Jay Hale Marketing: September 2017

Saturday, September 30, 2017

You’re not going to believe this, but I’m God and I completely forgot I was supposed to end the world today

Friday, September 29, 2017

More money for Madeleine McCann search

Derby County fan banned for Billy Sharp ‘dead son’ tweet – BBC News

China prepares to say goodbye to petrol and diesel cars for good

Brexit: UK to be ‘educated’ about consequences, says Barnier – BBC News

Buying a new car made me despise Apple

Sportscaster Dale Hansen absolutely nails commentary on #TakeAKnee protests

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Image: WFAA

Dallas sportscaster Dale Hansen is a fixture of the sports media scene, and his “Unplugged” segment on ABC affiliate WFAA has never shied away from the sometimes-insidious politics of the sports world.

On Monday, Hansen nailed it again, defending the #TakeAKnee protests that swept the NFL last weekend in a clip that’s quickly becoming required viewing on Twitter.

Most notably, he refuted the notion that a protest during the national anthem is inherently disrespectful to veterans. (Hansen served in Vietnam.)

“My best friend in high school was killed in Vietnam,” Hansen said. “Carroll Meir will be 18 years old forever. And he did not die so that you can decide who is a patriot and who loves America more.”

Hansen also took several shots at Trump, including at the president’s decision to call players who protest “sons of bitches” despite “[saying] nothing for days” about the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville.

“If you don’t think white privilege is a fact, then you don’t understand America,” he said.

You can watch the full video below.

WATCH: President Obama’s take on the Colin Kaepernick anthem controversy

Trump on NFL owners: ‘I think they’re afraid of their players’

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Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump believes NFL owners are “afraid of their players” when it comes to the recent controversy over players kneeling during the National Anthem, he said in an interview that aired Thursday.

The comments suggesting that NFL owners — who are overwhelmingly white — are afraid of their players — the most prominent protesters are black — prompted accusations that Trump is continuing to stoke a controversy with strong racial undertones.

“I have so many friends that are owners and they’re in a box,” Trump told Fox News. “I mean, I’ve spoken to a couple of them, and they say, ‘We are in a situation where we need to do something.’ I think they’re afraid of their players, if you want to know the truth, and I think it’s disgraceful.”

He continued: “They’ve got to be tough and they’ve got to be smart.”

Trump was referencing recent protests by NFL players who have kneeled during the National Anthem. The President and his aides argue that the protests are unpatriotic and disrespectful to the flag and those who have fought to protect the US. But the players, some of whom have said they are protesting social injustice and police brutality, argue that they are exercising free speech.

Trump first stirred up his feud with the NFL nearly a week ago and has since expressed satisfaction with the response, telling conservative group leaders earlier this week that his remarks have “really caught on” and that he said “what millions of Americans were thinking.”

But by wading into the debate about protests by mostly African-American players during pre-game National Anthem ceremonies, Trump is exacerbating questions about his own attitude toward race and his apparent determination to keep tugging at the societal and cultural fault lines in American politics.

The protests began after then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the National Anthem last year, telling NFL media he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

Other players have since followed suit. Trump said last week thatNFL owners should fire any “son of a bitch” who protests during the anthem.

In response to Trump’s comments Thursday, ESPN anchor Jemele Hill, who faced backlash after she labeled the President a “white supremacist” earlier this month, tweeted, “Oh my, we have reached peak racial demagoguery.”

Seth Abramson, a professor at the University of New Hampshire, tweeted, “Trump says the white owners of the NFL are “afraid” of its black players. That’s not ‘racist dog-whistling.’It’s a ‘racist public rant.'”

And Mike Freeman, a football columnist for Bleacher Report, tweeted, “Trump saying NFL owners are afraid of players isn’t dog whistle. It’s a big ass bullhorn. You know what that bullhorn is blaring right?”

During the Fox News interview, Trump also suggested NFL ratings are down and less people are attending the games where players are kneeling during the National Anthem.

“Because you look at the ratings, the ratings are going way down … the stadiums, there are a lot of empty seats, I couldn’t even believe it,” he said. “When it comes to the respect of our nation, when it comes to the respect of our anthem and our flag, we have no choice. We have to have people stand with respect.”

Overall, according to the NFL, this year’s Week 3 ratings were slightly higher than Week 3 in 2016. But it’s unclear whether changes in the ratings are due to the protests, competition from other television programming or the level of interest in the matchups.

‘Health care didn’t go down’

Trump also reiterated his claim that Republicans had the necessary votes to pass a bill overhauling health care, but didn’t because they didn’t have enough time.

“Health care didn’t go down. We have the votes. Reconciliation is a disaster,” Trump said, referring to budgetary measures that only requires the Senate to have 51 votes, or a simple majority, to pass a bill. “It ends on Friday (and) we don’t have enough time.”

Trump has said that he believes Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell needs to get rid of the filibuster, a rule that currently requires 60 votes to pass legislation in the chamber. McConnell has summarily rejected the idea. But it’s unclear what votes Trump is referring to since Hill Republicans decided this week not to have a vote when it was clear the measure would not pass.

When asked if Trump still has confidence in McConnell, he responded, “I do.”

“Look, I have dealt with Mitch for a long time. I think he has to get rid of the filibuster rule. It’s a disaster for the Republican Party because it means you needs 60 votes on most pieces of legislation and you are not going to get it,” Trump said. “In the meantime, I’m going to start negotiating with Democrats and we will see’s what.”

When asked if he can trust Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Trump responded, “it’s not a question of trust.”

“I have a nice relationship with them. It’s not really trust. If we can do a great bipartisan health care bill, I’m OK with that. We have the the votes to get it done. You can’t go do it when somebody is in the hospital,” Trump said, referencing GOP Sen. Thad Cochran, who was recently treated for a urological issue — even though he has said he is not in the hospital. “When you have 52 votes and you need 51, it’s, you know, it’s very hard to get because you always have somebody and some cases they will want to grandstand.”

I called Hugh Hefner a pimp, he threatened to sue. But thats what he was | Suzanne Moore

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Now that hes dead, the old sleaze in the Playboy mansion is being spoken of as some kind of liberator of women. Quite the opposite, writes Guardian columnist Suzanne Moore

Long ago, in another time, I got a call from a lawyer. Hugh Hefner was threatening a libel action against me and the paper I worked for at the time, for something I had written. Journalists live in dread of such calls. I had called Hefner a pimp. To me this was not even controversial; it was self-evident. And he was just one of the many libertines who had threatened me with court action over the years.

It is strange that these outlaws have recourse in this way, but they do. But at the time, part of me wanted my allegation to be tested in a court of law. What a case it could have made. What a hoot it would have been to argue whether a man who procured, solicited and made profits from women selling sex could be called a pimp. Of course, central to Playboys ideology is the idea that women do this kind of thing willingly; that at 23 they want nothing more than to jump octogenarians.

Now that hes dead, the disgusting old sleaze in the smoking jacket is being spoken of as some kind of liberator of women. Kim Kardashian is honoured to have been involved. Righty ho.

I dont really know which women were liberated by Hefners fantasies. I guess if you aspired to be a living Barbie it was as fabulous as it is to be in Donald Trumps entourage. Had we gone to court, I would like to have heard some of the former playmates and bunnies speakup in court because over the years they have.

The accounts of the privileged few who made it into the inner sanctum of the 29-room Playboy mansion as wives/girlfriends/bunny rabbits are quite something. In Hefners petting zoo/harem/brothel, these interchangeable blondes were put on a curfew. They were not allowed to have friends to visit. And certainly not boyfriends. They were given an allowance. The big metal gates on the mansion that everyone claimed were to keep people out of this nirvana were described by one-time Hefner girlfriend no 1 Holly Madison in her autobiography thus: I grew to feel it was meant to lock me in.

The fantasy that Hefner sold was not a fantasy of freedom for women, but for men. Women had to be strangely chaste but constantly available for the right price. Dressing grown women as rabbits once seen as the height of sophistication is now seen as camp and ironic. There are those today who want to celebrate Hefners contribution to magazine journalism, and I dont dispute that Playboy did use some fantastic writers.

Part of Hefners business acumen was to make the selling of female flesh respectable and hip, to make soft porn acceptable. Every mans dream was to have Hefners lifestyle. Apparently. Every picture of him, right to the end, shows him with his lizard smirk surrounded by blonde clones. Every half-wit on Twitter is asking if Hefner will go to heaven when he already lived in it.

But listen to what the women say about this heaven. Every week, Izabella St James recalls, they had to go to his room and wait while he picked the dog poo off the carpet and then ask for our allowance. A thousand dollars counted out in crisp hundred dollar bills from a safe in one of his bookcases.

If any of them left the mansion and were not available for club nights where they were paraded, they didnt get their allowance. The sheets in the mansion were stained. There was to be no bickering between girlfriends. No condoms could be used. A nurse sometimes had to be called to Hefners grotto if hed had a fall. Nonetheless, these young women would have to perform.

Hefner repeatedly described as an icon for sexual liberation would lie there with, I guess, an iconic erection, Viagra-ed to the eyeballs. The main girlfriend would then be called to give him oral sex. There was no protection and no testing. He didnt care, wrote Jill Ann Spaulding. Then the other women would take turns to get on top of him for two minutes while the girls in the background enacted lesbian scenarios to keep Daddy excited. Is there no end to this glamour?

Well now there is, of course. But this man is still being celebrated by people who should know better. You can dress it up with talk of glamour and bunny ears and fishnets, you can talk about his contribution to gonzo journalism, you can contextualise his drive to free up sex as part of the sexual revolution. But strip it all back and he was a man who bought and sold women to other men. Isnt that the definition of a pimp? I couldnt possibly say.

Public sector pay cap to be lifted

Briton dies in Sri Lanka crocodile attack

Neil deGrasse Tyson explains why racetracks have weird angles

The first NFL game of Sept. 24 started with a powerful protest

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Image: Joe Toth/BPI/REX/Shutterstock

Less than 48 hours after President Donald Trump began vocally lashing out at NFL players, some of those players struck back on the field.

During an Alabama rally for senatorial candidate Luther Strange, Trump went way off script and began calling any football players who took a knee during the national anthem a “son of a bitch.” He doubled down on this hardly-veiled attack on former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Saturday with a series of tweets that called on owners to fire any player who didn’t stand during the song.

Well, during the first NFL game after Trump’s comments, two full teams — and one owner — have made it known what they think about the president’s opinion.

The Baltimore Ravens played against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Wembley Stadium, London, on Sunday morning. There, both teams linked arms and 27 players and staff knelt during the national anthem, a direct response to the commander-in-chief. It was the most players ever to take this action in a single game.

Members of the Ravens and Jaguars kneeled during the national anthem in response to Trump tweets including Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. http://pic.twitter.com/fGrfIoRtdz

— Jessie 🇰🇪 (@JMKTV) September 24, 2017

The players weren’t alone, either. Jaguars owner Shad Khan, who has been a supporter of Trump, also stood arm-in-arm with the team mates on the sidelines.

Trump: “NFL owners should fire players who protest!”

Shad Khan: http://pic.twitter.com/6i2TVaOqPD

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) September 24, 2017

Khan then released a statement pledging his commitment to the players in the midst of “divisive and contentious” remarks made by our president.

“Our team, and the National Football League reflects our nation, with diversity coming in many forms – race, faith, our views, and our goals,” his statement read. “We have a lot of work to do, and we can do it, but the comments by the president make it harder.”

From @Jaguars owner Shad Khan, who stood on the pregame sideline and locked arms w/ his players: http://pic.twitter.com/C9H7Umuvud

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) September 24, 2017

Trump’s fiery tweets on Saturday proved he meant to target a broader swath of players than just Kaepernick. The tweets called out what he saw as players gravely disrespecting the country.

“If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect… our Great American Flag (or Country) [sic] and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!” two of his tweets read.

http://pic.twitter.com/oY2x8zFY7I

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 24, 2017

A multitude of #Ravens and #Jaguars players kneeling during the National Anthem this morning, the rest of the team locking arms in unison http://pic.twitter.com/c97tPS9PxC

— Ashlyn Sullivan (@ashlynrsullivan) September 24, 2017

Kaepernick began taking a knee during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police violence against black people and to raise awareness and support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

27 players and staff took a knee this morning from the Jaguars and Ravens.

Most ever in one game. http://pic.twitter.com/Fv4rra9QJb

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) September 24, 2017

There are 14 games left to play today, beginning at 1 p.m. EST. This will surely not be the last we see of players banding together to send a message to Trump. There’s already evidence that one, the Pittsburgh Steelers, intends to send a stark message to the president

Mike Tomlin just told me @NFLonCBS #Steelers will NOT be participating in the #NationalAnthem today in CHI. Staying in the locker room.

— Jamie Erdahl (@JamieErdahl) September 24, 2017

WATCH: First child to receive a double-hand transplant is ready to play some football

This wildfire photo is a portrait of America in 2017

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An amateur photographer in Oregon just captured what some might call a portrait of America’s current state.

Kristi McCluer’s depiction of a bunch of men casually golfing while a wildfire raged behind them went viral after it was tweeted out by David Simon, creator of The Wire and The Deuce.

He posted the photo to his 130,000 Twitter followers on Thursday, calling it “the money shot” of “visual metaphors for America today.”

In the pantheon of visual metaphors for America today, this is the money shot. http://pic.twitter.com/09COuDutBC

— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 7, 2017

The image had nearly 100,000 retweets by Friday afternoon while the picture received over 53,000 upvotes on Reddit. And of course it inspired a ton of Photoshops and memes.

Contender on replace the “this is fine” meme. http://pic.twitter.com/okLyNjCXyk

— Adam Messinger (@adam_messinger) September 7, 2017

I like this one http://pic.twitter.com/UPZAB9zmDl

— Cindi (@Cinianwidger1) September 7, 2017

Nero fiddled, these guys play golf

— Diane Aitken (@Scots_Geek) September 8, 2017

BUT DID HE MAKE THE PUTT?????

— Don McGugan (@DonMcGugan) September 7, 2017

McCluer told The Oregonian she snapped the breathtaking photo near the Beacon Rock Golf Course while hiking along the Columbia River.

The Washington native told the news outlet she loves to take her camera on hikes and creates calendars for friends and family.

Simon did not reference McCluer in his tweet about the photo. He has since tweeted out a link to the New York Daily News‘ story on McCluer, saying “all credit to the photographer.”

I did indeed see the uncredited shot in my feed and retweet, but yes, all credit to the photographer: https://t.co/sPFBVmEROj

— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 8, 2017

The owners of Beacon Rock Golf Course confirmed to The Oregonian on Wednesday that the photos were indeed real.

McCluer told the news outlet she is a little overwhelmed by the reaction to her photos. “It’s a little weird to be honest,” McCluer said. “I am a very private person.”

WATCH: Summer 2017 feels like it’s on steroids – and it’s only going to get worse

The physics behind NASCAR, according to Neil deGrasse Tyson

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Brexit: Businesses warn over ‘UK workers first’ proposal – BBC News

Train conductor speeds through flooded station and drenches commuters with dirty rainwater

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One jerk train conductor managed to ruin the day of dozens of commuters.

People were waiting on the platform of the Nala Sopara railway station near Mumbai, India, on Wednesday when a train sped through the station. This would typically be a very normal occurrence, but recent heavy rains meant the station was flooded.

Instead of slowing the train to a crawl, the conductor of the train went into the station full steam ahead, sending the dirty rainwater that had flooded the tracks onto the platform where commuters were waiting. Most people standing on the tracks were not exactly expecting the train to roll through the station that quickly.

Similarly, an Amtrak train in New Jersey blasted commuters with snow earlier this year after heavy snowfall. We’ll take snow over dirty rainwater any day.

Colin Firth gets Italian citizenship

Mark Zuckerberg needs to put on a damn tie

Storm Aileen brings travel disruption

Frida the Mexican Labrador retriever has rescued 52 people during natural disasters like the Oaxaca earthquake

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In the wake of two harrowing earthquakes in Mexico, the story of local rescuer — a Labrador retriever named Frida — serves as a small comfort.

A canine rescuer belonging to the Mexican navy (SEMAR), Frida recently made headlines for her recent contributions to search and rescue missions following natural disasters in her country.

A todos aquellos que lastiman, abandonan y explotan piénsalo dos veces, algún día te podrían salvar la vida ! #Frida ❤️ http://pic.twitter.com/x9oBGsgcDr

— Rodriguez (@omarbamm) September 21, 2017

Su valiosa ayuda y amor por el ser humano, hacen que de su máximo esfuerzo para salvar vidas #perrosrescatistas http://pic.twitter.com/jpidngFREV

— SEMAR México (@SEMAR_mx) September 21, 2017

Following the deadly earthquake that struck Oaxaca earlier this month – the first of two to hit the country in recent weeks – the office of the president of Mexico recognized Frida’s role in rescues following recent natural disasters. She’s saved 52 people over the course of her career.

Ella es #Frida, pertenece a la @SEMAR_mx y ha ayudado a salvar 52 vidas en distintos desastres naturales a nivel nacional e internacional. http://pic.twitter.com/iLy87aCRFX

— Presidencia México (@PresidenciaMX) September 13, 2017

Per A Primera Hora, a radio news program based in Puebla, Frida reportedly aided in the rescue of 12 people in the aftermath of the Oaxaca earthquake.

#México Frida, labrador de la unidad canina de la Marina lleva 53 localizaciones, de las que 12 son personas vivas en #Juchitán, #Oaxaca http://pic.twitter.com/5TT2tzaS7f

— A primera hora (@PueAPrimeraHora) September 12, 2017

According to a clip about Frida posted to SEMAR’s Twitter account, she and other members of their canine rescue team will prove invaluable in the ongoing rescue mission in Mexico City, where a devastating earthquake has left at least 216 people dead.

For those looking to aid in earthquake relief, here’s how you can help.

[H/T: BuzzFeed]

WATCH: Celebrities are taking to Twitter to share their reactions to the Mexico earthquake

Groom asks guests to pay for wedding

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

‘South Park’ is trolling America by messing with their home assistants IRL

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Comedy Central’s satirical and politically incorrect series “South Park” is back, and this time it’s messing with people IRL.

Fans watching the premiere of Season 21 of the animated series got a surprise when on-screen commands to Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home set off their own devices.

#SouthPark21 http://pic.twitter.com/N1R4NMlu6m

— South Park (@SouthPark) September 14, 2017

We have an Alexa and a Google Home and South Park repeatedly screwed with both of them tonight.

— Jeff S. (@tinmanic) September 14, 2017

Because Cartman was the one fiddling around with Alexa in the episode, the real-life digital assistants were foul-mouthed and sweary:

Who else’s Alexa’s keep going off every time Cartman says something on the Alexa during this South Park episode 😂 #SouthPark21 http://pic.twitter.com/strwnTST23

— Kenny Eaton (@Kenny_623) September 14, 2017

“Alexa, Simon says suck my big balls in your hair butthole.”

Watching the new @SouthPark episode & my Alexa went off 😂😂😂 #SouthPark21 http://pic.twitter.com/0ehBuAxVpp

— Jessica Plunkett (@Jesserican) September 14, 2017

This @SouthPark episode has set my @amazon Alexa off about 15 times so far. Had to unplug it

— Chris (@ChrisMn84) September 14, 2017

This new @SouthPark is confusing the hell out of my Google Home #okgoogle

— airharvey (@AirMississippi) September 14, 2017

This episode of South Park drove my Alexa crazy. I never knew my Alexa had such a potty mouth. http://pic.twitter.com/lWIHySClRd

— Tony French (@TonyLFrench) September 14, 2017

People started to complain about their Alexa’s shopping list full of “hairy balls” and “titty chips”:

@SouthPark nailed it tonight. In other news I have an erroneous alarm set for 7am and a set of hairy balls on my shopping list. #alexa

— Barto (@scottbarto) September 14, 2017

Thanks @SouthPark #alexa 🤣 http://pic.twitter.com/c1wfUKTzhS

— Erica (@ErockaRobot) September 14, 2017

@SouthPark @ComedyCentral whoa interactive #Cartman #AmazonEcho TV! #SouthPark21 #Alexa http://pic.twitter.com/zPYTTBuYxA

— Devon Simpson (@DevonTheDude530) September 14, 2017

My Alexa put titty chips on my shopping list and said some pretty colorful things. Haven’t laughed that hard on a while. #tittychips http://pic.twitter.com/IumPMXZK0I

— Tom Corson (@DynastyInfidel) September 14, 2017

Who knew Alexa has such a potty mouth!

WATCH: How to respond when your coworker asks you, “How was your weekend?”

Amazon customers now have even more options for in-store returns

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Image: Getty Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Amazon customers now have a growing list of options when it comes to returning their online purchases in person.

In addition to any of the hundreds of Whole Foods supermarkets across the country, certain Kohl’s stores will now accept returns of “eligible items” as part of a retail partnership between the two companies that began earlier this summer.

The hassle of sending back unwanted products can be one of the biggest deterrents to online shopping and one of the most expensive operational costs for retailers.

Starting next month, more than 80 Kohl’s locations in the Chicago and Los Angeles area will begin packing and shipping returns back to the online shopping giant’s warehouses free of charge. The stores will even have specially designated parking spots for Amazon returns customers.

In exchange, Kohl’s is hoping that some of the people this program draws into its stores will be tempted to buy something there along the way. One recent UPS survey found that around 70 percent of consumers tend to make new purchases in the course of returning items in stores.

“This is a great example of how Kohl’s and Amazon are leveraging each other’s strengths – the power of Kohl’s store portfolio and omnichannel capabilities combined with the power of Amazon’s reach and loyal customer base,” Kohl’s CEO Richard Schepp said in a statement.

The new array of return options will also help Amazon undercut its arch-rival Walmart, which has staked its big push to catch up with Amazon on the idea that its thousands of stores can serve as waypoints for pick-ups, returns, and more convenient delivery.

Between Amazon’s 400 new Whole Foods locations, the Kohl’s deal, and its own growing collection of physical retail spaces, Walmart no longer seems to have quite as clear-cut of an advantage in this arena.

Amazon started offering in-store pickup as well as returns at Whole Foods stores last month after its $13.7 billion deal to buy the company was officially approved.

The expanded partnership comes as traditional retailers have become increasingly willing to work with rather than against Amazon’s ever-growing dominance of their industry. Amazon has also signed major deals with Nike and Sears’ Kenmore appliances in recent months.

Select Kohl’s locations also carry Amazon devices like Echo home assistants and Fire tablets as part of the deal.

WATCH: Move over Bill Gates, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos is now the world’s richest man

Traveller family slavery gang jailed

This Millennium Falcon is the largest LEGO set in the galaxy

New camera can see through human body – BBC News

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

576 border collies gathered together is the happiest place on earth

People are still missing the point of #TakeAKnee protests

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Monkey selfie legal fight settled

Cyclist breaks around the world record

German firefighters rescue man that got his penis stuck in a barbell

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There’s nothing quite like cozying up to a nice cold chunk of metal.

Firefighters in Worms, Germany, shared a fun story to its Facebook page on Friday in an attempt at showing how delicate the team of first responders can be during a sensitive rescue mission.

“The professional fire brigade was called to the hospital in Worms,” a translated version of the Facebook post reads. “One person had a very sensitive body part in the hole of a 2.5 kg dumbbell disc.”

That’s right, a desperate man decided to put his penis inside a cold barbell, and had a little trouble removing it on his own.

The firefighters spent THREE HOURS trying to remove the dick from the disc, using a cutting grinder, a vibrating saw, and what they called “a hydraulic rescue device.” We’re not exactly sure what that is, but there is no way that was comfortable for this poor man.

While this dude clearly made a terrible mistake we can bet he will never make again, please take this as a lesson and remember there are plenty of safe male sex toys out there for purchase. Never use a piece of metal.

WATCH: Sticker photos that come to life might just be cooler than instant film

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Uber stripped of London licence

Friday, September 22, 2017

Foo Fighters ‘Carpool Karaoke’ is here and it’s just as awesome as we’d all hoped

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It’s here, people: earlier in the week we had some sweet, delicious hints that the Foo Fighters would be starring in a surprise episode of Carpool Karaoke, and we have not been disappointed.

The 13-minute adventure starts out with some vigorous air-drumming to “All My Life,” carries on with even more vigorous air-drumming during “Best Of You,”then warms down with some slightly less vigorous air-drumming for “Learn to Fly.”

Also there’s some discussion of how the Foo Fighters formed, a chat about the infamous stadium leg break show, and a visit to one very lucky guitar shop.

The most important takeaway, though? James Corden definitely can’t drum.

Armed police search house over Tube bomb

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Dude and his cat try to kill a rat, and things don’t go as planned

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Extracting a rat from a bathroom when you’ve got a cat seems like a pretty reasonable solution. Cats are natural predators, and they often catch small rodents.

Turns out, though, rats are probably a little too big for a house cat.

Shortly after using a broom to scare the rat out from behind the sink, this dude realizes that he has made a very, very large mistake. He promptly screams bloody murder, as his poor cat tries desperately to search for higher ground.

Eventually the two escape the bathroom; the fate of the rat is still unknown. Let’s be real though — it’s the rat’s house now. This is how rat kings are crowned.

Lizard rescue turns out to be dirty sock

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Pharma bro Martin Shkreli sent directly to jail, judge calls him ‘danger to society’

‘Monster’ fatberg found blocking sewer

Monday, September 18, 2017

Denny’s new menu mascot looks like poop and people are losing it

UK terror threat increased to critical

Parents remove son in gender row

People are tweeting #ExpressiveAsians in response to racist Hollywood casting directors

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Are Asian actors less expressive than their white counterparts?

Asians are taking to Twitter in anger, after a Hollywood casting director allegedly said Asian actors were more difficult to cast because they were “not very expressive.”

An article by Paste Magazine quotes Nancy Wang Yuen, a sociologist, in which she recalls talking to an unnamed casting director regarding Asians.

“I work with a lot of different people and Asians are a challenge to cast because most casting directors feel as though they’re not very expressive,” the Hollywood casting director allegedly told Yuen.

“They’re very shut down in their emotions…were they really have to act and get some kind of performance out…it’s a challenge.”

“Asians are a challenge to cast because most casting directors feel as though they’re not very expressive.” https://t.co/q7Zk4toviu

— Angry Asian Man (@angryasianman) September 8, 2017

The statement naturally caused outrage, causing some to take to Twitter with some very expressive opinions.

Can we start #ExpressiveAsians? http://pic.twitter.com/PlwnNuxuBQ

— Maurene Goo (@mauxbot) September 8, 2017

Started by author Maurene Goo, the hashtag #ExpressiveAsians quickly took off.

this is qwhite interesting #ExpressiveAsians http://pic.twitter.com/j3cmXTYsIY

— nat (@euphoricnoora) September 9, 2017

People had many, many, many expressions.

#expressiveasians I love this hashtag omfg IT’S MY TIME TO SHINE http://pic.twitter.com/RILuenmxvc

— mochi 💠 (@MochiWaDaisuki) September 9, 2017

oh so asians aren’t expressive huh? fuccing try me,hollywood 🖕🏼🖕🏼 #ExpressiveAsians http://pic.twitter.com/8HtFEkOcEz

— shani 🇵🇭 (@gestrustle) September 11, 2017

“Asians are not very expressive.” #ExpressiveAsians http://pic.twitter.com/whjvutpAzQ

— Snowpierced (@k_hanfelt) September 9, 2017

My fave #ExpressiveAsians http://pic.twitter.com/xRRfPA0GcS

— Renee Barrow 📚☕ (@RmBarrow) September 9, 2017

Phew… good thing they casted this super expressive actress instead. 🙄 #ExpressiveAsians http://pic.twitter.com/tcTLtURcP7

— flux🌱 (@ConstantinFlux) September 9, 2017

#ExpressiveAsians http://pic.twitter.com/YM9Ls6BCl9

— Imagine 2.0 (@ImagineEmmaJun) September 9, 2017

The original article in which Yuen was quoted takes from her book Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism, in which she also states that 77 percent of casting calls specify a white actor.

The Paste report also cited several recent examples of whitewashing in Hollywood, notably the casting of Scarlett Johansson as a Japanese character in sci-fi film Ghost in the Shell and Ed Skrein as a mixed Asian character in Hellboy.

Skrein later announced that he was dropping the role after facing intense backlash.

WATCH: How ‘Ghost in the Shell’ fails to avoid whitewashing controversy

Sunday, September 17, 2017

No gender pay gap for ‘Game of Thrones’: Kit Harington and Lena Headey make the same

Bodies of ‘hundreds’ of children buried in mass grave – BBC News

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Former presidents get together to pledge help for Texas with no Trump in sight

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All five former living presidents of the U.S. have banded together to support people affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The group launched a joint appeal Thursday, and they’re seeking donations for those in need across the Gulf Coast.

Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and George H.W. Bush all appear in a new video asking for donations to the One America Appeal to help with Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.

The appeal is also set to be expanded to include Hurricane Irma which is heading toward the region.

Americans always answer the call. https://t.co/SV1jixOExu http://pic.twitter.com/ktEvL6s89d

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 7, 2017

“We’ve got more love in Texas than water,” George W. Bush says in the clip, while his father adds on, “We love you Texas.”

The donation website currently lists the Houston Harvey Relief Fund and the Rebuild Texas Fund as donation recipients with money going through the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation charity.

Michelle Obama also chimed in to encourage supporting the fund.

As we come together as one American family to help our neighbors, we are reminded how much we need each other. https://t.co/OMpsKlNAr2

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 7, 2017

The appeal is distinctly ex-presidential, emphasis on the ex. Donald Trump, who has promised $1 million of his own money to Hurricane Harvey relief, is not involved in this project. He did, however, tweet out his support for it.

We will confront ANY challenge, no matter how strong the winds or high the water. I’m proud to stand with Presidents for #OneAmericaAppeal.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 8, 2017

In a quick, but heart-warming touch at the end, all five former presidents say “Thank you” from their respective locations.

WATCH: How to prepare for natural disasters

Tube blast is terror incident, say police

UK terror threat increased to ‘critical’

Everything we expect to see at Apple’s big iPhone 8 reveal

Friday, September 15, 2017

Watch a behind-the-scenes for the biggest moment in ‘Game of Thrones’ episode 7

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Warning: Obviously contains a few spoilers for Game of Thrones Season 7, episode 7.

If ever you needed proof that the Game of Thrones characters love each other really, just watch the behind-the-scenes video above for the dragon pit scene in episode 7.

Admittedly the featurette doesn’t give too much away (although it’s interesting to hear them talk about the extent to which Jaime is convinced by Dany, Jon, and Tyrion), but at the very least it’s worth watching for moments like this:

Glorious.

Anti-Brexit marchers rally in Parliament Square – BBC News

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Tina Fey stress-eats a cake and blasts Trump on SNL’s ‘Weekend Update: Summer Edition’

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Tina Fey didn’t like seeing racists march through her college town.

“It broke my heart to see these evil forces descend upon Charlottesville,” the University of Virginia graduate told Colin Jost on Weekend Update: Summer Edition.

Then she laid into Donald Trump.

“Donny John comes out and he says that he condemns violence on many sides, on many sides, Colin. I’m feeling sick because, you know, I have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark. I wasn’t confused by it. No, Colin, Nazis are always bad, I don’t care what you say.

“I have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark. I wasn’t confused by it”

When talking about a planned alt-right rally on Saturday in New York City, she encouraged protestors to fight back with carbohydrates.

“I would urge people this Saturday, instead of participating in the screaming matches and potential violence, find a local business you support, maybe a Jewish run bakery or African-American run bakery, and order a cake with the American flag on it, and just eat it.”

And so she did.

“Sheetcaking is a grass roots movement. Most of the women I know have been doing it once/week since the election.” #TinaFey #WeekendUpdate

Crooked J (@LizLudgate) August 18, 2017

I really identify with #TinaFey on #SNL Weekend Update right now, shoveling cake into her face while yelling about social justice.

Emily Horowitz (@EmHorowitz) August 18, 2017

“Sheetcaking is a grassroots movement, Colin. Most of the women I know have been doing it once a week since the election.”

WATCH: The major differences between Logan and Old Man Logan from the Marvel Universe

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Malala calls for defence of Rohingya – BBC News

PewDiePie makes yet another racial slur during videogame live stream

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Cops ‘completely terrified’ after discovering ‘IT’ balloons on sewer grates

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Even cops are afraid of clowns.

Police in Lilitz, Pennsylvania were less than pleased to find a local prankster “promoting” the upcoming release of Stephen King’s novel turned horror flick, IT.

In the film, Pennywise the clown lurks around a small Maine town’s sewers, snatching children, and leaving red balloons tied to sewer grates. According to the cops, they discovered a number of red balloons tied to sewer grates in their sleepy, small town on Tuesday.

“We give points for creativity, however we want the local prankster to know that we were completely terrified as we removed these balloons from the grates and we respectfully request they do not do that again,” the police wrote on Facebook.

Balloons were spotted tied to sewer grates in Australia along with a message promoting the film, but the balloons in Pennsylvania were found without messages tying them to the film, making it even creepier.

The cops requested that the prankster not repeat their actions.

The original post received a lot of attention, so the police followed up with a photo of a man in a red clown wig dusting the balloon for prints.

“Now due to widespread media coverage all over the country and intense public scrutiny and outcry, we have turned the investigation over to our Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation and prosecution of the person(s), errr ah, ‘thing’ responsible,” the cops jokingly wrote on Facebook.

While the current clown hysteria is funny, it does come just a year after “killer clowns” dominated headlines in America.

WATCH: May the Schwartz be with you: 7 facts you probably didn’t know about ‘Spaceballs’

Monday, September 11, 2017

Grenfell Tower: ‘Twenty suicide attempts’ since fire – BBC News

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Python found lurking in bathroom toilet in Southend – BBC News

Jacob Rees-Mogg ‘completely opposed’ to abortion – BBC News

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Neo-Nazi arrests: National Action suspects are in the Army – BBC News

Girl finds ‘Excalibur’ at the bottom of the same lake it was hurled

Friday, September 8, 2017

Squiggle lips are a thing now … kind of

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Mike Neville: ‘Legendary’ north-east broadcaster dies – BBC News

Coffee shop owner defends no children policy – BBC News

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Terry Pratchett’s unpublished works crushed by steamroller – BBC News

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Good Samaritans in Houston haul 21 dogs to safety in a single boat

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After Hurricane Harvey, a group of good Samaritans came to the rescue of dozens of good dogs.

Houston resident Betty Walter found herself stranded in floodwaters in the wake of the storm. She was also sheltering 21 dogs (some of which belonged to her neighbors) and wasn’t sure how they would all get to safety.

Luckily, the dog rescue crew came along. They loaded all 21 dogs on the boat — Walter walked alongside — and hauled everyone away.

“I was worried there was too many dogs on the boat and it would tipped [sic] over,” Walter wrote in a Facebook post. “I told them I would stay behind and for them to make 2 trips. They said NO we are taking all and you. We had 21 dogs on this boat.”

To get out, the humans had to slog through water higher than her head, she added.

Eventually, Walter and all 21 took shelter at a crew member’s house in nearby Kemah, Texas. At the time of writing, they were all doing fine.

WATCH: Smiling rescued donkey is so happy to be back on solid ground

Royal baby: Duchess of Cambridge expecting third child – BBC News

President Trump uses Texas tragedy to help promote his crappy merch

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Image: CHARLIE BLALOCK/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Say what you will about Trump: the man never misses an opportunity to use a national tragedy for personal gain.

Three times in the past two days, the president has been spotted wearing his campaign’s own “USA” hat while in public settings. Trump has come under fire for turning the Texas emergency into a fundraising opportunity for his war chest.

The USA hat in question is currently available for $40 on Trump’s campaign website.

While some see it as a way for him to express his patriotism, for many Trump’s choice has crossed yet another ethical boundary: the president shouldn’t be taking advantage of a natural disaster to promote his personal brand.

As @realDonaldTrump leaves for Texas, he makes sure he’s carrying the hats he’s been advertising—yours for just $40 on his campaign website http://pic.twitter.com/jCtexY3iOx

— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) August 29, 2017

For a third time, Trump is using Hurricane Harvey as product placement for a hat he sells for $40 http://pic.twitter.com/8Js7DEnbAs

— Gabriel Snyder (@gabrielsnyder) August 29, 2017

Walter Shaub, the former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics who resigned before he could spontaneously combust, had this to say:

The presser would be more convincing if POTUS weren’t wearing merch touted as the hat “worn by 45thPresident-Elect Donald J. Trump, himself” http://pic.twitter.com/kbv0KFvaS9

— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) August 29, 2017

Some speculated that it was just a matter of time before Melania’s hat appeared on the website as well.

Okay how much is the FLOTUS hat gonna cost in the official Trump web store

— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) August 29, 2017

And others were just happy that Trump knew the name of their country.

I like when Trump wears the USA hat. Lets me know what country he’s President of

— Brendan O’Hare (@brendohare) August 29, 2017