Hamas released two disturbing videos on Sunday and Monday showing 26-year-old hostage Noa Argamani and two other hostages‚ teasing their “fate” and eventually claiming to show the two other hostages’ dead bodies. The Palestinian terror group filmed the three hostages begging the Israeli government to stop its offensive against Hamas and ensure their release‚ the Sunday video showed. The three hostages also identify themselves and tell the Israeli people‚ “Your government is lying.” “Tomorrow we will inform you of their fate‚” reads a chyron at the end of the 37-second video‚ which was not dated‚ so it is unclear when it was filmed. Argamani became the face of the hostage crisis after footage showed her being dragged away from the Supernova music festival on a motorcycle. She can be heard screaming and crying to her boyfriend‚ who was also taken hostage. The two other hostages who appear in the first video are Yossi Sharabi‚ 53‚ and Itai Svirsky‚ 38. On Monday‚ a second video showed Argamani alive and possibly reading a script to the camera and saying that Sharabi and Svirsky had been killed by Israeli strikes‚ which also injured her. The video claims to show the bodies of Sharabi and Svirsky at the end of the clip. The hostage videos come after Hamas launched deadly terrorist attacks on Israel in October that killed more than 1‚400 people‚ including children. Israel is now waging a massive counteroffensive on Hamas-controlled territory. About 240 people were taken hostage by Hamas during the October attack. Around half of those people were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November‚ but 132 people remain held captive‚ according to Israel‚ and 25 people have died while held hostage. Although some young women were released during the November ceasefire‚ Argamani was not one of them. The hostage video is the first time she and the other two hostages have been seen since their capture. Argamani’s mother‚ Liora‚ is a Chinese citizen and has pleaded with both Israel and China to help rescue her daughter before she passes away from terminal brain cancer. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in December that he had reached out to China’s government on behalf of Argamani’s mother. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari challenged the claim that at least one of the hostages was killed by Israeli strikes. “Itai was not shot by our forces. That is a Hamas lie. The building in which they were held was not a target and it was not attacked by our forces‚” Hagari said. However‚ Hagari said that the Israeli military had recently met with the families of the men and “expressed grave concern for their fate.” “We are investigating the event and its circumstances‚ examining the images distributed by Hamas‚ alongside additional information at our disposal‚” he said.

On Monday‚ anti-Israel activists led their crowd to demonstrate in front of one of the most famous cancer centers in the world‚ the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. The hospital was founded in 1884 as New York Cancer Hospital‚ the first cancer hospital in the United States. It also contains one of America’s top pediatric hospitals for cancer care‚ as well as over 120 research laboratories that focus on fighting the disease. In March 2023‚ the Center became the first in the nation to receive the American College of Surgeons’ Level I Specialty Children’s Center in Oncology designation. “Another complicit institution: The Sloan Kettering Center‚” an activist yelled to the crowd as they walked past the Center‚ where at least one child who was apparently being treated stood looking out of the window of the hospital. “Make sure they hear you; they’re in the windows. On this day‚ shame on you. You support genocide‚ too.” Not a good look as pro-Palestinian protestors target a cancer hospital on New York’s Upper East Side. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center also houses a paediatric day hospital… “Make sure they hear you‚ they’re in the windows”. pic.twitter.com/qKC7ma1v52 — Danny Morris (@DannyMMorris) January 15‚ 2024   The hospital has roughly 500 beds for patients. More than 1‚400 attending physicians and over 4‚000 specially trained nurses work on the Center’s staff. “Together‚ the medical team and support staff manage more than 26‚000 surgical cases and over 700‚000 outpatient visits for patients across locations in New York City and to MSK’s Regional Care Network with locations in Westchester County‚ Long Island‚ and New Jersey‚” the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers notes. Social media users condemned the targeting of a hospital meant for cancer patients; one wrote‚ “I went to Sloan Kettering when I had liver problems after I had my first son. Sloan Kettering saves lives. This is despicable behavior on the part of the Pro-Palestinians. Everyone should denounce them.” “MSK saved my life from colon cancer‚ I was in that hospital‚” another added. “Can you imagine while being there trying to sleep &; recover hearing that noise‚” another user commented. “That tells you how incredibly selfish those people are. I’ve had cancer‚ nothing is worse than health issues. People have no idea what it’s like til they go thru it.” “This is one of the most disgusting videos I have seen‚” a fourth user added.

The Virginia General Assembly unanimously elected Democrat Don Scott as the new House speaker‚ marking a watershed moment for the state. Del. Scott’s inauguration as the first Black speaker in the Virginia House of Delegates’ 400-year history was met with shouts and a standing ovation across the chambers. Don Scott takes the podium Del. Scott approached the stage amid cheers and conveyed his thanks and emotions‚ crying up as he acknowledged the support of his 88-year-old mother and wife who were watching from the gallery. “The historic nature of this moment is not lost on me‚” he told the House‚ emphasizing the gravity of the event. A nomination rooted in history In his nomination speech‚ Del. Luke E. Torian reflected on the historical background‚ saying‚ “Over 400 years ago‚ people who looked like Delegate Scott gave their sweat‚ blood‚ and tears to build this Capitol.” The nomination stressed the symbolic significance of a person of color leading the House of Delegates centuries later. From conviction to leadership: Scott’s atypical path Don Scott’s journey to the statehouse is anything but typical. Scott‚ a Navy veteran and renowned trial lawyer‚ met difficulties in 1994 when he was convicted of a drug offense and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. His path from prison to politics demonstrated perseverance‚ determination‚ and the possibility of redemption. Scott‚ who was born and raised in Texas‚ had a difficult childhood. Raised by a single mother struggling to make ends meet‚ he recalls eating mayonnaise sandwiches and spending many hours at the local library‚ which provided free childcare. Despite the obstacles‚ Scott’s passion for reading propelled his academic ambitions. After serving in the Navy as a surface warfare officer‚ Scott went on to study law. However‚ in his final year of law school‚ a federal court found him guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Scott maintains that he had no intention of selling the drugs himself‚ and that he had been picking up cash for a dealer he knew. Scott was released nearly eight years later and found work in Delaware as a case manager for a workforce program for public assistance recipients. Balancing a busy work with frequent travel was difficult for his family. Determined to change his situation‚ Scott used his law degree‚ passed the bar test‚ and landed a job at a law firm where he is still a partner today. A platform rooted in personal experience Scott’s success in the 2019 Virginia House race was based on an agenda of criminal justice reform‚ shaped by his unusual experiences on both sides of the legal system. His personal story‚ inspired by growing up in difficult circumstances and overcoming a felony conviction‚ resounded with voters. Shifting tides at the Virginia Capitol Scott encountered early problems in the General Assembly in 2020‚ when his criminal justice reform measures were rejected by his own Democratic party. However‚ the sad death of George Floyd in 2020 brought Scott’s suggested revisions to the forefront. Earned sentence credits and limited probation regulations‚ which had previously been rejected‚ gained traction following countrywide protests. Confronting controversy and rising to leadership Scott‚ who is known for his aggressive approach‚ challenged Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s policies during legislative sessions‚ particularly the “tipline” meant to be used anonymously to report educators for teaching “divisive concepts” such as Critical Race Theory. Scott’s boldness and sharp wit on the floor helped him advance through the Democratic caucus‚ eventually culminating to his appointment as House Minority Leader. Embracing Black history Don Scott‚ the first Black speaker‚ recognizes the significance of history. During a sendoff party in his district‚ he paid homage to those who paved the way‚ saying‚ “I see our ancestors who were in there‚ who were emptying people’s urine and emptying the spittoons‚ building the buildings‚ breaking their backs while people made decisions about whether they were human or not.” Scott’s emergence as the first Black speaker is more than just a personal accomplishment; it is the continuation of a legacy. He embodies the spirit of those who struggled against oppression and inequity. His story is inspiring not just for its historical significance‚ but also for the resilience and determination shown in overcoming personal problems.  The post Don Scott makes history as Virginia’s first Black house speaker first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Humans are social creatures‚ and our behaviors‚ particularly those linked to eating‚ are frequently influenced by what we watch in others. Social modeling is an important phenomenon that influences our dietary preferences and consumption patterns. Evaluating facial expressions and food preferences Dr. Katie Edwards of Aston University School of Psychology conducted a recent study in the UK on the effect of facial expressions on food preferences‚ specifically raw broccoli. Dr. Edwards discusses the study’s significance in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. “We show that watching others eating a raw vegetable with a negative facial expression reduces adult women’s liking of that vegetable‚ but not their desire to eat it‚” Dr. Edwards said. The impact of positive and negative expressions The study‚ which included almost 200 young women‚ showed participants movies of adults eating raw broccoli‚ each with a distinct facial expression—positive‚ neutral‚ or negative. Surprisingly‚ negative attitudes reduced the vegetable’s likability‚ while positive expressions did not increase it. “Watching others eating a raw vegetable with a positive facial expression did not increase adults’ vegetable liking or eating desire‚” Dr. Edwards observed. Unraveling the complexity of food preferences According to Dr. Edwards‚ disgust for foods may be a natural defensive mechanism against potentially hazardous or unappealing things. This study reveals the complex link between apparent enjoyment‚ facial expressions‚ and true food preferences. Implications for children’s eating habits While the study focused on adults‚ Dr. Edwards suggests that comparable processes may influence children’s dietary choices. Negative facial expressions from adults may have a major impact on children‚ who are generally unwilling to try veggies. “For example‚ if a child sees their parent showing disgust whilst eating vegetables‚ this could have negative consequences on children’s vegetable acceptance‚” Dr. Edwards said. The utilization of video clips rather than static pictures or live demonstrations set this study apart. This method provided a more realistic image of dynamic facial expressions‚ allowing for a better understanding of the topic. Dr. Edwards proposes that future research should look at the effects of observing live dining experiences and how these findings relate to actual vegetable consumption among adults. “We also need more research to see whether the findings from this study translate to adults’ actual intake of vegetables‚” said Dr. Edwards. The complexity of social modeling in food choices While the study underlines the importance of social modeling in shaping eating patterns‚ it also emphasizes the need for additional research‚ particularly in live settings and across age ranges. Understanding these distinctions may pave the way for more effective efforts to promote healthier eating habits. Source study: Frontiers in Psychology—Exposure to models’ negative facial expressions whilst eating a vegetable decreases women’s liking of the modelled vegetable‚ but not their desire to eatThe post Why do so many children detest vegetables? Scientists may have unravelled the mystery first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

There really isn't another player like him in the game

'This wasn’t‚ like‚ a fuck you to you people‚ um‚ fuck you to the Christians'

I don’t know about you‚ but I am tired of being bombarded everyday by the claim that CO2 is a pollutant and that as a polluter I must pay.  I seriously doubt the average person would accept this perspective‚ if they understood that CO2 is in fact a prerequisite of Life‚ and that global food […]

‘[P]olitics ... cannot be about finding a compromise between lies and truth‚ lawlessness and law’

Martin pulled up lame‚ appearing to have pulled his hamstring

Washington has obviously not learned the lessons of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and all the other failed US interventions over the past 20 years.