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American Press
13 hours ago
- Politics
- American Press
Jim Beam column:Kennedy asks, 'Where is Putin?'
Louisiana's Republican U.S. Sen. John Kennedy is using his folksy humor to attack Russian President Putin over his discard of former allies.(Photo courtesy of When Louisiana's Republican U.S. Sen. John Kennedy joined Congress in 2017, the Huffington Post in 2018 called him 'the folksiest man in the U.S. Senate.' The Advocate reported Sunday that Kennedy gave a speech on the Senate floor last week mocking Russian President Vladimir Putin's absence when Iran needed help from its ally. He used what the Post called 'Southern wisdom and a Pelican State drawl, distilling events of the day into blunt terms regular people can understand.' 'Where's Russia? Where's President Putin? You couldn't find either one of them with a search party,' Kennedy said. 'Dog the Bounty Hunter, all of a sudden, couldn't find President Putin. All of a sudden even Google can't find Russia.' Kennedy is using his folksy humor there, and the fact he is willing to criticize Putin comes at a time when the Russian president deserves to hear from some serious critics. Those who don't know Kennedy well may not be aware that much of his life has been dedicated to serious public service and that he is an extremely intelligent man. He graduated from Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia School of Law before attending Oxford University in 1988 where he graduated with honors. Kennedy, a Democrat at the time, in 1988 became special counsel to the late-Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer and secretary of the governor's cabinet. He was secretary of the state Department of Revenue under the late-Gov. Mike Foster. He served as state treasurer from 2000 to 2017 and became a Republican in 2007. After two unsuccessful races for the U.S. Senate in 2004 and 2008, Kennedy was elected in 2016 and took office in 2017. The Huffington Post said he loved talking with reporters, and reporters loved talking to him because he's 'notoriously quotable.' It said he called former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 'tougher than a $3 steak' and the late-Sen. John McCain 'tough as a boiled owl.' Senators told the newspaper in 2018 that Kennedy was proving to be one of their most effective messengers — 'a surprising turn of events, given how little time he has spent in Washington.' OK, let's get back to what Kennedy said about Putin because that is what caught my attention. Putin's decision to go to war against Ukraine has been distressing me since the war started. The people of Ukraine don't deserve the death and destruction Putin has heaped on them for over three years. Kennedy, who has supported U.S. assistance to Ukraine, said during his Senate speech last week, 'I remember when Putin invaded Ukraine, one of the first allies he turned to was Iran, and Iran sent Russia ammunition. And Iran sent Russia artillery shells. And Iran sent Russia drones. And Iran has sent Russia drones, ammunition, and artillery shells every single day of the war. 'So, where's Russia? It hasn't been a good week for Iran. Where's Russia?' the senator asked. When Iran's top diplomat met with Putin and asked for help, Kennedy said, 'Do you know what President Putin said he would provide? Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Some kind of friend.' Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, before he was ousted, asked Putin who had propped Assad up for help. Kennedy said, 'Mr. Putin said no. You're on your own. You can come to my country where they can't get to you, but that's it. Too bad. I don't need you anymore.' The senator said with what's going on in the Middle East right now, Putin is missing in action. 'Where's Russia? Where's Putin? All of a sudden you can't find him, Now I'm delighted with that. I'm just delighted. But this was very, very predictable. 'With friends like Russia — I say this to every country in the world that might be thinking about partnering with Russia. With friends like Russia, who needs enemies?' In an April speech, Kennedy argued that Putin hasn't been taking peace negotiations with Ukraine seriously and warned him not to disrespect President Donald Trump. Kennedy in a Fox News report said, 'I don't think it's gonna get any better until we make it clear to Mr. Putin that we are willing to turn him and his country into fish food' Putin has been stringing everyone — including Trump — along for quite some time, making them think he wants peace when what he really wants is all of Ukraine. Jim Beam, the retired editor of the American Press, has covered people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at 337-515-8871 or Reply Forward Add reaction
New York Post
20-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Food expert warns ‘one of the riskiest items in the grocery store' seems healthy but can make you deathly ill
Your good health habit could actually get you seriously sick — and you wouldn't know until it's too late. While experts unanimously agree that we should all be eating more fresh, whole foods, a food policy professor has a warning: Danger lurks in your grocery store's produce aisle. Not all fruits and veggies are created equal, and a popular choice for easy meals that save you time could come with the price of contamination. 3 Prewashed bagged greens are one of the riskiest items in the grocery store. Scott Habermann – 'Prewashed bagged greens remain one of the riskiest items in the grocery store,' Darin Detwiler, a professor of food policy at Northeastern University and author of 'Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions,' told Huffington Post. 'When you look at past outbreaks, bagged salads have been a leading cause of foodborne illness, with some outbreaks resulting in hospitalizations, kidney failure, and even death.' Those pre-mixed bagged salads can harbor pathogens like listeria, salmonella, and E. coli and pose a higher risk for contamination through the supply chain and are among the worst offenders for food safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food poisoning symptoms from bacteria like listeria or E. coli — which cause infections in the gastrointestinal tract — include nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. According to a 2024 report in the Journal of Foodborne Illness, leafy greens are credited with 'up to 9.2% of known pathogen-caused foodborne illnesses' in the U.S, resulting in over 2.3 million cases of illness each year. What makes these speedy veggies particularly dicey is that heat is required to kill pathogens — and salads are typically eaten raw, making it difficult to reduce the risk of foodborne illness once they reach consumers. Contamination of these mean greens can occur at different stages of production. Produce can be contaminated during lettuce collection by pathogens in the water, soil, or air, or by wild or domesticated animals. Leafy greens are sometimes grown near large-scale cattle operations, a proximity that increases the likelihood that E. coli, salmonella, and listeria could be introduced through contaminated irrigation water. 3 Produce can be contaminated during collection by pathogens in the water, soil, or air, or by wild or domesticated animals. Pormezz – Detwiler cites manure lagoons, large pits where livestock waste is stored, as a common source of food contamination. 'Runoff from manure lagoons can seep into irrigation canals and contaminate fields with deadly bacteria like E. coli,' he said. Post-harvest, lettuce can be compromised through human handling, contaminated equipment, or water used to remove soil. Typically, lettuces from various farms are processed in a centralized area, meaning your bag of greens is more of a menagerie of fetid potential than a single source. 'Greens from different farms are mixed, washed, and packaged together, so one contaminated leaf can impact thousands of bags across multiple states,' said Detwiler. 3 Consider ditching bagged greens entirely and opting for whole heads of lettuce or loose bunches Dan Dalton/KOTO – The large vats that facilitate this washing are also an effective way to spread bacteria. To prevent the proliferation of pathogens, greens must be kept cold; if lettuce is not consistently kept at these cooler temperatures throughout the supply chain, bacteria can easily breed and reach store shelves. But refrigeration just slows bacteria growth, it doesn't kill them. Washing greens is also ineffective at removing pathogens. In fact, doing so also double down on the danger, as doing so can introduce contamination from the sink, utensils, equipment, and the compromised hands of the washer themselves. What's a leaf-eater to do? Consume carefully. Consider ditching bagged greens entirely and opting for whole heads of lettuce or loose bunches. He recommends whole heads of lettuce or spinach, which have less surface area for contamination. Just rinse the leaves under cold running water to remove dirt and surface-level bacteria. If you're bag or bust, Detwiler advises buyers to skip greens that appear wilted, slimy, or discolored and avoid those in packages that look wet, as these signs could indicate improper storage. Further, avoid subjecting your greens to drastic temperature changes. Keeping them in a hot environment or even on the counter at room temperature can create an environment for bacteria to grow and spoilage to take hold. Finally, stay up to date on recalls and double-checking expiration dates, only buying greens that you plan to use within 2 days.
Int'l Business Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Trump Branded a Dictator By New Gold Statue in DC: 'The Most Feared Person'
A new statue has appeared on the National Mall in Washington DC, seemingly branding President Donald Trump a dictator and featuring quotes that purport that message. The statue features a large golden thumb crushing the statue of liberty atop a pedestal. The plaque emblazoned onto the pedestal reads "Dictator Approved." It is accompanied by a quote from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a staunch Trump ally. "The most respected, the most feared person is Donald Trump," the quote reads. Another quote from Russian President Vladimir Putin reads, "President Trump 'is a very bright and talented man.'" A third, attributed to North Korea's Kim Jung Un reads, "Your Excellency. A 'special' relationship. The extraordinary courage of President Trump." "It's huge and just sticks out in the mall," said Corinne, a passerby who flagged the statue to the Huffington Post. Social media users reposted images of the statue in amusement. "Trump is dictator-approved. A new statue on the National Mall," one user said. "Amazing, just saw A Giant Statue of 'Trump as a Dictator' On The National Mall in DC," wrote a Reddit user. "Brilliant, love this," another user wrote. Similar statues and monuments were installed in DC by activists last fall. A bronze colored "poop" monument appeared before the 2024 election "honoring" the participants of the Jan. 6 insurrection. Another poop monument appeared near the Capitol, seemingly dedicated to Trump. Originally published on Latin Times
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dolly Parton Reveals Her Plans to "Rub Elbows" With the Royal Family This Fall—and a Special Invite for George, Charlotte and Louis
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Dolly Parton might have turned down an invitation to have tea with Princess Kate in 2023, but she's not about to make that mistake twice. In a new interview with the Huffington Post, the country superstar was asked if she'd ever collaborate with fellow cooking enthusiast Meghan Markle—and in the process, revealed that she has plans for a different royal meeting later this year. Parton, who has launched her own line of frozen meals and baking mixes, was told she was "American royalty" in the interview. When a potential guest spot on the Duchess of Susex's Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, was mentioned, Parton replied, "Well, never say never. You never know where you're gonna go." However, she casually dropped some royal news in the next sentence, adding, "In fact, I'm going to go to England in October, and I'm going to actually, hopefully, get to have tea with The Queen." While a meetup with Queen Camilla might sound slightly random, it makes perfect sense for Parton, who serves a champion for children's literacy just like Camilla, who founded The Queen's Reading Room charity. The "I Will Always Love You" singer's organization, the Imagination Library, has donated more than 200 million books to children since its inception in 1995. In 2007, the charity expanded to the United Kingdom. "I think they're involved a lot with our Imagination Library there," Parton said of the U.K. "So I'm going to go over there and kind of really rub elbows with the royalty. So yes, anything is possible. I never say no to anything." As for her meeting with Princess Kate, Parton—whose promotional schedule was too tight to have tea with the Princess of Wales in 2023—said she's up for it now. "I don't know if that offer still stands, but if she wants me and I'm there, I'll be right there with tea bag in hand,' the "9 to 5" singer said. And if not, she's more than ready to host Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (and their parents) at Dollywood. "They're all invited. We would love to have them at Dollywood, and if they decide their schedule ever permits that, well, then we will go all out to try to make it a royal treat for them," Parton said.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Joe Swash shares 'constant battle' he has with Stacey amid marriage concerns
They revealed on their reality TV series Stacey and Joe: Full House that they've been to marriage counselling to keep their relationship on track, but are still fighting a common parenting battle Loose Women star Stacey Solomon and her husband Joe Swash have given a realistic perspective on their home life, admitting they have a "constant battle" with their kids. Former EastEnders actor Joe, 43, and Stacey, 35, have six children between them. Together, they have Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, two. Stacey has two children from previous relationships, Leighton, 12, and Zachary, 17. Joe also has a 17-year-old son, Harry, who he had with his ex Emma Sophocleous. The couple separated when their son was very young, with Joe going to court to see his son. But parenting has taken on new difficulties in recent years, with Stacey and Joe forced to put their feet down when it comes to the relatable issue of screen time. They now call using the phone "a privilege", making sure Rex only has an hour at the weekend to play games if he behaves at school and completes his chores. In a new interview with Huffington Post, Joe explained his and Stacey's "battle" with their son and his weekly reward of screen time. He said: "But even that, me and Stacey begrudgingly let him have that. "It's difficult, it's a constant battle ... And even then, when he's playing the games, we're constantly watching what he's doing, what games he's playing. It's something that concerns us, you know?" Joe explained that he feels it's a balancing act - with their older children, he knows that access to a phone is a big part of their social life. But he still wants to keep tabs on their usage, to make sure they're safe. Although the couple are on the same page when it comes to using the internet, Joe admits there's "no real right or wrong". He added that every parent is "muddling through" and "making mistakes". The couple are always ones to keep it real, and with their new reality show Stacey & Joe: Full House, fans are getting a look into life behind closed doors for the close-knit family. Their series has given a realistic look into the ups and downs of family life, and how they all navigate their busy careers and home. The pair, who tied the knot in 2022, revealed they've turned to marriage therapy to keep their relationship on track. A source recently told OK! that Stacey and Joe may have underplayed how big a step having cameras around for every tricky moment would be. The source said: "They underestimated how difficult it was going to be doing this reality show and having cameras around, and watching it back hasn't been the easiest thing. The pressures of all the kids and work while balancing their relationship has been hard, they won't deny that." The source also claims they are proud of opening up about having couple's therapy on-air. 'They're going to therapy because they love each other and would never want to get to the point where they don't want to be together anymore. Yes, there have been ups and downs and it's been quite a rollercoaster - but they know there's no shame in therapy and both realise it's the best thing for their relationship and to iron out their issues.'
