Yearly Archives: 2025

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Jesus Cast Down the Mighty from Their Thrones. So Should We

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In the past week, the Trump administration brokered a deal that secured the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. While the terms of the long overdue ceasefire are being contested, this is a groundbreaking accomplishment for which I’m deeply thankful.

However, this short-term peacemaking victory abroad was quickly undermined by the administration’s bellicose rhetoric and actions at home. President Donald Trump has repeatedly abused his ability to declare emergencies and seize power under the pretense of maintaining law and order.

For example, he declared immigration emergencies to further militarize the U.S.-Mexico border and label drug cartels as terrorists. He also declared a “trade emergency” to justify and impose costly tariffs, and an energy emergency to greenlight new drilling projects and bypass regulations.

Most alarmingly, he has falsely declared a “crime” emergency to federalize and deploy National Guard troops to additional cities.
https://www.realclearreligion.org/2025/10/20/jesus_cast_down_the_mighty_from_their_thrones_so_should_we_1141997.html

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Faircom New York Wins Three DMAW 2025 MAXI Awards for Excellence in Nonprofit Fundraising

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Faircom New York Honored with Three Awards at the 2025 DMAW MAXI Awards

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Faircom New York, a full-service fundraising and marketing agency dedicated to nonprofits, proudly announces it has received three prestigious awards at the 2025 MAXI Awards. Presented by the Direct Marketing Association of Washington (DMAW), the awards celebrate outstanding achievements in direct response marketing and fundraising.

Faircom was recognized with two Gold Awards and one Silver Award, showcasing the agency’s commitment to collaboration and creative strategy in advancing mission-driven campaigns. The honors include:

  • Gold Award: International Rescue Committee’s “Recovery & Resilience Response Fund” Campaign (Nonprofit Special Appeal, Direct Mail)
  • Gold Award: Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, Chicago’s “Annual Christmas Appeal” (Nonprofit Renewal, Multi-Channel Campaign)
  • Silver Award: The National Children’s Cancer Society’s “Give Comfort & Help” Plush Bear Package (Nonprofit Acquisition/Prospecting, Direct Mail)

“These campaigns exemplify the heart of our work—collaborating with mission-driven organizations to help them reach and inspire more people,” said Corinne Servily, President of Faircom New York. “Every award is a reflection of shared creativity and trust between our teams and the nonprofits we serve.”

The DMAW MAXI Awards honor direct marketing and fundraising campaigns that deliver strategic insight, creative excellence, and measurable impact. Faircom’s multiple recognitions reaffirm its position as a leader in creating integrated, donor-centric strategies that generate meaningful results for nonprofits.

About Faircom New York, A VeraData Company

Faircom is a female-founded, award-winning fundraising and marketing agency with over 30 years of experience helping nonprofits achieve transformational growth. The agency specializes in integrated direct mail and digital campaigns, donor journey design, and data-driven strategies that deepen donor relationships and generate sustainable revenue.

With decades of nonprofit leadership experience across its staff and campaigns that have raised millions for causes worldwide, Faircom delivers boutique service with enterprise-level results. As part of the VeraData Group, Faircom leverages connections with top data science, creative, and production partners to offer a fully integrated ecosystem that helps nonprofits acquire more donors, increase giving, and expand their impact.

Media Contact

Brooke Sconyers
Faircom New York
Phone: 1 913-257-3035
Email: brooke.sconyers@faircomny.com

Source: Faircom New York

https://www.prweb.com/releases/faircom-new-york-wins-three-dmaw-2025-maxi-awards-for-excellence-in-nonprofit-fundraising-302587246.html

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East Greenbush officer takes battalion command

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New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Elsa Canales has been appointed as the leader of the 2nd Battalion, 106th Regiment.

This battalion serves as the regional training institute for the New York National Guard, playing a crucial role in preparing soldiers for their missions.

Under Lt. Col. Canales’ leadership, the institute is expected to continue its commitment to excellence in training and readiness.
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/duty-calls-local-officer-batallion-command-21104082.php

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I wouldn’t say Little Nightmares 3 is a bad game, but it certainly doesn’t feel like a finished one

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The first time I played *Little Nightmares*, I fell in love almost instantly. Although I’m a total wuss when it comes to horror games, the Coraline-esque aesthetic quickly sunk its hooks into me. Before long, I found myself eagerly waiting for the release of the second game in 2021. In the meantime, I stayed up late trying to learn as much as I possibly could about the characters and setting.

When *Little Nightmares 2* launched, it took me just a single day to get through. You literally couldn’t have peeled me away from it if you tried. So, when the third game was announced in 2023, the excitement started all over again.

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*Little Nightmares 3* is the first game in the series developed by Supermassive Games rather than Tarsier Studios. Despite this change, it certainly looks just like the other two games. When you begin the adventure, you awaken in a strange environment overwhelmed by a feeling of dread. Everything around you looks gigantic, emphasizing just how small you are as a child.

The same goes for the various humanlike creatures you encounter, alongside the main villains, all of which tower over you. In previous games, one of the things that made the villains so scary was how close they were to being human, yet there was something unusual and off-putting about them—like having an excessive amount of skin, one too many limbs, or the ability to elongate parts of their body like a neck or an arm, which definitely isn’t possible. They really felt like costumes for an entity that’s never quite explained.

This, however, isn’t the case with *Little Nightmares 3*. The villains and creatures are still unsettling, but they aren’t as uncomfortable to look at. You don’t find yourself fixated, trying to figure out exactly what they are. Unfortunately, you also don’t encounter a huge number of them, which is a shame.

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There are only four areas in the game, each featuring one or two enemy types—including what would be considered a “boss.” The less bloodstained design isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’ve decided to play through it with someone who isn’t as good with gore.

There are still moments in *Little Nightmares 3* that make you grimace away from your screen—like when one enemy is carving up a body and feeding the insides to his sentient hand puppet. But for the most part, you won’t spend much time wandering between hanging bodies or wading through entrails like before. Instead, it’s mushrooms and various lollipops in this game.

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With all that said, you do have to come closer than ever to most of the enemies you meet. Combat was never a huge part of *Little Nightmares*, so I was skeptical when I saw it as a pretty significant feature in the newest game.

Aside from swinging the odd pipe to smash clay children, much of your experience with enemies in previous games was about running and hiding. In *Little Nightmares 3*, there are several instances where your progression is blocked by what I can only describe as “monster rooms”—small, confined spaces where you and your partner have to work together to take down enemies that keep piling in.

This includes Low shooting them with an arrow, before Alone runs in and smashes them with a wrench. When you finally take down the last one, your path conveniently opens up so you can keep exploring.

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I can’t say I’m crazy about these mechanics—they feel clumsy, much like in the rare occasions when you had to use them in previous games. My depth perception failed me more times than I care to admit, and since there’s no way to lock on to your target, you just have to hope you’ve lined up your shot correctly.

Also, if you’re not playing with a friend, relying on the AI companion can be frustrating. The number of times I had to retrace sections because my robot friend decided to jump off a ledge or missed an enemy definitely took away from the experience. Then again, this isn’t much different from the AI companion in the second game, which often refused to be much help with puzzles unless I pushed them around manually.

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Fortunately, puzzle-solving in the third game is incredibly straightforward. The environments aren’t challenging to explore, and most of the puzzles involve pulling blocks around to reach different levels and grab items. Although each environment is completely different, they aren’t particularly engaging to explore—another reason the game feels like it could’ve used a bit more development time.

Most of the time, you just travel between holes in walls or vents in the foreground rather than having to use the entire depth of an area. This changes slightly toward the end of the game, but by the time you start getting used to it, you’ve already finished.

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There are collectibles to find in backrooms, but that’s really the only reason to explore those areas—and quite often, I skipped them just to progress to the next part. If I had known that the story would take only about four hours to get through, I definitely would’ve spent more time scouring the corners of every area.

Even a little bit of lore—whether through an illustration or a clue plastered on the wall—would’ve been enough to push me to explore more.

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With only four “chapters” and a story that’s only just being set up by the time the credits roll, it’s hard to see *Little Nightmares 3* as a finished game. It feels like you just get to a point where you settle into a rhythm, and suddenly everything comes to an abrupt end.

What story you do get feels rushed to a close, and there isn’t enough content to really justify its price tag.

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Besides the clumsy combat, the character and world design still feel like a *Little Nightmares* game—but it lacks in many other areas. I would’ve liked to see more enemies, more environment variety, and to get to know the main characters a little better.

I wouldn’t be surprised if more content comes in future DLC, but I don’t feel like I’ll be waiting with bated breath this time.
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/horror/i-wouldnt-say-little-nightmares-3-is-a-bad-game-but-it-certainly-doesnt-feel-like-a-finished-one/

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What Do We Do If SETI Is Successful?

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**The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Is Evolving**

The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is undergoing significant changes. We’ve moved beyond the limited approach of merely monitoring radio waves to exploring a variety of other potential signs of alien intelligence — from interstellar laser emissions to budding Dyson swarms around stars.

To keep pace with these advancements and our expanded understanding of how we might detect extraterrestrial intelligence, the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) is updating its protocols. These protocols guide researchers on what to do following a confirmed detection of intelligent life beyond Earth.

### Updating the SETI Post-Detection Protocols

The IAA’s new recommendations are detailed in a pre-print paper available on arXiv. They were also voted on during the 2025 International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held in Sydney, with potential full adoption expected early next year.

This update represents the most significant revision in the 36 years since the original protocol was established. The IAA first introduced a “Declaration of Principles” in 1989 to outline humanity’s response to a confirmed alien signal. The protocol was revised in 2010, but those changes were mostly streamlining with few substantive differences.

The current update is markedly different in several important ways. It aims to address the growing complexity of managing such a groundbreaking discovery within today’s highly sensitive and interconnected world — especially in the era of social media.

### Protecting Researchers and Managing Information

One major focus is protecting researchers who announce the discovery from potential online harassment or worse. As information can spread rapidly and sometimes irresponsibly on various platforms, the updated protocol emphasizes safeguarding scientists involved in such announcements.

The protocol also includes clear guidelines on verifying detected signals or data. It recommends methods for authenticating findings, proper storage of data in at least two geographically separate locations, and ensuring that the software used for analysis is accessible to multiple stakeholders. These steps are designed to promote transparency and collaborative verification of any potential discovery.

### Responding to a Direct Extraterrestrial Message

Perhaps the most consequential change concerns whether humanity should respond to a direct message from extraterrestrial intelligence. Previous versions of the protocol assumed that sending a reply was appropriate, often with few restrictions.

The updated document, however, firmly suggests that researchers should **not** send any response until the issue has been thoroughly discussed at the United Nations. This is a prudent stance, considering the far-reaching implications of communicating with alien civilizations. That said, securing consensus from the UN on such matters remains a challenging prospect.

### Clarifying the Distinction with METI

It is important to clarify that this suggested moratorium on replying to direct messages does **not** affect the broader concept of Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence (METI). METI refers to proactively sending high-powered signals to nearby promising star systems in hopes of attracting alien attention.

METI remains even more controversial than passive SETI searches for signals or so-called “technosignatures.” While some organizations, including the IAA, have issued position papers on METI, there is yet no formalized, ratified protocol governing these activities.

### Additional Recommendations

If a detected signal happens to be electromagnetic (the original target of SETI efforts), the updated protocol advises petitioning the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) — the global regulator of wireless spectrum — to free up the bandwidth on which the signal was received. This could reduce manmade interference and provide legal grounds to prevent noise or jamming, enhancing further study.

### A Protocol for a More Complex World

Overall, the message from the newly proposed protocols is clear: the world has grown significantly more complex in the past fifteen years, both politically and socially, as well as in our understanding of what a SETI discovery entails.

No single organization claims to have all the answers for handling such a profound event. However, the IAA’s careful, multi-year revision process — involving multiple rounds of feedback and consultation — has been exemplary.

The final step, assuming the simple majority vote in Sydney is upheld, will be ratification by the IAA’s board. This approval will empower the sub-committee responsible for the update to continue their critical, though often underappreciated, work — which could one day prove vital to humanity’s response to extraterrestrial contact.

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### Learn More

– M. A. Garrett et al., *SETI Post-Detection Protocols: Progress Towards a New Version*
– [UT Setting Bounds On SETI](#)
– [UT Scientists are Planning for Life After Finding Aliens](#)

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*Interview Highlight:*
Fraser speaks with Seth Shostak from the SETI Institute to discuss these protocol updates and ponder the ongoing question: is SETI worth the effort?
https://www.universetoday.com/articles/what-do-we-do-if-seti-is-successful

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Shiba Inu (SHIB): Not Adding Zero, Price Takes U-Turn

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Popular meme cryptocurrency Shiba Inu, better known as SHIB, has managed to dodge what its enthusiasts feared most: being stuck with another zero in its price. After a brutal “Black Friday” sell-off on October 10, the meme coin dipped below the $0.00001 zone. However, this decline was short-lived, as the following week SHIB found short-term footing around $0.0000102.

Despite this slight recovery, the bigger issue remains unchanged. Shiba Inu is still sitting approximately 70% below its price from last December, with a current market cap of around $6.9 billion. Meanwhile, whales continue to dump their holdings. At the start of the week, whale wallets contained about 21 billion SHIB tokens, but that number has surged to nearly 92 billion. Additionally, exchange balances increased to 276 trillion tokens compared to 275 trillion on Sunday, indicating that coins are still being moved to sell.

### SHIB Price Prints Bearish Pattern

A hidden bearish signal can be identified in the price chart, which presents a concerning descending triangle pattern. The support floor at $0.00001052 was tested multiple times—in April, June, and again during the October crash. This classic break-and-retest setup usually signals a further decline. If this pattern plays out, SHIB could potentially drop to $0.000006.

Currently, buyers have managed to hold the line and avoid another significant drop. However, whales continue to sell, on-chain metrics are declining, and the overall chart outlook remains unfavorable. While the recent bounce offers some hope, it may not last long.
https://u.today/shiba-inu-shib-not-adding-zero-price-takes-u-turn-0

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XRP ETF Approval Date Nears: Prices Expected To Soar 2x–4x by Year-End

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Several XRP ETF applications have their deadlines this week, drawing significant attention from investors across the market. If XRP ETF approval comes through, the cryptocurrency could experience a rapid price surge, potentially jumping 50-150% within days or weeks. Currently trading around $0.55, XRP’s price could reach $4-$6 by the end of the year.

### Why Could XRP Price Surge?

Approval of an XRP ETF would open the doors for massive inflows from Wall Street, including pensions, 401(k)s, and large managed funds. Investors wouldn’t need to buy XRP directly on exchanges, making it easier for billions to enter the market.

Historical patterns from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs show that such approvals can quickly drive prices up. Analysts predict that XRP could see $3-5 billion in inflows during the first month alone, potentially doubling its price.

Major institutions like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Vanguard have already filed for XRP ETFs. Once approved, these funds could rush in, creating a “FOMO” (fear of missing out) effect, where more investors buy simply to avoid missing out on potential gains.

Because XRP has a smaller market cap than Bitcoin, even relatively smaller inflows could result in bigger percentage jumps.

### Institutional Support and Regulatory Impact

XRP ETF approval would also remove a significant barrier: the long-standing SEC lawsuit against Ripple. This “lawsuit coin” stigma has held back some investors, but regulatory approval would signal safety, attracting both retail and institutional buyers.

Ripple’s network of over 300 banks—including Santander and SBI—could increase XRP usage, potentially multiplying trading volumes well beyond the current $2 billion per day.

### Delays in XRP ETF Approval

The U.S. government shutdown is currently the main obstacle. The SEC is unlikely to approve any ETFs until the government reopens, potentially delaying XRP ETF approval.

However, when approval does occur, all XRP ETF applications are expected to be greenlit simultaneously, similar to how Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs were handled previously.

### Potential Risks

Some risks remain, including early investors selling portions of their holdings, which could cap short-term gains. Additionally, broader market downturns may limit price jumps to around 50% instead of doubling or tripling.

### Outlook

Experts see a high probability of XRP ETF approval, which could result in a 2x to 4x price growth for XRP by year-end. Historical ETF approval patterns combined with XRP’s current setup suggest this outcome is a realistic scenario rather than mere speculation.

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**Also Read:** Institutions Compete for XRP Ahead of Ripple SWELL Event

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### FAQs

*Q: What is an XRP ETF?*
A: An XRP ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a fund that tracks the price of XRP and trades on traditional stock exchanges, allowing investors to gain exposure without directly buying the cryptocurrency.

*Q: How would XRP ETF approval impact investors?*
A: Approval would make it easier for institutional and retail investors to access XRP, potentially driving significant inflows and price increases.

*Q: Why is the SEC lawsuit against Ripple significant?*
A: The lawsuit has created uncertainty and hesitation among investors. Resolution or regulatory approval will likely remove this stigma and encourage greater investment.

*Q: What are the risks associated with XRP price surges?*
A: Risks include government delays, market downturns, and early investor sell-offs that could limit upside potential.

Stay tuned for updates as XRP ETF deadlines approach and the market reacts.
https://coinpedia.org/news/xrp-etf-approval-date-nears-prices-expected-to-soar-2x-4x-by-year-end/

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If half your apps stopped working, don’t worry, it’s not your phone’s fault

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You Can’t Use Snapchat, Fortnite, or Alexa Right Now — Here’s Why

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is currently facing a massive outage that’s knocking out some of the biggest apps and services online, including Amazon itself, Alexa, Snapchat, Fortnite, and more.

### The Internet Feels the Hit: Major Apps Are Down Everywhere

Many of the world’s most popular apps have suddenly stopped working properly, and users everywhere are feeling it. Snapchat, Roblox, Fortnite, Duolingo, Alexa, and Canva are all struggling right now. The root of the issue appears to be AWS.

According to Amazon’s own status tracker, several AWS services are “impacted” by operational issues. The company says it’s “investigating increased error rates and latencies for multiple AWS services in the US-EAST-1 Region.” While the problem is reported in the US, users around the world are experiencing issues.

Platforms running on AWS’s cloud network, like Perplexity, are also feeling the heat. The exact cause of the outage is still unknown, and there’s no word yet on when things will return to normal.

### When AWS Goes Down, the Internet Feels It

AWS powers a massive part of the internet, and when it stumbles, everything that relies on it starts to fall apart. AWS provides cloud computing, databases, storage, and other essential infrastructure to companies, developers, and even governments worldwide.

So when AWS experiences an issue, a big part of the web experiences disruptions too. From your favorite apps to the systems that run businesses behind the scenes, everyone is feeling the ripple effect of this outage.

### Are You Experiencing Issues?

– Yep, some of my apps are down.
– A few things are lagging.
– Not noticing anything.
– Didn’t even know AWS was behind this.

### There’s No Quick Fix in Sight

Right now, there’s no estimated time of arrival (ETA) for a full restoration. AWS says its engineers are actively working on the problem, but given the scale of the outage, it could take a while.

For now, patience is your best bet—and a reminder of just how much of the internet quietly depends on one company’s cloud services.

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### Upcoming Release: “Iconic Phones” This Fall!

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*Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips* is the ultimate coffee table book for any phone enthusiast. Featuring stories of more than 20 beloved devices, it takes you on a nostalgic journey through the mobile revolution that transformed our world.

Don’t miss out — sign up today to lock in your early-bird discount!

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https://www.phonearena.com/news/if-half-your-apps-stopped-working-dont-worry-its-not-your-phones-fault_id175003