Latest news with #Cassidy
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
DJ Cassidy to spin tunes at jeff bezos and lauren sánchez's venice wedding celebration
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are set to celebrate their nuptials in Venice, Italy, with a grand celebration on Saturday night. While the couple's wedding ceremony is taking place on Friday, the highlight of the weekend will be the party, which will feature a performance by DJ Cassidy, a celebrity favorite known for his high-profile appearances. Cassidy, who played at Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 2008 wedding, has also spun tunes at events like Elton John's Oscar party, both of President Barack Obama's inaugurations, and the 2024 Democratic National Convention. The party will be held in the historic Arsenale area, with a star-studded guest list that includes Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Tom Brady, Bill Gates, Diane Von Furstenberg, Kim Kardashian, and Kris Jenner, among others. Cassidy's past gigs also include performances for Naomi Campbell, President Joe Biden, and Jennifer Lopez, further solidifying his status as one of the most sought-after DJs in the industry. His 'Pass the Mic Live' tour was even turned into a special for BET. Speculation about other possible performers includes Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga, with rumors circulating that they might take the stage at one of the couple's events over the course of the three-day celebration. On Friday, the couple's wedding ceremony will take place on San Giorgio Maggiore island, featuring a performance by Matteo Bocelli, the son of renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Guests for the event have been kept in the dark about the precise locations, with sources confirming they were only given the event times, not details. Earlier, Bezos and Sánchez hosted a welcome party at Madonna dell'Orto church, which was abruptly cut short due to a thunderstorm. Despite the rain, the event was attended by VIP guests including Orlando Bloom, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, and Ivanka Trump.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
How to save on food bills as prices continue to rise
Earlier this month, the European statistics agency, Eurostat, revealed our food prices are the third highest in the EU, behind only Luxembourg and Denmark, and almost 15% above the EU average. Daragh Cassidy of price comparison and switching site says despite the continuing upward pressure on prices, there are ways to neutralise those high grocery costs. His first tip? Shop early. 'In general, going to the supermarket early in the morning and early in the week means the shelves will be better stocked, as fresh deliveries will have been made. This means you're less likely to have to substitute your shopping list for other potentially more expensive alternatives.' It also means you won't have to waste time and fuel driving to another store or coming back the next day for any important items you couldn't find. There are however advantages in shopping late. Most supermarkets discount soon-to-go-off meat, fruit and veg at the end of each day. So popping into your local store late in the evening and heading for the discounted section might get you some cheap food. Go for non-branded Irish households spend more on branded groceries than most of our European neighbours. Non-branded alternatives are often just as good and can be a fraction of the price. When it comes to fresh food and drink like steak, pasta, milk, chicken, sausages, bread, eggs and bacon, the produce has often come from the exact same farm or factory, meaning you're literally just paying extra for the label. People will usually have their few things that they will never substitute, which is fine, but ask yourself if every second item in your basket needs to be branded? Mr Cassidy points out that supermarkets have lots of cunning little tricks that they use to make you spend more. A well-known one is that the products which make them the most profit — and are usually therefore the most expensive — are placed mid-shelf in your line of sight. Easy to see and reach. "The cheaper products are often top shelf or bottom shelf. Harder to reach. So scan the shelves fully and don't just buy items in your line of sight.' Make a list He also sticks with the age-old advice: make a list. 'Ever notice that all your staple items such as cheese, milk, bread and cereal are often in completely opposite corners of the shop, forcing you to wander around more aisles and invariably spend more money? And similar to Vegas casinos, most big supermarkets don't have windows either — as they don't want you to notice the passage of time.' So if you want to spend less, the best thing to do is to make a list and stick to it. It also means you won't forget something and be forced to make another trip to the supermarket or pop to your local convenience store instead. Doing your weekly shop at a big supermarket will usually be cheaper than its 'express' counterpart. When it comes to actually selecting products, always compare price per unit, not just price. Buying in bulk doesn't always make sense. Quite often, it can be cheaper to buy items of fruit and veg separately. What's more, supermarkets constantly run special offers, meaning the fresh orange juice you like with your morning breakfast can sometimes be cheaper to buy in two one-litre cartons rather than two litres. Darragh Cassidy of 'Quite often, it's cheaper to get your meat, vegetables or beauty products in the local specialist stores. What's more, the quality of the food will often be better than what you'll find in a major supermarket chain.' Under EU rules, the unit price (price per unit of measurement) must be clearly displayed in shops on barcodes beside the actual price. Though it's amazing how many people either don't know this or don't see it. So by looking at this you can determine what represents the best value and ensure you're not overpaying or being fooled by gimmicky offers. If you have younger kids, it may not be possible to go to the supermarket alone. But it's usually best if you want to save on your grocery costs. Having a child or two in tow often means you'll end up getting distracted and harangued into putting something sweet into the trolley. Shopping by yourself means you've a better chance of sticking rigidly to your list. Loyalty programmes Then there are the loyalty programmes. It might be a money off voucher (Dunnes and SuperValu) or a card that gives you cheaper prices (Tesco). Make sure you have these to hand when paying for your shopping and make sure they're in date. But don't spend frivolously when trying to reach your €50 limit or whatever it may be, or spend for the sake of it. This is what supermarkets want you to do. "And if you get to the check-out and are a few euro short of your voucher limit, know in advance what extra important item you'll buy so that you're not throwing in items you don't need in a rush.' Mr Cassidy also recommends that you get acquainted with your local butcher, greengrocer, florist and pharmacy. Supermarkets are great for convenience — but they're not always great for price. "Quite often, it's cheaper to get your meat, vegetables or beauty products in the local specialist stores. What's more, the quality of the food will often be better than what you'll find in a major supermarket chain, plus you'll be supporting your local high street too." He points out too that meat is expensive. I'm not saying you have to become a vegetarian or go vegan. But eating a bit less meat each week will be good for your diet, your pocket and the environment. "Consider making a healthy soup with leftover veg in the fridge. Or add some eggs to your meals instead if you need lots of protein. Or simply make your meat go further by adding rice, lentils, pasta, beans, grains or root vegetables to a recipe.' Reduce food waste Reducing food waste will mean fewer trips to the supermarket. Buy some good quality, air-tight containers for things like pasta, cereal, crackers and coffee to keep these items fresher for longer. Potatoes should be kept in a cool, dark place, ideally under 10°, otherwise the light and warmth will cause them to photosynthesise and sprout. It's also crucial that potatoes be kept away from other fresh produce, particularly onions, as they release ethylene gas which speeds up the ripening process. And remove your fruit and veg from any plastic packaging when you get back from the supermarket. 'Freeing' your fruit and veg from its plastic before putting it in the fridge will help keep it fresh for longer and again mean less food going into the bin. Read More Irish consumers more worried about food prices than global peers, survey finds
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Our miracle baby girl died in my arms after doctors disagreed with us – we don't want other parents to face our agony
Cassidy and Klaire have been told they may have to wait up to 18 months to get answers on their little girl's death TRAGIC LOSS Our miracle baby girl died in my arms after doctors disagreed with us – we don't want other parents to face our agony Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COUPLE have shared how their miracle baby tragically died after she was sent home from hospital despite their objections. Klaire Carroll, 37, and Cassidy O'Connell, 26, worked overtime for years to afford IVF. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Harlow Maeve Carroll-O'Connell was born in January this year Credit: Jam Press 7 Cassidy, left, and Klaire, right, holding Harlow Credit: Jam Press/Natalie Schott Photography 7 The parents were devastated when their miracle baby passed away before she was even six months old Credit: Jam Press/Klaire Carroll and Cassidy O�Connell They were over the moon when they found out their efforts had paid off and were expecting a baby girl. But the parents' joy was soon dimmed when a 20-week scan revealed their tot had a congenital heart defect, tethered spine and bowel condition. Klaire and Cassidy were given the option of ending the pregnancy, palliative care or multiple surgeries – they chose the third one. Cassidy gave birth to Harlow Maeve Carroll-O'Connell on January 30 this year via C-section with Klaire by her side, at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol. The tot spent the next few months in and out of hospital due to breathing difficulties, poor feeding and weight gain issues. Cassidy, from Stroud in Gloucestershire, said: 'Harlow was treated for sepsis, meningitis, everything – but her infection markers were still high. 'They [the doctors] ran every test they could and couldn't find the cause. 'They decided to discharge her and we argued with the consultant – we knew something was wrong and she needed to stay in hospital. 'We are sharing our story to help other parents and encourage them to always advocate for their kids if they gut says something is amiss.' In May, little Harlow's oxygen levels dropped significantly and tests revealed she had a life-threatening bacterial infection affecting her heart. Mum shares heartbreaking photo of baby boy fighting for life as a warning - after she found him coughing and drooling She passed away on May 22, in her parents' arms. A post mortem wasn't able to ascertain Harlow's cause of death. The couple have reportedly been told they may have to wait up to 18 months to get a detailed report. A GoFundMe page has since been set up to help the parents with funeral and memorial costs – which has already reached £3,000 of its £3,500 goal. 7 The tot was diagnosed with congenital heart disease before she was born and was in and out of hospital Credit: Jam Press/Klaire Carroll and Cassidy O�Connell 7 The tot underwent open heart surgery but suddenly collapsed barely a month later Credit: Jam Press 7 Klaire and Cassidy may have to wait 18 months to get answers on what happened Credit: Jam Press/Natalie Schott Photography 'We honestly cant believe how much support we have received from everyone,' Cassidy said. 'It's helped us immensely with being able to fund the send off our girl deserves. 'What we are going through is unimaginable, no one deserves to lose a child – but the love we are receiving is helping us to get through each day. Little Harlow spent the first few weeks of her life in hospital. She came home briefly, only to be rushed back in several times due to breathing difficulties, poor feeding and weight gain issues. She underwent open-heart surgery – a BT shunt procedure that lasted around seven hours - on 31 March, with the aim of improving blood flow to her lungs. Congenital heart disease is a general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal way the heart works. The term "congenital" means the condition is present from birth. Congenital heart disease is one of the most common types of birth defect, affecting almost one in 100 babies born in the UK. In most cases, no obvious cause of congenital heart disease is identified. However, some things are known to increase the risk of the condition, including: Down's syndrome – a genetic disorder that affects a baby's normal physical development and causes learning difficulties The mother having certain infections, such as rubella, during pregnancy The mother taking certain types of medicine during pregnancy, including statins and some acne medicines The mother smoking or drinking alcohol during pregnancy The mother having poorly controlled type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes other chromosome defects, where genes may be altered from normal and can be inherited Congenital heart disease can have a number of symptoms, particularly in babies and children, including: Rapid heartbeat Rapid breathing Swelling of the legs, tummy or around the eyes Extreme tiredness and fatigue A blue tinge to the skin or lips tiredness and rapid breathing when a baby is feeding These problems are sometimes noticeable soon after birth, although mild defects may not cause any problems until later in life. Klaire said: 'Harlow almost didn't make it through surgery. 'She fought and we just sat by her side, talking to her constantly and praying she would make it through. 'Things seemed to be heading in the right direction. 'They slowly lowered her sedation and she started moving her hands and feet, while trying to open her eyes. 'It was incredible – it was the best thing ever because we honestly thought we were going to lose her. 'So to see her wiggling her little toes – we were in floods of tears.' Harlow was a cheeky and happy girl. We're really proud of the strength and resilience she showed during her short life Claire After surviving her surgery, Harlow was once again sent home with her family on 28 April. Klaire and Cassidy, who build electronics for work, tried to create some normal memories as a family. Cassidy said: 'At this point, she had spent more than three-quarters of her life in hospital. 'We wanted to try and be a normal family. 'We took her to the aquarium with our families and she absolutely loved it. 'Watching her look around and take everything in was just so lovely. 'It's one of our favourite, treasured memories.' Devastating loss By early May, Harlow's oxygen levels had dropped significantly. She was blue-lighted to hospital where doctors found a shadow near her heart – it was endocarditis, a life-threatening bacterial infection of the heart's inner lining. Medics had trouble inserting cannulas to give Harlow the antibiotics she needed and the tiny tot developed blood clots in her arm. On 22 May, she was taken into surgery again to fit a new PICC line, a tube used to deliver medications and other treatments to veins near the heart. According to her parents, Harlow was screaming and her skin colour was abnormal. Klaire said: 'She went into cardiac arrest and died in my arms. 'They did CPR to try and bring her back but there was nothing they could do. 'Cass just spent the whole time screaming, 'I can't lose my baby.'' Living in an empty home filled with Harlow's things, the couple say the pain is like nothing they've ever known. Klaire said: 'Harlow was a cheeky and happy girl. 'We're really proud of the strength and resilience she showed during her short life. 'She was a real fighter and left a lasting impression on everyone she met.' 'She had been through such a tough journey but every single step of the way that girl just fought through everything with a smile on her face whenever she could." Jam Press approached University Hospital Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust for comment. Dr Rebecca Maxwell, chief medical officer at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust said: 'Our heartfelt condolences go out to Harlow's family during this difficult time. 'We remain in close contact with the family to address their concerns and provide ongoing support." You can donate to Klaire and Cassidy's GoFundMe page here. Any leftover funds will be donated to The Grand Appeal and Heart Heroes, charities that supported the parents through their journey.
American Press
3 days ago
- Health
- American Press
Google endorses Cassidy's bill on children, teens' online privacy
U.S. Sen, Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), is chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. (Special to the American Press) Special to the American Press U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D., R-La., today announced that Google has endorsed the Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act . The legislation would update online data privacy rules for the 21st century and ensure children and teenagers are protected online, Cassidy said. 'COPPA 2.0 is a common-sense tool to keep kids safe online—and Google agrees,' Cassidy said. 'Today's kids are growing up with phones and tablets. We need to make sure they can do it safely.' Cassidy was joined by U.S. Senator Edward Markey, D-Mass., in introducing the legislation. Specifically, COPPA 2.0 would: Ban targeted advertising to children and teens; Create an 'Eraser Button' by requiring companies to permit users to delete personal information collected from a child or teen; Establish data minimization rules to prohibit the excessive collection of children and teens' data; Revise the current 'actual knowledge' standard to close the loophole that allows platforms to ignore kids and teens on their site; and Prohibit internet companies from collecting personal information from users who are 13 to 16 years old without their consent.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. faces blowback from senators, former vaccine committee members after firings
Recently fired members of a committee that advises the federal government on immunization safety lashed out at Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying that their terminations will limit access to vaccines and put American lives at risk. Kennedy last week abruptly dismissed all members of the committee, which advises the Centers for Diseases Control on vaccine safety. Two days after he dissolved the committee on June 9, Kennedy named eight new members to the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, including some who have advocated against vaccines. "We are deeply concerned that these destabilizing decisions, made without clear rationale, may roll back the achievements of U.S. immunization policy, impact people's access to lifesaving vaccines, and ultimately put U.S. families at risk of dangerous and preventable illnesses,' the 17 former members wrote in an article published in medical journal JAMA on June 16. The ACIP charter specifies that committee members serve overlapping terms to ensure continuity - and dismissing all the members at the same time 'have stripped the program of the institutional knowledge and continuity that have been essential to its success over decades,' wrote the members, whose committee recommendations also affect insurance coverage and safeguard broad access for vaccines. In announcing his decision to oust the members, Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, claimed a 'clean sweep' was necessary to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science. The committee would 'no longer function as a rubber stamp for industry profit-taking agendas,' he said. That was the opposite of what Kennedy told Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, during his confirmation hearing to become Trump's cabinet member. "If confirmed, he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes," Cassidy said during the hearing. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions called for an immediate bipartisan investigation into the terminations. 'For decades, Secretary Kennedy has spread lies and dangerous conspiracy theories about safe and effective vaccines that have saved millions of lives,' Sanders wrote in a letter to Cassidy. 'Unfortunately, since he has been confirmed I am very concerned that Secretary Kennedy is doubling down on his war on science and disinformation campaign that will lead to preventable illness and death.' Additionally, 22 senators, including Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, wrote a joint letter to Kennedy saying they are 'troubled' by the appointment of several members to the committee who have a 'documented history of anti-vaccine ideology and peddling misinformation.' Dr. Robert Malone, one of the new Kenendy appointees is a virologist and vaccine skeptic who became well-known during the COVID-19 pandemic for spreading misinformation about the virus on conservative shows and podcasts. The physician-scientist and biochemist has falsely claimed spike proteins from COVID-19 mRNA vaccines often cause permanent damage to children's vital organs. Firing every member of the committee ahead of their next meeting scheduled for June 25-27 'eliminates the advisory board's ability to debate and make well-informed recommendations, putting American lives at risk,' the senators wrote. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr. faces blowback after vaccine committee firings
