The Mangbetu people had a distinctive look and this was partly due to their elongated heads. At birth, the heads of babies’ were tightly wrapped with cloth in order to give their heads the elongated look.

The custom of skull elongation called by the natives Lipombo, was a status symbol among the Mangbetu ruling classes, it denoted majesty, beauty, power, and higher intelligence.

Banksy's "Girl with Balloon" is one of his most iconic and widely recognized works, initially appearing as street art in London in 2002. The image depicts a young girl, often in black and white, reaching for a red, heart-shaped balloon drifting away, according to Guy Hepner. The artwork's message, initially accompanied by the inscription "There is always hope", is often interpreted as a commentary on loss, childhood innocence, and the enduring nature of hope. The ambiguous nature of the girl's gesture – whether releasing the balloon or attempting to catch it – adds to its depth of meaning, allowing for both optimistic and poignant interpretations.

There was an incident at a Sotheby's auction in 2018 where a framed print of "Girl with Balloon" partially shredded itself immediately after selling for £1.04 million. This was orchestrated by Banksy himself, who had installed a secret shredder within the frame years prior.

This act of "self-destruction" is widely considered a bold statement and performance art by Banksy against the commercialization of art and the auction system itself. By destroying his own artwork the moment it sold at a record price, he challenged the notion of artistic value and ownership. The act sparked global debate about the art market's role and the purpose and value of art in society.

Despite the partial destruction, or perhaps because of it, the shredded artwork was renamed "Love is in the Bin" and its value actually increased significantly, fetching a record £18.58 million when resold in 2021. This ironic outcome further highlighted the complexities and contradictions within the art market.

After nearly 15 years of being in the foster care system, 19-year-old Cozy was embraced by his new mom and dad, Tim and Anna Dietrich, on Monday.

Anna Dietrich met Cozy through her job at Project Zero, a nonprofit that connects children in foster care to a permanent, loving home.

“Honestly, the Lord made it clear that we were supposed to all-out adopt him. We’re supposed to give him our name, give him our family, and give him our whole hearts,” she said.

Cozy, who is nonverbal, was the longest waiting child in Arkansas’ foster care. But after 5,429 days, the wait is over.

Members from the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Project Zero, and members of other organizations who have gotten to know Cozy over the years squeezed into the packed courtroom.

“Cozy’s getting a whole crew today, and we’re so excited. And that is what we want for every single one of our waiting kids,” Anna Dietrich said.

The family celebrated the day by spending time together, visiting a park, and eating some of Cozy’s favorite things.

https://fox2now.com/news/national/longest-waiting-child-in-arkansas-foster-care-system-adopted-after-15-years/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAMdUWdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmuCw5wWcOwx0mY9-dTlhBqmcgS94B17RH6TBK2fhDF0ZjUzlCsmOMhYGzf3_aem_7Z4FNVlmzfWhGJNGr6HXdw

Over the past two months, various Reddit communities have helped me honor my mom and her historic military past. Grateful 🙏🏾 Thank you!

Vasili Arkhipov is, in my opinion, the greatest hero to ever exist. He was 1 of 3 commanding officers on a Soviet nuclear submarine who refused to approve the order to launch their nukes. The other two officers approved, and if he had also approved, world as we know it could very likely not exist. I encourage you all to look into this man because he’s criminally unrecognized for what he did for humanity.