Portland‚ Oregon‚ is the latest city to utilize a mobile robot in place of patrolling security guards to lower crime rates in its downtown core.City officials partnered with community improvement activists and corporate property owners to implement a 120-foot mural in downtown Portland as part of a revitalization program.As KPTV Fox 12 Oregon reported‚ the project included a painting on the walls of the U.S. Bancorp Tower parking garage. The city hoped that the art project will be effective as part of sprucing up the city's downtown area that has been typically rife with crime.To help guard the same area‚ the city has installed more than 200 surveillance cameras along with a new robot addition called "Rob."The patrolling robot navigates a local parking garage 24 hours a day and is equipped with thermal imaging and a two-way intercom for citizens to speak to the operator."It’s like interacting with a human‚ because there is a human on the other side‚" said Keren Eichen of Unico Properties‚ a private equity and real estate company. "If you stop and speak to the robot‚ you know that there’s someone on the other side who’s answering your questions who can give you directions‚ can tell you happy holidays.""This is easier than staffing security because he doesn’t get tired‚ he doesn’t get cold‚" Eichen added.Mark Wells‚ from a group called Portland Clean and Safe‚ touted the effects of the new surveillance and said that there has been a sharp decrease in crime."We looked at reported crime for assault‚ vandalism‚ theft and in November‚ we a saw a 50% decrease last month than we did the prior five months‚" Wells claimed. "Crime doesn’t thrive in areas that are vibrant and full of people walking‚ eating‚ enjoying the amenities downtown."However‚ according to official Portland crime statistics‚ from January to October 2023‚ downtown Portland saw 4‚227 property crimes‚ 688 assaults‚ 40 sex offenses‚ and 232 "society" crimes‚ which included drug offenses.During the same time period in 2022‚ the downtown area had 3‚798 property crimes‚ 664 assaults‚ 31 sex offenses‚ and only 93 societal crimes. Offenses in the area totaled 4‚601 for January-October 2022‚ nearly 600 fewer than the 5‚198 offenses during the same time period of 2023.Portland is not the first major U.S. city to implement robotic security forces. Cleveland deployed a similar robot named Sam in August 2023‚ with the city stating that the robot "loves hugs and selfies."In April 2023‚ New York Mayor Eric Adams told citizens they "cannot be afraid of [the technology]‚" when the New York Police Department deployed their own mobile security machine in New York City subways.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Steve Baker has been living under a cloud for two years. For two years‚ Baker‚ an investigative reporter and contributor to Blaze Media‚ has had to live and work not knowing whether he would wake up one morning to the sound of a heavily armed FBI SWAT team banging on his front door.For two years‚ Baker has had to wonder whether the U.S. Justice Department would try to do to him what it has done to hundreds of other people who were in Washington‚ D.C.‚ on the afternoon of January 6‚ 2021. On Thursday‚ Baker heard from his attorney with the news he’d been expecting but hoping would never come. The Justice Department intends to press charges. He will be allowed to turn himself in to authorities in his home state of North Carolina on Tuesday morning — no SWAT required.Baker doesn’t know what exactly he’s being charged with. The FBI agent who gave Baker’s attorney the terrible news pleaded ignorance and said he wouldn’t know for sure until a judge signed the official warrant for Baker’s arrest. It’s a perfect administrative state mystery. Franz Kafka couldn’t have written it any better. But it happens all the time. Steve has detailed his legal saga so far. We published it in October here at Blaze Media. Read part one and part two for a full picture of just how absurd — but how gravely serious — this prosecution will be.What we see with the government’s decision to prosecute Baker is an escalation in its weaponization of the law against its perceived political enemies. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that Baker learned of his coming indictment the very same day he met with a pair of Capitol Police whistleblowers. Nor do I believe it’s a coincidence that the Justice Department decided to press ahead as Baker has spent more than a week viewing hundreds of hours of Capitol closed-circuit TV video and unearthing previously undisclosed details about the events of January 6. This has gone on long enough. Too long‚ in fact. Merrick Garland’s Justice Department is not doing justice. Christopher Wray’s FBI is not pursuing justice. They are dealing in political retribution. With the indictment of Steve Baker‚ it’s a fact too obvious to ignore. Whereas in the past‚ political protesters have received the equivalent of a slap on the wrist or at most a small fine for momentarily disrupting a congressional proceeding‚ the government has gone to extraordinary and arguably unconstitutional lengths in punishing Americans who wished to do nothing more than air their grievances about a suspect process. That a few did so loudly and violently does not change the fact that the vast majority of participants were guilty of little more than trespassing. In Baker’s case‚ he is guilty of nothing but committing journalism. The First Amendment has something to say about that. Enough of this. Congress can no longer allow the attorney general and the director of the FBI to get away with evasions and dissembling about January 6. The federal officials who abused their power and the American people’s trust must be held to account. Members of Congress — and all Americans who claim to support the Constitution and the First Amendment — must speak out and speak loudly about Steve Baker. Support Steve Baker by supporting Blaze Media. He will not be silenced‚ and with your help‚ neither will we.

NewsNation's Chris Cuomo said he attended a private screening Thursday with other journalists of raw Oct. 7 video.While Cuomo said he had seen some of the imagery from the 47-minute video on previous occasions‚ "a lot more" was "new" to him.In a chilling monologue posted to X‚ Cuomo shared that the screening brought the trauma of 9/11 to his mind and what it meant for America. "They hit us where it hurt‚" he said and added that it was about "terrorists robbing us of what and who we are about at home: It is us‚ or it is them."Then Cuomo described what he took away from the screening of the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre of Jews:If an enemy wanted to make sure that Israel would come for them‚ the message would be‚ "We're going to take children‚ women‚ innocents‚ and more‚ tie them up‚ and burn them alive. Just like the Holocaust." The ultimate fear of what the world can bring the Jews' way. When a decision is made that Jews are less than human and treated that way‚ in words and deeds‚ I now know that is exactly the message Hamas sent — on purpose‚ at scale. And I was not aware of that before. I had seen that before‚ but I did not understand how intentional the effort was. They did it methodically. You hear it in the voices‚ the commands‚ the ease‚ the excitement of finding and mutilating victims. Being told "let them play with IT."Merely murdering innocents was the least of it. ... This was not death from above; it was death in your face‚ hands-on and personal. They enjoyed mutilating and went back and celebrated in the streets with heads and bloody corpses as trophies. This was absolute genocide. It's a word that people are misapplying‚ and this is where it does apply. Even more important — to the terrorists apparently — was what they left behind. Charred reminders of a holocaust. The obvious desire to see as many Jews utterly destroyed as possible. Families melted together on purpose. And yes‚ there are women dead‚ bloody groins‚ twisted disfigured legs. The [Israeli Defense Forces] says this is not a morbid coincidence; it's a part of a pattern of rape and torture.Forty-seven minutes is just a fraction of the dead‚ but it is overwhelming that Hamas wanted war. This was not the irrepressible angst of the desperate who want freedom‚ who want better‚ nor certainly want anything approximating peace. They wanted to Jews to know that they want them to burn — again.He continued:I now understand ... better what is fueling Israel. This is not tit for tat. This is not‚ "You did to us‚ and now might will make right." They are fueled by the deepest fears of genocide‚ because those fears are real. I am not trying to erase or in any way mitigate the massive death toll of civilians in Gaza or diminish the obvious need for the violence to stop. If anything‚ after seeing this video today‚ there's an increased urgency to avoid what could still come because ... this could get much worse. When people have been given reason to believe it is you or them‚ they are capable of anything. And while people are moved to absolute outrage by what they see‚ I'm telling you‚ Israel is doing far less than it could. It is easy to say "stop" — I'm saying it‚ everybody's saying it — it is very hard to say "how." Why? Because seeing what the terror group in charge of Palestine did to the Jews and has promised to do again‚ how do you ask Israel to risk being vulnerable to those who do not honor agreements and have made it very clear they don't want peace? They want to burn and kill the Jews. That's why it's so hurtful and people are so hair-triggered when people say things in protests here in America that maybe they don't mean that way; maybe they don't see that context. But the people on the other side of the propaganda do. The suggestion‚ "Well‚ here's what you do. You stop bombing; use commandos." How does that not suggest to Israel‚ "You have to do this in a way that Hamas can kill more of you; you have to reduce your advantage"? ... "But you also have to stop bombing because aid has to get in." "Will Hamas allow it in?" "Oh yes‚ they have." That's not the sum total of the reports that we get. They have NOT let aid organizations get in to see the hostages and to help them. And they have a history of diverting and taking aid that was meant for others and other things. It's not about numbers; it is about Israel being shown its worst fears can be realized — because they were. So knowing that and ... understanding our own history with what we did in response to a threat that was nowhere as real and present as what Israel's facing‚ what do we do to make it stop? — (@) Anything else?Days after Hamas' surprise Oct. 7 attack‚ the terror group's main spokesperson was caught on video walking out of an interview with Cuomo — after which Cuomo said the spokesperson simply couldn't deal with "reality of the pain" his own "terror organization" has "caused."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

If you’ve read my guide to holiday party fashion‚ you know that this season is all about frosty blues‚ putting a bow on it‚ and good old-fashioned shimmer and shine. By which I mean sequins. Before you cringe at that word‚ hear me out: Those tiny little light-reflecting discs can absolutely be tasteful. Now I get it – it’s easy to banish sequins to the realm of club attire‚ showgirl costumes‚ and cheap Forever 21 garb. And there’s plenty of that out there‚ but there’s also no shortage of options that incorporate sequins in a way that’s classy‚ modest‚ and still on trend. Here are five ways you can wear sequins tastefully this winter. 1. Pair a sequined top with tailored slacks. Nailing the sequin game is all about balance. A sparkly top and a pair of structured pants are a great way to add pizzazz to your outfit without going overboard. If your top is more fitted‚ pair it with a wider-leg pant to balance your silhouette. If your top is boxy or oversized‚ pair it with a slimmer pant to achieve an anchored look. 2. Pair a sequined skirt with a cozy sweater and casual shoes. This is a great festive look for a more laid-back event. The sparkly skirt says holiday and glam‚ while the sweater and tennis shoes‚ flats‚ or loafers say approachable and fun. 3. Jazz up a neutral outfit with sequined accessories. You don’t have to wear a fully sequined top or skirt to get the look. A sequined clutch is a perfect way to add a bit of sparkle to a monochromatic outfit. A bedazzled headband or scarf can also bring just the right touch of glam to an otherwise simple outfit. 4. Try a partially embellished sequined blouse or jacket. If you think sequins have to cover an entire article of clothing‚ think again. There are numerous tops and jackets that have subtle sequin accents – like a sparkly collar or shirt cuffs‚ a simple sequin pattern on a sweater‚ or delicate beadwork on a structured jacket. 5. Don a fully sequined dress in a classic silhouette. If you have a dressy event on your calendar this season – something that calls for a statement outfit – don’t be afraid to rock a fully sequined dress. The key to keeping it classy is all in the shape of the dress and the shoes and accessories you pair with it. If you like a fitted silhouette‚ look for a dress that goes to or over the knee. Shorter dresses can be cute and fun in a flowy or straight silhouette. For shoes and other accessories‚ keep it neutral and keep it matte (meaning not shiny – we don’t want to distract from the main attraction).

Holiday party season is well under way‚ and most of us have at least a few more appearances to make before we can transition to 24/7 pajama mode. And then there’s New Year’s to consider. Putting together a festive yet stylish outfit can be overwhelming‚ especially when seasonal decision fatigue sets in. We’re here to ease your burden with a few on-trend suggestions for putting together a look to maximize your merriment. From frosty blues to balletcore‚ this year’s Yuletide is all about luxe fabrics and feminine touches! Frosty blues Icy blue has never been hotter. It popped up on the runways this fall‚ so expect to see it everywhere in stores. Try this glacial shade in a luxe faux fur‚ a shimmery satin‚ or a cozy knit. From tailored blazers to elegant dresses‚ sparkly handbags‚ and even comfy sweaters‚ we’ve seen this Elsa-esque shade in just about every material and shape imaginable. If wearing classic Christmas red yet again makes you want to yawn‚ throw on this frosty hue and wow at your next holiday event! Pearls galore Pearls have entered the chat. They’re about as feminine and classic as it gets‚ and we’re pleased to say that they’re gracing the runway again. If you’ve got a strand of Granny’s pearls tucked away in your jewelry box‚ it’s time to let them see the light of day again. However‚ if you don’t already own pearls‚ there’s no need to go out and drop a small fortune on a set of authentic ones (unless you’re treating yourself‚ and in that case – more power to you‚ sister!). But there’s practically no limit to the ways you can incorporate these iridescent gems into your wardrobe this season. Add micro-pearls to your holiday manicure‚ try them out on a headband‚ grab a blouse with a pearl collar‚ or go classic and wear them as jewelry. Bows on bows on bows Barbiecore peaked this summer‚ but we’re still feeling its influence in this winter’s bow mania. What’s not to love? They’re girly‚ nostalgic‚ and undeniably cute and can adorn everything from blouses‚ blazers‚ and ballet flats to headbands‚ handbags‚ and jewelry. If bowmaxxing makes you feel like something left under the Christmas tree‚ you can always channel your inner child and tie a simple satin or velvet ribbon in your hair. Sometimes minimalism is statement enough. Metallic moments Metal-inspired fabrics are nothing new in the world of fashion‚ but thanks to Chanel‚ Miu Miu‚ Balenciaga‚ Louis Vuitton‚ and other haute-couture designers‚ metallic is all the rage again this season. And since Christmastime is all about sparkles and shimmer‚ what better way to stay festive and trendy than to incorporate metallic into your next holiday party outfit? This is the perfect trend for you edgier girls (who probably aren’t so keen on glitter and pearls). Breathe life into a simple ensemble by adding a metallic blazer‚ jazz up your go-to LBD with a silver clutch‚ or‚ if you’re feeling brave‚ throw on a pair of metallic-coated jeans for your next Christmas soirée. Vivacious velvets One of the best parts about colder weather is the chance to wear this lustrous‚ buttery textile. Of all the 2023 winter trends on the runway‚ velvet was a clear winner among top brands. Even better – it comes in just about every shade imaginable. If you’re a bold‚ spotlight kind of girl‚ try it out in fuschia pink or vampy red‚ or if you’re one who prefers the wallflower life‚ it also comes in no shortage of muted and neutral shades. However you decide to don it this season‚ velvet is certain to impress on any festive occasion. Runway red Red has always been a resounding YES during the holiday season‚ and this year is no different. In fact‚ the fiery shade can be found all throughout designer fall and winter collections. It comes in a variety of shades to suit all preferences‚ it can beautifully dominate an outfit or be worn as an accent color‚ and it practically screams Christmas. We’ve seen nearly every shade of red adorning dresses‚ overcoats‚ handbags‚ shoes‚ scarves‚ and even stockings. But if you’re more of a neutrals gal‚ you can still feel festive and wear red in a matte lipstick or change your go-to pale pink nail polish to a shade of sultry crimson. Whether it’s a flaming vermilion dress or a ruby-red lip you’re rocking‚ strut your stuff because red is once again the color of the holiday season! Balletcore Calling all the girliest of girls! This trend is for you. Think "The Nutcracker" – blush pink satins‚ delicate ribbons‚ fluffy tulle‚ and feminine silhouettes. Balletcore is all about minimalism coupled with unapologetic femininity. But before you start worrying that your outfit will look more suitable for a barre class than a holiday party‚ consider this. You can easily draw inspiration from ballerinas by swapping out your heels for a silky ballet flat (hello comfort!) or opting for a billowy tulle skirt over a traditional holiday dress. Plus those pearls and ribbons we mentioned above are perfect to pair with this trend! Shimmer and shine and everything fine Would this really be a holiday fashion guide if we didn’t pay homage to the mother of Christmas adornments – sequins?! Controversial‚ but we think sequins should be a year-round trend. And we're not alone – see this year's Academy Awards red carpet and of course Taylor's Eras Tour. At any rate‚ nobody can argue that these delicate‚ light-reflecting discs aren't a wardrobe staple around the holidays. Blouses‚ dresses‚ and skirts dripping in sequins can be found at nearly every retailer this time of year. Rhinestones‚ too‚ are having a moment‚ so if sequins aren’t your jam‚ add a delicate crystal headband to a simple outfit or a bedazzled shoe to a plain dress to feel festive and on trend. And if all of this seems a little too Vegas for you to pull off‚ check out our guide to adding a little tasteful seasonal sparkle to any ensemble.

“Rachel Zegler is someone who in her relatively short career has managed to stir up a surprising amount of controversy‚” says Lauren Chen. Much of Zegler’s pot-stirring has to do with her playing Snow White in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaption of the classic film. You’d think someone playing Disney’s very first princess would be more appreciative of the film that gave her the opportunity to star in such a beloved role‚ but no. When Variety initially interviewed Zegler about the remake‚ she took the opportunity to bash the original movie. “It’s no longer 1937‚” Zegler said. “She’s not going to be saved by the prince‚ and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love; she’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.” “There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird!” she continued. In another interview‚ she said‚ “I was scared of the original cartoon. I think I watched it once and then I never picked it up again.” The backlash for these remarks was instant and heated. “Turns out disrespecting a movie while also simultaneously trying to capitalize on the existing fans of that movie is not really a winning marketing strategy‚” says Lauren. While the release of “Snow white” has been delayed due to financial concerns‚ many speculate that the postponing is actually due‚ at least in part‚ to the backlash from Zegler’s comments. Further‚ it seems Zegler is using the hiatus to do some damage control‚ which only adds strength to the theory. In a recent interview with Halle Bailey‚ who played Princess Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” remake‚ Zegler had a much different tune about the 1937 classic she previously bashed. “The cartoon is so beloved; it's like a monumental moment in film history ... It won honorary Oscars and all of these amazing things that happened for that film are the reason that you and I really get to sit here today because it made Disney what it is‚” Zegler told Bailey. “There's just a very dedicated group of people who love Disney cartoons. I'm one of them ... I love everything that the Disney company has put out in the past ...100 years‚” she continued. Wait. We thought she said the movie was creepy and scary and not worth revisiting? And that the love story was unnecessary? “Kind of seems like a memo went out that perhaps the best way to promote a new ‘Snow White’ movie isn't by denigrating the original ‘Snow White’ movie‚” sighs Lauren. Want more from Lauren Chen?To enjoy more of Lauren’s pro-liberty‚ pro-logic‚ and pro-market commentary on social and political issues‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

In their lawsuit‚ the pair of stars wrote‚ "Anyone presenting and promoting themselves as the Guess Who are clones who are ripping off our fans and tainting our legacy" The post Guess Who Files Motion to Dismiss Burton Cummings‚ Randy Bachman Lawsuit appeared first on Best Classic Bands.

Subnautica 3 news is always something to look forward to‚ and we may just have some as Unknown Worlds Entertainment reveals that we'll be getting more information about the sub-aquatic survival universe's next project very soon. We could get our hands on the series' upcoming entry before we can scream Leviathan‚ it seems‚ since the developer also hints toward an early access release of the game now. Continue reading New Subnautica sequel may release earlier than you think MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sandbox games‚ Best survival games‚ Best horror games

Made up of moss and lichen‚ this biocrust has proven critical in protecting large sections of the Great Wall from the destructive forces of wind and rain. The post Researchers Discover That The Great Wall Of China Has A ‘Living Skin’ That’s Protected It For Centuries appeared first on All That's Interesting.

‘This is an area where the soldiers encountered many terrorists‚ including suicide bombers‚’ Hagari said.