I am US-American, and (putting aside for a minute all the uncomfortable patriotism,) I am straight up not having a good time today with all the fireworks going off in my neighborhood. It's literally just POP POP POP everywhere all at once. I'm sure lots of us are in the same boat.

I want to make this post to reaffirm that your feelings are valid. It's your senses, your brain, your way of processing the world, and you have a right to be kind to yourself tonight if you're struggling with US-American Independence Day fireworks.

Stay safe, and take care of yourselves ♥️.

When they spread the beans and chew their little toes, really going to town

It makes me want to die

Two studies dropped last week, which should give politicians like Ontario Premier Doug Ford something to think about, if he could think. One is very local: a traffic count in Toronto’s Bloor Street bike lane, which he intends to rip out because he claims it causes traffic congestion and slows his drive to the office.

On June 11, the Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition set up cameras on the second floor of Curbside Cycle and counted every vehicle that passed over an imaginary line in the road during peak travel times. While Doug Ford claims that only 1.2% of Torontonians commute by bike, the study showed that during the afternoon rush hours, bikes, including e-bikes and other micro mobility devices, represented over 50% of all vehicular traffic.

About anything. Anything. No judgment.

A senior cleric in Iran has issued a fatwa declaring that anyone who threatens Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is "an enemy of God," state media has reported.

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi was responding to a question about any threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of Israel, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A fatwa is a ruling on how to interpret Islamic law issued by a clerical authority.

it's time to get hyped!

July 12th, 2025 @ 4am UTC

you can now open the Canvas to setup your templates and preview how it's going to work!

2025 Canvas Size: 500x500

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what is Canvas?

Canvas is a collaborative pixel canvas that includes everyone apart of the Fediverse! Any fediverse platform that supports direct messages is able to login and participate for this 48 hour live event

socials

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The emails say nearly 9 in 10 Social Security beneficiaries won't pay income taxes on their benefits in the future. But the Trump tax law did not directly address Social Security.

The Social Security Administration has sent a misleading email to beneficiaries stating that Donald Trump’s sweeping tax cuts and spending law eliminates taxes on Social Security benefits for most recipients.

“The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation’s economy,” said the email, which multiple beneficiaries shared with NBC News.

“This email went to every Social Security subscriber and every word of it is a lie. Social Security benefits are still taxed. This big, ugly bill doesn’t change that,” New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote on X. “It’s disturbing to see Trump hijack a public institution to push blatant misinformation.”

The conduct of the strike and the scale of civilian casualties have amplified questions over the proportionality of Israel's military operations in Gaza, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say are aimed at defeating Hamas and rescuing the hostages still being held by the group.

(Beijing, China) As the US enters the July 4th weekend with the passing of the comprehensive republican legislation package, China-watchers are noting an alarming shakeup in the Chinese Intelligence community. The Ministry of State Security (MSS) is laying off tens of thousands of workers, announcing “a new era of cost saving, using foreign outsourcing to improve results.” The new plan, approved by Xi Jinping on Friday, plans strategic investments of the money in republican primary races across the US for the 2026 elections. Policymakers in DC have mixed feelings about the new approach.

“This is foreign interference at its worst,” said Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) at a weekend barbecue. “My No vote this week has cost me serious political capital with the president, so it is outlandish that his sworn enemy, the Chinese, would try to primary me. This should be illegal.”

It is illegal. But DOJ enforcement officers say they cannot comment, given the president has not issued a tweet on the matter, which would supersede any legal precedent. Democrats also say their hands are tied.

“We are firmly against it,” said Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) at a barbecue on Friday. “We are firmly against this matter.” When asked what steps democrats would take to uphold the law, he reaffirmed his statement, saying, “I told you, we are very, firmly against it. I’ve said it three times now.”

Chinese spies, previously excited at the tumult in the US, also expressed their anger at the move. “I have been trying to bring down america for 20 years, said one spy. “To be outsourced for half the price… and look at what they’re doing even before our spending over there. Our government says to think of it as on-shoring american self-harm, but republicans take no pride in destroying america like we do.”