Although incredibly dangerous, lightning can also be an incredibly beautiful part of nature. Take, for example, a type that is called rainbow lightning. There are even times when lightning is able to strike up instead of down. But during a recent outing on his boat, a man in Australia got just a bit too close to a lightning strike for anyone’s comfort. This man’s outing at Sydney Harbour took place on Sunday. It is not clear whether or not the man was already out on the water before the storm began. Either way, what is clear is that this man was not expecting to get this close to a lightning strike. Check out this breathtaking moment in the video below. @7newsaustralia A lightning strike has given a boatie the shock of his life in Sydney Harbour, hitting the water just metres from his vessel during Sunday's storm. #lightning #lightningstrike #lightningbolt #thunder #storm #water #boat #boatie #boating #7NEWS ♬ original sound – 7NEWS Australia One second, the man is steering his boat, possibly back toward land because of the weather. Then, in an instant, lightning strikes mere feet away from him. Naturally, this causes the man to recoil. As close as this strike got, however, the main remained unharmed. Though, we can only imagine he was shaken up a bit! “Many years ago when I was in a boat in Gloucester Harbor, the same thing happened to us,” someone shares in the comment section of the video. “Pretty scary.” Australian Man Captures the Moment Lightning Strikes Mere Feet Away From His Boat The lightning in this video is stunning, of course, but it also serves as a reminder to be safe during storms. Although lightning strikes land more than the ocean, it can be particularly dangerous when it does. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), water acts as a conductor. So, when lightning does strike here, it spreads out over the water. This makes it easier to reach boats and the people on them. In other words, make sure to stay weather alert whenever you plan on setting out to sea! You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post The Power Of Nature: Boater Captures Incredibly Close Lightning Strike While On The Water appeared first on InspireMore.

This marks their first official public appearance at a social event

'I think we need to clear the air'

'That is my identity'

Job creation in November bounced back, with 227,000 jobs created, after coming to a standstill in October.

The account pictured in the screenshot is an impersonation

A novel approach to making seawater evaporate faster has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in desalination technology that will benefit billions of people worldwide. Up to 36% of the world’s eight billion people currently suffer from severe freshwater shortages for at least four months of the year, and this could potentially increase to 75% […] The post Billions of People Could Benefit from This Breakthrough in Desalination That Ensures Freshwater for the World appeared first on Good News Network.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s visit to the Philippines in November underscored the importance of the archipelago nation assisting the United States in the broader effort to deter the belligerence of the People’s Republic of China in the Indo-Pacific. As our treaty ally, the Philippines is showing initiative in the face of Chinese aggression through increased defense spending, calculated diplomatic mediation, and defense cooperation with the United States. The geography of the Philippines plays a major role making the archipelago nation an ideal partner in the U.S. strategy for deterring Chinese aggression. The country is not only positioned astride the vital sea lanes of the South China Sea, which China is illegally trying to control, but is also comprised of a complex web of islands, bays, inlets, and channels that form a natural defensive barrier. The Philippines has the potential to play a much larger role in regional security as well. For reference, the Philippines has a larger economy than other regional partners such as Vietnam or Malaysia and is host to a number of important military bases that the U.S. military has access to. To get serious about defending Philippine sovereignty, the Philippines can build upon its 2023 Bilateral Defense Guidelines with the United States by making more investments in its own military rather than relying so heavily on the U.S. In November, Austin visited Antonio Bautista Air Base on the Palwan Island, the front line of the fight for nations to have the freedom of navigation within the South China Sea. The international waterway is the vital pathway for over $3 trillion of trade goods annually and the flashpoint for recent Chinese aggression. The Chinese government has been constructing artificial islands within the South China Sea as well as encroaching on the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the 200 nautical miles of ocean that extends from a nation’s shoreline. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a nation has exclusive privileges over natural resources and development within those 200 nautical miles. China has unlawfully claimed all of the territory and sea encompassing virtually the entire South China Sea. In 2016, the U.N.’s International Court of Justice’s Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s claims and actions violated the Law of the Sea convention and determined that the shoals claimed by China are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China has intensified its militarization of its artificial islands by deploying long-range anti-access/area denial weapons and opposing nearby U.S. Navy patrols through diplomatic channels. China’s People’s Liberation Army Coast Guard has escalated illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities to harass and disrupt Philippine maritime operations within the Philippines’ economic zone. This year, China’s Coast Guard launched an attack with machetes, knives, and hammers on Philippine sailors attempting to resupply the crew of the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded naval ship, in June 2024. In September 2024, the Coast Guard also rammed a Philippine resupply ship, marking the culmination of a series of intentional ramming incidents at the hands of the Chinese. In response to this, the Philippines’ new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept will wisely shift defense resources toward integrating air, land, and sea power for external defense. After years of successful internal operations against Islamist insurgents, Philippine strategic planners are refocusing the Philippine Army and Navy on external security missions. The defense concept prioritizes the historically underfunded Philippine Navy and new asymmetric capabilities for the Philippine Army. The Philippines can pursue military capabilities to deter China by purchasing cost-effective anti-ship systems, fast-attack watercraft, and F-16 jet fighters.      The U.S. should consider ways to help the Philippine Air Force finance the purchase of F-16s. The administration could include discounted F-16s in a future military aid agreement in exchange for enhanced American access to and infrastructure investments on the 10 bases where the United States military already rotates troops under its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines. The Biden administration prioritized American military aid to Ukraine, unwisely focusing efforts on a secondary theater of war over the primary theater of importance—the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. now has the opportunity to prioritize enhancing our Indo-Pacific allies’ capabilities against our primary strategic adversary. The United States military can enable the Philippines to better defend its military and civilian centers with air defense bubbles created by increasing rotational deployment of air and missile defense systems. The U.S.’s proven Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense systems and short-range air defenses will create “no-go zones” for enemy aircraft and missiles, complicating Chinese planning. To fully implement its strategic plans, the Philippines will likely need to raise its defense spending to around 2% of its GDP, on target with other U.S. allies. Manila should allocate this capital especially to anti-ship and anti-air capabilities, accelerate the modernization of the Philippine military, and strengthen interoperability with the U.S. military.  For more context, read The Heritage Foundation’s full report “Strengthening the U.S.–Philippine Alliance.” The post How the Philippines Can Help the US Deter Chinese Aggression appeared first on The Daily Signal.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. A third-year student at the University of Leeds has found herself at the center of a free speech controversy after being suspended from her role at the university’s student radio station. Connie Shaw, who studies philosophy, ethics, and religion, has drawn attention from campaigners advocating for free expression, who claim her removal is rooted in her views critical of modern gender ideology. According to The Telegraph, the dispute arose following a complaint to Leeds Student Radio (LSR), where Shaw held the position of head of daytime radio. She oversaw popular programs such as Woman’s Hour and LGBTQ+ Hour. According to the Free Speech Union (FSU), the student union accused the 20-year-old of breaching its code of conduct, alleging she had failed in her “duty of care” and damaged the university’s reputation. The situation escalated when Shaw received a suspension notice in October. The union cited her social media activity as a central concern but withheld specifics until a meeting on November 6. During this meeting, Shaw learned that the complaint stemmed from a blog post she published on Substack the previous month. The post was hosted by Graham Linehan, a writer known for his outspoken views that are critical of modern gender ideology. In the piece, Shaw critiqued Leeds University’s gender policies, including a fund that provides financial support for trans students to purchase items such as chest binders and makeup. The blog also scrutinized a feminist philosophy essay question Shaw encountered during her studies, which asked whether subordination is essential to being a woman. Describing the question as problematic, she argued it implied that systemic oppression defines womanhood. Additionally, Shaw’s podcast, linked in the post, featured interviews with both Linehan and Charlie Bentley-Astor, a notable detransitioner. These interviews, recorded at the Battle of Ideas festival in London, were cited as contributing factors in the complaint. In late November, the Leeds University Union (LUU) determined that Shaw’s actions had brought the station into disrepute, resulting in her suspension from the LSR committee. To regain her position, she was reportedly instructed to issue a written apology and complete an e-learning course. The FSU, acting on Shaw’s behalf, has challenged the union’s decision, alleging it constitutes direct discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, which protects gender-critical beliefs. Toby Young, FSU’s general secretary, criticized the investigation’s process, describing it as flawed and biased. “The natural inference from their approach was that Shaw’s beliefs alone were sufficient to tarnish the station’s reputation,” he said. Young further denounced what he called “hostile questioning” during the inquiry, including being asked how she could foster inclusivity at LSR when her views might discomfort others. He argued that the complaints against her were exaggerated and lacked concrete detail. Shaw herself expressed frustration at the outcome, pointing to what she views as hypocrisy. “It is ironic that LSR promoted a freedom of speech event – the Battle of Ideas – only for me to face repercussions for interviews conducted there and for exercising my legal right to free speech,” she said. The controversy has sparked a broader conversation about freedom of expression on university campuses. The FSU has vowed to support Shaw through an appeal process and potential legal claims, calling for the investigation to be overturned. Meanwhile, the LUU has maintained its commitment to inclusivity but has declined further comments due to the ongoing appeal. This case highlights the tension between fostering an inclusive environment and protecting individuals’ rights to express contentious views, raising critical questions about the boundaries of free speech in academic settings. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post UK: Student’s Suspension Over Gender-Critical Views Sparks Campus Free Speech Uproar appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Pardon Push Gaining Momentum