hopebuilding
@hopebuilding.bsky.social
I read a lot and share stories, especially those focused on solutions. I blog at Hopebuilding.blog and on Substack at Seeing Like A Local.
About that "gold card".....
Trump Selling Gold Card for U.S. Citizenship & Scrambles to Come Up with a Health Care Plan
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:16 PM
About that "gold card".....
Buying goods and services from immigrant-owned businesses not only puts money directly into immigrant hands but also supports your entire local economy. It’s like buying local goods in Iowa throughout the holiday season but with an added skosh of socioeconomic goodwill.
7 incredible immigrant-owned businesses in Iowa to support
Check out these immigrant-owned businesses to not only boost your local economy but also support those who the federal government is actively targeting.
iowastartingline.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Buying goods and services from immigrant-owned businesses not only puts money directly into immigrant hands but also supports your entire local economy. It’s like buying local goods in Iowa throughout the holiday season but with an added skosh of socioeconomic goodwill.
A growing number of U.S. mosques are adding cafes or similar ‘third spaces’ for young Muslims to gather without the formality of religious events
Mosque cafes brew community for younger, less religious generations of Muslims
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (RNS) — A growing number of U.S. mosques are adding cafes or similar ‘third spaces’ for young Muslims to gather without the formality of religious events.
religionnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:56 PM
A growing number of U.S. mosques are adding cafes or similar ‘third spaces’ for young Muslims to gather without the formality of religious events
After 128 years in exile, the artifacts were finally home.
On display at the Benin City National Museum in Nigeria last month were about 100 Benin Bronzes — priceless items that British forces looted from a nearby royal palace in 1897.
On display at the Benin City National Museum in Nigeria last month were about 100 Benin Bronzes — priceless items that British forces looted from a nearby royal palace in 1897.
These Looted Treasures Are Home. What Now?
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
After 128 years in exile, the artifacts were finally home.
On display at the Benin City National Museum in Nigeria last month were about 100 Benin Bronzes — priceless items that British forces looted from a nearby royal palace in 1897.
On display at the Benin City National Museum in Nigeria last month were about 100 Benin Bronzes — priceless items that British forces looted from a nearby royal palace in 1897.
These pessimistic assessments of Republicans’ chances in next year’s midterms...have been coming from Joe Gruters, the Trump-diehard chair of the Republican National Committee, who has been barnstorming conservative radio this week.
Trump’s Hand-Picked RNC Chair Predicts Doom
This is not your usual party committee script.
www.thebulwark.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:48 PM
These pessimistic assessments of Republicans’ chances in next year’s midterms...have been coming from Joe Gruters, the Trump-diehard chair of the Republican National Committee, who has been barnstorming conservative radio this week.
This is a long but really good discussion re Ukraine. I recommend it.
Myhailo Wynnyckyj- "Ukraine Manifesto- co-Author" on Talking Ukraine #28
YouTube video by OrangeDoc
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:46 PM
This is a long but really good discussion re Ukraine. I recommend it.
This is a massive moment in EU history.... The Union stepped out of the comfort of consensus and into qualified majority on one of the most legally exposed, politically sensitive issues it has faced since the euro crisis.
That matters beyond Russian assets.
That matters beyond Russian assets.
EU drops the Article 122 hammer on Russian assets
A qualified-majority decision just closed the loophole the Kremlin needed.
www.theconcis.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:30 PM
This is a massive moment in EU history.... The Union stepped out of the comfort of consensus and into qualified majority on one of the most legally exposed, politically sensitive issues it has faced since the euro crisis.
That matters beyond Russian assets.
That matters beyond Russian assets.
Founded in Japan by runner Kenichi Mamitsuka, who scooped up litter on his morning jogs, this adrenaline-packed sport (that mashes "spo" for "sport" and "gomi" for "trash") has gone global with more than 165,000 participants who have removed over 200 thousand tons of litter from streets
DailyGood: News That Inspires
www.dailygood.org
December 12, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Founded in Japan by runner Kenichi Mamitsuka, who scooped up litter on his morning jogs, this adrenaline-packed sport (that mashes "spo" for "sport" and "gomi" for "trash") has gone global with more than 165,000 participants who have removed over 200 thousand tons of litter from streets
When the first patients arrived at UCI Health — Irvine, they stepped into a new standard for American healthcare: a seven-story, 144-bed acute care hospital that is both part of the region’s only academic health system and the nation’s first all-electric acute care hospital.
Beyond the blueprint: A new kind of hospital
UC Health — Irvine offers a new kind of hospital and a new kind of patient experience.
www.universityofcalifornia.edu
December 12, 2025 at 9:21 PM
When the first patients arrived at UCI Health — Irvine, they stepped into a new standard for American healthcare: a seven-story, 144-bed acute care hospital that is both part of the region’s only academic health system and the nation’s first all-electric acute care hospital.
This transformational investment, Ms. Scott’s second major gift to UC Merced, underscores growing national recognition of UC Merced’s rapid ascent as one of the country’s most innovative public research universities and national leader in access and opportunity, student success, and social mobility
UC Merced receives transformational $38 million gift from Mackenzie Scott
The extraordinary investment will accelerate programs that deepen UC Merced's commitment to access and opportunity.
www.universityofcalifornia.edu
December 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
This transformational investment, Ms. Scott’s second major gift to UC Merced, underscores growing national recognition of UC Merced’s rapid ascent as one of the country’s most innovative public research universities and national leader in access and opportunity, student success, and social mobility
This result comes in a year in which EXIT found itself under government pressure due to its support for students fighting for a free society. Major European and global media outlets reported on EXIT’s forced departure from Serbia .....
EXIT – Driven out of Serbia, voted among the best festivals in Europe – Serbian Monitor
In a year of anniversaries, powerful emotions, and government pressures that led to EXIT leaving Serbia, our leading festival has reached the finals of the European Festival Awards, the most prestigio...
www.serbianmonitor.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:17 PM
This result comes in a year in which EXIT found itself under government pressure due to its support for students fighting for a free society. Major European and global media outlets reported on EXIT’s forced departure from Serbia .....
The COVID vaccines reduced the risk of emergency room or urgent care visits by 76 percent in children aged nine months through four years and by 56 percent in those aged five through 17 compared with children who didn’t receive a vaccine....
COVID Vaccines Slashed Kids’ ER Visits by 76 Percent, Study Finds
A report published by the CDC reaffirms the effectiveness of COVID vaccines at preventing severe disease in children
www.scientificamerican.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The COVID vaccines reduced the risk of emergency room or urgent care visits by 76 percent in children aged nine months through four years and by 56 percent in those aged five through 17 compared with children who didn’t receive a vaccine....
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a little-publicized decree last month that requires many foreign men who seek permanent residency or citizenship to sign a contract with the military in the midst of Moscow’s war against Ukraine, an RFE/RL investigation has found.
Putin Decree Forces Foreigners Seeking Russian Residency To Sign Army Contracts
President Vladimir Putin has issued a decree that requires many foreign men who seek permanent residency or citizenship to join the Russian military, RFE/RL has found. The unusual measure is pushing m...
www.rferl.org
December 12, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a little-publicized decree last month that requires many foreign men who seek permanent residency or citizenship to sign a contract with the military in the midst of Moscow’s war against Ukraine, an RFE/RL investigation has found.
"Our friends are there, my wife's parents," Lagovsky told RFE/RL's Balkan Service in a recent interview. "It would be a disaster if I went to war against Ukraine." But that's exactly what he fears will happen if he is sent back to Russia, and the nightmare now threatens to become reality....
Russian Fears Being Sent To Fight In Native Ukraine If Extradited From Serbia
A Ukrainian-born Russian man who fled with his family in 2022 could soon be extradited to Russia, where he fears authorities will send him to the front in Ukraine. "Our friends are there, my wife's pa...
www.rferl.org
December 12, 2025 at 9:13 PM
"Our friends are there, my wife's parents," Lagovsky told RFE/RL's Balkan Service in a recent interview. "It would be a disaster if I went to war against Ukraine." But that's exactly what he fears will happen if he is sent back to Russia, and the nightmare now threatens to become reality....
According to new research, banana peels may be an overlooked powerhouse when it comes to growing healthier, taller crops, sometimes even outperforming synthetic fertilizers.
From compost to crops: banana peels show surprising power as eco-friendly fertilizer | The Optimist Daily
Banana peels could help crops grow taller and stronger, offering a natural alternative to synthetic fertilizers, new research finds.
www.optimistdaily.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:09 PM
According to new research, banana peels may be an overlooked powerhouse when it comes to growing healthier, taller crops, sometimes even outperforming synthetic fertilizers.
A massive drone attack in Odesa has damaged port infrastructure and struck a Turkish vessel carrying thousands of tons of LPG, setting it on fire. ...The strikes are seen as part of Russia’s efforts to disrupt gas supplies to Ukraine.
Russian drone hits Turkish LPG tanker on the Danube river port | Ukraine Brief
YouTube video by TVP WORLD
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:54 PM
A massive drone attack in Odesa has damaged port infrastructure and struck a Turkish vessel carrying thousands of tons of LPG, setting it on fire. ...The strikes are seen as part of Russia’s efforts to disrupt gas supplies to Ukraine.
The attempt to “kill and erase the domain” largely succeeded: with no connection to the main corporate domain, fixed workstations (including airport check-in counters) demanded domain credentials on startup and stopped functioning. All the airline’s automated processes came to a standstill.
How Ukrainian and Belarusian hackers wreaked havoc on Russia’s flagship airline and exposed its role in the war — Meduza
On the morning of July 28, 2025, all of Aeroflot’s information systems went down — from corporate email to passenger check-in. The outage forced hundreds of flight delays and cancellations, plunging M...
meduza.io
December 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The attempt to “kill and erase the domain” largely succeeded: with no connection to the main corporate domain, fixed workstations (including airport check-in counters) demanded domain credentials on startup and stopped functioning. All the airline’s automated processes came to a standstill.
Reposted by hopebuilding
Zelensky’s Front-Line Visit Highlights Ukrainian Resilience
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video from the city of Kupyansk, defying Russian claims of its capture and highlighting Ukrainian resistance.”
#StandWithUkraine
Gift link.
www.wsj.com/world/zelens...
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video from the city of Kupyansk, defying Russian claims of its capture and highlighting Ukrainian resistance.”
#StandWithUkraine
Gift link.
www.wsj.com/world/zelens...
Zelensky’s Front-Line Visit Highlights Ukrainian Resilience
Ukraine says it counterattacked in Kupyansk, a city whose capture Russia touted almost a month ago.
www.wsj.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Zelensky’s Front-Line Visit Highlights Ukrainian Resilience
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video from the city of Kupyansk, defying Russian claims of its capture and highlighting Ukrainian resistance.”
#StandWithUkraine
Gift link.
www.wsj.com/world/zelens...
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video from the city of Kupyansk, defying Russian claims of its capture and highlighting Ukrainian resistance.”
#StandWithUkraine
Gift link.
www.wsj.com/world/zelens...
Adm. Alvin Holsey has retired one year into a posting that typically lasts three to four years and transferred leadership duties to his top military deputy, Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, during a ceremony at U.S. Southern Command headquarters near Miami.
Leadership of US command in Latin America changes hands amid criticism of boat strikes
A U.S. Navy admiral who oversees military operations in Latin America has handed off command responsibilities as scrutiny increases over the Trump administration’s deadly strikes on alleged drug boats...
apnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Adm. Alvin Holsey has retired one year into a posting that typically lasts three to four years and transferred leadership duties to his top military deputy, Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, during a ceremony at U.S. Southern Command headquarters near Miami.
The European Union on Friday indefinitely froze Russia’s assets in Europe to ensure that Hungary and Slovakia, both with Moscow-friendly governments, can’t prevent the billions of euros from being used to support Ukraine.
EU indefinitely freezes Russian assets so Hungary and Slovakia can't veto their use for Ukraine
The European Union has indefinitely frozen Russia’s assets in Europe to ensure that Hungary and Slovakia, both with Moscow-friendly governments, can’t prevent the billions of euros from being used to ...
apnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The European Union on Friday indefinitely froze Russia’s assets in Europe to ensure that Hungary and Slovakia, both with Moscow-friendly governments, can’t prevent the billions of euros from being used to support Ukraine.
A senior Kremlin official said Friday that Russian police and National Guard will stay on in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas and oversee the industry-rich region, even if a peace settlement ends Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
Russian police and National Guard will stay in Ukraine's Donbas postwar, a Kremlin official says
A senior Kremlin official says Russian police and the National Guard will stay on in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas even if a peace settlement ends the war.
apnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:38 PM
A senior Kremlin official said Friday that Russian police and National Guard will stay on in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas and oversee the industry-rich region, even if a peace settlement ends Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
American officials joined Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran in objecting to language on fossils fuels, biodiversity and plastics in a report that was three years in the making.
U.S. Helped to Weaken Report at U.N. Environment Talks, Participants Say
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:36 PM
American officials joined Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran in objecting to language on fossils fuels, biodiversity and plastics in a report that was three years in the making.
Today, as Russia attempts to convince the world that they are inexorably taking territory, President Zelensky has visited the north-east city of Kupiansk, recently liberated in a rapid recapture of ground. ....
NATO chief: Prepare for war with Russia | Ukraine: The Latest
YouTube video by The Telegraph
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Today, as Russia attempts to convince the world that they are inexorably taking territory, President Zelensky has visited the north-east city of Kupiansk, recently liberated in a rapid recapture of ground. ....
King Charles III said Friday that his cancer treatment will be reduced in the new year because of early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctor’s orders.... to encourage people to take advantage of screening that can detect cancer in its early stages when it is easiest to treat.
King Charles III speaks about his cancer treatment, recovery on TV show promoting early screening
King Charles III says that his cancer treatment will be reduced in the new year because of early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctor’s orders.
apnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:27 PM
King Charles III said Friday that his cancer treatment will be reduced in the new year because of early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctor’s orders.... to encourage people to take advantage of screening that can detect cancer in its early stages when it is easiest to treat.
What followed was a five-week investigation involving leaked classified documents, tens of thousands of ship tracking data points, a 2,500-kilometer car chase across three countries, and—in a delicious bit of turnabout—their own drone flight over one of the suspect vessels.
They Droned Back
Young journalists expose Russian-linked vessels circling off the Dutch and German coast
www.digitaldigging.org
December 12, 2025 at 8:18 PM
What followed was a five-week investigation involving leaked classified documents, tens of thousands of ship tracking data points, a 2,500-kilometer car chase across three countries, and—in a delicious bit of turnabout—their own drone flight over one of the suspect vessels.