When wizards get canceled... why this controversial city "sorcerer" was fired after two decades on the job

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A If for any reason you believe you received this email in error or if you no longer wish to receive these emails, click here to unsubscribe. Well, Good Morning!   Let's take a look at what the day has in store for us.   So, let's dig in, shall we? Here's What You Need To Know... How did we just push closer to another Cold War with Russia? During the Cold War, a Soviet frigate once bumped the U.S. cruiser USS Yorktown in the Black Sea as it was making an "innocent passage" in Russian waters in 1988, damaging the U.S. warship. As we're all no doubt aware, relations between the U.S. and Russia currently fall just barely short of another Cold War era… and history has begun to repeat itself.   On Friday, the Russian navy's Admiral Tributs destroyer closely approached the U.S. destroyer USS Chafee to chase it out of the area near Russian waters that was declared off limits. According to Russia, its destroyer only came close to the U.S. warship after it had ignored repeated warnings to leave the area.   The U.S. is telling a different story, saying, "At all times, USS Chafee conducted operations in accordance with international law and custom." In a statement intended to signal Russian resolve, Russian President Vladimir Putin charged that the incident couldn't have triggered a global conflict even if Russia had sunk the warship because the West knows it can't win such a war. When wizards get canceled... why this controversial city "sorcerer" was fired after two decades on the job A controversial fellow — whose job description includes handling "spells, blessings, curses, and other supernatural matters" for a town called Christchurch — is being fired after 20 years on the payroll. Officially known as the "Wizard of New Zealand," 88-year-old Ian Brackenbury Channell has made some inflammatory comments about women as of late, and believes he is now being canceled. He apparently has said he would "never strike a woman because they bruise too easily," and he even started a "Save the Males" program, though it's unclear exactly what that campaign entails.     Channell arrived in Christchurch in the mid-70s, appearing like a character straight out of a Harry Potter movie. He was known for his long black robe and pointed hat. He brought a ladder to the town square, climbed its steps, and offered unsolicited advice to residents. He was eventually declared a work of art before he was officially employed by the city to render his "wizard-like services" in 1998. He made approximately $11,000 a year, which seems cheap, for a wizard.    But he isn't ready to walk away from his role just yet, and was incredibly defiant as he spoke about his termination.   "They are not thinking of ways to promote Christchurch overseas," he said. "They are just projecting an image of bureaucrats drinking lattes on the boulevard. Their image of Christchurch is nothing to do with the authentic heritage of the city. I am the original image of Christchurch… I will still keep going. They will have to kill me to stop me."   Has it all gone to his head? Congress vs. The Algorithm: "Well-intentioned, but it's a total mess" Scholars, organizations backed by tech companies, and a digital rights group weighed in Thursday to oppose the Justice Against Malicious Algorithms Act, sponsored by House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). "This bill is well-intentioned, but it's a total mess," Fight for the Future director Evan Greer said.   The bill would modify Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects websites from liability over content posted by their users. Section 230 has been extremely controversial over the past year, especially in relation to Facebook and Twitter.    As you can imagine, Section 230 can sometimes give Big Tech social media companies what many feel is far too much power. The bill, backed by Democratic leaders in the committee, is meant to hold platforms accountable for recommending content that leads to real-world harm. For example, misinformation about the 2020 election circulated widely on social media before the Jan. 6 riot.   Under the bill, an online platform would lose protection under Section 230 if it knowingly or recklessly uses a personalized algorithm to recommend content that materially contributes to physical or severe emotional injury. Critics say the bill would have unintended consequences as well — and likely wouldn't even achieve its stated goal. Get INSTANT Access (Free of Charge!) Click to read these free reports and automatically sign up for daily research and other important offers. You can unsubscribe at any time. Double Your Money In As Little as 30 Days?  (Privacy Policy) Free Report: Buy This $2 Alt Coin  (Privacy Policy) Your Guide to the Hottest Asset on the Planet  (Privacy Policy) Here Are Today's Conversation Starters In Focus: Culture, Sports & Entertainment This is what we know about Adele's new album right now  Her newest single, called "Easy on Me," focuses on moving through heartbreak with forgiveness.    Tom Cruise is spotted for the first time since his puffy face went viral  After that initial photo surfaced on the internet, fans went crazy: "What's up with the bloated chipmunk cheeks?"    William Shatner puts Prince Williams in his place over a critique of the billionaire space race  "He's a lovely, gentle, educated man, but he's got the wrong idea," Shatner said. In Focus: Science, Tech & Health NASA's Lucy probe will visit 8 asteroids in 12 years. Here's how it will work  Visiting eight asteroids in 12 years will take artistry, and an assist from Excel.   Orionid meteor shower 2021: When, where & how to see it This year skywatchers in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres can expect to see rates of up to 20 meteors per hour, but only under the best conditions away from city lights.    Apple released four different versions of the iPhone 13. So what are the pros and cons of each?  Although the iPhone 13 lineup mirrors the iPhone 12, Apple's 2021 iPhones offer a slightly new design, updated cameras and feature upgrades for a similar price as 2020's iPhone 12 models. Here's everything to know. In Focus: Business, Markets & The Economy Why did the Dow jump 380 points yesterday to post a winning week after earnings season had a strong start?  The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 1.1%, while the S&P 500 jumped 0.8%, and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.5%.    The CEO of Square wants to build a mining system for the world's largest digital currency  "If we do this, we'd follow our hardware wallet model: build in the open in collaboration with the community," he said.    Why did retail sales for September increase, even as the chaotic supply chain crisis raged on that month?  Despite all the shortages, sales still managed to increase 0.7% last month.  Recommended Link:   Free guide: How to protect your retirement against this hidden tax   Is hope your investment strategy? These days, hoping the stock market will rebound is not enough. You need to diversify a portion of your IRA/401K into physical gold, but don't wait until the price of gold soars. You still have time to learn how to protect and grow your IRA/401k with gold! Claim your FREE investment guide today! In Focus: Politics & World Affairs The latest update on whether the Texas abortion bill will hold against the DOJ  The decision Thursday could push the law closer to returning to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has already once allowed the restrictions to take effect without ruling on its constitutionality.   Afghanistan grows more dangerous as another suicide attack terrorizes the country  The suicide attack comes one week after another mosque in Afghanistan, filled with Shiite worshippers, was targeted in a suicide bombing. The group ISIS-K claimed responsibility for that attack.   Biden ended "Remain in Mexico." Now he's going back on that decision  Biden had ended "Remain in Mexico," calling it inhumane because of the violence migrant asylum-seekers faced while waiting in Mexico for court dates. The Parkland shooter plans to plead guilty to 17 counts of murder. Is it part of a plea deal?    Police officer attacked by woman carrying a baseball bat near US Capitol    What bombshells about Harvey Weinstein will be dropped in this new book?    Teen who played role in Tessa Majors murder sentenced to nine years to life in prison    These Hooters girls say their new shorts are too short after a change to the uniforms   Who on Earth is the woman in the ridiculous hat? It's Mimi Gardner Gates, who is the stepmom of Bill Gates    This disturbing Halloween display at the site of triple murder was finally removed after it drew a lot of criticism     What is this mystery beast with no eyes, ears, or mouth, living in the Red Sea? It's Time For Your Clickbait Break! How these dolphins helped rescue a swimmer who'd been stranded for 12 hours One For The History Books On this day in 1813, Battle of Leipzig took place where Napoleon's forces were defeated by Prussia, Austria, and Russia. In 1847, Jane Eyre was published. John Brown led the raid on the arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859. In 1934, Mao Zedong and 25,000 troops began their 6,000 mile Long March from the south of China to the north and west. And in 1946, ten Nazi war criminals were hanged after the Nuremberg Trials. "Nurture your mind with great thoughts. To believe in the heroic makes heroes." — Benjamin Disraeli     The Seven At 7 14422 Shoreside Way Suite 110-238 Winter Garden, FL 34787   © 2021 The Seven at 7. All Rights Reserved.   If for any reason you believe you received this email in error, you can safely ignore it, or click here to unsubscribe.