Former President Donald Trump gave a speech on Friday to denounce his conviction and the preceding trial, but of the three main networks, only NBC bothered to break into their regular scheduled programming and carry it live and give their audience Trump’s perspective. Trump began speaking at 11:06 a.m. Eastern and included a special report from anchor Lester Holt and correspondent Hallie Jackson. Trump spoke for 20 minutes until they cut him off to analyze his remarks with senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett. At the same time, ABC stuck with the liberal ladies of The View and CBS remained with Drew Carey and The Price is Right. Later in the day, CBS would cover President Joe Biden's press conference about Israel's latest ceasefire proposal. While CBS literally mused over the price of peanuts, MSNBC carried Trump’s speech from 11:06 through 11:27 as co-host Ana Cabrera interrupted to begin fact-checking with fellow co-host Jose Diaz-Balart proceeding to kick off a panel discussion alongside video of Trump speaking. Trump’s speech ended at 11:39, but CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and Erin Burnett interrupted him at 11:24 in order to bring on resident fact-checker Daniel Dale while also showing silenced video of Trump on the side. The price of the trial might be right for Trump opponents, but the price is wrong for Trump and his supporters, and the media owe it to the American people to hear Trump make his case for why the whole thing was a sham.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means that it helps prevent oxidative damage. It’s required to make collagen and for the healthy function of the immune system. Oxidative damage is related to many health problems in people and is becoming a topic of interest in veterinary medicine as well. However, most of the claims of vitamin C’s benefits in combating certain health issues in humans, have proven unrewarding, and these anecdotes cannot be extrapolated to cats, based on the current research findings.1 Cats produce vitamin C within their body, which humans cannot do. Therefore, cats don’t need vitamin C in their diet. However, vitamin C supplementation is sometimes recommended by vets for sick or immunocompromised felines. Without a vet’s advice, supplementation may be harmful, as too much vitamin C can lead to calcium oxalate formation in the urinary tract, increasing the risk of oxalate stones,  and may even have a pro-oxidant effect. Do Cats Need Vitamin C? Before considering any kind of vitamin C supplementation in cats, it’s crucial to consult with your vet. Cats produce their own vitamin C and rarely require extra in their diet. An excess of vitamin C may cause gastrointestinal issues or excretion through the kidneys and the urinary bladder in the form of calcium oxalate, which may predispose some cats to the formation of stones, anywhere from the kidney to the urethra. This may lead to a urinary blockage, which is common in male cats and can be life-threatening. Too much vitamin C may actually have a pro-oxidant effect, meaning it promotes cell damage. A cat rarely needs vitamin C supplementation, and your veterinary surgeon should be your first port of call. With that said, the following foods are rich in vitamin C. This list is purely for your interest, as these foods are more likely to be needed by humans who rely on vitamin C in their diet. Check with your vet to see if these fruits and vegetables may be an occasional treat for your cat. Another downside of giving your cat fruit or veg is the fact that they do not need it. Cats are obligate carnivores and thrive on an animal protein-rich diet. Carbs are not something they need, and excess carbs may lead to gastrointestinal issues or calorie excess, predisposing them to weight gain over time. These choices may not be suitable for diabetic cats or cats with ongoing gastrointestinal or other health issues, so again, consult your vet. Offering occasional fruit or veg treats to your cat, besides a new flavor, is not going to provide them with significant health benefits. And that’s okay. This is because your cat can only safely consume a small amount of these treats, so the nutritional value is too small to be considered valuable. Your cat’s balanced and complete diet will provide them with all the micronutrients they require to thrive. The 6 Foods High in Vitamin C for Cats 1. Strawberries Image Credit: Brendan Delany, Shutterstock Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and safe for most cats to consume as an occasional treat in moderation. They can be given fresh after being washed, in case of any pesticides, and often need to be cut into smaller pieces, as many cats won’t chew them. Don’t be surprised if your cat doesn’t find strawberries palatable, as they don’t taste sugar like we do. They should not be forced to eat strawberries and should instead be offered species-appropriate meat-based treats. However, this isn’t the case for all cats. Sometimes, cats love strawberries, making them a suitable occasional treat, according to your vet’s recommendations. If your cat won’t eat strawberries, you can try cutting them up and putting them in your cat’s usual wet food, but not more than once a week. Don’t be tempted to give your cat any strawberry juice, as this often contains additional sugar, additives, and sometimes even artificial flavorings that are not safe for cats to consume. 2. Broccoli It may surprise you to learn that broccoli is high in vitamin C. It’s also rich in vitamin K and fiber. Some felines prefer veggies over fruits, though this is a matter of personal preference. Either way, it should be offered in strict moderation, as excess may lead to a stomach upset. We highly recommend cooking broccoli before giving it to your cat. Raw broccoli can be hard for cats to eat. However, steaming broccoli until it is very soft is much more palatable to many cats. Just be sure not to add any spices or oils, as these can be unsafe for your feline. Keep the amount to a few bites, once a week. 3. Peas Image Credit: Moving Moment, Shutterstock Peas are another vegetable that is high in vitamin C. We recommend steaming them just like broccoli with no added ingredients. Peas also contain a variety of other vitamins and minerals, including fiber. They’re surprisingly high in protein, too. Many cat foods contain small amounts of peas for this reason. However, only animal protein contains all the essential amino acids that cats require, which is why cats can’t be vegetarian or vegan. 4. Cantaloupe Cantaloupe is safe for cats and very high in water, making it a tasty summer treat. You can cut cantaloupe into small bite-sized pieces and feed them chilled to your cat on a hot day. Many cats like cantaloupe because it isn’t as sweet as other fruits. However, it isn’t odd for cats to refuse to eat it. Offer it in moderation and only occasionally, not more often than once a week. 5. Spinach Image Credit: Sunny Forest, Shutterstock Spinach is high in several vitamins, including vitamin C. You can feed it to your feline in small amounts as an occasional treat, but it’s important to consult with a veterinarian first. Spinach is rich in calcium oxalate, which may predispose some cats to form urinary crystals and stones, particularly if they are already suffering from this health issue. Cooking will reduce the amount of oxalate, but this vegetable is still not recommended for all cats due to the risk of remaining oxalate. Cooked spinach can be served in very small amounts in the cat’s usual food. Again, this should be no more than once every 1-2 weeks and only if your vet has ascertained its safety for your cat. Cook spinach without other ingredients before offering it to your feline. Many of the seasonings and oils you might normally add to spinach are harmful or even toxic to cats. 6. Blueberries Blueberries contain fiber and vitamin C. Some cats may be more likely to consume blueberries than other fruits. If your cat didn’t like the cantaloupe or strawberries, you might want to give blueberries a try. These berries can be fed to your cat completely raw, after washing. They’re used in several commercial cat foods. Offer them in small amounts as an occasional snack. Conclusion There are some veggies and fruits you can give your cat as a treat in moderation, though not to increase their vitamin C intake unless recommended by your vet. Cats produce their own vitamin C, and supplementation is unnecessary in most cases unless directed by the vet. Many of the listed foods aren’t necessarily cats’ favorites and are not appropriate as part of their regular diet, but can instead be offered as occasional treats. Cats don’t have a dietary requirement for fruit or veggies, as they are obligate carnivores and do not need them in their diet. Their diet is based on animal protein sources, with moderate amounts of fat and low levels of carbs. Sources The A-B-C’s of Vitamin C Use of ascorbic acid and other antioxidants in the dog and cat Effect of vitamin C supplements on antioxidant defense and stress proteins in human lymphocytes and skeletal muscle Vitamin C in Veterinary Medicine Vitamin C | The Nutrition Source Effect of different cooking methods on vegetable oxalate content Regulation of Oxalate Metabolism in Spinach Revealed by RNA-Seq-Based Transcriptomic Analysis – PMC Featured Image Credit: K Bak, Shutterstock The post 6 Foods High in Vitamin C for Cats: Vet-Approved Nutritional Info & Facts appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead Research Results What Are Litter Attractants? Causes of Litter Box Problems How to Encourage Cats to Return to the Litter Box Litter attractants are added to cat litter to tempt cats, particularly those that are experiencing litter box issues, to spend time peeing and pooping in the litter box instead of elsewhere. Although research regarding the effectiveness of litter attractants is limited, litter attractants appear to work for some cats. Before trying litter attractants, speak with your veterinarian. Litter box avoidance and other behavioral changes linked to urination and defecation often indicate that cats aren’t feeling well. If your cat isn’t urinating normally due to a health issue, such as an infection, illness, or stress around using the litter box, the attractant will not help. If your cat gets the all-clear from the vet and there is no indication of a medical problem causing misuse of the litter box, a litter attractant may encourage them to use it again. Research Results In a 2019 study designed to evaluate the efficacy of one specific attractant, the cats urinated more often in the attractant-treated plant-based litter than in the untreated plant-based litter.1 The cats were familiar with clay-based litter, but the researchers were unsure if they had used plant-based litter. Therefore, they determined that using natural litter was a better material for the test because cats would not be biased by their experiences with clay products. The study also uncovered that cats prefer to use clean litter boxes next to a wall rather than away from it. This is the only study focused on the effectiveness of litter attractants, but since it showed that most cats preferred the litter with an attractant, it might convince your healthy cat to use the bathroom in the box rather than your carpet. Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock What Are Litter Attractants? Litter attractants are additives that make a cat’s litter box more appealing. Some products merely absorb odors and don’t have additional fragrances, while others use herbs like catnip to attract cats to the litter. You can also purchase litter that contains an attractant. Next, we’ll discuss each type in more detail. Odor Absorbers Cats prefer a clean litter tray over a dirty one, particularly when it comes to solid material. Removing feces and clumped litter is important when making a litter box more appealing, and unless the box is clean, the attractant won’t help. Using odor-absorbing products can irritate some cats if they include strong fragrances, but you can find several formulas that only contain baking soda. Bicarbonate of soda is unlikely to bother your cat, and it will make the litter box more pleasant by reducing odors. Image Credit: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock Sprays and Powders Commercial sprays and powders are designed to attract cats and encourage them to associate positively with their litter boxes. Their ingredients vary, but we recommend using attractants with herbs like catnip. If the ingredients include chemical fragrances and additives, you can’t be sure they’re safe for your cat. DIY Additives Dried catnip can be sprinkled directly on the litter to attract your cat, or you can use a catnip spray on the sides of the litter box. Valerian and silvervine powders are also safe to add to the litter box. Image Credit: Michelle Lee Photography, Shutterstock Commercial Litters You can purchase commercial litter with attractants already added. Several types are available, including clumping and non-clumping options and biodegradable choices made from walnut shells. Unscented and scented products are available, but scented litter can sometimes be too much for cats with sensitive noses. Since catnip and other cat-safe herbs are inexpensive, buying regular, unscented litter and adding a natural attractant is more cost-effective than buying a more expensive formula with an attractant. What Causes Litter Box Problems in Cats? Litter box problems in cats are linked to various causes, including illness and stress. For instance, cats with mobility problems or joint issues have trouble entering and exiting litter boxes with high sides and may decide to go on the floor instead. Cats with urinary tract problems often urinate in cool, smooth spots like bathtubs. Changes in litter box behavior can be a sign of stress or anxiety, and some cats suffer from stress-related cystitis. Other conditions leading to litter box issues include hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and bladder stones. Kidney disease and diabetes can make cats urinate more often, and if their owners don’t keep the litter boxes clean, the cats will find a more appealing area, such as the carpet. Image Credit: stokerolga, Shutterstock Are There Ways to Encourage Cats to Return to the Litter Box? Once your cat has been checked out by a veterinarian and received a clean bill of health, you can try one of our suggestions below to convince them to use the litter box. It’s better to try them before using an attractant. If one solves the problem, you don’t have to spend money on herbs or commercial products. Location Most cats prefer to use the litter box in quiet areas that provide privacy, and older pets may have trouble navigating stairs or getting to litter boxes far away from their favorite hangouts. To make it easier for your cat to access their bathroom, it’s best to have at least one litter box on every level of your house. Place the box in a room without loud appliances and far away from your cat’s food and water bowls. Cats dislike using the bathroom near their food. Image Credit: MyImages – Micha, Shutterstock Litter box number The rule of thumb for litter boxes is to have one per cat, plus one extra. This helps reduce any competition for resources between cats and, therefore, reduces stress. Resource guarding is usually associated with food or toys but can include litter boxes. If you frequently see urine or feces on the floor and have multiple felines, one of your cats may be bullying another and preventing them from entering the box. If you add additional boxes and space them out around your home, your bullied cat may feel more comfortable and use the litter box. Cleanliness Cats have powerful noses and high standards when it comes to litter box cleanliness. The litter should be scooped daily, but particularly sensitive cats appreciate twice-daily scooping. The boxes must also be cleaned with soap and water every week, especially if you have more than one cat. Image Credit: Ninotee, Shutterstock Litter Box Design and Litter Choice Some cats like large, wide, open litter boxes, and others prefer enclosed units that provide privacy. Cats with mobility issues have difficulty getting into top-entry boxes with high sides and need models with low-entry points. Some cats also have strong preferences regarding the litter’s texture; grainy sand-like products are popular, but your cat may prefer crystal or recycled paper litter. Setting up a few litter boxes with different litter substrates is a simple way to discover if your cat has a litter preference. Stress Reduction Cats that are anxious or stressed can display several signs. Some stressed cats withdraw and start sleeping more, but excessive grooming and litter box issues are common. If they’re displaying these signs, your veterinarian should examine your cat, and if the stress is a behavioral problem, they can provide advice to reduce it. However, you can also make your home more cat-friendly if the problem seems to be related to the environment. Monitor the dynamic between your cats if you have more than one.  Do they sleep and groom each other?  If so, the other cat is unlikely to be causing the stress. If they don’t, one of your cats may be stressing out the other. To reduce their stress, ensure you have multiple feeding, drinking, sleeping, and toileting areas available so that the cats can avoid one another if they prefer to. You can also provide each cat with separate toys, scratching posts, and cat trees to reduce resource guarding. Conclusion Litter attractants can convince cats to urinate and defecate in the litter box instead of on the floor, but you may need to make a few changes in your home before using them. Cats avoid litter boxes or use the bathroom outside of them for several reasons, including stress and illness, and it’s essential to have your cat checked out by a veterinarian if you notice any changes in their bathroom habits Cats may avoid using the litter box because of its location, shape, or even the type of litter it contains. Evidence suggests that cats may prefer to pee in litter treated by attractants. However, there’s also evidence that keeping the litter box clean, putting litter boxes in convenient places, and ensuring cats have a type of litter that pleases their paws and noses can also help. Sources https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770919/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376635716302972 https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/litter-box-training-why-setup-and-placement-matters https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/reasons-your-cat-peeing-outside-litter-box https://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/6-signs-your-cats-are-best-friends Featured Image Credit: Alexandra Morosanu, Shutterstock The post Do Cat Litter Attractants Work? Vet Approved Facts & Care Tips appeared first on Pet Keen.

Celebrated author George R.R. Martin expressed disappointment in Hollywood writers and producers for ruining the legacy of great written stories.The "Game of Thrones" author took to his own website to share his thoughts on the constant remakes and reimaginings being pumped out by Hollywood studios. After reminiscing about his past comments on the obligation to stay true to source material, Martin stated that little has changed since he made such remarks in 2022."Very little has changed since then. If anything, things have gotten worse. Everywhere you look, there are more screenwriters and producers eager to take great stories and 'make them their own,'" Martin wrote on his blog.The writer then cited numerous authors who he claimed have had their legacy trampled on by studios adding their own twist."It does not seem to matter whether the source material was written by Stan Lee, Charles Dickens, Ian Fleming, Roald Dahl, Ursula K. Le Guin, J.R.R. Tolkien, Mark Twain, Raymond Chandler, Jane Austen, or … well, anyone," he continued. "No matter how major a writer it is, no matter how great the book, there always seems to be someone on hand who thinks he can do better, eager to take the story and 'improve' on it. 'The book is the book, the film is the film,' they will tell you, as if they were saying something profound. Then they make the story their own."'They never make it better, though. Nine hundred ninety-nine times out of a thousand, they make it worse.'Martin had similar sentiments in 2022 when he and fellow author Neil Gaiman buried Hollywood for its love of reimagining books. The 75-year-old said it was a controversial issue in Hollywood to feel obligated to be "faithful to the written material.""How faithful do you have to be? Some people don't feel that they have to be faithful at all. There's this phrase that goes around: 'I'm going to make it my own.' I hate that phrase. And I think Neil probably hates that phrase, too," Martin continued, according to Variety.Gaiman agreed and referred to his own work "Sandman" as something that had been perpetually adapted."I spent 30 years watching people make 'Sandman' their own. And some of those people hadn't even read 'Sandman' to make it their own, they’d just flipped through a few comics or something."Martin's latest comments came just weeks after Disney CEO Bob Iger announced on an earnings call that the studio would continue with more remakes and sequels because "they're known" and easier to market.The consistent reimaginings of classic stories are happening elsewhere, too, with Warner Bros. having recently announced yet another "Lord of the Rings" production slated for 2026, for example."They never make it better, though. Nine hundred ninety-nine times out of a thousand, they make it worse," Martin added in his blog. The author did save room for praise of one adaption, however. He celebrated the FX series "Shogun," saying he thought "the author would have been pleased" with the adaptation."Once in a while, though, we do get a really good adaptation of a really good book, and when that happens, it deserves applause."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Donald Trump attorney Todd Blanche told the "Today" show on Friday that the former president's defense team in the New York case was "expecting" a guilty verdict. He noted that they plan to appeal.On Thursday, a jury found Trump guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records, Blaze News previously reported. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) filed the charges against the former president last year.'I don't accept that this was a fair place to try President Trump.'"This was a verdict that we were expecting. We're going to appeal, and we're going to win on appeal," Blanche told the news outlet. "The goal is to appeal quickly and hopefully be vindicated quickly."Blanche stated that Trump's defense team was neither shocked nor surprised by the outcome of the case."We didn't think we were gonna get a fair shake in Manhattan, and we didn't," he told the "Today" show.Trump's attorney explained that there was "a lot of evidence" in the case that should have been presented to jurors but was rejected. "We asked to bring in evidence, for example, of tax records of some of the witnesses. That was one of the theories of the prosecution. We weren't allowed to do that. There's a reliance on counsel theory that would have been, we believe, helpful to our defense that we were not allowed to bring in," Blanche continued. "The judge, as judges can do, limited in lots of ways our cross-examination of witnesses that made it a challenge."Acting Justice Juan Merchan is expected to announce sentencing in July. Trump is facing up to four years in prison on each count. Blanche was asked whether he believed Bragg would request that Trump face prison time. "I would hope not," he responded. "Under the guidelines and the rules of the court, what normally would happen, President Trump would not face a day in prison.""He should not go to prison. I don't know what the district attorney is going to do," Blanche added.He told the news outlet that the case is not over just because the jury returned a verdict, stating that Trump's legal team plans to appeal."I think the recusal issue is meaningful," Blanche explained. "I think the statute of limitations, the background of why this case was brought, is meaningful." "I do not think Michael Cohen should ever be somebody who can be relied upon to convict somebody," he added, referring to Trump's former attorney.In an interview with CNN on Thursday evening, Blanche stated, "Every single person on the jury knew Donald Trump as president, as candidate, from 'The Apprentice,' so I don't accept that this was a fair place to try President Trump."CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins pushed back on Blanche's argument, stating that jurors knowing about the case going into the trial was unavoidable."The law doesn't say, 'But if you can't avoid it, tough luck.' That's not what the law says. The law says a person is entitled to a fair trial in front of a jury of their peers, and we just think that because of everything around the lead-up this trial, it made it very difficult for the jury to evaluate the evidence kind of independent of what they knew coming in," Blanche remarked.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A new program in Boston will allow illegal aliens and kids as young as 11 to have a say on the way that the city spends millions of dollars.In 2021, Bostonians voted to approve the establishment of the Office of Participatory Budgeting, and participatory budgeting means exactly what it says: giving voters the opportunity to participate in the way a portion of the city's budget is spent.'Her decision-making is becoming as juvenile as this latest stunt.'This year, as part of far-left Democrat Mayor Michelle Wu's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal, that office's purpose will finally be put into practice. By September, Wu and her team will compile a list of 15 community projects. Then in January, voters will select — either online or in person — five of them to receive a portion of the $2 million allotted for OPB spending. Though $2 million sounds like a lot of money, it's actually just a tiny fraction of the city's overall budget, which in 2024 was more than $4.2 billion. The concept of participatory budgeting began in Brazil more than three decades ago, but in Boston, it began as the result of a "youth-led participatory budgeting initiative," the Boston OPB website states. True to those roots, all Boston residents at least 11 years old will be able to participate in the OPB vote in January.Allowing children still five years away from a driver's license to help determine city expenditures may be alarming, but at least many of those kids are U.S. citizens. Even worse, illegal aliens will also be able to participate in Boston's participatory budgeting as well, the New York Post reported, perhaps to help satisfy the OPB's mission to help "achiev[e] and embed[] equity and inclusion into City practices."The voting process for participatory budgeting in Boston has become such a circus that even some high-profile Democrat leaders have expressed misgivings. Notably, City Councilman Ed Flynn expressed "unequivocal and vehement opposition to the voting process," claiming his constituents would view "allowing children to decide the usage of taxpayer dollars" as "tone-deaf, unserious, and wholly inappropriate.""During this time of great fiscal uncertainty — with a study warning that remote work policies and the city’s declining commercial property values may cost us $500 million in revenue annually, as well as a subsequent proposal to also tax commercial property at a higher rate — now more than ever, it is critical that we show the taxpayers of Boston that we take our financial responsibilities seriously," Flynn wrote in a letter to OPB director Renato Castelo.Others on the city council agreed with Flynn but perhaps for different reasons. Democrat Councilor Erin Murphy voiced concerns about the process, the Union-Bulletin reported, though the outlet did not identify Murphy's objections.Councilor John FitzGerald, who does not mention a party affiliation on either his city bio or his campaign website, worries that participatory budgeting gives residents a greater say over spending than the city council.Paul Craney of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance finds the whole idea absurd. "Mayor Wu will try almost anything to make a news headline and get attention, even capitulate her responsibilities as mayor and designate children and non-citizens to make budgetary decisions with our tax dollars," Craney told Blaze News."Her decision-making is becoming as juvenile as this latest stunt."Democrat Councilor Liz Breadon, however, is much more optimistic about giving young people voting power. "I really do think this is a huge opportunity to develop civic engagement," Breadon said. "I do hope that it will lead to a more engaged citizenry going forward."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Old School Runescape may not have the flashiest visuals, but it maintains a huge community of players who are constantly on the hunt for XP and every skillcape in Gilenor. For anyone brave enough, there's also a hefty amount of prize money available soon as the game will be hosting its annual Deadman mode tournament. Continue reading Classic MMO is hosting a $25,000 PvP tournament anyone can enter MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMORPGs on PC, Runescape system requirements, Old School RuneScape: Beginner's guide

What has always made America unique is not the absence of antisemitism, but the continued willingness of its people and its leaders to fight it.

First Post-Verdict Poll Is Out - Watch Dems Tear Their Hair Out Over This

Trump War Room: The Former President Speaks on the Manhattan Verdict, Joe Biden and More