World News
Is The West Forgetting Ukraine?
A truck rumbles down a lonely dirt road, dust flying up in its wake. Other than the hum of the vehicle, everything is silent, save a few faint booms in the distance. The surroundings aren’t much to look at. There is no green; everything is dead. There are soldiers inside the truck, huddled together in the back. They are retreating from the city of Avdiivka, close to the eastern border of Ukraine. This is just one of many trucks leaving the city after Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander in chief of the Ukrainian military, gave the order to retreat. The city is empty, now that the troops have left. All that remains are the smoky skeletons of buildings. The glass is missing from the windows, leaving behind gaping black holes. The streets are a mess, with debris and boulders covering the roads. There is no color, no life left in this town. It is empty and forgotten, just like the weary soldiers coming from it.
Stirring the Waters: Cornell President Becomes Third Ivy League Leader to Step Down Since...
On May 9th, 2024, Martha E. Pollack declared her retirement after acting as Cornell University’s 14th President for over 7 years. Her departure date is slated to be June 30th, 2024, with Michael I. Kotlikoff scheduled to begin acting as interim president on July 1st. Kotlikoff, at the behest of the Cornell Board of Trustees, will serve a two-year term as interim president. The board plans to form a search committee to formally select Cornell’s 15th president with their search scheduled to conclude six to nine months before Kotlikoff’s term termination. Following her retirement, Pollack will be recognized for her contributions through the title of President Emerita, given by the Cornell Board of Trustees. The Latin-based term emeritus/emerita is a selective honorary title given to someone who has retired from a position of prestige, typically in academia or politics. This allows for the continued usage of their previously held title while also potentially allowing the individual to maintain some of their former duties.
All Natural – Gay Penguins, Trans Lions, and Other LGBTQ+ Reps in the Animal...
Happy Pride! To anyone identifying as LGBTQ+ or exploring their identity, we see and respect you, not just in June, but all year round. Diversity is something to be celebrated, after all. Unfortunately, how progressive people are varies between locations, with discrimination against the queer community still being very prevalent in some areas. In the Southern states, laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights and prohibiting the teaching of the subject in schools are repeatedly passed - no person should have those basic rights denied simply because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Government officials will argue that homosexuality isn’t natural, that being transgender is a sin, in order to justify their outlandish proposals.
What’s curious, though, is that taking a look at nature proves the exact opposite. Over 1,500 different species, from salmon to spiders, dolphins to ducks, have been observed engaging in homosexual behavior. Biologist Bruce Bagemihl explains in his book Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity that examples of homosexual behavior (besides actual intercourse) include courtship, pair bonding, and raising young, all of which have been exhibited by a wide range of creatures.
Intelligence Going Down the Skibidi Toilet
Generation Alpha, children born after 2010, is growing up in a drastically different environment than its predecessors. As digital natives, these young individuals are intricately linked to technology from a young age, influencing their experiences, behaviors, and development. However, despite the advantages of technological advances, Gen Alpha faces a unique set of challenges that contribute to an overall decline. This reduction has several causes including increasing screen time, educational disturbances, social and emotional development challenges, environmental and cultural strains, and tremendous societal and parental expectations. Understanding these issues is imperative for satisfying the needs of this generation and creating a healthier, more supportive atmosphere that fosters their growth and development.
Science and Technology
All Natural – Gay Penguins, Trans Lions, and Other LGBTQ+ Reps in the Animal...
Happy Pride! To anyone identifying as LGBTQ+ or exploring their identity, we see and respect you, not just in June, but all year round. Diversity is something to be celebrated, after all. Unfortunately, how progressive people are varies between locations, with discrimination against the queer community still being very prevalent in some areas. In the Southern states, laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights and prohibiting the teaching of the subject in schools are repeatedly passed - no person should have those basic rights denied simply because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Government officials will argue that homosexuality isn’t natural, that being transgender is a sin, in order to justify their outlandish proposals.
What’s curious, though, is that taking a look at nature proves the exact opposite. Over 1,500 different species, from salmon to spiders, dolphins to ducks, have been observed engaging in homosexual behavior. Biologist Bruce Bagemihl explains in his book Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity that examples of homosexual behavior (besides actual intercourse) include courtship, pair bonding, and raising young, all of which have been exhibited by a wide range of creatures.
Cute Video Game Kickstarters
The rise of independent work and self-employment after the pandemic has led to a fun rise in independent video game producers and Kickstarters. Not to say Kickstarters weren’t popular and successful before the pandemic, but recently, I’ve seen a bunch of ads for up and coming projects. Here are a few lovely projects to follow and support!
For Greek Mythology Enjoyers and Gamers Alike: Hades II Early Access Out Now
The first ever sequel developed by Supergiant Games since the studio’s creation in 2009, Hades II has taken the gaming world by storm.
Spiders on Mars: Here’s the Real Story!
Have you ever wondered if there are spiders on Mars? Well, the answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. The European Space Agency (ESA) recently shared some incredible images of dark formations, known as “spiders” or “ice spiders”. Let's uncover the truth behind these mysterious formations.
The Pink Fairy Armadillo May Not Fly, But Its Burrowing Abilities Sure Are Magical
What comes to mind when you think about fairies? The more contemporary definition involves fancy wings and a stereotypically feminine appearance, but classical folklore invites all sorts of magical creatures to be classified as fairies, provided that they are humanoid. An armadillo, on the other hand, shares a rather limited pool of qualities with these creatures of folklore.
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How to Train Your Dragon Live Action Remake Begins Production
The beloved Dreamworks trilogy How To Train Your Dragon is getting a live action remake, with its first production day having been January 15th, 2024. Dean DeBlois, who was the director of the original movies, will be returning to the chair and leading the remake; as he has proved himself to be a wonderful storyteller, many fans have high hopes for this film.
Holiday Movies to Add to Your Watchlist
With the holiday season next week, free time is just around the corner--which means there’s time to watch a Christmas classic movie to prepare for the season.
Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2023
A new year means the release of many new movies, some much more promising than the others. More than 2.96 billion dollars go towards movie theater spendings every year, and here are the top 10 movies whose releases fans have been eagerly awaiting.
Grey’s Anatomy Renewed for an 18th Season (Spoilers)
ABC’s medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy, has officially been renewed for another season. The show is the longest-standing televised medical drama. Star and executive producer, Ellen Pompeo, has signed a new contract to continue with the 18th season.
Top Upcoming Movies for 2021
2021 is shaping up to be a pretty exciting year for new movie releases. Whether you are headed to the theaters or ready to stream at home, this year promises to be a really rewarding one for cinema fans. Check out the top upcoming movies for 2021 and enjoy!