The Department of Defense (DOD) has instructed its civilian employees to disregard Elon Musk, the billionaire head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who has demanded that all federal civilian employees reply to an email from him and provide an explanation of their accomplishments. This move could potentially lead to a major battle within the federal apparatus. Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Darin S. Selnick sent the memo to civilian employees as the DOD, instructing them to reply to Musk’s demand via the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) by stating that their department, not Musk and…
Author: World Wide
Priority seating on public transit frequently turns into a battlefield, but a recent viral story raised awareness of the silent hardships that persons with invisible or misunderstood disabilities confront. A young woman with a prosthetic leg was asked to vacate her seat by an elderly woman who said she wasn’t “disabled enough” to merit it. Later, the young woman revealed, “I now wear a prosthetic after losing my left leg in an accident. I can sprint and even stroll, but it’s really hard to stand on a moving train. The woman instructed me to move from my priority seat. She…
For many years, tattoos have been a potent way for people to express themselves, and they frequently have profound cultural, spiritual, or personal meanings. Some see them as a kind of art, while others see them as a means of paying tribute to a loved one or a memory. However, certain societies continue to stigmatize tattoos—and body modifications in general—despite their increasing popularity. Although Toxii Daniëlle has a lot of tattoos, they are just one aspect of her makeover. Extreme body modifications have been made to her, such as the removal of her nose, which she now keeps preserved in…
Eleanor dedicated herself fully to the church, which served as her second home, for almost fifty years. She was quiet, modest, and unassuming, and she devoted her life to helping others without ever hoping for praise or compensation. However, Eleanor was left behind when life’s challenges arose and she required the assistance of the very organization she had contributed to creating. Her spoken grief and dignified fortitude reverberated more strongly than any sermon could in the quiet of her last years. Eleanor’s story took on new significance in the last chapter of her life, as a bright afternoon sun warmed…
Have you ever taken a tomato out of your grocery bag or garden and found a hole in it? Even though throwing it out might be your first response, knowing what causes these holes can help you avoid the issue and save your harvest. Pests are usually the source of tomato holes. The fruit is frequently chewed or dug into by insects such as beetles, stink bugs, and hornworms. Squirrels and birds are also frequent offenders; squirrels typically bite larger, especially when the tomatoes are maturing, while birds typically peck at little holes. Sometimes the problem isn’t even external. Your…
When a cappella arrangement is done well, it can reveal hidden depths in a well-known song. BYU Vocal Point’s rendition of Josh Groban’s 2003 hit song “You Raise Me Up” does just that. The quartet highlights the song’s moving lyrics and their incredible vocal perfection by removing the instrumental accompaniment. In 1991, BYU Vocal Point was established by students Dave Boyce and Bob Ahlander as a nine-member group devoted to investigating the potential of vocal harmony. They quickly gained notoriety on campus after their sold-out debut performance, and they have now solidified their status with a fifth-place result on NBC’s…
Although the number of twin births has increased over the past few decades—roughly 33 out of every 1,000 births now result in twins—identical pairings are still uncommon, occurring only three to four times per thousand. The news that Savannah Combs, a 23-year-old from Middleburg, Florida, was expecting identical twin girls was already remarkable. Then, even more shockingly, she was told that both of her children had Down syndrome. When prenatal tests revealed the genetic abnormality, Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, were taken aback. Considering the medical complications that frequently accompany Down syndrome, doctors gently advised her to think about…
With its enormous scale and futuristic design, China’s Regent International, also known as the “Dystopian Apartment,” has gone viral on TikTok. This sinuous S-shaped tower, which was designed by Alicia Loo of Marina Bay Sands fame, rises 675 feet above Hangzhou’s major business center and can house up to 30,000 people. Currently, it houses about 20,000 people. The tallest side of Regent International spans 39 stories and houses an incredible array of amenities, including restaurants, supermarkets, swimming pools, salons, and even internet cafés. With rent starting at about $200 per month and going up to $600 for larger units, it…
I thought our relationship was great until I discovered a secret note from my boyfriend’s former partner. At first, I thought it was all a spiteful gesture, but as I read every word she said, my pulse raced with a terrible certainty: the warnings were genuine, and I had to get out of this nightmare before it was too late. It all started one day when I was cleaning, cleaning cabinets and sanitizing shelves, when I found a crumpled note hidden behind a stack of neglected things. The note, which was attached to a picture of a woman I had…
