'I'm so unbelievably happy right now'

A "1-in-284‚000-year event"? ... that's just insane

Can’t wait to trade items in Last Epoch? Dreading the mere thought of it? Good news! Last Epoch has an innovative solution for both types of players in the form of its faction system. Your choice between the Merchant’s Guild or Circle of Fortune alters the way you obtain loot. The Merchant’s Guild unlocks the in-game trading system‚ while the Circle of Fortune is there for players who wish to stick to their guns and farm in solitude. Both factions have pros and cons‚ and this guide aims to help you choose the best Last Epoch faction for you. Should you choose the Circle of Fortune or Merchant’s Guild? Circle of Fortune Merchant’s Guild How to join an Item Faction How to switch Item Factions Faction Ranks‚ Favors‚ and Vendors Should you choose the Circle of Fortune or Merchant’s Guild in Last Epoch? The Faction you choose in Last Epoch entirely depends on your preferences and play style. It’s essentially the choice b...

On Friday's CNN NewsNight‚ host Abby Phillip gave a forum to far-left film maker Michael Moore to comment on the presidential race‚ leading him to accuse the Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza‚ preposterously alleging that the Palestinians are being killed because of the "color of their skin." He also rejoiced in the NRA's legal problems and predicted that gun control activists would be more successful now that the pro-gun group with "blood on the hands" has been weakened. As the segment began with Moore -- a lifelong resident of Michigan -- giving his thoughts about President Joe Biden's chances of winning the important swing state‚ the liberal film maker argued that President Biden's support for the war in Gaza could hurt him with some of his supporters. Speculating about what he might say to the President‚ Moore suggested he was a bad Catholic for supporting the war: "If I had a chance to talk to Joe Biden‚ the first thing I'd want to ask him is‚ 'What -- do you still go to Mass? I mean‚ what's going on here? Why are you participating in something that's killing civilians and children and 30‚000 now dead?'" Even though the terrorist group Hamas has a history of blocking the Israeli military from delivering fuel to Gaza hospitals to power incubators‚ Moore invoked the issue and blamed Israel as he soon continued his analysis. And he ignored the Israeli military's history in past wars of minimizing the proportion of civilian deaths compared to the militaries of other countries. Moore railed against right-leaning Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he continued: ...if Trump has any chance‚ it's that the decision that he's (Biden) made to embrace slaughter‚ carpet bombing‚ incubator -- babies in incubators dead because they cut off the electricity. On and on and on. And this is‚ I think‚ he -- Joe Biden somewhere confused the fact that of course the majority of Americans will do anything to protect our Jewish brothers and sisters no matter where they're at. And I would say a majority of Americans support Israel‚ and I would say that practically all of us want those hostages released right now. So -- but he somehow conflated that with "Bibi Netanyahu is some friend of mine‚ I'm here for you‚ I'm going to fly on the plane right away‚ come over there‚ give you a big hug‚ give you the thumbs up‚ do what you got to do‚" and it has caused a slaughter like nothing that we have ever seen. Phillip brought up the possibility of "genocide" by Israel as she followed up: "Michael‚ will you describe what you're saying there? I mean‚ would you describe Israel's campaign in Gaza as a genocide?" After initially seeming to hesitate to call it that‚ he did end up making the "genocide" smear against the Jewish nation and suggested Gaza residents are being targeted by the Israeli military because of their skin color: I would say that anytime you single out a group of people‚ and you have what's called a mass guilt you impose on them simply because they are‚ in this case‚ Palestinian. And now they're just going to randomly and‚ to use another quote from one of Biden's fundraisers that got out that he said privately. He said this is indiscriminate bombing that's going on. "Indiscriminate bombing." That's right. That is exactly right. So when you indiscriminately bomb a group of people simply because of the color of their skin -- because of their religion -- because of their heritage or whatever. That is a form of genocide. He then accused Netanyahu of using the war to protect himself from legal problems‚ calling it "so disgusting and so sick." After a commercial break‚ Phillip brought up the legal finding against former NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre that he had mishandled the organization's money‚ cuing her liberal guest to rail against the conservative group's past defense of gun rights‚ and predicted more gun control wins in the future: Transcript follows: CNN NewsNight February 23‚ 2004 10:14 p.m. Eastern MICHAEL MOORE‚ FILM MAKER: If I had a chance to talk to Joe Biden‚ the first thing I'd want to ask him is‚ "What -- do you still go to mass? I mean‚ what's going on here? Why are you participating in something that's killing civilians and children and 30‚000 now dead?" It's just -- but -- ABBY PHILLIP: Well‚ let me ask you about that‚ Michael. I do want to talk exactly about this issue because‚ you know‚ we have seen Michigan voters where you're from say that they're not going to vote for Biden because of how he's handled this war. I mean‚ they want to see change from Biden‚ but Biden is dealing with a foreign policy issue that is beyond this next election. Do you think that this dissatisfaction is going to hurt Biden significantly come November? Or will these voters change their mind when it's Biden against Donald Trump? MOORE: Well‚ I don't think anybody who -- I mean‚ nobody I know certainly that voted for Biden three years ago -- almost four years ago -- has changed their mind and believe that they made a mistake and they're going to vote for Donald Trump. That's not going to happen. What's going to happen possibly and the danger to Biden here is that people -- and‚ remember‚ 70 percent of the electorate now is either women‚ people of color‚ or young people between the ages of 18 and 35. That's 70 percent of the voters. And to offend and upset a group that supported you back in 2020‚ especially young people. I mean‚ you know‚ I've been saying this month that he's going to cost himself the election. He's going to‚ you know‚ if Trump has any chance‚ it's that the decision that he's (Biden) made to embrace slaughter‚ carpet bombing‚ incubator -- babies in incubators dead because they cut off the electricity. On and on and on. And this is‚ I think‚ he -- Joe Biden somewhere confused the fact that of course the majority of Americans will do anything to protect our Jewish brothers and sisters no matter where they're at. And I would say a majority of Americans support Israel‚ and I would say that practically all of us want those hostages released right now. So -- but he somehow conflated that with "Bibi Netanyahu is some friend of mine‚ I'm here for you‚ I'm going to fly on the plane right away‚ come over there‚ give you a big hug‚ give you the thumbs up‚ do what you got to do‚" and it has caused a slaughter like nothing that we have ever seen. PHILLIP: Michael‚ will you describe what you're saying there? I mean‚ would you describe Israel's campaign in Gaza as a genocide? MOORE: Well‚ you know‚ that word means different things to different people. I would -- I would say that anytime you single out a group of people‚ and you have what's called a mass guilt you impose on them simply because they are‚ in this case‚ Palestinian. And now they're just going to randomly and‚ to use another quote from one of Biden's fundraisers that got out that he said privately. He said this is indiscriminate bombing that's going on. "Indiscriminate bombing." That's right. That is exactly right. So when you indiscriminately bomb a group of people simply because of the color of their skin -- because of their religion -- because of their heritage or whatever. That is a form of genocide. And it's‚ you know‚ it pains me‚ and I think a lot of people to even have to use that because we grew up in the years right after World War II. I was born‚ I don't know‚ eight years plus after the Holocaust -- after the last camps were liberated. So that was in our heads as little kids. And I think we all grew up with this understanding that this must never happen again and we must stand up for the Jewish people. For that to be turned and used by people who are -- in Netanyahu's case -- like Trump awaiting trial on various indictments -- felonious indictments -- fraud‚ bribery‚ etc. And then Netanyahu uses this as a way to avoid the criminality of his administration. It's so disgusting and so sick‚ and I -- look‚ most Israelis know this anyways. You've seen the polls -- 82 percent of Israelis want Netanyahu gone‚ you know. He did not protect them. That was his one most important job -- protect the people. Pulled the army back from the Gazan border‚ sent them off to the Lebanese border‚ sent them off to the West Bank‚ and how many people in their homes in their safe rooms shuttered‚ losing their mind because they're going to be killed any minute by the Hamas attackers? (...) 10:25 p.m. Eastern PHILLIP: Michael‚ tonight a jury found that the former NRA chief Wayne LaPierre‚ he's guilty of using the group's funds to finance a high-flying lifestyle and other corrupt practices. It's grift at the highest level. What's your reaction to what this means for the future of this organization? MOORE: Well‚ I think they've been on the slow downhill now for some time. This is‚ you know‚ when you think about the blood on the hands of the NRA and their support over the years for allowing anybody to buy any gun at any time anywhere and to buy as many of them as they want where the majority of Americans don't agree with that. The whole country has changed their minds about this -- about the 2nd Amendment. They know that we the people are not going to tolerate this anymore -- 72 percent of Americans do not own a gun -- don't want to own a gun‚ you know. People in other countries think we're a nation of gun nuts‚ but the truth is we're not. It's just a few‚ and it's just a real small percentage that own a majority of those guns. So what Wayne and his people did for so many years was to make sure that every time that there was a school shooting -- a Sandy Hook‚ a Parkland‚ whatever  -- that they came right out and doubled and tripled down in support of you being able to carry any weapon you want anywhere. And I'm telling you‚ those days are over. It's only a matter of time‚ and I think myself and others who are continuing to work on this issue are going to see good results in the years ahead.

It’s no secret that dogs create long-lasting relationships with their favorite humans. When raised right‚ a pup can grow into your best friend‚ guardian‚ and training buddy. So‚ does that mean our four-legged buds think of us as parents? Well‚ it’s a gray area! Pet dogs see us as providers and protectors‚ yet we don’t exactly replace their biological parents. What does that make us‚ then? Are we like siblings or alphas? How do dogs recognize humans? What does science have to say about this? You’ll find all the answers in our detailed guide‚ along with tips on how to make your bond stronger! The Secure Base Effect in Dogs: Breaking It Down Human babies rely heavily on their parents to protect‚ support‚ and lead them. Children only interact with their surroundings when they feel safe to do so. This is called the secure base effect. Without it‚ infants have a hard time growing into confident‚ independent adults. And according to scientific research‚ dogs have a similar relationship with their human owners1. Once we prove to be trustworthy‚ canines start perceiving us as care providers and guardians. But they need time to bond with a human. For this reason‚ pups become more attached to the person in the family that spends more time with them. Also‚ in the presence of a long-time owner‚ they happily and securely explore the environment and face various threats‚ even if the owner isn’t very encouraging. Image Credit: Lizardflms‚ Shutterstock So‚ Does My Pet Pup See Me as a Mom or Dad? We treat our fur babies with love and care‚ and the emotions that we feel toward them are very similar to what we experience with human babies. But do dogs see us as their parents or not? To a certain extent‚ yes‚ because we’re the ones who feed‚ groom‚ bathe‚ and protect the fluffy troublemakers. Now‚ the bond between a human and a dog can be very strong. Still‚ pups don’t consider us their birth mommas or poppas. The best way to describe our relationship is a pack/family. A quick note: In the wilderness‚ once puppies reach three months of age‚ they no longer need their mothers for shelter‚ food‚ or security anymore. But we‚ their human owners‚ don’t mind providing for them well into their senior years! Why Do Dogs Obey Our Commands? Dogs originated from wolves thousands of years ago. And‚ just like their ancestors‚ canines are pack animals (yet they don’t have a hierarchy). So‚ when a pup ends up in a human family‚ they’re happy to develop social ties. What about the whole alpha thing‚ then? It’s an outdated concept‚ a myth that was successfully debunked. There are no true alphas in dog packs. That said‚ certain breeds like Huskies‚ Shepherds‚ Bulldogs‚ and Mastiffs are natural-born leaders. They tend to be stubborn and won’t follow your lead from the get-go. Thankfully‚ you can get there with obedience training. Be patient‚ encourage good behavior via positive reinforcement‚ and let the dog know there’s going to be a reward. Image Credit: ABO PHOTOGRAPHY‚ Shutterstock Do Dogs Get Attached to Their Human Parents? In the eyes of a dog‚ the owner is a “special someone” who tends to their needs and provides shelter. In contrast to most animal species‚ we don’t push our furry buds away once they get older. As a result‚ pups develop strong‚ secure attachment bonds with their owners. Now‚ we’ve been living side by side with canines for more than 15‚000 years and had time to warm up to each other. But‚ to this day‚ science doesn’t have a direct answer to the most popular question: what exactly do dogs think‚ or how do they feel about us? Well‚ affection is certainly a part of the deal. This becomes apparent when our pets rush to the door to welcome us‚ wag their tails‚ and give us licks and kisses. Dogs also run to us when worried/scared‚ which means they associate us with safety. How Do Dogs Recognize Us? Is It the Smell? There’s another common myth that claims dogs think of us as just bigger dogs‚ but it’s not really true. And the reason for that is simple: canines have a strong sense of smell‚ and it takes them a quick sniff to know we don’t belong to the canine kingdom. Pups have 100+ million sensory receptors‚ while we (humans) only have six million of those. Besides‚ dogs excel at processing various odors. That’s why Bloodhounds‚ Shepherds‚ Beagles‚ and Labradors can catch their prey’s scent from miles away! Lastly‚ every single human has their own unique smell‚ and dogs can quickly single out the scent of their owners because that triggers the reward center in their brains. Image Credit: OlgaOvcharenko‚ Shutterstock What About Eye Contact? A dog’s sight isn’t as powerful as its sense of smell‚ but it’s still sharp enough to recognize familiar places and faces. More than that‚ dogs seek eye contact‚ which is a rare thing among animals. They’re also well capable of storing memories‚ including that of odors‚ sounds‚ and‚ of course‚ visions. So‚ rest assured your pup won’t forget you if you leave the house for a day or two or even a month. True‚ it might get mad at you and develop separation anxiety. But since you’re the most important human in their life‚ the dog will surely have more than enough shared memories to instantly recognize you. To back that claim‚ a recent study suggests that visual and olfactory perceptions in dogs are interconnected and processed similarly in their brains. How Do You Strengthen Your Bond With a Dog? If you’re working all the time‚ it’s hard to find time to spend with your fur babies‚ yet that’s how you get closer. Dogs are creatures of habit and like strict schedules and rules. For example‚ if you’ve always been training with the pup early in the morning‚ it will remember that and expect its playtime when the sun rises. So‚ do your best not to miss a walk‚ jog‚ hike‚ or Fetch session with the pet. On top of that‚ try to include the fluffy bud in your fun activities. Again‚ this can be a walk/hike or something chill like watching a movie or playing intellectual games on the carpet. The training sessions also play a key role in establishing a beautiful relationship with a dog. As we stressed earlier‚ you need to be a steadfast yet friendly trainer and reward the pet with positive reinforcement. Image Credit: Tadogami‚ Shutterstock Conclusion There are 200 dog breeds out there‚ yet they all have one thing in common. Dogs are incredibly affectionate creatures and often get attached to humans. The owners‚ in return‚ like to call them fur babies. However‚ we don’t replace their actual moms and pops‚ nor do they think of us as dogs. That said‚ the emotions and behavioral patterns are very similar to a parent-child dynamic. Thus‚ pups see us as family members‚ caretakers‚ and leaders. Providing shelter‚ food‚ and care creates a secure base for pet dogs‚ just like we do for our children. A well-treated doggo is a happy doggo; ultimately‚ that’s what really counts! Sources https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0065296 https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-and-training-dominance-alpha-and-pack-leadership-what-does-it-really-mean https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/how-dogs-use-smell-to-perceive-the-world https://www.jneurosci.org/content/42/33/6392 https://www.akc.org/press-center/articles-resources/facts-and-stats/becoming-recognized/ Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio‚ Shutterstock The post Does My Dog See Me as a Parent? You’ll Be Surprised to Learn appeared first on Pet Keen.

  Papillons are absolutely adorable. These small‚ fluffy dogs are often described as healthier than other toy breeds‚ which is true. They’re a great option for those who want a smaller dog but not the health problems that come with many of the toy breeds today. However‚ that doesn’t mean these dogs are perfect. While they do have lots of benefits‚ there are also many cons you need to consider before adopting one. In this article‚ we’ll take a look at both the pros and cons of this breed‚ allowing you to decide if they’re the best dog breed for you. The 6 Pros of Papillons 1. Small Many people love Papillons because they are small. These dogs only weigh around 4 to 8 pounds‚ making them a solid choice for those who live in an apartment or smaller house. They’re also great for those who want a small dog to travel with‚ as they’re very portable and easy to carry around. You don’t have to do much pre-planning when transporting these dogs in the car‚ either. They’re also wonderful for those who simply can’t handle a larger dog‚ like seniors. Image Credit: Fayzulin Serg‚ Shutterstock 2. Very Intelligent Unlike many smaller dogs‚ Papillons are intelligent and very trainable. They can learn many tricks and commands‚ unlike many toy breeds. Plus‚ they’re eager to please their owner‚ allowing them to respond better in real-world situations. Their intelligence also means they can get bored easily‚ though. You’ll need to provide them with tons of stimulating toys‚ training opportunities‚ and social interaction. Otherwise‚ they can become exceedingly bored and potentially even destructive. 3. Loyal and Affectionate Papillons are very loyal and affectionate dogs. They love to be around their people and will follow them everywhere. They’re bred primarily to be companion animals‚ and they act like it. They’re very good at picking up on their owner’s emotions‚ making them wonderful companion animals. Unlike other small breeds‚ they don’t tend to be one-person dogs. They bond equally with just about everyone in the household and tend to be friendly with strangers. They aren’t possessive when socialized and trained properly. Their affection and loyalty are one reason they are so popular. They’re simply very rewarding dogs to own. Image Credit: natali.lymarenko‚ Shutterstock 4. Good with Children Papillons are generally good with children‚ but they should be supervised around young children who may not be gentle enough. They are incredibly small dogs‚ which means they can be injured easily by children who don’t know how to handle them. Of course‚ it’s important to teach children how to interact with these dogs safely and respectfully. Even though they are very small‚ they aren’t toys and shouldn’t be treated as such. 5. Easy to Groom Despite being very soft‚ these dogs are relatively easy to groom. They don’t require much brushing. Often‚ a few times a week is fine. Bathing can occur every few months as the dog gets dirty. Plus‚ they’re also relatively low-shedding‚ which makes them great for those who don’t want tons of dog fur around their home. This low grooming need makes them relatively easy to take care of‚ especially when compared to other popular toy breeds. Image Credit: Reshetnikov_art‚ Shutterstock 6. Generally Healthy One big reason these dogs are growing in popularity is because of their health. Many other toy breeds aren’t healthy at all‚ as they have been bred for appearance instead of health. Papillons have not suffered from the “cute dogs only” trend‚ as they were historically bred to be rather small. They aren’t prone to many health problems for this reason. That said‚ they can still get a few health issues‚ particularly dental problems. It’s important to take them to the vet regularly and invest in regular dental cleanings if necessary. The 5 Cons of Papillons 1. Yappy Papillons can be exceedingly vocal‚ especially when left alone. They like to be with their humans and may have isolation anxiety when left alone. While they aren’t typically prone to separation anxiety (which is caused by being overly attached to a particular person)‚ isolation anxiety can lead to excessive barking and even destruction. That said‚ these dogs can make great alarms. They will bark to warn you when someone is outside that isn’t supposed to be. However‚ it’s important that they are trained not to bark all the time. Image Credit: AndyBir‚ Shutterstock 2. Attention-Seeking While these dogs don’t require a lot of grooming‚ they do require tons of attention. They are very social dogs that require being around people a lot. They aren’t a breed that you can leave home alone for extended periods. If you work away from home for much of the day‚ you may want to consider looking elsewhere for a more suitable breed. This attention-seeking behavior can be wonderful if you want a cuddly dog. However‚ it can also get annoying very quickly. 3. Moderate-Maintenance On practically all fronts (grooming‚ exercise‚ etc.)‚ these dogs are low-maintenance. However‚ when you add everything together‚ it can translate to a significant time investment each week. For instance‚ these dogs need to be brushed several times a week. They also need to be taken for daily walks. They may get easily bored or destructive under some circumstances‚ as well. Image Credit: hansbenn‚ Pixabay 4. Fragile Papillons are very small‚ which makes them very delicate. They need to be handled with care‚ especially when they are puppies. They’re more prone to getting hurt or injured from falls‚ just like you might guess. Their delicate bone structure simply isn’t made to put up with much. 5. Expensive Papillons are rather expensive‚ as they are still rarer than most other breeds. Purchasing a puppy ranges from $500 to $1‚000. Plus‚ you have to consider the ongoing costs of food‚ vet care‚ and grooming. Luckily‚ as smaller dogs‚ they don’t eat very much‚ and they don’t require extensive professional grooming. Still‚ you shouldn’t ignore the potential expenses when you’re purchasing one of these canines. Image Credit: e-Kis‚ Shutterstock Final Thoughts Papillons can make great companions for those looking for a smaller breed that isn’t plagued with health problems. They’re very people-oriented dogs that are also exceptionally trainable. They behave well in a house and get along with just about anyone. Plus‚ they require minimal grooming beyond a few brushing sessions every week. However‚ not everything is easy about these dogs. Their smaller size makes them fragile‚ and all their needs can add up to several hours each week. They’re also rather yappy‚ like most smaller dogs. In the end‚ you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons to decide if this dog breed is a good option for you. Sources https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/papillons.html https://www.dogbreeds911.com/small-dog-breeds-papillon.html Featured Image Credit: Nikaletto‚ Shutterstock The post Papillon Pros &; Cons: 11 Facts You Need to Know appeared first on Pet Keen.

Nightingale will have lots of different resources for players to get their hands on‚ each of which will aid players in different ways — which is a very common practice for many of the best crafting games on the market. Players will need lots of wood and stone when it comes to making some much-needed structures at their base‚ while food items can provide a valuable buff to a player's stats. Some resources will need you to go out and hunt some of the fauna that inhabit the realms you will travel between.

Nightingale provides a brilliant single-player experience. A sense of being alone in a strange new world filled with whimsy and magic sounds like one of the best video game worlds to go and visit. Collecting cards will be essential to traverse these realms and progress through the game‚ but there are a lot of dangers that can turn these dream worlds into nightmares.

A man set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington on Sunday afternoon‚ authorities said.The man was transported to an area hospital after the fire was put out by U.S. Secret Service officers‚ DC Fire and EMS posted online.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Steven Ramos surveys a base perimeter at Santa Maria Regional Airport in California during Agile Flag‚ Jan. 26‚ 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Warner) By Micaela…