Bear Rescued from Abandoned Zoo in Ukraine Finds New Home in UK



A bear trapped in a zoo in Ukraine that had been hit by shelling was recently saved by Scottish zookeepers.

The Asiatic black bear was discovered when Ukrainian soldiers entered the village of Yampil which had been under Russian occupation for five months.

The bear, given the same name as the village, was concussed from the shelling and had to be carried out of the rubble by soldiers on a tarp. Once out of the warzone, Yampil the bear eventually reached Belgium, where he was cared for by the wildlife charity Natuurhulpcentrum.

Staff at Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian, Scotland heard about Yampil from the charity, and they decided to fly down to visit him, unsure of what to expect.

“Bears can often suffer mental health problems after going through a traumatic experience, and so it was really important we understood Yampil and what to expect from him,” said Garry Curran, the head of carnivores at Five Sisters. Speaking to the Guardian, he recounted that the team breathed a collective sigh of relief when they saw the bear contentedly chomping on a cucumber when they arrived.

“Although he appeared a little nervous at first, he seems to have adapted surprisingly well and didn’t actually show any concerning stress-related behaviors. He seems to be a calm and gentle individual, which was reassuring for all of us,” Curran told the Guardian.

Arrangements were made to transport the bear to Scotland, and after travelling 690 miles over 12 hours, Yampil arrived at his new home last Friday.

Now, Five Sisters Zoo are fundraising to finish construction of a permanent enclosure for Yampil. The zoo has raised £60,000 through their efforts so far, and are hoping to reach their target of £200,000, which will be used to fund Yampil’s specialist enclosure, care and upkeep. Any interested souls can donate through their appeal link here.

Staff at the zoo are grateful for the money raised so far through donations from individuals and for the materials donated from local businesses used to construct the enclosure.

“We have rescued bears before and have some terrific facilities,” said the owner of Five Sisters, Brian Curran. “However, Yampil is the first rescued Asiatic black bear we will care for, and he requires a whole new enclosure to match his special needs.”

Curran said that if Yampil feels comfortable in his temporary surroundings, he may go into hibernation, which would allow the construction to proceed at a more tranquil pace.

[lush]

Stobnica Castle – Poland’s Controversial Modern-Day Medieval Castle
111723*

Western Poland’s Notecka Forest is home to one of the country’s most controversial buildings, a medieval-style complex known as Stobnica Castle.

The construction of Stobnica Castle began in 2015, but it didn’t start attracting nationwide attention until 2018, when people started wondering what this gargantuan structure rising up at the edge of a well-known nature reserve, on what looked like a man-made island on Lake Stobnica, was. Aerial photos of a 15-storey medieval-like castle rising up in the middle of a pristine natural paradise about 50 km from the city of Poznan started going viral online and piqued people’s curiosity. What was this building, who was the owner and how had they obtained a building permit for it, considering its location at the edge of a Special Protection Area for Birds (20 species) within the Natura 2000 network?


Photo: Archsz/Wikimedia Commons

It’s been over five years since Stobnica Castle first started making news headlines in Poland, and although it has been at the center of multiple court battles and Government official sackings, the mystery surrounding the medieval-style structure persists. For years, no one really knew who the owner of Stobnica Castle was. Some suspected it was the project of billionaire Jan Kulczyk, who died in 2015 but whom some conspiracy theorists believe faked his own death, while some more cent sources claim it belongs to doctor and businessman Pawel N. The funds for the construction have also sparked controversy, with some news sources claiming that they originated from offshore accounts.

The purpose of the building is currently being disputed as well. While the developer’s attorneys insist that Stobnica Castle will be their client’s personal residence, there has long been speculation that it will either be transformed into a luxury hotel, or transformed into a residential complex for the rich and powerful. Many people are finding it hard to believe that anyone, no matter how rich they are, would spend 40 0 million zloti ($91 million) on a personal residence.

When photos of the gigantic Stobnica Castle first went viral in 2018, they sparked massive outrage among environmental activists and the general public. in the years that followed, investigators gathered evidence about how the building permits had been obtained, and whether the developer could actually build so close to a natural reserve, while also building an artificial island on Lake Stobnica.

In July 2020, the District Prosecutor’s Office in Poznań accused 6 people, including representatives of the investor, an architect, and local officials. That same year, the provincial governor was removed from office. In early 2021, the Central Anti-corruption Bureau initiated another investigation: suspicion of financing investments from money laundering (transfers from Cyprus offshore accounts).

In August 2021, the Chief Inspector of Construction Supervision (GINB) annulled the building permit for Stobnica Castle, but the decision was immediately appealed by the developers, and construction has been continuing ever since. recent photos and aerial footage show that the exterior of the medieval-style complex is nearly completed, including a 90-meter-tall tower rising up from its center.

Sources close to the project estimate that Stobnica Castle will be completed around 2025, while others speculate that it might end up being demolished by the state, because of its controversial location, at the edge of a protected nature reserve. The only sure thing is that its fate is currently up in the air.



For more modern-day castles, check out Russia’s Chateau Erken and the fairytale-like Jilongbao Resort.

Teacher’s list of 32 ‘ridiculous’ banned words in the classroom sparks debate: ‘She’s on a power trip’



They deemed these terms too cool for school.

Younger people’s lingo isn’t just ruffling feathers in the workplace: A teacher sparked a furious debate online after unveiling a list of 32 slang words that are forbidden in their classroom, as seen in an X post with more than 33 million views.

“The gibberish some of you choose to use is improper English,” the anonymous educator declared while announcing the vernacular blacklist, which was instated at an unnamed school.

They imposed the policy after noticing an uptick in students using terms they deemed “inappropriate for an academic setting” as well as detrimental to the learning process.

“There are many ways to articulate what you need to say without using slang,” they wrote. “Please know that using slang in an academic setting can diminish your capability to become a successful writer. More often than not the way you speak is the way you will write.”

The verboten vocabulary words included: “Bruh” (teen slang for “bro” used to address anyone), “What’s up G Wade?”

The pedagogue wrote that anyone using the canceled expressions would need to write a “short essay explaining why you chose to use these words in an academic setting to express yourselves,” per the X post.

“This is an academic institution, and you will carry yourself as scholars in my classroom,” they declared.

Many commenters accused the teacher of talking out of school, claiming that her policy was a bit overzealous.

“I would have been kicked out that class,” declared one critic on X, while another wrote, “A bit extra but whatever.”

These Gen Z slang terms are totally outdated, according to Gen Alpha: ‘What does that even mean?’

“She’s on a power trip & and doesn’t value the language of her students,” declared a third. “She is more concerned with compliance than learning about her students because she does not value her students’ identities.”

Others mocked the teacher’s measure by invoking said forbidden slang. “5 mins into class: Oh my God Ms T what’s up big dawg, I’m having big MOTION standing on BIG BUSINESS bruh! on my mama/brother/cousin/associate it’s giving just vibe,” quipped one X wit.

“I wonder why ‘dude’ is not on this list,” wondered one poster.

However, others sided with the teacher’s measure.

“Seems like a teacher that actually cares to me … probably more [than] the parents,” said one. defender.

“I agree with this method (not all of the words though) & I’m not sorry,” declared another. “Kids don’t know when to use this language & this will teach them to think before they speak, know time & place for everything, & to respect adults…”

Some detractors labeled the policy “anti-black” as it seemed to single out expressions that are popular in African-American culture.

However, that assessment didn’t fly for some.

“Accurate and correct,” wrote one supporter, adding their theory about the instructor’s incentive.

“Sounds like a black teacher trying to help black kids elevate.”

https://nypost.com/2024/01/12/lifestyle ... ower-trip/

[HogwartsExpress]

Space minister ‘confuses Mars with the Sun’

The space minister mixed up Mars with the Sun and mistook Jupiter for Saturn, it has been reported.

Andrew Griffith, a frontbencher at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, also dismissed the prospect of becoming the first minister in space as he trumpeted the UK’s achievements in the sector.

In an interview with The House magazine, Mr Griffith said: “Would I want to be the first minister in space? I think the whole idea of space exploration is fascinating.

“It’s enormously good that people like Tim Peake and others do that, but I’m very respectful of the amount of proficiency that goes into that.”

Asked whether he would go up into the stratosphere, he replied: “That’s for other people.”

A YouGov survey last September showed more than half (54 per cent) of the British public did not want to travel to outer space, while 36 per cent would like the opportunity and a further 10 per cent said they did not know.

During his interview, Mr Griffith was said to have pointed to a Science Museum exhibit that switched appearance to show the surfaces of different planets and declared “now we have got Mars!” – only to be told by a member of museum staff it was in fact the Sun.

According to the magazine, he went on to exclaim “that one is Saturn” when the display changed again, only for the employee to reply: “No, no, that is Jupiter.”

Despite his reluctance to venture into orbit, Mr Griffith hailed Britain as a “great spacefaring nation” and said it was one of around half a dozen nations “that have got real credibility in space”.

Mr Griffith also downplayed the idea of a lunar expedition by Mr Peake, who is the only official British astronaut to go to the International Space Station and do a space walk and has previously expressed interest in becoming the first Briton to ever walk on the Moon.

However, Mr Griffith said: “We’re not sending Tim Peake to the Moon – we’re sending him back to the International Space Station.

“I hope that doesn’t come as bad news to Tim, but I think that’s a mistake. I think that’s a misunderstanding or misspeak.”

Mr Griffith, who was a chief operating officer at Sky before his election as the MP for Arundel and South Downs in 2019, has previously said lower taxes will be key to Britain’s economic success, calling for a “competitively regulated, low-tax and high-skills economy”.

src: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/sp ... r-AA1n04oZ

[PennySerenade]

Madonna Apologizes to Toronto for Saying 'Hello, Boston': 'What Kind of F---ed Up S--- Is That?'



Madonna was all about the "music" and not about the location at one of her recent shows.

The pop megastar, 65, was performing a pair of her Celebration Tour shows in Toronto this past week at the Scotiabank Arena, but forgot where she was for a moment.

During Madonna's concert on Friday Jan. 12, she greeted the audience with, "Hello, Boston," before quickly apologizing and correcting herself. She had been in Boston at the TD Garden for her last two performances.

“Are you guys mad at me ’cause I said ‘Hello, Boston!’?” the "Hung Up" singer asked the crowd in a fan-captured TikTok video. “I’m sorry. What kind of f---ed up s--- is that? That would be like if you guys were saying, ‘Hey, Lady Gaga’s playing tonight!'”

“I wouldn’t like that. I mean, you know, nothing against Lady Gaga. Love her. I do! I love anyone shorter than me," Madonna quipped.

The seven-time Grammy winner did happen to be in an ongoing feud with the "Poker Face" singer, 37, for many years, however they appeared to quash their beef in 2019 after the Material Girl and newly minted Oscar winner were photographed snuggling up close at Madonna’s post-Oscars party.

In the photo, the two laid atop what seemed to be crumpled white paper as Madonna cradled a smiling Gaga’s face in her arms. Meanwhile, the "Joanne" performer was holding her new hardware, which she picked up for best original song for A Star Is Born’s “Shallow.”



During last Monday's show in Boston, the "Vogue" artist put on a surprise performance of her hit song "Express Yourself."

During the fifth act of her Celebration Tour concert, she swapped an acoustic cover of Gloria Gaynor's 1978 disco anthem "I Will Survive" with an unplugged version of her 1989 single.

According to a fan video on YouTube, Madonna held a beer up to the crowd and announced she's "starting out 2024 with gratitude — I appreciate you" and took a sip.



Then, she reached for her acoustic guitar and took off her cowboy hat to put the guitar on: "I have too many props."

She continued: "I feel like I'm in a saloon and everyone is hootin' and hollerin'."

Madonna also sang an a cappella version of "This Little Light of Mine" with some help from the crowd.

[goldie0608]

Passenger Whose Laptop Was Stolen at Airport Tracked Down Thief Herself After He Tried to Blackmail Her

The woman, who spoke anonymously to NBC, uncovered the man’s IP address to figure out his location after he sent her nude photos he'd taken off her computer



A woman whose laptop was stolen at Dulles International Airport took matters into her own hands to get it back after the thief tried to blackmail her.

According to NBC4 Washington, the woman — who is referred to as “Jane” since she spoke to the outlet on the condition of anonymity — was flying home for the holidays when her backpack, which contained her 10-year-old laptop, was swiped.

Jane reported the crime to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), who found footage of the robbery.

NBC4 says the police report revealed that the person seen stealing the backpack in surveillance footage was identified as an employee of Smarte Carte, a company that provides passengers with luggage carts at the airport. However, Jane told the news outlet, the MWAA said they needed to continue the investigation to obtain a search warrant, so the suspect wasn’t arrested and was allowed to continue working.

When Jane woke up one morning to a message from an anonymous Instagram account, which contained a nude photo of herself, she knew it had to have been sent by the laptop thief, since it was part of an art project she’d saved on the device.

According to NBC4, Jane was told by the MWAA investigator assigned to her case that she could respond if she felt comfortable doing so.

“I really didn’t want to, but I wanted to get my computer back,” she said.

When Jane replied to the message, the Instagram user who’d contacted her said he wanted more photos — and $3,000.

“I think he just saw an opportunity to try and blackmail me,” she said. “I was very upset. I’d never been in a situation like this before.”

Jane sprang into action, and used an online search tool to uncover the man’s IP address and GPS coordinates. The IP address was registered in Springfield, Virginia.

Police were able to use that information to conduct surveillance and ultimately obtain a search warrant. The suspect was finally arrested, and Jane was reunited with her laptop (though its contents had been erased).

“For an investigative process to play out in a lawful way, you have to be very methodical,” MWAA spokesperson Rob Yingling told NBC4. “There's a lot of inner[sic] agency work that also takes place, because this investigation left the campus of the airport.”

PEOPLE reached out to Yingling, who declined to comment further on the case, but confirmed the accuracy of his statements.

Jane also sued the suspect in small claims court, and the case was eventually settled.

The suspect pleaded guilty to petit larceny and received 12 months of probation. His employment with Smarte Carte was terminated when MWAA suspended his security badge.

San Antonio Zoo brings back 'Name a Roach After your Ex' event
This year, the zoo is offering five Valentine's Day-themed romantic events for singles and couples.


Donate $10 to the San Antonio Zoo and you can name this crawly critter. Courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo

In time for Valentine's Day, the San Antonio Zoo has brought back its wildly popular "Cry Me A Cockroach" promotion, not to mention a host of other events that play up the holiday's more romantic side.

As the name suggests, the zoo is once again offering to name a cockroach, rat or vegetable after an ex-lover and let the jilted person watch as staff feeds it an animal. Folks 18 and older can get back at their not-so-special someone by donating at least $10.

The cockroach program is the zoo's best-known Valentine's Day promotion thanks to its national media exposure. However, this year, the facility is also staging other fundraisers for those looking to stoke the fires of romance instead of torching an ex.

For those seeking a mate, the zoo is offering Hippo poop-scented candles, available online for $15. Hippos use the unique scent of their scat to attract mating partners, in case anyone reading is unaware of how the beasts' romantic overtures work.

In a press release, San Antonio Zoo officials said this year's scent will be that of resident Timothy the Hippo. (Still the pitter-patter of your hearts, wildlife enthusiasts.)

That Hippo poop-scented fragrance might come in handy at the zoo's annual Meet Your Next Ex singles event, which runs 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 10. The 21-and-up gathering includes speed dating and untamed fun at Club Wild Thingz with DJ Mayhem. General admission tickets cost $30. VIP tickets priced at $100 include lounge access and all-inclusive drinks, according to zoo officials.

For those who have already found love, the zoo is offering a romantic Wild at Heart dining experience next to the Hippo exhibit. Diners will be able to partake in a six-course candlelit meal in a cave while surrounded by hippos and curious crocodiles. Tickets for the Feb. 14 dinner start at $175 per person.

Last but not least, the zoo is inviting couples to its inaugural Naughty by Nature tour. During the 45-minute, after-dark cart ride, a guide will explain the mating practices of animals housed at the facility. The tour will run various dates in February at $79 per person. Given the sultry subject matter, it's adults only.

Tickets for each event and the hippo dung-scented candles are available at the San Antonio Zoo's website.

Cape Verde Becomes the First African Country in 50 Years to Eradicate Malaria



Lao focused on preventative medication in at-risk areas – credit, WHO/Enric Catala

Becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to eliminate Malaria in half a century, Cape Verde has gone three years without a single case of transmission.

Malaria kills most people who die every year, and now that the complex phenomenon of various parasites and various mosquitoes has been quelled, it should stay that way owing to the fact that Cape Verde is a nation of islands.

Indeed, all international travelers and migrants have free access to malaria diagnoses, which has been one of the nation’s strategies for controlling the spread of the parasite. Active mosquito control has also helped, as well as a general rise in the standard of testing and treatment.

“This success reflects the hard work and dedication of countless health professionals, collaborators, communities and international partners. It is a testimony to what can be achieved through collective commitment to improving public health,” Cape Verde’s Health Minister Dr Filomena Gonçalves told the BBC.

Mauritius, another island nation in African seas, was the last country to eliminate malaria—doing so in 1973.

Not needing the natural benefits of islands and oceans, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was recently hailed by the WHO for its successful eradication of the disease lymphatic filariasis.

Commonly known as elephantiasis, it’s a debilitating parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes. For centuries, this disease has afflicted millions of people worldwide, causing pain, severe disability and social stigmatization.

Lao PDR is the 18th country in the Asian and Pacific tropics to have eradicated the disease from their society, proving that determined measures can succeed against it even among low-income countries.

It’s also the second neglected tropical disease that the country has eliminated following the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in 2017.

To eliminate the disease, which by 2002 was endemic in only one southern Lao province (Attapeu), local health authorities and partners gave preventive medication to at-risk communities from 2012 to 2017. Elimination efforts also benefited from activities to reduce malaria and dengue, including distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and health education campaigns.

“Our country’s achievement has been made possible through years of collective efforts by dedicated health workers together with support from WHO and partners,” said Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, the Health Minister for Lao DPR at a ceremony celebrating his ministry’s efforts.

[Misstee]

Iowa man's snow shark sculpture becomes a local tourist attraction
By Ben Hooper







Jan. 16 (UPI) -- An Iowa man's yard is attracting schools of visitors from across the area after he built a 20-foot-long shark sculpture out of snow.

Carlos Maldonado, a sculptor and owner of Carlos Maldonado Artwork in Iowa City, created the 5.5-foot-tall great white shark sculpture from snow with help from his two sons.

"I looked up snow sculptures, I didn't really want to do anything plain," Maldonado told Iowa's News Now. "When I saw a shark online, I figured I could do that. So, I gave it shot and this is what we ended up with."

He said it took about 4 1/2 hours to sculpt the shark and another hour and a half to color it with watered-down acrylic paint the following day.

Maldonado's photos of his artwork posted online led to an influx of visitors wanting to take photos with the snow shark.

"My fiancé had seen this online on Facebook and we just thought it was a really good idea to bring our kids out to be able to see what creativity and what they can really do with snow," visitor Anastasia Morton said. "It will be a very good memory for my kids."