The Knesset passed into law on Monday a bill aimed at shutting down the operations of the Qatari state-funded news outlet Al Jazeera in Israel. The Likud stated on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken with Coalition Whip Ofir Katz to ensure that the bill passes and that the prime minister will act immediately to close Al Jazeera according to the procedure laid out in the law. According to the law‚ if the prime minister becomes convinced that content broadcast...

Costco is known for many things—their employee satisfaction and retention‚ their amazing Kirkland Signature generic brand‚ their massive (and addictive) $4.99 rotisserie chickens‚ their never-going-to-raise-the-price $1.50 hot dog and soda meal and more. But one favorite Costco feature that might just top them all? The Costco cake. Costco cakes are legendary. If you've never had a Costco cake‚ I'm so sorry. If you have‚ then you know. They are the trifecta of awesome—huge‚ cheap and utterly delicious. I don't even like cake that much and I can't stop eating a Costco cake. Like‚ if you ordered a fancy cake from a fancy patisserie and it tasted like a Costco cake‚ you'd say‚ "Oh yeah‚ that was worth the $ I just paid." Only at Costco‚ you'd get that delicious of a cake that would feed a thousand people for just $25. (Okay‚ 50 people‚ but still—cake for days.)This is why people have a serious loyalty to Costco cakes‚ which writer Lucy Huber discovered when she dared to question the Costco cake ordering process on Twitter. Huber took to the social media platform to share her anxiety over the antiquated way you have to order a Costco cake. You can't call it in. You can't order it online. You have to physically go to the Costco bakery‚ fill out a paper form at an unmanned cake ordering kiosk‚ drop your form in the drop box without speaking to a single human being‚ and then trust that your cake will be there when you return at your requested time.It was the last part Huber poked fun of when she wrote‚ “Ordered a cake from Costco and their system is from the 1800s‚ you write what you want on a piece of paper &; put it in a box then nobody follows up and you just show up and hope they made it? I tried to call to confirm &; they were like 'if you put it in the box‚ it will be there.'” \u201cOrdered a cake from Costco and their system is from the 1800s‚ you write what you want on a piece of paper &; put it in a box then nobody follows up and you just show up and hope they made it? I tried to call to confirm &; they were like \u201cif you put it in the box‚ it will be there\u201d\u201d — Lucy Huber (@Lucy Huber) 1683827354 "Oh also‚" she added‚ "when I called I had to call the main office bc there was no number listed for the bakery and they told me 'the bakery has no phone'. Truly living in 1802 right now."Everything she wrote is true. But as she quickly learned‚ one does not question the Costco cake ordering system‚ as the Costco cake brigade demonstrated with a deluge of "Trust the system!" and "If it ain't broke‚ don't fix it!" sentiments.Multiple people said they'd ordered more than 50 cakes from Costco with their dropbox system and had never had a problem. And any slight anxiety that might cause is worth it for cakes that are that cheap and that delicious. (As one person wrote after their first Costco cake experience‚ "100/10.") \u201c@jonathangraf @clhubes Hahahaha I\u2019ve ordered many cakes from Costco this way and have only had one problem: one time I tripped walking out of the store and it fell upside down\ud83d\ude01. Manager came out and gave me one to replace it. It wasn\u2019t decorated but it was a cake. Thanks Costco!!!\u201d — Lucy Huber (@Lucy Huber) 1683827354 People who love Costco really love Costco.They won us over with the 5 dollar chicken‚ cheaper gas and 1.50 hotdog plus drink. If the ceo of Costco was a murderer I’d need to see court documents from the trial before saying anything negative‚ let alone dissing the 1802 box— John (@John64647689) May 11‚ 2023 Only the Costco fanbase is built on a solid foundation of awesome business practices‚ fabulous food and great deals. \u201c@SlackfulCyclops @clhubes They do make dough and love working there. 20 workers at my local Costco won a $200 million lotto jackpot‚ and half of them stayed on after they were paid out. Like the door greeter has several mill in the bank and still as cheerful as ever.\u201d — Lucy Huber (@Lucy Huber) 1683827354 Even some Costco bakery employees chimed in with some humor and support. as a costco bakery employee we have to burn your paper with the sacred flame and hope that He brings the cake— tyler (@tylergotchi1) May 11‚ 2023 For the uninitiated‚ someone shared a photo of the magic cake kiosk where you make your choices‚ hope for the best and are never disappointed. \u201c@clhubes This is so funny. For those who haven\u2019t done it before‚ heres a pic of the flawless order form.\u201d — Lucy Huber (@Lucy Huber) 1683827354 Huber got a kick out of the response‚ sharing that she's never had a tweet go viral that fast and she was no longer worried about the box system. \u201cThis is the fastest one of my tweets has gone viral. The people LOVE Costco \ud83d\ude02 Excited to get my cake and no longer nervous!!!! I believe the box system works!\u201d — Lucy Huber (@Lucy Huber) 1683827354 As of this writing‚ she has not shared whether she received her cake as ordered or whether it was as scrumptious as the Costco cake lovers promised. This article originally appeared on 5.12.23

While millennials and Gen Zer’s often get lumped together as the “young group‚” they are certainly not the same. (Although‚ it is kind of hard to tell with all the Y2K fashion floating around.)But speaking as a millennial‚ we definitely have different approaches to life‚ a lot of which seems to come down to a sense of self-assuredness. That goes for shopping‚ socializing‚ self expression…and even going to the hair salon‚ apparently. Alexis Rex (@rex.artistry)‚ hairstylist and owner of Rex Artistry Salon in Maryland‚ gave a brilliant (and hilarious) demonstration of some key personality differences between her millennial clients and her Gen Z clients in a now viral TikTok video.First‚ Rex played her Millennial Customer. Millennial Customer gently knocks on the door and immediately expresses her gratitude. “Hey girl! So good to see you! So excited!”But at the same time‚ Millennial Customer wants in no way to be an inconvenience‚ so she immediately comes back with‚ “Where should I put my purse? It's okay‚ I'm just going to shove it in my own personal space so it's not in your way. At all."Never one to demand attention‚ Millennial Customer wants a very subtle hair color change. Really‚ "it shouldn't even look like I got my hair done.” Not “super bold‚” not “in your face.”Then after flooding the hair stylist with compliments‚ Millennial Customer (ever wanting to be a good student) will ask a bunch of follow-up questions about how to maintain the style. @rexartistry Millennial V Gen Z getting their hair done #hairstylist #hairstylisthumor ♬ original sound - Alexis Rex Then‚ Rex played her Gen Z Customer. Gen Z Customer bolts through the door with a “Hey queen!” like a hurricane (who has time to knock?!) and is ready to plop her stuff down anywhere. Unlike her millennial counterpart‚ Gen Z Customer is perfectly fine to take up space unapologetically and even show up with hair that “hasn’t been brushed in a month.”Gen Z Customer also knows exactly what she wants‚ and it’s anything but subtle. “I wanna do like in-your-face‚ bold contrast…I wanna look like a different f**king person. Let’s do it.”The confidence…it’s…palpable.Gen Z Customer has a different approach to complementing her hairstylist: “Oh my god! F**king Queen! You did that! God I love you.”No further questions. Gen Z Customer already knows her brand of hair care products‚ and it’s “Olaplex. All Olaplex.”Rex’s post quickly racked up 8.6 million views‚ generating literally thousands of comments discussing how spot on her imitations were.Millennials in particular chimed in‚ many of whom couldn’t help but applaud its accuracy of depicting how millennials seem to constantly be apologizing for simply existing.“I’m a millennial and once I missed the armhole for a sec when putting the cape on. I was convinced I had ruined the appointment‚” wrote one person.Another added‚ ‘I’m sorry for my hair. I’m sorry my hair takes so long. I’m sorry I had to move my head‚ omg I’m sorry. You offered me a drink? I will say yes. And then sorry.”Many were also quick to applaud how Gen Zer’s seemed to have no issues in this arena.“Gen Z just fully owning the ability to take up space‚” one person commented."As a millennial I love Gen Z so much. They’re so free to be themselves and so open‚” wrote another.While there may be differences between generations‚ we can all learn something from one another. And we all enjoy getting our hair did.By the way‚ Rex didn’t leave out her Gen X or Boomer clients. She has plenty videos of her imitating them‚ as well as some nifty style predictions on her TikTok‚ found here. This article originally appeared on 2.23.23

The first thing you need to know about Charlie the golden retriever is that he loves Mr. Quackers.Mr. Quackers is Charlie's stuffed yellow duck. Charlie carries him around everywhere‚ he loves him so. @charliethegolden18 I always so happ to see my lil bro 😋 #dogsoftiktok #petsoftiktok #dogs #goldenretriever Anyone who's had a dog with a favorite stuffy knows that it's a bit like a child with a favorite stuffy. As long as the stuffy is there‚ all is well. If stuffy goes missing‚ all hell breaks loose. Nobody take the stuffy away. Nobody lose the stuffy. Nobody mess with the stuffy.Where they go‚ their stuffy goes.Where Charlie goes‚ Mr. Quackers goes.That's just the way it is. @charliethegolden18 Happens every..single..time 😂🙈 #dogsoftiktok #petsoftiktok #dogs #goldenretriever ♬ Quirky - Oleg Kirilkov The attachment is real. Watch what happens when Charlie's buddy Buddy tries to mess with Mr. Quackers. @charliethegolden18 Ain’t nobody touching my Mr. Quackers 😋 #dogsoftiktok #petsoftiktok #dogs #goldenretriever "There‚ see it!" Oh‚ Charlie. His love for Mr. Quackers is unrivaled‚ which is why his owner decided to pull an incredible pet prank and dress up as Mr. Quackers himself. @charliethegolden18 When your husband finds a costume that looks identical to your dogs favorite duck toy 😂 #dogsoftiktok #petsoftiktok #dogs #goldenretriever The things we do for our dogs‚ indeed. And when Charlie got to meet the life-sized Mr. Quackers? So. Much. Joy. @charliethegolden18 Dressed up as our dogs favorite duck toy. Full video on FB &; YouTube. Link in bio. #dogsoftiktok #petsoftiktok #dogs #goldenretriever Charlie practically wagged his tail right off his body. And he never let go of the original Mr. Quackers the whole time—at least on TikTok.The extended video on YouTube shows Charlie dropping Mr. Quackers and trying to get a hold of Huge Mr. Quackers by the neck. Not in an aggressive way—more like in a "Hey‚ lemme carry you around like I do Mr. Quackers!" kind of way. And then the slow discovery that Huge Mr. Quackers smells an awful lot like his hooman … just too precious.Animals can bring such joy to our lives‚ especially when we take the time to play with them. Thanks‚ Charlie's parents‚ for sharing this moment of adorable delight with us all.Follow more of Charlie and Mr. Quackers' adventures on TikTok and YouTube.This article originally appeared on 03.30.22

When you are a child who has been abused by people who are supposed to protect you‚ how do you feel safe?That question is the heart of Bikers Against Child Abuse International (B.A.C.A.)‚ an organization dedicated to creating "a safer environment for abused children." With specific training and extensive security checks‚ the frequently big and burly members of B.A.C.A. serve as protectors of chid abuse survivors‚ giving vulnerable children people to call on when they feel scared‚ and even showing up in court when a child asks them to.In short‚ they become an abused child's "biker family‚" and they let the child—and everyone else—know that no one messes with their family.As the B.A.C.A. mission statement says:"We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established‚ united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization‚ and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation‚ and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner‚ however‚ if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse‚ we stand ready to be that obstacle."B.A.C.A. members do whatever they can to make abused kids feel safe‚ which is huge for children who have been hurt‚ especially by the adults who are supposed to love and protect them.First‚ they set up an initial ride to welcome a child into the biker family. Kids are offered a vest and a patch‚ which they have the option of accepting or not—there's never pressure put on a child. They take a photograph with the child‚ which the child keeps to remind them that they have family to call on whenever they feel afraid. They serve as escorts when kids feel frightened to go somewhere. They show up at court hearings to help kids feel less intimidated. They come to kids' houses when called to help support the family or serve as a deterrent for further abuse.Though B.A.C.A. absolutely does not physically confront perpetrators‚ simply their presence provides the message that a child has a band of protectors behind them. Watch these bikers in action:2019 Bikers Against Child Abuse International informational video. Visit www.bacaworld.org or find us on Facebook - Bikers Against Child Abuse InternationalAnd check out the B.A.C.A creed to see how dedicated these folks are to this work:"I am a Member of Bikers Against Child Abuse. The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won't look back‚ let up‚ slow down‚ back away‚ or be still.My past has prepared me‚ my present makes sense‚ and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living‚ sight walking‚ small planning‚ smooth knees‚ colorless dreams‚ tamed visions‚ mundane talking‚ cheap giving‚ and dwarfed goals.I no longer need pre-eminence‚ prosperity‚ position‚ promotions‚ plaudits‚ or popularity. I don't have to be right‚ first‚ tops‚ recognized‚ praised‚ regarded‚ or rewarded. I now live by the faith in my works‚ and lean on the strength of my brothers and sisters. I love with patience‚ live by prayer‚ and labor with power.My fate is set‚ my gait is fast‚ my goal is the ultimate safety of children. My road is narrow‚ my way is rough‚ my companions are tried and true‚ my Guide is reliable‚ my mission is clear. I cannot be bought‚ compromised‚ detoured‚ lured away‚ turned back‚ deluded‚ or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice‚ hesitate in the presence of adversity‚ negotiate at the table of the enemy‚ ponder at the pool of popularity‚ or meander in the maze of mediocrity.I won't give up‚ shut up‚ let up‚ until I have stayed up‚ stored up‚ prayed up‚ paid up‚ and showed up for all wounded children. I must go until I drop‚ ride until I give out‚ and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own‚ He will have no problem recognizing me‚ for He will see my B.A.C.A. backpatch and know that I am one of His. I am a Member of Bikers Against Child Abuse‚ and this is my creed."This article originally appeared on 03.05.20

This is short‚ but it definitely packs a punch.Be sure to pay close attention from 1:34 to 2:06; it's like equal parts "America's Funniest Home Videos" and "Econ 101."And nearly 10 years after it first premiered‚ the message remains as powerful as when we first shared it.Watch the full video below:This article originally appeared on 4.4.13

If you need proof standardized testing is setting students up for failure‚ just ask the students. Sydney Smoot has a bone to pick with the Hernando County School Board. The issue? The Florida Standards Assessment Test‚ or FSA for short. On March 17‚ 2015‚ Sydney bravely stood up at her local school board meeting to share how she felt about the test and why she believes it's failing students and teachers. "This testing looks at me as a number. One test defines me as either a failure or a success through a numbered rubric. One test at the end of the year that the teacher or myself will not even see the grade until after the school year is already over. I do not feel that all this FSA testing is accurate to tell how successful I am. It doesn't take in account all of my knowledge and abilities‚ just a small percentage." — Sydney Smoot Can we give this little girl a medal? She was speaking right to my soul with that speech! I reached out to Sydney and her mom‚ Jennifer‚ via email to find out more about what prompted this passionate speech.What inspired you to write your letter?"What inspired me to speak all started one day when I came home. My mom asked me how the testing went‚ and I told her I was told not to speak about the test to anyone. I had not felt comfortable signing something in the test. I had concerns about this test because there was a lot of stress put on students and myself. I was a little nervous before the speech‚ but when I was called up to the podium‚ I did not feel nervous because I knew this speech was going to help a lot of people."Have you ever thought about running for president? Cause I'd vote for you!"I've thought about running for president because if I'm president‚ I will be considerate about the people in this state."You gotta admit‚ she looks pretty good up there‚ right?Parents have a right to be concerned about standardize testing regulations.One thing that really stuck out to me in Sydney's speech was that the FSA prohibits students from talking to their parents about the test. So I was anxious to hear what Sydney's mom thought about the stipulation. She had this to say:"When my daughter came home telling me she had to sign a form stating she couldn't talk to anyone including her parents‚ I got concerned. Not only that I didn't like the fact that the last four of her Social Security number was on the test labels along with other personal information. In today's world of identity theft‚ it doesn't take much for people to get a hold of these things and use them.I would like to tell other parents to learn more before these tests start in your children's school and know what they are testing. They have options‚ you can opt out so to speak‚ and the child can complete alternative testing if they are in the retention grades; or‚ if the child wants to take the test‚ support them and let them know that no matter how they do‚ it does not define them as a person.It's a test and a poorly designed one at best."Standardized tests are changing the classroom. And not for the better.As Sydney shared in her speech‚ she and her classmates are feeling the pressure when it comes to preparing for the FSA. But they aren't the only ones. Teachers are also struggling to get students ready and are often forced to cut corners as a result.What standardized tests also fail to take into account is that in many ways‚ test-taking is a skill‚ one that not every student is ready for. When I was in school‚ we spent months gearing up for the dreaded FCAT‚ the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. And if months of test prep wasn't bad enough‚ if you didn't pass the FCAT‚ you couldn't graduate high school. Talk about stressful! The pressure of your high school career rides on one test‚ combined with the fact that standardized tests don't accurately measure what students have learned. Plenty of capable students fail these tests due to increased anxiety and stress. If high school students are struggling to handle the pressure of standardized testing‚ imagine how difficult it must be for elementary school students like Sydney!Young Sydney is a testament to how important it is that we listen to students and create curriculum that challenges and educates them‚ rather than scaring them into "learning." I think Sydney's suggestion of three comprehensive tests throughout the year makes way more sense than one big statewide test that interferes with teachers' schedules and stresses students out. And let's be real‚ when's the last time you heard a kid ask for MORE tests?! Clearly standardized tests aren't the answer or at least need some serious work. Hopefully Sydney's message will make an impact and get her school board and schools across the nation to rethink how we measure students' success.This article originally appeared on 03.27.15

In 1825‚ at the approximate age of 8‚ Jordan Anderson (sometimes spelled "Jordon") was sold into slavery and would live as a servant of the Anderson family for 39 years. In 1864‚ the Union Army camped out on the Anderson plantation and he and his wife‚ Amanda‚ were liberated. The couple eventually made it safely to Dayton‚ Ohio‚ where‚ in July 1865‚ Jordan received a letter from his former owner‚ Colonel P.H. Anderson. The letter kindly asked Jordan to return to work on the plantation because it had fallen into disarray during the war.On Aug. 7‚ 1865‚ Jordan dictated his response through his new boss‚ Valentine Winters‚ and it was published in the Cincinnati Commercial. The letter‚ entitled "Letter from a Freedman to His Old Master‚" was not only hilarious‚ but it showed compassion‚ defiance‚ and dignity. That year‚ the letter would be republished in the New York Daily Tribune and Lydia Marie Child's "The Freedman's Book."The letter mentions a "Miss Mary" (Col. Anderson's Wife)‚ "Martha" (Col. Anderson's daughter)‚ Henry (most likely Col. Anderson's son)‚ and George Carter (a local carpenter).Dayton‚ Ohio‚August 7‚ 1865To My Old Master‚ Colonel P.H. Anderson‚ Big Spring‚ TennesseeSir: I got your letter‚ and was glad to find that you had not forgotten Jordon‚ and that you wanted me to come back and live with you again‚ promising to do better for me than anybody else can. I have often felt uneasy about you. I thought the Yankees would have hung you long before this‚ for harboring Rebs they found at your house. I suppose they never heard about your going to Colonel Martin's to kill the Union soldier that was left by his company in their stable. Although you shot at me twice before I left you‚ I did not want to hear of your being hurt‚ and am glad you are still living. It would do me good to go back to the dear old home again‚ and see Miss Mary and Miss Martha and Allen‚ Esther‚ Green‚ and Lee. Give my love to them all‚ and tell them I hope we will meet in the better world‚ if not in this. I would have gone back to see you all when I was working in the Nashville Hospital‚ but one of the neighbors told me that Henry intended to shoot me if he ever got a chance.I want to know particularly what the good chance is you propose to give me. I am doing tolerably well here. I get twenty-five dollars a month‚ with victuals and clothing; have a comfortable home for Mandy‚ — the folks call her Mrs. Anderson‚ — and the children — Milly‚ Jane‚ and Grundy — go to school and are learning well. The teacher says Grundy has a head for a preacher. They go to Sunday school‚ and Mandy and me attend church regularly. We are kindly treated. Sometimes we overhear others saying‚ "Them colored people were slaves" down in Tennessee. The children feel hurt when they hear such remarks; but I tell them it was no disgrace in Tennessee to belong to Colonel Anderson. Many darkeys would have been proud‚ as I used to be‚ to call you master. Now if you will write and say what wages you will give me‚ I will be better able to decide whether it would be to my advantage to move back again.As to my freedom‚ which you say I can have‚ there is nothing to be gained on that score‚ as I got my free papers in 1864 from the Provost-Marshal-General of the Department of Nashville. Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you were disposed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you. This will make us forget and forgive old scores‚ and rely on your justice and friendship in the future. I served you faithfully for thirty-two years‚ and Mandy twenty years. At twenty-five dollars a month for me‚ and two dollars a week for Mandy‚ our earnings would amount to eleven thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. Add to this the interest for the time our wages have been kept back‚ and deduct what you paid for our clothing‚ and three doctor's visits to me‚ and pulling a tooth for Mandy‚ and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to. Please send the money by Adams's Express‚ in care of V. Winters‚ Esq.‚ Dayton‚ Ohio. If you fail to pay us for faithful labors in the past‚ we can have little faith in your promises in the future. We trust the good Maker has opened your eyes to the wrongs which you and your fathers have done to me and my fathers‚ in making us toil for you for generations without recompense. Here I draw my wages every Saturday night; but in Tennessee there was never any pay-day for the negroes any more than for the horses and cows. Surely there will be a day of reckoning for those who defraud the laborer of his hire.In answering this letter‚ please state if there would be any safety for my Milly and Jane‚ who are now grown up‚ and both good-looking girls. You know how it was with poor Matilda and Catherine. I would rather stay here and starve — and die‚ if it come to that — than have my girls brought to shame by the violence and wickedness of their young masters. You will also please state if there has been any schools opened for the colored children in your neighborhood. The great desire of my life now is to give my children an education‚ and have them form virtuous habits.Say howdy to George Carter‚ and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.From your old servant‚Jordon AndersonLearn more about Jordan Anderson here.This article originally appeared on 11.03.17.

“He did that song like the record‚ something I myself have never tried." The post “A deep conscientious cat”: Bob Dylan on the musician who can get to your heart first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

"Never call me your drummer again." The post Hitting more than just snares: The night Charlie Watts and Mick Jagger came to blows first appeared on Far Out Magazine.