A longstanding peace vigil opposite the White House has not been dismantled despite President Donald Trump‘s insistence that it be removed. On Monday morning, the anti-war encampment and two spokespeople manning it were still in Lafayette Park, the Washington Examiner found. A spokeswoman claimed that the Trump administration removed part of the vigil on Friday after Trump said to “take it down.” The vigil features several anti-war and anti-Trump signs and a large...

President Donald Trump addressed the brutal murder of a Ukrainian woman on the Charlotte metro during remarks Monday. Authorities released surveillance footage Friday morning showing Iryna Zarutska boarding the Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte, North Carolina, at 9:46 p.m. on August 22. Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, pulls out a pocket knife and stabs her three times just minutes later, WBTV reported. Trump indicated that he had seen the footage Monday, as he continues his focus on...

It's safe to say that most veterinarians go into animal medicine because they love animals and want to help them. But in the day-to-day business of doing exams, treating various medical conditions, and helping pet owners through agonizing decisions about their companions' end-of-life care, the pure joy of simply loving on an animal can get lost. But as one vet demonstrates, veterinary care sometimes means providing some personal cuddle comfort. Dr. Kris Vine, a vet in Las Vegas, was captured giving a new patient—a scared Chihuahua-Dachshund mix—some pets and reassurance in the middle of his exam. "My new patient was scared to get his vaccines so I had to give him some lov'n between each one," Dr. Vine wrote. "He did good." @dr.vinethevet my hope is to make your pet’s visit as comfortable as possible. #fypage #dog #veterinarian #doctor #pets #fypシ゚viral The doggo puts his paws up on Vine's chest and nuzzles his little face into him, and we can see by the tail between his legs that the poor thing is terrified. But he finds comfort in Vine's soothing strokes. “I’m not only their doctor, but their safe space as well," Vine tells Upworthy.Vine's hope is to make the animals in his care as comfortable as possible, and people are loving seeing his genuine, patient compassion for the frightened pup. "Perfect example of real compassion a person has inside of them both for himself and his job," wrote one person. "So touching.""Omg why can’t all vets AND groomers be like this?!!! ?," wrote another. "I dropped my last groomer cause I didn’t like the tone she used with my baby.""It is good to receive love ❤️ to help get through our fears ❤️?," shared another. We all do better with a little comfort. Photo credit: CanvaIt's so true. Lots of animals are afraid to go to the vet, especially if they associate it with something painful or negative. Having a caring, compassionate vet who goes out of their way to provide comfort to a frightened furry friend can make a big difference in how an animal feels about vet visits. To be fair, vet visits can be scary. Plenty of humans have anxiety about going to the doctor even when we fully understand why we need to go. For an animal, it's just an unfamiliar place with strange smells and harsh lighting where someone pokes and prods them without their consent. Many pets have to be put into a carrier and ride in the car to go to the vet, which may cause them stress. Vets can do a lot to ease an animal's fears, but owners can do even more at home beforehand to prepare their pet for a vet visit. PetLife Animal Hospital recommends these steps to help animals feel more at ease about going to the vet:1. Make Car Rides PositiveIf your pet only goes in the car to visit the vet, they may associate car rides with fear. Take them on short, enjoyable rides and reward them with praise or treats afterward to help break the negative association. Getting your pet into the car is a lot easier if they have positive associations with it.Photo credit: Canva2. Turn the Carrier into a Comfort ZoneKeep the pet carrier out at home—not just when it’s time to leave. Line it with soft blankets, place treats inside, and let your pet explore it at their own pace. This turns the carrier into a familiar, safe space.3. Schedule “Happy Visits”Stop by your local vet office or animal hospital just to say hello! Let your pet meet the team, get a treat, and leave. No needles. No exams. Just good vibes and friendly faces.4. Stay Calm and ConfidentYour pet looks to you for cues. If you’re calm and positive, it helps them feel safe. Use a cheerful voice, avoid rushing, and reassure them with gentle touches.5. Talk to Your Vet About Extra HelpSome pets need a little more support. Ask about calming sprays, anxiety-reducing supplements, or even prescription options if needed. Vet visits can be stressful, but there are steps to make them easier for everyone.Photo credit: CanvaMaking sure our pets get the medical and emotional care they need is an important part of pet ownership. Finding a caring vet is a big part of fulfilling those responsibilities, so thanks to Dr. Vine for setting such a beautiful example. You can follow Dr. Vine on TikTok.

We’ve all been told that one of the foundations of becoming a mature, responsible, well-adjusted adult is making your bed as soon as you wake up. We’re told of the feeling of accomplishment we’ll get each day, the better sleep, the better focus, yadda, yadda, yadda…Well, procrastinators rejoice. Because now, anytime someone (likely your more organized better half) tries to remind you of these supposed benefits, kindly guide them to this article. Contrary to common wisdom, science suggests that this lauded morning routine actually helps moisture-loving dust mites (you know, the little critters that feast on our flesh and give us the sneezes…with their POOP!) thrive, especially if we’ve sweat through the night. Worst. Roommates. Ever. Photo credit: Canva“Given that the average person sweats 500 milliliters per night, naturally, your bed environment is the perfect breeding ground for dust mites in the morning," Martin Seeley, renowned sleep expert and CEO behind MattressNextDay, told Real Simple. "That’s why it’s important to leave your bed for at least 30 minutes allowing for better ventilation, which helps disperse moisture and reduces the overall humidity in your bed."Seeley’s not the only expert in the field to suggest this. Back in 2023, London-based GP and social media personality Dr. Sermed Mezher posted a viral TikTok video where he also touted the benefits of not making your bed right away. @drsermedmezher They Feast on Us ? #makeyourbed Dust mites, microscopic organisms that thrive in household dust, are highly sensitive to dry conditions. These minuscule creatures, known for triggering allergies in some individuals, require a certain level of humidity to survive and reproduce. Controlling the moisture levels in your home can play a pivotal role in minimizing dust mite populations and creating a healthier indoor environment. Dust mites absorb water vapor from the air to stay hydrated, making them particularly sensitive to dryness. By maintaining a dry environment, typically with a relative humidity below 50%, it becomes challenging for dust mites to thrive. This is especially crucial in areas where dust mites are prevalent, such as bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Dehumidifiers prove to be effective tools in reducing humidity levels and creating an inhospitable environment for dust mites. Proper ventilation and adequate airflow in living spaces contribute to the overall control of moisture, inhibiting the conditions favorable for dust mite proliferation. Dryness not only hinders dust mite survival but also disrupts their reproductive cycle. By minimizing the availability of water, individuals can mitigate the risk of allergic reactions associated with dust mite infestations. #DustMites #IndoorAllergens #DryEnvironment #HumidityControl #HealthyHome #AllergyPrevention #IndoorAirQuality #DehumidifierBenefits #RespiratoryHealth #HomeMaintenance #CleanLiving #AllergyControl #DustMiteSensitivity #HouseholdHygiene #HealthyLivingTips #EnvironmentalWellness #IndoorEnvironmentalQuality #AllergyAwareness #HomeCareSolutions #AsthmaPrevention #fyp #fypシ #medicine ♬ Storytelling - Adriel “Even if you don’t have a partner, you’re not sleeping alone, “ Mezher quipped, referring to the literal millions of dust mites that we share a bed with each night.“They survive because of the moisture, so when we make our beds in the morning it actually helps them to live and reproduce so that they can go on and multiply. You may not even know that you’re allergic to them, but they can cause things like nasal congestion or annoying skin rashes that you didn't even realize were because of them.”Mezher went on to say that this is why it’s “ideal” to change the sheets at least once per week, and agreed that leaving the bed unmade for about half an hour (even up to one hour) since dust mites are “surprisingly vulnerable to the air” and will get “starved” out, is a best practice. In addition, incorporating a dehumidifier and mattress topper wouldn’t be a bad choice either. Of course, nothing can truly make all dust mites go away, but this certainly brings their numbers down. So basically, this is your permission slip to roll out of bed, and not even think about making it up again until you’re at least finished with your cup of coffee. For your health! Of course, this might not be doable for all folks, and it's certainly not necessary if you don’t notice any allergy symptoms. But if you are noticing some morning allergies, this could be a potential solution—or just a way to justify laziness. Whichever works.

Staying active later in life is the key to a long, healthy life, according to the National Institutes of Health. So when Erica Richardson (@ericcaaa_) noticed her elderly neighbors, a couple named Jack and Sally, walking the halls of their apartment complex, she knew she had to cheer them on.After watching the couple on her Ring camera, Richardson decided to surprise them with an epic snack and hydration station outside her apartment door. She also made a mock Hallway Walkers newspaper page with the headline, "YOU GOT THIS! Jack & Sally" splashed across it with a photo of them and some inspirational phrases. One says, "Take a drink or snack for the walk back! :)"She captioned the video, "The highlight of my day fr ???." See on Instagram In the video, Erica wrote in the overlay, "The cutest older couple walks the halls everyday for exercise. I live at the very end of the hall so I get like 0 foot traffic but I see them daily. So ofc (of course) I had to do the most and make them a cutie grab n go."The couple gets an absolute kick the first time they see it, laughing and grabbing snacks (from an assortment of bottled water, coconut water, pistachios, snack bars and crackers). And Sally gives a thumbs up to the Ring camera. On Day 2, Jack waves and Sally blows Erica a kiss through the camera. On Day 3, Sally blows another kiss as she grabs a Kind bar before giving Jack a cheeky slap on the butt as they walk back down the hall together.Viewers were absolutely tickled about the sweet act of kindness. "Everything. Your kindness. Their love towards each other. Their gratitude towards you. Everybody’s day is made. So much joy," one person commented. Another wrote, "Can you make this a series?! I could watch this daily. So wholesome and sweet, and you're so thoughtful! The sign cracked me up ?." And another viewer pointed out, "Sally is real frisky, love that for Jack!" Neighbors Jack and Sally come across Erica Richardson's surprise snack station for them.Image via Instagram/@ericcaaa_"Sally and Jack are SO sweet and social neighbors," Richardson tells Upworthy. "They have been such sweet neighbors to get to know, their love for one another is contagious and ADORABLE!"Richardson adds that they have been amazing neighbors from the start. "When I first moved in, they had me over for charcuterie and wine and showed me their apartment. I felt so welcomed and loved so it was easy for me to want to make their walks special," she says.She also shared more about the fun poster she created for them, with encouraging phrases like "Walk your pace, win your race" and "A walk today, a stronger you tomorrow." Jack and Sally grab snacks and blow neighbor Erica Richardson a kiss on her Ring camera.Image via Instagram/@ericcaaa_"A lot of people ask where I got the photo of them for the poster," she tells Upworthy. "We recently had a scavenger hunt event for the residents and one of the prompts was to stop at this rooftop bar, so that’s where the photo is from on the poster. They won the scavenger hunt, and went to like 25 places around town in 1 day!"The couple has also gotten a kick out of their video touching so many people. "They came over yesterday and said 'WE WERE ON THE TODAY SHOW!' and were so excited about it, it was the cutest thing ever," Richardson says.

Much has been made in recent years about the effects that smartphones have had on young people, and that has led at least 19 states in the U.S to impose some sort of limitation on children having cell phones in schools, whether it’s a total ban or having the kids put their phones into pockets outside the classroom.Social scientist Jonathan Haidt, a leader in the phone-free schools movement and author of The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, recently shared a video on Instagram where a teacher he identified as Emma shared how smartphones have made her students apathetic. Two kids looking at their phones.via Canva/Photos“First of all, the kids have no ability to be bored whatsoever. They live on their phones, and they are just fed a constant stream of dopamine from the minute their eyes wake up in the morning until they go to sleep at night,” the teacher says. “Because they're in a constant state of dopamine withdrawal at school, they behave like addicts. They're super emotional; the smallest things set them off. And when you're standing in front of them trying to teach, they're vacant. They have no ability to tune in if your communication isn't packaged in short little clips or if it doesn't have bright, flashing lights.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jonathan Haidt (@jonathanhaidt)The hardest part, Emma says, is that “They have their eyes looking at me, but they're not there...They have a level of apathy that I've never seen before in my whole career...It's like you are interacting with them briefly in between hits of the Internet, which is their real life.”Haidt praised the video for doing what he says is a great job of sharing the damage that smartphones have done to children's developmental progress—and that the problem extends far beyond the dangers of social media, affecting their basic brain function. “This is why I’m not only talking about #socialmedia—in the book I describe an entirely different kind of childhood that #smartphones have ushered in,” Haidt wrote in the comments. “I call it the #phonebasedchildhood, because it’s not just that touch-screen devices have added entertainment and 'connection'—they have replaced developmentally necessary aspects of childhood.” Teenagers taking selfies.via Canva/PhotosHaidt offers recommendations for parents and schools to help prevent children from developing trouble focusing or being away from their smartphones. He says parents shouldn’t allow their kids to have a smartphone before high school, as well as no social media until they are 16 years old. When it comes to schools, Haidt believes that allowing students to bring their phones to class, provided they don’t use them, won’t help the problem. Instead, he thinks kids should place their phones in Yondr pouches, which are locked until the end of the day, or in phone lockers where they can retrieve them after school. With pushback from teachers and social scientists such as Haidt, there is renewed hope that young people can find a better balance between real life and technology.

Empathy is generally seen as a positive thing and something we want people to cultivate in themselves. The skill of feeling what others feel can help build connections between people, prevent anti-social behaviors like bullying, and aid in resolving conflict, so it's good for society as a whole when people are empathetic.So, why are people suddenly talking about toxic empathy? Can empathy actually be bad?There are two ways people currently reference "toxic empathy"—one that arose out of socio-political commentary (largely stemming from the 2024 book, Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion by conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey), and one based on a real psychological phenomenon that some people experience. The validity of the former is up for debate, but the latter is a common term to describe a struggle with excessive empathy that leads to self-harm. Toxic empathy can cause distress and dysregulation.Photo credit: CanvaWhat is toxic empathy?Essentially, toxic empathy (also known as hyper-empathy) is when an empathetic person over-identifies with someone else's emotions and takes them on as their own. While empathy involves the ability to feel others' emotions, toxic empathy goes a step further to intensely identifying with them, which can lead to overwhelm, burnout, and neglect of one's self. "While 'toxic empathy' is not a real diagnosis, many clients have felt their personal experience of feeling overwhelming levels of empathy for others normalized by the society's use of the term," Kim Rippy, LPC, CCTP-II, a trauma and anxiety specialist and owner of Keystone Therapy Group, told Upworthy. Rippy shared that clients she's had who struggled with toxic empathy found themselves frequently overwhelmed and energetically drained when trying to connect with other people. "Some clients have even been so overwhelmed with empathy for strangers in recent world events (war on Ukraine, war on Gaza, school shootings), that they become emotionally exhausted and even depressed from their high levels of empathy," she says. Social media can fuel toxic empathy.Photo credit: CanvaIn the age of 24/7 news and social media, we can "doomscroll" all manner of trauma from anywhere in the world, which certainly doesn't help people avoid empathy overload. But like any other positive quality, empathy in excess becomes unhealthy and must be moderated. However, licensed mental health counselor Courtney Schrum says it's important to remember that having too much empathy isn't a sign of moral failing. "Most people who struggle with toxic empathy aren’t weak, they’re wired to belong," Schrum told Upworthy. "Science shows our brains evolved to scan for belonging as a survival strategy. Humans have a fundamental biological need to belong, and our nervous systems are attuned to social cues that signal inclusion or rejection. When empathy tips into self-sacrifice, it’s often because the brain is trying too hard to protect connection. Naming that helps reframe over-giving not as failure, but as evidence of deeply human wiring, and that makes setting boundaries feel less like rejection and more like self-preservation." Caring and compassion and empathy are good. But they can go too far.Photo credit: Canva"The goal isn’t to care less," Schrum adds, "but to care in a way that doesn’t come at the cost of your own wellbeing. When empathy is grounded in boundaries, it becomes sustainable instead of toxic."How to avoid toxic empathyIf you're a highly empathetic person, it can feel easy to slip into a place where you become overwhelmed and paralyzed by empathy. Here are three steps for navigating and avoiding toxic empathy:Recognize the signsYou can't change something you don't even realize is happening, so check in with yourself if you feel like you're prone to this kind of struggle."Notice your body first," says Schrum. "Your nervous system often signals overload before your brain does. Tension, fatigue, or irritability are cues that you’re carrying too much." Toxic empathy can affect your nervous system.Photo credit: CanvaSet specific boundaries for yourselfToxic empathy is essentially empathy that goes too far, so it's important to set boundaries to rein it in. "A prompt I recommend often is 'Do I have the power and the control to change this?' followed by 'How can I make an impact in a way that is within my boundaries (such as resources, time, finances) to offer?'" Lorain Moorehead, Licensed Psychotherapist, PMH-C, EMDR-C told Upworthy. Moorehead explains that, sometimes, people dealing with hyper-empathy might feel the instinct to take in more "hurt," like watching the news or true crime shows, because it feels in some way like taking action, even though it's not."A simple internal reminder like, 'Their feelings are real, but they’re not mine to solve,' helps separate empathy from over-identification," says Schrum.Nurture your nervous systemEmpathy can be exhausting even when it's not to a severe degree, so if you are a person with high empathy levels, it's important to care for yourself to avoid slipping into burnout. Self-care exercises like journaling and spending time in nature can help you manage stress.Photo credit: Canva"Practice recovery rituals," says Schrum. "After emotionally heavy interactions, do something that discharges stress: a walk, humming, journaling. This resets the nervous system back toward balance."There's so much happening in the world, and we all have the ability to witness too much trauma, far too easily, all day long, thanks to our smartphones and social media. It can feel like too much, which is why it's all the more important that folks with empathy to spare take steps to ensure that they don't allow their emotional resonance to lead to self-abandonment. Empathy is good when it helps us connect with others, not when it leads to disconnection with ourselves.

What would kids do if left completely to their own devices without any adult intervention? If you've never wondered that, well, you don't have to wonder anymore.In 2016, Boys Alone (Social Experiment Documentary) took 10 boys ages 11-12 and left them unsupervised in a house for five days. Before the boys were left alone they were given cooking classes and other life skills lessons to give them all a more even starting ground.They repeated the social experiment with girls in Girls Alone (Social Experiment Documentary). The girls are given the same life skills lessons as the boys before being left to their own devices for the better part of a week. Both groups of children were left with cameras watching their every move as adults monitored from outside of the home. But there was no interference and when the camera crew was present they did not interact or attempt to parent the children in any way.Recently clips of these experiments resurfaced on social media when a guy with the username Mr. Cult Daddy uploaded it to share with his 508k followers. His condensed version of the clips along with his commentary gave viewers a quick overview of the vastly different results. @mrcultdaddy Replying to @mrcultdaddy In contrast, the girls displayed more responsibility and cooperation. They created a chore chart, divided up tasks, and took turns cooking meals. They even organized a DIY beauty salon to cheer up a girl who was feeling down. While the girls had some disagreements, they handled them more maturely and left the house in a clean and orderly state. The experiment showcased a sense of teamwork and care, unlike the boys' experience​ #boysvsgirls #patriarchy #psychologyfacts #greenscreenvideo "Imagine this, 10 boys all from the ages of 11 and 12 were put into a house with no adult supervision for five days. And if you heard me say that and thought to yourself that sounds like a total 'Lord of the Flies' situation, you're not wrong because it did not take long for them to completely descend into chaos," the creator shares. shallow focus photo of boy in red crew-neck T-shirt Photo by Tolga Ahmetler on Unsplash He explains that the boys essentially destroyed the house by drawing on the walls, flipping furniture and "trashing everything." The boys didn't use their new cooking skills, relying solely on snacks and sodas. Eventually the chaotic fun turned into power struggles, breaking into different groups fighting each other, even tying someone to a chair."But what's interesting about this whole thing is just how quickly their social structure that they developed just completely fell apart. What started out as excitement turned into isolation depression," the man says.The TikTok creator jumps into sharing the commentary from others around the societal expectations of boys being able to get away with more which people feel had an impact on the way these boys behaved. On the flip side, the girls experiment had wildly different results. The girls were the same age as the boys but instead of immediately descending into chaos, they actually worked together.One commenter writes about the boys, "Grown men live like this too. It’s not an age thing," with another person saying, "That’s the least shocking outcome ever." Teens playing table tennis Photo by Nima Sarram on Unsplash "As we know the boys descended into chaos relatively quickly so you might say to yourself, 'oh we can expect the same things from these girls,' no. From the start the girls organize themselves. They made a freaking chore chart, took turns cooking, cleaning. meals were planned, they didn't just survive off the snacks like the boys did. They really created this team," he shares.The girls also painted on the walls but it was productive paintings like murals and not painting to make a mess. Evidently the girls all worked together and provided each other emotional support according to the creator. They even cleaned the house before they left. It would seem that people in the comments were not at all surprised by the stark contrast between the girls and boys experiment.One woman tells the creator, "by 12 I could have run a whole household.""I think it's probably 15-20% prefrontal cortex and 75-80% conditioning. I was expected to wash the dishes every night by myself from a young age while my male sibling went to bed. I was made to do his homework, even tho I was 2y younger, so he'd have free time to "be a typical boy." I'm the reason he passed elementary school, but I refused after that and his grades crashed," another woman reveals. two girl in pink and green shirts sitting on wall shelf Photo by Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash "I think it shows the difference in raising. Girls are taught to behave, be smart. Boys tend to be spoiled by moms and dads. They don’t usually receive the learning of being nice, cordial," someone else shares."It's conditioning (at least 80%) my brother is 9 years older and I had to teach him how to do his own laundry when I was 14 (he was ripe ol' age of 23) bc my mom taught me from a young age and didn't," one commenter explains.While many people agree that the culprit is social conditioning combined with brain development while others pointed out that it may simply be American culture. That also likely plays a large role in the outcome of these experiments, but what do you think? If the experiment was completed again today, would the results be the same?You can watch the entire boys experiment here and the girls experiment here.This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated.

Setting the tone. The post When George Harrison broke America on his own: “He’d catch everybody’s attention” first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

Familiarity covers up strangeness. The post ‘Once In A Lifetime’: The weirdest song of David Byrne’s career first appeared on Far Out Magazine.