Latest news with #BLOOM
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Four Tampa women head to France to dance in D-Day memorial parade
Featured video is from some local members of the team visiting the BLOOM studio. PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (BLOOM) — Four women from the Tampa Bay area are among a group of American dancers traveling to Normandy, France, to perform during the 80th anniversary of D-Day, honoring the Allied forces' pivotal World War II landing. Sharon Dindal, Kimberly Krege Florio, Eileen Husselbaugh, and Vicki Franklin, all members of America's Golden Dream Dancers, will take part in a series of commemorative events June 5–8. The group, composed of 22 dancers between the ages of 50 and 70 from across four states, has been invited by Historic Programs to serve as official U.S. representatives during the ceremonies. Their itinerary includes a performance in the Parade of Liberation through Sainte-Mère-Église, where they will dance to Barry Manilow's 'Jump Shout Boogie,' a Broadway-style showcase translated into both French and English, and a lyrical tribute at Utah Beach following a memorial service. Experiencing the magic of America's Golden Dream Dancers 'Our invitation is a reflection of our commitment to community, our professionalism, and our dedication to honoring veterans,' said the group in a statement. 'It's a privilege to represent our country on such a historic occasion.' Following the Normandy events, the dancers are also scheduled to perform in Paris, continuing their international tribute. The Tampa Bay quartet joined the Golden Dream Dancers last year and have since performed aboard two Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Their upcoming trip marks their most high-profile appearance yet. The performances are part of the International Salute to Liberation organized by the D-Day Commemoration Committee, honoring those who fought in World War II and marking eight decades since victory in Europe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cosmopolitan
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Will there be a second season of Virgin Island? Everything we know about the divisive C4 show
After three weeks and six, very interesting episodes, Virgin Island came to an end last night (Tuesday 27th May), with one of the adult virgins losing their virginity. The show launched on Monday 12th May, with 12 adult virgins embarking on an experience of a lifetime in a bid to overcome their sexual fears and insecurities. They were encouraged to take part in workshops led by sex experts and were given the opportunity to explore further with sex surrogates if they wished to. The show received mixed reviews, with some calling it "creepy" or "excruciating", while others argued that we could all benefit from an experience like Virgin Island. While many called the finale "uncomfortable" to watch, as the moment that Dave lost his virginity was revealed, viewers were still curious for more, with many questioning whether there'd be a second season. So, is Virgin Island returning for a second season? Here's what we know so far. It's not yet known whether there will be a second season of Virgin Island, but given the popularity of the first season, it's looking very promising - plus the experts are up for it. Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK about a possible second season, Celeste Hirschmam, MA, said: "Nothing you know planned as of yet, but yeah, I mean, we're totally on board for the project - 100 per cent." Despite saying the show has "flaws", sex expert and Editorial Director at audio erotica platform BLOOM, said she'd be "surprised" if there wasn't a second season. "Given the amount of attention the show has generated, and the conversations about sex and intimacy it has forced into the public domain, I'd be surprised if they didn't get a second season," Bell explained. This will all depend on filming. Channel 4 are yet to confirm a second season, however, the first season was filmed a year ago, so if a similar time frame was followed, we probably wouldn't see the show back on air until Summer 2026. We'll update you right here once we get an official confirmation. We don't know for sure which experts will be guiding the participants, but below is a list of all the intimacy coaches who took part in season one: It's likely we could see all the above back on the show. It's too early to say for sure, but the show's experts only see the show getting bigger and better. "We don't have specifics, but I know if there is another season that it will evolve and we'll sort of take what we learned from this one and see what kind things we can shift around to make it even more effective," Hirschman said. It's likely that Channel 4 will use the same location for the second season if they go ahead with it. Virgin Island was filmed at the Obonjan Island Resort in Croatia. The four-star resort offers a "Mediterranean glamping style escape" with prices starting around €115 (£97) per night. The resort opens for visitors between 8th July and 4th September. Virgin Island is available to stream on
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tampa dog trainer faces new complaints after viral story
TAMPA, Fla. (BLOOM) – Following the recent article detailing a Tampa couple's experience with DK the Dog Behaviorist, additional individuals have come forward with similar accounts, raising broader concerns about the local trainer's board-and-train services. Three dog owners who reached out to Bloom after the article was published shared troubling experiences with DK's board-and-train services. Two described returning home to dogs that were visibly underweight, had developed sores, or showed signs of neglect. A third said they felt misled after paying for behavioral training that never appeared to take place. All three asked to remain anonymous, fearing backlash or further escalation. Tampa couple paid $3K for dog training; their dog came back underweight, injured One woman said her dog came home 'filthy, reeking like she had been sitting in her own pee,' with her ribs showing and sores on her legs. She admitted she didn't take photos at the time, having convinced herself there must have been an innocent explanation. 'Now that I know it's happened to someone else, I see it differently and wish I had,' she said. Another dog owner said DK promised to help with her rescued pit bull's behavioral issues but only took the dog on walks. 'He kept saying she needed more walks,' she wrote. 'We paid upfront, but never saw any actual training take place.' One owner said they had previously used DK for one-on-one sessions without issue, but boarding was a different story. Her dog returned home with minor injuries and signs of poor hygiene. 'We chalked it up to rough play, but now I realize it was likely something more.' Each individual shared their stories with screenshots and documentation where possible. None reported receiving partial or full refunds. The original couple behind the first article said DK sent them glowing updates throughout the three-week board-and-train period. Texts described their dog Chanel as doing 'really really well' and having 'zero problems.' Videos showed her playful and seemingly healthy. But after pickup, the couple said they were shocked by her deteriorated condition. 'All the videos he sent looked fine,' Kiana said. 'There were no marks on her face, no sign of what he later claimed. That's why I didn't raise concerns, because everything looked okay.' 'I'm not looking for injuries in videos of my dog when she's with somebody I'm supposed to trust,' she added. 'If something was wrong, he should have told us.' In a series of Instagram stories posted after the article went live, DK appeared shirtless while responding to the claims. He suggested the couple had unrealistic expectations and showed a video of a dog trying to escape a crate to explain the injuries. At one point, he initially said the dog tried to break out, then corrected himself to say it did break out. He did not address the multiple veterinary records or contradicting texts presented in the article. DK also claimed the dog caused over $1,000 in damages by breaking out of crates and chewing through materials. But two other dog trainers and breeders questioned why a professional trainer charging thousands wouldn't have appropriate equipment to safely contain a high-needs dog. Chanel's owners also noted that she had never injured herself or escaped containment at home, despite being under their care with far fewer resources. 'She never ended up in this kind of condition with us, and we both work full time,' Brody said. The couple also pointed out that DK never mentioned any of these supposed incidents during the program and only raised them after being asked about her injuries. 'If these things happened on day one, why would you say nothing for three weeks?' Brody said. 'And if the wounds happened early, why were they still healing when we took her to the vet?' In the Instagram story, he referred to himself as 'famous now,' seemingly brushing off the complaints as part of a viral moment. Meanwhile, a previous Instagram post promoting the same board-and-train program as 'life-changing' has since been deleted. A screenshot of that promotion has been added to the article for reference. As of now, DK has not issued a formal statement or addressed the additional complaints publicly. The original couple who spoke out say they don't want anyone else to go through what they did. 'We weren't out for drama, we just wanted a partial refund,' Brody said. 'But what we got instead was a reminder that even professionals can let you down.' Related: Tampa Couple Paid $3K for Dog Training; Their Dog Came Back Injured and Underweight Reddit Reaction Spurs Community Outcry Shortly after the article went live, a Reddit thread titled 'Be careful who you trust for dog training in Tampa' was posted in the r/Tampa subreddit, quickly amassing over 100 upvotes and dozens of comments. The thread included a screenshot and summary of the article, with users chiming in to share their own experiences and opinions about DK and board-and-train programs in general. Many users were highly critical of the trainer and the concept of sending dogs away for unsupervised training. One commenter, identifying as a former dog trainer, called board-and-train setups 'horrific,' arguing that 'dog training is all about training the human to train their dog,' not outsourcing the process entirely. Others echoed this stance, stating, 'Dog trainers don't train your dog; they train you.' Some alleged they had encountered DK in public parks allowing client dogs to roam off-leash or recalled seeing him training in unusual locations, such as Home Depot. One user said they 'got the creeps' during a consultation when DK allegedly referred to himself as 'daddy.' Another mentioned watching a TikTok of him applying excessive pressure on a dog using a prong collar. While a small number of commenters said they had positive experiences with DK in one-on-one sessions, most of the discussion revolved around caution and concern. One user shared that their dog came home from DK's care covered in scrapes and smelling of urine, eerily similar to the incidents described in the article. Several said they now regret using board-and-train services entirely. While many commenters expressed outrage or shared similar concerns, a few were critical of the couple as well. Some questioned whether their expectations were too high or if more communication during the program could have helped. Others noted that results can vary depending on the dog's temperament and health, and urged caution when interpreting any one experience as representative of an entire business. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Euronews
20-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Investigation exposes the ‘sprawling empire' of 5 Dutch fishing giants
Five Dutch companies form 'an extremely powerful oligopoly' that dominates European fishing, according to a new investigation into their use of marine resources and public funds. Nicknamed the 'Big Five' - Parlevliet & Van der Plas (P&P), Cornelis Vrolijk, Van der Zwan, Alda Seafood and the De Boer family - generated €2.4 billion in revenue in 2023, according to the report from France-based NGO BLOOM. For the first time, the 'sprawling and opaque empire' of these fishing supermajors has been mapped. It claims that they have all been involved in major scandals - from illegal fishing in Peru to corruption in Namibia. "Thanks to a network of opaque subsidiaries, a fleet of technologically over-equipped vessels, and an aggressive takeover strategy, these multinationals reign over global fishing,' says Laetitia Bisiaux, head of the industrial fishing campaign at BLOOM. 'Behind a façade of competition, these companies cooperate closely: they join forces to crush the other players in the sector.' Through their network of 400 subsidiaries, BLOOM's report says the Big Five control nearly 230 vessels - including the world's largest fishing vessel, the 145-metre-long Annelies Ilena. It estimates their combined capacity at 260,000 tonnes, a sixth of the entire EU fishing fleet's gross tonnage. If you lined them all up, they would span 10 kilometres - a two-hour walking distance. The investigation, conducted with the Dutch consortium of investigative journalists Spit, reveals that most of the companies are vertically integrated. This means they control the entire production chain - from catch to plate, trawler to fish-and-chip shop - on a global scale. This enables them, it alleges, to buy fish from their own subsidiaries at artificially low prices to reduce the wages paid to crews (who are often paid a share of the catch) and to transfer profits to tax havens. And, BLOOM says, their outsized presence is giving them undue lobbying sway. Through international subsidiaries, the Big Five are members of at least fifteen lobbying organisations in the EU. The report adds that this 'poses serious problems to the smooth running of democracies through their influence over public decision-making.' First, a quick explainer. The EU sets fishing catch limits, which are then shared among countries through national fishing quotas. Fishing companies purchase these rights in the form of individual transferable fishing quotas (ITQs); they are their most significant assets, and can be sold among each other, used as collateral for loans, leased out to smaller companies, and used to speculate on the market. The Dutch, BLOOM says, were quick to understand and exploit these dynamics in the 1980s, buying up fishing rights and fleets in other countries when prices were low. Being first on the scene with large freezer-trawlers also enabled them to capitalise on the fact that fishing rights are often distributed on the basis of historical catches, creating a feedback loop of fish and wealth. The new report details how the Big Five work together in order to pool or exchange fishing quotas so they can operate more efficiently. They also jointly own subsidiaries and have shared ownership in some ships. After the Netherlands, these companies have invested the most capital in France. 24 industrial vessels holding a large proportion of French quotas operate under the French flag via their subsidiaries. The UK ranks third in terms of vessels owned by the Big Five (18), enabling them to maintain control of fishing areas and quotas despite Brexit. In terms of tonnage, Germany ranks second despite having only seven vessels, given their large size. A second BLOOM investigation, also released today, delves into the public subsidies granted to Dutch shipowners in the aftermath of Brexit. It finds that the Big Five received €53.2 million of the €135 million package intended to compensate struggling fishers for a loss of access to British waters. Furthermore, the main beneficiaries of these subsidiaries were trawlers equipped with electrodes for destructive electric fishing, and some trawlers which haven't actually been blocked by Brexit. The Annelies Ilena, co-owned by P&P and Alda Seafood while flying a Polish flag, catches 400 tonnes of fish a day, as much as 1,000 small-scale fishing boats bring in. It might be the biggest factory ship, but for BLOOM experts, it is emblematic of the wholesale industrialisation of the fishing sector. All but one of the Big Five's 230-strong fleet engages in the most destructive types of fishing: pelagic trawling, bottom trawling and demersal seining (pulling a net across the sea floor). These techniques are deployed in the English Channel, North Sea, West Africa, Indian Ocean, Pacific, and the Arctic. According to BLOOM, 'their industrial logic is based on gigantic vessels and massive extraction capacity, which is incompatible with the preservation of healthy marine ecosystems.' The report also claims the profit from this 'extractivist approach to wild resources' is now being transferred into real estate, including high-rise residential buildings. Fisheries economists fear that this could be a warning signal that, as a result of overfishing, the return on investments in the fishing industry is declining. Parlevliet & Van der Plas, Cornelis Vrolijk, Van der Zwan, Alda Seafood and the De Boer family have been contacted for comment. A vanishing species of whale gave birth to so few babies this birthing season that it has raised alarms among scientists and conservationists who fear the animal could go extinct. The whale is the North Atlantic right whale, which numbers only about 370 and has declined in population in recent years. The whales give birth to calves off the southeastern United States from mid-November to mid-April, and federal authorities have said they need to have at least 50 calves per season to start recovering. The whales didn't come anywhere near that number this year. The calving season produced only 11 mother-calf pairs, scientists with the New England Aquarium in Boston said. The lack of baby whales underscores the need for their protection, conservationists said Monday. North Atlantic right whales are vulnerable to entanglement in marine fishing gear and collisions with large ships. 'They're also reproducing more slowly than they used to,' said the International Fund for Animal Welfare in its calving season report card. "This is likely due to stress from entanglements, navigation among busy maritime traffic, increasing ocean noise, and the changing distribution of their food sources." The calving season did have some bright spots. Several females gave birth for the first time, and that gives hope for the future, the aquarium said in a statement. The whale population only has about 70 reproductive females left. 'With past calf counts ranging from 39 to zero, we never know how any calving season will unfold. While the calf count is relatively low this year, I am encouraged by four new mothers being added to the reproductive pool,' said Philip Hamilton, senior scientist in the Aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life. The whales can weigh up to 45,360 kilograms and were heavily exploited during the era of commercial whaling. They've been protected for decades, but have been slow to recover. In recent years, scientists have said the whales have strayed from established protected zones in search of food, and that has put them at elevated risk of entanglements and collisions. The whales migrate from the south to New England and Canada to feed on tiny ocean organisms.
Cosmopolitan
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
'Unnecessary pressure and shame': Sex expert on Virgin Island's "biggest flaw" and what the show gets right
Virgin Island resumes on Channel 4 this evening (Monday 19th May), with 12 adult virgins continuing their journey to learn all there is to know about intimacy. The new series kicked off last week, and was met with mixed reviews. Some viewers called the show "excruciating", "awkward" and "creepy", which the experts have since responded to, with Dr Danielle Harel telling Cosmopolitan UK: "I just feel like people are not used to seeing intimacy in front of them." Others commended the show, with writer Jamie Windust feeling that we could all "benefit" from an experience like the one offered in Virgin Island. We spoke to sex expert Jaimee Bell, who feels that while the show encourages "open and honest" conversations around intimacy, it has major "flaws". Speaking exclusively to Cosmopolitan UK, Bell, who is the Editorial Director at audio erotica platform BLOOM, explained: "There's no doubt it's a show that has been purposefully designed to divide opinion. The result? It's got us all hiding our blushes and talking about sex. "Open, honest conversations about sex and intimacy are desperately needed in a culture where online dating, social media and porn are dramatically changing our approach to relationships. But the show has its flaws. I've been watching with a critical eye and there are some elements of its bold approach that push boundaries in less helpful ways." So, what exactly does the show get right? And, what does it get wrong? Read on for everything you need to know. Bell isn't a fan of the show's name, saying: "For me, the show's biggest flaw is in its name. Virgin. It's a loaded label and one that can produce a huge amount of unnecessary pressure and shame. We see this ringing true for some of the show's participants, many of whom have felt self-conscious about their sexual status and feel that losing their virginity is a 'goal' they urgently need to achieve. "The reality is, we all experience sexual intimacy in different ways, at different times. The way the show's narrator refers to 'the virgins' does more harm than good. If we're going to encourage open, honest conversations about sex, it's time to broaden our vocabulary. Intimacy Island has a nice ring to it." Following the launch, thousands of fans ran to social media and expressed their outrage at the show. Bell feels that the topic has been "sensationalised" and Virgin Island could do with an update. "There is obviously a certain shock factor in a show that sends a group of self-proclaimed 'virgins' to an island. To an extent, the concept feels stuck in the early 2000s. Shows about sex and intimacy shouldn't have to be sensationalised," she explained. "Instead, the show needs to catch up with where we are today and bring us a less crude exploration of intimacy. We can help people to strengthen their relationship with intimacy in many ways, without forcing them through a crash course to pop their proverbial cherry." While Bell isn't a fan of the overall concept, she commends Virgin Island for boldly bringing the subject of intimacy into the spotlight. "So many of us - whether we've been intimate with someone or not - struggle with different aspects of sex. But it's often not something we feel able to talk about. This lingering taboo is killing our sex lives. We need to start feeling comfortable having uncomfortable conversations about sex, which is one thing Virgin Island certainly encourages us to do," she said. Bell thinks the show could help viewers just as much as the contestants taking part. "The show encourages us to let go of shame and acknowledge our own fears and insecurities around sex," she said. "Despite some of its controversial tactics, the show's central message of destigmatising sexual desire is one I can definitely get behind. Being able to vocalise our desires, as well as any fears we may have around intimacy, can be hugely empowering. It can help us build stronger connections and ultimately improves our sexual relationships." When it comes to their reasons for feeling insecure about sex and intimacy, most of the Virgin Island contestants mentioned social media and porn as major influences that shaped unrealistic expectations and fuelled self-doubt. "[Virgin Island] highlights the societal pressures impacting the way we experience sex and intimacy in the modern world. From social media and dating apps, to romcoms and porn, so much of modern life compounds existing pressures around sex," Bell said. "These can impact our intimate relationships in ways we're often not even aware of. Being conscious of this and feeling able to speak with our trusted friends or partners about these pressures is important. It can have a big impact on both our sexual and mental wellbeing." Virgin Island airs on Channel 4 on Mondays and Tuesday. Visit for more on audio erotica.
