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COVID vaccines limited to high-risk patients this fall season, FDA says

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized COVID-19 vaccines for the fall — but only for high-risk groups.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy announced the FDA’s most recent actions on Wednesday in a post on X.

“I promised 4 things,” Kennedy wrote. “1. to end covid vaccine mandates; 2. to keep vaccines available to people who want them, especially the vulnerable; 3. to demand placebo-controlled trials from companies; 4. to end the emergency.”

LARGEST MEASLES OUTBREAK IN US IS OFFICIALLY OVER, HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY

“In a series of FDA actions today we accomplished all four goals.”

In the post, RFK stated that the FDA has issued “marketing authorization” for high-risk groups for the following vaccines: Moderna (6 months and older), Pfizer (5 years and older) and Novavax (12 and up). 

“These vaccines are available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors,” RFK wrote.

High-risk groups include older adults over 65 and those who are more likely to develop severe COVID illness. 

MEDICAL GROUP GOES AGAINST CDC, RECOMMENDS COVID SHOTS FOR YOUNG KIDS

On its website, the CDC lists conditions that may increase the risk of severe COVID, including asthma, cancer, heart conditions, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, mood disorders, obesity, Parkinson’s, and chronic disease of the lungs, liver or kidneys, among many others.

RFK also announced that the emergency use authorizations for COVID vaccines have been rescinded.

High-risk groups include older adults over 65 and those who are more likely to develop severe COVID illness.  (iStock)

“The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense,” RFK went on. “This framework delivers all three.”

Before this change, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recommended the vaccine for all Americans 6 months and older.

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In May 2025, Kennedy announced that COVID-19 vaccines would be removed from the CDC’s routine immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women

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Instead of a universal recommendation, the CDC’s updated guidance calls for “shared clinical decision-making,” in which parents and doctors discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination for each individual case.

Older man vaccine

Before this change, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recommended the vaccine for all Americans 6 months and older. (iStock)

However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) still includes it in its annual immunization schedule, as Fox News Digital previously reported.

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“It should be a conversation between the pediatrician, patient and parent, and should depend on the child’s health as well as the current state of COVID,” Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, previously told Fox News Digital.

The Bloom School of Jazz Celebrates its 50th Year Anniversary in 2025

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The Bloom School of Jazz Celebrates its 50th Year Anniversary in 2025 5

Boutique Jazz School Nurturing Thousands of Students Since 1975

Chicago, IL, August 26, 2025 – In the world of jazz education, one school is marking a milestone: the 50th anniversary of The Bloom School of Jazz in Chicago. This institution is built on Founder David Bloom’s vision of “transforming lives through music and creativity.” Bloom and his staff of instructors focus on helping students find their individual voice—from saxophonists to scatting singers. Everyone who walks through the school’s doors, from Grammy winners to a mix of students from a NAVY Seal to a federal judge, a psychiatrist to high school students, is challenged by Bloom, who is known for his demanding, no-nonsense teaching style.

In the early 1970s, Bloom started teaching eight hours a day in a small practice room in Hyde Park, where he is from, and then opened the school officially in 1975. Over the decades, the school has had five locations and is currently at 226 S. Wabash. At one time, the school had six teachers and 100 enrolled students. The current teaching staff includes Bloom and award-winning vocalist Spider Saloff. Today, students can study privately with Bloom or Saloff, or take a selection of Jazz Combo Courses.

It is one of the nation’s few dedicated, self-funded jazz institutions. Bloom was awarded Jazz Educator of the Year award from Jazz Institute of Chicago in 2017. Bloom’s flagship teaching methods are outlined in his “Bloom’s Ten Commandments of Jazz Soloing and Life” and “Bloom’s Laws.”

Bloom’s vision was clear: helping students discover their individual voices through various programs such as Jazz Vocal Courses and private instruction. His commitment has influenced countless careers and inspired creativity in all of his students.

Alumni include:

  • Steve Rodby, 17-time Grammy Winner, bass player with Pat Metheny for 30 years
  • Cliff Colnot, conductor of the DePaul University Orchestra
  • Paul Mertens, music director for Brian Wilson
  • Graham Maby, bassist with Joe Jackson
  • Alex Wurman, film composer for March of the Penguins
  • Russ Nolan, NYC sax player who has his own school, Jazz Lab NYC
  • Anthony Wonsey, NYC Jazz Pianist

Bloom is a composer, flutist and guitarist, and author of eight music education books published through Hal Leonard, and he has had articles featured in Guitar Player magazine and The Chicago Tribune. Additionally, he has written What is Soul?, a book of interviews with people including Studs Terkel, Oscar Brown Jr., and people from many professions; and Incite Insights, a book including over 60 essays on music and life, and images of his abstract paintings. He has released five CDs of his original compositions, along with arranger Cliff Colnot, on his own Fire and Form Records.

Video: Composition “For Eddie P.” (Eddie Palmieri, Salsa Legend) by David Bloom: HERE

Video: Composition/alto flute “Shadow of a Soul” by David Bloom: HERE

For complete information, visit: https://www.bloomschoolofjazz.com/
More about David: https://davidbloomworks.com/

Media Contact: The Bloom School of Jazz, Attn: Media Relations
226 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60654, Phone: 773-860-8300
Email: dbloomjazz@gmail.com  

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The Bloom School of Jazz Celebrates its 50th Year Anniversary in 2025 6

            

Data brokers sell your personal info to scammers even without Facebook

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“I don’t use Facebook. I don’t even have an email. How could scammers possibly know anything about me?”

That’s the question I hear from people over 60 all the time. If you assume that by staying off social media and avoiding the internet, you’re invisible to fraudsters, think again.

The truth is, even if you’ve never posted a single thing online, scammers can still know your age, home address, relatives’ names, property value, and even when you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one. How? Because the everyday details of your offline life are quietly being collected, digitized, and sold.

And scammers are taking full advantage.

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REMOVE YOUR DATA TO PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT FROM SCAMMERS

A woman holding a smartphone

Scammers can still know a lot about you, even if you have never posted anything online. (Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez/picture alliance via Getty Images)

How scammers target seniors without social media

Here’s the uncomfortable reality: you don’t have to “put yourself out there” for your information to appear online. Much of it becomes public record automatically, thanks to the way our legal and government systems work.

Some of the biggest sources include:

  • Obituaries: When a loved one passes away, obituaries often list family members, ages, locations, and relationships. To scammers, it’s a family tree of potential targets.
  • Real estate records: Property purchases, sales, and even mortgage details are public. This can tell scammers whether you own your home outright, what it’s worth, and if you might be cash-rich.
  • Probate filings: When estates go through probate, details about beneficiaries and assets are recorded. Scammers can identify heirs and target them with fraudulent “inheritance assistance.”
  • Property tax documents: These are often searchable by anyone. They reveal not only your address but also your financial standing.
  • Court filings: Divorce, bankruptcy, and civil disputes often contain personal details, which are public by law.

On their own, these may not seem dangerous. But combined, they create a shockingly detailed portrait of your life.

THE DATA BROKER OPT-OUT STEPS EVERY RETIREE SHOULD TAKE TODAY

A man leaning on a fence using a tablet

Public records can provide a portrait of your life. (Barbara Eddowes via Getty Images)

Bereavement scams and emotional tricks scammers use

One of the cruelest scams I’ve seen lately is what I call the bereavement scam.

Here’s how it works:

A scammer scrapes local obituaries to see who’s recently lost a spouse or child. They then reach out, by phone, email, or even mail, pretending to be a funeral home, a grief counselor, or a charity. Because they reference real names, dates, and relationships, their outreach sounds painfully authentic.

  • Example: “We saw you lost your husband on March 3rd. We’d like to offer you a free grief support service…”
  • Or: “Your loved one’s final medical expenses may qualify for reimbursement. We just need your banking details to confirm.”

When you’re in mourning, your guard is down. Scammers know this, and they exploit grief to steal money and identities.

Other emotionally charged scams follow the same playbook

  • Fake Medicare calls referencing your age and location.
  • Phony financial advisors offering to “help” with retirement rollovers.
  • Romance scams targeting widows and widowers who live alone.
  • Fake agent scams trick victims into paying thousands of dollars through phone threats

The unifying factor is that these criminals don’t need Facebook to learn about you. They already have a dossier built from public and brokered data.

What’s even worse is that scammers can target your loved ones even years after your passing. They can call or text your close relatives claiming to offer free memorial services, annuities, or other common strategies when people are most vulnerable. Your exposed personal data fuels such morbid scams.

9 ONLINE PRIVACY RISKS YOU PROBABLY DON’T KNOW ABOUT

A man typing on a laptop

A man typing on his laptop (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)

The shocking sources of your personal data

Here’s the part most people don’t realize: scammers rarely dig through dusty courthouse files themselves. They don’t have to. That work has already been done by data brokers. Data brokers are companies whose entire business model is gathering and selling personal information. They collect from:

  • Public records (like those obituaries and real estate filings)
  • Consumer databases (credit headers, magazine subscriptions, surveys)
  • “People search” websites (Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified, and dozens more).

The result is a searchable profile that might include:

  • Full name and aliases
  • Current and past addresses
  • Phone numbers and email addresses
  • Relatives and their contact info
  • Age, income range, home value
  • Legal or financial history

Once a broker has your data, they sell it. And once it’s sold, it spreads. Even if you’ve never had a social media account, companies may build a ‘shadow profile’ of you from leaked data, online purchases, or details shared by others, leaving it ready to be abused.

How to protect yourself from scammers and data brokers

The good news is, you’re not powerless. While you can’t stop public records from existing, you can make it much harder for scammers to access and weaponize your data. Here’s how:

1) Reduce your digital footprint

  • Request removal from people search sites and data brokers.
  • This prevents your profile from being sold to scammers.
  • Doing this manually can take hours and has to be repeated, but it works.

2) Stay alert for emotional manipulation

  • If someone contacts you after a loss, assume caution.
  • Verify charities and funeral services before engaging.
  • Never share banking or personal details over the phone or email.

3) Automate data removal

  • Instead of manually contacting hundreds of data brokers, you can use a service like Incogni.
  • It sends and tracks removal requests across 420+ brokers, and keeps repeating the process so your data doesn’t resurface.
  • With their Unlimited plan, you can request data removal from any other shady website and disappear from the internet.
  • For seniors, this is often the safest and most practical solution.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice.  They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy.  These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.  It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Not being on Facebook doesn’t mean you’re invisible. Scammers don’t need you to share your life online. Your offline life is already online without your consent. The obituary in the local paper, the deed to your home, the probate record of your loved one’s estate, these are all turned into data points, sold to brokers, and resold to whoever wants them. That’s why protecting your personal data isn’t about avoiding the internet. It’s about reducing what’s already out there. The less data scammers can find, the harder it is for them to fool you with realistic, emotionally charged attacks. And that’s a big step toward keeping your money, your identity, and your retirement safe.

Do you believe it’s time for the government and companies to step in and protect your data privacy?  Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.



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Italian farmers have installed turnstiles in the Dolomites amid tourist surge

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As European cities continue to struggle with surging tourist numbers, Italian farmers have taken matters into their own hands.

Locals have installed their own turnstiles across the Dolomites as influencers continue to flock to the mountain range in northeastern Italy.

Carlo Zanella, president of the Alto Adige Alpine Club, told Fox News Digital that the turnstiles are “working.”

COASTAL CITY GREENLIGHTS NEW VISITOR TAX AMID WIDESPREAD OVERTOURISM TREND

“The turnstiles were installed at the beginning of July by a farmer who owns the land where the path passes,” said Zenella.

Located in Val Gardena on the Seceda, the turnstiles charge visitors about $5 for access.

Italian farmers install turnstiles that require $5 for access to the Dolomites mountain range. The goal is to control tourist overcrowding. (Carlo Zanella)

Zanella shared the “big problem” that farmers are facing. 

He said it’s about visitors “who go to the meadows to pass or have a picnic and ruin the grass that the farmer has to cut to make hay.”

The Dolomiti Superski area, spanning over 12 valleys, had 4 million winter visitors in the 2024 season, according to The Times.

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“I am against the influencers,” said Zanella, “because they almost always tell things that are not in events [related] to the locality and show the mountain differently from what it is. They are only interested in making money [through] advertising.”

DOLOMITES ITALY OVER TOURISM FARMERS

“The turnstiles were installed at the beginning of July by a farmer who owns the land where the path passes,” a source told Fox News Digital.  (Carlo Zanella)

Photos of the mountain range shared on social media show daily lines of thousands of tourists.

In the Province of Belluno, where the Dolomites are located, tourist arrivals increased 11% from 2019 to 2023, according to the official tourism portal.

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“The first 11 months of 2024 show a stability in flows compared to the previous year,” the tourism portal notes.

DOLOMITES ITALY OVER TOURISM FARMERS

The Dolomiti Superski area, which spans over 12 valleys, had 4 million winter visitors in the 2024 season. (Carlo Zanella)

Zanella said local authorities have met about how to handle tourism issues, but no decision has been made yet.

He believes the best way to reduce the flow of tourists is to highlight that “there are other even more beautiful places to visit.”

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Fox News Digital reached out to the Ufficio Informazioni e Accoglienza Turistica for comment.

Italy hiker search shows a breakthrough in AI drone technology

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A missing hiker’s dead body was finally found in July in Italy’s rugged Piedmont region after 10 months. The recovery team credited the breakthrough to an AI-powered drone that spotted a critical clue within hours. The same process would have taken weeks or even months if done by the human eye.

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TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT DEPLOYING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO SPOT AIR TRAFFIC DANGERS, DUFFY SAYS

Search and recovery mission in the Italian Alps

The hiker, an experienced mountaineer identified as Nicola Ivaldo, had been missing since September 2024 on the northern slopes of Monviso in Italy’s Cottian Alps. This remote section of the mountain is known for sheer cliffs and loose rock. Sudden weather changes often make search efforts slow and hazardous.

Italian search and rescuers use AI-powered drone to find hiker's body

Italian search and rescuers announced in July 2025 that they had used an artificial intelligence-powered drone to locate the dead body of a hiker who had been missing for months. (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico – CNSAS)

The National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS) specializes in high-altitude and cave rescues. They had conducted multiple ground searches since the disappearance. In early 2025, they turned to drone technology to renew the effort. Flying about 164 feet above the terrain, the drones surveyed a 452-acre section of the mountain. During the operation, they captured more than 2,600 high-resolution images. This aerial perspective revealed details in areas that would have been difficult and risky to reach on foot.

A yellow helicopter picking up two people in mountains

Drone in flight near the peak of Monviso in Italy’s Cottian Alps during a rescue mission. (CNSAS)

How AI technology sped up the search

Instead of relying on human experts to manually scan thousands of photos, AI software analyzed the entire dataset in just hours. Using color and shape recognition, the system highlighted objects that did not match the surrounding environment.

One detection stood out: the red helmet belonging to the missing hiker. That small but critical find enabled rescuers to pinpoint the location and plan recovery efforts. Once the site was confirmed, teams navigated steep and unstable ground to reach the area. They worked in challenging alpine conditions to recover the hiker. Officials emphasized that this was a joint success between advanced technology and the skilled human team interpreting the AI’s results.

ALASKA HIKER MAULED BY BEAR RESCUED WITH HELP OF ADVANCED DRONE TECHNOLOGY ON REMOTE TRAIL

A drone with mountains behind it

Search and rescue drone flying over mountainous terrain. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The future of AI in search and rescue

This operation marks a turning point in search and rescue tactics. AI-enabled drones can cover vast and dangerous areas without risking human lives. They speed up the search process and increase the chances of finding people alive.

Similar AI-aided searches have been used in Canada, Switzerland, and the United States. These missions often deliver faster results than traditional methods. Rescue teams hope that as the technology advances, it will reduce fatal accidents and locate missing persons faster. It could also allow human rescuers to focus their efforts where they are needed most.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right – and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com

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A drone in the mountains

Drone in flight near the peak of Monviso in Italy’s Cottian Alps during a rescue mission. (CNSAS)

Kurt’s key takeaways

AI drones are changing the game for search and rescue. They can analyze massive amounts of visual data in hours instead of weeks. Combined with expert human teams, this technology could save more lives and make high-risk missions safer.

Do you think AI should play a bigger role in rescue operations? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Mediterranean diet paired with other changes prevents diabetes in older adults

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Eating a Mediterranean diet — including lots of produce, whole grains and healthy fats — while also adding a few healthy lifestyle behaviors could lower your diabetes risk by almost a third.

That’s according to research published Aug. 25 in Annals of Internal Medicine, which found that following a Mediterranean-style diet along with calorie control, regular activity and professional support cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) by 31%. 

The findings come from the PREDIMED-Plus trial, a six-year study of nearly 4,800 older adults in Spain who were overweight or obese and at risk of diabetes.

FRENCH FRIES TIED TO DIABETES RISK, BUT NOT ALL POTATOES ‘CREATED EQUAL,’ STUDY FINDS

“In practical terms, adding calorie control and physical activity to the Mediterranean diet prevented around three out of every 100 people from developing diabetes,” co-author Miguel Martínez-González, professor at the University of Navarra in Spain, said in a press release.

“That’s a clear, measurable benefit for public health.”

Experts say simple lifestyle changes could help prevent millions of new cases of diabetes. (iStock)

“We’re facing a global epidemic of diabetes,” co-author Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, said in the release.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the world’s fastest-growing health conditions, affecting nearly 16% of U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Experts say simple lifestyle changes could help prevent millions of new cases.

YOUR DNA COULD BE STOPPING YOU FROM LOSING WEIGHT, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

What the diet looks like

The Mediterranean diet primarily consists of the following ingredients.

  • Plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
  • Healthy fats, such as olive oil and nuts
  • Moderate amounts of fish, lean proteins and dairy
  • Little to no red meat

This way of eating has been linked to better heart health, improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation.

Mediterranean diet whole foods like legumes and non-red meat.

The Mediterranean diet has been linked to better heart health, improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation. (iStock)

Registered dietitian and food blogger Lauren Harris-Pincus, based in New Jersey, previously spoke to Fox News Digital about the benefits of whole-food diets like this one.

“Fiber-rich carbohydrates like fruit, veggies, beans/legumes, nuts and whole grains are beneficial to meeting fiber goals, supporting gut health and helping to prevent lifestyle diseases,” she said. 

Study design

The study looked at nearly 4,800 people in Spain who were overweight or obese and at risk of diabetes.

Half of the group followed a Mediterranean diet while also incorporating additional lifestyle changes, including cutting about 600 calories a day, adding moderate exercise (like brisk walking or light strength training), and receiving professional weight-loss support.

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The other half followed a Mediterranean diet without calorie restriction, exercise guidance or extra support.

After six years, the first group had a 31% lower risk of developing diabetes. On average, they also lost 3.3 kilograms (about 7 pounds) and trimmed 3.6 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) from their waistlines.

“Adding calorie control and physical activity to the Mediterranean diet prevented around three out of every 100 people from developing diabetes.”

The control group lost significantly less, only 0.6 kilograms (1.3 pounds), and had almost no change in waist size.

“The best lifestyle strategy to reduce the risk of diabetes is to lose weight by adhering to a healthy, energy-reduced diet and increasing physical activity,” co-author Jordi Salas-Salvadó, M.D., PhD, professor at the University of Rovira i Virgili in Spain, told Fox News Digital.

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While the Mediterranean diet isn’t the only eating plan that could help prevent diabetes, it offers a “highly sustainable, long-term weight-loss option,” he added.

Salas-Salvadó noted that no previous trial has assessed the effect of reducing calories in the context of a healthy, relatively high-fat diet.

Woman sitting at the table dressing fresh organic vegetables salad plate with olive oil

After six years, the group that modified their diet, exercised regularly and received professional support had a 31% lower risk of developing diabetes. (iStock)

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and Fox News senior medical analyst, was not involved in the study but has previously spoken about the effects of the Mediterranean diet.

“The alternative — saturated fats, salts and sugars — are not heart-healthy and increase the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer, all of which increase mortality risks,” he told Fox News Digital.

Potential limitations

The study’s approach of monitoring diet, physical activity and weight loss makes it difficult to gauge which factor had the most impact, according to Salas-Salvadó.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

He also pointed out that because the participants were older adults in Spain, further studies are needed to assess outcomes in other populations, like younger people and non-Mediterranean populations.

Ancient Polish grave reveals blend of Christian and pagan burial rituals

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Archaeologists in Central Europe recently uncovered an ancient grave – reopened not by modern looters but by medieval Poles over 1,000 years ago.

The excavation took place at the Nowy Chorów cemetery in northern Poland. The findings were published in the journal Antiquity on June 23.

Known as Grave 7, the 11th-century burial appeared to belong to an elite individual. It still contained high-quality artifacts, including a yew wood bucket with iron fittings.

MEDIEVAL KNIGHT’S TOMB DISCOVERED BENEATH FORMER ICE CREAM PARLOR IN POLAND: ‘VERY RARE’

Sławomir Wadyl, an archaeologist at the University of Warsaw, told Fox News Digital that “nearly everything about this project has been surprising.”

An iron spearhead with preserved textile fragments was also found – possibly remnants of a banner or ceremonial flag known as a standard.

A rare yew wood bucket with iron fittings was found in an elite 11th-century grave at Nowy Chorów in northern Poland. (Sławomir Wadyl; Nowy Chorów Project)

“We had little precedent to guide our expectations, and what we found exceeded them,” Wadyl also said.

Archaeologists found that some graves were reopened within a generation, with cremated remains laid directly over emptied burials – likely part of ritual reuse rather than robbery.

“It wasn’t a case of medieval or modern looters stumbling upon an ancient grave centuries later,” Wadyl noted. 

VIKING-ERA BURIAL SITE WITH ELITE FAMILY TREASURES AND GIFTS DISCOVERED, PLUS AN ‘UNUSUAL CASKET’

“It was part of unfolding local history.”

The archaeologist said that reopening graves was common in the 11th century, but that it “wasn’t always about stealing valuables.”

Aerial view of burial site, remnants of ancient banner

Archaeologists discovered rare textile remains clinging to a spearhead (seen at left), an unusual survival in early medieval graves. (Sławomir Wadyl; Nowy Chorów Project)

“Sometimes graves were disturbed to remove objects, possibly for reuse, ritual reasons, or even as acts of social or religious rejection,” Wadyl observed. 

“In other cases – like at Nowy Chorów – the bodies themselves were exhumed and cremated after burial, suggesting a deeper ritual significance.”

He added, “This may have been done to ‘correct’ burial practices as beliefs changed, or to assist the deceased in reaching the afterlife.”

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The burials incorporated both Christian and pagan rituals, shedding new insights on a time of dramatic transition in European history. 

Wadyl noted that while the east–west grave orientation and modest grave goods suggest Christian influence, the bodies were aligned with their heads, not feet, to the east — an unusual detail.

Features like cremation, symbolic grave markers and stone constructions point to pagan traditions.

Close-up of stones at grave

Researchers believe some graves were reopened by the original community, not by later looters or outsiders. (Sławomir Wadyl; Nowy Chorów Project)

This blending of beliefs, Wadyl said, was “one of the most fascinating aspects of this project.”

“In short, these were not fully Christian or fully pagan burials,” he said. “They represent a blended, transitional funerary tradition, which is why this cemetery is so significant.”

“The past is full of negotiation, resistance and adaptation.”

He added, “It’s about a community living through a time of profound change – the shift from pagan to Christian belief, from tribal structures to early states, from old traditions to new identities.”

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Next steps include DNA analysis to identify kinship patterns, Wadyl said — as well as “looking deeper into the blend of Christian and pre-Christian ritual practices.”  

He and his team also identified more than 120 similar grave sites across Pomerania, thanks to LiDAR mapping – opening the door to further study.

View of medieval grave

This burial structure reflects transitional funerary practices — blending Christian orientations with pre-Christian cremation rites. (Sławomir Wadyl; Nowy Chorów Project)

“This discovery reminds us that history isn’t always neat,” Wadyl concluded. 

“The past is full of negotiation, resistance and adaptation.”

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“For us, it’s a chance to give voice to those long-forgotten people, and to better understand how cultural transformation really happens.”

SEO Consultant Adrian Czarnoleski Explains Why SEO Is the Foundation of AI Visibility

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SEO Consultant Adrian Czarnoleski Explains Why SEO Is the Foundation of AI Visibility 41

As businesses rush to understand how to appear in AI-generated answers and large language model (LLM) overviews, SEO Consultant Adrian Czarnoleski, emphasizes a simple truth: visibility in AI begins with visibility in Google.

Poland, August 27, 2025, During a recent interview, Adrian Czarnoleski, Founder of Rankulate, made these comments, “If you want to be visible in AI overviews, you first need to dominate search, LLMs are pulling their answers straight from Google’s results. Without SEO, your brand simply does not exist in this new environment.”

From Google Rankings to AI Citations

The connection between SEO and AI visibility is already clear. HubSpot provides one of the best examples. For years, the company invested heavily in publishing content around nearly every marketing keyword. That strategy made them a leader in Google rankings. Today, if you search “conversion optimization,” HubSpot appears as the second result in Google and also as the top-cited source in AI overviews.

“The more you dominate your niche in Google, the more often you will appear inside LLM answers,” explains Czarnoleski.

Beyond the Website: SEO Across Platforms

Czarnoleski highlights that SEO is not limited to a company’s own website. “Reddit is a perfect example,” he notes. “Companies are creating dedicated subreddits, launching keyword targeted threads, and generating thousands of monthly visits. Reddit itself now shows up for almost anything you type into Google.”

In his consulting work, Czarnoleski has seen the power of this strategy firsthand. One company he advised built its own subreddit that now attracts hundreds of thousands of users each month. Beyond their own community, the brand also seeded mentions across thousands of other Reddit discussions, multiplying their visibility.

“It still comes down to SEO,” he adds. “You need to know which keywords have the most potential, which Reddit threads are worth building, and where to place brand mentions in comments.”

YouTube and the SEO Multiplier Effect

The same principles apply to video platforms. Czarnoleski helped one client generate over 200,000 views using nothing more than simple Canva-made videos. The key was not even production but careful keyword targeting.

Another example is Lectric eBikes. Their placement in Ryan Trahan’s YouTube series did more than drive immediate views. It gave them visibility that spread across YouTube, Google, and eventually into AI overviews.

PR Campaigns Need SEO Too

According to Czarnoleski, even public relations relies on SEO to deliver results. “If you want to know which PR campaigns and which publications actually drive traffic, you need SEO. Keyword data shows which outlets amplify visibility,” he says. “Without that insight, you are guessing instead of scaling.”

The Future of Visibility Runs Through SEO

From websites to Reddit to YouTube to PR placements, the foundation remains the same: search visibility. Brands that treat SEO as optional risk disappearing not only from Google but also from the AI-driven platforms that are rapidly shaping how people discover information.

“The lesson is simple,” Czarnoleski concludes. “Whether it is your site, Reddit, YouTube, or PR campaigns, SEO is the foundation of visibility in Google and in AI. Without it, you do not exist on the internet.”

About Adrian Czarnoleski

Adrian Czarnoleski is an SEO consultant and strategist with more than 7 years of experience leading large scale SEO initiatives for global companies, fast growing startups, and small local firms. He has built custom SEO tools, scaled traffic from thousands to millions of users, and advised brands across industries on search-driven growth.

For complete information, visit: https://rankulate.com/

Media Contact:

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SEO Consultant Adrian Czarnoleski Explains Why SEO Is the Foundation of AI Visibility 42

Trump blasts ‘incompetent’ Illinois Gov. Pritzker, ‘no better’ Chicago mayor

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President Donald Trump continued back-and-forth jabs with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson late Tuesday night as the Windy City experienced another deadly weekend.

In a post on Truth Social, the president called Pritzker “incompetent” and said Johnson is “no better” while talking about Chicago crime statistics – six dead and 27 injured – from the weekend.

Trump also said Pritzker should call him for help, which likely won’t happen as the Democratic governor said federal assistance combating crime in the city is “exactly the type of overreach that our country’s founders warned against.”

“A really DEADLY weekend in Chicago. 6 DEAD, 27 HURT IN CRIME SPREES ALLOVER THE CITY. Panic stricken Governor Pritzker says that crime is under control, when in fact it is just the opposite. He is an incompetent Governor who should call me for HELP. Mayor Johnson is no better. Make Chicago Great Again!” Trump wrote late Tuesday night.

ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT LEADERS BLAST TRUMP PUSH TO SEND NATIONAL GUARD TO CHICAGO

President Donald Trump continued the ongoing jabs with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as the Democrats fight against the idea of troops patrolling the Windy City. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

The president and Democratic leaders in Illinois, specifically Chicago, have been embroiled in disagreement over the way the city should fight crime. 

Trump has floated the idea of sending the National Guard into Chicago to crackdown on violent crimes – as he did in Washington, D.C., nearly two weeks ago – but has been met with much opposition.

Pritzker and Johnson have insisted that the city does not need to be “occupied” by the military to cut down on crime.

“Chicagoans are not asking for a militarized force to occupy our city. We’re not asking for that,” Johnson said on Monday during a citywide news conference.

At the same conference, Pritzker told Trump to not come to Chicago, as he is “neither wanted here nor needed here.”

Crime statistics publicly available on the Chicago police department’s website show that last week the city experienced nine murders, 27 criminal sexual assaults, 128 robberies, 114 aggravated batteries, 117 burglaries, 297 motor vehicle thefts and nearly 1,000 incidents of felony or misdemeanor theft. 

While all categories are down compared to last year, there is a 40% increase in crime overall when compared to 2021. FOX 32 Chicago also reported that more illegal guns are recovered in Chicago than Los Angeles and New York City combined.

WHITE HOUSE ACCUSES PRITZKER, ILLINOIS DEMS OF WHINING WHILE CHICAGO CRIME RAGES

Chicago was also dubbed the “nation’s homicide capital” for the 13th consecutive year in March, as the city experienced 573 murders in 2024, according to local outlet The Center Square.

Chicago shooting police tape

Chicago crime statistics posted online by the police department show that there is a lot of crime in the city, but it is down 40% compared to 2021. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The City of Chicago has pushed back with its own fact sheet, arguing Johnson’s primary focus has been “driving down violent crime in Chicago” during his first two years as mayor, citing a 33% reduction in homicides and a 38% reduction in shootings year-to-date.

Johnson also highlighted a “citywide homicide clearance rate of 77.4%,” which his office said is “the highest in more than a decade,” as the mayor emphasizes mental health and a “holistic approach to community safety.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said during a news conference that “Chicagoans are not asking for a militarized force to occupy our city.” (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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The administration’s suggestion to deploy National Guard troops to crime-ridden Chicago comes amid an ongoing operation in the nation’s capital. 

More than 2,200 troops have been patrolling the streets of D.C. over the past nearly two weeks and the city has only experienced one homicide during that time period.

Fox News Digital’s Deirdre Heavey contributed to this report.

The XMD Project xenograft.org: A Centralized Resource for Preclinical In Vivo Cancer Models

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Xenograph
The XMD Project xenograft.org: A Centralized Resource for Preclinical In Vivo Cancer Models 52

Plymouth Meeting, PA – August 27, 2025 – Cancer remains one of the greatest health burdens worldwide. Preclinical models are indispensable for developing therapies that can effectively translate from the laboratory to the clinic. The Xenograft Models Database (XMD) project ensures that scientists have access to the best tools and the most comprehensive datasets available. Cancer research is driving the development of therapies that extend survival and improve quality of life for patients worldwide.

The cornerstone of this progress is rigorous preclinical research, which relies on in vivo models that faithfully reproduce the complexity of human tumors. To meet this demand, the xenograft.org project has emerged as a central reference platform, designed to provide scientists and biotechnology innovators with access to a broad spectrum of xenograft and related oncology models.

The XMD project was launched in 2024 as a collaborative initiative, funded in part by a Cancer Research Institute data program grant. Its mission is to consolidate, standardize, and disseminate information about in vivo tumor models, ensuring that research groups and cancer centers have access to the most relevant resources. The database houses detailed information on a wide range of in vivo research preclinical systems, including xenograft models, syngeneic tumor models, patient-derived xenografts (PDX), cell line-derived xenografts (CDX), and immuno-oncology models.

XMD is unique in its dual structure: it integrates XMD-generated datasets with curated, aggregated data obtained from collaborators, oncology hospitals, and research centers worldwide. This hybrid model ensures both breadth and depth, offering an unparalleled reference point for investigators working across different cancer types and therapeutic modalities.

For cancer research laboratories, in vivo tumor models remain the most powerful tools to evaluate tumor growth, therapeutic efficacy, and resistance mechanisms prior to clinical translation. The XMD platform provides essential datasets that include:

  • Tumor growth kinetics data for a wide range of xenograft models.
  • Tumorigenicity profiles of cancer cell lines and their in vivo characteristics.
  • Model availability and reference systems.

By consolidating these resources, xenograft.org enables scientists to select the optimal oncology models for their preclinical studies, reducing redundancy, accelerating development timelines, and enhancing reproducibility across laboratories. XMD initiative is working on future integration of detailed genetic and pharmacologic characterization data to create a powerful platform for translational research. This integrative approach addresses one of the most pressing challenges in oncology: the translation of complex tumor genomics into practical clinical decision-making.

By linking preclinical data with genomic signatures, the XMD platform empowers researchers to design smarter experiments and enables pharmaceutical developers to de-risk drug pipelines before entering costly clinical phases. XMD provides a centralized hub for in vivo oncology models that can serve the needs of academic scientists, industry researchers, and clinical investigators alike. The project’s growth is supported by ongoing contributions from cancer research centers, biotechnology organizations, and hospitals that recognize the value of centralizing in vivo tumor model data.

XMD | 3025 Chemical Road | Plymouth Meeting, PA | 19462 | info@xenograft.org