If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Ireland’s Electoral Commission Chief Executive Art O’Leary is warning tech companies behind major social media platforms to adhere to what he considers their responsibilities in the electoral process. One the one hand, O’Leary is effectively threatening they could facing unspecified “reputational consequences” that are “not good” in case they are found to be uncooperative in what appears to be the ultimate goal here – censorship, i.e., “removal of material” that is found to be causing “damage to democracy.” On the other hand, the Electoral Commission chief seems satisfied that the companies the Irish authorities would like to keep under control during the campaign period are in fact “very conscious” of the circumstances, and will, in other words, “behave.” This obvious attempt to secure that tech firms censor content of their own accord is necessary since the current laws in Ireland do not allow the Commission to impose such decisions; but O’Leary is optimistic and says that the organization he heads has forged “positive relations” with these companies – all the way to “mechanisms to ensure disinformation is taken down quickly,” say reports. The elections O’Leary has in mind are local Irish and European Parliament ballots scheduled for early June, and as far as the authorities in that country are concerned, “disinformation” is expected from only one corner of the domestic political spectrum – what they brand as “the far-right.” That’s because groups allegedly espousing such views are planning protests in Dublin – and despite the fact that their political opponents plan the same, that is, to hold so-called “counter-rallies.” But only the “far right” is singled out as the potential source of “disinformation,” which has a decent chunk of the state apparatus, (national police security and intelligence department, broadcasting regulator, etc.) mobilized to deal with it and what are considered “online harms.” Now the Election Commission is also joining these efforts, with O’Leary sharing his thought process in an interview he gave the Irish Examiner. He admitted that there has been “no real evidence” that foreign countries are trying to interfere in the elections, yet this does not prevent alarmist rhetoric, including around that possibility, and AI generated content. Another of O’Leary’s ideas is to consider extending the moratorium on election coverage imposed on legacy media to online outlets. The post Ireland Calls on Tech Giants to Muzzle Election “Misinformation” appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Here’s news that at this point, in and of itself, is no news – Argentina is experiencing another wave of huge inflation. However, this time a new player is involved in the crisis – Sam Altman’s Worldcoin. The project’s goal is to become the world’s largest human identity and financial network, and, it appears, achieve this “by hook or crook.” To incentivize people to surrender the biometrics contained in the irises of their eyes, they are given a small amount of Worldcoin’s cryptocurrency, WLD. In Argentina, reports suggest this includes to all intents and purposes exploiting the extreme financial vulnerability of people with low income, whose troubles are currently compounded by even what little money they make “melting away” through rampant inflation. In numbers, writes Rest of the World, this means that people hit by an inflation rate of almost 300% are given $50 dollars worth of WLD when they have their eyes scanned. Sounds like a very bad deal indeed – but then the cold reality in Argentina right now is that some pensioners, like a woman mentioned in the article, only receive $95 per month from their retirement plan. That pensioner is described as “looking confused” after her iris was scanned – she was clearly egged on by a younger family member to do something, the ramifications of which she didn’t understand, and only did it “out of need.” And she is one of some 500,000 people who have done the same so far in this South American country. Even though data privacy laws are described as “not strong,” the exploitative nature of the business Worldcoin is pushing in a weak economy is causing two provinces to try to launch investigations into the goings-on. Some security experts are wondering whether Argentina should follow in the footsteps of those European countries where iris scanning for such purposes is banned. But evidently, countries with high inflation, low employment, and in general economic distress are preyed upon much more easily. The news about Worldcoin achieving its results under such circumstances casts a new light on the numbers it is presenting to the public as something positive – namely, “more than 10 million people in 160 countries having created a World ID and compatible wallet” while 5,195,475 people are said to have verified their World ID via the company’s iris-scanning Orb. “Nearly 60 Worldcoin Orb centers have been set up across Argentina, with many located in working-class neighborhoods around Buenos Aires,” the report says, and notes that, “Last year, Worldcoin Orbs were available in 25 countries. Today, they are limited to Argentina, Chile, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea, and the US.” The post Eyeball-Scanning Company Capitalizes on Argentina’s Inflation Crisis appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Bella the five-legged puppy who's "definitely a unicorn of a dog" from the Wisconsin Humane Society finally finds her forever home.

We present you funny dog posts from Apr 28 to May 04 that will paws-itively make you through the rest of the week!

A Golden Retriever named "Pancakes" stole the show when he showed up as his paw-rents' wedding ring bearer in April in Liverpool, England.

On May 01, East Hampton Public Library announces a paw-sitively unique forgiveness program for lost or damaged items called "MAY we see your dog?"

A cat kept jumping into the playpen of another rescued kitten so they could be together. Matcha and FloydCommunityCatClubEarly this year, a Good Samaritan stumbled upon a lone kitten whose eyes were crusted shut. They immediately contacted their local animal rescue, Community Cat Club, and asked if they could help her."We said yes because we could tell she needed medical care right away. We estimated her to be at least 3-4 months old, but she was under 2.5 pounds," Sara Sharp of Community Cat Club shared with Love Meow.Matcha, the kitten, was very underweight and couldn't see and breathe normally, clinging to her rescuer for comfort. Matcha was found alone outside in poor shapeCommunityCatClubAfter a few days of treatment and TLC, she walked around with a little extra pep in her step. She rubbed her clean face against Sara and purred with delight."She was battling a severe upper respiratory infection. She was flea-infested, emaciated, anemic, and riddled with parasites. This girl was a hot mess, but I'm so happy she was found and made her way here. She would not have made it much longer outside in her condition." She looked much better after a few days of TLCCommunityCatClubMatcha had a dedicated veterinary team and volunteers to nurture and cater to her every need. In two months, she filled out nicely and scampered around with playful energy and brighter eyes.As she recovered and got back in shape, her fun-loving personality emerged. Her silly antics brought laughter, and her cuddly nature melted hearts. Her adorable personality emergedCommunityCatClub"She's the epitome of sweetness, always ready to share a friendly purr or a playful pounce. Her curiosity knows no bounds, and she loves exploring every nook and cranny."Around that time, a little sickly tuxedo, Floyd, was found outside without a mother and siblings. Sara took him to her rescue and nursed him back to health. Floyd was found as a sickly strayCommunityCatClubFloyd quickly reached the one-pound mark after a few days in foster care. Another week passed, and he blossomed into his best self. "He loves to eat, loves to play, and loves to cuddle."At this point, Matcha was known for her adoration for other cats and even dogs. She got along with everyone splendidly. When she heard Floyd, her ears perked up, and she was on a mission to find him. Sara took him into her careCommunityCatClub"Matcha's playful spirit and loving personality make her a joy to be around."When Matcha saw Floyd in his playpen, she decided to sneak in to hang out with her new friend. "It was love at first sight. Matcha would keep jumping in to play and cuddle with Floyd," Sara shared with Love Meow. He recovered and blossomed into a playful, cuddly kittyCommunityCatClubMatcha, about four months older, has taken Floyd under her wing. "They may be very different sizes, but these two have really formed a cute little friendship.""They love to run around, chase each other, and play with every toy they have. And, of course, a good post-play time cuddle session." Matcha kept jumping into Floyd's playpen to be with himCommunityCatClub"When they're not playing like crazy, they're usually cuddling like this."The two best friends hope to find a forever home where they can continue their adventures as a pair. They have become best friendsCommunityCatClubAfter being found separately and nursed back to health, they sought solace in each other and became truly inseparable.With their hearts entwined, they will never walk alone, bound for life's adventures. CommunityCatClubShare this story with your friends. More on Matcha and Floyd and Community Cat Club on Instagram and Facebook.Related story: Cat Finds Someone to Help Him After Years on the Street, His Eyes Light Up and He Blooms into True King

A cat led a kind person to a tub of kittens she'd looked after. She was so happy to finally have help. Taylor and her kittensSparkleCatRescueA week ago, Christina L., an animal rescuer, spotted a friendly stray cat running across a parking lot. She followed her and was stunned by what she discovered.She saw a younger cat lying beside a tiny kitten. About two feet away sat a plastic tub turned into a makeshift shelter for feral cats. In it, there were two litters of kittens being looked after by the stray that had led her to them.The older cat named Taylor is the mother of the younger cat. Both of them had given birth two weeks apart. Taylor was caring for two litters of kittens in a plastic tub that had been turned into a makeshift shelterSparkleCatRescue"The only bedding in the bin was leaves gathered off the barren small patio floor," Christina shared. "The young mom wasn't feeding her kittens. Taylor was trying to feed all of them (her young babies and fragile grandchildren)."Christina immediately contacted Stephanie Grantham, founder of Sparkle Cat Rescue, and asked if she had supplies to supplement the smaller kittens. Taylor's five kittensSparkleCatRescueThere was a colony of cats in the area, not a safe place for them to live in. "Our local shelter would not accept them, and they couldn't stay at the property," Stephanie told Love Meow. Members of the rescue community rallied their efforts to bring them indoors.Stephanie took Mama Taylor and her five to her rescue. She also provided supplies for another compassionate individual who began bottle-feeding the smaller kittens that survived, as well as caring for two other kittens they secured. Another volunteer opened her home to the younger mom cat and another one that needed a safe haven. SparkleCatRescueIt took a village, but through tireless efforts, all of them were safe.Taylor, named after the pop star Taylor Swift, was very talkative and social. She toured around the interior of the car before returning to the crate to tend to her demanding five. SparkleCatRescueAs soon as she lay on her side, the kittens quieted down to Taylor's chirps and purrs. They latched onto her as they headed to their foster home with Erin and Lauren."Taylor is such a sweet, trusting girl, and she settled in almost immediately," Erin told Love Meow. SparkleCatRescue"We placed her babies in the playpen with a snuggly bed, food, and a litter box, and she watched us the whole time, making a few comments to her babies here and there.""Once she was sure they were comfortable, she dove into getting snuggles from us. She really loves to be loved on." Taylor is so happy to be indoorsSparkleCatRescueTaylor appreciates having kind humans to help her raise her last litter. Her five, Chloe, Sami, Sophia, Marcus, and Clara (all named after Taylor Swift's new album) are starting to eat independently.While the kittens shuffle around the playpen, practicing their wrestling skills, Taylor can relax and take some time for herself. SophiaSparkleCatRescue"Taylor (the Chairman) seems happy to have us nanny the kittens, but if they need her, she jumps right in to comfort them. The babies, or interns as we like to call them, are at the stage now where they love to wrestle each other and even us."The kittens are honing their walk and coordination, and soon, they will have the whole room as their playground and zoom around with reckless abandon. SparkleCatRescueTaylor and her kittens, once-forgotten felines, are thriving in their foster home thanks to the kindness of many volunteers. They will never have to spend another day outside and will be cherished in a cozy and loving home. SamiSparkleCatRescueShare this story with your friends. More on Taylor and her kittens and Sparkle Cat Rescue on Instagram and Facebook.Related story: Family and Their Cat Change Everything for Little 4-week-old Kitten in a World He Cannot See

A cat with "tight pants" tried to charm every person at an animal shelter by holding their hand. MaExploitsValleySPCALast month, five cats were rescued from a condemned house and brought to Exploits Valley SPCA for a chance at a better life.One of the cats named Ma came with patches of missing fur on her legs. "They were all covered in urine and waste, but Ma ended up with the worst of it," Exploits Valley SPCA shared.While other cats tried to decompress in their new space, Ma decided to seek attention from staff by beckoning with her paws. She was immediately friendly and snuggly with the shelter staffExploitsValleySPCAMa eventually lost almost all the fur on her legs due to urine scalding, but with treatment, she felt much better, started to heal, and her personality shone through."Her fur being gone shows off her skinny little legs and makes it look like she's wearing bell bottoms." She asked to hold everyone's handExploitsValleySPCA"Ma is one who is extra flamboyant with her feet, too. She is always using her paws to hold your hand closer for attention. She can't get enough love."The vet estimated her to be six years old and assumed she was the mother of the four other cats who came with her. "She is incredibly lovable and a stage-5 clinger who literally holds your hand." She grabbed their hand, held it tight, and rubbed it against her faceExploitsValleySPCAOnce the cats were moved into a furnished suite, where they could roam around freely, Ma was determined to charm every person who walked through the door."Imagine being in the shelter, and you turn around to see this little thing staring at you with her tight pants on." She did the perfect beckoning cat impressionExploitsValleySPCAWhile waiting for her fur to grow back, she sported a cute look, turning heads at the shelter along with her meows and beckoning paw.She gazed at every visitor intently and waved her little paw at them, asking for their hand. ExploitsValleySPCAShe then rubbed their hand against her face repeatedly, basking in the love. If the person walked away, she would follow them around, dolphin-diving into their hand for more pets.After a few weeks in the shelter, Ma had won over the hearts of all the staff members and many people across the internet. ExploitsValleySPCAA family stumbled upon Ma on social media and fell head over heels for the sweet girl. They contacted the shelter and hoped for a chance to adopt her.It turned out to be the perfect fit. The adopter made a 10-hour journey to the shelter, and Ma instantly captivated their hearts by grabbing their hand and holding it tight. She lost almost all her leg fur. After getting treated, she recovered, and her fur would grow backExploitsValleySPCAThey left the shelter that day with Ma in a cozy carrier, taking her to her forever home. "Ma is now known as Juniper (Junie) and is already settling into her happily ever after."She is pleased to have a house to run around in and large windows to watch her daily feline entertainment. Ma has found her forever homeExploitsValleySPCAShe adores her people, holds hands with them, and showers them with endless face snuggles. Junie has also met her new feline sibling, and the two are getting along swimmingly. She has a new feline sibling to spend her life withExploitsValleySPCAShare this story with your friends. More on Exploits Valley SPCA on Facebook and their YouTube Channel @BirdieWorld382.Related story: Cat Curled Up Outside House on Bitter Cold Day, When the Door Opened, He Walked in Ready for Change

Two kittens survived the streets together and embraced another cat who needed friends. tiny.paws.fostersLast month, a Good Samaritan found two kittens lying beside their cat mother, who did everything she could to keep them safe and fed.The kittens survived the streets, but sadly, their mother didn't. The finder brought them to an emergency clinic, and the pair eventually ended up in a local shelter.Shelter staff pleaded to the rescue community, hoping to get the kittens into foster care with a dedicated feeder to give them the best chance of survival. Nadija, who fosters for AnimalLuvr's Dream Rescue, stepped up to help. The brother (ginger) and sister (gray) were found outside when they were two weeks oldtiny.paws.fosters"They were approximately two weeks old, a little dehydrated, but they loved their bottle," Nadija shared.She walked into the nursery the next morning to the rumbling sound of the kittens' tiny purr motors. The feline siblings had a faux mama with a heartbeat to keep them company and a fluffy blanket they kneaded on vigorously. tiny.paws.fostersWhen they weren't feeding, they were cuddled up together, sometimes on top of one another. The gray kitten (sister) would wrap her arm around her brother (ginger) or drape her body over him for extra comfort.Every 1-2 hours, Nadija came in to check on the kittens. The second the bottle appeared, the little gray kitten awoke and screamed for food. "Little Miss always has a lot to say, and the ginger boy is always on the move." tiny.paws.fostersMeanwhile, in another foster home, there was a fluffy gray kitten in desperate need of friends.The lone kitty was frail and malnourished when he was rescued, but through tireless efforts from his carer, he bounced back and started to seek affection. The new kitten was in desperate need of friendstiny.paws.fostersHis foster mom noticed how much he craved a constant companion and asked Nadija if she could take him on. Without hesitation, she welcomed him in with open arms."He's the same age as my little guys. He has been working hard to catch up to his new friends." They immediately hit it offtiny.paws.fostersThe brother and sister duo instantly embraced the newcomer and included him in their snuggle pile when they napped.The new kitten has put on weight, and his appetite has improved. Being around other kittens of similar size encourages him to eat more and be more active. tiny.paws.fostersHe no longer feels lonely and has grown more adventurous and curious about his surroundings."He's even yelled at me for second meals, which is music to my ears. His energy level is up, and he's playing with toys and wrestling with the other kittens." The fluffy kitten loves his new feline siblingstiny.paws.fosters"Fuzzy guy is fitting in so well with the two chunkers. This handsome young man is the first of the three to use a litter box, and I am so proud of him."Now, all three of them join in a cacophony of meows when their foster mom comes in with food in her hands. They meow and demand their food together tiny.paws.fostersThe two boys demand their meal atop a scratching post while their sister screams from the floor. The smell of their food sends them into a whirlwind.At 4-5 weeks old, they are ready to sample their first solid food. The brother and sistertiny.paws.fosters"They will continue to be bottle fed while weaning until they no longer want the bottle, but it's important to supplement them because, at first, they won't be eating enough on their own."Despite their rough start, the brother and sister are now living their best lives - complete with a new feline buddy they adore. The new kittentiny.paws.fostersShare this story with your friends. More on the kittens and Nadija's fosters on Instagram and Facebook and Tiktok @tiny.paws.fostersRelated story: Cat Found Behind a Grocery Store Asking Around for Attention, Turns Out She Has Many Kittens to Feed