LONDON (AP) — Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson said Wednesday that ex-husband Charles Saatchi threatened to destroy her if she did not clear his name after he was photographed holding her throat outside a restaurant.
Lawson,
53, was appearing as a prosecution witness at the fraud trial of her
former assistants Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo, a case that has
exposed details of the TV star's tempestuous domestic life.
She
said she had been reluctant to take the stand because she had already
been subjected to a campaign of "bullying and abuse" from Saatchi, whom
she divorced in July.
"He said to me at the start that if I didn't go back to him and clear his name he would destroy me," Lawson said.
And she accused Saatchi of spreading "false allegations of drug use" against her.
"I have been put on trial here ... and in the world's press," she said,
The Grillos — who are sisters from Italy
— are accused of using credit cards loaned to them by Lawson and
Saatchi for household expenses. The cards were then allegedly used to
buy hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of luxury clothes, accessories and stays at high-end hotels.
Earlier, Lawson told a jury at Isleworth Crown Court in London
that one of the accused employees was "a rock" who helped her overcome
the trauma of her first husband's death — but left the family feeling
betrayed by her misbehavior.
Lawson, famous for her sensuous
manner and "domestic goddess" image, said Elisabetta Grillo — known to
the family as Lisa — had been "a stalwart and helped me through a really
difficult time" after the death from cancer of her first husband, John
Diamond.
"I loved Lisa. My children loved Lisa," said Lawson,
dressed in black and appearing nervous but composed. "She came to me at a
very difficult time and she was a rock. I would have done anything for
her."
Lawson said she had showered Grillo with gifts, including a
7,000 pound ($11,500) set of dentures. But she said her employee's
behavior became increasingly bitter and unkind to Lawson's children.
She
was read a list of expenditures by the Grillos, including stays at
luxury hotels and purchases from Yves St Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana
and Chanel. Lawson said she had not authorized them.
"It's very
difficult when you find out that someone you have loved and trusted
could behave in that way," Lawson said, her voice breaking. "In my heart
of hearts I do not believe Lisa to be a bad person. But I believe her
to have not a very strong moral compass."
The case has been
overshadowed by details of the breakdown of the 10-year marriage between
Lawson and art collector Saatchi. Lawson repeatedly referred to her
former husband as Mr. Saatchi throughout her testimony.
Defense
lawyers have claimed Lawson used illegal drugs including cocaine, citing
an email from Saatchi in which he referred to her as "Higella." They
have suggested Lawson turned a blind eye to the Grillos' lavish
expenditure in return for them keeping quiet about her drug use.
But
Saatchi told the court last week that he had never seen Lawson taking
drugs. He said the email was written in anger and he regretted sending
it.
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Obama's Kenyan-born uncle allowed to remain in US
Onyango
Obama, President Barack Obama's Kenyan-born uncle, arrives at U.S.
Immigration Court for a deportation hearing Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013 in
Boston.
Judge Leonard Shapiro made the decision after Onyango Obama, 69, testified that he had lived in the U.S. for 50 years, been a hard worker, paid income tax and been arrested only once.
Asked about his family in the U.S. on Tuesday, he said, "I do have a nephew." Asked to name the nephew, he said, "Barack Obama, he's the president of the United States."
Onyango Obama, the half brother of the president's late father, has lived in the U.S. since the 1960s. He was ordered to leave the country in 1992, but remained.
Shapiro cited a law that entitles immigrants who are "out of status" to become permanent residents if they arrived in the U.S. before 1972, maintained continuous residence and are of good moral character. Onyango Obama testified he came to the U.S. from his native Kenya in 1963 and has not been back since. He called America the "land of opportunities."
His immigration status did not become public until his arrest for drunken driving in 2011 in Framingham, just west of Boston. After his arrest, he allegedly told police, "I think I will call the White House."
Asked about the exchange by a prosecutor Tuesday, he said he might have said that, but he couldn't recall.
Earlier this year, the Board of Immigration Appeals sent the case to the Executive Office for Immigration Review for reassessment.
Margaret Wong, Obama's Cleveland-based immigration attorney, called him a "wonderful older gentleman."
"He has earned his privilege to stay in the United States. He has been here for 50 years," she said Tuesday before the hearing.
The White House said it expected the case to be handled like any other immigration case.
In the drunken driving case, Obama admitted to sufficient facts, meaning he did not plead guilty but acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him. A judge continued the case for one year without a finding, saying the charge would be dismissed if Obama did not get arrested again during that time. Wong said Obama has successfully completed that program.
In the president's memoir, "Dreams from My Father," he writes about his 1988 trip to Kenya and refers to an Uncle Omar, who matches Onyango Obama's background and has the same date of birth.
He is the second Obama family member to be found living illegally in the United States. His sister and the president's aunt, Zeituni Onyango, was granted asylum in 2010 after her first asylum request in 2002 was rejected and she was ordered deported in 2004.
She did not leave the country and continued to live in public housing in Boston. Her status was revealed just days before Obama was elected in November 2008. At the time, then-candidate Obama said he did not know his aunt was living here illegally and that he believes laws covering the situation should be followed.
material stolen in Mexico
Truck carrying 'extremely dangerous' radioactive material stolen in Mexico
A truck carrying "extremely dangerous" radioactive material has been stolen in Mexico, authorities said Wednesday.The vehicle was transporting the radioactive isotope cobalt-60 from a hospital where it was being used for radiotherapy, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.
Experts said that if the material gets into the wrong hands it could be turned into a "dirty bomb" and potentially spread cancer-causing radiation across a wide area.
"At the time the truck was stolen, the source was properly shielded," the IAEA said in a statement. "However, the source could be extremely dangerous to a person if removed from the shielding, or if it was damaged."
The vehicle carrying the cobalt-60 was a 2.5-ton Volkswagen truck with an integrated crane, Mexico's National Commission of Nuclear Safety and Safeguards (CNSNS) said. The truck was stolen on Monday at a gas station in Tepojaco, near Mexico City.
Mexico's federal, state, and local authorities are now involved in a widespread and coordinated hunt for the vehicle across several states, the CNSNS said.
Jennifer Cole, head of emergency management at the London-based Royal United Services Institute think tank, said the cobalt-60 would be stored in a sealed chamber, known as a "sealed source."
In the wrong hands, this can be turned into a "dirty bomb," she said.
"What happens with a dirty bomb is the material is exploded and each piece of shrapnel gives off radiation," she said. "Therefore it is over a large area and much harder to clear up.
"More than anything, this can cause panic as there’s a huge amount of fear when radiation or radioactive material is mentioned."
According to safety guidelines on the IAEA website, a "malevolent use of radioactive sources…could also cause significant social, psychological and economic impacts."
There also are many documented cases of people unwittingly stealing or acquiring radioactive material and then becoming ill or dying.
IAEA spokeswoman Gill Tudor told NBC News: "Such thefts are not uncommon, and the thieves do not necessarily know what they have in their possession in addition to the vehicle that may have been the original target.
"In some cases, for example, radioactive sources have ended up being sold as scrap, causing serious health consequences for people who unknowingly come into contact with it."
'Fast & Furious 7' delayed after Walker's death
Shooting on the film had been scheduled to resume this week in
Atlanta but was canceled Monday and Tuesday. A spokesman for Universal
Pictures declined to say when shooting will resume.
Production on the latest installment of the franchise began in September. While a large portion of the film has been shot, the movie is incomplete.
It's scheduled for release July 11, a date that could be difficult to meet with any lengthy delay. Universal Pictures is expected to go forward with the film, but it has not announced how it will adjust the movie or handle Walker's unfinished performance.
The franchise, which has starred Walker in all but one installment, is particularly lucrative for Universal. "Fast & Furious 6," released in May, was the highest grossing film in the series, earning more than $788 million worldwide.
The manner of Walker's death — a fiery car crash in a specialty sports car — was also so reminiscent of the films that made him famous that "Fast & Furious 7" will be under particular scrutiny for how it portrays the fatal risks of street car racing.
Universal announced Tuesday that it will donate a portion of the proceeds from the upcoming DVD, Blu-ray and digital release of "Fast & Furious 6" to Walker's charity Reach Out Worldwide.
Walker, 40, founded Reach Out Worldwide in 2010 to give first-response aid to victims of natural disasters. Walker was hosting a fundraiser for the nonprofit on Saturday afternoon when he and fellow fast-car enthusiast Roger Rodas went for a ride in Rodas' 2005 Porsche Carrera GT and were killed in the crash north of Los Angeles.
Walker's family also has asked that donations be made to Reach Out Worldwide (www.roww.org ) in lieu of flowers or gifts.
Police investigators are examining the cause of the crash. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says witnesses described the car "traveling alone at a high rate of speed" before the Porsche smashed into a light pole and tree, and then exploded in flames.
The Los Angeles County coroner's office said Tuesday that it has completed autopsies on the two bodies recovered from the crash.
On Monday night, a private memorial for survivors and the cast and crew of the "Fast & Furious" movies was held inside a white tent erected around the crash site in Valencia. When it was over, Walker's co-star Vin Diesel emerged to thank fans for paying their respects to the actor.
Walker left behind two completed films that will be released.
He stars in the upcoming Hurricane Katrina drama "Hours," which Lionsgate's Pantelion Films will release Dec. 13 in limited theaters and on video-on-demand, as previously planned. Walker is a producer on the film, something he hadn't previously done.
Walker also stars in "Brick Mansions," a remake of the French action film "District B13" that Relativity plans to release early next year.
Production on the latest installment of the franchise began in September. While a large portion of the film has been shot, the movie is incomplete.
It's scheduled for release July 11, a date that could be difficult to meet with any lengthy delay. Universal Pictures is expected to go forward with the film, but it has not announced how it will adjust the movie or handle Walker's unfinished performance.
The franchise, which has starred Walker in all but one installment, is particularly lucrative for Universal. "Fast & Furious 6," released in May, was the highest grossing film in the series, earning more than $788 million worldwide.
The manner of Walker's death — a fiery car crash in a specialty sports car — was also so reminiscent of the films that made him famous that "Fast & Furious 7" will be under particular scrutiny for how it portrays the fatal risks of street car racing.
Universal announced Tuesday that it will donate a portion of the proceeds from the upcoming DVD, Blu-ray and digital release of "Fast & Furious 6" to Walker's charity Reach Out Worldwide.
Walker, 40, founded Reach Out Worldwide in 2010 to give first-response aid to victims of natural disasters. Walker was hosting a fundraiser for the nonprofit on Saturday afternoon when he and fellow fast-car enthusiast Roger Rodas went for a ride in Rodas' 2005 Porsche Carrera GT and were killed in the crash north of Los Angeles.
Walker's family also has asked that donations be made to Reach Out Worldwide (www.roww.org ) in lieu of flowers or gifts.
Police investigators are examining the cause of the crash. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says witnesses described the car "traveling alone at a high rate of speed" before the Porsche smashed into a light pole and tree, and then exploded in flames.
The Los Angeles County coroner's office said Tuesday that it has completed autopsies on the two bodies recovered from the crash.
On Monday night, a private memorial for survivors and the cast and crew of the "Fast & Furious" movies was held inside a white tent erected around the crash site in Valencia. When it was over, Walker's co-star Vin Diesel emerged to thank fans for paying their respects to the actor.
Walker left behind two completed films that will be released.
He stars in the upcoming Hurricane Katrina drama "Hours," which Lionsgate's Pantelion Films will release Dec. 13 in limited theaters and on video-on-demand, as previously planned. Walker is a producer on the film, something he hadn't previously done.
Walker also stars in "Brick Mansions," a remake of the French action film "District B13" that Relativity plans to release early next year.
Kanye West's Proposal Airing On Season 9 Of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians
Since Kanye West popped the question to Kim Kardashian in late October,
the two have been naturally inseparable. For the most talked about
engagement of the year, Kanye took full advantage of AT&T Park in
San Francisco (also part of Kim's birthday celebration) and now fans of
the famed power couple will finally see how it all went down. The
newly-released "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" season 9 trailer
previews the episode, in which Kanye presents a 15-carat diamond ring
to Kim, designed by jeweler for the stars, Lorraine Schwartz.
The preview of the episode comes as the final segment of the 90-second trailer. Various members of the Kardashian/Jenner family are seen with genuine reaction to West’s scoreboard proposal. With Ye’ down on one knee and the ring shining off the outfield lights, the words “PLEEEASE MARRY MEEE!!!” appear on the AT&T Park big screen. As the two share their joyful kiss, Kris Jenner proclaims, “we’re having a wedding everybody.”
Last month West explained why the engagement will be his only appearance on the show. "I don't really do her show just because I don't particularly like the way the producers shoot some of the shots,” he explained in an interview with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez. “I'm very meticulous to that, right? I like to get a different DP or whatever.. and when we got engaged, I made sure the show was there because I felt like that was something that would make her happy. Regardless of how it was shot, I felt like this is a moment she would like to have and would like to share, and just have that documented. And we could decide later or not to air it."
Not all appears to be well though in the Kardashian/Jenner household though. Season 9 will also focus on Bruce and Kris Jenner’s marital problems, along with Lamar’s addictions and Khloe’s thoughts on moving on.
The preview of the episode comes as the final segment of the 90-second trailer. Various members of the Kardashian/Jenner family are seen with genuine reaction to West’s scoreboard proposal. With Ye’ down on one knee and the ring shining off the outfield lights, the words “PLEEEASE MARRY MEEE!!!” appear on the AT&T Park big screen. As the two share their joyful kiss, Kris Jenner proclaims, “we’re having a wedding everybody.”
Last month West explained why the engagement will be his only appearance on the show. "I don't really do her show just because I don't particularly like the way the producers shoot some of the shots,” he explained in an interview with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez. “I'm very meticulous to that, right? I like to get a different DP or whatever.. and when we got engaged, I made sure the show was there because I felt like that was something that would make her happy. Regardless of how it was shot, I felt like this is a moment she would like to have and would like to share, and just have that documented. And we could decide later or not to air it."
Not all appears to be well though in the Kardashian/Jenner household though. Season 9 will also focus on Bruce and Kris Jenner’s marital problems, along with Lamar’s addictions and Khloe’s thoughts on moving on.
Nigerian Senate seeks 7 year jail term for social media critics?
Is this story for real? According to a report by Daily Trust, the Nigerian Senate is set to pass law seeking 7 year jail term for social media critics.
The newspaper reports that the Senate has reached an advanced stage to pass a bill that seeks seven years jail term for social media critics found guilty of inciting the public against the government.
The joint Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and legal matters, Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes led by Senator Umaru Dahiru (PDP, Sokoto), yesterday organised a one day public hearing on the bill for an act to provide for the prohibition and punishment for electronic fraud and crime in all electronic transactions in Nigeria.
Declaring open the public hearing Senate President David Mark who was represented by the deputy minority whip, Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC, Katsina), said electronic fraudsters pose great danger to the country which must be tackled to attract foreign investment.
The committee chairman Senator Umaru Dahiru (PDP, Sokoto) said electronic fraud was posing serious threat to world economies and Nigeria being a developing economy should enact appropriate laws to deal with the challenges.
The newspaper reports that the Senate has reached an advanced stage to pass a bill that seeks seven years jail term for social media critics found guilty of inciting the public against the government.
“Anyone who intentionally propagates false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting the general public against the government through electronic message shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction shall be sentenced to seven years imprisonment or N5 million (fine).” Section 13 subsection 3 of the bill proposesS
The joint Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and legal matters, Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes led by Senator Umaru Dahiru (PDP, Sokoto), yesterday organised a one day public hearing on the bill for an act to provide for the prohibition and punishment for electronic fraud and crime in all electronic transactions in Nigeria.
Declaring open the public hearing Senate President David Mark who was represented by the deputy minority whip, Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC, Katsina), said electronic fraudsters pose great danger to the country which must be tackled to attract foreign investment.
The committee chairman Senator Umaru Dahiru (PDP, Sokoto) said electronic fraud was posing serious threat to world economies and Nigeria being a developing economy should enact appropriate laws to deal with the challenges.
Paul Walker's autopsy completed
Late actor Paul Walker's autopsy has reportedly been completed by the coroner and the results will be announced soon.
The "Fast & Furious" actor and his friend Roger Rodas died Saturday in a fiery car crash in Santa Clarita, California.
Tmz.com reports that the coroner said the autopsies on both bodies are now complete, but they're still waiting to find out the exact cause of death. The findings could be announced later Wednesday.
The autopsy was delayed because the bodies were not identifiable and the coroner had demanded the dental records of both of them.
The coroner also hopes to make positive ID on both bodies. The result are expected to be released any time now, reports tmz.com.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Judge backs Detroit bankruptcy bid
The city of Detroit has won judicial approval to move forward with the largest municipal bankruptcy in US history despite objections from city workers fearful of losing their pensions.
Saddled with more than $18 billion ($A19.7 billion) in debt and a tax base depleted by decades of population decline and urban blight, the birthplace of the US auto industry has been so strapped for cash it can't even keep the street lights on.
Detroit filed for bankruptcy protection in July, the largest US city ever to do so.
After lengthy initial hearings and weeks of deliberation, Judge Steven Rhodes ruled on Tuesday Detroit is eligible to restructure its debt and liabilities under Chapter 9 of the US bankruptcy code.
The decision was immediately appealed by the city's largest public sector union.
It was hailed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder as the only "viable" way for Detroit to "stay on the path toward a brighter future".
"There will be other difficult decisions as we work through this process," Snyder said in a statement.
"But Michigan and Detroit are resilient and are the comeback stories in the country. Working together we can and will make sure that reinvention happens."
In an unusual move, Rhodes explained his decision in a court hearing prior to releasing his complex 140-page verdict.
Bankruptcy was a "foregone conclusion" and should have happened years ago, Rhodes told the packed courtroom.
"The city no longer has the resources to ... provide its citizens basic services," the Detroit News quoted Rhodes as saying.
"To reverse this decline and attract new residents and revitalise and reinvigorate, Detroit needs help."
Thousands of retired city workers are fearful they will be pushed into poverty if Detroit is able to slash their pension benefits, which are supposed to be protected by the Michigan state constitution.
Rhodes warned that federal bankruptcy law allows for the pensions to be cut, adding "the court emphasises that it will not lightly or causally exercise federal bankruptcy law to impair pensions".
The city-owned Detroit Institute of Arts is also at risk of closing its doors if Rhodes allows even part of its world-class collection to be sold to pay off Detroit's debts.
Rhodes indicated that may not happen, arguing that selling assets would be a one-time fix that wouldn't address Detroit's deeper problems.
The bankruptcy is expected to make it harder for municipalities in Michigan and other US states to borrow money by undermining confidence in what used to be among the most trusted bonds available.
The situation in Detroit is being closely monitored by government workers throughout the country who are fearful that they may also see their retirement benefits slashed by cash-strapped states and cities.
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
UNBELIEVABLE! Burna Boy Banned From Visiting the UK for the Next 15 years!
There are reports that Nigeria’s pop sensation, Burna Boy’s “uncontrollable” character has cost him a 15 years ban from the United Kingdom.
‘He can’t be told anything to do, he’s a big boy right now. He won’t just listen anymore, we are frustrated with his actions’.” his label mates told NET.
Burna
boy who is presently having issues with his label, Aristokrat, has not
only moved out of the house provided for him by the label in
Lekki Phase 1 but he has also extricated himself from them and now
handles his career with a former label employee who now only answers to
him (Burna).
Also, a while in the UK back in 2010, he was arrested and sent to jail by London Police for allegedly being part of a gang and stabbing someone to death.
He was released after 11 months and given two months parole plus community service on the grounds of being of ‘good behaviour’, however, Burna allegedly disobeyed authorities and travelled back to Nigeria where he signed a record deal with Aristokrat.
He later travelled back to the UK but was arrested at the airport and deported to Nigeria.
He is currently barred from the UK for the next 15 years.
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