Why stranded astronauts won’t get overtime pay despite their 8-day mission turning into 9 months

By
Monica Pop
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To the delight of many, stranded astronauts Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore are finally home.

Their stay at the International Space Station was originally expected to last only eight days, but due to a malfunction in the Boeing Starliner capsule that was supposed to return them to Earth, it was extended to nine months.

NASA and Boeing made several attempts to return the stranded astronauts home, but each was met with technical setbacks, leading to many delays.

Eventually, NASA decided to use a SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, which had a history of successful ISS returns.

As they emerged from the SpaceX Dragon, which splashed down off the coast of Florida, Williams and Wilmore waved and smiled.

Considering the length of their stay in space, many assume the stranded astronauts would be paid a hefty sum of money. However, that’s not the case.

Retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman revealed for the Washingtonian that being federal employees, besides their salary, astronauts are paid the same as any employee at a business trip anywhere on Earth.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

“There is some small amount of money per day for incidentals that they end up being legally obligated to pay you,” she said.

For her, it was around $4 (£3.19) per day. 

If this is the case, both Williams and Wilmore would only be paid an extra $1,004 (£801.27) for their time.

Both Williams and Wilmore hold GS-15 rankings, which is the highest tier in the US General Pay Schedule.

According to Uniland, their salaries range between $125,133 and $162,672 per year. This means that their prorated earnings for the additional nine months of their mission, factoring in the incidentals, will be $94,998 and $123,152.

We are glad they were finally able to return home.

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Ashley St. Clair, Elon Musk’s child’s mother remains absent from social media for over a month, sparking concerns

By
Monica Pop
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Tech-billionaire Elon Musk became a father for the 14th time, but concerns over the absence of his baby’s mother, Ashley St. Clair, from the social media continue to raise.

Ashley’s last post on X– a photo of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy captioned, “can u believe the nerve of this gold digger. [sic]” – was posted on February 16, 2025.

She gained public attention when she announced she had given birth to Musk’s son.

Ashley describes herself as an author and director.

X/@stclairashley

However, now that she’s not active on the platform, people keep asking what the reason might be, with one person writing, “I don’t want to alarm anyone but [sic] she literally hasn’t posted anything since this.”

Another person questioned: “It’s been a whole month since Ashley St. Clair’s last timeline post. Have we lost her?”

A third added: “What ever happened to Ashley St.Clair. She use to post about 50 time a day and now hasn’t posted in month. Her last post was a month ago accusing zelensky being a gold digger. [sic].”

Ashley St. Clair/ Getty Images

It was on Valentine’s Day that Ashley revealed the news of her and Musk welcoming a son into the world. She announced the arrival of the baby writing, “Alea iacta est,” meaning “The die is cast,” which is a variation of a quote attributed by Suetonius to Julius Caesar on January 10, 49 BC.

The post added: “Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father. I have not previously disclosed this to protect our child’s privacy and safety, but in recent days it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so, regardless of the harm it will cause.

“I intend to allow our child to grow in a normal and safe environment. For that reason, I ask that the media honor our child’s privacy, and refrain from invasive reporting.”

She did announce she would be taking some time off social media in order to spend time with her family.

Ashley St. Clair claimed Musk has only seen their child, who goes by R.S.C, only three times since his birth in September, 2024.

What’s most, she’s now suing the businessman for a sole custody of the baby, People reported.

“This has never been about money for Ashley,” a representative shared with the publication. “This is about protecting the best interests of Ashley and Elon’s child from a man who can’t be counted on to even communicate, much less act consistently in the role of a father.

“Mr. Musk spends more time on his own social media platform talking about his children’s mothers than talking to them,” the statement continued. “We tried to handle this collaboratively with Mr. Musk, but it takes both a father and a mother to do that, and he refused all conversations.”

The Daily Mail reports that Musk is set to appear in court in late May in the legal dispute over the child he welcomed with Ashley St. Clair.

St. Clair’s attorney Karen Rosenthal said: “The courtroom will be closed and the Record sealed. Other than that, I have no comment.”

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Live on air: Jim Acosta steps down as CNN faces internal turmoil

By
Monica Pop
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Jim Acosta, a veteran journalist, quit CNN, telling viewers he won’t accept a new position anchoring a two-hour live newscast commencing at midnight.

Acosta has been with the network since 2007.

He had his last morning show on Tuesday, January 28, during which he discussed his career as an anchor.

“I’m grateful to CNN for the nearly 18 years I’ve spent here doing the news. People often ask me if the highlight of my career at CNN was at the White House, covering Donald Trump,” Acosta said.

“Actually, no, that moment came here when I covered President Barack Obama’s trip to Cuba in 2016 and had the chance to question the dictator there, Raul Castro, about the island’s political prisoners as the son of a Cuban refugee. I took home this lesson — it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant,” the news anchor added.

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As the show came to an end, he shared one final message to his viewers and fans, urging them not to succumb to lies and fears.

“Don’t give into lies, don’t give into fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope.” he said. “Even if you have to get out your phone, record that message: I will not give in to the lies, I will not give in to the fear. Post it on your social media so people can hear from you too.”

His decision to departure from the show came as a shock to many, including his fellow colleagues.

Speaking to Fox News, a CNN employee said, “I think we’re just taken aback about how fast it was. It happened in a flash.” Another person dubbed his sendoff message “classy.”

Ana Navarro, a CNN commentator, thanked Acosta for his integrity.

“Jim has had a long, distinguished nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a track record of standing up to authority, for the First Amendment and for our journalistic freedoms,” a CNN spokesperson said about his exit. “We want to thank him for the dedication and commitment he’s brought to his reporting and wish him the very best in the future.”

Before he decided to leave the network, CNN announced they would be replacing Acosta’s 10am program with The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown.

CNN

CNN offered Jim Acosta a midnight time slot, previously used for reruns of CNN’s primetime programming for West Coast audiences.

President Donald Trump, who Acosta was a huge critic of, took to Truth Social to express his satisfaction over the news anchor’s decision to step down, calling him “one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history,” and “a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up.”

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Everything you need to know about chronic constipation: A hidden threat to your digestive health

By
Monica Pop
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Chronic constipation can have serious negative health effects if ignored.

Our digestive system breaks down the food we consume, allowing the body to absorb essential nutrients. During digestion, unused food particles turn into waste in the form of stool, which is eliminated from the body during a bowel movement.

However, when a person experiences issues with the digestive system, one of the problems that arises is constipation. This condition can lead to abdominal pain, difficult bowel movement, and bloating.

The constipation can also be a result of changes in our diet.

The truth is that every person experiences constipation at some point in their life, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to even more serious issues.

A startling X-ray photo of a woman who experienced two weeks of constipation shocked doctors.

Unable to accommodate the excessive buildup of waste, her colon enlarged significantly, reaching up towards the chest and close to the heart.

The chronic constipation led to the colon’s folds – that are vital to its functionality – to disappear.

This condition can easily lead to fatalities if left untreated.

In case of chronic constipation, several things happen. Among the rest, the colon may lose its capacity to compress and push feces forward when it is compelled to extend over its normal limit. Further, the toxins can get into the bloodstream, leading to reduced immunity, bloating, foul breath, acne, and chronic fatigue.

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Also, a person faces the risks of hemorrhoids – enlarged veins in the rectum – and anal fissures – microscopic tears in the anus that cause excruciating agony during bowel movements.

Bowel blockage, which is one of the most serious complications of chronic constipation, may also occur. This can cause complete obstruction of the intestines, further leading to severe infections and tissue death. If it comes to this stage, a surgery may be required.

Sadly, chronic constipation also increases the risks of colon cancer.

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Some of the ways to prevent constipation from happening is balanced diet rich in fibers.

Another important aspect is staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and developing a consistent bathroom routine.

*Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider with any questions about your health or medications. Do not disregard professional advice based on this information.

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Doctor’s warning: Why going without sex can be dangerous

By
Monica Pop
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Low sex drive affects both men and women and it can happen because of many reasons. However, experts warn that going without sex for too long can negatively affect the heath, both physical and mental.

According to a recent study, Americans in their 20s get intimate around 80 times a year, or once every four to five days. However, with age, these numbers drop to 60 times a year.

Other studies suggest that “regular and satisfying sexual activity was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in later life.”

Individuals who refrain from intimate relations have a harder time coping with stressful situations such as public speaking, compared to those who engaged in intercourse at least once within a two-week span.

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“Suppressing sexual urges without alternative stress-relieving outlets can build up frustration and also aggravate anxiety or irritability.

“Having less sex might mean fewer germs, but it also means missing out on its immune-boosting benefits,” sexual health specialist and psychiatrist Dr. Sham Singh explained.

A study suggests that cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension contribute to sexual inactivity in older individuals, both men and women.

The lack of intimacy within a relationship can lead to insecurity and low self-esteem.

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The connection between physical and mental well-being and sexual engagement became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who had intercourse more often during the lockdown reported lower levels of anxiety, a 2021 research suggests.

These results are likely related to the levels of endorphin, brain chemicals that reduce stress and pain, that rise during intercourse for about 20%.

Dr. Singh speaks of some of the negative effects on the body from abstinence of sex. “In both men and women, the absence of sex release may result in a heightened level of restlessness or tension that may find its way into physical manifestations like muscle tightness, trouble concentrating, or hypersensitivity to touch,” he noted.

“Some people may feel more fatigued due to sex being a good way to relax and sleep better, for example, through the release of oxytocin.”

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On the other hand, the health benefits of having regular sex are improved immune system function, reduced blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The National Survey of Family Growth reports that rates of sexlessness are rising nationwide among adults aged 22 to 34, with the same showing that 10% of young men and 7% of women in this group haven’t had sex in their life.

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Shocking twist in the Gene Hackman mystery as police reveal wife Betsy Arakawa contacted a doctor 24 hours after ‘she died’

By
Monica Pop
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Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in separate rooms at their Santa Fe property on February 26.

Their deaths, as well as that of one of their dogs, Zinna, was a mystery until the autopsy results confirmed that the Academy Awarded actor died of cardiovascular disease, with his Alzheimer’s being a contributing factor, a week after Arakawa’s passing. Authorities believe that Hackman was probably unaware his wife was dead.

Betsy Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease contracted from infected rodent droppings or saliva.

The reports confirmed her time of death as February 11.

Getty Images

However, the mystery surrounding their passing deepens as now police reveals that Betsy Arakawa made a call to the Cloudberry Health clinic on February 12, a day after what officials stated as the day of her death.

According to the Mirror, Dr Josiah Child, a former emergency care specialist who now runs the clinic, told The Mail, “Mrs Hackman didn’t die on February 11 because she called my clinic on February 12.”

He explained: “She’d called me a couple of weeks before her death to ask about getting an echocardiogram [heart scan] for her husband. She was not a patient of mine, but one of my patients recommended Cloudberry to her. She made an appointment for herself for February 12. It was for something unrelated to anything respiratory.”

The couple’s Santa Fe home/ AP

However, she called back two days before her appointment was to take place saying she couldn’t go because her husband wasn’t feeling well.

“She called back on the morning of February 12 and spoke to one of our doctors who told her to come in that afternoon. We made her an appointment but she never showed up. She did not show any symptoms of respiratory distress. The appointment wasn’t for anything related to hantavirus. We tried calling her a couple of times with no reply.”

Facebook

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Arakawa making the call on February 12.

“We can now confirm that Mrs. Hackman’s phone was utilized on the morning of February 12 to call a medical center in Santa Fe called Cloudberry Health.

“A total of three calls were made that morning, all to the medical center. One incoming call was made to Mrs. Hackman from the same medical center that afternoon.

“That appeared as a missed call on Mrs. Hackman’s cell phone.”

Officers located Arakawa’s body in the couple’s home’s bathroom with pills scattered around her. Hackman’s body was on a utility room floor with his pacemaker showing he died on February 18.

Their dog died of starvation and dehydration.

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Every day, a dog visits a closed store, leading a young man to uncover the truth

By
Monica Pop
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Koda, a beautiful Shiba Inu dog that wouldn’t stop staring at the windows of the closed bike store near the warehouse where I worked, was everything but ordinary. There was something about this dog’s behavior that I found rather strange.

No matter how many times I tried to approach him, Koda would run away. The truth is, I didn’t know his name, but started calling him Koda because I saw him every day and I felt like he needed a name.

What I noticed about him was that he had a collar, and obviously an owner, because his fur was always clean.

What’s most, he wouldn’t munch on the food I’d give him. Instead, he would sniff it and then take it in his mouth and run away.

Curious, I asked around. Some of the people working nearby said they had also noticed the dog, assuming it belonged to the owner of the closed bike shop, Morgan’s Bikes.

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When I asked about the owner, they said no one had heard from him since he closed the place, so they assumed he probably moved places or retired. But why would he leave his dog behind?

Few more days passed by and Koda started being comfortable around me, so one day, I took him home, although I knew my girlfriend would be livid.

“Daniel, what’s this?” she asked me the moment she spotted me with Koda. I explained that he was an abandoned dog that needed a new home, but she wasn’t excited by the thought of having a dog in the house. After some explaining and begging, Tasha finally agreed to welcome Koda in.

However, Koda felt restless.

He struggled to find a cozy spot for himself and rejected the food I offered, some chicken scraps.

In the morning, Tasha said, “Daniel, your beloved dog is gone. I guess he didn’t like it here, and I believe it’s for the better.”

“How do you mean he’s gone?” I asked, worried.

I put some clothes on and went outside to look for Koda. Unsurprisingly, he was standing right in front of the closed bike shop, just like he did every single day. But that day, I decided to follow him.

To my surprise, Koda led me to a house and showed me the back yard. There was a German Shepherd there that was locked inside a cage. Poor Koda was taking food to his dog friend. The German Shephard was visibly malnourished and filthy. He started barking softly, as though he was asking from me to save him.

“Oh, Koda, so this is why you never ate your food. All this time, you were helping a friend.”

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I didn’t hesitate before I called the police and told them about the neglected dog, and they arrived at the address at no time.

When they tried to track down the owner, the Morgan guy, they learned a devastating truth. He didn’t move place, nor he retired. Sadly, he was dead.

The police found his body inside the house.

The German Shepherd was taken to the nearest vet clinic where he was treated for malnourishment. He was still alive thanks to Koda.

As of me, I knew the two friends shouldn’t be separated.

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That dog that spent his days in front of the closed store and his pal that was caged for weeks deserved their happy ending – together.

I was perfectly aware Tasha would say no, but once I shared the entire story with her, she said, “Well, I guess it’s not fair for these two to be separated.”

All of a sudden, we ended up with two dogs, and our world became a better place.

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An award-winning actress passed away at the age of 43

By
Monica Pop
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Emilie Dequenne, the star of the BBC drama The Missing, lost her battle to cancer two years after diagnosis.

Dequenne, an award-winning actress from Belgium, was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma, a cancer of the adrenal gland, in October, 2023.

By April 2024, she shared with fans that she went into remission and opened up about returning to acting. “I was close to forgetting because I was leaving the hospital today after 13 days… What a tough battle,” she wrote on the social media.

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Sadly, the cancer returned again at the end of 2024.

Speaking to the French television show TF1 in December 2024, she revealed her health condition deteriorated. “I know I will not live as long as planned,” she said.

Emilie Dequenne died March 16, at a hospital on the outskirts of Paris, France, at the age of 43.

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“Quelle injustice!! You have been an example to us all, with your extraordinary strength, your courage,” Dequenne’s press representative Charlotte Tourret wrote on Instagram, alongside a video of the actress’ photo from the 76th Cannes Festival.

“You are an inspiring woman, a great soul, a great actress, I remember your smiling eyes and your light. I love you forever my Emily 🕊️Milla, Michel, Danielle, Isabelle… I’m thinking about you so much,” Tourret added.

Dequenne rose to fame with the film Rosetta when she was just 17.

Throughout her career, she starred in a number of films, including French language films such as The Girl on the Train, released in 2009, and 2012 film Our Children.

Her last project was the English speaking film Survive released last year.

In one of her latest interviews, Dequenne shared that she didn’t know she was sick while filming.

In one of her last Instagram posts, for World Cancer Day in February, she wrote: “What a tough fight! And we don’t choose…”

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