Vast stretches of coastal New England face hurricane and tropical storm watches ahead of Hurricane Lee's arrival
Hurricane Lee continues to creep toward New England, where hurricane and tropical storm watches have been issued for much of its coastal residents in anticipation of the colossal storm's possible impact on Friday and through the weekend.
2023-09-14 12:53
Libyan rivals 'co-ordinating over flood disaster'
More than 5,300 people died after dam bursts brought devastating floods to the eastern city of Derna.
2023-09-14 12:26
Descendants of enslaved Africans on Georgia island fear losing their culture and some property after a change in zoning laws
Descendants of enslaved Africans on Georgia's Sapelo Island -- one of the last intact Gullah Geechee communities in the state -- are worried their cultural heritage and property could soon be lost after city officials voted to change the island's zoning laws.
2023-09-14 07:58
Princess Martha Louise: Norway's princess sets date to wed shaman
The self-proclaimed shaman and the princess are known for their controversial alternative beliefs.
2023-09-14 04:19
Woman says she accidentally swallowed her AirPod after mistaking it for a vitamin
A woman has revealed that she accidentally swallowed her AirPod while distractedly talking to a friend because she mistook it for a vitamin. Tanna Barker, a 52-year-old realtor from Utah, went viral on TikTok when she shared the “embarassing” story of how she ate one of her AirPods. Now, many viewers have sent her advice as she waits for the wireless headphone to naturally pass. “Okay, I’m gonna be very vulnerable right now,” she began the video, which has been viewed more than 2.7m times since it was posted on Saturday 9 September. “I had a situation happen this morning that I’m still dealing with.” Barker explained that she was on her morning walk when she ran into her friend, Kathleen, who she hasn’t seen in quite some time. “She was filling me in on her life and it’s been very, very busy and full and a lot went on, actually,” she said. However, Barker couldn’t hold back her laughter as she recounted: “Halfway through my walk, I decided to take my vitamins. So I put my vitamins in, took a drink and I was like: ‘Man, those are stuck.’” She then “guzzled” her water to wash the vitamin down, said goodbye to her friend, and kept going on her walk. But when she went to reach for one of her AirPods, she realised it was nowhere it be found. “My pills were in my hand. I swallowed my AirPod,” Barker said, laughing. Much like anyone would do in Barker’s situation, she quickly called friends and professionals in the medical field who “all suggested the same thing” - to let the AirPod pass naturally. “I don’t know if anyone has ever done that, it’s embarrassing, but I did it and we’ll see what happens. I’m gonna follow the advice of professionals,” she added. Despite swallowing her one AirPod, Barker pointed out that there’s still a “bonus” to the unfortunate situation: “I still have my right AirPod.” @tannasellsutah 🤯OH MY GOOOOOOOSH!!!! You have to watch this! So embarrassing!!! #istillcantbelieveit #whatinthelivingheck #thistooshallpass #whatthe #iamshook #getoutofmybelly ♬ original sound - IamNanaTanna She captioned her TikTok video with the hashtags: #istillcantbelieveit, #whatinthelivingheck, #thistooshallpass, #whatthe, #iamshook, and #getoutofmybelly. Barker’s viral video has since received thousands of comments from TikTok users, a majority of them mostly curious whether the AirPod was still working inside Barker’s body and if she can hear music from her stomach. “The first thing I’d do is play music and see if I can hear it from my stomach,” one person commented. “Play music really loud so you can track its progress,” another user joked. “I’d literally have a panic attack knowing an AirPod is in me,” said someone else. “Not knowing what will happen, possibly blowing up.” @tannasellsutah Part 2…take 2…#2 ♬ original sound - IamNanaTanna In a follow-up video, Barker revealed that it was actually her husband’s AirPod that she swallowed, but he’s maintained a positive outlook on the situation. She recently told her husband that she was going grocery shopping and he asked how long she’ll be out, before telling Barker: “Oh, never mind. I could track you.” Many Apple users are aware that wireless AirPods are able to be tracked on the iPhone’s Find My Devices feature. When one TikToker asked Barker if she’s tried locating the AirPod with the tracking device to see if it still worked, she revealed that the app signaled her AirPods were in her stomach. “We did ‘Find My’ AirPod yesterday and it worked! Today, I think the battery is dead,” Barker replied. Speaking to Insider, Barker explained that she was told by medical professionals to let it pass naturally, and that it shouldn’t cause any harm because the battery is encased in the AirPod. @tannasellsutah PTAS - Post Traumatic AirPod Stress #ptas #thistooshallpass #shareyourshine #findhumorinlife #iammworthy #airpodsareforears #whatinthelivingheck #getoutofmybelly ♬ original sound - IamNanaTanna “One of them asked if I had swallowed both [AirPods] and I said no. And he said: ‘Well, that’s good because it has the magnet in it and that could have caused an issue,’” she told the outlet. Another doctor suggested that she go to the emergency room if she runs a fever, or her “stomach gets hard” and she’s nauseous. “I just have to find humour in my life,” Barker told Insider. “And so that’s kind of a default, thank goodness.” The saga finally came to a close when Barker updated her followers on her recent bowel movements. “When I first posted my post, one of the hashtags was #ThisTooShallPass… and it has,” she said in a video posted on Monday. @tannasellsutah 😳Take✌🏼with Tanna‼️🤔 Wait for it… #thistooshallpass #take2withtanna #iammworthy #shareyourshine #findhumorinlife #airpodsareforears #whatinthelivingheck #ipood #yoursoulisbeautiful #selffull #youarebright ♬ original sound - IamNanaTanna Barker also patted herself on the back for maintaining a positive attitude about the AirPod debacle, and thanked her newfound fans for joining her on the ride. “Oh my goodness, it has been such an amazing experience and such a wild ride, and I am so grateful that I have been able to protect my mindset,” she continued. “When things like this happen in my life - and this has been the most extreme for sure - but I have had experiences in my life where I’ve been able to have my mindset protected, and that I’ve been able to look at it with positivity and lightness. So I hope that I can continue to do that for you guys.” The Independent has contacted Barker for comment. Read More Plane passenger calls out father for leaving his wife with children while he has ‘kid-free flight’ Single woman’s day in a life video met with vitriol after going viral Woman’s ‘terrifying’ NYC apartment tour shocks the internet Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat
2023-09-14 02:49
Contaminated sardines leave Irish man in hospital
A 32-year-old woman dies and another 12 in hospital after eating sardines in a Bordeaux restaurant.
2023-09-14 01:23
RTÉ not facing bankruptcy, director general says
All discretionary spending will be stopped in plans to restore confidence in the Irish broadcaster.
2023-09-14 00:23
Husband of Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola dies in plane crash
Eugene "Buzzy" Peltola Jr., the husband of Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, has died in a plane crash in Alaska, according to a statement from the congresswoman's office.
2023-09-14 00:16
Republican lawmaker Lauren Boebert kicked out of Beetlejuice show for disturbance
The Republican lawmaker was asked to leave a Colorado theatre for alleged disruptive behaviour.
2023-09-13 23:57
No confidence vote 'a bitter blow' - garda chief
Irish police boss Drew Harris has faced internal opposition over a number of staff issues.
2023-09-13 23:56
‘It can be hard when your kids leave the nest,’ mother says as study finds parents want their children back
Two-thirds of parents whose children have left home would gladly have them back again. A study with 2,000 mums and dads whose children have left said they would like their children to live no further than 14 miles away from them on average. But 90 per cent were keen to support their child’s dream and let them have their own adventure. As a result, 53 per cent travelled with them for their moving-in day, and 15 per cent stayed in a hotel to ensure they were settled. For 14 per cent of those, this stay ended up being as long as a week to ensure their child was okay. The research was commissioned by Premier Inn, which has created a downloadable ‘Empty Resters’ guide in partnership with content creator and parent, Tracey Lea Sayer, aged 51, to help parents through this change. She said: “It can be hard when your kids leave the nest. “Driving them up to university for the first time, for example, is the last big thing parents get to do for them before they become an adult. ”Our tips cover lots of the issues parents will face when helping kids leave the nest. “From packing advice to making sure kids have essential life skills like how to use a washing machine or plan a food shop, it’s all here. “Helping to focus on practical matters can be really beneficial for parents who might feel overwhelmed with emotion – and it can also really help them feel useful to their kids.” The study also revealed 36 per cent proceeded to redecorate their child’s bedroom after they’d shipped out. But 28 per cent of these simply spruced up the room, making it more comfortable, for when they come back for the holidays. It also emerged kids are slightly more likely to move out and stay local than move a good distance away (57 per cent compared to 41 per cent). And 29 per cent of parents find their children come home weekly. Most kids moved away for university (32 per cent), but 29 per cent moved in with a partner and 10 per cent got their own place with friends. But while 65 per cent would be happy to have their kids move back in with them if needed, 45 per cent said their relationship with their child has improved since they left. However, kids shouldn’t expect a free ride – as 55 per cent of the parents polled, via OnePoll, would be expecting some cash in rent every month. And their child moving out has led to 28 per cent travelling more, 26 per cent having more disposable income and 23 per cent eating out more. ‘A new chapter in her life’ Tracey said her eldest daughter Franke left to go to University last year and said one thing that brought them closer was “preparing her for her university life,” which helped them “bond over the little things that signified a new chapter in her life.” Tracey added: “From the obligatory shopping trip for essential bits and bobs, to teaching her how to make the perfect scrambled eggs and navigate laundry instructions. “Buying essentials in advance made us both feel more prepared, it meant Frankie and I could spend some quality time together too. “Equipped with a checklist of essentials well in advance, the daunting moving-in date had arrived. “Having already familiarised myself with the layout of the city, the location of her accommodation and the proximity of nearby hotels for visits during term time, I found a certain sense of comfort when we arrived in her university city, which is a fair distance from home. “Learning these in advance put my mind to ease and made the moving process a lot smoother.” Here are some top tips from Tracey for parents who are finding it hard after their children moved away: 1. Spend quality time with your other kids: When Frankie left for university, I got to spend real quality time with my younger son. He is quieter and doesn’t need as much attention but now he has me all to himself. 2. Create a New Routine: Establish a new daily routine that fits with your new schedule. Don’t think you will have loads more free time though. The admin that comes with having a child at Uni is relentless. Your ‘To do’ list won’t get any shorter. Student housing, finance and travel all need organising. 3. Focus on Self-Care: Prioritise you for once. Your physical and emotional well-being is important. Try to exercise, eat well and de-stress. 4. Connect with Other Parents: Sharing your experiences can be hugely comforting. I chat to the ladies at my exercise class who are all going through the same thing. We share notes, get it all off our chests and have a right good laugh about all the things the kids are getting up to. 5. Embrace the three Stages: Grief, relief and joy. Of course, you are going to be sad and grieve when your child leaves home, but you will get used to it and weirdly quite quickly. There is a sense of relief once they have settled in and made new friends. It took about three months for it to not feel strange just coming home to the boys Read More Schoolgirls struggle to access basic period protection, research suggests Cost of living means parents have less time to play with children, according to poll When is Freshers’ Week 2023 and how can I make the most of it? Meghan Markle gives children a shoutout as she joins Prince Harry at Invictus Games How many children does Elon Musk have? Single woman’s day in a life video is met with vitriol after going viral
2023-09-13 22:54
'Earthquake lights' video seen moments before Morocco tragedy fuel age-old theory
With the tragedy and horror wreaked in Morocco last week, it's unsurprising that people’s focus hasn’t been on the skies. And yet, Friday’s devastating earthquake, has also sparked renewed interest in a mysterious aerial phenomenon. Footage shared to social media just moments before the 6.8-magnitude tremor struck the High Atlas mountains appears to show blinding lights flashing across the sky. Experts have suggested that the jaw-dropping sight is evidence of an enigmatic natural occurrence called “earthquake lights”. Reports of these bright flashes go back centuries. And yet, very little is known about them, to the point that scientists aren’t even sure they’re real. Indeed, some experts have concluded that there isn’t sufficient proof to support their existence, the United States Geological Survey notes. Nevertheless, “people have wondered about them forever," Karen Daniels, a physicist at North Carolina State University, told the New York Times. "It's one of those persistent mysteries that hang around and never quite get nailed." The issue with studying earthquake lights is that since earthquakes are impossible to predict, so are any preceding celestial pyrotechnics. Not knowing when or where they will occur means researchers can’t preemptively install the necessary equipment needed to detect them. Essentially, the only evidence we have comes from eyewitness accounts and, more recently, video recordings. And there is an abundance of the former, with a 2014 study noting that aerial luminous phenomena were reported in relation to 65 earthquakes which occurred in Europe and America over a period of 200 years. These descriptions of earthquake lights vary in their details, with some recalling on-and-of lightning-style flashes, and others minutes-long glows of different colours. “All of these have been reported by observers,” John Ebel, a seismologist at Boston Collegel told the NYT. “Which ones are actually true, and which ones are products of their imagination, we can’t really say.” One theory behind the formation of earthquake lights is that they are the result of friction between tectonic plates generating electricity. However, most experts are unconvinced by this hypothesis, including Dr Daniels. She told the NYT: “Rock on rock is not a situation where people have been able to generate large charge separation. And so it just doesn’t seem like a very good explanation for what people see.” Other scientists have suggested electrical arcing from power lines shaken by earthquakes could be responsible for the sky flares. But Dr Daniels acknowledged it’s still possible that there’s no link at all between the lights and tectonic events. “We’re comforted by things that we can understand, and we’re scared by things we don’t,” she pointed out. “I think that’s part of the reason we’re so fascinated by this phenomenon.” Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-09-13 21:59