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Wildlife Park Renames Penguin They Thought Was Female After It Turns Out To Be A Gay Male
Dec 11, 2024
A UK wildlife park renamed a king penguin they thought was female after some confusion concerning her inability to lay eggs. After observing the penguin constantly flirting with another male penguin, staffers realized it was a gay male.
Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, is home to the UK's only king penguin breeding colony.
In 2016, a 10-year-old king penguin named "Maggie" joined Birdland from Denmark courtesy of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and its breeding and conservation program, EAZA Ex-situ Programme (EEP).
The park explained that Maggie was settling in well with the other penguins in the colony, which included four other birds named Frank, 24; Seth, 39, Spike, 17, and 30-year-old Bill, the only female.
When Maggie never provided a chick after catching the attention of Frank, suspicious handlers submitted a feather sample for DNA testing, and the result showed Maggie was "definitely male."
After eight years of being misgendered, the king penguin was reintroduced as "Magnus."
Female penguin renamed after park staff discover she’s in fact a gay male https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/12/05/birdland-penguin-maggie-magnus-rename-dna/
[image or embed]
— 虹色 (@nijiironews.bsky.social) December 5, 2024 at 4:17 PM
You can see the announcement clip here.
Magnus was welcomed by the internet.
@birdlandpark/Instagram
@birdlandpark/Instagram
@birdlandpark/Instagram
@birdlandpark/Instagram
@birdlandpark/Instagram
It is difficult to determine a penguin's gender by the naked eye since they do not have external genitalia.
Instead, both male and female penguins, like other bird species, have an orifice called a cloaca that serves as an intestinal, urinary, and reproductive tract.
The only way to definitively tell male and female penguins apart is through examining chromosomes or internal organs through testing.
King penguins can also be accurately sexed by observing size (males are typically larger), beak length (males tend to have longer beak lengths than females), or syllable patterns in their vocalization.
People shared thoughts.
damn, the fact that it's british news instantly gives me monthy python vibes lol
— max🏳️⚧️ (@maxxieb.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 5:42 AM
What I want to know is when the world gets to vote on its favourite penguin again and why I wasn't informed last time?
— 🔵 (@orbsorbsorbs.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 9:38 AM
It sounds like this place is just really bad at penguin genders
— 🎄ndrusi (@andrusi.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 10:50 AM
Alistair Keen, Birdland’s head-keeper, said Magnus' gender presented "another unique hurdle" in achieving success with Birdland's population management goals since Bill is the only female penguin in the colony. Incidentally, Bill was also initially misgendered, as staffers erroneously believed she was male.
@birdlandpark/Instagram
@birdlandpark/Instagram
Keen noted, “It’s fascinating, however, to have confirmed what we’ve long suspected, and we remain committed to supporting these incredible birds in every way possible."
In the hopes of improving their breeding program, Birdland is expecting a new female penguin to arrive in January 2025 from Germany.
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We Now Know The Real Reason RFK Jr. Is Pushing For His Daughter-In-Law To Help Run The CIA
Dec 11, 2024
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing criticism for pushing President-elect Donald Trump to hire his daughter-in-law Amaryllis Fox Kennedy to be Deputy Director of the CIA after an exclusive Axios report revealed he is doing so because he believes the CIA had a role in assassinating his uncle, President John F. Kennedy.
SCOOP: RFK Jr.'s daughter-in-law is making a push to serve as deputy director at the CIA next year — and RFK Jr. is making calls on her behalf.
[image or embed]
— Axios (@axios.com) December 10, 2024 at 3:23 PM
Kennedy Jr. has reportedly told associates that Fox Kennedy—his presidential campaign manager and the wife of his son, Bobby Kennedy III—would assist in uncovering the truth about the JFK assassination, according to two Republican sources who spoke to Axios.
One of them said:
"RFK believes that and wants to get to the bottom of it."
If appointed as deputy to John Ratcliffe, Trump’s nominee for CIA director, Fox Kennedy could access CIA records on the assassination and potentially advocate for the release of classified documents.
Kennedy Jr. has publicly supported theories that the CIA was involved in the deaths of his uncle and his father, Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968. On a podcast last year, he said that "evidence is overwhelming that the CIA was involved in the murder and in the cover-up,” and he described the evidence of CIA involvement in his father’s death as “convincing” though “circumstantial.”
Trump also appears poised to help Kennedy Jr. pursue his goals, having pledged to release the remaining JFK assassination files.
Following Kennedy Jr.’s suspension of his presidential campaign and endorsement of Trump, Trump announced he would “establish a new independent presidential commission on assassination attempts” tasked with releasing all remaining documents related to President Kennedy’s assassination.
Kennedy Jr.'s motives have exposed him to significant criticism.
I wonder if all this nepotism and cronyism will reach a breaking point.
— Red Opposition (@redopposition.bsky.social) December 10, 2024 at 3:26 PM
Hooray for nepotism and unqualified people running massive government agencies.
— Dan (@nerdjitsunurse.bsky.social) December 10, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Well all the other positions are filled by hopeless losers with no relevant experience too, so nothing new here.
— Necessary Evil (@necessaryevil.bsky.social) December 10, 2024 at 3:31 PM
It’s as if all the crazy people think being involved in government is fun. So let’s go! Heaven help us.
— mcmiele.bsky.social (@mcmiele.bsky.social) December 10, 2024 at 10:22 PM
It’s gonna be four years of carnival barkers and juggling clowns running amuck at our expense.
— Bob Dobalina (@bobdabalina.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 11:15 AM
A belief it’s not a fact. But that doesn’t seem to matter to RFKjr or anyone in the upcoming administration.
— lazuleo.bsky.social (@lazuleo.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Mark my words, he'll also violently pursue the whereabouts of Elvis as well as prove beyond reasonable doubt that Lord Lucan is still living with the missing champion horse Shergar.
— dumbledore (@dumbledored.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 11:57 AM
That’s his brain worm talking
— jeanmoulin4ever.bsky.social (@jeanmoulin4ever.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 12:34 PM
The conspiracists are having a day. That’s for sure. I guarantee they’ll been looking at the moon landing again too. Also checking if the Earth is not flat.
— Lee Ning (@crankebastard.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 11:13 AM
The CIA deputy director position is one of the most prominent intelligence roles still unfilled and does not require Senate confirmation—and that makes Fox Kennedy's potential future with the agency even more questionable.
Concerns have been raised about Fox Kennedy’s qualifications. In 2019, she published a memoir, Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA, offering a rare, detailed personal account of her time in the agency.
Fox Kennedy has described being recruited by the CIA in her early 20s as one of its youngest female officers. She operated as a "nonofficial cover," meaning she used a false identity without diplomatic protections.
However, her decision to publish the memoir without prior approval from the CIA’s Publication Review Board, which vets materials for sensitive information, caused controversy within the agency.
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Company's Stunt Claiming Workers Were Fired For Having 'Stress At Work' Awkwardly Backfires
Dec 11, 2024
Home salon services company YesMadam sparked immediate backlash after claiming they surveyed employees about their workplace stress before sending out an email letting those stressed workers know they were fired—except YesMadam claims it was a marketing stunt gone wrong.
An initial post alleged that YesMadam had dismissed approximately 100 employees following the results of a mental health survey indicating widespread workplace stress. Anushka Dutta, identified as an employee, shared a leaked email from the HR department on LinkedIn.
It reads:
"Recently we conducted a survey to understand your feelings about stress at work. Many of you shared your concerns, which we deeply value and respect."
"As a company committed to fostering a healthy and supportive work environment, we have carefully considered the feedback. To ensure no one remains stressed at work, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with employees who indicated significant stress."
"This decision is effective immediately and affected employees will receive further details separately. Thank you for your contributions."
You can see the email below.
YesMadam
The message immediately sparked angry reactions.
Amid the backlash, YesMadam issued a statement clarifying that no employees had been terminated. The company explained that the social media post was part of a larger campaign aimed at raising awareness about workplace stress, not an announcement of layoffs.
It reads:
"We sincerely apologize for any distress caused by recent social media posts suggesting we dismissed employees for being stressed. Let us be clear: We would never take such an inhuman step. Our team is like family, and their dedication, hard work, and passion are the foundation of all our successes."
"The social media posts were a planned effort to highlight the serious issue of workplace stress. And to those who shared angry comments or voice strong opinions, we say Thank you. When people speak up, it shows they care - and care is at the heart of our business."
The company claimed the employees in question "weren't fired; they were given a break to rest," "weren't let go; they were encouraged to release their stress," "they weren't laid off; they were offered a chance to relax," and that they "weren't sacked; they were urged to rest and recharge."
The company added:
“In today’s hyper-connected world, work-life boundaries are fading, stress is widespread, and productivity often overshadows employee wellbeing. Happy employees build stronger businesses, and we’re here to lead the way in creating a culture that reflects this belief.”
YesMadam emphasized its "commitment to employee well-being" by unveiling the country’s "first de-stress leave policy." This new initiative grants employees six paid days off specifically to unwind, along with a complimentary at-home spa session. The policy, the company claimed, is designed to support mental health and help staff recover from work-related stress.
It concluded:
"We firmly believe that the backbone of any great organization is not built on stressed shoulders but on happy minds. So let's make employee well-being the new norm. Let's create businesses that thrive on care, collaboration, and compassion."
"Over to you Corporate & Startup India. Let's walk this path together."
You can see the response below.
YesMadam/LinkedIn
YesMadam/LinkedIn
YesMadam/LinkedIn
The backlash was fierce.
Of course, YesMadam is not the only company to make headlines for bungling its communication with its employees and showing who leadership really is—far from it.
Last year, MillerKnoll CEO Andi Owen sparked backlash after addressing employees' concerns about the potential loss of their bonuses. In response, she said they should not "spend their time" in "pity city" worrying about the bonuses they didn't receive and instead concentrate on the money the company actually needed to make.
In late 2021, Better CEO Vishal Garg found himself at the center of controversy after he laid off 900 employees, 9% of the company's workforce, over a Zoom call just one day after receiving a $750 million cash infusion as part of a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC.
Emails that surfaced at the time show that Garg berated Howard Newman of the investment firm Pine Brook Partners, a top venture capital investor, calling him "sewage" and an "ingrate and a thug and a miserable miser" after plans to take Better public fell apart.
Employees have also criticized Better's toxic work culture, with one former employee saying that Garg, who “leads by fear,” would "threaten employees to work harder, faster and not be lazy, but there was never clarity on what the consequences might be.”
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Taylor Swift Gave Massive Bonuses To Everyone Who Worked On 'Eras Tour'—And Fans Are Applauding
Dec 11, 2024
Taylor Swift's monumental The Eras Tour has come to a conclusion after 21 months of performing around the globe.
The tour itself raked in over $2 billion in sales, performing to around 10 million people. The singer has, accordingly, rewarded those crew who helped the massive endeavor go well with bonuses totaling about 10% of overall sales.
Over the course of the tour, Swift has given out over $197 million in bonuses to the crew, including everyone from truck drivers to pyrotechnics to dancers and choreographers, to catering and stylists and the even the physical therapists who traveled along with the tour.
Swift wrapped the tour with a final concert in Vancouver.
“We have toured the entire world with this tour. We have had so many adventures. It has been the most exciting, powerful, electrifying, intense, most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. We’ve got to perform for over 10 million people on this tour."
Fans were in impressed by her generosity, which they saw as a real sign of success.
Folks pointed out that this generosity to the crew who work her tours is not a new thing for Swift.
Of course, there were those who asked "why not more?"
It's never too late to learn something new.
As the tour winds down, Swift seemed to be hinting at future projects like new songs, or at least a movie version of the tour for those who couldn't see it live.
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Photo by Annette Sousa on Unsplash
Things People Thought Were Normal In A Relationship But So Aren't
Dec 11, 2024
When entering into a new romantic relationship, there are always adjustments to be made.
No matter how compatible you seem with your new partner, you will find yourself adjusting to a new rhythm and routine.
Perhaps most annoyingly, you might compare your domestic life to those of your other coupled friends.
Most of the time, these comparisons are fairly futile, as every relationship is different.
However, sometimes you may discover that certain elements of your relationship appear to be unique.
For better and for worse.
Redditor was curious to learn about elements in people's relationships that they considered to be everyday, but proved to be anything but, leading them to ask:
"What did you think was completely normal in your relationship until somebody pointed out it was weird?"
Couldn't Wait Till Morning?
"Waking me up in the middle of the night to continue a fight."
There's Devoted, And Then There's Clingy
"My first girlfriend (3rd year of college) was at my side every waking moment."
"No matter what I was doing, where I was going."
"Any movie, errand, we were NEVER apart."
"Second girlfriend didn't feel like going to the book store with me, and when I looked deflated, she said, 'Go without me; we can do different things.'"
"Never occurred to me."- Flailing_Aimlessly
Spoiler Alert!
"I thought it was okay to get a few episodes ahead on Netflix without my partner... until a friend pointed out that I was basically committing a relationship crime."- BigRusty1047
Happy The Simpsons GIFGiphy
Talk About Comfort Level!
"My last girlfriend and I were nudists in our house."
"Basically from the time we entered the house to when we got ready to leave for work we were both in, at most, boxers/panties."
"One time a friend was coming over to grab something from me while I was at work."
"I didn't think about my ex being home at that time and didn't think to inform either that the other might be there."
"She was chilling on the couch completely naked watching tv and he just came in without knocking thinking the house was empty."
"Everyone was chill about it, but he informed me how odd he thought it was that she was just chilling naked."
"I told him that that's how I lived too, and it really blew his mind."- Assistantshrimp
Everyone Deserves A Good Night's Sleep
"There's still prejudice when a couple doesn't share a bedroom."
"In our case, he snores, I have a light sleep."
"We both move a lot during the night."
"I'm always cold, he rarely sleeps with blankets."
"I like to read until later, he likes to sleep earlier than me."
"We cuddle at night/in the morning."
"After resting properly, we are keen to see each other."
"The few nights we share the same bed/bedroom, I was miserable."- island-breeze
Shy Bladder Is A Real Condition!
"We always close the door to the bathroom when using it."
"He’s seen me give birth, but we still are a 'door closed' type of couple and have never seen each other using the toilet."
"I’ve had people tell me that 'you’ll get over it eventually', that we must not actually trust each other, or that our relationship is immature because we want privacy in the bathroom."
"I’m sure it goes both ways, I find it completely crazy that some couples poop in front of each other!"- 1O12O7
Cat Closing GIFGiphy
"What's Yours Is Mine, And What's Mine Is Yours..."
"Codependency... literally everything was done together to the point of... unhealthy."- Corgsploot
She Does Exist!
"My first girlfriend never came anywhere with me."
"She was a homebody, and I was not."
"In college, I was easily going out 5 nights a week, and she never complained once."
"It was like 2 years before she met one of my friends."
"That friend said she thought that I was gay and made her up so I wouldn't have to do things with girls while I was out."-esoteric_enigma
...Maybe That Bag Should Have Been Put To Use?
"Having a to-go bag with meds, clothes, books, toiletries, cash, important documents when my wife would get so mad at me I didn’t feel safe."- GrimCT3131
Speaking In Code...
"After 15 years of being married together my ex and I developed a sort of language that caught some friends off guard."
"We were at a NYE party and the small party gathered around the TV to watch the countdown."
"As we were getting close to the moment wife was struggling with a strange remote so I opened my hand and made the 'ch-ch' sound meaning 'lemme have that'.”
"Wife responded with 'doot doo' meaning 'f*ck off I got this'."
"Brother of the homeowner busted out laughing asking us if we have an entire language built up… we kinda did."- Biff_Bufflington
Be Quiet Season 5 GIF by FriendsGiphy
That's What Friends Are For
"I always had a NEED to be with someone as I was growing up, had an unhealthy home which I'm now dealing with the consequences from, some 30 years later."
"But for me it was common to basically find what ever girlfriend I could and just spend as much time as possible with them, basically sleeping over from like age 13 spending most of the time I could with them, because when I was alone my mind would spiral."
"The weirdest time in hindsight was when I was 14 and basically dated a group of friends."
"They would each be together with me, break up with me but go 'Oh, by the way, my friend x would like to date you now' and I would shrug and date her for a week before she passed me on to the next girl."
"It all stopped when I met my most impactful friend in my life, she was everything I needed while nothing to me romantically, so I would sleep at her place as often as possible, we always slept close to each other and basically cuddled, but we never did anything more than that and it showed me that I could just get that comfort without needing to do all the couples stuff of kissing and all that and it just calmed my mind to a point where I was content for the first time in my life."
"And I always knew that she'd be a stable point to return to."
"We spent a good 2 years like that before she basically fell off the map completely."
"She changed my needs in life though, so I'm always grateful to her for fixing a small broken piece of me."- Aurori_Swe
Yay Diplomacy!
"My husband and I don't fight."
"Practically ever."
"We have calm discussions when we disagree and always find a solid resolution."
"Been together 10 years, and I can count on one hand many fights we've had."- Original_Translator9
Cheesy, But Sweet
"My bf and i got together because he anonymously made me cheese and left it at my door."
"It stole my heart when i found out it was him."
"Anyway, people find this story weird and hilarious (he still makes me cheese to this day)."
"If you guys didn’t know this is one of the only ways you can get a double introvert couple."- chipperland4471
Cheese GIFGiphy
Sharing Is Caring
"Newlyweds, but even prior to that, whenever we go to a restaurant, it doesn’t matter the cuisine. We’d order 2-3 things we’d both agree on and share."
"We went on a double date, and the other couple was like, yea, we don’t share…"
"You get what you want I get what I want, didn’t realize it was a strange thing to always do, but maybe it’s because we don’t get out much lol."- More-Life-714
It Never Hurts To Be Reminded That You Are Loved
"saying 'I love you” often."
'When we hang up the phone we always say it to each other, when we leave for work etc we say it, it just comes out randomly."
"Like if we’re both busy I’m reading and him on his game we’ll just check in with an 'I love you'."
"i’ve been on the phone to him before and we’ve said love you bye but then i had to recall him for whatever reason and we say it again my friends made a comment about it and i’ve noticed when she hangs the phone up with her boyfriend they don’t say it?"
"Like this is something we have always done, mainly because say one of us gets into an accident we’d feel more kind of at peace knowing the last thing we ever said to them was that we loved them."
"Like even in arguments we do it we reassure each other throughout that we love each other."
"I guess it could stem down to abandonment issues and neglect from his point of view (very troubled past) and with me I like to make sure he’s loved and it’s always lovely being told that."
"idk."- ComprehensiveDog3799
Everyone has the tends to raise their eyebrow at anyone who lives their life even the slightest bit differently from us.
And being the recipient of that raised eyebrow, particularly from other couples, can be a very uncomfortable place.
However, as long as you feel happy and loved in your relationship, the fact that your relationship is unique is ultimately a moot point.
Especially if cheese is a factor.
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