Thursday, July 31, 2025
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
When a crow feels unwell… it heads to an anthill.
Sensing illness or irritation, the crow will find an anthill, spread its wings, and stay perfectly still—allowing the ants to crawl through its feathers.
Why?
Because ants release formic acid, a natural antiseptic that helps eliminate bacteria, fungi, and parasites hiding in the bird’s plumage.
This instinctive act is known as “anting,” and it’s not just seen in crows—many bird species do it too.
No medicine.
No vet.
Just instinct tapping into nature’s own pharmacy.
A powerful reminder that the natural world is filled with smart, self-healing systems—if we only pause long enough to see them
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Cher was once so broke she stole a dress from a department store—then wore it to an audition that would change her life.
She was 16. Homeless. Sleeping on friends’ couches. Her father had vanished. Her mom worked as a part-time actress and waitress. Cherilyn Sarkisian didn’t have a plan—just a voice, a vision, and a sense that she was meant for more than waiting tables in the Valley.
Then she met Sonny Bono.
Their love story was messy, electric, and unequal. He was the boss. She was the kid. He made the decisions, signed the deals, shaped her voice. And for a while, she let him—until she didn’t. Because what people missed behind the big eyelashes and deadpan delivery was a woman watching, learning, and preparing to take control.
When The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour made them stars, it was Cher who stole every scene. Her wit. Her timing. Her refusal to be the cute sidekick. And when the marriage crumbled, Sonny kept the rights. Cher kept the fire.
She went solo. Reinvented herself again and again—disco queen, Oscar-winning actress, rock star, fashion renegade, Twitter savage, age-defying icon. When men told her to be quiet, she turned up the volume. When critics mocked her outfits, she wore less. And when an interviewer asked what she wanted in a man, she famously said: “A man? Honey, I am a rich man.”
Behind it all, though, was a survivor. A mother who lost a child. A daughter who lost herself in the spotlight. A performer who outlived her doubters, her trends, and even her own fears.
Cher didn’t just survive six decades in showbiz—she shape-shifted her way through it, one rhinestone and revolution at a time.
Saturday, July 26, 2025
U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Settles Sex Trafficking Case Against Estate Of Jeffrey Epstein And Co-Defendants For Over $105 Million - United States Virgin Islands
ST. THOMAS, U.S.V.I. – Today, Attorney General for the U.S. Virgin Islands Denise N. George announced a settlement with Jeffrey E. Epstein’s estate, co-defendants Darren K. Indyke and Richard D. Kahn (Co-executors of the estate), and ten Epstein-created entities. The settlement resolves a law enforcement action filed in 2020 under the anti-criminal enterprise, sex trafficking, child exploitation and fraud laws of the Virgin Islands. The settlement only resolves the claims against the Estate and the co-defendants named in the Government’s lawsuit, noted Attorney General George.
Under the terms of the settlement, the defendants will pay the Government of the Virgin Islands $105 million in cash plus one half of the proceeds from the sale of Little St. James, the island on which Epstein resided and on which many of his crimes occurred. The total cash value of the settlement will increase once the island is sold. The Estate also agreed to pay $450,000 to remediate environmental damage around Great St. James, another Epstein-owned island, where the Government found that Epstein razed the remains of centuries’-old historical structures of enslaved workers to make room for his development. Total cash payments will be made over a definite time period of no more than one year.
The Attorney General brought civil enforcement claims against the Epstein estate under the Virgin Islands’ Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (CICO), the Territory’s RICO analog. CICO and the Virgin Islands Uniform Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act’s prohibitions of sex trafficking and sexual servitude are among the strongest in the United States.
“This settlement restores the faith of the People of the Virgin Islands that its laws will be enforced, without fear or favor, against those who break them. We are sending a clear message that the Virgin Islands will not serve as a haven for human trafficking,” stated Attorney General George. “Through this lawsuit and settlement, the Attorney General’s Office, acting on behalf of the Government, is using its authority to enforce the laws of the Virgin Islands against criminal enterprises and to protect public safety.
That is our solemn responsibility as a government, separate and independent of any claims filed by individual survivors.”
The settlement also will return to the Virgin Islands more than $80 million in economic development tax benefits that Epstein and his co-defendants fraudulently obtained to fuel his criminal enterprise. The Government alleged that Southern Trust Company, an Epstein company, made fraudulent misrepresentations to the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority regarding its qualifications for EDC tax benefits. Southern Trust fraudulently induced the EDC to provide such tax credits having relied upon the false representations.
The Virgin Islands alleged the co-defendants conspired with Epstein in carrying out an expansive criminal enterprise, the “Epstein Enterprise,” through which dozens of young women and children were trafficked, raped, sexually assaulted, and held captive in the Virgin Islands at Epstein’s secluded private island, Little St. James. Participants in the Epstein Enterprise used deception, fraud, and coercion to entice and lure vulnerable girls and young women into human sex trafficking with promises to help them and their families pay for school, health care, or other financial needs. Epstein, along with other associates, used property and companies in the Virgin Islands to carry out and conceal his scheme.
Under the Settlement agreement, the Estate will sell Little St. James and Great St. James to independent third parties to fund its settlements, terminating Epstein’s ownership of property in the Virgin Islands and ensuring that the islands cannot be used for illicit purposes by those associated with Epstein. The Estate has also agreed to wind down its business operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands and to provide documents to assist the Government’s ongoing investigations
The settlement terms require that the Government dedicate the proceeds from the sale of Little St. James exclusively to a trust created by the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands to fund projects, services, counseling programs, organizations and activities that help Virgin Islands residents or inhabitants who are victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, sexual misconduct, and child sexual abuse. In addition, according to the terms of the agreement, a portion of the settlement proceeds shall be directed by the Government to the credit of the Department of Justice and placed in a special fund for costs and expenses of its operations, investigations and prosecution of crimes, civil enforcement of violations of Virgin Islands law and any other matter under the jurisdiction of the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Throughout its investigation and litigation, the Government has worked to bring to light the conduct of Epstein and his enablers and co-conspirators and to preserve and protect compensation for victims and assure victims’ rights. The Attorney General’s Office placed CICO Criminal Activity Liens on various accounts related to Jeffrey Epstein to ensure the Estate did not improperly dispose of or dissipate assets that were required to satisfy the Government’s claims on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands and the claims of Epstein’s victims. Regarding victims’ rights under Virgin Islands law as a priority, the Government, at the commencement of its action, promptly intervened in the initial victim compensation fund proposed by the Estate, as it included broad releases that were not in the best interest of the victims, did not protect their confidentiality, and did not have independent fund administrators to act on their behalf throughout the process. Through the Government’s intervention, an experienced advocate was retained to assist victims in navigating the process and provide informed assistance to the fund administrators. Said Attorney General George, “I am pleased that earlier this year, the fund and its independent administrator awarded nearly $125 million to approximately 150 women abused by Epstein, satisfying all of the victims’ claims under the compensation program.”
Attorney General George emphasized the Government’s gratitude for the cooperation of brave women who survived Epstein’s abuse and were willing to share their own personal experiences to assist the Government’s ongoing investigation, and their counsel who have advocated fiercely for their clients. The Government also acknowledged the assistance of other individuals and entities that provided information. Said Attorney General George: “At the very start of the case, I was so honored to have met with three very courageous young women who were trafficked and sexually exploited on Little St. James by Jeffrey Epstein, in my St. Thomas office, where I listened to their chilling and horrific experiences at the hands of Epstein and his associates. Our work has been inspired, humbled, and fortified by the strength and courage of all of those who survivedEpstein’s abuse. I am grateful to Epstein’s survivors and their attorneys for their cooperation throughout the investigation.” “We owe it to those who were so profoundly hurt to make changes that will help avoid the next set of victims. Through this settlement, and with their help, we will turn millions of dollars towards education, victim advocacy and support, and law enforcement,” added Attorney General George.
Attorney General George acknowledged the dedicated work of her extraordinary team of attorneys for their relentless dedication and outstanding work in what is believed to be the largest monetary settlement in the history of the Virgin Islands: from the Virgin Islands Department of Justice — Chief Deputy Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs, Civil Division Chief Attorney Ariel Smith, Solicitor General Pamela Tepper — and additionally, the law firm of Motley Rice. She also expressed gratitude to Governor Albert Bryan, who appointed her in 2019, for his commitment to ensure that justice was done. Attorney General George also expressed her appreciation for the cooperation of the New York Department of Financial Services.
Attorney General George took office in May 2019 A native Virgin Islander, Attorney George served as an Assistant Attorney General and trial attorney in the criminal, civil, family, juvenile, white collar and public corruption divisions of the Virgin Islands Department of Justice for more than 18 years. During her tenure, she successfully prosecuted a full spectrum of violent crimes, including murder, manslaughter, rape, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. As a member of the Child Abuse Task Force, she co-authored the Virgin Islands’ first criminal child abuse and neglect statute. In the Civil Division, she represented the Government of the Virgin Islands in civil lawsuits filed against and on behalf of the government. She served also as the Director of the White Collar Crime and Corruption Division as its lead prosecutor for over 13 years.
The suit is Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. Estate of Jeffrey E. Epstein, et al in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands Division of St. Thomas and St. John. Read the amended complaint filed on Feb. 12, 2021.
Read the press release announcing the initial filing.
Watch USVI Attorney General Denise George announce the initial filing against the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein on Jan. 15, 2020.
November 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director (340)774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: Sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov
Epstein's sex trafficking was aided by JPMorgan, a Virgin Islands lawsuit says : NPR
Epstein's sex trafficking was aided by JPMorgan, a Virgin Islands lawsuit says : NPR
ARE YOU AWARE: While the DOJ — at Trump’s bidding — hides the Epstein files, little if any attention is being paid to this: The U.S. Virgin Islands, acting independently from U.S. law enforcement, exposed Epstein’s international sex trafficking empire — and won a record $105M+ civil settlement in 2022 from his estate.
Their AG called it:
“An expansive criminal enterprise… where dozens of young women and children were trafficked, raped, sexually assaulted, and held captive.
They named it the "Epstein Enterprise".
They froze accounts, forced the sale of Epstein’s private islands, and clawed back over $80M in fraudulent tax credits.
This case got next to zero headlines.
Why?
It didn’t come from the FBI. It didn’t come from U.S. DOJ. It came from a Black woman AG in a U.S. territory who did what the U.S. DOJ wouldn't do: expose the elite cover-up.So we ask:
Where are the Virgin Islands Epstein files?
The documents. The photos. The logs.
We know they exist.
We demand their release.
Friday, July 25, 2025
New Moon in Leo is about to birth something that will make your heart smile, something that will bring you joy, something that you will be devoted to beyond measure.
From 2° Leo and opposite Pluto, trine to Saturn and Neptune, and Black Moon Lilith, a Grand Trine and Kite formation, also a sextile to Uranus, this new moon has more roar than meets the eye. We may feel a fiery inner depth, an uncovering to something profoundly deep, exhilarating and supercharged rising.
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
These crusts, called coffins, were tough and several inches thick.
They baked for hours in open hearths or clay ovens.
The sturdy pastry protected the fillings from spoilage, allowing storage without refrigeration.
Upper classes filled theirs with expensive meats and spices.
Lower classes used root vegetables and cheaper cuts.
Often, the hard crust was discarded or repurposed, not eaten.
This method showed practical ingenuity in medieval Europe, starting from the 14th century AD.#MedievalCooking #CulinaryHistory #FoodPreservation
Thursday, July 17, 2025
For decades, time travel was seen as science fiction—a dream for writers, a fantasy for dreamers. But modern physics is changing that perception.
Einstein revolutionized our view of time, showing it's not a universal clock but something that bends and warps around massive objects like stars. Then came Gödel’s mind-bending solution to Einstein’s equations: a rotating universe that could, in theory, loop time back on itself. Later, rotating black holes and wormholes entered the scene—cosmic phenomena that might connect different places and times.
The main barriers? Energy and stability. Traversable wormholes would require "exotic matter" or negative energy, both difficult to produce in meaningful amounts. Even if built, quantum effects could destabilize them before use. And while Stephen Hawking once argued time travel must not exist (since we see no future tourists), even he later admitted it might be possible under the laws of physics—just not practical yet.
Some theories suggest that changing the past simply spawns a new timeline, leaving your original untouched.
REFERENCE: https://sou42.co/44N4LU1
THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE
Earth’s 27-Million-Year "Heartbeat": A Mysterious Cycle of Geological Upheaval! 
Scientists have uncovered a recurring cycle of geological activity on Earth, occurring roughly every 27.5 million years. This planetary "heartbeat" is marked by clusters of volcanic eruptions, mass extinctions, shifting tectonic plates, and rising sea levels. The findings, published in Geoscience Frontiers, suggest that these events are not random but follow a predictable pattern—one that has shaped Earth’s history for at least 260 million years.
By analyzing 89 well-documented geological events over the past 260 million years, researchers discovered that catastrophic changes tend to cluster together in pulses. These pulses involve a wide range of planetary upheavals, including:
Mass extinctions in both marine and land ecosystems.Large-scale volcanic eruptions, such as continental flood basalts.Major ocean anoxic events, where oceans lose oxygen, leading to widespread marine die-offs.Sea-level fluctuations tied to climate shifts and ice age cycles.Tectonic shifts, including changes in seafloor spreading rates and plate reorganizations.What makes this discovery remarkable is that statistical analysis confirms these events are not random. Instead, they follow a recurring cycle—suggesting a deeper underlying cause driving these periodic catastrophes.
The idea of cyclic geological activity isn’t new. In the 1920s and 1930s, early studies suggested a 30-million-year cycle in Earth’s history. Later, research in the 1980s and 1990s refined the pattern to between 26.2 and 30.6 million years. This new study pinpoints 27.5 million years as the most consistent interval, further strengthening the idea that Earth’s history moves in rhythmic pulses.
RESEARCH PAPER 
M.R. Rampino et al., “A pulse of the Earth: A 27.5-Myr underlying cycle in coordinated geological events over the last 260 Myr”, Geoscience Frontiers (2021)
The freshwater fish that can eat a crocodile. The Goliath Tigerfish is an apex predator within its environment, preying on other fish, birds, and even small crocodiles. It is known for its aggressive nature and powerful jaws and 32 razor sharp teeth. These Goliath's can grow huge, reaching up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and weighing over 110 pounds. #interestingtidbits #wildandcrazyfacts
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