by Didi Rankovic‚ Reclaim The Net: Despite the serious controversies arising from Big Tech/government “coordination” (lawsuits in the US say‚ it’s actually “collusion”)‚ this concept seems to be taken as normal behavior in the UK. Currently‚ Home Secretary James Cleverly (whose department is in charge of the police) is in Silicon Valley for talks with […]

Retro Game Restore is now selling the SNES controller port and cartridge “trim” pieces that match their purple‚ clear‚ or smoke transparent shells and controllers.  At the moment‚ only the North American Super Nintendo versions are available‚ not Super Famicom.  As you can see in the short video above‚ they match perfectly and look incredible.  […]

True crime stories have become a popular topic in the public eye due to the violent nature of their subjects and the heinous acts they commit. Perhaps due to the nature of the extreme violence these subjects usually commit‚ people are morbidly intrigued with understanding how people can commit such horrid acts. Katherine Knight is a prime example. The violence throughout her life left everyone she loved injured in some way‚ to the point that even leaving her was sometimes not enough.  Katherine Knight headshot A Disturbed Childhood Katherine Knight was born in a small town in New South Wales‚ Australia in 1955. Her birth was a local scandal‚ as she was born out of an affair. Her mother‚ Barbara Roughan‚ was married and had four children with her husband Jack Roughan when she began having an affair with Ken Knight. Jack had introduced Ken to Barbara. The members of their small‚ conservative community were shocked at this behavior‚ and Barbara fled the town with Ken. The pair would have four children of their own‚ including Katherine.  Knight was exposed to intense violence from an early age. Her father would sexually assault her mother multiple times a day. She would share the gruesome details with her children. Katherine herself was consistently subject to sexual assault from other members of her family. This twisted her perception of sex and intimacy and ensuring a violent and detached personality. This became evident when Katherine became a bully at school. She attacked teachers and students alike‚ although her grades remained high. By 15 though she left school‚ never having learned to read or write. She got a job at a clothing factory for a year before starting what she called her dream job: butchering meat at a slaughterhouse. She hung the set of butcher knives she received at work beside her bed for the rest of her life‚ claiming she wanted them in reach in case she ever needed them. Little did she know that someday they would be used darkly.  A Series of Tumultuous Relationships Knight’s adult life would be as tumultuous as the relationship that her parents had together. She went through a series of romantic partners and had several children. First Marriage to David Kellett She first got married in 1974 to David Kellett‚ a coworker she met at the slaughterhouse. Kellett was an alcoholic like Knight’s father and would get into fights around town. Knight was there to back him up whenever someone swung at Kellett. She was an angry and defensive woman who was ready to fight at any given moment. It was a match made in heaven‚ but the warning signs of the collapse of the marriage came as early as the first night. Knight’s mother warned Kellett at the ceremony to never cheat on her‚ otherwise‚ she would kill him. Her own mother insisted that Knight had “a screw loose somewhere.” This became quickly evident as after consummating their marriage‚ Knight tried to strangle Kellett. She later shared that she was mad that Kellett would not have sex with her for a fourth time. She continued to abuse Kellett. She even beat him with a frying pan for being late one day from a game of darts‚ then convincing him not to press charges with her charm.  Eventually‚ though‚ her charm wore off and Kellett left Knight for another woman and fled the area. This pushed Knight over the edge‚ spiraling her into a destructive behavior pattern. The Erratic Behaviors Escalate Shortly after the birth of her first child‚ she was found pushing her down the street in a stroller‚ shaking it back and forth dangerously. She was apprehended and diagnosed with postnatal depression. After a period of recovery was released back into the world and caused more chaos. She took her now two-month-old child and laid her on the railroad tracks before stealing an axe and threatening to kill people. A homeless man rescued the child before the train arrived‚ and Knight was once again admitted for psychiatric care.  After she signed herself out the next day‚ Knight used her knives to injure and threaten a woman to take her to Kellett. The woman managed to escape when Knight stopped at a gas station to threaten a mechanic who had fixed Kellett’s car‚ blaming him for allowing Kellett to leave. Upon hearing the news of Knight’s descent into madness‚ Kellett and his mother moved back to assist her. This decision may have been driven by fear of what she may do to them otherwise. Or perhaps they truly wanted to help a struggling woman.  The couple had another child in 1980‚ but that was not enough to save their relationship. Knight decided to leave Kellett in 1984. During the same period‚ she also was subject to a back injury and was unable to continue her work at the slaughterhouse. She lived on a disability pension‚ continuing to hang her set of knives next to her bed every night. What followed over the next decade and a half was a series of similarly abusive relationships where Knight tortured the men she was with.  The Next Relationship: David Saunders Her first relationship after Kellett was with David Saunders. He was a miner who maintained a separate apartment even after moving in with Knight. When the couple would fight‚ Saunders would retreat to his apartment‚ after which Knight would follow and beg him to come home. The most heinous example of her behavior towards Saunders was when she slit the throat of his two-month-old puppy to prove to Saunders what would happen if he ever cheated on her. At other points Knight also beat Saunders over the head with a frying pan‚ knocking him out‚ and stabbed him with a pair of scissors. After Saunders went into hiding to flee from Knight and no one would share his location with her‚ she once again played innocent. She went to the police and told them she was afraid of Saunders‚ and they offered her a restraining order.  Katherine Knight with partner‚ David Saunders Murdering John Price Her next relationship began in 1991‚ with a man named John Chillingworth. She stayed with him for three years and had yet another child‚ before leaving him for John Price. The couple got along well‚ as Price was well loved by many and his children liked Knight. They got along well for many years until Knight asked Price to marry her in 1998 and he refused. In retaliation for his rejection‚ Knight sent a video to his boss of items that he had taken from the company waste bin‚ claiming that he had stolen the items. When Price was fired for this supposed offense‚ he cut off ties with Knight. A few months later though‚ he restarted the relationship. It remained rocky for its short remaining time though‚ and Price would pay for returning to Knight. Katherine Mary Knight and John Price. Random House By February of 2000‚ Price was becoming aware that his relationship was dangerous for himself and his family. After Knight stabbed him in the chest‚ Price threw her out and took out a restraining order‚ even going as far as to tell his coworkers that if anything were to happen to him‚ it was Knight’s fault. He was not incorrect. Knight would return to Price’s house that night and seduce him before ultimately killing him. Price’s Body is Found When Price did not show up at work the next day‚ police were dispatched to his home where they found a grisly scene. Knight had killed Price‚ stabbing him at least 37 times while he attempted to flee from her anger. Using her skills from the slaughterhouse‚ she had strung Price up‚ skinned and decapitated him‚ and cooked parts of his body using the knives she had hung by her bed. Two plates were laid out with the names of Price’s children‚ hinting that she was going to feed their father to them.  Knight insists that she does not remember the night of the murder‚ perhaps because of the large number of pills she took before falling asleep. Despite this‚ she pleaded guilty in her trial and was found to be sane‚ although she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. She became the first woman in Australia to be sentenced to life in prison without parole for her lack of remorse. When she appealed the sentence‚ it was unanimously declined.  It is unclear what drove Knight’s violence throughout her life. It may have been the trauma of a childhood riddled with sexual abuse and violence that she continued to emulate. Or perhaps it was undiagnosed borderline personality disorder that kept her from forming meaningful relationships and fearing abandonment. Whatever the cause‚ her violence against the men she claimed to love was nearly unprecedented and severe enough to make her a landmark case in Australian criminality.  References Mr. O. “Skinning and Decapitation in Aberdeen – The Gruesome Case of Katherine Knight.” Medium‚ November 2‚ 2023. https://medium.com/@mromysteries/skinning-and-decapitation-in-aberdeen-the-gruesome-case-of-katherine-knight-true-crime-c6ca1fc628fc.  Wakatama‚ Giselle. “Remembering Katherine Mary Knight‚ Australia’s ‘female Hannibal Lecter’‚ 20 years on.” ABC News‚ February 29‚ 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-29/katherine-mary-knights-john-price-murder-remembered-20-years-on/12006996. The post Katherine Knight: One of Australia’s most disturbed criminals first appeared on History Defined.

When we think of drug cartels a few names might spring to mind. Pablo Escobar‚ once the leader of the powerful Medellín Cartel‚ gained notoriety as one of the wealthiest and most influential drug lords in history‚ and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán‚ the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. One name that you may not be familiar with‚ but was just as influential‚ was Amado Carrillo Fuentes. Amado was a Mexican drug lord and leader of the Juárez Cartel who became a key figure in the Mexican drug trade during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He amassed a fortune second to Pablo Escobar. He seized control of the Juárez Cartel after he assassinated his former boss and Cartel founder‚ Rafael Aguilar Guajardo‚ in 1993.  Under Carrillo Fuentes’ leadership‚ the cartel expanded its influence and became a powerful force in the Mexican drug trade. Nicknamed the “Lord of the Skies”‚ he is best known for his fleet of commercial airliners he used to transport cocaine from South America into the United States. In this article‚ we will dive into the illicit world of drug cartels and how Amado Carrillo Fuentes left his mark as a powerful figure in the Juárez Cartel. Mugshot of Amado Carrillo Fuentes Early Life Amado Carrillo Fuentes was born on December 17‚ 1956‚ in Guamuchilito‚ Sinaloa‚ Mexico. He came from a family that was already deeply involved in the drug trade. His uncle‚ Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo‚ known as “Don Neto‚” was the leader of the Guadalajara Cartel. Fuentes grew up in a region known for its connection to the drug trade‚ and from an early age‚ he became exposed to the dynamics of the industry. By the time he was 12 years old he left school. His family moved to Chihuahua to be taken under the wing of his uncle Ernesto who was a top figure in the Juarez Cartel. Over the next decade‚ Amado learned the ins and outs of the cocaine trade and quickly rose within the ranks. After the arrest of his uncle Ernesto for the murder of a DEA agent‚ the Guadalajara Cartel was divided into several smaller cartels to evade authorities.  The Juarez Cartel  The Juarez Cartel‚ one of Mexico’s most notorious criminal organizations‚ traces its origins back to the late 1970s. Founded in Ciudad Juarez‚ it initially focused on smuggling marijuana across the U.S.-Mexico border. Under the leadership of Rafael Aguilar Guajardo‚ the Juarez Cartel dominated the Mexican drug trade in the 1970s and early 1980s.  The Guadalajara Cartel was the umbrella Cartel that ran many of the other Cartels in the region. It was instrumental in establishing the routes and connections that later evolved into the Juarez Cartel. After the demise of the Guadalajara Cartel following the arrest of its leader Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo in 1989‚ the organization fragmented into various factions‚ including the Juarez Cartel. Rise to Power In 1993‚ Amado solidified his dominance by orchestrating the assassination of the leader of the Juarez Cartel‚ Rafael Aguilar Guajardo. He seized control of Aguilar’s Juarez cartel following his demise and was soon making a name for himself within the cartel world.  Amado took advantage of this power vacuum and rose rapidly through the ranks of the Juarez Cartel. His strategic vision and ruthlessness enabled the cartel to expand its operations‚ particularly in the trafficking of cocaine. He began operating a fleet of small planes to smuggle cocaine from Colombia to the U.S.-Mexican border earning him the moniker “Lord of the Skies”. The cartel‚ under Amado’s leadership‚ grew into a formidable force‚ controlling key drug trafficking routes and engaging in violent turf wars with rival cartels. Amado (center) standing in front of one of the planes they used to traffic cocaine As his notoriety grew he continued to maintain a deliberate low profile despite his escalating power and wealth. Described by the Washington Post as one of Mexico’s “most mysterious men‚” Amado avoided public attention‚ steering clear of wild shootouts and extravagant parties. Operating like a businessman‚ he kept a discreet presence‚ with minimal appearances in newspapers or on television.  Despite working from the shadows‚ Amado was still a drug lord to fear and respect. He amassed a fortune of $25 billion‚ second only to Pablo Escobar. He ordered around 400 murders and engaged in brutal acts of torture that became synonymous with the Juarez Cartel. When urged by a priest to abandon his criminal life‚ Amado asserted his commitment to supporting thousands of families‚ portraying himself as a Robin Hood-like figure. Keeping Politicians in His Pocket All that drug trafficking is sure to draw unwanted attention from authorities. Luckily‚ corruption was rampant throughout the Mexican government and many of the South American countries.  Amado Carrillo Fuentes wielded significant influence over Mexican government officials through bribery. He ensured that they looked the other way on his illicit activities and focused on cracking down on his rivals. He created a safe environment for his criminal empire to flourish while the politicians maintained an appearance of being anti-drug.  Amado’s reach extended to even Mexico’s top anti-drug official. However‚ his criminal activities eventually attracted the attention of law enforcement‚ leading to increased scrutiny and attempts to capture him. In 1997‚ a raid on his sister’s wedding nearly resulted in his capture. Drastic Measures The raid on his sister’s wedding made Amado realize that he had become too notorious. Paranoia set in and he began to crawl deeper into hiding. Fearing for his life‚ he took a drastic step to change his appearance.   On July 4‚ 1997‚ Amado underwent extensive plastic surgery at a private Mexico City clinic‚ aiming to alter his face and remove 3.5 gallons of fat from his body. The procedure initially appeared successful. However‚ he was found dead in bed the following morning by a doctor doing rounds.  At 42 years old‚ Amado Carrillo Fuentes’ death was officially ruled a heart attack‚ as confirmed by the D.E.A. and the U.S. government. The announcement sparked shock and disbelief. Conspiracy theories began to circulate that Amado had staged his own death to evade capture. These rumors were further stoked by Amado’s cousin who claimed that he was still alive and in hiding somewhere. In an attempt to dispel the rumors that they let the drug lord slip through their fingers‚ officials released a graphic photo of Amado’s corpse at his funeral. This inadvertently intensified rather than quelled suspicions of his possible survival. Conspiracies began to shift towards a double being used and made to look like Amado. While it was highly possible for Amado to pull off such a feat‚ the effect it had on the cartel was real. After His Death Despite the persistent rumors that Amado Carrillo Fuentes faked his own death‚ American agents strongly refuted such claims. The public may have believed the rumors that Amado was still alive but the actions taken by his cartel tell us that they believed he was truly dead. Four months later‚ the three doctors involved in his surgery were discovered in steel barrels along a highway. The doctors had suffered horrific violence‚ including having their fingernails ripped out‚ being burned‚ and beaten with metal poles.  If that wasn’t enough evidence to prove he was dead‚ his demise triggered internal power struggles among his top lieutenants and external clashes with rival cartels aiming to capitalize on the vacuum. In the chaotic aftermath‚ Amado’s younger brother‚ Vicente Carrillo Fuentes‚ also known as “The Viceroy‚” emerged as a leader. However‚ he faced insurmountable challenges as the Juarez cartel succumbed to the onslaughts of rivals trying to take advantage of Amado’s absence like the Sinaloa cartel‚ led by El Chapo. The cartel experienced a prolonged downturn‚ culminating in Vicente’s arrest in 2014. Downfall of the Juarez Cartel In 2001‚ following Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s escape from prison‚ numerous members of the Juárez Cartel defected to join Guzmán’s Sinaloa Cartel. Tensions escalated in 2004 when Vicente Carrillo Fuentes’s brother was allegedly killed on the orders of Guzmán. In retaliation‚ Vicente orchestrated the assassination of Guzmán’s brother‚ sparking a turf war between the two cartels. This conflict experienced a temporary hiatus from 2005 to 2006 due to the Sinaloa Cartel’s focus on battling the Gulf Cartel. Following the collapse of the Juárez Cartel‚ some of its remnants merged into the Sinaloa Cartel‚ which absorbed a significant portion of the Juárez Cartel’s former territory.  Legacy To this day speculation persists that Amado Carrillo Fuentes faked his death and has been operating in hiding ever since. However both the American and Mexican governments consider him dead and any rumors to be just that. Regardless of his whereabouts‚ Amado Carrillo Fuentes remains a captivating figure. His influence on popular culture serves as a testament to the enduring allure of stories centered around the complex world of drug cartels. Television depictions of his life and the narco culture continue to captivate audiences‚ shedding light on the dark realities of organized crime while also contributing to ongoing discussions about its impact on society. References Meet Amado Carrillo Fuentes‚ The Powerful Mexican Drug Trafficker Who Became The ‘Lord Of The Skies’ https://allthatsinteresting.com/amado-carrillo-fuentes Juárez Cartel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ju%C3%A1rez_Cartel Guadalajara Cartel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guadalajara_Cartel Narcos: Mexico’s Amado Carillo Fuentes Is Still Alive – Theory Explained https://screenrant.com/narcos-mexico-amado-carillo-death-alive-survive-theory/ Juárez Cartel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ju%C3%A1rez_CartelThe post Amado Carrillo Fuentes and the Notorious Juárez Drug Cartel first appeared on History Defined.

Of all the tales of epic battles and heroism of World War II‚ there’s one that stands out as not only remarkable but undeniably cute – the story of Unsinkable Sam. Originally named “Oscar”‚ he got the nickname “Unsinkable Sam” after his harrowing adventures during the war. No‚ Sam was not a Marine or a sailor‚ Unsinkable Sam was a black and white ship’s cat whose extraordinary tale of survival has become legendary among the British Royal Navy. If you’re a history buff with a soft spot for felines then prepare for an adorable story of how one ordinary cat survived the sinking of not one‚ not two‚ but three different ships on both sides of the war. Unsinkable Sam by Georgina Shaw Baker What Was The Role of Cats on Ships? You may be wondering why‚ during a time of war‚ would cats be on warships in the first place. It turns out that they served many roles and were an important part of the crew.  Rodent Control: Ships were usually out at sea for long periods and in that time the ship could become overrun with rats and mice. Mice and rats were a huge problem on ships and could contaminate food‚ chew through ropes‚ and spread disease. The main role of cats on ships was to control the ship’s rodent population. With limited storage space for food‚ keeping rats and mice at bay was crucial to prevent damage to supplies and maintain hygiene. Moral Boost: War wasn’t always eventful. Being a sailor could be a lonely life and cabin fever can set in quickly. Having a cat around provided companionship and a sense of normalcy for the crew. The playful antics and comforting presence of a feline friend could boost morale and relieve stress amidst the harsh realities of war. Superstitions and Luck: Sailors were known for their superstitions and cats became symbols of good luck on board. Many sailors believed that having a cat on the ship would ensure safe voyages. Among the superstitions associated with cats was that they could sense impending danger‚ such as the approach of enemy submarines or aircraft.  Cat of the seas‚ Unsinkable Sam The Bismarck Vs. The HMS Hood Not much is known about Sam before this time. However‚ it is believed that he was owned by an unknown crewman onboard the Bismarck. The Bismarck was one of the most powerful and feared warships of its time and the most powerful tool in the German navy. Named after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck‚ the ship was one of the largest and most powerful battleships ever built.  The Bismarck had a length of over 800 feet and displaced about 50‚000 tons of water. It was‚ with a main battery of eight 15-inch guns. It had formidable armor protection and was designed for long-range naval warfare. During the Battle of the Denmark Strait on May 24‚ 1941‚ the Bismarck engaged the British battlecruiser HMS Hood in a fierce firefight. The Hood‚ which was considered the pride of the Royal Navy‚ faced a catastrophic explosion and sank. Completed in 1920‚ the HMS Hood was one of the largest and most powerful warships of its time. Armed with eight 15-inch guns in four twin turrets it boasted a top speed of around 31 knots. At the outbreak of World War II‚ the HMS Hood was initially assigned to patrol and convoy duties. However‚ as the German threat increased‚ it was redeployed for more active roles. The sinking of the Hood angered the British and sent shockwaves through the Royal Navy and the Allied forces. As the Bismarck limped away‚ wounded from the battle‚ the British were determined to avenge the loss of the Hood and eliminate the threat posed by the Bismarck. The Allied forces launched a hot pursuit of the Bismarck that lasted three days. It culminated in a fierce and long battle that resulted in the sinking of the Bismarck. The German Battleship‚ The Bismarck The HMS Cossack After the sinking of the Bismarck‚ the crew of the British destroyer HMS Cossack was searching the area for survivors. This is when they spotted Sam floating on a makeshift wooden plank amidst the floating debris. The resilient cat caught the attention of the sailors and they adopted him into their ranks. They gave him the name “Oscar” which is the designation for the letter “O “in the International Code of Signals. Unfortunately‚ Sam’s luck was about to take another turn. On October 23‚ 1941‚ the HMS Cossack was torpedoed by a German U-boat while on convoy duty in the North Atlantic. As the HMS Cossack slowly sank‚ the crew‚ including Sam‚ was transferred to The HMS Ark Royal before the Cossack finally succumbed to its injuries and sank. The HMS Ark Royal The HMS Ark Royal was one of the Royal Navy’s flagship vessels. Commissioned in 1938‚ the Ark Royal became renowned for its significant contributions to various naval operations throughout the war. During the early years of World War II‚ the Ark Royal was involved in hunting German U-boats‚ protecting convoys‚ and launching airstrikes against Axis targets.  During his short time on the Ark Royal‚ Sam became a familiar and cherished companion to the crew. But bad luck seemed to follow Sam wherever he went. Less than a month later‚ on November 14‚ 1941‚ the Ark Royal was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat. Now familiar with the drill‚ Sam found a piece of driftwood and clung to it until he was rescued by the British destroyer HMS Legion and brought to safety. Retirement After his 3rd and final rescue‚ the Royal Navy realized that Sam had had enough of the war and was granted retirement. He was sent to Gibraltar where he lived out the rest of his life in a sailor’s home. He was officially christened “Unsinkable Sam” and he became a legend among the British Royal Navy.  The Legacy of Unsinkable Sam The story of Unsinkable Sam has captured the hearts of animal lovers and military enthusiasts alike. Sam’s remarkable journey reflects the camaraderie that often develops between sailors and their animal companions during the hardships of wartime. His presence brought a touch of comfort and companionship to the sailors on both sides of the conflict. Unsinkable Sam has become a symbol of the importance of mascots in the military. These animals‚ whether cats‚ dogs‚ or other creatures‚ often played vital roles in boosting the spirits of military personnel and providing a semblance of normalcy and companionship during long deployments References The unlucky cat who survived the dramatic sinking of three battleships in World War II https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/year-10/unsinkable-sam/ Meet Unsinkable Sam‚ The Legendary Cat Who Survived Three World War II Shipwrecks https://allthatsinteresting.com/unsinkable-sam Unsinkable Sam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsinkable_SamThe post Paws of War: The Remarkable Saga of Unsinkable Sam first appeared on History Defined.

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After a 190-percent increase in drug overdoses since 2021‚ when laws against hard drugs were softened‚ Oregon is finally doing an about-face on the idea of decriminalizing illegal drugs. The Democrat-led left-coast state decriminalized drugs several years ago‚ imagining that it was striking a blow for "equity" and fairness in...