This is Yuki.
He was rescued from being euthanized after her owner dropped him off at a shelter for getting too big. DNA results show that he is 87.5% Gray Wolf, 8.6% Siberian husky, and 3.9% German shepherd
#wtf #insane
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In the remote desert of Libya’s Tadrart Acacus lies a geological enigma known as the "Valley of the Planets."
Among its most striking features are the peculiar disc-like boulders scattered across the landscape, resembling ancient relics from another world. These smooth, flat rock formations stand out against the more irregular shapes typically seen in desert environments, sparking intrigue among geologists and explorers alike.
While it’s generally believed that these boulders were shaped by wind and sand erosion over millions of years, their uniformity and disc-like appearance remain a mystery. How did natural forces create such perfectly rounded shapes? Some suggest the boulders are remnants of a much older geological structure, slowly worn down by time. Others theorize that unique wind patterns or underground forces may have played a role.
Yet, much remains unknown. The valley's remote location and Libya's political challenges have limited scientific exploration, leaving many questions unanswered. How old are these formations? What specific conditions led to their unusual shapes? Until more research is conducted, the Valley of the Planets will continue to perplex and captivate.
#ValleyOfThePlanets #GeologicalMystery #DesertBoulders #WindErosion #LibyaExploration
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Nestled in the heart of Elvas, Portugal, stands the enigmatic Nossa Senhora da Graça Fort, or the Fort of Our Lady of Grace, a true marvel of military architecture.
Constructed between 1579 and 1592 under the reign of King Philip II of Spain, this captivating star-shaped fortress was brought to life by the brilliant military engineer Francisco de Arruda. Its strategic location near the Spanish border made it a bastion of defense critical to the protection of Elvas.
The fort’s ingenious star design, coupled with its formidable walls and bastions, was meticulously engineered to withstand the onslaught of artillery fire, showcasing the military tactics of its time. Throughout history, the fort has witnessed a series of fierce confrontations, playing a vital role in significant conflicts such as the War of the Spanish Succession and the Peninsular War.
As the tides of time shifted, the fort’s purpose evolved, and by the 20th century, it found itself transformed into a military prison. Eventually decommissioned, it has since been restored, standing proudly as a testament to Portugal's intricate tapestry of history—a silent guardian of stories untold.
#NossaSenhoradaGraça #ElvasFortress #MilitaryArchitecture #PortugueseHistory #WarOfSuccession #HistoricalLandmark
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WHO IS ERICH VON DÄNIKEN?
Erich von Däniken is one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern non-fiction literature, renowned for his provocative theories about humanity's origins. He gained global fame in 1968 with the publication of his groundbreaking book Chariots of the Gods (also known as Memories of the Future). This work sparked a global conversation, challenging established scientific and historical narratives by suggesting that extraterrestrial beings had visited Earth in the distant past. Over the years, von Däniken has written more than 32 books, including The Eyes of the Sphinx, Twilight of the Gods, History Is Wrong, Evidence of the Gods, and Odyssey of the Gods. His works have been translated into 28 languages, with total sales exceeding 63 million copies worldwide. Several of his books have also been adapted into films, and his ideas have served as the foundation for numerous television series, most notably the History Channel's hit show Ancient Aliens.
Residing in Switzerland, von Däniken remains a fixture on the international lecture circuit, captivating audiences with his bold assertions and unconventional interpretations of archaeological and historical evidence. His work has inspired generations of enthusiasts to reconsider ancient texts, artifacts, and monuments, viewing them through the lens of advanced extraterrestrial technology.
Despite widespread criticism from the scientific community, which has labeled his work as pseudoscience and pseudohistory, von Däniken has persisted in presenting compelling archaeological discoveries as potential proof of ancient extraterrestrial encounters. His contributions, though controversial, have fueled a cultural fascination with the idea that humanity's past may be intertwined with intelligent life from beyond our planet.
Born on April 14, 1935, in Zofingen, Switzerland, von Däniken was raised in a devout Catholic family and received a rigorous education at the Catholic School of Saint-Michel in Fribourg. However, his academic path was cut short, and by the age of 19, he had begun working in the hospitality industry. While managing a Swiss hotel, he embarked on extensive travels to explore ancient sites, using personal funds to visit Egypt, Lebanon, South America, and beyond. These travels laid the foundation for his first book, Chariots of the Gods, which he completed while managing a hotel in Davos.
Initially rejected by multiple publishers, the book finally found a home with Econ-Verlag in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 1967. The publisher requested that a professional writer, Wilhelm Roggersdorf, revise von Däniken's manuscript before publication. On February 27, 1968, the first edition of Chariots of the Gods—featuring an iconic illustration of the lid of Pakal’s sarcophagus from Palenque—hit the shelves. Von Däniken interpreted the artwork as depicting an ancient astronaut or extraterrestrial visitor, a theory that resonated with readers worldwide.
By the end of its first year, the book had sold over 146,000 copies, quickly becoming a bestseller in Germany. It was soon translated into English, French, and Spanish, with sales surging in the United States after Bantam Books published a 200,000-copy paperback edition in 1970. The book's massive success even led to its adaptation into a documentary film, further cementing von Däniken's legacy.
In 1973, von Däniken founded the Ancient Astronaut Society, dedicated to exploring and promoting the theory of ancient extraterrestrial contact. His work continued to gain momentum, with Chariots of the Gods reaching its 44th edition in 1974 and worldwide sales estimated between 4 and 5 million copies by that time. Between 1968 and 1997, von Däniken published 20 books, all of which were translated into 32 languages, with total global sales reaching between 40 and 54 million copies, depending on the source.
WHAT IS THE "ANCIENT ASTRONAUT" HYPOTHESIS?
The "ancient astronaut" hypothesis, popularized by von Däniken, posits that intelligent extraterrestrial beings visited Earth in the distant past, profoundly influencing the development of human civilizations, technologies, and religions. According to this theory, many of the gods, deities, and figures from ancient mythologies—often described as descending from the skies—were, in fact, extraterrestrial visitors. Early humans, unable to comprehend the advanced technology of these beings, interpreted their presence and actions as divine interventions, which became the foundation of many of the world’s religions.
This hypothesis suggests that humanity is either a direct creation or the descendants of these alien visitors. Several core arguments underpin this theory:
Ancient Constructions: The construction of monumental structures such as the Great Pyramids, Stonehenge, and the Moai statues of Easter Island, which some believe required technologies beyond the capabilities of ancient civilizations.
OOPARTs (Out-of-Place Artifacts): Mysterious artifacts that appear to be technologically advanced for their time, such as the Antikythera mechanism, are presented as evidence of extraterrestrial influence.
Hieroglyphs and Ancient Texts: Some ancient texts, like the Sumerian tablets or the Indian Vedas, contain descriptions that von Däniken and his supporters interpret as accounts of alien encounters or advanced flying machines (vimanas).
Religious Traditions: Many religious stories, such as the ascension of prophets or gods descending from the heavens, are reinterpreted as encounters with extraterrestrial beings.
HISTORICAL TRANSCENDENCE
The significance of Chariots of the Gods lies not only in the radical theories it introduced but also in its role in making the wonders of ancient archaeology accessible to millions of people. Through von Däniken’s writings, readers from around the globe were introduced to historically and culturally significant sites like Easter Island, Machu Picchu, the pyramids of Egypt, and the Nazca Lines of Peru—many of which they might never have heard of otherwise. His work ignited a sense of wonder about humanity’s past, spurring curiosity and debate on the mysteries of ancient civilizations.
Regardless of the scientific reception of his ideas, Erich von Däniken has succeeded in capturing the imaginations of countless readers, challenging them to question what they know about history, archaeology, and the universe. His enduring legacy is not just the theories he presents, but the door he opened to a broader exploration of the unknown, inviting us to see the past through new eyes.
#AncientAstronautTheory #ErichVonDaniken #ChariotsOfTheGods #UFOHistory #ExtraterrestrialEvidence #AncientAliens
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Britain wants to get close to Trump. Will Elon Musk stand in the way?
#News #UK
It was not the start to 2025 that Keir Starmer wanted or expected: in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Elon Musk lobbed a series of angry posts and allegations towards the British prime minister, engulfing his government in a very public fight.
In the days since, the world’s richest man has dredged up a painful, years-long scandal over grooming gangs and pushed for the release of Tommy Robinson, an imprisoned far-right agitator with a swelling social media following.
The tech billionaire, who played a prominent role in US President-elect Donald Trump’s election campaign, has posted or reposted on X about child sex abuse cases in the UK more than 50 times this week.
He has called for Starmer and his safeguarding minister to be removed from power, for new elections to take place, and even for King Charles III to unilaterally dissolve parliament – something which hasn’t happened for nearly two centuries and would cause a constitutional crisis.
The topics represent the latest fascination of Musk, but his vexation is not new – as Trump’s inauguration nears, the X owner has intervened with increasing ferocity in European politics and hailed far-right figures on the continent. He has repeatedly condemned the European Union’s institutions and policy decisions, and Italy’s president has warned him to stop meddling in the country’s affairs.
Musk now poses a delicate new challenge for Britain’s political leaders. Starmer is taking great pains to charm Trump, while also hoping to hold back at home the growing influence of Reform UK, a populist, anti-immigration party that Musk has endorsed.
And the row may already have burnt Nigel Farage, the Reform leader who had been openly working to secure Musk’s financial backing – but whom Musk turned against on Sunday, after Farage failed to endorse his stance on Robinson.
Can Musk be ignored?
Musk’s tussles with Starmer’s Labour government did not begin this week.
He had previously called Britain a “police state” over its crackdown on far-right rioters, who sparked violent clashes on the country’s streets during the summer. He has long derided Starmer on his platform, and more recently hailed Reform UK, which since its founding in 2018 has capitalized on public frustration with the country’s two major parties and now rivals each of them in opinion polling.
He has prodded other European politicians too; in the past week the German government has accused Musk of attempting to influence the country’s February election, through his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The group been accused of resurrecting Nazi-era ideology and slogans, and its youth arm has been designated by German authorities as an extremist organization.
Now, Musk’s growing infatuation with Tommy Robinson has positioned the billionaire as an idol for Britain’s online far-right community. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed for 18 months in October after he admitted to being in contempt of court by repeating false accusations about a Syrian refugee.
For most in Westminster, Musk’s anger – like much online trolling – remains little more than a sideshow.
One Labour MP told CNN they were “looking forward to the great Musk vs Trump estrangement.” The lawmaker added that, while using Musk’s platform, they have “noted the usual post-New Year energy from the right wing who are frustrated. It’s unseemly but that’s populism for you.” A handful of lawmakers have discussed whether they would stop using X over concerns about content moderation.
But privately, some Labour MPs are asking themselves an obvious question: why us? Unlike in Germany, there is no impending parliamentary election through which Musk can exert his influence. An election is not due to be held in Britain for more than four years, and Labour’s government is relatively unpopular but, in parliamentary terms at least, rock solid.
And for Starmer, Musk can’t be entirely ignored. The prime minister has so far resisted taking Musk’s bait – the billionaire has accused him of failing to act against grooming gangs while director of public prosecutions – but MPs will eventually want to see him take a stronger stand, to protect his ministers from torrents of online abuse. (Musk has repeatedly this week called for Starmer’s safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, to be imprisoned – on Saturday calling her “pure evil” and “a wicked creature” – for prioritizing a local inquiry in Oldham over a national inquiry, a policy approach which is not a crime.)
“Musk and others must not be given oxygen in their attempts to undermine (the) government, elected by the British people — it is for them alone to critique,” another Labour MP told CNN. “It is clear that (his) increasing interest in UK politics must be recognised, not least (given) how social media is being used to manipulate the electorate,” they added.
At the same time, the United States is Britain’s closest and most important ally – and Musk seems to be, for now at least, the closest and most important ally of its incoming leader.
Labour is desperate to build trust with the Trump administration; the government being shunned by the president-elect would only work in Farage’s favor, and there is huge economic incentive in working with Trump on, for instance, exemptions from his tariff regime.
The comments of Starmer’s ministers reflect that dilemma. In a tip-toeing remark, health secretary Wes Streeting told reporters on Friday: “Some of the criticisms that Elon Musk has made I think are misjudged and certainly misinformed, but we’re willing to work with Elon Musk, who I think has got a big role to play with his social media platform to help us and other countries to tackle this serious issue.”
A delicate dance for Britain’s right
It remains unclear how much influence Musk will have on Trump’s decision-making – particularly on foreign policy, which is firmly outside his official remit as a co-head of the new Department of Government Efficiency.
But his remarks are already having some impact in Britain – exposing the fault lines in a deeply divided and unusually malleable political landscape.
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, reactively called on X for a “long overdue… full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.”
But her authority on the issue, as with so many others, is limited by her own involvement in an ousted but deeply disliked Conservative government. That government had, indeed, commissioned a years-long inquiry into child sexual abuse, which concluded in 2022. But the probe’s leader subsequently criticized the former government’s response to her findings, which included a key recommendation that reporting of child sex abuse should be mandatory.
The long hangover of the Conservative era has allowed Farage to position his movement, with some success, as the “real” opposition in Britain, and Musk’s growing interest in Reform represents an opportunity for Farage to further his standing.
The populist leader predictably condemned Badenoch’s comments and has attached himself to most of Musk’s remarks. He talks openly about hoping for financial backing from Musk, ahead of a round of local elections in May in which Reform is on pace to perform well.
“He will help us enormously because he’s a hero figure, especially for the youth who really do admire this man,” Farage said of Musk on the GB News channel on Friday. “He’s helping us because he has given us an understanding of how we did it in America. And that’s very useful to us.”
But there were dangers for Britain’s populist rabble-rouser, too. Echoing Musk’s support for Robinson was a bridge too far for Farage, who told GB News: “(Musk) sees Robinson as one of these people that fought against the grooming gangs. But of course the truth is Tommy Robinson’s in prison not for that, but for contempt of court.”
“We’re a political party aiming to win the next general election. He’s not what we need,” Farage said of Robinson.
And soon after, Musk appeared to have turned his back on the leader. “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes,” Musk posted on Sunday.
“Well, this is a surprise! Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree,” Farage responded. “My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles.”
For leading politicians across Britain’s ideological divide, Musk brings a heady mix of opportunity and risk.
His tendency to fawn over far-right figures won’t find much popular support in a country that, unlike some European nations, has not seen the emergence of a serious, extreme right-wing political movement – a fact Farage will remember even if he continues to push for the US magnate’s financial backing.
But in government, outwardly shunning Musk is not yet an option. The delicate nature of Starmer’s relationship with Trump may depend on keeping the billionaire at arm’s length – for as long as that remains possible.
#ElonMusk #US
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Typer.me App Now Available on the Play Store!
Typer.me is now on the Play Store! Download the app today and start connecting with others in a whole new way. Whether you’re sharing ideas, organizing content, or exploring trending topics, Typer.me gives you the tools to stay engaged. Install now and join our growing community! Read More...