Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin remained hospitalized on Sunday night after being rushed to the hospital at the start of the new year after experiencing severe pain as he recovered late last month from an elective procedure. The Pentagon said in a statement that Austin remained at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center but was “recovering well and in good spirits.” Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder claimed that Austin resumed his duties on Friday evening and “has received operational updates and has provided necessary guidance to his team.” “He has full access to required secure communications capabilities and continues to monitor DoD’s day-to-day operations worldwide‚” the statement continued. “The Secretary spoke to President Biden yesterday. He has also been in contact with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks‚ Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown‚ Jr. and his senior staff.” The Wall Street Journal reported that Austin had an undisclosed elective procedure on December 22 during scheduled leave and returned home the following day. On January 1‚ Austin experienced “severe pain” and was rushed to Walter Reed where he was admitted into its intensive care unit‚ the report said. The report said that the White House was not notified of the situation because Austin’s chief of staff‚ Kelly Magsamen‚ was simultaneously out at the same time with the flu and because Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown wasn’t bound to tell the White House as a “subordinate adviser.” “I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed‚” Austin said in the statement. “I commit to doing better. But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure‚ and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”

Far-left anti-Semite Mehdi Hasan announced on Sunday night that his time at the network is over after it was announced late last year that his show and his streaming series were being canned. “As we begin 2024‚ with an election coming‚ a war still ongoing‚ and too many Trump trials honestly to even keep track of‚ and with this show going away‚ I’ve decided that it’s time for me to look for a new challenge‚” Hasan said. “Tonight is not just my final episode of the Mehdi Hasan Show‚ it’s my last day with MSNBC. Yes‚ I’ve decided to leave.” “To be clear: I’m so‚ so proud of what we’ve achieved on this show‚ on this network‚ and I can’t thank you all enough for tuning in and for your support and feedback‚” he concluded. “But as I say‚ new year‚ new plans.” BREAKING NEWS: Antisemite Mehdi Hasan out at MSNBC. pic.twitter.com/JmquntETTB — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) January 8‚ 2024 Hasan frequently attacks Israel and has gone as far as to defend anti-Semitic Boycott‚ Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns. Hasan‚ who previously worked for Qatari propaganda network Al Jazeera‚ has compared non-Muslims to “animals” and homosexuals to “pedophiles.” Hasan has also repeatedly defended notorious anti-Semites like Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN). Israeli advisor Mark Regev slammed Hasan during an interview earlier this month for promoting “disinformation” on his show‚ claiming that Israel had turned down a deal to have hostages freed. “Sorry‚ Mehdi‚ that’s just disinformation‚” Regev said. “There was not a real option for a deal before the grand operation. It was looked at seriously but Hamas put nothing on the table that could be worked with and so that’s just not correct to say there was an option.” Regev also blasted Hasan for not informing his audience that the Gaza Health Ministry is controlled by the Hamas terrorist group and that the information it releases is largely considered to be propaganda. “You have to say the ‘Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry‚” Regev said‚ prompting Hasan to lash out: “I don’t have to say what you ask me to say.” “Please‚ tell the viewers the truth‚ that information is provided by Hamas‚” Regev said.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) is under “active investigation” from law enforcement officials in Colorado after an alleged physical altercation with her ex-husband over the weekend. The Daily Beast reported that the “alleged physical altercation” occurred at Miner’s Claim restaurant in Boebert’s district on Saturday. Silt Police Chief Mike Kite confirmed to CBS News that an “active investigation” was already underway. Boebert’s ex-husband‚ Jayson Boebert‚ called police and claimed he was a “victim of domestic violence” and said that the congresswoman had “punched” him in the face several times‚ according to The Washington Post. Jayson Boebert told The Denver Post that he did not want his wife to be charged despite being the one to call the police. “I don’t want nothing to happen‚” he said. “Her and I were working through a difficult conversation.” The congresswoman denied the allegations that she punched her ex-husband in the face and threatened legal action against those pushing the claims. “This is a sad situation for all that keeps escalating and another reason I’m moving‚” Boebert said in a statement. “I didn’t punch Jayson in the face and no one was arrested. I will be consulting with my lawyer about the false claims he made against me and evaluate all of my legal options.” Boebert apologized in September after she was thrown out of a “Beetlejuice” musical at the Buell Theater in Denver. Denver Arts &; Venues said in a statement that they received three different complaints that Boebert and her date were “vaping‚ singing‚ causing a disturbance.” The report said that the couple were repeatedly warned after Boebert was caught vaping and they “were causing a disturbance for the area with noise‚ singing‚ [and] using their cell phone.” “The patrons were argumentative‚” the statement said as officials warned them that if it continued‚ they would be kicked out. They were later told that they needed to leave and that if they did not‚ they were then trespassing and the police would be called. A spokesperson for Boebert said that she was not vaping during the performance and that “heavy fog machines and electronic cigarettes were used during the show‚ so there might have been ‘a misunderstanding from someone sitting near her‚’” The Washington Post reported. Surveillance video from inside the Buell Theater obtained by local media‚ however‚ appears to show otherwise. Footage also appears to show the two groping each other. Police were called to the theater and stayed present until Boebert left. NEW: GOP Rep Lauren Boebert denied vaping during a Denver Center for the Performing Arts musical before being kicked out Sunday. @Marshall9News got the video. Take a look. #copolitics pic.twitter.com/VtT67Vn4L9 — Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) September 15‚ 2023

China‚ the world’s economic giant‚ is on the verge of a watershed moment in its environmental history. After decades of rapid development and skyrocketing emissions‚ signs point to a near-term peak in carbon output‚ providing hope for global climate efforts. According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CERA)‚ “China’s emissions may have peaked in 2023‚” citing a systemic economic slowdown and the rise of renewable energy sources as the main drivers of this trend. This reduction is consistent with estimates by the International Energy Agency‚ highlighting China’s significant impact on global greenhouse gas emissions. However‚ China’s position on the precise timing of its emissions peak remains debatable. Despite nudges to bring the aim closer to 2025‚ Beijing’s cautious approach‚ anchored in bureaucratic culture and domestic concerns‚ has thus far resisted committing to quick changes. Getting to know Beijing’s climate commitments China’s revised vow in the Paris Agreement to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 suggests a shift‚ but Beijing’s reluctance to name an earlier target year illustrates Beijing’s measured approach. Policymakers must confront this coming peak while leading the country toward successful management solutions. Chinese climate ambassador Xie Zhenhua signaled intentions to define emission peak specifics at global forums such as COP28‚ indicating a shifting posture. Recent agreements include terms like “post-peaking‚” indicating a growing acceptance of the impending tipping point in Chinese official documents. Looking beyond the peak: China’s climate goals for 2035 China’s next climate promises‚ due as part of the Paris Agreement’s criteria‚ will outline the country’s route to 2035‚ laying the groundwork for the larger goal of reaching Net Zero by 2060. These pledges serve as a road plan for long-term development‚ marking a shift away from fossil fuels. China’s advances in renewable energy‚ electric vehicles‚ and battery technology stand out as crucial elements in this pivotal transformation. Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecasts a tripling of renewable energy installations by the end of the decade‚ a critical step toward weaning China off its reliance on coal. China’s contribution to global decarbonization As China navigates this vital period‚ optimism for long-term growth and significant carbon reductions grows. The country’s ability to link decarbonization and economic development is a ray of hope for global climate action. The task ahead is enormous‚ but China’s propensity to defy expectations in societal and economic transitions gives reason for optimism. If the rapid transition to a low-carbon energy model continues‚ it has the potential to link economic prosperity with environmental care. A post-peaking world The impending peak in China’s emissions serves as a foreshadowing milestone‚ but the essential meaning rests in the combined worldwide effort to reduce emissions as quickly as possible. It advocates for a radical move away from fossil fuels‚ repeating the COP28 goals for a better future that prioritizes sustainability. In the middle of this critical crossroads‚ the globe welcomes the arrival of a post-peaking period‚ in which nations come together to construct a world driven by renewable energy and a commitment to a greener tomorrow.The post China’s monumental climate shift: embracing a “post-peak” era in the coming years first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

After an eventful and jolly holiday season‚ it’s completely normal for people to come into the new year wanting to rethink their alcohol consumption patterns. Dry January arises as a symbolic commitment to health‚ shining a light on the dangers of binge drinking. Though we may not like to admit it‚ it is common knowledge that drinking in moderation–or not at all– is conducive to a healthier life. Consuming more than two standard drinks each week‚ according to new Canadian guidelines‚ may increase the risk of cancer‚ heart disease‚ and stroke. Furthermore‚ the World Health Organization warns that no level of alcohol intake is considered safe for good health. But how effective is this month-long abstinence? Will Dry January really make a difference in our health? Here’s what the experts say. The body’s immediate reaction to abstinence Dry January is frequently accompanied by numerous withdrawal symptoms‚ the intensity of which is affected by individual drinking patterns. Dr. Dominique Morisano‚ a clinical psychologist‚ emphasizes the potential for improved mental health during this stage‚ particularly for those suffering from anxiety or depression. This phase is often associated with heightened cognition‚ improved concentration‚ and a greater sense of clarity. Launette Rieb‚ a clinical associate professor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia adds: “If you’re drinking in the evening and you’re getting up to pee a lot‚ it disrupts your sleep.” She also emphasizes alcohol’s sedative effect which will lull you to sleep‚ but then backfire during the withdrawal stage in the middle of the night. “[Alcohol is] activating so it’ll wake you up or make you dream more‚” which decreases sleep quality. On top of that‚ alcohol increases the possibility of sleep apnea and excessive snoring. However‚ even refraining from alcohol for a month allows for more restorative sleep‚ reducing these disruptions. Benefits that last beyond the month of abstinence Although total restoration of physical functioning may take longer‚ especially for strong drinkers‚ a month-long break provides significant benefits. Research from the British Medical Journal notes “improved insulin resistance‚ lowered blood pressure‚ and reduced cancer risk” for frequent drinkers who abstain for just one month. Strategies for success Transitioning into Dry January may be different for light to moderate drinkers versus heavier drinkers or those with alcohol addictions. As mentioned in the original article‚ for the latter category‚ a gradual reduction in consumption is recommended to reduce severe withdrawal symptoms and smooth the transition. Dr. Morisano emphasizes the need to use this reflective phase to review one’s relationship with alcohol‚ address underlying issues‚ and cultivate a healthier attitude about use. Key recommendations Avoid substitution: Try not to replace alcohol with different substances such as cannabis. This will only “[reinforce] the pattern of chemically coping‚ instead of building healthier habits‚” says Rieb. Strength in numbers: Forming a network of support by inviting friends and loved ones to join you in your Dry January adventure offers a better environment for success. Document your progress: Keep a diary or journal to track your mood changes‚ triggers‚ and improvements. This can help you find trends and celebrate personal progress. Seek support: If you are experiencing severe difficulties during your break from alcohol‚ then there is nothing wrong with seeking professional guidance or help. If you want to see some short-term improvements to your health and some long-term changes in your lifestyle‚ then Dry January is for you. It’s more than just a month without alcohol; it’s an opportunity for personal growth‚ holistic wellness‚ and a rebalanced relationship with well-being.The post Does dry January really work? Unveiling the science behind one month of sobriety first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Others have experienced rejection for their sorrow‚ believing now that their burdens are unwelcome. But Jesus shows us that weeping is not something to avoid‚ rush‚ or condemn. Weeping is not a display of weakness — it makes you more like your Savior.

God exhorts us to persevere while we work hard. Why? Because there is a promise woven into the fabric of these verses – God’s promise of a bountiful harvest that will happen if we remain steadfast in doing good.

May we approach planning humbly‚ learning to adjust and adapt when things don’t work out how we’d hoped. Because God is all-knowing and loves us dearly‚ we can trust His plans are always better than anything we orchestrate.

Carroll is seeking $10 million in damages from Trump‚ which will begin trial on Jan. 16

Only his first season and my man is already a superstar