RTBC Contributing Editor Michaela Haas posed that question in a Viewpoint a few days ahead of the Fourth of July — and explored some spectacular alternatives. A drone show over Sydney, Australia. Credit: sgarbacik / Shutterstock That big question is still reverberating in our minds along with last week’s clangs and booms. And as it turns out, great minds think alike: The New York Times and Outside Magazine both weighed in on this issue. Did you miss Michaela’s Viewpoint? Check it out here.   The post What We’re Reading: Bee-Friendly Legislation, Door-to-Door Care and More appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful.

Westerns are historically an immensely popular genre that has persisted for the entire history of film production. They were quite popular during the silent film era before reaching their zenith during “the Golden Age of Westerns” between the 1940s and 1960s. Spaghetti Westerns took over in the 1970s and the genre saw a resurrection during the 1990s again. Across a century of film, there has been a wide variety of Western productions; some took liberty’s with historical accuracy in favor in spectacle, while some invested their time and effort in producing historically accurate works. Let’s take a look at five of the most historically accurate films from the long history of Western film which are also critically acclaimed.  The Covered Wagon (1923) “The Covered Wagon” is hailed for its historical accuracy due to meticulous attention to detail in depicting the journey of pioneers along the Oregon Trail. The film showcases authentic wagons, costumes, and settings, providing viewers with a realistic portrayal of frontier life in the 19th century as it follows the journey of two caravans across the American West, from Kansas to Oregon, so that the main characters can start a new life.  Being shot only decades after the end of the classical Wild West period, the filmmakers were able to consult both historical sources and eyewitness accounts, ensuring that the challenges and hardships faced by settlers during westward expansion are portrayed realistically. Although the film is shot in black and white and is a silent film, it remains one of the most accurate Western films in history, outshining many other modern Westerns with larger budgets.  The Iron Horse (1924) “The Iron Horse” is renowned for its depiction of the construction of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. Directed by John Ford, the film meticulously recreates the challenges faced by laborers, engineers, and settlers during the monumental undertaking, from the backbreaking manual labor required to lay rail to the shady backdoor deals that went into developing the rail lines to the strikes that ensured laborers were treated fairly.  The most significant contribution of the film is how it accurately depicts the struggles of the immigrant and Black workers in a way many historical accounts ignore. These men built the railroad with their hard labor and Ford highlights their contributions in the film, making their struggles central to the film’s plot. Ford also had a locomotive built specifically for the movie to amplify the production’s realism, placing this film at the forefront of set production during the period.  Cimarron (1931) “Cimarron” is widely lauded for its historically accurate portrayal of the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. This land rush was when the United States offered land grants to settlers from portions of Oklahoma that had previously been designated to the Creek and Seminole, who had been forced to relocate from their ancestral lands during the early 19th century. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Edna Ferber, the film meticulously recreates the frenzied atmosphere of the land rush, portraying the struggles and aspirations of settlers seeking new opportunities in the American West.  The movie’s attention to detail in depicting the era’s costumes, settings, and historical events lends to its authenticity, including the construction of an entire town that remains the largest in Western film history. Although it is little known today and has been criticized for its pacing and racist content in modern reviews, it stands as a movie that captures the mania of the Oklahoma land rush accurately and is an Academy Award winner for Best Picture.Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) “Geronimo: An American Legend” is acclaimed for its historical accuracy in portraying the life of the Apache leader Geronimo, who is one of the most commonly portrayed Natives in film history. Directed by Walter Hill, the film meticulously demonstrates Geronimo’s resistance against American expansionism in the late 19th century, which although it ultimately failed was admirable and hard-fought.  Chuck Connors, Kamala Devi, Ross Martin, Patrick Conway, Adam West The costume designer for the film produced the most accurate clothing and uniforms from the period that Westerns had seen in decades, both for the United States Army and the Apache warriors. Meanwhile, the reenactment coordinator ensured that the troops knew their drills and that their weapons were as accurate as possible, lending credibility to the battle sequences. The result was a film that offered viewers a chance to almost look through a window into the past.  The Alamo (2004) “The Alamo” strives for historical accuracy in its depiction of the legendary battle for Texas independence known by all. Directed by John Lee Hancock, the film meticulously recreates the events leading up to and during the siege of the Alamo in 1836. Through extensive research and consultation with historians, the movie aims to present a faithful portrayal of the key figures involved and the circumstances surrounding the pivotal moment in American history. The set and costume design were well-researched, reflecting designs of the time. The casting directors ensured that the actors were close in age to each of the historical characters for a more accurate portrayal, while the director chose to film the movie at the time the historical event likely took place. Unfortunately, the dedication to historical accuracy in the film took a toll on the film’s success, as it deviated from the common mythos surrounding the event.  While no film can capture every aspect of the Wild West with complete accuracy, these movies stand out for their commitment to historical research and attention to detail. Whether exploring the lives of outlaws, lawmen, or ordinary settlers, these films offer compelling glimpses into the untamed frontier of America’s past that not only entertain but inform the viewer about the struggles and successes of American growth in the Wild West. The post 5 Historically Accurate Western Films Everyone Should Watch first appeared on History Defined.

History is full of odd customs and practices that have not withstood the passage of time as a result of cultural and scientific advancements. One such practice revolved around the recycling of urine in Ancient Rome. Nowadays, human waste is recognized as a source of disease and is whisked away at the moment it is expelled, but thousands of years ago some Romans used to drink urine as a way to combat disease. This was one of many purposes that Romans found for urine. It proved itself to be incredibly useful to Romans who recycled pools of it for cleaning, clothing production, and medical purposes.   What Use was Urine? Romans used urine for myriad purposes because of the diluted amount of ammonia found within the human waste. As urine ages, its chemical composition devolves into creating ammonia, a chemical commonly used in cleaning products today because of its acidic nature. In Ancient Rome, ammonia from urine helped to soften clothing materials, treat medical conditions, assist with personal hygiene, and like the modern-day, act as a cleaning agent. A solution that is over 35% ammonia is corrosive to tissue and metal, but creating a solution with a smaller percentage of ammonia is generally more useful. While a diluted solution does not fully corrode or destroy what it is applied to in the same way that a stronger ammonia solution will, it does soften the material, assisting in cleaning or making an object more malleable.  Urine’s Role in Crafting Clothing Roman clothing was crafted from various animal pelts and hair and dyed with natural products. Roman tanneries would use a mixture of water and urine to soften strips of leather, making it more malleable and thus easier to manipulate into different shapes. Roman leather was renowned for its quality and was used by everyone. Foot soldiers used it for armor and to piece together their military equipment, while the average citizen all the way up to senators would use the leather for their shoes. Similarly, sheep’s wool that was used for crafting tunics and other clothing was also soaked in urine, which helped to soften the material before it was woven into threads. Once the clothes were made, aged urine acted as the perfect binding agent to ensure that dye would remain for a longer time. The Roman method was so successful that urine continued to be used by tanners and tailors for hundreds of years.  Urine as a Cleaning Product Another common use for urine in Ancient Rome was as a cleaning material. Urinals were located around the city on various streets and citizens were encouraged to relieve themselves in the collecting pools to gather large portions of urine. The pools of urine would be gathered to wash laundry in, as the ammonia would help loosen any grime in the clothing, and then washers would stomp on the clothing to shake off the dirt in a similar method to modern washing machines. The ammonia solution would then also be used to clean Roman streets and walls. In this way, keeping cities clean was a citizen’s basic duty through the recycling of their human waste.  Medical Uses for Urine Urine also held medicinal use in the Roman world, being used as a disinfectant centuries before germ theory was developed as a scientific and medical theory. Romans would use urine to clean out wounds, unknowingly utilizing the ammonia to kill any bacteria present in the injury and protect the wounded from developing further medical issues. It is astounding that through trial and error, Romans discovered a basic concept of modern medicine, albeit through disgusting means. In the same vein, urine was also used for addressing skin diseases such as bad acne, similarly eliminating the natural oils in people’s skin the way that it did for leather or wool to make their skin clearer and smoother.  Disgusting Uses for Urine Shockingly, urine was also swished in people’s mouths as a way to cure toothaches and sore throats, while some Roman doctors even suggested that drinking urine could cure various diseases. This was likely an extension of their experience with using ammonia as a way to stave off infection, although it is difficult to imagine the mental fortitude necessary to drink urine, even to solve medical issues. There are some historians who debate whether or not Romans used urine for activities such as brushing their teeth, which society would deem disgusting today. Dr. Michael Bishop has argued that the practice was not Roman in origin,  but rather Celtiberan and that any Roman caught using urine to clean their teeth would be ridiculed.  The uses for urine were varied and broad, spawning a massive economy across Rome. The demand for urine in various industries became so high that Emperor Nero enforced the first tax regulating the trade of urine. But it was Emperor Vespasian who became popular for introducing a sweeping tax that controlled how urine was collected from public urinals that he funded. While he did not care for urine specifically, Vespasian loved taxation and is famous for taunting his son who complained about the urine by saying that money is money regardless of where it comes from.  Urine was an incredibly useful tool in Ancient Rome. From creating clothing to cleaning the cities to addressing personal medical issues, the ammonia that resulted from aging pools of urine helped to maintain a functional society. In a society that lacked a substantial sewage system for centuries, recycling urine was an incredibly efficient way to handle human waste. But drinking urine willingly is a practice that is better off remaining in the ancient world. The post The Shocking Role of Urine in Ancient Roman Life first appeared on History Defined.