Many species in the natural world have a certain little something that goes beyond the striking patterns visible on their fur and feathers. From fungi to wombats, many species have been found to be fluorescent – and now a whole range of glowing sea creatures from the Banda Sea in Indonesia and the Red Sea in Egypt are joining the party. The team behind the discovery have not been slacking by any means, and have described fluorescence in 27 species where it was not known to occur previously. These species include nudibranchs, sponges, fish and even octopuses across the phylums of Porifera, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Annelida, and Chordata. The team dove in both the Banda Sea and in the Red Sea in between February 2019 and September 2022. The team took photographs of the species with Leica THUNDER microscopy, and the images were used to learn more about the presence of fluorescence within the different body parts of the animals. The species from the Polyplacophora or chitons were found to have bright green, yellow, and red fluorescenceImage Credit: Poding, L.H., et al PLOS ONE (2024) CC BY 4.0Among the glowing species include Lybia tessellata, a smaller species of boxer crab; Corythoichthys intestinalis a species of snake pipefish; and six species of stony corals. Some species exhibited fluorescence in only certain body parts, such as the scarlet frogfish (Antennatus coccineus) which possessed green fluorescence all over its body, but orange fluorescence only in patches and in the lures. The team also described fluorescence in the order Octopoda for the first time in the species Abdopus aculeatus, and in the order Acifiacea, which are the sea squirts. For the nudibranchs, previously thought to only acquire fluorescence because of ingesting a glowing food source, the team found cases where the little gastropods were glowing all on their own. The team think that searching marine diversity hotspots with UV lights could even reveal more glowing species in the future. The paper is published in the journal PLOS ONE

The Chengdu Panda Base, nestled in the heart of Chengdu, Sichuan, China, is a haven for panda lovers and conservationists alike. This non-profit research and breeding facility spans an impressive 247 acres and is home to approximately 176 Giant Pandas. Since its inception in the 1980s, the base has successfully bred 261 pandas, making it... The post Nannies break the ‘adorable-o-meter’ lining up tiny baby pandas for nap appeared first on Animal Channel.

When Sybie was found wandering the streets on the south side of Chicago, it was clear she had a rough start in life. With signs of being used for backyard breeding and then abandoned, her journey to a safe and loving home was just beginning. Despite her past, Sybie’s hopeful spirit shone through, leading her... The post Unwanted dog ‘collapses’ with joy when she learns she’s getting forever home appeared first on Animal Channel.

The Hunter Biden federal gun trial has concluded with a guilty verdict and has now shifted to the sentencing phase. The Regime Media is making sure to lay down narrative groundwork ahead of the sentencing hearing. To that end, CNN has found Hunter’s “spiritual advisor”. Watch as Phillip leads the Reverend Doctor Christopher Bullock into a discussion of remorse: ABBY PHILLIP: You know, Hunter Biden has talked about his addiction, he’s talked about what that has been like for his life, but I wonder on this particular issue, or the set of issues that he was charged or has now been convicted of, has he ever expressed remorse for what led to all of this? REV. DR. CHRISTOPHER BULLOCK: I believe that he's aware of every step of his journey and remorse is a part of the process. Therefore, he is prepared to move forward knowing that God is a forgiving God. He has said in his own words that he has hurt people along the way, but we know that the power of prayer, the power of family, the power of faith can change him and any situation. Set aside your natural skepticism about whether or not Hunter Biden actually even has a spiritual advisor, and whether or not he actually listens to his advice. The bigger questions here are: why was he made available to the press, and why did Abby Phillip lead with the question on remorse?  Remorse is an element that the judge may consider at the time of sentencing. A spiritual advisor going on the record and saying that the defendant is remorseful is something that the defense can submit as an exhibit in support of their arguments for a more lenient sentence.  The rest of the interview was more narrative-setting and image rehab, which is key ahead of both the sentencing and the tax evasion trial in Los Angeles. The segment was also an opportunity for Phillip to elicit sympathy, via the Reverend, for President Biden, and to cast Hunter’s trial as a personal trial along with the loss of his first wife.  Expect more of this media image rehab in the coming days and weeks, in an effort to cast Hunter Biden as a sympathetic victim of his own addictions rather than a willful participant in the things of which he is accused. Although this trial is over, the Regime Media continue hard at work.  

Despite its deep ties to terrorism and anti-Semitism, Al Jazeera continues to receive a highly favorable score from media ratings firm Ad Fontes. Earlier this week, Israeli armed forces rescued three hostages from the Gaza home of Abdallah Aljamal, an Al Jazeera columnist and “Hamas terrorist.” This incident starkly exposes an Al Jazeera connection to Hamas, the organization behind the brutal terrorist massacre of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023. Amid mounting evidence of Al Jazeera's connections to terrorism, the Israeli Knesset even passed legislation to shut down the outlet’s offices over serious security concerns. Yet, media ratings firm Ad Fontes, known for its leftist bias, continues to bestow a high rating on Al Jazeera. Ad Fontes labels Al Jazeera as left-leaning and deems it a “reliable” source for analysis and “fact reporting.” According to Ad Fontes, “Al Jazeera (website) is a news organization funded in part by the government of Qatar. Launched in 1996 as a broadcast station ‘for the public benefit,’ it is now a global network with bureaus in 70 locations around the world.” Ad Fontes gave Al Jazeera a reliability rating of 41.56 out of 64. In stark contrast, Fox News received a low score of 35.25 out of 62, and The Daily Wire was rated 32.26, making them only “generally reliable” by Ad Fontes’s standards. Not to be outdone, NewsGuard has a history of offering favorable statements about Al Jazeera after initially criticizing the media outlet for failing to disclose its financial ties to the Qatari government. “Al Jazeera’s connection to the Qatari government, going back to the news organization’s founding in 1996, is well documented. But until earlier this year, AlJazeera.com made no mention of Qatar, failing to disclose government ownership and control to its readers,” NewsGuard reported. Only after meeting with NewsGuard executives did Al Jazeera update its website to acknowledge that it is “funded in part by the Qatari government.”  However, Al Jazeera’s financial ties to Qatar are just the tip of the iceberg. The Media Research Center has extensively documented Al Jazeera’s role as a propaganda tool sympathetic to terrorists, particularly as it relates to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition to one of its columnists allegedly holding three Israeli hostages, Al Jazeera reporters Ismail Abu Omar and Mohamed Washah were also reportedly busted moonlighting as Hamas terrorists.  At least one of these so-called journalists was shown in military garb instructing on how to use military weaponry, as reported by The Times of Israel in February. But don't expect Ad Fontes and NewsGuard to hold Al Jazeera accountable. As previously revealed by MRC, these anti-free speech internet traffic cops are focused on censoring right-leaning media while apparently turning a blind eye to media sympathetic to terrorism. Shame on them. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on so-called “hate speech” and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using MRC Free Speech America’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.

The number of illegal immigrants camping out at Boston Logan International Airport appears to have increased in recent months, according to several news reports.Currently, more than 100 people are sleeping on the floor in the airport's baggage claim area, the New York Post reported. 'We don't want families staying at Logan Airport.'Late last month, Massachusetts State Police troopers responded to a "minor altercation" between two families staying in Terminal E, Lt. Sean Quirk told WCVB."Troopers identified two families who were involved in a disagreement over the use of a power outlet," he said. "The involved families were separated with one leaving the terminal."In response to the incident, Governor Maura Healey stated, "We don't want families staying at Logan Airport. We continue to call on Congress to act to deal with what's happening at the border, in terms of reform here."Massport did not confirm whether the number of illegal aliens sleeping in the airport has recently doubled, WFXT reported. However, it noted that the individuals are not at the airport during the day, as they are transported to state welcome centers.Massachusetts, the only right-to-shelter state in the country, ran out of emergency shelter space in November after reaching capacity at approximately 7,500 families.Healey's office announced last month that it plans to convert Bay State Correctional Center in Norfolk, a decommissioned prison, into overflow shelter space for roughly 400 homeless families, Blaze News previously reported. The new emergency shelter was slated to open sometime this month.Emergency Assistance Director Scott Rice previously told WCVB that the facility, which features dorm-like rooms, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, a common room, and offices, is still "in good condition." The state also plans to create a play area for children and classroom spaces for adults to attend language courses, workshops, and job training.Healey's office stated that the new planned safety-net site will be used to house illegal immigrants currently residing at the city's airport.Jim Lehan, a member of the Norfolk Select Board, previously expressed concerns that the town's elementary school does not have enough space to accommodate an influx of additional children.He stated that the town was "taken back a little bit" by the state's plan to convert the shuttered prison into a safety-net site. "When you have no knowledge of it, and you start getting phone calls about something you have no idea what they are calling about. That was a little tough," he said. "All we know is we have got people coming here and we have got issues that are related to it, and we are going to have to work our way through it."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — There was a rare but welcome sight at one of the city's police precincts on Tuesday morning: The briefing room was full of law enforcement personnel. But among the light blue shirts of the Minneapolis Police Department there were deputies of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, whose presence prompted jokes about how this was the first time in a very long time the room had seen so many officers. While a humorous observation, the reason for the crossover event was due to the atrocious killing of MPD Officer Jamal Mitchell, who was ambushed in late May by a career felon while attempting to render aid. Due to staffing shortages, the day Mitchell was killed, he was working a mandatory solo overtime shift. Different law enforcement agencies were in Minneapolis this week to allow MPD officers to go Maple Grove High School to attend Mitchell's memorial service. The morning was cloudy and rainy, almost as if to mark the day of mourning for Mitchell. While the MPD made up of the bulk of the officers, many other law enforcement departments from across the country, as far away as Louisville, Kentucky, came to show their support. 'Jamal was much more than a police officer.' In attendance was Mitchell's fiancee, Tori Myslajek, their children, his mother, and extended family. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was also present for the service, a man many rank-and-file officers of the MPD despise for his role in helping turn public opinion against the police during the BLM riots in 2020. Frey made it a point to highlight Mitchell deciding to join the city's police force in the aftermath of 2020. "It's notable he chose the profession of policing post-2020. It's even more notable he affirmatively chose Minneapolis. Of all the places in the world, of all professions of the world, of all the cities of the world, he chose us," Frey said. He went on to thank the officers in the room for their continued service. But unlike all the other speakers, who included Chief Brian O'Hara and Mitchell's friends, not a single person in the packed audience applauded Frey as he left the stage. The gymnasium was silent. The only social media post in relation to Mitchell's memorial service to appear on Frey's official X account was reposting the city's message that included a link to the livestream of the event. In contrast, the energy in the room changed when Denise Raper, known as Aunt Deedee, read Psalm 23 and Officer Luke Weatherspoon recounted how his dour mood over having to stay late at work would change when he saw Mitchell. Neighbor Chris Dunker drew laughs when he took out a tube of Colgate toothpaste and said he will remember Mitchell every day, twice a day, when he brushes his teeth, a reference to Mitchell's beaming smile. Dunker held back tears as he said he will miss seeing Mitchell playing outside with his children. When Dunker stepped off the stage, Myslajek got up from her chair and embraced him. All of the speakers praised Mitchell for saving the lives of an elderly couple from a burning building on only his third day as an officer. It was an act, they said, that exemplified the very reason he wanted to join the MPD. "Jamal was much more than a police officer. He was an outstanding father, strongly engaged with his children," Officer Weatherspoon said. "Jamal lived for his family. Jamal loved them unconditionally." When the service was over, the sun now shining brightly on the day, it was time for Mitchell to be transferred to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport so he could go back to his home state of Connecticut. The route the convoy took to the airport was lined with members of the community of Maple Grove and beyond waving American flags and holding signs of support, along with veterans and first responders offering a salute. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A judge in Ohio has come under fire after it was revealed that he released a woman back out onto the streets just a few days before she allegedly stabbed a child to death.On June 2, 32-year-old Bionca Ellis allegedly stole a knife from a Volunteers of America Thrift Store and headed to a Giant Eagle grocery store in North Olmsted, Ohio, about 15 miles west of Cleveland. There, she came upon 38-year-old Margot Wood and her 3-year-old son, Julian.'Do everything you can to keep this monster behind bars.'Ellis followed the mother and son throughout the store and even tailed them into the parking lot, surveillance footage showed. Once outside, she allegedly attacked them with the stolen knife, stabbing young Julian in the face and back as he sat helpless in the shopping cart. She also apparently stabbed Margot as she attempted to move her child to safety.Julian later died from his injuries. Margot was wounded but is expected to survive. Police believe the attack was "random."At a court hearing on Monday, Ellis smirked and laughed as she heard the horrific charges against her. Jared Wood — Julian's father and Margot's husband — pleaded with the court: "Do everything you can to keep this monster behind bars."It appears the justice system in Ohio did not keep Ellis in custody when it had the chance. Just a few days before the deadly assault, Ellis appeared in court for a hearing on an alleged probation violation in connection with some merchandise stolen from Walmart last year.Magistrate Gregory Sponseller of the Rocky River Municipal Court had already ordered Ellis to receive a psychiatric evaluation after she seemed to have difficulty comprehending what he was saying and had perhaps even fallen asleep while he was talking to her. "I'm not sure she fully understands the simple requirements the court has imposed on her," Sponseller said at the time.Unfortunately, no mental health professional was available, and Rocky River Municipal Judge Brian Hagan determined at the time that to keep Ellis in custody on a minor alleged parole violation would have violated her rights. So he authorized her release.Three days later, little Julian was dead.'I think she was hallucinating. ... The hallucinations and the voices just got the best of her.'WJW has since spoken to Judge Hagan about that decision, and he insists he has no regrets. "I’m confident in the way this court handled the matter," Hagan told the outlet. "We did it by the letter of the law. There was nothing there to send up the alarm.""There wasn’t any red flags shooting up that pole. There wasn’t any indications here."An investigation into Ellis' recent history with law enforcement actually reveals several "red flags" and "indications," though whether Judge Hagan was aware of any of them is unclear. Back in January, Ellis was arrested in Bakersfield, California, for multiple counts of battery after she allegedly assaulted three people. A few weeks later, she was back in Ohio, telling Cleveland police that she had murdered someone in California and planned to kill again. Bakersfield officers could not find any open murder cases that matched the details Ellis described, so cops in Cleveland took her to a mental health facility.Then in March, police in Kissimmee, Florida, arrested Ellis for trespassing after she supposedly rented a hotel room without the means to pay for it. As a result, she spent the next few weeks in a Florida jail.Ellis is now behind bars again, this time at Cuyahoga County Jail on a $5 million bond, having pled not guilty to 10 new counts, including two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Prosecutors have already stated they intend to seek the death penalty.Ellis' mother, Yolanda Eggleton, believes the system failed the Wood family as well as her daughter. "I think she was hallucinating," Eggleton said. "Bionca has been on several medications that did not work out for her. The hallucinations and the voices just got the best of her.""My condolences to this family," she continued. "When I found out, I was devastated. I'm devastated."No child should ever have to lose their life."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The Dragon Age video game franchise took a strange turn after the game's director explained that all companions in the story will be pansexual and will have the ability to interact romantically with each other.The series is developed by studio BioWare and distributed by the massive company Electronic Arts. The first three games in the series have sold approximately 11.2 million copies, according to Levvvel, with the third iteration released all the way back in 2014.In 2024, Dragon Age: The Veilguard will finally get its long-awaited release, but not before going through changes that are often described as being for a "modern audience."Speaking to IGN, Director Corinne Busche insisted to the staff that companion characters in the game are specifically pansexual."Their past experiences or partners, they'll reference them and indeed who they'll become romantic with," Busche told IGN.The outlet pointed out that BioWare tends to have explicit sex scenes in their titles, which Busche confirmed for the new game."Of course, we are an M-rated game ... we do have nudity."'Romance arcs are what have contributed to the downfall of video games.'As noted by IGN, BioWare has a particular penchant for pushing gender ideology. In early April 2024, BioWare nonsensically declared that transgender people have always been a part of the company's "worlds.""Today is #TransgenderDayOfVisibility," the company wrote on X. "Trans people have always been a part of our worlds; we're proud to support them both within our games and in real life."The statement was issued despite the obvious fact that the topic was seldom spoken about for the first 20 years of the company's existence.The Dragon Age: The Veilguard director is a transgender person himself and was self-described on the BioWare website as a "queer trans woman.""I transitioned during my time at BioWare," Busche said. "I reflect all the time on how supported and seen I felt through that process, and how lucky I am to be surrounded by people of this caliber. It really speaks to the values of this team, and their commitment to inclusion in their works and their lives."Commentator Melonie Mac reacted to the game's trailer and directed Blaze News to her comments on why such ideologies are being pushed in such a popular franchise."The characters are ugly ... it's not about representation to them when the characters are overrepresented," she said."Romance arcs are what have contributed to the downfall of video games," she said on the Quartercast. Mac pointed out that many top titles have injected romance themes into their games, which have caused weird, sexual interactions within the gameplay.As well, celebrated game designer Mark Kern called the Dragon Age news "enforced queerness," as the battle of ideologies within the gaming community rages on.That Park Place reported that after news circulated of the pansexual direction of the game, Busche made his X page private and removed his activist-theme bio. This included references to his preferred pronouns, being a "Trans Woman," calling himself a "Queerosexual Gendermancer," and hashtags in support of "TransRights" and "BlackLivesMatter."Dragon Age: The Veilguard is slated for a fall 2024 release.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Guess How Much Terror Watchlist Encounters Shot Up After Biden Said 'Surge to the Border'