Kristin Pitzen, California school teacher, posted video to social media of herself instructing students to say the pledge of allegiance to a Progress Pride flag.
In the video she has since deleted, she could be heard joking, “OK, so during third period, we do announcements and they do the Pledge of Allegiance. I always tell my class: ‘Stand if you feel like it, don’t stand if you feel like it, say the words if you want. You don’t have to say the words.’ So my class decided to stand but not say the words. Totally fine. Except for the fact that my room does not have a flag.”
She then noted that she took the American flag down, placed it somewhere, and couldn’t find it.
“My (student) today goes, ‘Hey, it’s kind of weird that we just stand and we say it to nothing. … In the meantime, I tell this kid, ‘We do have a flag in the class that you can pledge your allegiance to.’ And he like looks around and goes, ‘Oh, that one?'” she said as she imitated her student pointing to the Pride flag.
Allegedly, she took the Stars and Stripes down because it made her feel “uncomfortable.”
As expected, the video led to Pitzen facing backlash from the public.
In the meantime, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District has launched an investigation into Pitzen over the video, the district said in a statement. While the investigation continues, she has been placed on administrative leave.
“We assure you that we take matters like this seriously,” the district’s statement read. “Showing respect for our nation’s flag is an important value that we instill in our students and an expectation of our employees.”
A personal post by a teacher about the American flag is causing alarm/concern. Respecting our flag is a value we instill in students and is an expectation of our staff. We take this matter with extreme seriousness and are investigating and addressing it.
One person posted on the social media that Pitzen “is an absolute disgrace to teachers” and warned the teacher to keep her own “views and political stances out of the classroom.”
“Nothing against the pride flag, but we lost 13 service men and women a few days ago for that flag (in Afghanistan)… respect it!” another person commented.
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The moment you learn to love and respect yourself is the moment your life truly begins.
Being married for over a year, Nikkie believed her life was picture-perfect, but things started to change when her husband Jack started hitting the gym religiously. At first, she was happy for him because it was obvious he was becoming more and more satisfied with the way he looked, but over time, he got so obsessed with his appearance that he felt the need Nikkie to change as well.
He would show her Instagram models with perfect proportions, telling her he wished she looked like them.
His constant reminder that she didn’t resemble someone from the cover of a fashion magazine affected her self-esteem. He even mentioned her undergoing a breast implant surgery, but she tried to brush it off.
The last straw was on the day of her birthday when he gifted her money for breast implants and a note that read, “Time to upgrade those mosquito bites.”
These words crushed her world. She realized he didn’t love her for who she was forced her to change just to meet his standards.
Although hurt deeply, Nikkie said “thank you,” and smiled, but deep down, she knew she needed to teach him a lesson he’s never forget.
Instead of fulfilling her husband’s sick wishes, she decided to invest the money in beautifying herself for the sake of her own well-being. She treated herself with some facial treatments, spent a day at the spa, bought some fancy outfits, and had a fresh haircut. She loved herself the way she was, and she was glad she understood that before she allowed anyone to change her for the sake of their twisted image of how a woman should look like.
On the day of the supposed surgery, she packed all of Jack’s belongings in a bunch of boxes and changed all the locks. She then handed him an envelope with the rest of the money inside and a note that read, “Here’s your upgrade. Find someone who meets YOUR standards.”
When he realized how determined Nikkie was to cut all ties with him, Jack begged her to give him another chance, but she knew better than being with someone as shallow as him.
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In January, business mogul Donald Trump would return for his second term as President of the United States.
During Trump’s first four years at the top seat in the White House, his youngest son, Barron Trump, was residing with him and his mother at the White House. This time, however, things would be different as Barron has enrolled at New York University where he would be studying business just like his father.
Whether he would follow in his father’s footsteps when it comes to politics is something we have yet to witness, but the idea of him getting involved in the political arena wouldn’t surprise anyone as the youngest son of President-Elect was chosen by the Republican Party of Florida as one of the state’s at-large delegates to the Republican National Convention, NBC News reported.
“We have a great delegation of grassroots leaders, elected officials and even Trump family members,” Florida GOP chairman Evan Power said. “Florida is continuing to have a great convention team, but more importantly we are preparing to win Florida and win it big.”
Barron isn’t the first Trump to be selected for this role, as his siblings Donald Jr., Eric, and Tiffany served as delegates for Florida, where their father has officially resided and voted for the last number of years.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
However, as his father was “all for it,” it was Melania who shut down the idea of her son’s political engagements. “While Barron is honoured to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,” a spokeswoman for Mrs Trump said in a statement.
This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that Melania is totally against Barron tenuring into political circles. She seems to be starting to incorporate her son, whom she protected from the spotlight for so long, into public life.
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Melania’s former aide, believes that Barron’s appearance on the family Christmas photo of last year in which he posed alongside his father and siblings, is the perfect proof of his “strategic” mom preparing him for the future.
“Melania’s decision to include Barron in this family activity, even if she couldn’t be there herself, might be a significant turning point, potentially fostering a new level of support between Melania and Donald,” she told the New York Post.
“Barron’s appearance is truly monumental and shows Donald and Melania are in lockstep with one another. I believe we will be seeing more of him now. Nothing happens by chance with Melania.”
Melania has been overly protective of her son, but living in the digital era, she certainly can’t forbid him from being in touch with what is going outside the walls of their Mar-A-Lago mansion.
On July 13, Donald Trump was fired at during a rally in Butler. He was hit in the ear, while a volunteer fire chief was killed. Two other people were wounded.
“For 15 seconds, time stood still,” Trump told the crowd. “This vicious monster unleashed evil. The villain did not succeed in his goal.”
The assassination attempt didn’t only affect Trump, who later return for another rally at the same stage, but also his family. Melania revealed on X that the moment of shooting was a moment she realized her and Barron Trump’s lives were “on the brink of devastating change.”
“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life was on the brink of devastating change. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband,” Melania wrote, as per CNN.
“To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me.”
Melania continued: “A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration. The core facets of my husband’s life – his human side – were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.”
Barron has been receiving protection from the Secret Service ever since he left the White House. They have been around him at all times, including during his stay at school. He will also receive protection at New York University.
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 20: Barron Trump is seen at the funeral of Ivana Trump on July 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by JNI/Star Max/GC Images)
US Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told Newsweek: “The President-elect has been receiving heightened Secret Service protection, and this level of security will be maintained moving forward.”
“While we cannot share specific details to ensure the integrity of our operations, family members and executive staff of the President-elect may also be afforded protection in accordance with federal law.”
Guglielmi concluded: “Enhanced security measures around Palm Beach County, Florida, and New York City are also being coordinated. The Secret Service is committed to working with local partners in these cities to keep the community informed about any potential impacts to the public.”
Paul Eckloff, a former Secret Service agent who worked with George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, as well as their families, told Newsweekthat a president’s child is considered a “soft target,” as per a law enforcement and military term.
That means “they are perceived to be less protected, which makes them vulnerable but also creates a dangerous environment for those around them.” Eckloff said that it could mean that Barron could be “sitting in a student union – just as a hypothetical — and he may look alone, but he will not be alone. You will see [Secret Service agents] dressed as best as possible like students.”
During his father’s presidency, Barron will likely stay at Trump Tower.
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However, despite her enormous success and the infatuating smile on her face, Reba has experienced a number of heartbreaks.
In 2022, Reba lost her mother Jacqueline to cancer. This was a huge blow since the two were extremely close and nurtured a loving mother-daughter relationship. ”She had a wonderful, full, healthy life and was absolutely ready to go. The cancer might think it won the battle but we’re giving God all the credit on selecting the time for her to go home to Him,” the country star wrote on social media.
Back in the day, when she was young, Jacqueline wished to become a singer herself, but since her dream didn’t turn into a reality, she taught her daughter how to sing. “She left knowing how much she is loved and we all know how much she loved us. We’re all going to miss her but we have so many wonderful memories,” Reba said.
Sadly, this wasn’t the first time that Reba experienced loss and sorrow. 32 years ago, on March 16, seven members of her band, along with her manager, lost their lives in a horrific airplane crash.
The band was having a concert in San Diego on that day in 1991, and were flying to Fort Wayne, Ind., to perform their next concert on the tour. Reba and her then-husband were supposed to fly with another plane but they decided to stay in San Diego for the night. The band’s airplane crushed just ten miles after it took off.
Waymarking
Although it’s been over three decades since the tragic crash, Reba never misses a chance to pay tribute to the late members of her band.
Back in 2012, Reba opened up about the tragedy during an interview with Oprah. “The tip of the wing of the airplane hit a rock on the side of Otay Mountain, and it killed everyone on the plane,” she said.
“When we were notified, Narvel (Reba’s manager) went and met with our pilot, and he told us what had happened. And Narvel came back to the hotel room where I was — it was two or three o’clock in the morning — and he said one of the planes had crashed, and I said, ‘Are they OK?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’ I said, ‘But you’re not sure?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’”
As she recalled the tragic day, Reba couldn’t contain tears from running down her face.
“Narvel was going room to room with a phone and calling …” she began, pausing as tears came to her eyes. “I’m sorry — it’s been 20 years, but it’s just like — I don’t guess it ever quits hurting,” she said. “But I can see that room. I can see Narvel walking back and forth.”
Instagram
In 2020, the singer paid tribute to those who were killed in the crash. “29 years ago today, I lost my friends in a plane crash. The timing of Mama’s passing with that anniversary seems appropriate,” she posted on the social media.
“I know they’re all in Heaven together and taking care of each other. Let’s keep finding ways to take care of each other down here on earth and never take one moment with our loved ones for granted.”
Her fans were quick to post messages of support. “Reba I’ve always loved your music, our shared horse background, and now following you on Insta. Prayers for you and your mother 🙏🏻” one fan wrote.
This year wasn’t any different. Reba couldn’t help by share with the world that besides the number of years that have passed, she’s still saddened for her friends’ fate and their tragic loss.
”Their love for music and the stage gives us all the strength to go on,” she wrote along with a video of one of their performances together as a band.
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Rob Burrow, Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain rugby league star has died at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.
The 41-year-old sportsman was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019, just two weeks after his retirement.
Throughout his successful career of 17 years, Burrow eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups.
His passing was announced by the Rhinos.
“Rob inspired the entire country with his brave battle against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since his diagnosis in December 2019. He passed away peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this week,” their statement read.
Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow. Pic: AP
“Burrow played his entire career with Leeds Rhinos and won every honour with the club as part of their golden generation. A hard working and dedicated player, his fearless performances made him one of the most respected players in the Rhinos ranks.”
Following his diagnosis, Burrow and fellow teammate Kevin Sinfield raised more than £15m for charity in less than five years. In 2024, the two were awarded CBEs for their services to MND by Prince William.
The prince congratulated them on their “phenomenal” efforts raising funds and awareness for the disease.
Burrow was paid tribute by his many friends and fans who gathered at Leeds Civic Hall during a funeral reception.
Among them were his former teammate Jamie Jones-Buchanan, MND Association CEO Tanya Curry, and Leeds City Council leader James Lewis. The event was organized by Abigail Marshall Katung, the Lord Mayor of Leeds.
Supporters wearing Leeds Rhinos shirts lined the streets as the funeral procession headed to a private service for Burrow. His wife Lindsay and his tree children, Macy, Maya and Jackson, were among them. The hearse stopped at Featherstone Lions’ ground, where Burrow first played junior rugby.
“For those who knew Rob throughout his life, his determination and spirit in the face of MND over the last four and a half years came as no surprise,” the statement by the Rhinos read.
“Rob never accepted that he couldn’t do something. He just found his way of doing it better than anyone else.
“He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity. We must dare to dream.”
We are so very sorry for this tragic loss. May he rest in peace.
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Late Princess Diana was an enchanting woman and a mother. Her incredible beauty, both inner and external, was breathtaking to say the least. Her charisma charmed millions of people who loved her for her honesty, her incredible dedication to her people, and for the person that she was.
Youtube/Netflix
Her life, however, wasn’t an easy one. She seemed to have it all, always under the spotlight, but her marriage to Prince Charles was far from ideal. So, after years of scandals, the two finally divorced in August 1966, a year before she tragically passed away.
Her death was a huge shock for the entire world, especially her children, Princes William and Harry who walked behind her casket on the day of her funeral; an image many Britons could never forget.
Shutterstock
The surgeon who was working at the hospital in France the night Lady Di died, MonSef Dahman, has spoken of what had really happened and what led to losing the People’s Princess.
“The thought that you have lost an important person, for whom you cared personally, marks you for life,” he told Daily Mail.
He recalled starting his shift at 8 a.m and being at the hospital the entire night. At approximately 2:06 a.m, around an hour and a half after Princess Diana’s accident, she was brought to the hospital. “I was resting in the duty room when I got a call from Bruno Riou, the senior duty anaesthetist, telling me to go to the emergency room,” Dahman told Daily Mail. “I wasn’t told it was Lady Diana, but [only] that there’d been a serious accident involving a young woman.”
The X-rays showed serious internal injuries, and Diana was given blood transfusion. Sadly, she then suffered another cardiac arrest. Dahman performed a surgery but her heart couldn’t be restarted. “We tried electric shocks, several times and, as I had done in the emergency room, cardiac massage,” Dahman explained. “Professor Riou had administered adrenaline. But we could not get her heart beating again.”
“We fought hard, we tried a lot, really an awful lot,” he said. “Frankly, when you are working in those conditions, you don’t notice the passage of time. The only thing that is important is that we do everything possible for this young woman.”
Even today, Princess Diana is the most mourned person who has ever lived.
A new documentary about the late Princess which will celebrate her remarkable life will air soon. According to the Express, new revelations about her life will come to light.
“There is something a bit magical about Princess Diana – and despite the difficulties in her personal life she managed to use her connection with people to do huge amounts of good,” Executive Producer David Glover told Express.
“Her 60th birthday feels like the perfect time to re-examine her life and legacy and explore just how she went from a relatively unknown teenager to the most mourned person who ever lived.”
Shutterstock
Diana is missed by many, but mostly by her two sons who loved her unconditionally. They pay tribute to her whenever they have a chance and fondly remember the beautiful times they got to share with their mom.
“When everybody says ‘she was funny, give us an example’. All I can hear is her laugh,” Harry explained in an interview with Good Morning America back in 2017.
“She was one of the naughtiest parents, she’d come and watch us play football and smuggle sweet into her socks, literally walking back from a football match and having five packages of [candy]. And just, the whole shirt was full with sweets.”
“We felt incredibly loved by her, and I’m very grateful that the love still feels there,” William said. ”It feels like a good time to remember her and hopefully provide a different side.
”It was that love, even though she was on the other side of the room, as her son you could feel it,” Harry added.
She wanted her sons to have a normal childhood and did all in her power to make them happy and satisfied at all times. She would often take them out of the Palace and to theme parks and fast food restaurants.
Diana’s former personal chef Darren McGrady spoke of such an occasion and told Marie Claire: “I remember the princess came into the kitchen one day and said, ‘Cancel lunch for the boys, I’m taking them out, we’re going to McDonald’s.’ And I said, ‘Oh my God – your Royal Highness, I can do that, I can do burgers.’ And she said, ‘No, it’s the toy they want.’”
Princess Diana would have been 63 this year. She will forever be missed. May she rest in peace.
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For a long time, Debra’s only purpose in life was to provide for her daughter Kayla, who married young and had a son, and her husband Austin, who found comfort on the couch of the living room, spending his days in front of the TV with the remote in one hand and his beer in the other.
He lost his job almost twenty years ago, and since his wife worked, he never tried finding another job. It somehow felt right to him Debra to remain the breadwinner.
But neither Kayla nor Austin ever noticed Debra turning into a neglected woman who never did anything for herself. All she ever did was spend her money on Kayla’s allowance and her husband’s needs. Getting used to her mother’s money, Kayla never bothered to seek employment.
Debra was taken for granted for too long, without realizing that. But then, one day, something happened that forced her to turn her life around.
While waiting for her coffee at Starbucks, thinking of the job that made her miserable, a group of teenagers pushed her and cut in front of her. The cashier didn’t object but took the youngsters’ orders. When Debra objected, they started laughing at her, calling her names such as a “pensioner that had nowhere to be,” and “old nag.”
Crushed, she took her coffee and entered her car. Inside, she saw her self in the mirror and realized she had been neglecting herself for too long. She barely recognized herself. She looked exhausted, with gray creeping into her hair and lines she didn’t remember forming on her face. Suddenly, it hit her – the decades of caring for others had come at the expense of her own well-being.
That experience was a turning point for Debra. Instead of going to work, she visited the nearest salon and had her hair cut and dyed. She them treated herself with new clothes, including a couple of fancy dresses.
On her way home, she called Kayla and told her not to count on her financial assistance any longer. She was a grown up person with a child to raise and needed to find a job on her own. Kayla was shocked, asking what she did wrong. But Debra didn’t have the strength to argue, she just said it was a decision she made and it was final.
Once home, Austin looked at her all puzzled. He was mad she returned home early and wasn’t at work instead. But Debra didn’t care about what he thought. She told him that she had it enough and that she wanted divorce.
It was about time both Kayla and Austin take responsibility for their own lives.
The following day, Austin was forced to move out of the house.
Eventually, Debra found a job that made her happy. She started to travel and visited places she had never envisioned she would see. Life felt good. For the first time in years she was satisfied with herself.
Over time, she started getting along with her daughter who realized that her mother was right the entire time. Austin found a job and begged Debra to take him back. She said she would reconsider that later on, because at the moment, she was still trying to reconnect to herself.
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Do you believe you have a keen eye for detail? This visual puzzle challenges you to spot the hidden woman in a seemingly ordinary natural scene. At first glance, the image appears to depict just trees, rocks, and foliage. However, there’s more than meets the eye.
Understanding the Challenge
Optical illusions and cleverly camouflaged images play on our brain’s interpretation of visual information. In this challenge, the hidden woman blends seamlessly into the environment, making it difficult to spot her immediately. Our brains are wired to recognize familiar patterns like faces and figures. When something deviates from these patterns, especially when camouflaged, it becomes a tricky task to identify.
Tips to Spot the Hidden Woman
Relax Your Gaze: Sometimes, a relaxed approach helps in noticing subtle details.
Focus on Light and Shadow: Pay attention to areas where light and shadow interact; the hidden woman might be concealed there.
Look for Unusual Shapes: Identify shapes that don’t align with the natural surroundings; they might indicate the hidden figure.
Why Some Spot the Hidden Woman Quickly While Others Don’t
Several factors influence how quickly someone can spot the hidden woman:
Attention to Detail: Individuals with a sharp eye for detail may notice discrepancies in patterns or subtle color shifts more readily.
Experience with Visual Puzzles: Those who frequently engage with optical illusions or hidden-object games might be more adept at spotting camouflaged figures.
Patience and Focus: A calm, patient approach often yields better results than a hurried scan of the image.
Still Struggling? Here’s a Hint
If you’re having trouble spotting the hidden woman, focus on areas where light and shadow play together. She’s not standing in an open spot but is cleverly hidden among natural elements. Look for shapes that don’t quite align with the rest of the landscape; her silhouette blends with the trees and rocks.
Engaging in such visual challenges not only tests your observational skills but also enhances cognitive abilities. So, take a moment, relax, and see if you can spot the hidden woman in this tricky vision test.
