What’s the most important thing you can do during your next check-up? Ask your doctor questions. That’s because doctors usually only spend 10 minutes with each patient, and mostly on the physical exam. So, here are 4 potentially lifesaving questions to ask at your next check-up:
First: What’s my BMI? BMI stands for “body mass index” and it’s a measure that tells you how appropriate your weight is for your height. Your BMI also reveals whether or not you’re at increased risk for everything from diabetes to heart disease.
Another question to ask: Should I get the shingles vaccine? A lot of people assume that shots are only for kids. But there are dozens of vaccines that adults should get, like for shingles, Hepatitis B, and tetanus. And if you don’t ask, your doctor could forget to review what you’ve had and what you need.
The next question to ask your doctor: Is there anything in my family history I should be concerned about? Knowing which health issues you’re at a high risk of developing, like cancer or heart disease, makes it much easier to spot symptoms and prevent those problems. Plus, getting treated earlier could be a lifesaver.
And the final question to ask your doctor: What’s one lifestyle habit should I change? This is an opportunity for your doctor to tell you exactly what your big issue is, and for you to focus on improving that one bad habit. Like you need to sleep more, stop eating junk food, or control your stress levels.
In job listings, there are plenty of confusing buzzwords and phrases. So we’re going to decode those key words, so you know what a company is looking for – and if you fit the bill! These translations come from job search strategist Melanie Denny:
First: What does it mean if a company says it’s a “fast-paced environment?” Denny says that’s frequently code for a heavy workload with deadlines to meet. And it typically means keeping up is crucial for keeping the job.
Next: A lot of job listings say they want someone who’s a “self-starter.” Denny says that usually means you’ll get limited training, and need to come in ready to hit the ground running – and come up with solutions on your own.
Finally, what should you make of a job-description that says it’s looking for a “ninja,” “rockstar,” “jedi,” or “unicorn?” Denny says vague superstar titles may indicate that the company doesn’t actually know what they want. But they generally mean the company expects you to know – and do – a lot of different things that don’t neatly fit into one category. So you’ll need to be flexible.
Hey country stars — if you’re ever considering not showing up at a major awards ceremony, just think about Miranda Lambert. The superstar singer missed the Academy of Country Music Awards for the first time in 17 years Monday night… and ended up winning Entertainer of the Year for the very first time.
Miranda was in London when Dolly Parton announced the news, and in a video message, she said, “I cannot believe I’m not there to celebrate!” It was Miranda’s sixth time being nominated in that category and she said, “I never thought it would happen, but thank you so much to the country music family for embracing me all these years.”
Miranda is the first female artist to win the award solely on her own since Taylor Swift in 2012; in 2020, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett tied for the trophy. She and Elle King also won the Video of the Year award for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”
Embattled singer Morgan Wallen won the Album of the Year trophy for Dangerous: The Double Album, and thanked “everyone who’s shown me grace along the way.” He also addressed his fans, who kept the album at number one for weeks, by saying forcefully, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’m blown away by you guys.”
The night’s other big winners were Chris Stapleton and Carly Pearce for Male and Female Artist of the Year, Old Dominion for Group of the Year and Brothers Osborne for Duo of the Year.
Lainey Wilson, who was named New Female Artist ahead of the ceremony, also won Song of the Year for “Things a Man Oughta Know,” and started her speech by saying, “Holy moly! Country music is my life!” In his acceptance speech, Chris Stapleton gave a rare shout-out to his kids and, in an awards show first, two of them were even seen on camera.
The show, which streamed commercial-free on Amazon Prime Video from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, was co-hosted by Dolly Parton, Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen. Dolly kicked off the proceedings by saying that, despite the fact that she’d “rather pass a kidney stone” than get political, she wanted to “send love and hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.”
“Why don’t we dedicate this entire show to them and pray for peace around this crazy ol’ world?” she added. Later, at the podium, Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey said, “I’m so thankful that Dolly said what she said at the beginning,” noting that “it felt a little weird” to be having fun at an awards show while “there are people fighting for their lives.”
No commercials meant the show was able to pack in the music, at one point giving us 35 straight minutes of performances. Standouts included Chris Stapleton’s powerful rendition of “Watch You Burn,” written about the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting; Eric Church‘s 16-song medley of hits from his entire career; Kelly Clarkson‘s note-perfect rendition of Dolly’s classic song “I Will Always Love You;” Breland and Thomas Rhett teaming for “Praise the Lord;” Gabby Barrett’s cover of Lee Ann Womack‘s classic “I Hope You Dance” and Brothers Osborne and Brittney Spencer closing the show with “These Boots Are Made for Walkin.'”
(WASHINGTON) — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made repeated and passionate pleas now for the U.S. and NATO to implement a ‘no-fly’ zone over his country and ground Russian warplanes — through intimidation or force.
But he’s also made another ask — one that President Joe Biden’s administration said it is working with allies like Poland to facilitate — for fighter jets to replenish the Ukrainian air force.
“We know where these Soviet planes are stationed, which countries host them, and we asked these countries,” Zelenskyy told ABC News’s David Muir in an exclusive interview Monday, adding Biden “can do more, I’m sure he can, and I would like to believe that, that he’s capable of doing that.”
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have said the administration is working to address this, including by possibly replenishing Poland’s air force with U.S. jets.
But amid growing pressure from U.S. lawmakers to do so, the White House and Pentagon said Monday it’s not as simple as handing over keys — especially as Russian leader Vladimir Putin eyes growing Western military aid for Ukraine as inching toward a direct role in the war.
“We are not, certainly, preventing or blocking or discouraging Poland — that is, they are a sovereign country. They make their own decisions. But it is not as easy as moving planes around,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday.
“It’s just a discussion about the possibility of, should there be a nation that would want to give aircraft to the Ukrainians and would ask for a backfill from the United States — should that happen, what would that look like?” Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said shortly after.
Putin has warned that any country attempting to implement a ‘no-fly’ zone over Ukraine would “immediately” become “party to the military conflict” — the kind of slide to a wider war that U.S. and NATO officials said they’re working to avoid.
But U.S. officials are concerned that increasing U.S. military support to include warplanes could be seen as a step too far for Putin, too.
In dramatic fashion, the U.S. and several Western countries have shifted what aid they’re willing to provide, including shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles known as Stingers. Germany, long opposed to providing lethal military aid to war zones, has moved to boost its defense spending and agreed to provide Stingers as well.
Whereas the Obama administration once held off on providing anti-tank missiles known as Javelins, the Biden administration and other U.S. allies have provided thousands in just the last couple weeks, according to a U.S. official.
But so far, that line has been drawn at military aircraft and advanced missile defense systems.
“In addition to assisting getting the Ukrainians fighter aircraft and letting them fly out of Polish airfields with full NATO protection, we need to provide them medium- and long-range air defense systems,” said Mick Mulroy, a former top Pentagon official and retired CIA officer. “The Stinger system is very effective, but its range is limited. Russian planes are flying at altitudes that make them out of reach.”
Polish officials have expressed strong opposition and deep concerns about precisely that, with the fear that Putin would strike Polish airfields for supporting Ukrainian fighter jets.
Psaki brushed aside Putin’s role, telling reporters, “We’re not waiting for the advice of Vladimir Putin on what we’re going to do here as it relates to backfilling planes.” But she added again it’s Poland’s right to decide.
For now, it seems Warsaw is the one opposed. The Polish prime minister’s office called reports the country would provide Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets and Su-25 attack aircraft “FAKE NEWS‼️” in a tweet Sunday — adding, “Poland won’t send its fighter jets to #Ukraine as well as allow to use its airports. We significantly help in many other areas.”
It’s possible the U.S. could provide enough protection to calm Polish nerves and enough support to make it worth Poland’s while, according to some analysts.
Chief among them would be giving Poland more F-16 fighter aircraft. But that’s a lengthy process that could leave Poland without air cover as it waits on those U.S. replacement jets.
Either way, Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials said they need air support now, including during a briefing Zelenskyy held with more than 300 U.S. lawmakers and staff on Saturday that bolstered bipartisan support for his government.
In the days since, several top lawmakers have publicly urged the Biden administration to ensure Ukraine gets more warplanes, including several top Democrats openly pressuring the president.
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a letter Monday to push NATO allies to provide aircraft “without delay.”
“Asking them to provide their own aircraft, especially as Russia’s military aggression edges closer to their own borders, would be unthinkable except in the direst circumstances. Unfortunately, that is the situation the world faces. Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and sacrifices,” he wrote to the cabinet officials.
In the meantime, some 70% of the latest package of U.S. military assistance — which totaled $350 million and brought aid in the last year to $1 billion — is already in Ukrainian hands, Blinken said Monday.
But he conceded Russia’s military outguns and outmans Ukraine’s, saying the Kremlin has “the ability to continue to grind down the Ukrainian military and, of course, to take horrific actions against the Ukrainian people, including attacking civilians.”
ABC News’s Sarah Kolinovsky contributed to this report from the White House and Luis Martinez from the Pentagon.
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Dan Reynolds‘ LOVELOUD Festival returns in 2022.
The Imagine Dragons frontman will headline LOVELOUD 2022, which takes place May 14 in Salt Lake City. WILLOW and Neon Trees are also on the lineup.
“Because of the pandemic, it’s been far too long that we have all been able to come together like this to celebrate diversity and speak out on the power of unconditional love and equality,” Reynolds says. “We have a fantastic line-up of performers, each of whom bring a unique and powerful voice to the cause.”
Reynolds first launched LOVELOUD in 2017 in support of LGBTQ+ youth. The creation of the festival is the subject of the 2018 documentary, Believer.
For the full LOVELOUD 2022 lineup and all ticket info info, visit LOVELOUDFest.com.
Selena Gomez has opened up the waiting list to her upcoming mental health service, Wondermind, which she says is “coming soon!” Selena told her Instagram fans to sign up now “so you can be the first to know the official launch date.” The platform aims to normalize conversations about mental health.
Alanis Morissette is warning fans to get ready for some big news. Taking to her Instagram story on Monday, the “Ironic” singer teased, “Some exciting news I can’t wait to share with you tomorrow at 10 am ET/ 7am PT.” She hinted what she has in store by using a music notes, microphone, sparking heart, ticket, guitar and looking-eyes emoji.
Joe Jonas “wanted to challenge” French soccer player Lisa Zimouche, but he was in over his head. In a hilarious video, set to DNCE’s new song “Dancing Feet,” Joe tries showing off his moves but Lisa uses her fancy footwork to steal the ball and score a goal. Joe, faking humiliation, politely applauds the freestyle footballer.
The Chainsmokers revealed in a new TikTok how they created their 2015 hit, “Roses.” “This session is from March 3, 2015,” Drew Taggart explained in the video before breaking down the song’s elements, which include Alex Pall putting together a bass line over a drum beat and ROZES’ vocals. The two captioned the video, “7 years ago… damn” and added “shoutout to the day ones. Love you guys.”
Britney Spears can add Nicki Minaj to her growing list of supporters. Britney shared another video of herself dancing and semi-apologized for posting so many similar clips. “I know I’m not the best dancer,” she admitted before going on to explain why dancing is helping her heal. Nicki was having none of that and commented, “Not the best dancer? BRITNEY! PUT YOUR CROWN BACK ON & LEAVE IT THERE BABY!!!!!! you ARE the best dancer!!! Settled that, what’s next?”
In the past couple of years, Billy Joel‘s charity foundation has pivoted from funding music education programs to helping with pandemic-related causes, such as providing PPE for healthcare workers and helping with food insecurity. Now, the Billy Joel Foundation is providing aid to the people of Ukraine.
Billy’s foundation is donating $250,000 to BStrong, a charity started by Bethenny Frankel that has been providing “direct and immediate aid to refugees at the Ukrainian/Polish border.” The money will go to, among other things, survival supply kits, transportation, short and long-term shelter and food relief as the Russian military continues their invasion of the Eastern European nation.
In a statement, the Foundation notes it continues to monitor the situation to determine what will be needed in the coming weeks, and asks those who want to help to donate at Bethenny.com/BStrong.
AMC has announced a fifth (!) spin-off of The Walking Dead, this one featuring this final season’s combustible combination of Jeffrey Dean Morgan‘s Negan and Lauren Cohan‘s Maggie. Both will executive-produce.
According to AMC, Isle of the Dead will be set in a post-apocalyptic Manhattan. The network teases, “The crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty, and terror.”
In a statement, Cohan said in part, “Maggie is very close to my heart and I’m excited to continue her journey against the iconic backdrop of New York City…”
Morgan added, “Walkers in an urban setting has always been such a cool image, but 5th Avenue, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty? The greatest city in the world?? …Buckle up folks, Isle of the Dead is going to reinvent the TWD Universe.”
The Walking Dead mothership will wrap up late this year with its current 11th season. The series has also spawned Fear The Walking Dead, which has been renewed for a seventh season, in addition to the limited series The Walking Dead: World Beyond, the upcoming Tales of the Walking Dead, and an as-yet-untitled spin-off centering on fan favorites Daryl and Maggie, played respectively by Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride.
Also in play is a feature film centering on the series’ original hero Rick Grimes, for which Andrew Lincoln will reprise his role.
Sonia Recchia/Getty Images / Mark Davis/Getty Images for Dick Clark Productio
Alessia Cara sang Alanis Morissette‘s praises in a new Rolling Stoneop-ed, and explained how the breakthrough Jagged Little Pill album was “really influential to me as a writer.”
“I tend to be a very shy person, and especially when I was coming into being a songwriter, I held back a lot, just because I was afraid of being too honest or too negative. I always felt like I had to throw a positive spin on my records, especially the first one,” Alessia admitted. “Going through a lot of pain and heartbreak in my late teen years and in my early twenties made me realize how important it is to be unfiltered and just get to the bottom of what you’re saying.”
Alessia added that she’s fascinated by how Alanis writes about other people in her songs. “I think she projected her own faults in a way that felt very real,” she assessed. “I took a lot from that, and I think I still do now.”
Alessia also praised Alanis for how she dealt with the high standards set upon female singers.
“As a pop singer and as a pop girl myself, I think we get sucked into the idea of note perfection and quality perfection, but I always admired the fact that she wasn’t always on pitch,” said Alessia. “She favored emotion over perfection.”
Cara was particularly impressed that Alanis “wasn’t afraid to go off or to let her voice crack,” and noted how those little imperfections would make her songs “10 times more impactful than something that sounded sonically perfect.”
“She’s a great case study for how you can be yourself and not have to follow the pop-star thing,” Alessia raved. “Honesty has the most longevity over anything. Her music still holds up nowadays, and it’s because of that honesty.”
(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — Demonstrators gathered in front of and inside the Florida State Capitol on Monday to stop the legislation that has been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
“We say gay,” they chanted, the sound echoing throughout the halls as they anticipated a vote on the bill expected Monday.
Speeches and chants were held throughout the day as the Florida Senate debated the legislation. However, the crowd fell silent when a youth organizer read off a list of names of LGBTQ people who have died by suicide after experiencing anti-LGBTQ hate.
“When you come to our schools to instill hate, bigotry, and fear, we will stand up, speak up, and fight back,” Maxx Fenning, founder of the LGBTQ youth advocacy organization PRISM, said at the protest. “Our passion knows no distance and we will never be silenced!”
The bill would limit curricula on sexual orientation and gender identity in some classrooms and would allow parents to take legal action against school systems if they violate this policy.
In protest, walkouts statewide have taken students out of school and onto the street.
“We will get up, stand up, wake up every single day to fight for you because your lives matter,” Democratic Florida Rep. Carlos G Smith said at the protest on the steps of the Capitol.
Florida House Republicans have already advanced the bill and the governor has expressed his support.
Proponents of the bill, including the bill sponsor Republican Rep. Joe Harding, said he wants families to be able to play a role in how and when they introduce these topics to their children.
“Families are families. Let the families be families, and the school district doesn’t need to insert themselves at that point when children are still learning how to read and do basic math,” Harding told “Start Here,” an ABC News podcast.
While the bill would ban lessons concerning gender or sexual orientation in classrooms from kindergarten to third grade, it would also not allow them when it is age-inappropriate or not in line with state standards.
However, standards on gender and sexual identity have yet to be carved out, according to Harding.
ABC News’ Tony Morrison contributed to this report.
