Month: April 2023

The Very Best Banana Pudding—Ever? ‘Yes!’ Say My Colleagues

By Amy Drew Thompson From Orlando Sentinel It wasn’t long after I dropped it off that my phone pinged with an incoming text. “My God, Woman. This banana pudding.” I was driving, so I couldn’t answer right away, but the reaction was natural. I smiled and thought, I know—right? Back in December, I blew out the…


Combatting Sore Throat: Effective Methods to Ease Pain

Sore throats are common, with most cases resulting from colds or the flu. Patients can often self-treat their symptoms from the comfort of their own homes. What steps can be taken to alleviate sore throat discomfort? 1. Gargle with Salt Water Salt water, with its hypertonic properties is a simple and effective way to help…


Cruising in the Wake of the Vikings

Two shy, charming girls about age 8 approached me with delightful smiles—one holding some flowers. I motioned to them that I would like to take their photo, and their smiles grew even broader. They didn’t appear to speak English, so I wordlessly gave them each a chocolate candy bar before waving goodbye as they scampered…


Fed Asks Americans for Feedback on a Central Bank Digital Currency—Here Are Some Responses

Americans are worried that a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) could end up compromising essential freedoms, further centralizing monetary policy, and making the country’s currency vulnerable to hacking, according to a recently published Fed survey. In January last year, the Fed published a white paper on what a CBDC could look like. It asked…


Disney Suspending Fire Effects Worldwide After Fire at Fantasmic!

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Disney is temporarily suspending fire effects similar to those used at Disneyland’s Fantasmic! at select shows worldwide following last night’s prop fire at the Anaheim theme park, the company said April 23. “During the final showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland park on Saturday evening, the dragon prop caught fire. Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly…


Canada’s National Defence in Peril With Inadequate Spending: Former Defence Ministers

An open letter, signed by former defence ministers among more than 60 former senior public servants and military and security officials, has been issued by the Conference of Defence Associations Institute (CDAI), warning that Canada is failing to live up to international expectations for military spending. The April 16 letter came just days before an April…


Texas Passes Bill Banning ‘Sexually Explicit’ Materials From Public School Libraries

The Texas House has passed a bill that will ban sexually explicit books from public school and classroom libraries. The bill had bipartisan support, with 11 Democrats joining Republicans. The bill followed a six-hour committee hearing. Concerned parents and citizens showed strong support for the bill, which passed on April 20, by a vote of…


Trump Reveals New Details About Previous Friendship With Bill Clinton

Former President Donald Trump revealed details about his past connections with former President Bill Clinton and said he used to have a cordial relationship with the Clintons. “They came to my wedding,” Trump told Fox News, noting that Bill and Hillary Clinton were guests at his wedding to Melania Trump. Other famous New Yorkers like Tony…


2 Supreme Court Justices Dissent in Major Abortion Case

A majority of Supreme Court justices halted a lower court’s order on Friday that blocked access to an abortion drug, but Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. Alito wrote a four-page dissent and explained why he would allow partial restrictions on the drug mifepristone, after the Biden administration appealed a ruling against a Texas district judge…


Two Supreme Court Justices Dissent in Major Abortion Case

A majority of Supreme Court justices halted a lower court’s order on Friday that blocked access to an abortion drug, but Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. Alito wrote a 4-page dissent and explained why he would allow partial restrictions on the drug mifepristone—coming after the Biden administration appealed a ruling against a Texas district judge…