The contentious bill will be debated in parliament for the first time in nearly 10 years.
Read More »
All you need to know about the Assisted Dying Bill
Trump claims Harris has ‘dangerous’ health problems – like seasonal allergies
Ex-President Donald Trump went on a bizarre rant on Kamala Harris' health report and 'dangerous' conditions 'impact her functioning'.
Read More »
Elgato’s Neo Reveal is Enough to Revolutionize the Streaming Scene
Recently, I was invited to a behind-closed doors event hosted by Corsair to reveal tech that is coming into the scene over the coming months, but one selection of tech stood out amongst the rest, and that is the Elgato Neo set of tech. Elgato is a company that is known for working on technology […]
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Corsair’s Call of Duty Collab Will Make Everyone Take Notice
Recently, I got invited to attend a behind-closed-doors event hosted by Corsair as new technology and collaborations were revealed from different companies, one of which being Corsair and its many different companies under its brand. During this event, it was revealed that Corsair is currently working on a collaboration with Call of Duty and its […]
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Popular mall retailer will send customers direct payment from $12.5m false advertising settlement – just fill out claim
CUSTOMERS who frequent a prominent mall retailer could qualify for cash distributions.
The direct payment opportunity comes after a class action lawsuit was filed against the brand on false advertising claims.
Hot Topic, a pop culture clothing and merchandise brand, was accused in the suit of advertising misleading discounts on certain items.
Plaintiffs claimed the advertisements inaccurately represented the true savings customers would get, allegedly violating laws in California and Oregon, specifically.
While Hot Topic has not admitted any wrongdoing in the case, it recently agreed to a settlement pot of $12.5 million to resolve the claims and avoid further legal costs.
Affected customers will see payouts from the pot, but only if they meet four requirements.
ELIGIBILITY
First, they must’ve purchased at least one or more items from Hot Topic’s website, not brick-and-mortar locations.
Second, they must’ve made those purchases as either Oregon or California residents.
Transactions for California residents must’ve been made between March 15, 2019, and July 29, 2024.
For Oregon residents, the timeline is between August 25, 2022, and July 29, 2024.
FILING A CLAIM
No receipts or documentation for proof of purchases are required by the Hot Topic customers who submit a claim.
They can still be included for those who wish to add them.
Forms can be completed on the settlement website created for the case, where customers must enter their Class Member ID.
Those who can benefit from the settlement should’ve already gotten a notice by mail or email with their Class Member ID.
Anyone missing that information can contact the settlement administrator for more details and assistance.
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.
The deadline to file a claim form is coming up on October 27, 2024.
An exclusion and objection deadline already passed on September 27.
PAYMENT
A payment amount for the Hot Topic false advertising settlement is set at $10 per eligible claimant.
They can choose to get the money through a check, electronic payment, or store credits on Hot Topic’s website.
A final hearing for the case is set for November 4.
The funds will likely be distributed sometime soon afterward.
Several other retailers have faced class action lawsuits this year.
Walmart agreed to a $3.8 million pot in an overcharge settlement.
Costco also sent out payments to customers in a $3.875 million overcharge settlement.
Polite three-word phrase is dead giveaway you’re being scammed as Americans are plagued by 19.2b fraudulent texts
SECURITY experts have revealed a seemingly polite three-word phrase that’s almost always a surefire sign you’re being scammed.
With 19.2 billion spam text messages being sent monthly, Americans can never be too prepared to fight fraudsters.
Last year alone, people reported losing $10 billion to scams, which is $1 billion more than the highest amount of annual losses, the Federal Trade Commission reported.
This is, in part, because scammers are getting better at their sick schemes, meaning unsuspecting consumers should take efforts to outwit them.
Most Americans can recognize obvious signs of a scam, such as asking for credit card data or a social security number to obtain package information.
Phishing emails can also be caught if the eagle-eyed reader notices links to websites that don’t exist or blurry logos that don’t look professional.
However, there’s actually an even easier way to catch a scammer – through their word choice.
If you read or hear the three words “would you kindly,” the best practice is to hang up the phone and get a second opinion, according to expert Tim Bajarin.
“The word ‘kindly’ is simply something we don’t use in our common vernacular in the US,” Bajarin, a technology analyst, told Reader’s Digest.
“You’ll often hear it used in countries with British influence, perhaps once a colonial country, where English isn’t their mother tongue [such as Nigeria, India, and Pakistan].”
Bajarin said a caller’s word choice should be watched closely as they could be part of a “boiler room” type scheme, where people in foreign countries use high-pressure sales tactics to trick victims into handing over sensitive data.
“If you see this word of phrase, it’s a red flag, similar to poor spelling or grammar,” he said.
TEXT SCAM
In September 2023, 19.2 billion spam robotexts were sent to Americans, which divides up to nearly 63 texts per person, according to Robokiller.
The tech company reports that consumers are at an abnormally high risk of being scammed over the phone based on a disturbing upward trend.
Other text message-based phishing schemes are plaguing Americans, like one that alerts drivers of unpaid tolls.
The warning urges drivers to pay a fine or face steep late fees.
This urgency can fool people into handing over sensitive credit card info instead of checking with their state’s tolling agency first.
One scam victim issued an urgent warning over a text message, resulting in $15,000 being drained from her bank account.
The pregnant Ohio woman said she got a message asking her to confirm she sent a wire transfer.
The text caused her to spiral into a panic before she suddenly got a call.
The caller ID showed it was Chase Bank, but it was actually a scammer who convinced her to send him her login information.
Another terrified victim got an email with pictures of his house demanding ransom money.
Expert Advice: How to protect yourself from fraud
Craig Costigan, the CEO of fraud experts NICE Actimize gave the following tips to readers of The U.S. Sun on how to stay safe from fraudsters.
- As the saying goes, trust but verify. Always question your text and email communications. It may not be from who you think it is. Look for giveaways that it is a scam email. If your bank contacts you about a fraud via a text or email, call the number on the back of your credit or debit card to contact the fraud department directly – much safer than giving data to an impersonator.
- Protect your personal identifying information such as social security cards, your blank checks and other IDs.
- Always be vigilant. Even the safest and most careful among us have encountered fraudsters – we survived
because we reported the activity immediately to our providers, changed our passwords and checked our credit reports for unusual activity. - If you are not applying for credit, you might also consider placing a freeze on your credit reports, such as Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, so fraudsters can’t open accounts in your name. You can easily unfreeze your credit when you want to open a new account.
MMA fighter & Demi Lovato’s ex Guilherme ‘Bomba’ Vasconcelos dies aged 38 as his family leads tributes to star
MMA fighter Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos – who competed in the UFC and dated pop star Demi Lovato – has died aged 38.
The cause of the fighter’s death is unknown but he posted a photo outside his Jiu-Jitsu studio less than 24 hours before his passing.
Vasconcelos’s uncle announced his death saying: “We were looking forward to your visit for Christmas, which will no longer happen.
“Life is fleeting, and we woke up to this devastating news. What a time we live in.
“We pray for you! May God, who can do all things, welcome you in His infinite mercy and comfort all who have always loved you!”
Over the course of his seven-year professional career he accumulated a record of 10-6.
Lovato and Vasconcelos were first spotted with each other in 2017, celebrating New Year’s Eve together, and attending a movie on New Year’s Day.
But after several months of dating, they split in May, 2018, reports the relationship “had run its course.”
He died in Los Angeles and left behind a one-year-old daughter who he shared with model Kayla Lauren, Brazilian media claimed.
Nut allergies ‘aren’t triggered by airborne particles on planes’ -there’s a greater danger, scientists warn
THE idea that nut dust can become airborne and trigger deadly allergic reactions on planes has today been questioned by scientists.
There’s no evidence that allergens can be spread in the air through aircraft ventilation systems, allergy and aviation experts stated.
Sticky allergen residue lingering on seats, tray tables and video screens may in fact pose a greater risk of triggering allergic reactions, a review published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood warned.
“Allergenic food is really sticky, and can be found on seat surfaces, table tops, and seat-back entertainment screens,” Prof Paul Turner, clinical professor in anaphylaxis, paediatric allergy and clinical immunity at Imperial College London’s National Heart & Lung Institute, explained.
Fast turnaround times for many low-cost carriers may add to this risk, scientists suggest, as little cleaning is done in between flights.
But allergic reactions to foods are around 10 to 100 times less common during flights than they are ‘on the ground,’ they pointed out – though they acknowledged that this could be due to passengers with food allergies taking more precautions when flying.
Prof Turner stressed: “People shouldn’t be worried about what food is being transmitted in the air when they fly.
“We didn’t find any evidence that nut particles could travel through the cabin ventilation system on airplanes and cause reactions.
“On top of that, the vast majority of people with food allergies don’t react to the smell of food, even if they are allergic to very small amounts.”
Around 2–3 per cent of children and 1–2 per cent of adults in the UK have a food allergy, the most common cause of potentially life threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis.
The reaction rapidly progress in the minutes after someone is exposed to a food or substance they’re allergic to, but it can also occur up to two or three hours later.
Characterised swelling in the throat and upper airways, wheezing, dizziness and confusion, anaphylaxis requires immediate emergency treatment.
It is widely believed that particles from foods can float through aircraft ventilation systems and trigger reactions in people with allergies.
To examine the issue, researchers were commissioned by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to review evidence on the topic dating back to 1980.
They found that allergic reactions triggered by airborne particles are rare – with the exception vapours from fish and seafood and exposure to wheat flour in kitchens and baking and milling industries.
While peanut allergens can be detected at very low levels in the air after nuts are shelled, the dust settles quickly and can only be detected in very close proximity to the nuts.
This suggests that very little dust actually drift through the air.
What’s more, aircraft cabin ventilation systems are designed to circulate air across the aircraft, rather than along the cabin.
The study authors said this lowers the risk of spreading contaminants from passengers through the cabin.
Air is completely exchanged every three to four minutes during a flight, compared with every 10 minutes for hospitals and classrooms, they added.
The signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis
SYMPTOMS of an allergy usually occur within minutes of contact with with the offending food or trigger, but they can also come on up to one hour later.
Most allergic reactions are mild but they can also be moderate or severe.
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction which can be life threatening.
Mild to moderate symptoms include:
- Itchy mouth, tongue and throat
- Swelling of lips, around the eyes or face
- Red raised itchy rash (often called nettle rash, hives or urticaria)
- Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea
- Runny nose and sneezing
Severe symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Swelling of your throat and tongue
- Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast
- Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice
- Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing
- Feeling tired or confused
- Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting
- Skin that feels cold to the touch
- Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
Anaphylaxis and its symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency.
Follow these steps if you think you or someone you’re with is having an anaphylactic reaction:
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions are included on the side of the injector.
- Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you’re having an anaphylactic reaction.
- Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you’re struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you’re pregnant, lie on your left side).
- If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it’s still in the skin.
- If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a 2nd adrenaline auto-injector.
Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better.
Sources: Allergy UK, NHS
In modern large commercial aircraft, around half of the air is recirculated air that’s been passed through particulate air filters to remove dust, vapours and germs, and capture airborne food particles at the same time.
The other half comes from outside.
However, passengers may come into contact with allergens lingering seats, seat-back entertainment systems and tray tables, as food proteins are often “sticky”, researchers noted.
Allergy suffers touching these surfaces may transfer food particles into food they eat or directly on their mouths and faces by touching them.
How to protect yourself during a flight
Cleaning the surfaces at the start of a flight with sanitising wipes will minimise the risk of allergen exposure, researchers said.
This is “particularly important, given the minimal cabin cleaning which often occurs in between flights, especially with low-cost carriers,” they noted.
Allowing passengers with allergies to board the flight before others may be helpful, say the authors.
The US Department of Transportation already requires airlines to allow passengers with nut allergies to do this.
Prof Turner: “The one thing people must do to protect themselves is to clean their seat area.
“Allergenic food is really sticky, and can be found on seat surfaces, table tops, and seat-back entertainment screens.
“People touch these surfaces, and then the allergens can be transferred to their mouths.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON FOOD ALLERGIES?
APPROXIMATELY 44 per cent of people in Britain have an allergy or allergic disorder of some kind, says the charity Allergy UK.
Rates are higher in under-35s and lowest in pensioners.
The most common food allergies, according to the NHS, are:
- Cow milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios and Brazil nuts
- Soy beans, chickpeas and peas
- Shellfish
- Wheat
You may be allergic to a food if it makes you feel dizzy, lightheaded, sick or itchy, brings you out in hives or swollen lips or eyes, or causes diarrhoea, vomiting, a runny nose, cough, breathlessness or wheezing.
“If food-allergic people can board first, and have time to clean their seat area with something like a baby wipe or antibacterial wipe, they are much less likely to have accidental reactions.”
Announcements requesting passengers not to consume nuts during the flight are unlikely to reduce the risk of in-flight reactions and can give allergy sufferers a false sense of security, study authors added.
Passengers with food allergies often opt to bring their own food, but most airlines offer allergen-free options that can be requested in advance.
Meanwhile, people at risk of food anaphylaxis are advised to carry adrenaline auto-injectors, such as an EpiPen in their hand luggage, as these aren’t always included in onboard medical kits.
Study authors noted that in some cases cabin crew aren’t allowed to use them.
“Airlines should have clear policies relating to food allergies which are easily available from their websites or on request.
“These policies should be applied consistently by both ground staff and cabin crew, in order to provide reassurance to food-allergic passengers and their caregivers,” they added.
What’s next for allergy flight safety
Prof Turner said: “We’re having discussions with a number of major airlines as well as patient groups and anaphylaxis charities, to see if we can get some consistent changes in airline policy across airlines operating out of the UK and internationally, to reflect what the evidence is and really make a difference to food-allergic passengers.”
Simon Williams, chief executive of Anaphylaxis UK, commented: “A key take-home message is the importance of passengers cleaning their seat area, including the tray table and the seat-back entertainment system.”
Teen Rishabh Wuppalapati dominates Jeopardy! debut as opponent admits she ‘didn’t want to play’ against ‘genius’ champ
A JEOPARDY! newcomer now has bragging rights when he goes back to his college classes after dominating with a landslide win during tonight’s game.
Despite being just a college sophomore, Rishabh Wuppalapati is already hailed as “the smartest player” of season 41 – and his impressive gameplay has even left his opponents intimidated.
Returning two-day champion Eamonn Campbell, a lawyer from, Vermont went up against Rishabh – an Illinois native who is currently a sophomore studying mathematical economics at the University of Pennsylvania.
Rounding out the trio was Zoe Grobman, a therapist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
After introducing a high-tech board on Monday’s game, the new piece of equipment displayed tonight’s categories.
Under “It Stands to Treason,” Zoe found the first Daily Double and decided to bet it all.
However, she was wrong and dropped to zero, losing $2,400 on a true Daily Double.
Going into the first break, Eamonn maintained his lead with $4,600 while Rishabh was in second with $3,400 and Zoe in third at $600.
In the Double Jeopardy! round, Rishabh began to pull ahead as he found the second Daily Double.
Under the “EZ On The Map” category, host Ken Jennings read: “The southern portion of this inlet between Baja & mainland Mexico can reach a depth of 10,000 feet.”
“What is Sea of Cortez?” was the correct response, which Rishabh got – doubling his score to $10,000.
Zoe nabbed the third Daily Double, correctly guessing the “Agricultural History” clue and doubling her score to $6,700 – moving her up from third place.
Heading into Final Jeopardy!, Rishabh gained back the lead with $15,600 while Zoe came from behind with $11,100.
Returning winner Eamonn fell to third, having $9,800 going into the last question.
Tonight’s Final Jeopardy! was about to”Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speeches,” to which Ken read the clue: “He talked of a “new Attorney General” 4 times, the end of a “long dark night for America” & “a gentle Quaker mother.”
Rishabh and Zoe were both correct on with the answer of “Who is Nixon?”
Adding $6,601 to his prize pot, teenager Rishabh pulled off the win with $22,201.
Zoe ended the game in second with an impressive $19,601 while Eamonn chose to bet it all and got the final question wrong – dropping him to $0.
After the game, Zoe went online and expressed her thoughts about the experience on set.
“After watching everyone play the practice games I knew there were two players I really didn’t want to face: Eamonn and Rishabh.
“This was only further cemented during the first game when Rishabh was getting all the answers in the green room. So of course I faced both of them…” Zoe wrote.
INVISIBLE STRING
She then added a personal anecdote about her ties with her opponent: “Speaking of Rishabh, we obviously had never met before but it turned out that not only did we both go to the same High School in suburban Chicago, but we now both live a mile from each other in Philadelphia.
“An incredible coincidence that also sadly ensured that I don’t get the hometown glory in either place.”
Fans were supportive of Zoe’s performance while praising Rishabh’s big win.
Jeopardy! Set Secrets
Jeopardy! fans don’t see everything behind the scenes from watching on TV. These hidden set features make the show run smoothly:
- Each podium has a hidden riser so that all contestants appear to be the same height.
- After each clue is read, signal lights go off around the game board, indicating players can buzz in and respond.
- Buzz in too early, and you’re locked out for .25 seconds.
- The podiums have a small white light in the lower left corner, which tells Ken Jennings who goes next.
- Contrary to popular belief, the player with control doesn’t have a buzzer advantage on the next clue.
- To the game board’s left is a scoreboard so the players can see their opponents’ scores.
- All contestants must bring three outfits to the studio, but only the host and returning champion change for the next episode.
- There are wardrobe rules, including restrictions on busy patterns, solid white, purple (like the background), and logos.
- Five episodes are taped in a single day, and sometimes more.
- The categories, players (aside from the returning champion), and Final Jeopardy! for a tape day are all drawn randomly to ensure fairness.
- Female contestants are asked not to wear makeup, which is applied backstage, and don’t wear mascara because of sweat.
- Contestants fill out a questionnaire, and producers select five Q&A topics for the host.
- Host Ken isn’t allowed to interact with the contestants until after the game.
- Players can request to sit in a chair while competing without question.
“You played great Zoe! Congrats on an impressive showing and well-deserved silver,” one wrote.
“What an awesome game! Really loved all three contestants today. Eamonn was a strong champ, Zoe’s comeback was a delight, and Rishabh’s visible excitement was infectious. Great game for all of them,” another said.
A third noted that Rishabh is “an absolute genius, both with the clues and with his wagering strategy.”
Rishabh is no stranger to trivia, as he has a long resume competing in National Academic Quiz Tournaments.
He now is an intern with a pharmaceutical company and focuses on his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he will receive his Bachelor’s in Mathematical Economics in 2027.
Caitlin Clark’s new shock career switch gets off to incredible start after WNBA star released statement on future
CAITLIN Clark has been successful in every facet when it comes to basketball, so it’s only right that she’s also talented in another sport.
The Indiana Fever rookie star, 22, has taken up a new career in her WNBA offseason.
Clark recently almost got a hole-in-one while on the golf course with fellow Fever teammate Lexie Hull.
The NCAA all-time leading scorer was seen showing her skills on the greens in a clip on her TikTok account.
Clark practiced her golf swing and one of her shots was within inches from a hole-in-one.
And Clark then screamed and ran in a circle with her friends after realizing she almost accomplished the feat.
“Wow,” she said before falling to the ground.
“Are we sure it didn’t go in?”
Clark then achieved her putt and received a birdie.
The clip comes after it was revealed that she will play in an LPGA Tour golf event in November.
Clark will participate in the pro-am competition, hosted by Swedish icon Annika Sorenstam, which will occur on November 13 at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
The tournament will consist of 120 players who will compete for a share of a $3.25 million purse – one of the largest prize pools on the entire LGPA Tour.
The Iowa Hawkeyes product Clark opened up about her participation in the event.
“I love golf so the opportunity to play in the Pro-Am for a tournament with a legend like Annika Sorenstam’s name on it is so exciting,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the LPGA players on the driving range, being part of the Women’s Leadership Summit, and, of course, teeing it up in the pro-am with Annika.”
“I love golf so the opportunity to play in the Pro-Am for a tournament with a legend like Annika Sorenstam’s name on it is so exciting,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the LPGA players on the driving range, being part of the Women’s Leadership Summit, and, of course, teeing it up in the pro-am with Annika.”
Clark was named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 19.2 points per game.
She opened up about her experience in her rookie season on social media.
“Year one (check emoji) – thank you to the many people who have supported me as I’ve been able to live my childhood dream,” Clark wrote on X.
“I’m filled with gratitude as I reflect on this past year of my life.
“See you all in year two.”
Her season came to an end following the Fever’s first-round playoff loss to the Connecticut Sun last month.