The coughing fit, known as bronchial spasm, forced him to use an oxygen mask on his nose and mouth for the first time after he inhaled vomit into his lungs, the Vatican said.

‘This afternoon… the Holy Father experienced an isolated bronchospasm crisis,’ said the latest detailed update about the pontiff’s condition.

The pope, it said, also had ‘an episode of vomiting with aspiration and a sudden worsening of the respiratory condition.’ He then received the help of ‘non-invasive mechanical ventilation,’ it said.

What else do we know about the pope’s condition?

Francis, 88, has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital for two weeks, after being admitted on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that triggered other complications.

Friday’s news came after three days of more positive updates on the pope’s health.

The Vatican has not said how long the pope will remain in hospital, but it announced Friday that Francis would not lead the annual Church service on March 5.

The Ash Wednesday service, which kicks off the 40 days of prayer and fasting leading up to Easter Sunday, will instead be conducted by a senior Vatican official.

Francis, who has served as pope since 2013, continues to lead the Vatican from the hospital.

On Friday, the Vatican shared a papal letter to those participating in a Church training course in Rome. It was signed by Francis with a note indicating it had been sent “from Gemelli hospital.”

Source: dailymail.co.uk; dw.com

News broke earlier today (February 27) that the acclaimed actor and his wife 63-year-old wife Betsy Arakawa had been found d.ead in their Sante Fe, New Mexico, home.

Hackman, best known for movies like The French Connection, Superman and Enemy State, was 95 and had long ago retired from the film industry.

As well as the celebrity couple, one of their three dogs was also found d.ead.

Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth has since spoken out and said that it’s believed her father, Arakawa, and their dog d.ied from carbon monoxide poisoning.

As more information comes to light about their unexpected d.eaths, investigators have revealed that Hackman and Arakawa were found in separate rooms.

As per Associated Press, Hackman was found in a mudroom while his wife was in a bathroom next to a space heater.

In the bathroom there was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the counter top.

Such information was divulged in a Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office search warrant.

In addition to this, Denise Avila, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, confirmed that Arakawa and Hackman had no gunshot wounds or any other type of wounds.

In regards to how long they’d been there for, it’s thought they had been deceased for some time. According to Mail Online, the couple were partially-mummified.

The investigation into their deaths remains ongoing.

Tributes across Hollywood have been rolling in for Hackman in the wake of his d.eath.

Star Trek actor George Takei said of the late 95-year-old: “Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was.”

American filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola added: “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

Elsewhere, Spanish actor Antonio Banderas wrote on Instagram: “A very sad day for… cinema’s family. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away.

“My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers. RIP.”

Source: unilad.com

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dea.d in their Santa Fe Summit home on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 26. Authorities have not suspected foul play, but an investigation is ongoing.

On Wednesday afternoon, Sheriff deputies arrived at Hackman and Arakawa’s home on Old Sunset Trail to investigate the dea.th of two elderly couple and a dog. It is not yet known if the police came after they got an alert about their dea.ths or if they were doing a welfare check.

However, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed just after midnight on Thursday that the two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman, his wife, and their dog had die.d. Mendoza stated that there were no immediate signs of foul play but did not disclose a cause of dea.th or estimate when the couple had passed.

The 95-year-old author and his 63-year-old wife had lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s. Their home was located in a gated community off Hyde Park Road just north of Ten Thousand Waves.

Now, Mendoza has notified the public that he and his team are in the middle of preliminary investigations as they wait on the approval of the search warrant. He also assured the community of their safety, adding that they were in no imminent danger.

Source: news.amomama.com

On February 23, 2025, Pope Francis addressed the public in two heartfelt messages on X amid his ongoing health crisis. In his first message, he called upon his followers to courageously embody love and positivity in their lives, emphasizing the transformative power of kindness and solidarity.

“I urge you to continue your apostolate with joy and to be a sign of a love that embraces everyone,” the pontiff said, referencing the day’s Gospel reading.

He passionately encouraged his followers, adding, “May we transform evil into goodness and build a fraternal world. Do not be afraid to take risks for love!”

In his second message, Pope Francis expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received globally and mentioned how particularly touched he his by gestures from young believers.

He warmly thanked everyone, stating, “Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!”

These personal messages arrive at a significant moment as the Pope remains hospitalized. Amid Pope Francis penning personal messages to the public, the Holy See Press Office shared an update on the condition of his health via a statement shared on Instagram.

Their statement clarified that Pope Francis remains in critical condition, though his health has stabilized since February 22. The pontiff has not experienced any further respiratory episodes since Saturday evening.

He received two units of concentrated red blood cells, effectively raising his hemoglobin levels. His thrombocytopenia condition remains stable. However, recent blood tests have indicated early signs of mild renal insufficiency, which is currently being managed by his medical team.

Pope Francis continues receiving high-flow oxygen therapy through nasal cannulas and is described as “alert and well-oriented.”

Given the complexity of his condition, Vatican officials stress the prognosis remains guarded, emphasizing the necessity of time for ongoing treatments to fully take effect.

Remarkably, Pope Francis participated in Holy Mass on Sunday morning from his apartment on the tenth floor, joined by the caregivers who have attended to him throughout his hospitalization.

At the same time, Cardinal Timothy Dolan urged attendees of his homily on Sunday to pray for and with the Pope. He also revealed that no one at the Vatican has publicly confessed that Pope Francis may not recover from his condition.

“We of the Catholic family, and so many of our friends and neighbors find ourselves this morning at the bedside of a dying father. As our Holy Father, Pope Francis is in very, very fragile health and probably close to death,” disclosed Cardinal Dolan.

Such updates from Cardinal Dolan, the Holy See Press Office, and the messages from Pope Francis come after the Vatican News shared a previous update on his health. They reported that the Pope would be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic hospital after his morning audiences on February 14.

Source: news.amomama.com

Sunday morning’s update from the Vatican was brief, saying: “The night passed peacefully, the pope rested.”

In a statement released on February 22, the Vatican said the Pope had “a prolonged episode of asthma-like shortness of breath” in the morning, which required him to receive “high-flow oxygen.” In addition to supplemental oxygen, the Pope also received a blood transfusion after tests showed he had low platelets. The statement said the Pope is currently in critical condition.

This is the first time the Vatican has used the word “critical” when describing the Pope’s health condition since he was admitted to hospital on February 14 after suffering from breathing difficulties for several days. X-rays later showed that the Pope had pneumonia.

As of February 23, Pope Francis had spent his ninth consecutive night in the hospital. A Vatican statement released on Sunday morning confirmed that he continued treatment for double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

During a press conference, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of the Pope’s medical team, and Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Vice-Director of Vatican healthcare services, addressed journalists for approximately forty minutes.

They noted that the Pope was expected to remain hospitalized for at least another week. While they reassured the public that he was not in immediate danger of death, they emphasized that he was also not fully out of danger.

Dr. Alfieri clarified that Pope Francis was not on a ventilator but continued to struggle with breathing, requiring him to limit physical movement.

Despite this, he remained engaged and continued his work. In a lighthearted exchange, when a doctor greeted him by saying, “Hello, Holy Father,” the Pope reportedly responded with, “Hello, Holy Son.”

Medical experts expressed their primary concern regarding the risk of a bacterial infection entering his bloodstream, which could lead to sepsis.

However, Dr. Alfieri remained optimistic that Pope Francis would eventually be discharged and return to Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. He cautioned, however, that the Pope’s chronic respiratory issues would persist even after his hospital stay.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Pope Francis has been enduring severe pain and has privately conveyed doubts about his chances of recovery.

On Sunday, doctors at Gemelli Hospital made the difficult decision to prevent him from delivering his usual morning Angelus sermon—a rare occurrence, even during previous hospital stays. Insiders say the Pope is now strictly following medical directives, a significant shift from his usual determination to maintain his routine.

This is not the first time Pope Francis has faced serious health challenges. In March 2023, he was hospitalized for several days due to a respiratory infection.

The Vatican revealed that he had been experiencing breathing difficulties and was admitted to Gemelli Hospital for medical tests. Doctors ruled out COVID-19 but determined that he required an extended hospital stay for specialized treatment.

During his recovery, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the support and prayers he received from around the world. A few months later, in June 2023, he was again hospitalized, this time for abdominal surgery to address a painful incisional hernia.

Source: news.amomama.com; abs-cbn.com

What is a Herb Stripper?

As so named, herb strippers help remove leaves from stems. They come with different-sized holes to fit different herbs. You simply place the stem on one side of the smallest hole it’ll fit into and pull it through until all the leaves come off. Some strippers have holes large enough to strip kale or other leafy vegetables. Some types can also come with a blade so you can strip and chop herbs with the same utensil. Others have bowls attached to catch the leaves as they go through the holes.

This tool can be a game changer for people who cook with fresh herbs. They may even be inspired to use herbs more often after seeing how quickly the stripper works. It may even encourage home chefs to experiment with new herbs for the first time. So here are some tips you should keep in mind.

To start, when you buy a bunch of fresh herbs, promptly wash and dry them to remove any bugs or dirt. Then, wrap the herbs with paper towels and put them into sealable bags. The paper towels will help maintain freshness, but use the herbs within a few days to get the most out of their flavor. Fortunately, there are so many ways to enjoy their unique tastes.

Types of Fresh Herbs and How to Use Them

Basil

This is one of the most popular herbs, perhaps due to its sweet and slightly peppery flavor. It’s commonly found in Mediterranean recipes but it can complement other cuisines as well. Not to mention it’s the most popular herb for pesto. To get the most out of basil, add the leaves (not the stems) toward the end of the cooking process, whether you are making fish, poultry, or a homemade pasta sauce.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a tough herb to prepare, which makes it ideal for the herb stripper. But the leaves impart an amazing woody and pine-like flavor. That makes it perfect for meals like lamb chops, chicken, roast beef, and roasted potatoes. But it’s also delicious on flatbread, sweet potato fries, and even in cake.

Cilantro

Also known as the coriander leaf, cilantro is a controversial herb. Some people love the bright and zesty flavor and some complain it tastes like soap. But it’s a staple in Asian and Latin American food. Cilantro is delicious raw and cooked, and it’s tasty without being too overpowering.

Dill

Dill is commonly found in German and Scandinavian cooking. It’s a delicate herb with a strong, fresh, earthy flavor. It pairs well with many foods, such as poultry, yogurt, seafood, salad, soup, and egg dishes like quiche.

Marjoram

Marjoram can taste like a milder variation of oregano but it’s still intense. It can pair excellently with vegetables and meat but it also can enhance salads, soups, sauces, fish, and other recipes. While you use the leaves for these dishes, save the stems to bring out the flavor in a stock or soup.

Thyme

Thyme is found all over French cuisine. It can enhance dishes with its floral aroma and strong taste that doesn’t overpower other flavors. Like rosemary, a herb stripper can make preparing thyme a breeze. Add it to roast chicken, bread, potatoes, and cocktails. [3]

Mint

Many people only think of mint when it comes to teas and desserts but there are more ways to enjoy this herb. Try it with savory dishes like salad, chicken, curry, and sandwiches. You can also use it to top a fruit salad.

Parsley

Parsley is another versatile and popular herb due to its fresh and subtle flavor. While the leaves are the most potent, the stems can also contribute to a dish. Use it as a garnish to season a soup or to enhance a salad. The possibilities are pretty endless, but parsley is especially delicious with pasta, butter, eggs, and lemon.

Oregano

Oregano has a strong flavor that is quintessential to recipes like chili pasta and pizza sauces. Unlike herbs like basil, oregano can withstand heat, so you can add it toward the beginning of the cooking process. But remember to exercise restraint with oregano so it won’t overwhelm the other ingredients. Keep the stems to add flavor to stocks and soups.

Source: secretlifeofmom

As innovative as they are, you wouldn’t think they’d be utilized for anything sinister and immoral, right?

Until I heard this, I had no idea they were capable of such a feat.

Some of the coat hooks seen in public restrooms and hotel rooms are hidden cameras.

There have been reports of similar gadgets showing up in public places like hotels’ bathrooms and women’s changing rooms.

There have been three recent reports from Floridians. According to the MCSO’s report:

“In all three incidents, miniature cameras hidden in coat hooks were found mounted on the walls in the women’s restrooms. They were found at Anne’s Beach on May 26th, the Circle K Store at the 99.8 mile marker of Highway U.S. One on May 28th and in the women’s bathroom at Harry Harris Park in Tavernier [on May 31].”

Alert If You Ever See This In Your Hotel Room Leave And Call 911. The Reason Why Is Scary 16292 1

Another camera attached to a garment hook was discovered in a Kansas YMCA locker room in 2011 when a woman accidentally knocked it to the floor.

According to the incident’s investigators, the hook was sticky on its underside.

“The device is not something that would stand out,” Lt. Randy Reynolds of the Wichita Police Department’s $*x Crimes Unit said. “They could be in changing rooms anywhere.”

The scariest part is that one can buy such gadgets for next to nothing, from 20 to 50 bucks.

The company goes so far as to advertise their wares with the slogan, “No one will suspect a clothes hook of concealing a camera.”

MicroSD cards, which are compatible with the hooks, have a maximum recording time of 2 hours at 16 GB

If you were suspicious that someone in your office was stealing from you, I could see how this would be helpful to have on hand. However, a much larger percentage of users are abusing them for sexual purposes and spying on innocent children and women.

How do you identify one?

Knowing what to look for, it’s not hard to spot one of these gadgets. They appear to be standard plastic coat hooks, save for a tiny opening in the top. Those are the lenses. (highlighted in red)

Some may even include a side button that you press in order to begin using the motion sensor.

While some people’s lights are blindingly bright and easy to notice on a white coat hanger, others’ can be difficult to spot on a black one.

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Source: dailypositiveinfo

A flight expert has revealed why wearing leggings on a plane is not a good idea.

Dressing for a long flight can be tricky – you want to be comfortable, have an outfit that isn’t too warm or cold, and maybe even look stylish.

However, as per one expert, there are some big no-nos concerning airplane attire.

There have been numerous tips shared about the dos and don’ts of airplane attire.

A flight attendant has advised travelers to avoid wearing Crocs or flip-flops during a flight, particularly if they intend to use the restroom.

“Be wary of wearing sandals if you are planning on going in the lavatory,” they said.

“That isn’t water on the floor (yes, use your imagination), and sandals invite whatever that liquid is to splash on your feet.”

While another airline steward is encouraging passengers to avoid wearing shorts.

In a viral TikTok video, he explained: “Don’t or try not to wear shorts when you’re on an airplane.

“It’s the same thing as the window, you never know how clean it’s gonna be, so if you have pants, you’re gonna have less germs.”

Now, a flight expert is w:arning people against wearing leggings on planes.

Aviation expert Christine Negroni, the New York Times bestselling author of ‘The Crash Detectives: Investigating the World’s Most Mysterious Air Disasters,’ has revealed other items you should and shouldn’t wear aboard a plane.

In an interview with IGV, Christine Negroni says it’s advisable to wear ‘comfortable flats with a substantial sole that are easy to get off,’ adding: “In case of an emergency evacuation, the ground outside the plane could be cold, wet, icy, hot or covered in metal, fuel or airplane debris.

“If you are using the emergency evacuation chute, you’ll have to remove high-heeled shoes that might puncture the slide which explains why flats are the best shoe choice.

“And while it’s not covered in the Federal Aviation Administration’s rules it is just smart to make sure your shoes are on for takeoff and landing.”

Additionally, Negroni says that wearing leggings is an absolute no-no, as they could prove fatal or result in scarring.

She explains to IGV: “Most air accidents are survivable but many also involve fire.

“Leggings are made of synthetic materials. When these chemically produced fibers get hot, they melt and can bond to the skin.

“In 1999, the Federal Aviation Administration said that garments made of cotton, wool, leather, and yes, even denim were preferable over synthetics.”

During the 1940s and 1950s, the expansion of New Orleans presented difficulties in accessing the northern region of the city. Whether individuals were heading north from New Orleans or traveling south towards the city, they encountered obstacles in circumventing Lake Pontchartrain, which served as a substantial hindrance.

A direct route across the lake was needed, as going around it took too much time. To solve this, plans were made to build a bridge connecting the center of the lake to its northern shore. In 1955, the Louisiana Bridge Company was established to carry out this construction project. Within a short span of 14 months, the first two-lane section of the causeway was completed and opened in 1956. This section had a total length of 23.86 miles.

The bridge’s remarkable length of eight miles results in drivers losing sight of land, leading to a few experiencing an unfounded sense of being at sea, causing them to become paralyzed on the bridge. In these situations, the police are required to provide assistance in getting them off the bridge. Moreover, there have been occurrences where mothers unable to reach the hospital on the opposite side have given birth to babies on the bridge. Additionally, an airplane once depleted its fuel while flying over the lake but successfully made an emergency landing on the bridge.

After ten years of its construction, the first bridge was seeing over 5,300 vehicles passing through it every day.

A decision was made to enlarge the causeway by constructing a second two-lane bridge next to the existing one. The new bridge was inaugurated in 1969 and was approximately 84 feet away from the original bridge.

The second span, although only slightly longer than the original, attracted the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records. In 1955, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway was officially recognized as the longest bridge over water in the world. It maintained this record uncontested until 2011.

In July 2011, Guinness declared that the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in China had become the longest bridge over water worldwide. Spanning a distance of 26.5 miles, it surpassed the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Nevertheless, supporters of the causeway were prompt to highlight that Guinness’ measurement criteria encompassed additional structures, such as land bridges and an undersea tunnel, which were not truly “over water.”

Guinness resolved the dispute by introducing two new categories. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway was named the “longest bridge over water (continuous),” while the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge was designated the “longest bridge over water (aggregate).” Although the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge has now been surpassed by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway still holds the title of the world’s longest continuously over water bridge, even after 60 years since its initial construction.

Rain poured down heavily as the couple arrived for the event. Shielded under umbrellas, King Charles III and Queen Camilla made their way along a damp red carpet to a stage that was decorated with colorful woven mats and fresh floral garlands.

The King, who received the honorary title of To’aiga-o-Tumua of the village of Siumu, and the Queen were then seated on large golden thrones and welcomed with words of honor by village elders dressed in traditional attire.

During the farewell, the royals observed an “ava ceremony,” which is an ancient rite involving the preparation of a drink from the ava plant. In a solemn moment, the specially prepared concoction was presented to King Charles III in a polished coconut shell, which the senior royal graciously accepted and sipped from.

Amid these cultural exchanges, villagers braved the rain, performing for the royals in a series of dances and presentations.

One highlight of the farewell was a dynamic war dance demonstration, where dancers wielded flaming sticks — a sight that left the royals both captivated and amused.

During the event, King Charles III highlighted his connection to Samoa and his gratitude for the region’s unwavering hospitality, “I shall always remain devoted to this part of the world and hope that I survive long enough to come back again and see you.”

He also noted his admiration for the locals who had gone out of their way to welcome them by decorating roadsides and leaving gifts at their hotel daily.

In another touching moment, a Samoan chief addressed the King directly and acknowledged the royal family’s legacy in Samoa by saying, “Your Papa Prince Philip was here, so were your brothers. So thank you for making the time. Your royal visit has lifted our house.”

According to reports, the heartfelt farewell also involved the exchange of gifts, which included a special embroidered mat and fly whisks.

When it was time to leave, the couple made their way to the Faleolo VIP Terminal in a motorcade, where they briefly greeted the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, the Minister of Environment, and the Police Commissioner.

The King and Queen were then pictured waving goodbye to those who had gathered to send them off from the steps of the Royal Australian Air Force jet.

While the farewell ceremony was rich with vibrant traditions and heartfelt gestures, it was Queen Camilla’s tears that captured the attention of netizens.

At one point, she was also seen using her hands to wipe underneath her eyes, while shielding her face with an ornate fan. Video footage posted on TikTok by the Daily Mail’s royals account offered followers a closer look at her emotional response and contextualized Queen Camilla’s tears.

In the post’s caption, the account explained that Queen Camilla began crying when Samoan leaders paid tribute to King Charles III and mentioned his ongoing battle with cancer.

She later cried tears of joy as she laughed at how the rain had disrupted some of the proceedings by causing technical difficulties.

The sight of Queen Camilla’s teary-eyed expression stirred a wave of sympathetic reactions from netizens, who took to social media to express their concern and support. “so [sic] sad for her ,” remarked an observer.

Another wondered, “why is she crying [sic] ,” while someone else penned, “Bless her!” “Aww what happened [sic] – I hope she’s OK!” expressed a social media user. Echoing the sentiment, another reiterated, “Hope she [sic] okay .”

Throughout their visit to Samoa, Queen Camilla and King Charles III experienced a warm and culturally rich itinerary, packed with events that highlighted the island’s traditions and natural beauty.

One of the notable affairs, aside from the farewell ceremony, was the royal dinner hosted for Commonwealth Heads of Government at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.

This exclusive gathering saw the involvement of both Samoan and British teams. Chefs, artisans, and officials collaborated to create a memorable evening in the gardens of the museum, which is dedicated to the famous late “Treasure Island” author.

Earlier in their stay, King Charles III demonstrated his dedication to environmental conservation by planting a tree in a new garden designed in his honor.

The tree, which is part of the island’s “Talafalu for Pepe a’e” scheme, was specifically chosen to help support the endangered Samoan swallowtail butterfly.

Reportedly, King Charles III asked local staff to monitor the tree’s growth and requested regular updates and photographs to witness it flourish under Samoa’s tropical climate.

Source: Amomama