Month: July 2023

Bearded dragon rescued after being dumped in Edinburgh bin Despite being abandoned, the Scottish SPCA said the six-month-old reptile was in a good condition and clearly had been “cared for up to this point”.

The bearded dragon was found in a bin. Pic: Scottish SPCA

A bearded dragon has been rescued after it was found dumped in a bin.

The lizard was spotted by a member of staff at student accommodation in Edinburgh’s Hillside Crescent on 6 July.

A number of international students recently moved out and the Scottish SPCA believe the reptile belonged to one of them.

Despite being abandoned in the communal bin, the six-month-old bearded dragon was said to have been in a good condition and clearly had been “cared for up to this point”.

It is now in the care of the animal welfare charity.

The reptile is now in the care of the Scottish SPCA. Pic: Scottish SPCA

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Hong Kongers urged to stare at smokers in a disapproving way to help create a tobacco-free city Professor Lo Chung-mau, the territory’s health minister, said someone who lit up in a restaurant would be unlikely to “hit back” if everyone stared at them.

People in Hong Kong should stare at smokers disapprovingly as part of efforts to create a tobacco-free city, the territory’s health minister has said.

Professor Lo Chung-mau said people who have lit up in areas where it is prohibited are unlikely to “hit back” if everyone stares at them, local media has reported.

“Cigarettes can harm the health of all of us,” Professor Lo told a meeting of the Legislative Council’s health service panel on Friday.

“When the members of the public see people smoking in non-smoking areas, even if no law enforcement officers can show up immediately, we can stare at the smokers.

“When someone takes out a cigarette at a restaurant, everyone on the premises can stare at that person. I do not believe that person would dare to hit back at everyone at the restaurant as they are simply staring.”

Professor Lo said the behaviour would help to create a “non-smoking culture” in the city.

He continued: “Take queuing at a bus stop as an example. No one will say it requires the law to compel people to queue.

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Barbie-inspired meal created by Burger King to mark release of new movie Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling star in the new Barbie movie, which is in UK cinemas later this week. But a burger released to mark the new film has received a mixed response on social media.

Pic: @BurgerKingBR

A burger dressed with a bright pink sauce has been unveiled by Burger King in Brazil as part of a themed meal to herald the release of the new Barbie movie.

The cheeseburger, topped with pieces of bacon, comes with a pink vanilla-flavoured milkshake, a ring doughnut sprinkled with pink frostings, and an order of Ken’s fries.

The meal has received a mixed response from fast-food fans, with some on social media comparing the pink sauce in the burger to “chewed bubblegum”.

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Midnight snack

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The dream was like something out of a spy thriller: 29-year-old Jenna Howell of San Diego, California, was running from some shady characters on a high-speed train, and her fiancé told her to hide her engagement ring—fast. Howell popped off the ring and swallowed it. She woke suddenly and, relieved that it was just a dream, quickly dozed off again. But the next morning she noticed her left hand was bare. After a trip to the ER and an X-ray to confirm that Howell really had downed the diamond in her sleep, doctors fished it out via endoscopy. Howell praised the ring’s designer for crafting “jewels so lovely you could eat them. But don’t—trust me.” —Suzannah Showler

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Copy cat

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

In August 2019, Gary Samuel Lambe broke into a commercial property in Toronto. He wasn’t exactly discreet. Midway through the break-and-enter, the 54-year-old stopped to eat some food, leaving scraps behind. Then, he left an even bigger clue: he headed over to the office printer and made a photocopy of his face. Toronto police released a copy—featuring Lambe’s blurry visage and his white, wide-brimmed fedora—to the public, and the fugitive was identified when he was arrested on a separate matter later that month. The bright side: Lambe now has a much clearer portrait—his mugshot. —Erica Lenti

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Break Up with Your Rebellious Heart

Pray the following prayer aloud:

Dear Heavenly Father, You have said that rebellion is the same witchcraft, and insubordination is the same as injustice and worshipping idols (1 Samuel 15:23). I know that in my actions and attitudes, I have sinned against You with a rebellious heart.

I thank you for forgiving my rebellion, and I pray that by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus, all-access into my life that’s been gained by unclean spirits because of my rebellion would be canceled.

I pray that You will shed light on all my ways, that I may know the full extent of my rebellion, and choose to adopt a submissive spirit and a servant’s heart. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

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Saul

When Saul was confronted with his sin, he explained and excused himself, revealing his disobedience and his mistrust in the Lord. He followed his whims rather than seeking the Lord’s guidance. Saul’s life tells us that rebellion is the result of pride.

Rebellion will move you from a place of blessing and safety to a place of danger and disaster.

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Examples in the Bible

Saul and David are perfect examples of a rebellious heart and a submitted heart. Neither men were perfect. But what sets them apart is the posture of their heart. Saul’s heart was consistently rebellious, while David’s was consistently submitted.

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15 Characteristics of a Rebellious Spirit

  1. You’d rather give orders than receive. If you don’t do well following instructions, you might have a rebellious heart.
  2. You might have a rebellious heart if you see instructions, rules, or guidelines as restrictions on your creativity or style and would much rather make up your own rules.
  3. If you feel the urge to do the opposite of what you’ve been told or asked to do.
  4. You always want to stand out, for better or for worse. Blending in does not appeal to you. Instead, you focus on being different and doing things differently than what everyone else considers normal or accepted. You thrive on being the “weird one” in the group because it sets you apart from the “normal people.”
  5. Believe it’s better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission. Rebels do what they want now and clean up afterward.
  6. You never seem to fit in. People with rebellious hearts seem to never click with a group. They’re usually the odd-man-out or stick out like a sore thumb and enjoy being the “misfit.” Many will refer to themselves as misfits or too weird for people. It comes back to the goal of being unique. There’s much more going on here, but rebellion is also at the root of this way of thinking.
  7. Rules are meant to be broken. Right? If you enjoy going against the grain and breaking established rules, you have rebellion in your heart.
  8. In children, rebellious hearts show up in obstinance. No amount of punishment or scolding decreases their behavior.
  9. You hate being restrained in any way.
  10. You dislike that people bow to authority so easily or accept the status quo without question.
  11. You radically accept yourself. You’ve said, “I am who I am.” People who want to be in a relationship with you have to deal with how you are or leave.
  12. Compromise is not in your vocabulary.
  13. Your presence is always a roar, and never a whisper.
  14. You live by your own set of rules.
  15. Apologize? Nope, not you!

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