J.D. Vance Called ‘Putin’s Puppet’ … Nearly Taken Out While Skiing
Published March 1, 2025 6:06 PM PST
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TMZ.com
J.D. Vance may have been hoping for a relaxing weekend of skiing up in Vermont … but, instead he nearly got taken out by another skier — and called “Putin’s puppet” by someone else on the mountain.
The vice president headed up to Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont for a weekend away from D.C. … and, he hit the mountain Saturday on a pair of skis.
Check out video of the Veep obtained by TMZ … you can’t see his face, but eyewitnesses swear it’s him, and he’s been photographed skiing in a similar jacket. He’s making his way down pretty slow — though his technique looks good as glides across the fresh powder.
Everything goes well for J.D. … before one skier gets taken out by another — and nearly slams into him. The skier stops short — but, it’s probably closer than the Secret Service would’ve liked.
At least one person on the mountain clearly wasn’t a Vance fan ’cause he was asked how it feels to be “Putin’s puppet” while he headed toward the ski lift. Vance doesn’t take the bait, just saying hello and moving on with his day.
Of course, the war in Ukraine is fresh in the minds of many Americans who watched Vance and President Donald Trump get into a tense back and forth with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office Friday.
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As we told you … Vance said Zelensky should thank Trump for attempting to save his country by looking for a diplomatic solution to the war and said Zelensky was being “disrespectful” for litigating the war in front of the American people.
Many weren’t happy with the way Trump, Vance and Zelensky conducted themselves during the meeting … and many in Vermont made their feelings known by protesting Vance’s arrival in town.
I can’t stop laughing that protesters with signs at Sugarbush in Vermont sent JD Vance into hiding on his ski trip.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/oOE31UmLu6
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) March 1, 2025
@ArtCandee
The signs vary from calling Vance a traitor to saying the cows in the area have more intelligence than him. Worth noting, Kamala Harris dominated in Vermont … winning nearly twice as many votes as President Trump in the state.
So, looks like J.D.’s on vacation … though how much he’s enjoying it certainly isn’t clear.
Did you know that the official color of Women’s History Month is purple?
Women in every industry have been chipping away at the glass ceiling for decades, often in the face of significant challenges and discrimination. Did you know that the first female prime minister was Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka in 1960? She was followed by a series of other competent women who held high office, such as Indira Gandhi (India-1966) and other women who you would have never known about unless you googled Women Prime Ministers (many of whom are from Asia Pacific countries). It is therefore quite astonishing that it took decades for the U.S. to elect its first female to hold high office with the election of V.P. Kamala Harris in 2020. Though she may not have won the 2024 presidency, one thing remains true…the glass ceiling in the U.S. still needs breaking.
March is Women’s History Month and March 8th International Women’s Day. It’s a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Are you interested in learning its origin story? Read our previous blog post on how Women’s History Month evolved over time. Your mind will be blown!
What Colors Symbolize International Women’s Day and Why?
International Women’s Day Colors
Purple, green and white are the colors of International Women’s Day. Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity. The colors originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.
What is the Theme for International Women’s Day 2025?
This year’s theme is “Accelerate Action” and “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” The goal is to speed up progress worldwide to achieve gender parity.
Not Such Fun Facts:
Did you know that according to the Global Gender Gap Report, at the current rate of progress, it will take 132 years to close the global gender gap?
Did you know that for every dollar earned by men, white, non-Hispanic women earn 73 cents, black women 64 cents, Latina women 51 cents, Native American women 52 cents and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women 80 cents, with some groups earning as little as 49 cents?
Celebrating the Scientific & Social Achievements of Women in HistoryIn this blog post, I would like to celebrate a few of the many women in history who have made contributions in the areas of women’s rights, science, social justice, technology, politics and culture. Contributions made by women in other areas, such as medicine, sports, publishing, film, theatre, photography, music and dance will follow in a subsequent post.
Marie Curie (1867-1934) founded the science of radioactivity, discovered two new elements, and was the first person to win two Nobel Prizes. Her work laid the foundation for advancements in modern physics and cancer treatments.
Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) regarded as the first computer programmer, her work on the analytical engine inspired future developments in computing, laying the foundation for the digital age we live in today.
Rosa Parks (1913-2005) a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement. She is best known for her courageous act of defiance on December 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white passenger. This act sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, one of the most significant events in American civil rights history.
Celebrating the Political & Cultural Achievements of Women in History
Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) & Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-19020 together they revolutionized the political and social condition of women in American society, pushing for a wholesale social revolution that went beyond just voting rights. Their partnership and friendship lasted for over five decades, leaving an indelible mark on the fight for women’s equality in the United States.
Christabel Pankhurst (1880-1958) a prominent leader in the Suffragette movement, she strategically used fashion to promote the cause and challenge negative stereotypes about women’s rights activists. Her approach to dress was both deliberate and influential in shaping the public image of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU).
Coco Chanel (1883-1971) a French fashion designer and businesswoman who dominated Parisian haute couture for nearly six decades. A pioneer for women’s rights and gender equality, Chanel was one of the first female designers to create practical clothing for active women.
Mary Quant (1930-2023) her legacy is not only in her mini skirt & hot pants designs but also in her impact on cultural movements. She was a leader in the “Youthquake” of the 1960s, a term coined to describe the shift in cultural influence from the older generation to the young.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) and Lorena “Hick” Hickok (1893-1968) shared a deep, intimate relationship that significantly impacted both their lives and American history. Their connection began in 1932 when Hickok, a respected journalist for the Associated Press, was assigned to cover Eleanor during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidential campaign.
Eleanor was the longest-serving first lady of the United States, during her husband’s four terms as president from 1933- 1945. Hickok’s influence helped Eleanor become one of the most influential women of the 20th century, championing causes such as human rights and democracy.
For more about their 30-year relationship read the book, Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady by Susan Quinn.
What’s the Latest on the Equal Rights Amendment (NRA)? Will it Ever Get Ratified?
On January 17, 2025, President Biden declared his opinion that the Equal Rights Amendment (which would explicitly prohibit sex discrimination) was the law of the land, however, sadly, his declaration had no formal effect.
As of March 2025, ERA’s status remains unresolved, with ongoing debates about the validity of the deadline, post-deadline ratifications, state rescissions and its inability to receive the required two-thirds supermajority in the Senate.Constitutional scholars and lawmakers continue to discuss potential paths forward for the 28th amendment, which is even more reason to elect a female President. Women know how to get things done!
PattiePump.Fun, the next-generation launchpad on Solana, is revolutionizing the crypto space by offering zero fees to launch projects. This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower developers, creators, and innovators by removing financial barriers and making blockchain-based fundraising more accessible than ever.
With the rising popularity of Solana as a fast and low-cost blockchain, many developers seek an efficient and affordable way to bring their projects to life. PattiePump.Fun eliminates traditional launchpad fees, allowing projects to focus entirely on innovation and community building rather than hefty upfront costs.
Why PattiePump.Fun?
• Zero Fees – Unlike traditional launchpads that charge significant fees, PattiePump.Fun lets projects launch without any upfront costs.
• Solana-Powered – Leveraging Solana’s lightning-fast and cost-efficient blockchain ensures smooth and scalable launches.
• Community-Driven – The platform fosters organic community engagement, ensuring projects gain genuine support.
• Seamless Integration – Easy-to-use tools simplify the fundraising and token launch process.
“We believe that blockchain should be accessible to everyone, By removing fees, we’re leveling the playing field for small and independent projects, helping them thrive in the Solana ecosystem.”
PattiePump.Fun is actively onboarding new projects, inviting developers and entrepreneurs to launch their ideas effortlessly. With this zero-fee initiative, the platform aims to democratize access to blockchain funding and fuel the next wave of decentralized innovation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.
About Web3Wire Web3Wire – Information, news, press releases, events and research articles about Web3, Metaverse, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Cryptocurrencies, Decentralized Finance, NFTs and Gaming. Visit Web3Wire for Web3 News and Events, Block3Wire for the latest Blockchain news and Meta3Wire to stay updated with Metaverse News.
Monster Hunter Wilds has, so far, been an absolutely fantastic game for those who can actually play it. PC players have been complaining of performance issues since launch, and for those on any platform, a handful of glitches have gotten in the way of the hunt.
These complaints have been so omnipresent that the game sits at a “mixed” rating on Steam, despite reviews scoring high from critics and long-time fans alike.
Capcom has released statements on the issue, and are working to fix things behind the scenes – but as with many attempts at bug-squashing, an answer to “when are the fixes coming?” is hard to come by.
Related
Having Performance Issues In Monster Hunter Wilds On PC? Capcom May Have The Solution
Despite shattering Capcom’s sales records, all is not well with the Steam version of Monster Hunter Wilds.
Until then, Capcom wants you to be aware of some of the glitches that may occur. In two posts on X, they highlight specific issues that may be locking some content away from you.
The first is a bug involving a tutorial. Specifically, where more-limited tutorial settings aren’t going away when they ought to be.
Hunters, we are currently investigating an issue that can occur when visiting the Smithy.
When this issue occurs, weapon upgrading tutorials are repeatedly shown, disabling certain options in the menu.
Given how important the smithy is for gear progression, this glitch could stop you from getting the most out of every weapon. In a game as number-savvy as Monster Hunter, those looking to min-max their build will be especially impacted.
The second bug causes menu items to fail to unlock, despite the player meeting progression requirements. This one affects the “Grill a Meal” and “Ingredient Center” options.
Hunters, we are aware of an issue occurring for some players where the “Grill a Meal” and “Ingredient Center” features can’t be unlocked, even though the progress criteria is met by the player. We are currently working on this issue and will provide further updates when we have them.
Again, this one’s gonna prevent you from boosting your hunter in certain ways. While Monster Hunter Wilds’ easier gameplay ensures that neither of these bugs are game-breaking, they will have a measurable, negative impact on your hunter’s power should you encounter them.
Despite Issues, Monster Hunter Wilds Remains A Strong Entry In The Franchise
Though technical problems have been Wilds’ bane – especially on PC – these problems haven’t impacted everyone’s experience with the game.
If you’ve been affected by performance issues, then at least you can rest easy knowing that there’s a good game underneath it all. It will, unfortunately, need a bit more excavation to get there.
Related
Dauntless, The Free-To-Play Monster Hunter Alternative, Is Shutting Down
The Shattered Isles will be abandoned at the end of May.
Technical issues are an annoying, but ultimately solvable problem. Complaints about Monster Hunter Wilds have largely centered on these issues. There have been other problems mentioned, but they’re generally eclipsed by “I can’t run the game properly on PC.”
Patience is key, hunters. Whether the bugs are big or small, a quick death by hammer will smash them just the same.
NEXT
Monster Hunter Wilds Hammer Guide: Combos, Tips, and Tricks
In a new interview, Tom Schwartz, who also filmed a season of Fox’s “Stars on Mars,” revealed that after Bravo axed the cast of “Vanderpump Rules” from the show, everybody has taken personal time to get themselves together. He also shared some behind-the-scenes information about which of his past “VPR” castmates he’s closest to.
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Tom Schwartz Says The Cast Needed Time Away From Each Other
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“Vanderpump Rules” aired its first episode in 2013, and since then, it has become a pop culture phenomenon, especially for reality TV fans.
However, the series that viewers know and love will be getting a facelift when it returns for season 12.
Lisa Vanderpump and Bravo announced that the network would axe the original members, including Scheana Shay, Schwartz, and Sandoval, in exchange for fresh faces.
The decision came after a challenging final two seasons between the original cast members due to Sandoval’s salacious affair with former co-star Raquel Leviss.
In an interview with E! News, Schwartz discussed how he and his former colleagues have been dealing with the news, saying they’ve spent time away from each other to center themselves.
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“Everyone’s taking a little time to just recalibrate [and] enjoy their peace and time apart,” he said. “I think there’s still a lot of love and respect amongst the castmates, but regardless of what happens in the future, I think we needed a little break.”
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Tom Schwartz Is Closer To Taylor Than Sandoval
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Despite spending years alongside his bestie, Sandoval, and opening a sandwich shop with him, Schwartz shared a surprising revelation about where his relationships with his “Pump Rules” cast mates stand today.
“I see Scheana and [her husband] a lot,” he said before saying he also interacts with “Lala [Kent] a lot.”
Additionally, the 42-year-old said that he spends a lot of time with “VPR’s” OG villain, Taylor.
“Yeah, I see Jax [Taylor] a lot; he’s my neighbor now,” he said.
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Tom Schwartz Will Join Taylor On ‘The Valley’
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Even though Bravo fans are losing many of the characters they’ve spent years watching on “Vanderpump Rules,” several of them still have jobs with the network.
Brittany Cartwright, Kristen Doute, and Taylor are all featured in one of Bravo’s newest shows called “The Valley.”
The second season will premiere on the network soon, and, according to Schwartz, he’ll make a few appearances next to Kent and Shay.
“They might pepper a little Schwartz in here or there,” he said before teasing that the next batch of episodes will be a “doozy.”
“What I do know, just because they are my friends and I know what is going on, it is going to be a hell of a season,” he finished.
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Schwartz Had To Take A Break From Sandoval Following His Messy Affair
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After Sandoval’s affair became breaking news, fracturing their friend group and show forever, Schwartz revealed that the negative attention surrounding him became too much for him to bear.
While appearing on Cartwright and Taylor’s podcast, “When Reality Hits,” the dog-dad and seasoned reality star told his fans that he was “taking a break” from Sandoval to avoid the drama and prevent him from becoming bitter.
“He made a big mess and left for us to clean up. It’s hard for [me] not to be resentful. I’m taking a break from Tom right now. I haven’t spoken to him in a while,” he shared.
Schwartz Lost Other Friends After ‘Scandoval’ Went Viral
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Although Sandoval’s affair didn’t involve Schwartz, the reality star still lost the relationship he had with Sandoval’s then-girlfriend, Ariana Madix.
As more details about the affair became public, Madix learned that Schwartz, at some point, knew of the affair; however, he chose not to disclose the information to her.
Madix confronted Schwartz about the betrayal during the season 10 finale, where she told him that they were no longer in a friendly space.
“I don’t think you are a [co-conspirator], but I will not have mutual friends with him. So I am not your friend anymore,” she told him.
On “Watch What Happens Live,” Madix kept the same energy, blasting Schwartz for covering Sandoval’s behavior.
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“I don’t think it was just covering,” she toldAndy Cohen. “I think it was actively participating in my downfall.”
Britain’s Got Talent viewers have mocked ITV as the show – and host Ant McPartlin – issued a warning to those watching.
During Saturday’s show (March 1), The Lazy Generation took to the stage to perform. The group consisted of seven men who called themselves “a group of athletes”.
However, as they took to the stage, the performance actually consisted of them pulling a string of funny stunts that caused some sort of pain…
BGT issued a warning over The Lazy Generation’s performance tonight (Credit: ITV)
The Lazy Generation on Britain’s Got Talent
As the Britain’s Got Talent performance began, a warning flashed up on screen. It read: “Do not try this at home.”
As the routine got underway, and the stunts started becoming crazier, host Ant turned to the camera and said: “Don’t try this at home, ever!”
One of the stunts saw the group running on treadmills, blindfolded, as cutlery and other plastic objects including kids’ toys were dropped underneath their feet.
In another, judge Simon Cowell was asked to hold a thick elastic band back before flinging it against some of the men’s chests.
That’s gonna hurt in the morning!
Watch The Lazy Generation boys push themselves to the limit in their pain-induced #BGT audition: https://t.co/1kNEXVTHh4 #BritainsGotTalent
Do not try this at home! pic.twitter.com/OxYMli2UMp
— BGT (@BGT) March 1, 2025
Britain’s Got Talent viewers mock ITV over ‘don’t try this at home’ warning
Viewers watching were amused by the warning from ITV, with many mocking the show on X.
One person said: “Do Not Try This At Home. Don’t worry about that ITV, I won’t be I assure you.”
Don’t try this at home, ever!
Another wrote: “Love the don’t try this at home warnings, yeah cause we all want to ping our [bleep] with a bungee, get trampled on by a person larger than us and finally throw random objects at our feet.”
A third replied: “Absolutely pointless.”
Meanwhile, a fourth wrote: “What on earth were the producers and judges thinking of putting this dangerous, silly and painful act on TV? I mean kids might try this even though it would be stupid just my opinion anyway.”
OUCH! (Credit: ITV)
Others shared their thoughts on the actual performance, with many viewers having a divided opinion.
One person said: “What have I just witnessed on Britain’s Got Talent? That was hilarious. I’ve never seen anything that funny for years.”
Another wrote: “@TheLazyGen you guys are hilarious! You’re like Jackass UK!!!!”
Read more: Britain’s Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli sparks backlash as viewers demand he ‘sit down’
However, someone else added: “There literally is no talent left in Britain because what that actual hell was The Lazy Generation?? It wasn’t funny or entertaining.”
One commented: “No wonder #BGT is dwindling in views each year if that’s the kind of ‘talent’ they have on.”
What did you think of the performance? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.
In March 2008, Katie Piper‘s life changed forever, as she was subjected to a horrific acid attack, causing blindness in her left eye and major damage to her face, neck, chest and upper arms.
The following year, the model bravely gave up her right to anonymity in the hope of increasing awareness about burns victims.
Katie – who is on The Weakest Link today (March 1) – has brought the public along on her ongoing medical journey, which has involved more than 250 operations, countless skin grafts and, now, the removal of her eye.
Here, we’re taking a look at what brave Katie has had to endure over the years…
Katie was subjected to an acid attack in 2008 (Credit: ITV)
What happened to Katie Piper?
Katie, 41, a popular Loose Women panelist, was scarred for life after ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch ordered a man – named Stefan Sylvestre – to throw acid over the star in March 2008.
Sylvestre was given a life sentence, with a minimum term of six years, in 2009. He was released on licence in 2018. Lynch, meanwhile, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years in May 2009.
At the time, the judge said the pair “planned and then executed an act of pure, calculated and deliberate evil”.
Katie said that, following the attack, she had been given a life sentence. She also admitting turning to drink following the attack, admitting that she almost “destroyed herself”.
Now a mum of two, trailblazing Katie has made it her mission to raise awareness and support for burns victims. She’s made documentaries, written booked, been awarded an OBE and set up her own charitable foundation.
Katie has had to undergo hundreds of surgeries (Credit: 60 Minutes Australia / YouTube)
Katie Piper had pioneering surgery after acid attack
Immediately following the attack, Katie received treatment at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. In a first-of-its-kind operation, surgeons completely removed the skin off her face. They replaced it with a skin substitute as a foundation for a skin graft. The procedure involved eight surgeons operating for six hours. Her entire face was then reconstructed using skin from other parts of her body such as her back.
“My face is made out of a cow!” Katie has since explained in a podcast appearance. She added: “This foundation is made from collagen and elastin taken from a cow.”
In her documentary, Katie: My Beautiful Face, the star revealed that in the first four years following her attack alone, she underwent 109 operations. During her recovery, she was required to travel to France, because she required specialist treatment not available in the UK.
As part of her charitable work with her Katie Piper Foundation, the activist has campaigned for the specialist treatment she received abroad to be more widely available.
Strictly Come Dancing appearance
In 2018, Katie signed up to appear on BBC dance series Strictly Come Dancing.
At a press conference, she revealed: “I mean I’ve got some injuries that might make it a little more difficult but I don’t think it’d hold me back. I’ve lived with extensive injuries for 10 years.”
During training, Katie said that she struggled to rehearse with dance partner Gorka Marquez. She said it was challenging as she struggled to see him demonstrate the moves. “‘It was hard adapting,” she said.
Following horrific trolling over her appearance after dancing on the show, Katie struggled with her mental health.
She admitted: “In week one of Strictly, I got myself into a bit of a dark place. I remember standing on the balcony, making unhealthy comparisons about things and just telling myself again and again: ‘No, don’t do this to yourself.’”
She then added: “I tried to show the real me on Strictly. I was really determined to show people that my injuries wouldn’t stop me from doing a show like this.”
Katie Piper on secret sepsis battle
In 2019, Katie was hospitalised for two weeks after secretly battling sepsis as a result of a kidney infection.
After she was discharged, Katie opened up about the life-threatening illness. She also shared how she failed to spot the seriousness of her symptoms.
She told her Instagram fans: “I had a kidney infection that spread to my blood leaving me being treated for sepsis. It’s been a pretty rough time. But I’m so happy to finally feel better, extremely grateful to all the NHS staff who helped me fight this infection. We are so lucky to have this system,” she added.
Emergency surgery after after choking on food
In 2021, Katie revealed she had been rushed to hospital after choking on some food. Once she was admitted, she had to have an emergency procedure on her oesophagus.
She told fans she couldn’t swallow on her own saliva after her oesophagus closed up.
On Instagram, shared further details. Katie revealed that her issues are due to scar tissue that has grown on her her oesophagus after she swallowed some of the acid thrown at her in the horror attack.
She shared: “I’ve got a long history of treatment with my oesophagus, I’ve got three strictures of tight scar tissue from what happened previously. This is something I’ve been aware of but hasn’t happened in years.
“The procedure went very well and I just ate ice cream which felt heavenly! Huge thank you to the NHS doctors and nurses that did she an incredible job and were so attentive.”
She previously opened up about her hair transplant (Credit: ITV)
Hair transplant
Katie also previously opened up about her “empowering hair transplant” after the life-changing acid attack. On Loose Women in 2022, Katie and her co-stars were discussing whether hair transplants are a suitable Christmas gift.
My hair transplant was really empowering for me.
“Because I lost my hair through an act of violence, my hair transplant was really empowering for me to say, I’m bringing it back on my terms,” Katie said. She added: “On the back of my head I have a panel the size of a post box of skin and hair removed.”
Katie continued: “You have stitches in the back of your head. You lie there for 13 hours, you have every individual hair done. There’s a lot of downtime.”
She then showed off the results of her hair transplant on the ITV daytime show.
Katie Piper reached ‘the end of the road’ in the battle to save her eye earlier this year (Credit: Splash News)
Katie gets artificial eye
Two years ago, Katie revealed that she had made the difficult decision to have her eye sewn shut, after developing a hole in it. Doctors decided to sew it shut to give it the “optimal chance to heal”, Katie said.
At the time, appearing on Loose Women, she shared: “It’s been quite painful so it’s quite a relief for me to finally have it stitched up, because it’s a lot more comfortable. And it’s not permanent. It’s probably going to be just about a year like this and then hopefully I can have it opened again.”
However, earlier this year, 16 years on from her acid attack, Katie shared that she had started the journey to getting a prosthetic eye. She told her Loose Women: “I’ve had quite a lot of problems with my eye in the last year and a half. I don’t like to go on about it because there’s always somebody worse off…”
Sharing the decision to opt for a prosthetic eye shell, Katie said: “After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.”
She also showed the shell being fitted in a candid Instagram video.
An inspiring woman, who faces every challenge she’s handed head-on, with grace, beauty and dignity. Sending Katie love and success with the next stage in her medical journey.
Watch Katie on The Weakest Link on Saturday (March 1) at 7:45pm on BBC One.
Read more: Katie Piper’s acid attacker gets parole hearing 16 years after being jailed for life
So what do you think of this story? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.
The following is a guest post by Marc Boiron, CEO at Polygon Labs.
In a world of fake news, misinformation and declining faith in traditional institutions, blockchain should bridge the divide by bringing something incredibly powerful and utterly unique to the table: trustlessness. Or, at least, it should.
Unfortunately, blockchain has always suffered from its own divisions, which have prevented the decentralization revolution from fulfilling its potential. In 2024, things began to change. We saw incredible technical progress to unite the fractured blockchain ecosystem. This year, we’ll finally see decentralization start to deliver its promises of bridging the divide.
The inevitability of fragmented ecosystems
If crypto, DeFi and web3 had emerged fully-formed and with a unified, interoperable set of standards, you’d be rightly suspicious. A truly decentralized ecosystem – one that’s not monopolized by a single entity – will be fragmented by its very nature.
But decentralization came at an initial cost. New technologies and platforms evolved organically and with little reference to (or interoperability with) each other. That left liquidity and functionality trapped in discrete siloes, putting severe limitations on the capabilities and ambitions of individual chains.
And now for the good news. Some of the brightest minds and most innovative businesses have been working on this problem, and in the last 12 months especially we have made spectacular progress. Together, we are building infrastructure that connects chains, dApps, and communities, and we’re aligning incentives and designing systems that can stand the test of time.
Most importantly, we’re doing this without betraying the underlying principles of decentralization.
A world without trade-offs: towards an aggregated future
Layer-2 (L2) networks were supposed to be the silver bullet that solved blockchain’s interoperability and liquidity deficit, but they created as many problems as they solved. It’s true that L2s have boosted transaction capacity, but they remain siloed – even among rollups claiming to be interoperable.
As Vitalik Buterin recently pointed this out, “Ethereum should feel like one ecosystem, not 34 different blockchains.” And that’s a very conservative number; unfortunately, there are more like hundreds of blockchains.
Meanwhile, alternatives like Solana and other alt L1s aim to be so fast and integrated that separate networks won’t be necessary. But here’s the reality: no single chain, no matter how powerful, can handle the full weight of a blockchain-powered Internet. There’s always a ceiling.
We’ve recently seen major progress towards unification, led by the AggLayer. The AggLayer harnesses zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs to connect chains—L1s, L2s, EVM, SVM and everything else—enabling them to share liquidity, state, and users in a seamless, low-latency, and secure way.
If 2024 was the year of the AggLayer, then 2025 will see them begin to transform the ecosystem, bringing a host of new capabilities and services to a global market. Because rollup clusters can plug into the AggLayer and still interoperate with each other, it creates a system with maximum security, sovereignty, and unity.
It brings crypto, web3, DeFi and more together into a single “ecosystem of equals”, where each chain’s unique capabilities combine to create something far greater than the sum of its parts.
By using zkEVM or zkVM-powered unification layers, developers can build with lower costs and faster speeds, all while staying anchored to Ethereum’s unmatched security and censorship resistance. At the same time, these protocols are breaking down Web3’s “walled gardens,” allowing ecosystems to share liquidity and work together seamlessly.
This interconnectedness doesn’t just help developers—it benefits everyone in Web3. It creates stronger network effects, making the space more fair, inclusive, and accessible. It brings back the feeling of the Internet, one that feels unified virtually anywhere in the world. And as we head into 2025, this momentum is only growing.
But what does a unified experience actually look like?
Case study: How yield-bearing stablecoins will reDeFine USD-pegged tokens
One of the prime examples of community-centric trends that saw explosive growth this year is the rapid emergence of yield-bearing stablecoins, such as AUSD and sUSDe.
Unlike traditional USD-pegged tokens such as USDT or USDC, which are backed by funds invested in low-risk assets, their yield-bearing counterparts share the profits with every holder, so everyone can passively benefit from them — not only the issuer.
By generating yield natively in DeFi as well as through crypto derivatives and traditional finance (TradFi), this new type of stablecoins not only aligns the incentives of all network participants but also benefits from an aggregated approach to blockchain, ensuring seamless interoperability between blockchains.
Once aggregated natively, an asset is available across all blockchains connected to the aggregated network – like the AggLayer. When yield-bearing stablecoins are minted in this manner, they can effectively help further expand and evolve crypto in a fairer and more inclusive manner, incentivizing long-term participation in DeFi and Web3 as a whole. Similarly attractive for professional investors and regular users alike, these assets represent a new dimension of community-first finance, promoting financial inclusion and democratizing access to investment opportunities previously limited to TradFi.
They provide a unique opportunity to earn yield while maintaining exposure to stable assets, making them an attractive option for both seasoned investors and those new to the crypto space. By offering a secure and consistent yield, these stablecoins promote financial inclusion and democratize access to investment opportunities previously limited to traditional finance.
Blockchain’s Bright Future Begins in 2025
Trust in everything from politics to institutions has been steadily eroded for years. Thanks in large part to the digital revolution of the last 30 years, the world is already hopelessly divided. Blockchain offers a compelling alternative future in fields as diverse as finance and digital identity. Until very recently, fragmentation threatened to rob us of these gains
Enabled by the blockchain industry’s paradigm shift toward unification in 2024, these trends are poised to massively accelerate mass adoption by making Web3 financially inclusive and interoperable like never before. Blockchain’s bright future therefore begins anew in 2025, when we’ll see even more innovations that bring historically siloed decentralized ecosystems together as “the Internet of the future.”
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have figured out how to turn everyday throwaways into a technology that pulls clean water straight from the atmosphere.
The team used different organic materials to develop “molecularly functionalized biomass hydrogels” that extract drinkable water from air using only mild heat, producing nearly four gallons daily per kilogram of material—about three times more than typical water-harvesting technologies.
“This opens up an entirely new way to think about sustainable water collection, marking a big step towards practical water harvesting systems for households and small community scale,” said Professor Guihua Yu, who led the research team.
The research is relevant today, considering nearly 4.4 billion people have restricted access to safe drinking water, according to recent studies. That’s nearly 50% of the entire human population.
Extracting water out of air is not really new, but what sets this approach apart is its use of natural materials that would otherwise end up in landfills—making it safer and more environmentally friendly too. The researchers successfully converted cellulose (found in plants), starch (from foods like corn and potatoes), and chitosan (from seashells) into high-performance water harvesters.
“At the end of the day, clean water access should be simple, sustainable, and scalable,” said Weixin Guan, another researcher involved in the study. “This material gives us a way to tap into nature’s most abundant resources and make water from air—anytime, anywhere.”
The technology works through a two-step process. First, researchers attach thermoresponsive groups to make the materials sensitive to temperature changes. Then, they add special molecules called “zwitterionic groups” to boost the biomass’ water absorption capacity.
The result is a hydrogel that works somewhat like the silica gel packets found in a normal dehumidifier, but with dramatically better performance and safer composition, using natural materials instead of synthetics.
During field tests, the system demonstrated to be successful—a single kilogram of material produced up to 14.19 liters of water daily. The team says similar technologies typically generate between 1 and 5 liters per kilogram each day.
Unlike conventional water harvesting systems that often rely on energy-hungry refrigeration to condense atmospheric moisture, these hydrogels need only mild heating to 60°C (140°F) to release their captured water—a temperature achievable with simple solar heating or waste heat from other processes.
This minimal energy requirement makes the technology particularly promising for off-grid communities and emergency situations where power might be unavailable.
Professor Yu’s team has been developing water-generating technologies for years, including systems adapted for extremely dry conditions and injectable water filtration systems. They’re now working on scaling production and designing practical devices for commercialization, including portable water harvesters, self-sustaining irrigation systems, and emergency drinking water devices.
Edited by Andrew Hayward
Generally Intelligent Newsletter
A weekly AI journey narrated by Gen, a generative AI model.
When I was growing up I really loved playing the 1981 Arcade game of Frogger by Konami. It had loads of charm, great gameplay for kids and it really made you feel for the safety of those little green frogs as they hopped their way across a busy road, then across a river of logs and Crocodiles to get to the other side. So when happycodingzx announced via itch io about ‘Frogger RX’, which is basically an Arcade-like version of Frogger for the ZX Spectrum, I just had to mention it here on IRN.
And here’s the latest from the itch io page linked (HERE). “This is a free demo of a pre-release version of Frogger RX for the ZX Spectrum. Features include two full game rounds as well as AY sound and music, and most of the features in the arcade. Still to include are snakes, crocodile in the home squares and otters, as well as beeper sounds for the 48k version and a few other quality of life adjustments. You may find some bugs with the music playback and a few other bits, feel free to report them. The full game will be available to purchase in due course, but is also free to all those who kindly support me on Patreon(link). My full roster of more than a dozen games are included when you sign up”.
In this blog post, I would like to celebrate a few of the many women in history who have made contributions in the areas of women’s rights, science, social justice, technology, politics and culture. Contributions made by women in other areas, such as medicine, sports, publishing, film, theatre, photography, music and dance will follow in a subsequent post.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) and Lorena “Hick” Hickok (1893-1968) shared a deep, intimate relationship that significantly impacted both their lives and American history. Their connection began in 1932 when Hickok, a respected journalist for the Associated Press, was assigned to cover Eleanor during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidential campaign.
