Sometimes, life can unexpectedly snatch you away from safety and thrust you into imminent danger. Other times, life can just as quickly turn a dire circumstance into a heartwarming miracle. Such was the case for a baby hawk who went from being dinner to being adopted by a family of bald eagles near the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, Canada. The amazing moment was captured by a 24-hour livestream webcam run by GROWLS, a nonprofit organization that helps rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife. The video shows the seemingly doomed baby hawk being tossed into an eaglet’s nest. Pam McCartney, a GROWLS volunteer who had been watching the livestream at the time, braced herself. "Usually when I watch, like, David Attenborough and his shows, I can close my eyes or fast forward or whatever, but this was live at the time, and I was just like, oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh," she told CBC. Much to her surprise, nature seemed to have something else in mind. The baby hawk had inexplicably survived the eagle’s talons, which in itself was an extraordinary feat according to ornithologist and Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Biology at Montreal's McGill University, David Bird, who shared the story on a segment of the radio show “As It Happens.” Yes, a guy who studies birds has the last name Bird. It’s too perfect. In an even rarer phenomenon, the hawkling was spared by both the mother and baby eagle once they realized it was alive and moving around. McCartney shared that by that evening both chicks were being cared for. Her guess is that it might have something to do with the eagle family having recently lost one of the two eaglets."In my mind of growing up on Disney, I'm seeing this eaglet think like, ‘was this another little sibling?'" she told CBC.As mind boggling as it is, this is not the first hawk adoption story to hit the area. In 2017, a young red-tailed hawk, nicknamed Spunky, made headlines after being raised by a pair of bald eagles. Bird told CBC that, while Spunky did require support from an extended family of scientists (primarily because hawks and eagles feed on different prey), it was still ultimately a success. Spunky is “alive and well,' which is a good omen for this new baby hawk.So far, the birds are one big, happy family, McCartney reports, with plenty of “raptor kisses” for everyone. Families really do come in many different shapes and sizes, all across the food chain. This article originally appeared on 6.23.22

The thought of having children can be overwhelming for a lot of people. People who have kids often warn those without them that their kid is going to take over their entire life. They complain that children are extremely expensive and that you’ll never get a good night’s sleep until the child has turned 4.Now, I have a 5-year-old and the only thing that’s really true is that children cost a lot of money. A big chunk of the cash you spend on a kid is for food. Mine never stops eating. He eats as much as I do and I’m a 45-year-old man.I hear him say, “Dad, I’m hungry. Can I have some food?” at least six times a day. I also don’t think that children take over your entire life unless you let them. It’s a sliding scale. When they’re a newborn, they own 90% of your life and you only have the remaining 10%. But, by the time they’re 5, you get about half your life back. While that still seems pretty sad, it’s not a huge problem. Having kids teaches you to be a lot better at time management and to take advantage of free time when it’s available.When it comes to sleep, smart parents sleep train their kids at a young age so that everyone in the family can get a good night’s rest. It’s not easy, but it pays huge dividends.Rose Stokes, an award-winning freelance columnist in London, recently learned that she is pregnant and was very anxious about having a kid because of all the things she’s heard from people with kids. So she took to Twitter to ask parents to tell her what they “love about having children” to give her a more positive perspective. Without wanting to undermine the struggles of parenthood, which I know are huge, I'm getting a bit anxious with lots of people telling me how hard and difficult being a mother will be. As an antidote: parents of Twitter, what big or small things do you love about having children? — Rose Stokes (@Rose Stokes) 1641548612 Stokes received a ton of incredibly positive responses from people who truly love having children. They eased her mind by telling her that she would experience the greatest love of her life after having children. They told her that being a parent is one of the funniest experiences she’ll ever have.The parents of Twitter also made an important point: Children make you a better person. I always think about parenting as a stress test on your personality. If you want to know what’s wrong with you, have a kid. You’ll quickly figure out all of your weaknesses. The good thing is that once we know our weaknesses we can fix them.Here are some of the best responses to Stoke's question: “Parents of Twitter, what big or small things do you love about having children?”It's hard to describe what it's like to have a child. I think the reason it seems like parenthood is all bad is it’s easy to describe the bad parts and impossible to describe the good parts because they are so good they are other-worldly.— Lucy Huber (@clhubes) January 7, 2022 Mother love. The moment you hold your baby and this new emotion sweeps over you, you are changed forever. You won't believe it until it happens. Your kids make you feel pure joy, happiness, rage and sadness. And they will make you laugh.— Justabaker #hearmeroar (@Justabaker17) January 7, 2022 There are a lot of joyous moments.So many things. Waking up with their arms wrapped around me, constant cuddles. Saying “I love you” every time we leave a room. Hearing their worries and mad, made-up stories about imaginary fox families; silly kitchen discos every weekend, eating dinner together with “fake wine”— Victoria Richards (@nakedvix) January 7, 2022 To me… being a mother is a lot more like being crazy, head-over-heels in love than anything else. It’s visceral, too - I crave their skin, physical touch; can’t get enough of their hair and breath and laughter. When you love someone so much you could peel them and eat them? That— Victoria Richards (@nakedvix) January 7, 2022 Children change your perspective.My daughter is two, and her favourite film is my favourite film - Singin’ In The Rain. Watching her watch it has given me a whole new appreciation for it, and she’s shown me new jokes I hadn’t noticed which are obvious to her— Greg Jenner (@greg_jenner) January 7, 2022 It's hard but worthwhile.It maybe the hardest job in the world but it’s also the best and most meaningful. What I can promise you is that it gets better and better. Mine are now 9,10 and 14 and I wish I could stop the clock right here. Not pure joy. But many moments of it.— Isabel Oakeshott (@IsabelOakeshott) January 7, 2022 My ride to here hasn’t been at all easy. But we’ve found our groove now & have done for quite a while. Chaz will be six in April & has become very funny. He’s also very sensitive & I love that he’s a sponge for knowledge which in my case is biased towards flowers!You’ll rock it x pic.twitter.com/Snt3Wj2liy— Sophie Rumble #JohnsonOut (@sophiearumble) January 7, 2022 It's not as hard as people say. I found that none of this was the case. The 19 months I\u2019ve had with my son have not been easy of course but they have contained so much joy and adventure and laughter. Seeing the world anew with him, having cuddles and watching him learn are such beautiful things. — Isabel Hardman (@Isabel Hardman) 1641552763 They make you a better person. People don't tell you that you will find your kids hilarious. That they will add structure and balance to your life. They will improve your time management and make you a more empathetic and forgiving human.— Laura Durcan (@Rheum2improve) January 7, 2022 Watching them see the world in an entirely new way. It makes you see it in new ways, too. Everything is new again, every day.— Heather Cox Richardson (TDPR) (@HC_Richardson) January 8, 2022 They're fun and funny.Children are funny, even babies, and if you don't take everything so seriously, you can have so much fun watching them grow.— Polly Karr (@karr_pe) January 7, 2022 For every stomach churning, eye-bag making, heart-aching hardship of the first few years, there’s moments of pure wide-eyed magic from the most basic and hackneyed places, and you get to feel it too. They’re also comedy gold without any intention or effort. pic.twitter.com/JmaQOleVm9— Chris Duffy (@vonduffer) January 7, 2022 They are so funny - Finn makes me laugh every single day. Also watching how they grow and develop is fascinating. The way they think and the connections they make - plus how they absorb everything around them. Yes parenthood is tough, but it is brilliant. Xx— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonPC) January 7, 2022 The great thing about asking a wide swath of humanity about a common experience is that you get so many great perspectives on the matter. Some parents shared the emotional experiences that come with having children. While others focused on how kids can fundamentally change your life. After reading through most of the responses, I think that Stokes probably got a clear idea about what having a child is like.Well done, Twitter.This article originally appeared on 2.4.22

Sometimes, we have to just laugh at our failures. “Here’s a little story to allow all the moms of littles out there to maybe feel a little better about yourself,” Emily Vondy told her 1.3 million TikTok followers.In a TikTok video that has now garnered more than 500,000 views, Vondy shared perhaps one of the most hilarious “mom fail” stories of all time: forgetting her son’s actual birthdate.After a recent trip to the pediatrician, Vondy was ready to give her insurance company the ol’ what for, after being told her son’s birthday was February 25.“Per my words: ‘my son’s birthday is the 26th. I’m his mother. I know his birthday,’” Vondy affirmed. Emphatically so. @thevondyfam How’s your day going? #momfail #mombrain #parenting101 #sahm ♬ original sound - Emily Vondy A quick scroll through Facebook to find the original birth date announcement proved the correct birthdate was, in fact, the 25th. Whoops. “For two years I’ve been celebrating his birthday on the 26th!” exclaimed Vondy. To make matters worse, Vondy revealed this was her middle child. My, my, how stereotypes manifest themselves.She then shouted “I love my kids! They may not have their birthday celebration on the correct day but they celebrate it the next!” She then hilariously tried to sign off with a quick “Merry Christmas,” only to realize “Christmas is over!” We get it, Vondy. What is time, anyway?Parents and children alike delivered comments nearly as entertaining as the video itself:If you enjoy Vondy’s ultra silly charm (that definitely gives off Amy Poehler vibes, no?), you’re in luck. Her channel is full of truly delightful videos that capture parenting life in a real, yet comical way. I mean, just look at her music video promoting the meal delivery service Home Chef, complete with a “no prep two step.” @thevondyfam #ad They had me at “oven ready” ? use code VONDY90 for $90 off. Link in Bio #hookedonhomechef ♬ original sound - Emily Vondy Or her Target rap that no one asked for but everyone needs. @thevondyfam My official application to be sponsored by target ? #momcontent #target #targetfinds #momcomedy ♬ original sound - Emily Vondy Or eating a large pizza less than half an hour after giving birth. @thevondyfam #answer to @Leo | IG: leocaballes THE BEST pizza I’ve ever eaten. #laboranddelivery #birthstory #birthcenterbirth ♬ original sound - Emily Vondy Yes, mama. Treat yo’ self.Now, if you'll excuse me, I’m off to go check my birth certificate to see if I’ve been living a lie. This article originally appeared on 1.25.22

The fan-favorite all-female dance troupe from Lebanon took home the ultimate prize on a September 2022 episode of “America’s Got Talent,” beating out some incredibly heavy competition this season. With the win came a $1 million cash prize as well as the opportunity to headline a show at Las Vegas' Luxor Hotel and Casino.From first-round auditions to the riveting live finale, the Mayyas have consistently lived up to their name, which translates to “proud walk of the lioness,” with remarkable skill and fearlessness in each and every performance. You can take a look at their entire “AGT” journey below, ending with that unforgettable finale. Prepare to be blown away. The dance crew promised to “hypnotize” during its first-round audition, and did so with flying colors. Having previously won “Arab’s Got Talent” back in 2019, the Mayyas were well prepared to wow the crowd. Their spellbinding performance granted the Mayyas a golden buzzer from judge Sofia Vergara, who called it the “most beautiful creative dancing” she had ever seen. They once again left audiences with their jaws on the floor after their semifinal routine, which was even more bold and dramatic. Howie Mandel called it the “best moment in AGT history,” adding that the Mayyas should be “the poster people for female empowerment."Simon Cowell also predicted that their performance would “change the world.”Then came the live finale, where the proud lionesses left it all on the stage. The stunning performance had glowing orbs of light, glittery galaxies and a huge white gown made out of large feather fans. In a word, it had everything. Yeah, it was hauntingly beautiful.Viewers have been rooting for the Mayyas from the beginning—not only for their ability to create mesmerizing illusions using clever choreography and brilliant prop manipulation, but for their mission to “prove to the world what Arab women can do, the art we can create, the fights we fight.”As explained by Nadim Cherfan, the team’s choreographer, “Lebanon is not considered a place where you can build a career out of dancing, so it’s really hard, and harder for women.”This combined with the country’s worsening economic crisis and apparent political corruption made each advancement to the next round mean so much more than getting closer to a coveted title. As Cherfan told People, “It’s about a huge bigger message for our people to make them believe in themselves and to give hope to our country who is going into a dark time."The Mayyas shared their well-deserved victory with their home country, posting a video to Instagram of the win along with the caption saying “Lebanon, this one’s for you.” See on Instagram It’s lovely to see incredible talent. It’s even better to hear the incredible stories behind the talent. The Mayyas were dedicated to showing the world what Arab women can do, and they succeeded.This article originally appeared on 9.16.22

Do you often wake up at 3 or 4 a.m. with an intense feeling of anxiety? Do you get stressed that you’re awake and begin making a mental laundry list of everything you need to do the next day? Do you start thinking about fights you once had with your spouse or ponder how you have let yourself down in the past?If so, you’re not alone. It’s common for people to wake up at 3 or 4 a.m. regularly and there’s a reason why we choose this time to catastrophize and worry. The good news is that there are some steps we can take to get through that awkward phase of the night so we can wake up refreshed.Why do I wake up at 3 or 4 a.m. every night?Many of us reliably wake up in the middle of the night because after we’ve had a good chunk of sleep, our bodies start to slowly prepare us for the day by reducing melatonin, the hormone that puts us to sleep and increasing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.That biological phase of sleep is why we start to feel stressed. A woman wakes up in the middle of the nightvia Oscar Calstrom/PexelsAfter the big hormone release at 3 or 4 in the morning, if you are dealing with stress in your life, you are more likely to wake up. If your life is calmer and you don’t already have a stress baseline, you will probably wake up, fall asleep quickly and forget that it happened.Why do I wake up feeling stressed in the middle of the night?If you’re already experiencing stress in your life, that extra cortisol kick is going to cause you to wake up with a feeling of anxiety. The problem is that when we’re lying in bed in the middle of the night, we are in a vulnerable position. “Around this time in the sleep cycle, we’re at our lowest ebb physically and cognitively. From nature’s viewpoint, this is meant to be a time of physical and emotional recovery, so it’s understandable that our internal resources are low,” Greg Murray, a psychology researcher with expertise in mood, sleep, and the circadian system, writes in The Conversation.“But we also lack other resources in the middle of the night – social connections, cultural assets, all the coping skills of an adult are unavailable at this time,” Murray continues. “With none of our human skills and capital, we are left alone in the dark with our thoughts. So the mind is partly right when it concludes the problems it’s generated are unsolvable – at 3 a.m., most problems literally would be.”At this moment, when we’re stressed and feeling vulnerable, stuck in bed with no way out, we can begin to spiral. This is when we ruminate on why we forgot to feed the dog that one day in 1994 or contemplate why things went bad with your first significant other at 21. It’s when we start recalling a disagreement with a friend and plotting out what we’ll say the next time the issue arises.At this point, if we don’t stop spiraling, we’ll be up until 5 a.m. and will feel like garbage when it’s time to go to work.The good news is that there are ways to get back to sleep and stop the downward anxiety spiral.Make a listDr. Jade Wu says that if you wake up and feel stressed about things you need to take care of, walk out of your room (so you don’t associate it with stressors) and make a list to read in the morning. This will free you of your worries, because you know you can care for them when you are awake.Pay attention to your breathMurray says you should redirect your attention from your thoughts to your breath, which is a form of meditation. “I bring my attention to my senses, specifically the sound of my breath. When I notice thoughts arising, I gently bring my attention back to the sound of breathing,” Murray writes in The Conversation. This works in 2 ways: first, it takes your attention away from your spiraling thoughts and second, the breathing exercise helps you relax.Have a bite to eatSometimes, we wake up in the middle of the night because we’re hungry and our blood sugar is dropping. “The first question I ask [my patients] is, ‘When was the last time you ate?’” Michael Breus, Ph.D. psychologist specializing in sleep disorders, told Sleep.com. “Often, they’ve finished their last meal at 7 p.m.; now it’s 3 in the morning — that’s eight hours later — so guess what? They’re out of fuel.” If you’ve woken up because of a drop in blood sugar, experts recommend eating a small snack that includes protein and fat, like peanut butter.

The slow final bow. The post The final appearance The White Stripes ever made on stage first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

9/9 White Stripes Sue Donald Trump The White Stripes file a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump asking for “significant monetary damages” over the use of their ’03 song, “Seven Nation Army,” for campaigning purposes without permission.  9/11 Linkin Park Kicks Off Mini-Tour Linkin Park officially kicks off its comeback mini-tour at Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. The two-hour set showcases new members, singer Emily Armstrong (pictured) and drummer Colin Brittain. “It is not about erasing the past,” Linkin Park’s co-vocalist/rhythm guitarist Mike Shinoda tells the audience. “It is about starting this new chapter into the future and coming out here for each and every one of you.” 9/13 Flotsam And Jetsam’s “I Am The Weapon” Drops Their 15th studio effort “goes one step further in terms of musical skill and composition,” stated the band in a statement. It includes the title track and follow-up songs, “Primal” and “Burned My Bridges.” 9/13 Snow Patrol Issue Eighth Album “The Forest Is The Path” contains the lead single “The Beginning.” The song “was written on the very first day,” the band wrote on Instagram. “That’s why it’s called the beginning in fact. Even though there are probably better words and phrases (that actually appear in the song) to be used as titles, ‘The Beginning’ stuck.” 9/13 Stryper’s New Album “When We Were Kings” Arrives “This album has some different twists and turns to it,” explained Stryper frontman Michael Sweet, talking about the band’s 16h studio effort. 9/14 Seether’s “Judas Mind” Tops Mainstream Rock Chart “Judas Mind” is the lead single from the band’s upcoming ninth studio effort, “The Surface Seems So Far.” ### The post The Week In Rock: September 8th – September 14th appeared first on RockinTown.

by Norbert Haering, Global Research: In two weeks, our government wants to agree to a global pact for digital coercion. On September 22 and 23, a UN Future Summit prepared by the German and Namibian governments will take place in New York. A global digital pact is to be adopted, which has already been negotiated […]