Joanne Conklin

Love learning, teaching, traveling, & embracing our world's cultures. In our diversity, there is always commonality.

[Fascinating @fasc1nate]

Between 2002 and 2004, Ariel Castro kidnapped three young women, Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus, off the streets of Cleveland, Ohio. He held them captive in his home at 2207 Seymour Avenue for more than a decade.

The women endured years of abuse while being kept locked inside the house.

In May 2013, Amanda Berry managed to escape by breaking through a door and calling for help. She was accompanied by her six-year-old daughter, who had been born during her captivity. Berry’s escape led police to the house, where they rescued Knight and DeJesus and arrested Castro.

Castro faced hundreds of charges and eventually pleaded guilty to 937 criminal counts. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years without the possibility of parole. Just one month into his sentence, Castro was found deceased in his prison cell.

The creepiest photos ever taken: https://t.co/0WklG7bVfh

[Attractions 360° @SoCal360]

After visiting all the Frozen Lands around the world, the BEST Frozen Land goes to Hong Kong Disneyland!❄️

1st place : Hong Kong Disneyland 🇭🇰
2nd: Tokyo DisneySea (3rd photo) 🇯🇵
3rd: Disney Adventure World Paris (4th pic)🇫🇷
4th: Epcot 🇺🇸

[Attractions 360° @SoCal360]

Huge waves at the Wedge at Newport Beach.

[MeidasTouch @MeidasTouch]

NEWS: Nevada Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford has won the Democratic primary and will advance to face Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo in November

[AFP News Agency @AFP]

Iran, US trade blows as Middle East peace deal draws no nearer.

Iran attacked US bases in Jordan and Bahrain on Wednesday, the latest salvo in tit-for-tat strikes with the United States after the downing of a US helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz

https://t.co/FP3TXMwjfW

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

Despite Trump's random statement about potentially keeping the UFC venue in place... Justice Dept tells judge the dissembling will begin at 10am on Monday

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

Justice Dept: "UFC and UFC-affiliated organizations have spent more than $60 million preparing for the event"

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

Justice Dept (more):

"Any delay of the UFC Freedom 250 bout date could jeopardize the health of the 14 professional athletes involved in the event, as prolonged weight cutting can result in heat injuries, urinary and kidney problems including kidney failure, seizures, and hypovolemic shock"

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

Arguing against court challenge to UFC fights at White House, Justice Dept also argues:

"In the final week before a fight, UFC fighters generally cut between 4.5% and 6.6% of their body fat, at times as much as 20 pounds in the week leading up to the weigh-in. With a weigh-in pre-scheduled for June 13, 2026, final weight-cutting is already underway for the 14 UFC Freedom 250 participants."

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

Justice Dept adds this note: "The UFC Freedom 250 build has required between 700 to 900 staff daily working onsite since May 20, 2026"

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

Justice Dept argues the UFC event "will provide free entertainment to members of our Armed Services in attendance"

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

In defense of the UFC event, Justice Dept also notes that Pres. Biden allowed Elton John to perform on the grounds.

And Beyonce too

Here's the court filing:
https://t.co/yLHNKHuNuI

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

In defense of UFC fights at White House, Justice Department argues in court filing that Pres. George W Bush also permitted youth tee-ball on White House grounds

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

Trump Admin (more) on UFC event

"More than 4,000 spectators are expected to attend on the South Lawn, including more than 1,000 members of our armed services, and more than 120,000 visitors are expected to watch from the nearby Ellipse after winning free tickets in a lottery"

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

Trump Admin court filing seeking to salvage the Sunday UFC fights at White House on Trump's birthday

"In preparation, well over $60 million and tens of thousands of hours of labor have been expended"

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

HEADS UP: Court sets 9pm deadline for Tuesday for Justice Dept to respond to lawsuit which threatens to HALT the UFC event at White House

My latest reporting ===>

https://t.co/44P6UeHjaj

[Scott MacFarlane @MacFarlaneNews]

JUST IN: Justice Dept has just filed 40-page court filing in support of this weekend's UFC fights at the White House

Trump Admin calls plaintiffs who've sued to stop event "people who believe they have superior taste and want to spoil the event for everyone else"

And Administration acknowledges the UFC event has cost $60 million so far...

[Fascinating @fasc1nate]

An original Molotov cocktail. Manufactured by the Finnish state alcohol company in 1939.

Molotov Cocktail: The Strange History Of This Iconic Weapon https://t.co/MgnqyqqJOj

[The New Voice of Ukraine @NewVoiceUkraine]

🐦 Researchers at the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve have documented the nesting of the firecrest, Ukraine's smallest bird and a species listed in the country's Red Book of endangered wildlife

[Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD DSc(hon) @PeterHotez]

We need pediatricians in the U.S. Congress, heartfelt congratulations to @AnnieAndrewsMD