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Heartbreaking: Acclaimed Musician Faces Final Days at Just 30 After Devastating Cancer Battle

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Heartbreaking: Acclaimed Musician Faces Final Days at Just 30 After Devastating Cancer Battle

In a heartfelt revelation shared with fans, Australian musician Jordan Brunoli disclosed he is facing the final stages of life due to a stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis. The renowned bassist of the indie rock group, Bugs, informed his followers on Instagram that, despite relentless efforts, his treatments have failed to halt the cancer’s spread. “I’ve been trying different chemotherapy drugs for over a year with the help of an incredible oncologist and a dedicated treatment team,” he expressed on Sunday, August 16.

He continued candidly, “I suffer from a mutation that leads to rapid tumor growth, and regrettably, no treatment thus far has stopped the progression. Having received my prognosis in June with an estimated 3-4 months to live, I am now navigating through the final chapter of my life.”

At 29, Brunoli strives to remain open with his fans, sharing, “I want to keep everyone informed and be as transparent as possible.” He awarded heartfelt gratitude to his bandmates, Connor Brooker and Brock Weston, while urging listeners to delve into their latest album, “Head Noise.”

Despite immense challenges, Brunoli and his bandmates poured their energy into the album over the past two years. “We pushed through good times and bad,” he noted. “We recorded during my recovery from surgeries, chemo-induced sickness, and even during severe neuropathy when I couldn’t feel the guitar strings beneath my fingers.”

In a show of solidarity, Brunoli’s bandmates have set up a GoFundMe campaign to assist with his treatment expenses. At the current moment, the fundraising effort has surpassed $100,000. In closing his emotional post, Brunoli emphasized the profound impact music and his band have had on his life.

“Playing, recording and touring around Australia with Bugs has been the opportunity of a lifetime. I just want to say, if there were a few final shows coming up, you can bet your a** I’ll be playing them.”

He signed off his post with a few final, touching words: “Thank you, everyone, and watch me enjoy the f*** out of the rest of my life.” It didn’t take long for his loyal legion of fans to flock to the comments to share their well-wishes.

The band Eliza & The Delusionals penned: “Sending all of our love, and we can’t wait to hear everything you’ve worked on.” Another added: “Sending you all the love and strength; thank you for sharing your talent with a generation who will never forget.

“Live the way you want to and leave no regrets. We love you.” A third echoed: “I will be there with bells on and ready to celebrate you and this music!!!”

ICE Arrests Brazilian Murder Suspect Before Protect Act Signed

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ICE Arrests Brazilian Murder Suspect Before Protect Act Signed

Tom Homan slams calls to abolish ICE as border enforcement hits records

Tom Homan, a key figure in border management, has fiercely criticized progressive calls to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid a surge in border enforcement activities. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Homan pointed out that a staggering seventy percent of those apprehended are convicted offenders. He underscored ICE’s pivotal role in saving over 150,000 smuggled children, cautioning about the perilous ramifications of dismantling the agency.

In Massachusetts, ICE agents captured an illegal alien, wanted for a severe murder charge in Brazil, just days before Democratic Governor Maura Healey enacted legislation restricting specific ICE operations within the state.

Maycon Souto Dos Reis, aged 54, was found guilty of aggravated murder in Brazil on September 14, 2024. He received a 14-year, three-month prison sentence following the issuance of an arrest warrant. Fleeing Brazil, the Brazilian national illegally entered the U.S. via the Mexican border in June 2024. Initially detained, he was later released into the country under then-President Joe Biden’s border policy, according to ICE reports.

In a statement, acting ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston Field Office Director David Wesling expressed concern, saying, “This case exemplifies how the media sometimes wrongly labels many of these individuals as non-criminals. In reality, they include murderers, sexual predators, gang affiliates, and more, who simply lack a U.S. criminal record.”

ICE Boston arrested Maycon Souto Dos Reis on Aug. 3

During a targeted operation on August 3 at the Westborough District Court in Westborough, ICE Boston successfully apprehended Maycon Souto Dos Reis, an illegal alien and foreign fugitive from Brazil. (ICE ERO Boston)

“We will continue to pursue these dangerous criminal aliens that sanctuary politicians fight to protect.”

The timing of the Aug. 3 Boston-area arrest corresponded to Healey’s Aug. 5 signing of the PROTECT Act, which keeps ICE out of courthouses, schools, child care centers, hospitals and healthcare facilities, while also providing stronger protections for parents in case they are detained or deported, banning new 287(g) agreements and allowing civil rights claims to be made against government officials, including ICE agents.

“The PROTECT Act is the strongest law in the country to protect people from ICE, because no one should be afraid to send their child to school, seek medical care or fear reporting a crime or appearing in court,” Healey wrote Aug. 5 in a statement announcing the signing of the new restrictions on ICE operations in her state.

“It makes us all less safe. So we are getting ICE out of our courthouses, schools and hospitals. This bill is a testament to the hard work and advocacy of so many people across our state. We’re going to keep working together to make Massachusetts and this country the place we all want it to be.”

Governor Maura Healey speaks at a podium indoors.

Democrat Gov. Maura Healey’s Aug. 5 signing of the PROTECT Act, which keeps ICE out of courthouses, schools, child care centers, hospitals and healthcare facilities. (Lane Turner/The Boston Globe)

Dos Reis initially came to ERO Boston’s attention following his May 29 arrest for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in Southborough, Massachusetts.

ICE officers arrested him Aug. 3 during a targeted operation at Westborough District Court in Westborough.

ICE officials said Dos Reis had been living in Massachusetts, which has been at the center of clashes between state and federal officials over immigration enforcement. The agency characterized the jurisdiction as one where local policies can complicate federal efforts to locate and arrest immigration offenders.

ICE did not provide additional details about the aggravated murder case in Brazil, including when the killing occurred or the circumstances surrounding Dos Reis’ conviction.

He remains in ICE custody pending the outcome of deportation proceedings, the agency said.

“DHS’s message is clear: If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, arrest you, and you will never return,” ICE wrote in a release Monday, hailing President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s actions to protect legal American citizens.

“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States.”

Stream Hayden Panettiere’s Best Hits: Discover ‘Nashville,’ ‘Heroes,’ ‘Scream 4’ and More

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Stream Hayden Panettiere’s Best Hits: Discover ‘Nashville,’ ‘Heroes,’ ‘Scream 4’ and More

In a tragic turn of events reported on Monday morning, the entertainment world has lost actress Hayden Panettiere at the age of 36. Widely recognized for her roles in popular network television series and films since her debut as a child star, Panettiere’s passing on August 16 has left fans and colleagues mourning.

Earlier in 2023, Panettiere released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, shedding light on her personal struggles with industry exploitation, maintaining sobriety, and the challenging facets of her career in Hollywood. Despite her young age, Panettiere boasted an expansive career, featuring more than 100 episodes across various TV shows. Tributes have poured in from co-stars like Viola Davis, David Arquette, and Melissa Barrera, who shared heartfelt messages and memories on social media. With her untimely departure, many fans are expected to revisit her acclaimed projects as a testament to her remarkable talent.

Panettiere’s prominence skyrocketed with her role as Claire Bennet in the NBC superhero drama Heroes, where she portrayed a cheerleader with incredible regenerative powers. Following this, she captivated audiences as country singer Juliette Barnes on ABC’s Nashville, showcasing her vocal prowess. Both series are currently available on Netflix among other budget-friendly streaming services, offering fans a chance to relive her standout performances. Beyond these shows, she forged a memorable presence in a celebrated slasher franchise and participated in numerous family films, cementing her status as a beloved TV star.

Below, we’ve curated a chronological list celebrating some of Panettiere’s finest and renowned works, alongside details on where to stream them.

  1. Illustration from A Bug's Life, showing ants looking at a painted leaf depicting grasshoppers fighting other insects.

    ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Streaming on: Disney+

    One of Panettiere’s first big-screen roles was in a widely seen box office smash, though even some fans may not realize that it was her: She plays the adorable Princess Dot, the younger sister of Princes Atta (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), in Pixar’s delightful animated comedy A Bug’s Life. (Both Dot and Atta are ants.) Recording her part somewhere around the age of eight, Panettiere has a mix of child-actor professionalism and natural sweetness that somehow makes this cartoon ant feel like a real kid.

    Stream A Bug’s Life on Disney+

  3. 'Remember the Titans'

    Photo: Everett Collection

    Streaming on: Disney+

    Sticking with Disney, Panettiere played the feisty daughter of high school football coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton), working under new head coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) in this heartwarming sports drama and period piece. As a pint-sized football enthusiast, she holds her own in several scenes opposite Washington.

    Stream Remember the TItans on Disney+

  4. Hayden Panettiere and Michelle Trachtenberg in a dressing room scene from Ice Princess.

    ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

    Streaming on: Disney+

    One more Disney project before the dawn of Heroes: Alongside the similarly beloved and gone-too-soon star Michelle Trachtenberg, Panettiere plays a teenage ice skater in this wholesome sleepover classic.

    Stream Ice Princess on Disney+

  5. Cheerleader running from fire, with an Odessa Fire Rescue truck in the background.

    NBC via Getty Images

    Streaming on: Netflix, or free with ads on Tubi

    This network-drama riff on the X-Men, with a group of variously superpowered characters coming together to save the world, was sold in large part on the charisma of a still-young Panettiere, who played a fast-healing high school cheerleader (hence the famous “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World” tagline used to advertise the show, as well as within the show’s story).

    The show was a massive success at first, only to do a fast fade around its third season, and was canceled after its fourth. But it still produced 73 episodes (in today’s streaming environment, that’s the equivalent of, what, seven seasons?), and Panetierre is featured across the full run; her unofficial variation on the Wolverine character from Marvel Comics was largely recognized as one of the show’s most novel twists on familiar superhero material.

    Stream Heroes on Tubi

  6. Paul Rust, Lauren Storm, Hayden Panettiere, Jack Carpenter, and Laura Slade Wiggins in "I Love You, Beth Cooper."

    ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Streaming on: Currently only available to rent or purchase

    Heroes largely kept Panetierre busy while it was on the air, but she did score one prominent leading film role in this adaptation of Larry Doyle’s very funny coming-of-age novel about a high school nerd unexpectedly getting to spend some time with his dream girl, played by Panetierre. The movie itself is not nearly as funny as the book (it doesn’t help that the teenage lead is played by a guy pushing 30), but Panetierre is confident, charming, and even a bit nuanced as the stereotypical dream girl.

  7. Scream 4

    Photo: Everett Collection

    Streaming on: Paramount+ has both; Scream VI is also on Netflix

    Scream 4 has the strange distinction of being the only movie in the series so far that wasn’t a substantial hit; it seemed to arrive a little too soon to work as a nostalgic legacy sequel but a little too late to capture the original-trilogy magic. That said, it’s become a fan favorite, and even those who don’t cherish it seem to agree that Panetierre’s Kirby Reed is a major highlight: a scrappy and stylish horror geek more instantly likable than just about anyone else in the cast.

    For years, Kirby fans insisted that we didn’t actually see her die on screen, and that she could be back for later sequels; the fifth Scream, released in 2022, made reference to her being alive, and the filmmakers made good on that implicit promise by bringing her back as an FBI agent in Scream VI, the kind of revival that gives fan service a good name.

  8. Cast of 'Nashville' on CMT

    ©CMT/courtesy Everett Collectio

    Streaming on: Netflix

    Panettiere’s second big primetime series wasn’t quite the same level of sensation as the early years of Heroes, but it proved a more consistent performer, both critically and in the ratings. (Its first four seasons in particular had enviably steady popularity for a network show of the late 2010s, before a premature cancellation sent the series over to CMT and Hulu for two more seasons.) It was arguably Panettiere’s strongest and most consistent showcase for her grown-up acting skills, not to mention her singing voice.

    Stream Nashville on netflix

    For more of Panettiere, fans can also check out her final film, the 2026 thriller Sleepwalker, available for rental and purchase.

    9.

    5 HIMYM Episodes You’ll Think Twice About Rewatching

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    5 HIMYM Episodes You’ll Think Twice About Rewatching

    Ted smirking in How I Met Your Mother

    CBS

    In 2005, when “How I Met Your Mother” debuted on CBS, the cultural landscape was markedly different. George W. Bush was steering the country as president, YouTube burst onto the scene with its revolutionary video streaming platform, and the Star Wars prequels were still captivating audiences. This era might offer insight as to why certain episodes of “How I Met Your Mother” feel outdated today.

    Taking a step back, the series created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas cleverly intertwines a simple yet intricate storyline, detailing how the love-struck Ted Mosby, portrayed by Josh Radnor, eventually meets his children’s mother. The show features a future timeline where Ted, voiced by the late Bob Saget for reasons unexplained, narrates his epic tale to his kids. This narrative unfolds amid his life adventures in New York City, alongside friends like Marshall Eriksen and Lily Aldrin, played by Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan, Barney Stinson portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris, and Cobie Smulders as Robin Scherbatsky, Ted’s on-and-off flame. While episodes such as “Slap Bet” have aged fairly well, others have not withstood the test of time.

    Reflecting on this, we’ve identified five episodes of “How I Met Your Mother” that, years later, don’t hold up under modern scrutiny. Some are surprisingly from the later seasons, including the ninth and final season wrapped up in 2014. Without further delay, here are five “How I Met Your Mother” episodes that seem all but unwatchable today.

    Slapsgiving 3: Slappointment in Slapmarra (Season 9, Episode 13)

    Marshall laughing maniacally at his hand on How I Met Your Mother

    CBS

    It’s quite disconcerting that creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas permitted the airing of the Season 9 episode “Slapsgiving 3: Slappointment in Slapmarra,” and CBS along with them. This episode, notorious for its portrayal, marked the conclusion of the series-wide “slap bet” storyline where Marshall could slap Barney five times at his discretion. While other episodes featuring the slap bet delivered great humor, this particular one fell flat. Drawing its name from W. Somerset Maughan’s “The Appointment in Samarra,” it regrettably showcased characters in racially insensitive costumes, resorting to “yellowface.” Notably, none of the main cast are of Asian descent.

    The response to this episode, in which Marshall embarks on a “kung-fu” inspired saga to deliver the last slap, was so negative that Bays addressed the controversy in a now-removed social media post. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he spoke for both himself and Thomas:

    “With Monday’s episode, we set out to make a silly and unabashedly immature homage to Kung Fu movies, a genre we’ve always loved. But along the way we offended people. We’re deeply sorry, and we’re grateful to everyone who spoke up to make us aware of it. We try to make a show that’s universal, that anyone can watch and enjoy. We fell short of that this week, and feel terrible about it. To everyone we offended, I hope we can regain your friendship, and end this series on a note of goodwill. Thanks.”

    That’s nice, but the damage is done. If you’re brave enough to watch the frankly terrible ninth and final season of “How I Met Your Mother,” go ahead and skip this one.

    Last Forever Part 1 & Part 2 (Season 9, Episodes 23 and 24)

    Ted holding up the blue French horn on How I Met Your Mother

    CBS

    What is there left to say about the two-part series finale of “How I Met Your Mother,” the entirety of which is titled “Last Forever?” (We’ll do our best to come up with more critiques — don’t fret.) The universally reviled series ender does its best to wrap up every major “How I Met Your Mother” storyline, including ones that emerge in later seasons like Marshall’s quest to become a judge, Lily’s receipt of an offer to work as a wealthy man’s art curator in Rome, and the end of Robin and Barney’s marriage.

    Regarding that last thing? The entire ninth season of “How I Met Your Mother” takes place on Robin and Barney’s wedding weekend, so it’s unbelievably infuriating to split them up within the first few minutes of “Last Forever,” as is the choice to kill off the titular Mother — Cristin Milioti’s unbelievably charming Tracy McConnell — to pave the way for Ted to woo Robin with the same blue French horn he foisted upon her in Season 1. “Last Forever” is annoying, unfunny, and unfulfilling, but as with many entries on this list, the biggest problem is actually Barney.

    After his split from Robin, Barney returns almost immediately to his womanizing ways and ends up finding out that one of his random paramours is pregnant; when he sees his baby daughter, he becomes a changed man. That sounds nice, right? Wrong! Instead of just trying to become a better person, Barney “changes” by going to bars and chastising women for drinking alcohol and wearing short skirts. Not only is this pivot stupid, it’s pretty offensive … and a terrible conclusion to Barney’s story. Frankly, we wish Barney had an original ending — but at least Ted and Tracy do.

    The Playbook (Season 5, Episode 8)

    Barney in a scuba suit on How I Met Your Mother

    CBS

    Barney Stinson is … an ongoing issue on “How I Met Your Mother.” This isn’t the fault of Neil Patrick Harris’ excellent and gamely committed performance, but the way the character was written; by modern standards, Barney is an enormously problematic figure whose entire life revolves around literally tricking women into sleeping with him by any means necessary. Let’s start with “The Playbook,” a Season 5 episode of “How I Met Your Mother” that shines a pretty harsh light on the ways Barney will lie and cheat to get women into bed.

    Unfortunately, this episode is also really funny at first glance and so beloved by fans that it resulted in a real “Playbook” being released as merchandise … but if you spend any time at all thinking about it, it’s not great. When “The Playbook” begins, Barney is sitting in the gang’s usual haunt, the bar MacLaren’s, in a full scuba suit, leading Lily to confront a curious woman named Claire (Sarah Wright) and try to deter her from talking to Barney.

    As the half-hour unfolds, we learn about Barney’s titular playbook and several of the “plays” found within, including a devious long con called “The Lorenzo von Matterhorn” that he uses to fool Lily’s coworker Shelly (guest star Eva Amurri). Others include “The Empire State Building” (where he comforts women whose long-lost loves aren’t meeting them at the iconic New York building) and the “Mrs. Stinsfire” (a much weirder spin on “Mrs. Doubtfire”), which the gang discovers when Lily enlists an actress friend to seduce Barney and steal the book. So how does this all end? With Lily sticking up for Barney and encouraging Claire to give him a chance … which turns out to be another gambit. Feels gross!

    The Bracket (Season 3, Episode 14)

    Barney holding up six-packs in front of the bracket on How I Met Your Mother

    CBS

    Another Barney-centric episode that seems great at first and feels a lot more unsettling once you think more about it, “The Bracket,” a half-hour from the show’s third season, is literally just a laundry list of horrifying things Barney has done to former lovers. When a woman approaches Lily at MacLaren’s to warn her that she should stay away from Barney (something the show reverses in the aforementioned episode “The Playbook”), erroneously thinking that Lily and Barney might be on a date, Barney is baffled … largely because there’s too many women that he wronged and can’t figure out who it might be. Armed with six packs of beer and a stolen blackboard, Barney enlists the gang to figure out who the woman could be, and after they narrow it down to a few possibilities, Barney brings Lily with him to help identify the culprit — and promises Lily, in the process, that he’ll apologize to his victim.

    Some of Barney’s lies are at least vaguely innocuous, like when he hooked up with a girl and pretended he was Ted or when he hooked up with a different girl inside of Lily and Marshall’s new apartment before they moved in, pretending it was his. A different conquest, Holly (Maite Schwartz), met a worse fate: he abandoned her in the woods after seducing her during a camping trip, and she was nearly killed by a bear. Then, when Barney meets a girl he apparently forgot he slept with, he apologizes for a litany of misdeeds including a tale that … really makes it sound like he participated in human trafficking, which is played off as a joke. Barney’s behavior is unacceptable, but episodes like “The Bracket” try too hard to turn his crimes against women into silly goofs.

    The Naked Man (Season 4, Episode 9)

    Ted standing naked in Vicky's apartment on How I Met Your Mother

    CBS

    Weirdly, the gambit that gives the “How I Met Your Mother” episode “The Naked Man” its very blunt title isn’t from Barney Stinson’s horrible, twisted mind; it comes from a guest character, Mitch, played by Adam Paul. At this point in the series, Ted and Robin are roommates out of pure convenience, and he’s very surprised to arrive home one day and find a fully nude Mitch. As Mitch explains, he and Robin were out on a blind date that wasn’t going very well, so he tried a tried-and-true tactic he calls “The Naked Man,” which is … exactly what it sounds like. Mitch tells Ted that he does this on a lot of dates when the energy flags for a few reasons — the target in question either thinks you’re really confident or feels sorry for you, both of which Mitch claims lead them to want to sleep with you. He does warn Ted, though, that it only ever works every two out of three times.

    Buoyed by this idea, the gang decides to try it out. Ted uses it, successfully, to seduce Vicky (Courtney Ford), a woman he always sees in the elevator at his office building; he almost aborts the mission to be respectful towards Vicky at her home, but when he realizes she’s a weird racist, he does it and succeeds. Lily uses it on Marshall, which is sort of cheating because they’re married; Barney gets kicked out of a woman’s apartment naked. That’s how the episode shakes out, but honestly — in what world is The Naked Man not a form of sexual harassment or outright assault? Do not try this one in real life, folks. You’ll probably get arrested, which is what should have happened to Ted and Barney.

    NW Indiana Power Outages Persist as Storm Cleanup Progresses

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    NW Indiana Power Outages Persist as Storm Cleanup Progresses

    CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s been exactly one week since a series of tornadoes wreaked havoc across the southern suburbs of Chicago and parts of Northwest Indiana.

    On Monday, communities in Indiana remain in the dark, eager for updates on when their power might be restored.

    ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

    The utility company has reported that last Tuesday’s storm was one of the most damaging events to hit the power grid in many years.

    In response to the crisis, the city of Gary and NIPSCO workers will join forces to distribute food at the YWCA at noon.

    Gary, alongside other Northwest Indiana areas such as Dyer, Merrillville, and Hammond, has been severely affected by ongoing power outages.

    This comes as more than 100,000 customers are still without power.

    People living in Gary, Indiana are still wrapping their heads around the destruction left behind following last week’s powerful storms.

    Several trees were uprooted and crushed people’s homes. Crews were out Monday morning removing down trees.

    “I looked out the door, I saw the tree on the car.. I just closed the door, I didn’t even want to process that right then,” Gary resident Hampton Hinton said.

    Hinton said his home was spared from the damage. But he joins thousands of people who have been without electricity for days.

    “I had to throw out all my food out and the bad part about it, I had just went grocery shopping and bought a lot of stuff that I planned to barbecue for the rest of the summer,” Hinton said.

    The same goes for Annie Williams, who also lives in Gary. She’s been using a generator in the meantime, as she waits for her power to be restored.

    “It’s hard getting around,” Williams said. “I don’t have a car because I have neuropathy, and I try to call people but the internet was down, so had to use my legs to buy a generator.

    NIPSCO said back-to-back severe weather events left unprecedented damage to their electric system.

    Aug. 11th’s storm was one of the largest outage event in the company’s history.

    The company estimates that 90 percent of customers will have power restored by Tuesday, with everyone expected to be back online by Friday.

    Indiana has been approved for federal disaster assistance, Williams hopes Gary receives some of that help.

    “We just need to get some emergency assistance as soon as possible,” Williams said.

    The food distribution at the YWCA will go on until 6 p.m.

    Monday, the city of Gary will pass out free cleaning supplies for those who have been affected by the storm.

    Free cleanup supplies to residents affected by recent storms will be available beginning at 3 p.m., Monday, August 17, at the Hudson and Campbell Sports and Fitness Center in Gary.

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    Navy Commander Dismisses Ongoing USS Lincoln Concerns as Outdated

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    Navy Commander Dismisses Ongoing USS Lincoln Concerns as Outdated

    Recent concerns regarding conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier have been described as ‘old news’ by a US Navy admiral following a visit to the vessel.

    The USS Abraham Lincoln, initially set to conclude its deployment in May after embarking on November 21, has seen its mission extended without a set return date due to rising tensions with Iran. This extension has kept over 4,000 sailors at sea for close to nine months.

    In recent weeks, family members of those stationed on the carrier have shared their worries with the media, saying their loved ones are experiencing extreme fatigue, with some reportedly considering jumping overboard.

    On August 3, an incident involved a sailor from the carrier’s air wing entering rough seas wearing a life vest, an action the Navy classified as a mental health crisis, CNN reported. He was swiftly rescued within an hour by a search and rescue helicopter.

    According to interviews published by the Military Times, two wives recounted separate incidents of their husbands attempting to leap from the ship, highlighting the stress of the prolonged deployment.

    But US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Admiral Brad Cooper visited the USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday – and subsequently said many of the complaints swirling in the media are ‘old news.’

    In an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal on Sunday, the admiral said: ‘Recent media reporting has portrayed varying perspectives on operational tempo, crew morale and the realities facing our deployed forces. 

    ‘What I found aboard the Lincoln is that many elements of those stories are old news.’

    Cooper also released a statement brushing off fears of widespread suicidal ideation alleged to be experienced among those aboard the aircraft carrier.

    In the statement, posted to CENTCOM’s X account on Sunday, Cooper said: ‘Of the US Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health.’ 

    At an emotional town hall meeting earlier this month, more than 200 family members of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln met with acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao to express their concerns. 

    A spouse tearfully told officials she received a message that same day from her husband saying ‘he hopes he doesn’t wake up tomorrow,’ Stars and Stripes reported.

    A mother also described how her daughter said she felt like she was never going to be able to come home and believed she was going to die on the ship, according to MS Now.

    Relatives also expressed concerns over food levels on board after pictures emerged appearing to show meagre provisions, and some reports claimed there was mildew in the showers and a lack of clean water, which officials said had been resolved.

    One parent with a child on the Lincoln said they received a photo from mid-April that showed a tray with boiled carrots, a scoop of ground beef and a gray slice of dry-looking meat.

    Relatives of service members aboard the aircraft carrier met with acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao (pictured) earlier this month and expressed their concerns

    Relatives of service members aboard the aircraft carrier met with acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao (pictured) earlier this month and expressed their concerns 

    Relatives expressed concern about food aboard the ship. One parent with a child on the Lincoln received this photo from mid-April showing a sad-looking plate of food

    Relatives expressed concern about food aboard the ship. One parent with a child on the Lincoln received this photo from mid-April showing a sad-looking plate of food 

    Congressional Democrats demanded answers last week about the conditions onboard the aircraft carrier.

    In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Senator Richard Blumenthal said the USS Abraham Lincoln ‘has been deployed more than 250 days’ without coming ashore ‘in over 200 days, setting a record for consecutive days at sea.’

    Blumenthal voiced concern for such extended deployments, noting ‘widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns’ and other problems aboard the Lincoln.

    Amid the outcry, reporters asked Donald Trump whether the deployment had simply gone on too long, to which the president shot back: ‘No. Not nearly long enough.’

    Still, Cooper was sent to visit the ship, and CENTCOM announced on Sunday that the USS Abraham Lincoln’s deployment is ending. 

    The admiral mentioned the development in the first paragraph of his op-ed, in which he said: ‘I delivered the words every deployed sailor and Marine longs to hear: “You have delivered a performance for the ages, and now you are going home.”’

    Cooper praised the service members aboard the aircraft carrier as ‘high-achieving Americans standing tall with justified pride in everything they have accomplished.’ 

    He acknowledged that ‘The crew is tired,’ but also emphasized ‘they continue to fire on all cylinders.’ 

    Amid the outcry from relatives of sailors and Congressional Democrats, President Donald Trump said the aircraft carrier had not been deployed 'nearly long enough'

    Amid the outcry from relatives of sailors and Congressional Democrats, President Donald Trump said the aircraft carrier had not been deployed ‘nearly long enough’ 

    The admiral also gave a rundown of the aircraft carrier’s accomplishments during its deployment, which included shooting down more than 200 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) drones, executing hundreds of strikes on IRGC targets and twice enacting ‘the most effective naval blockade in modern history.’ 

    He also thanked the families of the sailors aboard the ship and said: ‘Your strength makes their service possible, and your wait is coming to an end. Godspeed and enjoy the well-deserved reunion soon.’

    As the USS Abraham Lincoln prepares for its journey home, another aircraft carrier, USS George Washington, has departed the Pacific to take its place. 

    Influencer Santos Salazar Arrest Faces Attempted Murder Charges Amid New Parenthood with Brianna Olsen

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    Influencer Santos Salazar Arrest Faces Attempted Murder Charges Amid New Parenthood with Brianna Olsen

    The father of social media influencer Brianna Olsen’s child has been taken into custody.

    Santos Salazar, arrested on August 13, is now facing attempted murder charges following what Los Angeles police describe as a “domestic violence incident,” according to People.

    Salazar, 21, who recently celebrated the birth of his son, Sunday Ray, with Olsen, remains in custody with bail set at $1 million, as indicated by jail records examined by Oxygen.

    Authorities noted to TMZ that officers responded to the couple’s residence around 9:40 p.m. on August 13.

    An LAPD spokesperson, seeking to maintain the investigation’s integrity, refrained from sharing further details with People, as the case remains under active investigation.

    Oxygen reached out to police, but did not receive an immediate reply.

    Olsen spoke to TMZ on her way to visit Salazar at the jail, telling the outlet they’d recently secured attorney Nicholas Rosenberg.

    “Nobody knows the details yet,” she said of the allegations. “We’re trying to just keep most things private about the case until obviously there’s no choice left.”

    She added that Salazar is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 17. Due to the large bond, she said she was unable to bail him out.

    “We think the charge is too harsh for the situation,” she added, while holding Sunday Ray in a baby carrier on her chest. “I think when everyone hears like what actually happened, like, they wouldn’t agree that it would be attempted murder.”

    Olsen admitted that the arrest has also been difficult for her as a new mom.

    “I’m exhausted. I don’t think I’ve ever been as tired in my life,” she told TMZ. “I’ve been doing everything by myself. Obviously, we weren’t expecting this.”

    Oxygen reached out to Rosenberg for additional comment, but did not receive a reply.

    Olsen and Salazar have amassed a large social media following on platforms including Snapchat and TikTok as they document their lives together, including sharing images and videos from the hospital after Sunday’s birth.

    Olsen also seemingly posted a video on Snapchat of Salazar getting arrested, sharing a video of a man in handcuffs walking out of a residence, per People.

    She wrote, “I’m so sorry, guys….”

    In another message she said she was hopeful Salazar would be coming home soon.

    Rejuvenate Leg Muscles in 12 Minutes: Chair Routine for Over 60s

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    Rejuvenate Leg Muscles in 12 Minutes: Chair Routine for Over 60s

    Losing leg strength as you age? Discover a 12-minute chair-based routine designed to boost your leg power, particularly crucial after 60.

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    After the age of 60, maintaining strong legs becomes vital due to the essential role the lower body plays in everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, standing up from a chair, and transporting groceries. Strong muscles in the hips, thighs, and legs are pivotal for balance and mobility. As a fitness trainer, I’ve observed many older adults invest excessive hours in the gym trying to regain muscle strength. However, a straightforward chair routine can offer an effective and simpler starting point. It continuously encourages leg activity while delivering support that enhances confidence during training.

    Muscle diminishing doesn’t materialize overnight, nor does it require gruelling workouts to reverse. The muscles respond to steady, controlled resistance, repetitive motions, and gradually increased challenges. Chair exercises are ideal because they focus on engaging muscles without the anxiety of managing complex equipment or unstable postures. The trick is to slow down each repetition, utilize your complete range of comfortable motion, and maintain sufficient tension to engage the muscles.

    I’ve guided adults over 60 for many years, and some of my most robust clients initiated their strength-building journey with chair-side exercises. This compact 12-minute session effectively targets the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and hip muscles, while also bolstering balance and functional mobility. There’s no need for a gym membership or intricate machine setups. Dedicate two minutes to each of these six exercises and you’ll cultivate a compact yet impactful lower-body workout that seamlessly fits into your day.

    Minutes 1-2: Seated Leg Extensions

    I like beginning with seated leg extensions because they immediately wake up the quadriceps without placing your full body weight through the knees. Strong quadriceps help you stand from chairs, climb stairs, and control your body while walking downhill. The chair also gives you a stable base, allowing you to concentrate entirely on contracting the front of your thighs. I encourage clients to pause briefly at the top instead of simply kicking their legs outward. That small pause creates more muscular tension and makes two minutes surprisingly challenging.

    How to Do It

    • Sit tall near the front of a sturdy chair.
    • Keep both feet flat on the floor.
    • Extend one leg until it becomes nearly straight.
    • Pause and squeeze the thigh.
    • Lower the foot slowly.
    • Alternate legs continuously.
    • Continue for 2 minutes.

    6 Bed Exercises That Restore Hip Strength Faster Than Gym Sessions After 60

    Minutes 3-4: Chair Sit-to-Stands

    Once your quadriceps are warm, it’s time to challenge the entire lower body. Sit-to-stands recruit the quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and core while practicing one of the most important movements you’ll perform every day. I often use this exercise as a basic strength assessment because it quickly reveals how well the legs generate force. Don’t rush the movement. Lower yourself slowly and drive through your feet to stand, making every repetition count.

    How to Do It

    • Sit near the front of a sturdy chair.
    • Place your feet about shoulder-width apart.
    • Lean your torso forward slightly.
    • Press through your feet to stand.
    • Lower yourself slowly until you touch the chair.
    • Repeat for 2 minutes.
    • Use your hands for assistance if necessary.

    Minutes 5-6: Seated Hamstring Curls

    Strong hamstrings balance the strength of your quadriceps and help stabilize the knees and hips. Seated hamstring curls provide a simple way to train the back of your thighs while keeping you supported by the chair. I like this movement because many older adults focus heavily on the front of their legs and overlook the muscles responsible for pulling the heel backward. Strengthening both sides of the thighs creates a more balanced lower body and improves your ability to walk, climb, and recover your footing.

    How to Do It

    • Sit tall with both feet flat.
    • Extend one leg slightly forward.
    • Keep the heel lightly touching the floor.
    • Drag the heel backward toward the chair.
    • Squeeze the back of the thigh.
    • Return slowly.
    • Alternate legs for 2 minutes.

    5 Daily Exercises That Shrink Belly Fat Faster Than Gym Classes After 50

    Minutes 7-8: Seated Calf Raises

    Your calves play a much bigger role in everyday movement than most people realize. Every step requires the calf muscles to help push your body forward and stabilize the ankle as your foot meets the ground. Seated calf raises provide a joint-friendly way to strengthen those muscles while allowing you to control the tempo. I recommend lifting slowly and lowering even more slowly because the lowering phase gives your calves an additional strength challenge. Better calf strength also supports walking endurance and balance.

    How to Do It

    • Sit tall with your feet flat on the floor.
    • Keep your knees bent at about 90 degrees.
    • Press through the balls of your feet.
    • Lift both heels as high as comfortable.
    • Pause briefly at the top.
    • Lower your heels slowly.
    • Continue for 2 minutes.

    Global Icon Bonnie Tyler Honored at Emotional Welsh Farewell

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    Global Icon Bonnie Tyler Honored at Emotional Welsh Farewell

    SWANSEA – A sea of fans gathered outside a church in Wales on Monday to bid farewell to the iconic singer Bonnie Tyler, whose husky voice captured hearts around the globe.

    As her rose-adorned coffin was solemnly carried into Swansea Minster, the emotional strains of Tyler’s “If I Sing You A Love Song” filled the air during the private funeral service, which was shared with fans via a screen outside. Her poignant hit “It’s a Heartache” accompanied the procession as the coffin was placed reverently at the altar.

    In one moving tribute, her manager, Matthew Davis, reflected on Tyler’s life, stating, “Bonnie was always a star but never a diva. She remained true to her roots and origins. The incredible global love shown since her sudden and unexpected death would have truly touched her heart.”

    Tyler, who gained international fame with her 1983 smash hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” passed away last month at the age of 75 while in a hospital in Portugal. She had undergone emergency intestinal surgery in May in Faro, where she owned a residence.

    Just under a week before her final farewell, her iconic track served as a fitting soundtrack to celebrations that accompanied a total eclipse, which darkened skies over parts of Europe.

    Crowds lined the streets Saturday in her seaside Welsh village of Mumbles as a hearse carried her coffin, draped in a Welsh flag, home.

    Kathleen Davies, who joined the crowd outside the church, said she was starstruck when she first saw Tyler but later came to learn she was down to earth.

    “She’s Welsh through and through,” Davies said. “Everything about her, she’s natural, there’s no fake stuff. When you see her on the interviews, she’s just who she is.”

    Tyler was born Gaynor Hopkins, a coal miner’s daughter in public housing with an outside toilet in Skewen, Wales, about 7 miles (11 kilometers) outside Swansea. She grew up with three sisters and two brothers.

    Canon Justin Davies said in a eulogy written by her family that she first performed in a contest at a rugby club in the late 1960s, singing ”Those Were The Days,” made famous by Mary Hopkin.

    “She came in second and won just one pound, but was hooked,” Davies said. “The rest, as they say, was history.”

    Tyler went on to earn three Grammy nods and in 2013 represented Britain at the Eurovision Song Contest, where she came in 19th. She was honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2022 for her services to music by Queen Elizabeth II, thanks mainly to “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”

    The ballad shot to the top of the charts in Britain and the United States and has had more than 1 billion streams, boosted by real eclipses in 2017, 2024 and most recently during last week’s solar eclipse.

    She was also known for “Holding Out For a Hero,” from the soundtrack of the film “Footloose.”

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    Melley reported from London.

    Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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