Nora Roberts donates $50K to embattled Jamestown Township library

Romance novelist Nora Roberts has donated $50,000 to support a library in Jamestown Township that has faced pushback from its community over keeping LGBTQ books in the stacks. The Jamestown Township Library board confirmed the donation to a GoFundMe account. Roberts’ publicist told News 8 the $50,000 was the maximum donation allowed by GoFundMe but added Roberts said library leaders could reach out to her if they need more.
Read more: https://www.woodtv.com/news/ottawa-county/nora-roberts-donates-50k-to-embattled-jamestown-township-library/?source=Snapzu

Designers from the UK have built a Martian house

Would you like to live in a Martian house on Earth? If you like to live in one, a Martian house — designed to withstand Mars' harsh climate — was recently introduced in the heart of Bristol, United Kingdom. The Martian house was conceived by artists Ella Good and Nicki Kent, who wanted to use Mars as a lens to focus on what we need and how we want to live on Earth.
Read more: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/martian-house-in-bristol-uk?source=Snapzu

Ukraine has hobbled Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Could it turn the tide of the war?

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was once considered central to Vladimir Putin’s attempted conquest of Ukraine. But that fleet and its accompanying air wing have been battered by innovative Ukrainian missile and drone attacks, turning the once-feared force into something of an afterthought in Europe’s largest war in seven decades.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/29/russias-black-sea-fleet-stuck-struck-and-sinking-00054114?source=Snapzu

‘Green gold’: Spanish farmers ditch olives for pistachios in bid to survive

Hard-up producers replace wheatfields and vineyards with a more lucrative, drought-resistant crop
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/27/spainish-farmers-pistachio-nuts-olives-grapes-wheat-drought-resistant-crop?source=Snapzu

Movie tickets will be $3 at Regal, AMC, more theaters Saturday

Sept. 3 is the first National Cinema Day with movie tickets costing a fraction of regular price.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/2022/08/29/national-cinema-day-movie-tickets-discount?source=Snapzu

Billionaire John Malone loves Fox News. But he owns a piece of CNN.

One of the world’s most powerful news outlets has a new mandate — which happens to sync with the views of one of the world’s richest men.
Read more: https://www.vox.com/2022/8/26/23322761/cnn-john-malone-david-zaslav-chris-licht-brian-stelter-fox-peter-kafka-column?source=Snapzu

Flicking the kill switch: governments embrace internet shutdowns as a form of control

From Sudan to Syria, Jordan to Jaipur, the trend towards digital authoritarianism is deepening
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/aug/29/flicking-the-kill-switch-governments-embrace-internet-shutdowns-as-a-form-of-control?source=Snapzu

Commanders' Robinson shot in possible robbery

Commanders rookie running back Brian Robinson is being treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries after he was shot multiple times Sunday evening during a possible attempted robbery in Washington, D.C.
Read more: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34478785?source=Snapzu

Environment Agency tells staff to ignore pollution complaints, says ex-employee

England’s rivers will continue to deteriorate unless the Environment Agency stops “shutting down” the public’s calls about pollution, according to an ex-employee who worked at the agency for three decades.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/29/environment-agency-tells-staff-to-ignore-river-pollution-complaints-age-of-extinction?source=Snapzu

Venezuela and Colombia restore full diplomatic ties after three years

The South American neighbors have exchanged ambassadors for the first time since 2019. The normalization process will include the full reopening of the border, which has remained largely closed to vehicles.
Read more: https://www.dw.com/en/venezuela-and-colombia-restore-full-diplomatic-ties-after-three-years/a-62957239?source=Snapzu

Pakistan declares national emergency as flood toll nears 1,000

At least 937 people have died and 33 million ‘badly affected’ as Pakistan struggles to cope with devastating floods.
Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/26/pakistan-floods?source=Snapzu

Famous Churchill portrait swapped with copy in Ottawa hotel, staff doesn't notice for months

A famous portrait of World War II-era British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was stolen from an Ottawa hotel and replaced with a copy without staff noticing for months.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/churchill-portrait-ottawa-swapped/index.html?source=Snapzu

It's now illegal for anyone under 21 to buy canned whipped cream in New York, officials say it's to stop teens from inhaling nitrous oxide

It is illegal for New Yorkers under age 21 to purchase a can of whipped cream, according to recently-passed state law. The law, which went into effect in November 2021, is meant to prevent teenagers from using canned whipped cream to inhale nitrous oxide, otherwise known as "whippets."
Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/now-illegal-anyone-under-21-201514100.html?source=Snapzu

‘Look closely and there’s a tear in Armstrong’s eye’: the Apollo space missions as you’ve never seen them before

Nasa’s original moon mission photographs, kept locked in a freezer in Houston, are some of the most vital artefacts of human endeavour. Now, they have been remastered for a new century. Introduction by Tim Peake. Photographs restored by Andy Saunders.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/aug/26/apollo-space-moon-missions-photographs-remastered-neil-armstrong?utm_source=digg?source=Snapzu

Renewable Energy is Absolutely Crushing Fossil Fuels in 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act recently passed by Congress adds significant long-term certainty for electric utilities and power generators eager to transition to cleaner power sources, but the effects won't be felt for a few years. That doesn't mean industry is waiting around in the meantime.
Read more: https://www.thestreet.com/investing/renewables-are-absolutely-crushing-fossil-fuels-in-2022?source=Snapzu

The Biden-Trump Persecution of Julian Assange

For a good while one could blame Trump for the prosecutorial monstrosity perpetrated on journalist Julian Assange. But now it’s time for Trump to move over. The single worst assault on the first amendment and a free press in recent centuries is no longer solely his. Biden owns it. Biden could end this state persecution of a journalist today, if he felt like it. A persecution that a U.N. expert has called torture. A persecution that could easily lead to Assange’s death.
Read more: https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/08/19/the-biden-trump-persecution-of-julian-assange/?source=Snapzu

In Japan's 'random travel' trend, Lady Luck chooses the destination

So-called random trips, in which destinations are determined randomly by lottery or other means, are gaining popularity in Japan. In addition to the thrill of leaving travel plans up to chance, railway operators and airlines making using such strategies are providing the incentive of affordability through discounts.
Read more: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/08/22/business/economy-business/random-trips-japan/?source=Snapzu

U.S. Justice Department in early stages of drafting possible antitrust suit against Apple -Politico

The U.S. Justice Department is in the early stages of drafting a potential antitrust complaint against Apple Inc , Politico reported on Friday, citing a person with direct knowledge of the matter.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-doj-early-stages-drafting-possible-antitrust-suit-against-apple-politico-2022-08-26/?source=Snapzu

Efforts to pass global ocean protection treaty fail

Campaigners say it is a missed opportunity to protect species like sharks at risk of extinction.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62680423?source=Snapzu

Kevin Hart Sex Tape Lawsuit to Go To Trial

A motion to dismiss a lawsuit by Montia Sabbag was denied by a judge, which means Hart's case will now go to court in October.
Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/kevin-hart-sex-tape-lawsuit-montia-sabbag-go-trial-1737241?source=Snapzu

‘I was doing it for fun’: man, 92, could be oldest Briton to pass GCSE exam

A 92-year-old man could be the oldest person in Britain to ever pass a GCSE exam after receiving the highest possible grade in his maths paper. Derek Skipper, from Orwell in Cambridgeshire, sat a foundation level maths exam earlier this year, and found out on Thursday morning he had achieved a level 5 (equivalent to a lower B).
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/aug/25/youre-never-too-old-man-92-could-be-oldest-briton-to-pass-gcse-exam?source=Snapzu

Why there's no 'Dijon' in Dijon mustard

France is facing a widespread dearth of Dijon mustard, which news outlets wasted no time in attributing to the war in Ukraine. But the story is a whole lot spicier than that.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220816-why-theres-no-dijon-in-dijon-mustard?source=Snapzu

Finland: Journalists on trial over disclosure of defense secrets | DW | 25.08.2022

In an unprecedented case, three Finnish journalists are being tried on charges of publishing classified defense intelligence in a newspaper article.
Read more: https://www.dw.com/en/finland-journalists-on-trial-over-disclosure-of-defense-secrets/a-62931770?source=Snapzu

Abortion bans to take effect in 4 more GOP-led states

Four more Republican-led states will ban almost all abortions this week.
Read more: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/abortion-bans-to-take-effect-in-4-more-gop-led-states?source=Snapzu

Trump's social media app facing financial fallout

Former President Donald Trump’s social media outfit, Truth Social, is locked in a bitter battle with one of its vendors claiming that the platform is stiffing the company out of more than $1 million in contractually obligated payments, FOX Business has learned.
Read more: https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/trump-social-media-app-facing-financial-fallout?source=Snapzu

With 'Assistance' from Exchanges, Ukraine Gains Access to Russian Crypto Wallets and SEIZES All Their Assets...

Crypto assets have played a role in financing both sides in the war between Russia and Ukraine, something we started seeing signs of almost immediately upon its start.
Read more: https://www.globalcryptopress.com/2022/08/with-assistance-from-exchanges-ukraine.html?=headline?source=Snapzu

GOP candidate who said it’s “totally just” to stone gays to death loses election

He said Christians "should" believe it's moral to execute gay people. Voters may have disagreed...
Read more: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/08/gop-candidate-said-totally-just-stone-gays-death-loses-election/?source=Snapzu

Fleet of hydrogen passenger trains begins service in Germany

German officials launched what they say is the world's first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains Wednesday, replacing 15 diesel trains that previously operated on nonelectrified tracks in the state of Lower Saxony.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/technology-germany-government-and-politics-b96b031cfeb12ea69ae078664b2eb6c4?source=Snapzu

Shaquille O'Neal explains why he thinks the Earth is flat: "It's a theory"

The NBA star noted that he "didn't tip over" or "go upside down" during a flight from the U.S. to Australia.
Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/shaquille-oneal-earth-flat-explanation-podcast-1736414?source=Snapzu

Facebook and Twitter Take Down a U.S. Propaganda Operation Targeting Russia, China, Iran

"These findings unveil what we believe are the first major covert pro-America and Western operations identified and suspended by Twitter and Meta,” a researcher who examined the operation told Motherboard.
Read more: https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7z77m/facebook-twitter-take-down-us-propaganda-operation-targeting-russia-china-iran?source=Snapzu

Biden set to cancel $10K of student debt for millions, $20K for Pell grant recipients

The deliberations have gone on for months. An announcement on details was expected Wednesday.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/23/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-repayment-pause-00053299?source=Snapzu

Australian bank will end loans for new gas and diesel cars in shift to electric vehicles

An Australian bank announced this week that it will stop funding loans for new gas and diesel cars in 2025 to encourage the shift to electric vehicles. "We think that the responsible thing for us to do next, is to ensure that our vehicle lending doesn’t lock our customers in to higher carbon emissions and increasingly expensive running costs in the years ahead," Bank Australia Chief Impact Officer Sasha Courville said in a statement on Friday.
Read more: https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/australian-bank-end-loans-new-gas-diesel-cars-shift-electric-vehicles?source=Snapzu

Russia's rocket launcher-carrying, robot ninja dog was likely bought off Alibaba

WTF?! Russia has unveiled a robotic dog that carries an anti-tank rocket launcher on its back. While such a creation has plenty of scary, Black Mirror-style implications, it appears to be little more than a $2,700 machine purchasable from Alibaba, carrying an RPG it might not be able to fire very well (or at all), and dressed like a dog-ninja, for some reason.
Read more: https://www.techspot.com/news/95639-russia-rocket-launcher-carrying-robot-ninja-dog-likely.html?source=Snapzu

After '1,000-year' storm in Dallas, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott chooses not to mention 'climate change'

A day after a “1-in-1,000-year” storm dumped up to 15 inches of rain in Dallas, triggering flash floods that submerged vehicles along a highway and left at least one person dead, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday said that the state is prepared to handle “extreme weather.”
Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/texas-gov-abbott-wont-say-climate-change-extreme-weather-dallas-floods-191254447.html?source=Snapzu

Ancient tooth DNA reveals how ‘cold sore’ herpes virus has evolved

Teeth from long-dead people and animals are divulging the history of modern-day pathogens.
Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02246-1?source=Snapzu

Kim Kardashian's Paris hotel robber, who helped steal more than $10 million in jewelry from the reality star, blamed her for the heist: 'They should be a little less showy toward people who can't afford it'

One of the robbers involved in the 2016 heist of Kim Kardashian's Paris hotel room said he didn't feel guilty about the incident that traumatized the reality star. In 2016, masked robbers broke into Kardashian's room at the Hôtel de Pourtalès during Paris Fashion Week, where they tied her up and duct-taped her mouth and eyes shut as they stole nearly $11 million of her jewelry at gunpoint.
Read more: https://www.insider.com/kim-kardashians-paris-hotel-robber-celebs-should-be-less-showy-2022-8?source=Snapzu

Bird flu has killed 700 wild black vultures, says Georgia sanctuary

Exclusion zone set up around Noah’s Ark sanctuary in US amid outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 strain
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/24/bird-flu-has-killed-700-wild-black-vultures-says-georgia-sanctuary?source=Snapzu

Suzanne Somers: My last meeting with ‘broken’ Richard Simmons before disappearance

Legendary workout guru Richard Simmons hasn’t been seen since 2014, when he vanished from the public eye. Suzanne Somers recalled her last encounter with him in the new “TMZ Investigates” documentary “What Really Happened to Richard Simmons” — and how she observed “heartache” in the mysterious “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” star.
Read more: https://nypost.com/2022/08/23/suzanne-somers-my-last-meeting-with-richard-simmons-before-disappearance/?source=Snapzu

California lawmakers allow lawsuits against 'cyber flashers'

Victims who receive unsolicited sexually graphic material by text, email, app or other electronic means could sue the sender under a bill that lawmakers sent to Gov. Newsom.
Read more: https://abc7.com/cyber-flashing-california-unsolicited-graphic/12158210/?source=Snapzu

‘Last Week Tonight’ Host John Oliver Calls HBO Max “a Series of Tax Write-Offs to Appease Wall Street”

He also took aim at the 'Sex and the City' franchise.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/last-week-tonight-host-john-oliver-criticizes-hbo-max-1235203236/?source=Snapzu

Johnny Depp fans call to ‘shut down’ Women’s March for supporting Amber Heard

Johnny Depp fans are attacking Women’s March after the feminist organisation voiced support for Amber Heard and described her as a “victim” of her ex-husband’s alleged abuse. The hashtag #ShutDownWomensMarch was trending on Twitter this week as Mr Depp’s fans called on social media users to boycott the organisation, which first grew out of the 2017 worldwide protest against Donald Trump’s presidency.
Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/johnny-depp-amber-heard-womens-march-b2148642.html?fbclid=IwAR0rE9PD-kbVhbCX95rIphjJ3zjniGw7dzEj1tmBMnH7uIaat5vuFJUF65A?source=Snapzu

Nearly 2,000 Signal users affected by Twilio phishing attack

New findings following the Twilio phishing attack revealed that Signal, one of its high-value clients and a popular encrypted messaging platform, was particularly affected.
Read more: https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/08/nearly-2000-signal-users-compromised-after-twilio-phishing-attack?source=Snapzu

The Final Days of the Trump White House: Chaos and Scattered Papers

Government documents that President Donald J. Trump had accumulated were with him in roughly two dozen boxes in the White House residence. They were to go to the National Archives, but at least some ended up in Florida.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/20/us/politics/trump-fbi-search.html?source=Snapzu

Tesla Owner Implants Chip In Hand To Open Car, Access Data

A Tesla owner has implanted two scannable chips into his hand in order to store cryptocurrencies and data. The chips also function as a key to his home and as a way of accessing his medical card. One of the chips also unlocks his Tesla Model 3. 39-year-old Brandon Dalaly stated that he did not use anesthesia to numb the pain and that his first chip was a lot smaller than his second...
Read more: https://insideevs.com/news/605577/tesla-owner-chip/?source=Snapzu

Tyson Fury calls for action on knife crime after cousin stabbed to death

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury urged the UK government to take tougher action against knife crime after his cousin was stabbed to death in the early hours of Sunday.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/tyson-fury-calls-action-knife-crime-after-cousin-stabbed-death-2022-08-21/?source=Snapzu

A Dad Took Photos of His Naked Toddler for the Doctor. Google Flagged Him as a Criminal.

Mark noticed something amiss with his toddler. His son’s penis looked swollen and was hurting him. Mark, a stay-at-home dad in San Francisco, grabbed his Android smartphone and took photos to document the problem so he could track its progression.
Read more: https://dnyuz.com/2022/08/21/a-dad-took-photos-of-his-naked-toddler-for-the-doctor-google-flagged-him-as-a-criminal/?source=Snapzu

Metal-detecting stranger retrieves woman's ring lost in sea

A Massachusetts woman's diamond wedding ring, a family heirloom, is back on her finger after a man with a metal detector responded to her social media plea for help and found it at the bottom of the ocean.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/metal-detecting-stranger-retrieves-womans-ring-lost-sea-88636398?source=Snapzu

Apps and advertisers are coming for your lock screen, and it’s going to be exhausting

Customizing your lock screen is good, turning it into a platform is bad
Read more: https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/5/23195827/lockscreen-content-apple-ios-16-glance?source=Snapzu

In a besieged Amazon, people take up cameras to save their land

A new documentary co-produced by Indigenous filmmakers offers an inside look at a community on the frontlines of deforestation.
Read more: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/in-a-besieged-amazon-people-take-up-cameras-to-save-their-land?source=Snapzu

Court orders release of DOJ memo on Trump obstruction in Mueller probe

The panel agreed with a lower court judge who found the Department of Justice's arguments misleading.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/08/19/barr-memo-court-mueller-release-russia/?source=Snapzu