The Trump family is celebrating a historic year. Donald Trump was selected as Time Magazine's Person of the Year, an achievement that he celebrated today in New York, ringing in the New York Stock Exchange Bell. Trump was joined by his closest advisors and family members, including his wife Melania , and two of his kids, Ivanka and Tiffany . Ivanka Trump shares sweet moment with her kids while gardening: 'Spending time together with our hands in the dirt' Melania Trump praises son Barron for 'giving advice to his father' Donald Trump The ringing of the bell took place earlier today, December 12th, on Wall Street. Photographers captured the moment when Trump rang the bell, dressed in a blue suit that he paired with a burgundy tie. Tiffany, Melania, and Ivanka also wore suits, with Tiffany and Ivanka opting for black while Melania opted for a gray look. In the background, Trump's Time cover can be seen, which showcases him posing with an arm over his leg in front of a gray background. Ivanka shared various photos and videos on social media, including the moment when Trump rang the bell and a photo of him signing the wall of the NYSE. "Celebrating an extraordinary milestone with my father as he rang the NYSE opening bell in front of his TIME Person of the Year cover," she wrote in the caption. "Congratulations, Dad!" Trump's honorific marks the second time he has been selected as Time's Person of the Year. He was previously selected in 2016 due to his unexpected political rise and his first election win. More details about Trump's appearance on Wall Street In a speech, Trump said it was an "honor" to ring the NYSE bell and he also laid out some of his plans for his incoming presidency. “We’re going to have a tremendous run. We have to straighten out some problems, some big problems in the world," he said. The event drew a large crowd to the area, with many stopping by to have a look at Trump and his closest advisors.
A two-day thought-provoking photo exhibition, ‘7 Decades: A Silent Refugee Crisis’, at Tanishq near VIP Road here, concluded on Sunday. The expo made its debut in India after receiving international acclaim in Sydney, Australia. The exhibition, part of its nationwide tour for 2024-25, was curated and captured by noted human rights advocate and photographer Kiran Chukkapalli. The exhibition brings to light the hidden narratives of refugee communities across India, showcasing intimate, raw, and poignant images documenting the lives of those displaced by conflict and socio-political upheavals. These stories, captured through the lens of Mr. Chukkapalli, offer an unprecedented view into the resilience and fortitude of individuals living in refugee camps across the country. The exhibition highlights the enduring struggle and strength of these silent communities, shedding light on their challenges and triumphs over seven decades of displacement. In addition to the photo exhibition, a special clothing exhibit titled ‘Stateless’ was also featured. This collection of garments, stitched by refugee women, was created to empower these women and showcase their remarkable stitching talent. The “Stateless” brand, designed by Mr. Kiran Chukkapalli, aims to provide economic independence to women living in refugee camps, allowing them to support themselves and their families while also highlighting their invaluable skills. Visakhapatnam North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsi Krishna Srinivas, Police Commissioner Shanka Brata Bagchi, and business tycoons such as Prabhu Kishore of Varun Motors, Kankatala Mallikharjuna Rao, philanthropists Jayshree Hatangadi and Rana Uppalapati were among those who attended. The participants discussed the importance of addressing refugee crises and the need for collective action to support marginalized communities. In his address, Mr. Kiran Chukkapalli shared his personal journey of documenting these stories while living in the refugee camps, emphasising the profound impact that the experience had on his understanding of resilience and human rights. He hoped this exhibition would inspire greater empathy and advocacy for the displaced. The exhibition will continue its tour across India. Mr. Kiran plans to conclude his tour in Delhi, sometime in mid-March, 2025. ‘7 Decades: A Silent Refugee Crisis’ is more than just an art exhibit—it is a call to action, encouraging viewers to reflect on the stories that remain largely untold and to join in the effort to support and empower those affected by displacement,” he adds. Published - December 09, 2024 04:20 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit
Ireland’s Aaron Connolly on target for Sunderland as Mark McGuinness hits Luton winner
Biden admin says it is surging deliveries to Ukraine as Trump criticizes decision to allow US weapons to strike inside RussiaConservative: Amnesty’s ‘Genocide’ Game Amnesty International “produced a report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza” — but, sniffs Commentary’s Seth Mandel , “a funny thing happened on the way to the forum.” The group’s Israel branch, “the part of the organization that works on the ground in the country . . . disavowed the report .” Why? “The report is a joke. It didn’t take long for people to find the part where Amnesty explained that in order to find Israel guilty of genocide, the organization had to literally redefine genocide .” “So Amnesty International dissents from international law. That’s fine. Just be up-front about it: Amnesty is not accusing Israel of ‘genocide,’ it is accusing Israel of a different crime which Amnesty has named ‘genocide,’ just so it could use that word.” Libertarian: The Obama CIA’s Futile Syria Scheme “From 2013 to 2017, the CIA spent over $1 billion trying to strengthen ‘moderate rebels’ against both Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and anti-American extremists in the opposition,” but “Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, former head of Al Qaeda in Syria” is now “accomplishing in a week what the CIA tried and failed to do for years” after he “organized a surprise offensive against the Syrian government,” reports Reason’s Matthew Petti. “The collapse of Assad’s government” is “a sign of how futile U.S. intervention has been. The U.S. spent years paying Syrians to kill their countrymen without being able to shape the outcome, before giving up.” Now, Jolani’s evil Levant Liberation Committee is calling the shots. “All the American money spent and Syrian blood it paid to spill amounted to very little in the end.” Labor beat: Biden the Unions’ Man “Thanks to the undemocratic power of government unions, the new administration will be limited in its ability to deliver more efficient services for citizens,” grumble the Washington Examiner’s editors . The Biden crew just inked a new labor deal that lets 42,000 Social Security Administration employees work remotely “when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in” — moving “to thwart Trump’s government efficiency agenda.” Barring government workers from “signing collective bargaining agreements with government agencies” is the only way “to make the federal government efficient.” Foreign desk: Blame Macron for French Collapse France faces “its most serious political, constitutional and economic crisis in decades,” warns Spiked’s Fraser Myers — and President Emmanuel Macron is to blame, as it’s his “hand-picked prime minister,” Michel Barnier, just ousted by a no-confidence vote. “Under the French constitution, legislative elections cannot be held until the summer of 2025, meaning Macron is stuck with a hung parliament that won’t accept his austerity measures or pass a new budget,” making France “effectively ungovernable for the foreseeable future.” Many “blame the ‘populists’ on the left and the right for pulling the plug on Barnier’s ailing government.” But France’s centrists deserve to be j’accused: “While it would be overstating it to say the French economy is on the verge of collapse, we are a very long way away from the dynamic, competitive ‘start-up nation’ that Macron promised to build when he entered the Élysée.” From the right: End the Pardon-palooza Now that President Biden has pardoned his son Hunter, Democrats are debating whether he “should hand out similar pre-emptive clemency like Christmas stocking stuffers,” snarks The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board . If Biden goes along, it’ll “be another broken democratic norm, and another swirl into the lawfare spiral.” “Pre-emptive pardons for outgoing officials would be a bad precedent” and “a constitutional abuse.” They risk “developing a culture of impunity,” with the next administration expecting the same for their guy. To cool things, Biden could pardon Donald Trump for the two federal cases against him. Note that Trump said in his debate with Biden that his only retribution will be to be successful. If he “leaned into that message, it would do the country good.” — Compiled by The Post Editorial Board49ers QB Brock Purdy, DE Nick Bosa out, Brandon Allen to start at Green Bay
The rail stocks have been chugging lower in recent months, thanks in part to temporary setbacks (think work stoppages, strikes, etc.). With high barriers to entry into the rail business and the steady, predictable dividend (and earnings) growth trajectories, Canada’s top rail stocks seem poised to get back on their feet after suffering a few stumbles of late. Indeed, the Canadian and U.S. economies need rails to transport massive amounts of goods in order to stay well-oiled. While the odd rail strike, derailment, or even environmental factors like forest fires could take a great deal away from a quarter, I’d argue that it’s the long-term game that counts when it comes to the top rails. At the end of the day, trucks cannot step in for the top rails when bulk shipments need to go from one coast to another. Either way, let’s have a closer look at Canada’s top two rail stocks to see which, if either, is a tempting buy on recent weakness for 2025 and beyond. It’s been a forgettable year for both railways, but as Canada’s economy and the TSX Index attempt to heat up in the new year, perhaps value may wish to give the following names a second look while they’re still down and out. CN Rail ( ) stock is ready to end off what’s been a relatively muted year. Indeed, some headwinds hurt the quarterly results a bit. While you can’t fault management for any setbacks, I think some big changes will be needed if the still-robust railway is to reclaim its title of North America’s most efficient railway. Though CN Rail isn’t operating poorly, given the unfortunate circumstances (think numerous disruptions), I do believe there is low-hanging fruit to go after to improve upon the rail’s efficiency metrics. Either way, I do see ample value in the name today as the stock continues trending lower. Whether the current management team can effectively unlock such value, however, remains the big question going into 2025. Year to date, the stock is down around 7%. With a padded 2.22% dividend yield that’s scheduled to grow every single year, I’d not be afraid to chase the dividend growth stock on the way down. At $155 per share, I think you’re getting a fantastic deal as the railway looks to move past work stoppages and other disruptions that took away from what could have been an up year for the stock. CP Rail (or CPKC) ( ) has been known as CPKS (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) for a while now. Whatever you still call the firm, it’s a dominant rail player that has what it takes to go full speed ahead over the longer term. Going into 2025, though, I’d temper my expectations on the rail firm despite its resilience amid industry headwinds. Though there are potential growth drivers to be had around the Mexican border, I can’t say I’m enthused to pay a 28.3 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple for CP shares when CNR is going for just 18.4 times trailing P/E. Sure, there’s more growth in CP, but I think you’re paying way too high a premium to get such growth. As such, I view CNR stock as the far better option in 2025. There’s also a nicer dividend (2.22% yield vs. CP’s 0.72%) to collect while you wait patiently for the rails to hit the high track again.
Streaming, Vinyl Propel Music Copyright Value To $45.5 BillionThe Dominican Republic’s ambassador to Turkey, Elvis Alam Lora, marked the 74th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations with the event Held on December 4, 2024, at Marmara State University in Istanbul, the gathering celebrated shared history and culture through academic and cultural exchanges. Over 300 students and professors attended, highlighting the enduring ties between the Dominican Republic and Turkey. Ambassador Alam delivered a keynote lecture on “Lebanese-Ottoman Emigration to the Dominican Republic,” exploring the migration of families from the Ottoman Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He detailed the socio-political factors driving emigration and its impact on Dominican society. The program also included a presentation by a Marmara University student on Ottoman migration to Latin America, enriching the discourse on these historical connections. The event featured dramatizations in Spanish and Turkish of poems by Norberto James Rowlings and José Rafael Abinader, reflecting on themes of migration and cultural identity. The performances moved attendees and showcased the sensitivity of Turkish youth toward universal human experiences. The day concluded with a Dominican-themed cocktail, fostering dialogue on gastronomy, art, and literature, and reinforcing the strong friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leadersSEOUL, South Korea , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hugel Inc., a leading global medical aesthetics company, said on Friday it will spur expansion in the botulinum toxin market of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) via a strategic partnership with Dubai -headquartered aesthetic and medical distribution partner Medica Group. The two companies have recently entered into an agreement to bolster the distribution of Hugel's toxin Botulax in the key markets of the region. Hugel, which exports its own toxin to 64 markets including the US, Europe and China , the world's three largest toxin buyers, obtained sales approval for Botulax in the Middle East last year. Medica Group is a leading player in the region and has strong distribution networks through its head office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and branches in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon . The company distributes medical aesthetic products from about 30 global brands, proving their solid know-how in the field and strong execution capabilities in the MENA. The MENA is one of the fastest growing regions for medical aesthetics, driven by strong economic momentum, favorable demographic characteristics, increasing accessibility to social media as well as social and consumption transformation. Hugel's Executive Chairman, Suk Cha , commented on the partnership: "We are very pleased to enter into this strategic collaboration with Medica Group. The Middle East represents a key market for Hugel, with its rapidly growing demand for medical aesthetic treatments. We have chosen Medica Group as our distributor because they share our commitment to excellence and quality. Their proven expertise, extensive reach and deep understanding of the region make them the ideal partner to bring our Botulax product to this dynamic region. Botulax is recognized globally for its quality, and we are confident that, through this partnership, it will become a leading choice for medical professionals and patients in the Middle East and Africa ." Andre Daoud , CEO of Medica Group, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: "Our partnership with Hugel marks a key milestone for us as we continue to expand our portfolio and lead the aesthetics market with global solutions. The introduction of Botulax in the Middle East and Africa offers healthcare professionals access to a world-class botulinum toxin that is highly trusted for its quality, safety, and performance. This strategic partnership aligns with our mission to provide advanced, innovative products and services that meet the demands of the region's growing beauty and medical aesthetics market. Hugel's global expertise, combined with our deep local knowledge and network, will create tremendous value for our customers and their patients." About Hugel Established in 2001, Hugel is a leading global medical aesthetics company that manufactures injectables for skin rejuvenation such as botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid fillers and skin boosters as well as absorbable sutures and cosmetics products. The company is the only South Korean supplier to the world's three largest botulinum toxin markets, the US, China and Europe . It exports medical aesthetic products and devices to around 70 countries and operates eight global subsidiaries in the US, Australia , Canada , Taiwan , China , Hong Kong and Singapore . About Medica Group A leading partner in the field of aesthetic medicine, Medica Group continues to push the boundaries of beauty and wellbeing in the region. Being at the forefront of the industry, the group is renowned for its innovative approach, state-of-the-art solutions with a solid commitment to delivering outstanding results and setting new standards in aesthetics. A trusted partner for international aesthetic brands, Medica showcases a commitment to excellence and quality through the technologies of its product and services, and the collaboration of the aesthetic medicine community. Contact: Jihyun Kim , Manager of the PR Team, Hugel jihyun.kim@hugel-inc.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hugel-and-medica-join-forces-to-boost-botulinum-toxin-sales-in-middle-east-north-africa-302313729.html SOURCE HugelElevating Excellence: The All-New Tenorshare Brand Website is UnveiledDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rasheed Bello had 20 points in Purdue Fort Wayne's 87-81 victory over Drexel on Monday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rasheed Bello had 20 points in Purdue Fort Wayne's 87-81 victory over Drexel on Monday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rasheed Bello had 20 points in Purdue Fort Wayne’s 87-81 victory over Drexel on Monday. Bello added eight assists for the Mastodons (4-2). Corey Hadnot II went 6 of 7 from the field (3 for 4 from 3-point range) to add 15 points. Jalen Jackson had 13 points and went 6 of 13 from the field. The Dragons (4-3) were led in scoring by Cole Hargrove, who finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Kobe Magee added 15 points and three steals for Drexel. Shane Blakeney finished with 12 points. Jackson scored nine points in the first half and Purdue Fort Wayne went into halftime trailing 37-35. Bello scored 15 second-half points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement
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Vinod Kumar is with The Times of India’s Punjab Bureau at Chandigarh. He covers news concerning Punjab politics, Health, Education, Employment and Environment. How to make healthy Oats Palak Chilla for a kid's tiffin 10 best Fried Chicken dishes from around the world 10 ways to use turmeric in winters 10 animals not allowed as pets in India 10 types of Dosa and how they are made Animals and their favourite foods 9 nuts to eat daily for hair growth in winters How to make South Indian Podi Dosa at home From tigers to cheetahs: India’s big cats and where to find them Weekend Special: How to make Multigrain ThaalipeethSEOUL, South Korea — South Korean prosecutors on Sunday detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week’s brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol, making him the first figure detained over the case, news reports said. The reported development came a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him in parliament, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The main liberal opposition Democratic Party said it will prepare a new impeachment motion against Yoon. On Sunday, ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun voluntarily appeared at a Seoul prosecutors’ office, where he had his mobile phone confiscated and was detained, Yonhap news agency reported. Other South Korean media carried similar reports, saying Kim was moved to a Seoul detention center. The reports said police were searching Kim's former office and residence on Sunday. Repeated calls to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office were unanswered. An official at the detention facility in eastern Seoul hung up the phone when The Associated Press called. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . Yoon accepted Kim’s resignation offer on Thursday after opposition parties submitted a separate impeachment motion against him. Kim is a central figure in Yoon’s martial law enforcement, which led to special forces troops encircling the National Assembly building and army helicopters hovering over it. The military withdrew after the parliament unanimously voted to overturn Yoon’s decree, forcing his Cabinet to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, bottom center, shout slogans during a press conference with his party members at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. The signs read "Punish the rebellion leader." Credit: AP/Ahn Young-joon In Kim’s impeachment motion document, the Democratic Party and other opposition parties accused him of proposing martial law to Yoon. Ruling party leader Han Dong-hun made a similar comment on Kim’s role. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho told parliament that Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly. The Democratic Party called Yoon’s martial law imposition “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or a coup.” It has filed complaints with police against at least nine people, including Yoon and Kim, over the alleged rebellion. In a statement distributed by the Defense Ministry on Wednesday, Kim said that “all troops who performed duties related to martial law were acting on my instructions, and all responsibility lies with me.” Prosecutor General Shim Woo Jung told reporters on Thursday the prosecution plans to investigate the rebellion charges against Yoon following complaints filed by the opposition. A man wearing a tiger theme shirt gestures as he past crowds gathering outside the National Assembly during the voting for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, following the President's short-lived martial law declaration in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Credit: AP/Ng Han Guan While the president mostly has immunity from prosecution while in office, that does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. It wasn’t immediately clear how the prosecution plans to proceed with an investigation into Yoon. The Defense Ministry said it has suspended three top military commanders over their alleged involvement in the martial law imposition. They were among those facing the opposition-raised rebellion allegations. On Saturday, Yoon issued an apology over the martial law decree, saying he won’t shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose it. He said would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country’s political turmoil, “including matters related to my term in office.” Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a “den of criminals” bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. The turmoil has paralyzed South Korean politics and sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. The scrapping of Yoon's impeachment motion is expected to intensify protests calling for his ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party, but it is determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals.
Ariana Grande “didn’t understand” any part of her viral “holding space” interview. The 31-year-old pop singer stars as Glinda in the film version of the musical Wicked opposite Cynthia Erivo , and the pair were presented with the mysterious phrase in an interview with journalist Tracy Gilchrist when she tried to describe fans’ reaction to the number Defying Gravity . The interview has gone on to become a social media sensation because of its nonsensical nature. Speaking alongside her co-star in a new interview, she told Variety : “I didn’t know what any part of it meant. I didn’t understand the first sentence, and then I definitely didn’t understand how [Erivo] responded. And I just wanted to be there. Because I knew something big was happening, and I didn’t know how to be there.” In the original clip, Gilchrist remarked, “People are taking the lyrics of Defying Gravity and really holding space with that and feeling power in that,” and Erivo – who plays the role of Elphaba in the unofficial prequel to The Wizard of Oz – admitted she was “surprised” by the comment, and was further confused when the journalist tried to justify her remarks by claiming she would know because she works in “queer media”.
Federal police in Brazil have formally accused former President Jair Bolsonaro of orchestrating a coup to overturn the 2022 election results. The accusations, filed with the Supreme Court, conclude a two-year investigation into Bolsonaro's involvement in the election-denying movement, which led to riots in Brasilia in January 2023. Investigators found that Bolsonaro and his aides were aware of plans to disrupt the democratic process. The accusations include spreading election misinformation, inciting military participation, and supporting violent actions. Police arrested several conspirators allegedly plotting to assassinate President Lula da Silva before he took office. Bolsonaro, via social media, dismissed the accusations as unfounded, while his lawyer plans to review the report. The court is set to forward the police findings to the prosecutor general, who will decide on potential charges against Bolsonaro and his associates. (With inputs from agencies.)
It was a few weeks before Christmas, and here on the farm, The grain room was being invaded, but there was no sound or alarm. Miss Kitty and Mr. Gray were settled in for their evening of rest, And detected no activity as the rats were stealthily doing their new best. Feed bags on pallets were stacked neatly five feet tall, Escape was easy, the villains left with mouths full, climbing the wall. To the top loft they went, feet clambering for quick traction, The old cats were not roused, dreaming of Fancy Feast, they took no action. When the barn lights illuminated the feed room, the damage was clear, The rodents had bested our night guardians, they had no apparent fear. We needed a plan yet at our stable, rat traps and poison are taboo, With so many unwanted vermin, we needed a younger cat, maybe two. To the local animal shelter, we went to find our new patrol partners here, We adopted two youngsters, Tut and Giza, who are agile, fearless, and dear. Will they be good hunters, only time and practice games will tell, But we all are smitten with their playful antics, things are going well. Nothing disrupts a good night’s rest in the barn like an invasion of vermin. How can I get my beauty sleep with those nasty creatures dining freely on my upcoming meal? It simply gives me nightmares. This is a troubling problem. Ask any horse owner who pays around $30 per bag for quality horse feed. Poison is not a good solution. It can kill unintended wildlife and domestic pets that ingest the bait or a poisoned mouse. We have owls, hawks, and eagles present, but they were not eliminating these pests, and a rodent-free barn is clearly a necessity. Five years ago, when we moved to this new ranch to expand our equine rescue operation for Helping Equines Regain Dignity (HERD), two cats were conveyed with the property, Miss Kitty and Mr. Gray. Both were from the local animal shelter. They took vigilant care to ensure we had no rodents living in our barn on their watch. Peace reigned at night. The only winter visitors in the stable were a few doves who roosted in the loft to be out of the elements. However, this year, the established cats are showing their age. Most of the time, they are asleep. They cannot contend with this influx of field rats who have moved in to disrupt our lives. Here is my accessory list of what every swell barn needs: a pest-free feed storage room, a temperature-controlled tack room housing well-oiled saddles and bridles, a grooming area, and comfortable, well-ventilated stalls. Oh, and let’s add lots of clean bedding for those of us who would never dream of sleeping out in the pastures at night. You never know what could be lurking out there in the woods or up in the trees. How to address this rat problem was top of mind. Step one was to purchase the old-fashioned Victor wooden rat traps. Well, the only thing that suffered from being snapped in those were a few human fingers. Step two was to order highly rated Tomcat Rat Snap Traps. Even with peanut butter, sugar, and cornbread bait, there were no takers for these traps either. I tell you; these rats are very intelligent. My mistress Heather Freeman jokes they must be Harvard-educated rodents in our barn. So, what to do next when none of the internet forums on getting rid of rats proved to be helpful? The answer was clear to me. Go to the local animal shelter and adopt a few cats who need a home. Our barn cats have comfortable bedding for sleeping, and a room of their own to be out of the elements with a cat door. They are well-fed as we are not asking them to eat the filthy rodents. I say, “Please dear cats, just scare the dirty little vermin away. I need my rest. Scampering rats at night are very disruptive.” Step three was a trip to the local animal shelter. Heather and her husband Scott Homstead went with two cat carriers in hand. I was not allowed in as the Spokepony of HERD. No equines can enter the visitors’ area. I left the task of choosing the right cats to protect our feed stash up to Heather. She asked the shelter staff if there happened to be two black cats available, as these are said to be the least adopted. However, this was not the case that day. Instead, the cats most in need of a home were seven-month-old kittens, a brother, and a sister, who were surrendered to the shelter in June 2024. No one had expressed interest in them. They were housed in a cage out of sight of visitors. Heather and Scott waited patiently in a hallway for these two to be brought up to meet them. Both cats were shy but had very striking coats. “We will adopt these today,” said Heather. She went to the office to pay the fee and sign the papers. The kittens were given the names Tut and Giza. They look rather exotic, like something drawn on the walls of an Egyptian tomb. They have slim bodies, slightly elongated ears, and regal heads. Once home, Heather posted photos of the new arrivals on Facebook. A friend, Andrew Evans, immediately commented that these cats were a lesser-known breed called Ocicat. He owned an Ocicat and said what first appears to be stripes on their sides are in fact spots, like an ocelot, and their bellies should be tan with black round spots. And this is exactly how Tut and Giza are marked. Unknowingly, Heather and Scott brought home two fancy-bred cats. What a surprise, they are just like me, a treasured find! How amusing that our new barn cats introduced out of necessity are truly a wonderful, new and rare accessory.
