1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on NBA fans worried for Klay Thompson after four-time champion and Golden State veteran puts up horrendous stat line
KLAY Thompson had one of his worst nights on a basketball court which left fans fearing for his career.
The 34-year-old modern-day icon didn’t score a single point in Monday’s preseason NBA clash.
Klay Thompson had a nightmare in Los Angeles on Monday nightAPGettyThe 34-year-old finished pointless on 0-9 shooting for the Dallas Mavericks[/caption]
Thompson is a four-time champion and has been one of the most prolific shooters of his generation.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on I’m sharing pics of my daughter, 7, who lost her eye after vape EXPLODED – split-second decision changed everything
A MUM has shared photos of her young daughter who lost an eye after a vape exploded.
Ruby Grainger, seven, had gone to buy an ice cream and while walking home past a bonfire a battery exploded, shooting acid into her face and right eye.
GoFundMeLittle Ruby Grainger has lost the sight in her right eye[/caption]
The youngster was rushed to Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, by ambulance before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital on October 5.
Her family was told that doctors had removed her eye during an emergency operation.
Ruby’s mum Ciara, 32, told the Mirror: “She was walking across to the van and when she was coming back bang, something exploded in her face.
“All I hear is screaming, she was hysterical, when she got to the house I could have collapsed.
“The blood was rushing all down her face, I put her to my chest and rang the ambulance, I was frantic.”
Ciara added: “Doctors said that this is the first case of this kind of damage from a fire, they have seen explosions but to lose her whole eye, the socket, everything.
”I do not think it has properly hit me that the child has no eye now.
”For a split second her whole life changed, and mine too, when she lost her eye I lost mine.
“If I could give her mine I would. I would give everything for her, she is only seven, and this never should have happened to her. I cannot believe it.”
The mum-of-four said medics believe the damage was caused by battery acid as ”the eyeball was like mashed potato”.
Ruby did not feel anything hit her eye and reports say the type of damage done would not be caused by a physical object.
Following the accident, a member of the family checked where the fire was and found remnants of several burnt-out vapes.
Ciara has now set up a fundraiser for Ruby, who needs to have a prosthetic eye fitted.
The mum wrote on the GoFundMe page: “Ruby now has to get a prosthetic eye which is going to be hard to get used to for a 7 year old.
Smoking vs. vaping
VAPING has been touted as an effective tool to help people quit smoking.
Though vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, the habit isn’t completely harmless and comes with its own set of risks.
The NHS only recommends it for adult smokers, to support quitting smoking.
GP and author Dr Philippa Kaye explained to The Sun that the differences between vaping and smoking – and whether one is better than the other – is “complicated”.
“In a nutshell, vaping is better than smoking, but breathing air is better than vaping at all.”
Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins – and at lower levels – than smoking cigarettes.
Switching to vaping significantly reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and diseases of the heart and circulation like heart attack and stroke.
These diseases are not caused by nicotine, which is relatively harmless to health. But research has still linked vaping to a higher risk of failure and lung disease.
Health risks of cigarettes
Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer
Smokers are at greater risk for diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels
Smoking can cause lung disease by damaging your airways and the small air sacs
Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body
It affects overall health too, such as your mouth, eyes, immune system and fertility
Health risks of vaping
They can cause side effects such as throat and mouth irritation, headache, cough and feeling sick
They could lead to tooth decay
They could damage heart health
They could cause lung disease
They could slow brain development
Read more on how vaping can affect your health here.
Sources: NHS, CDC
“Ruby is going to have to experience very big changes in life for a child her age.
“Some of which are, Ruby will have to change schools because of losing her right eye she will have to go to a vision impaired school, Ruby will also never be able to go to play like she used to, Ruby also has to learn to balance again due to having a blind side, and the biggest one is Ruby is no longer able to see out of her right eye.”
Doctors are hopeful her eye socket will have healed enough in six weeks so she can undergo the operation.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on New England Patriots release top star hours after another NFL loss – but still has $4.3 million career earnings in bank
THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS are releasing veteran offensive lineman Nick Leverett.
According to ESPN, Leverett, 27, is being let go just two days after the Patriots’ latest NFL loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday at the Gillette Stadium.
GettyThe New England Patriots are releasing Nick Leverett[/caption]
GettyThe England Patriots are undergoing a period of transition under new head coach Jerod Mayo[/caption]
The American, though, leaves New England with a staggering $4.3million (£3.3m) in career earnings.
The popular franchise is going through a transitional period after legendary head coach Bill Belichick rolled credits on his stunning 23-year reign in 2023.
New coach Jerod Mayo, who took over in January, just handed new quarterback Drake Maye his first ever NFL start with the team against the Texans.
Maye, 22, was the Patriots’ first-round draft pick of the year and much is expected from him as he has large boots to fill following Tom Brady‘s stunning 19-year stint with the franchise.
But Mayo seems to be dealing with several matters regarding his roster.
The American coach attended the The Greg Hill Show, as per his contractual requirements, and was asked about the squad.
The 38-year-old remained coy but didn’t reject claims suggesting the team was in “bad shape”.
The host asked: “Why was the roster in such bad shape entering this offseason?”
Mayo responded: “You tell me.”
And the host replied: “He almost said what he…”
But the Patriots coach cut him off by saying: “No. I’m not doing that one. I’m not doing that one.”
The lump appeared a couple years after Clyde was thwacked in the forehead and showed no signs of budging.
The 57-year-old even tried to have the lump removed in Turkey – only to be told it was impossible.
“It’s quite an unusual thing. I know it’s not going to go away,” Clyde said.
“Sometimes I’ve laid in bed and just thought ‘why have I got this?’”
Over the years, Clyde became more and more self conscious of the lump protruding from the top of his forehead.
“Plus my dog, she wakes me up in the morning and is licking the lump on my head.
“I say Cheers Bonnie, you’re reminding me the lump’s there,” he quipped.
Clyde finally decided to visit consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Craythorne, in hope that he could finally have the 30-year-old bump removed.
The life-changing op that saw the lump being squeezed out of an incision in Clyde’s forehead was documented in the brand-new seventh series of The Bad Skin Clinic.
The second episode will air on Really at 9pm tonight.
Clyde was joined by his wife Caroline for his appointment with Dr Craythorne.
He explained that he was hit in the head at short range by a cricket ball, but that the lump actually didn’t appear until two years later.
Clyde already made a visit to Turkey to try and have the lump removed, but doctors weren’t able to help him.
“I’m in this hospital and they tried to remove it, but unfortunately they couldn’t do it. I came home with a scar and a lump,” he told Dr Craythorne.
“I’ve never known Clyde without it,” Caroline chimed in.
“He had it when we met, but I have noticed over the last few years Clyde’s got more conscious about it.”
After inspecting the bump, Dr Craythorne was immediately able to identify it as a lipoma.
She explained to Clyde:”‘Lipo’ means fat and ‘oma’ is a benign tumour.
“The only way to get rid of this is to have it surgically removed.”
The dermatologist explained that she’d have to work around in the incisions previously made by doctors in Turkey.
“What’s interesting about Clyde’s lipoma is that he’s previously had an attempted excision on this.
“That sometimes can mean that these lipomas are a little bit more complicated.”
“Usually I would have done the incision [horizontally], but because you’ve already got a [vertical] incision, I think it makes sense just to carry that on up and over.
“I’ll then pop it out, then it will be a nice flat area,” she added.
‘SPEECHLESS’
After the consultation, it was time for Clyde to head into theatre with Dr Craythorne for the surgery.
The dermatologist started by making initial incisions in to Clyde’s scalp, slicing through the fascial layer of skin tissue to get the lipoma – a pulpy orange mass.
“So what we’ve now got to try and do is get this lipoma out of this little hole that we’ve made,” Dr Craythorne explained.
“You just have to ease it out,” she added, before gently applying pressure to both sides.
“Let’s see if we can squeeze it out.”
After pressing on either side of the lump, Dr Craythorne managed to pull it out of the wound.
Though she removed the bulk of the lipoma from Clyde’s forehead, the derm wasn’t completely convinced that it was all out.
It’s going to totally change the way I feel about myself
Clyde
She told her assistant: “There’s something here, can you see this move?
“I think it’s just scar tissue where they went in before at the front.
“But because it’s moving a bit I’m just trying to wiggle my way around here to see if there’s anything at all that they maybe disrupted.”
“There is definitely something there… I think it’s a little bit of lipoma!”
With further searching and prodding with her surgical tools, Dr Craythorne pulled out another, smaller piece of lipoma that was trapped behind scar tissue that had been created by Clyde’s previous surgery in Turkey.
“Yabba dabba doo!” Clyde exclaimed as Dr Craythorne announced that all the lipoma was now out.
What is a lipoma?
Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that grow under your skin.
They actually tend to be quite common.
They’re harmless and don’t usually need any treatment, but it’s important to get any lumps checked by a GP.
They:
Feel soft and squishy
Can be anything from the size of a pea to a few centimetres across
May move slightly under your skin if you press them
Are not usually painful
Grow slowly
Can appear anywhere on your body
You can get a lipoma removed on the NHS if it’s growing or causing symptoms because of where it is.
A lump is something to worry about if it’s:
Painful, red or hot to touch
Hard and does not move
Increasing in size
In rare cases, lumps under your skin can be a sign of something more serious.
Source: NHS
She stitched Clyde’s forehead wound back up and showed him his brand-new, lump-less forehead in the mirror.
“Oh my god! I’m speechless. It’s round!” a delighted Clyde said, examining the new shape of his head.
“Caroline isn’t going to recognise me. It’s going to totally change the way I feel about myself,” a visibly emotional Clyde went on.
He was grinning from ear to ear as his wife walked in, saying: “Ta daa!”
Caroline exclaimed: “Oh my god, you look so different! Your face, you look so happy.”
“I do, I feel a million dollars,” Clyde responded.
“So what shall we do tonight then, take a few selfies?” he joked, as the couple left the clinic.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Sam’s Club to open new store that will revolutionize self-checkout – cash will become a thing of the past
SAM’S Club bosses are set to open a new store, and customers will notice an obvious layout change.
Members who plan to visit the Grapevine, Texas, location might as well leave their wallets at home as the store will not accept cash.
A new digital only Sam’s Club store is to openAlamyShoppers will notice a change in how they check out itemsGetty
There will be no traditional or self-checkouts inside the premises, as reported by the NBC affiliate KNWA-TV.
This means shoppers must use the in-house scan-and-go tool to buy groceries.
Customers can scan items and pay for their products using their cell phones.
To scan an item, shoppers must hold their device over the barcode until they see a rectangle.
Shoppers pay for goods while using the app and don’t have to wait in a checkout line.
Chris Nicholas, the CEO of Sam’s Club, described the new outlet as the chain’s first-all digital store.
Execs revealed that floor space is freed up by having no checkouts.
Nicholas told Forbes that the space will be used to display online-only items.
The Grapevine location is reopening to customers after it was hit by a tornado two years ago.
The store change has sparked a mixed reaction online.
One shopper seemed confused about how the transition to scan-and-go technology would benefit elderly members who may not use smartphones.
“There are still a lot of people who don’t use the app and will need assistance to check out,” they said.
Some have even vowed to boycott the chain if a digital-only store appears in their town.
Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers
Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits
* If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue.
Costco:
Gold Star Membership: $65 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
Executive Membership: $130 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store, and get two additional cards for household use.
Club Membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
Target Circle: A free-to-join reward program allowing users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when an eligible purchase is made, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps out your community.
Target Circle Card: A credit, debit, or reloadable account card that gives users 5% off in-store and online as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping, and an additional 30-day returns window. Formerly Target RedCard.
Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto car, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and go in-store, and early access to deals and product releases.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Everyone can see the blue shell but you need 20/20 vision to spot the sneaky fish in under 7 seconds
ONLY those with a high IQ and perfect vision will be able to solve this fiendish brainteaser in a matter of seconds.
In this sea-themed image, many eyes are looking at you, waiting for you to solve the puzzle.
DudolfCan you spot the hidden fish in under seven seconds?[/caption]
All you have to do is find the fish among the purple octopuses which are all stretched out on the sea bed.
Some are climbing rocks while others have their tentacles in a box of treasure.
But amid these distractions is a tiny fish trying to stay hidden.
It is not only the sea creatures that are working to distract your eyes from their mission.
The bright pops of colour from the seaweed, blue shells, jewels and fashionable accessories worn by some of the octopuses also draw your eyes away from their focus.
If you can spot the tiny fish in under seven seconds, you should give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate your high-quality vision.
However, if you are struggling, here is a tip that could help.
Rather than overwhelm your brain by taking in the image as a whole, it can often help if you divide it into more manageable parts.
This way, you can give more focus to specific areas and are therefore more likely to spot the finer details that may lead you to the answer.
Solving such brainteasers is an effective way of training your brain and improving creative thinking.
This puzzle is particularly tricky as the creators made the fish the same colour as the octopuses.
It even has the same shape and eye colour making it blend in seamlessly.
Perhaps you should concentrate your focus on the top right-hand quarter of the image.
Try to keep an eye out for things that do not quite fit.
How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me?
Engaging in activities like solving optical illusions and brainteasers can have many cognitive benefits as it can stimulate various brain regions.
Some benefits include:
Cognitive stimulation: Engaging in these activities challenges the brain, promoting mental agility and flexibility.
Problem-solving skills: Regular practice enhances analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Memory improvement: These challenges often require memory recall and can contribute to better memory function.
Creativity: They encourage thinking outside the box, fostering creativity and innovative thought processes.
Focus and attention: Working on optical illusions and brainteasers requires concentration, contributing to improved focus.
Stress relief: The enjoyable nature of these puzzles can act as a form of relaxation and stress relief.
Have you found the sneaky fish? If not, scroll down to reveal the solution image to find out where it is hiding.
Meanwhile, have a go at some more fun-filled puzzles to put your vision and patience to the test.
Or, how about this one where you have to find the sleepy cat who decided to rest near a gnarly tree?
DudolfThe pesky fish can be seen in the top right-hand corner[/caption]
JagranJoshHow long does it take you to spot the odd number in this illusion?[/caption]
click4storage.comCan you find the hidden key in a sea of being boxes?[/caption]
PinterestCan you find the dog in 12 seconds?[/caption]
JagranJoshDid you spot the odd number 58?[/caption]
Click4StorageIt was hidden on top of the box[/caption]
PinterestThe dog was hidden amongst the rocks and trees[/caption]
Images of him on German Doner Kebab’s Instagram have also been wiped just weeks after he launched a ‘Special Sauce’ with them alongside fellow YouTuber Harry Pinero.
His defence lawyer argued the victim was drunk at the time of the alleged ordeal, according to Channel 9.
Cops allege that Filly – who was born in Colombia but moved to the UK as a refugee when he was a child – raped her in his hotel.
The rapper was first arrested last Tuesday in Brisbane and transferred to Perth the next day.
He appeared in court where the prosecution said his alleged victim’s body is marked “by a history of violent acts”.
Who is Yung Filly?
YUNG Filly’s rise to fame saw him start out as a social media star.
The influencer got his big break on YouTube before moving into mainstream TV.
Although he goes by Yung Filly, his real name is Andres Felipé Barrientos.
He was born on August 6, 1995, and moved to the UK from Colombia when he was two years old.
Filly then relocated to southeast London during his childhood.
When asked what it was like growing up in the capital, he told Indy100: “I come from the bottom of the barrel…and that’s why I’m so grateful for the position I’m in now.
“My mum definitely shaped me with the lessons she taught me.
“She’s a single mum with three kids, my dad was a s*** dad so she just had to make it happen.
“She did loads of cleaning jobs. My mum worked at Poundland at the time I had some mad BBC series…just getting my mum out of the position she was in was just the biggest motivation.”
Filly is best known for being a member of the comedy group known as The Wall of Comedy.
He is affiliated with fellow YouTuber Chunkz and the pair have collaborated on many videos and tracks.
Over the years, Filly has also taken part in The Sidemen‘s Charity Football Match, organised by members Josh Bradley, Simon Minter, Tobi Brown, KSI, Ethan Payne, Vikram Barn and Harry Lewis.
GettyThe Voice US viewers have said the same thing about one of the judges[/caption]
GettySome fans have said the same thing about Michael[/caption]
The fifth blind auditions saw the likes of Cameron Wright, Mark Shiiba and BEYA take to the stage.
And while the reality TV show is about those who audition, some fans think that Michael is doing too much attention-grabbing antics and is making it all about him.
One wrote on Reddit: “I am starting to dislike Michael Buble. Last show, I found myself talking to the tv, telling him to shut up every time he gave HIS on-and-on performance. He needs to learn that he’s not the star of the show; the performers are.”
They added: “The show is called THE VOICE not THE VOICE COACHES.”
Another confessed: “This is why we quit watching. I thought Kelly was bad, everything was about her. It’s getting worse.”
A fourth wrote: “This show has always been more about the coaches than about the performers. But I agree, I think this self absorbed behavior is what makes this show unwatchable at times. And this counts for most or all of the coaches – at least during the blinds.”
Michael has spoken out about his life experiences as a musician to many of those who have performed in front of the judges.
Previously he opened up about how he started his career.
Michael said: “I was 16/17 and I started playing in these weird clubs and no one ever paid to see me.
“My grandpa was a plumber and he used to trade free plumbing to the club owner and the musicians would let me in.”
In another time he said: “The cool part about this show is these four people are going to help you to emulate to take what you want.
“That’s what we do as artists, we take from our heroes, we stand on the soldiers of the people tat we love and then we find ourselves.
“I love that one of us is going to get to be apart of watching you find yourself through your love of different genres and artists.
“Thank you so much for coming to our show.”
Last night performer BEYA, from Kauai in Hawaii, performed Ruby & the Romantic’s song Our Day Will Come.
Despite her incredible voice, Michael decided to not turn around.
He then explained: “I was sitting here thinking, ‘I love her voice, but can she be versatile?
“‘What she’s gonna be like with R&B or pop or country?’ And I couldn’t talk myself into going, ‘Yeah, she’ll be able to do that!’
“Now, here’s what’s gonna happen: You are gonna prove me completely wrong … and I will flog myself for this.”
However the singer was completely wrong about her.
BEYA told the camera before her performance: “Being a bilingual artist in Hawaii is hard to come by.
“I’m a full-time musician and I have to play some kind of Latin music at every gig. The crowd loves it; it’s a really sweet treat.
“Usually, I perform in intimate settings and now I’m about to step onto the biggest stage that I’ve ever sang on in my life.
“I would love to do a Latin song on the show, but my go-to genre is soul and R&B.”
Michael joined The Voice this year.
InstagramBEYA performed last night[/caption]
GettyMichael with the rest of the judges[/caption]
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Americans to get up to $4,400 as part of data breach settlement – just a bank statement needed to get money
AMERICANS could get up to an unbelievable $4,400 as part of a data breach settlement – and just a bank statement is needed to get the cash.
The Green Valley settlement looks to resolve claims that the pecan producer should have done more to prevent a data breach in 2022.
GettyAmericans could get up to an unbelievable $4,400 as part of a data breach settlement[/caption]
GettyIf you received a data breach notification from Green Valley Pecan Company you may be in luck[/caption]
For those who received a data breach notification from Green Valley Pecan Company informing them they may have been impacted by a 2022 cyber attack – you’re in luck.
According to the plaintiffs, Green Valley failed to protect their information from a data breach in May 2022 that compromised their personal information.
The plaintiffs also argue that Green Valley could have prevented or mitigated the data breach by implementing reasonable cyber security measures.
The pecan producer based in Arizona hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to resolve the situation.
Under the terms of the Green Valley settlement, class members can receive up to an impressive $400 for ordinary data breach losses.
These include bank fees, phone charges, travel expenses, credit costs and up to three hours of lost time – compensated at a rate of $15 per hour.
But for those who suffered extraordinary losses – like fraud and identity theft – you can receive additional reimbursement of up to an unbelievable $4,000.
In addition to these reimbursement payments, all class members can receive two years of free credit for monitoring and identity theft protection.
But hurry if you are entitled as the deadline for exclusion and objection is November 15 2024.
You also need to submit your claim form by December 16 2024.
As proof, claimants need to provide documentation of data breach-related expenses.
These include bank statements, phone bills, postage receipts, gas receipts, invoices and credit reports.
And the final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for January 10 2025.
It comes after a class action lawsuit was filed against cloud applications provider Oracle America, Inc. in California in 2023.
The complaint alleges that the company illegally collected personal information and sold it to third parties for advertising purposes.
“Oracle improperly captured, compiled, and sold individuals’ online and offline data to third parties without obtaining their consent,” the class action notice claims.
Web activity, purchases made online, geolocation and other personal information were reportedly collected and sold by the company.
Oracle collaborates with the likes of Uber, AMC, and MGM Resorts.
While agreeing to a $115 million settlement, Oracle admits no wrongdoing.
What's a class-action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or 'classes,' a way to band together in court.
These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.
When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.
These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Aaron Rodgers faces heavy fine for breaking NFL protocol in furious rant after New York Jets’ defeat by Buffalo Bills
AARON Rodgers is facing a fine from the National Football League for his post-game remarks Monday night.
The New York Jets quarterback was left furious after his team was beaten by the Buffalo Bills.
APAaron Rodgers was furious after the New York Jets’ loss Monday night[/caption]
APRodgers and the Jets were beaten by the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium[/caption]
The Jets fell to 2-4 this season after a 23-20 loss against their AFC East division rivals at MetLife Stadium.
Referees called 22 penalties in the game – 11 on each team.
And Rodgers didn’t hold back in his assessment of the officiating during his press conference.
“It seemed a little ridiculous,” the 40-year-old quarterback said.
“Some of them seemed really bad, including the roughing the passer on me.
“That’s not roughing the passer.
“We might as well play Sarcastaball if we’re going to call those things,” he said in reference to a South Park episode.
“I thought the one on Kinlaw was not roughing the passer, either.”
And Rodgers could be fined by the league for speaking his mind on the officiating.
The NFL bans players or coaches from publicly criticizing officials.
Last December, Cleveland Browns defensive star Myles Garrett was fined $25,000.
He slammed the officiating as ” a travesty” and was hit with a fine.
