https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-man-becomes-oldest-executed-25660999?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=daily_morning_newsletter2&utm_medium=email&pure360.trackingid=%7B%7ETrackingId%7E%7D

Man becomes oldest executed inmate in US history for killing ex-girlfriend in 1985

Bigler Stouffer, 79, was put to death on Thursday by lethal injection despite pleas for his clemency over concerns regarding Oklahoma’s last two botched executions

By Christopher Bucktin United States Editor

20:43, 9 Dec 2021Updated22:08, 9 Dec 2021

America has carried out an execution on its oldest person in history.  Bigler Stouffer, 79, was put to death on Thursday by lethal injection despite pleas for his clemency over concerns regarding Oklahoma’s last two botched executions.  The convicted murderer, convicted in 1985, was given a lethal injection around 10am at the State Penitentiary in McAlester.  He was pronounced dead 16 minutes later.  According to witnesses Stouffer was seen laughing and joking with his spiritual advisor before uttering his final words.  He said: “My request is that my Father forgive them. Thank you.”

For his last meal, he had a chicken burger, two slices of bread, broccoli, mixed fruit, two biscuits, a fruit drink, one bottle of water.  He was given the meal on Wednesday evening, the night before his execution.  Stouffer was the first person killed by Oklahoma since John Grant convulsed on the gurney and vomited during his lethal injection in October as the state ended a six-year execution moratorium brought on by concerns over its protocols.  The pensioner had maintained his innocence over the 1985 attack that left schoolteacher Linda Reaves dead and her boyfriend, Doug Ivens, seriously injured. Stouffer was convicted and sentenced to death in 2003 after his first conviction and death sentence were overturned.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10289211/Ghislaine-Maxwell-Jeffrey-Epstein-lounge-Queens-log-cabin-Balmoral.html

So who could have taken them THERE? Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein lounge in Queen's log cabin at Balmoral in stunning picture revealed in US sex trial

    Wearing a blue checked shirt, the British socialite is seen resting her arm on Epstein's knee as they sit in cabin
    They are sitting in the exact same spot in which the Queen has been pictured relaxing in the past
    It has previously been reported that the former couple were invited to Balmoral by Prince Andrew in 1999

By Harry Howard For Mailonline and Kayla Brantley For Dailymail.com

Published: 18:38, 8 December 2021 | Updated: 00:59, 9 December 2021

A picture of Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein relaxing in the Queen's log cabin at Balmoral has been shown at her sex trafficking trial.  Wearing a blue checked shirt, the British socialite is seen resting her arm on Epstein's knee as they sit in the exact same spot in the hut in Glen Beg that the Queen has been pictured relaxing in.  Although it is not clear when the image was taken, it was previously reported that the former couple were invited to Balmoral by Prince Andrew in 1999.  The jury in Maxwell's trial in New York were shown the image and many others of the couple yesterday as prosecutors characterised them as 'partners in crime'.   Another image shows Maxwell massaging Epstein's feet on his private jet, which was named the Lolita Express.  A third showed her kissing his cheek with her arms wrapped around him, while in a fourth the couple were seen sitting on a motorbike together.  The trove of photographs were seized by the FBI in 2019 from Epstein's Manhattan mansion after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges. He then took his own life in prison while awaiting trial.  Another image of members of the Royal Family in the log cabin showed Prince Philip with his great-granddaughter Mia, again on the same bench.  Whilst a cup of coffee or tea was seen resting on the wall of the cabin behind Maxwell and Epstein, the Queen had propped a cold drink in the same spot and Philip had put his pint of beer there.  Prince Andrew, who was friends with both Epstein and Maxwell, has been mentioned three times in the high-profile trial so far: by Epstein's pilot who said he flew with the disgraced financier; alleged sex trafficking victim Jane who said she remembered Andrew on the plane; and by his former housekeeper who said Andrew was 'always polite and a very nice guy. He was the only guy who left us a tip'.

Last week, Andrew was pictured horse riding with a companion near his home at Windsor Castle while bombshells continued to flood out of his old friend's court case.  The royal was also seen looking stony-faced as he drove his Range Rover through the grounds before taking to the saddle with his companion.  Prosecutors in New York allege that Maxwell 'served up' girls for former lover Epstein to abuse and also took part in abuse herself. She denies the allegations.    One of Maxwell's accusers, Virginia Roberts, is the woman who claims that Epstein loaned her out to Prince Andrew for sex when she was 17, allegations he denies.  Maxwell's second accuser Carolyn said under cross examination that she had seen a photo in Epstein's home of Maxwell 'nude and pregnant.'  Maxwell is not known to be a mother, and no further details of the alleged pregnancy were given in court.  Taking the stand earlier on Tuesday, FBI analyst Kimberly Meder identified photos found by the FBI during a 2019 raid of Epstein's Manhattan mansion.  She testified as the court was shown 19 photos of Epstein and Maxwell found on CDs taken from the Manhattan home.  During cross-examination, Meder said she did not know if the images had been altered.  The nature of Maxwell and Epstein's relationship has come under question throughout Maxwell's trial, with prosecutors characterizing them as 'partners in crime' while others have testified they appeared to be a couple or as having a business relationship.  This came after another photo of the pair kissing was submitted into evidence.  That photo showed Maxwell with her arms wrapped around Epstein as they passionately kissed. It sat on a table in Epstein's Palm Beach mansion.  Earlier in the day Tuesday, the court heard from FBI computer analyst Stephen Flatley who talked the jury through hard drives seized during the 2019 FBI raid.  One Microsoft Word document was created in October 2002 by Maxwell on a hard drive for a computer that was registered in Maxwell's name.  It was not clear who the document was for but appeared to be something Maxwell was writing for somebody else.  The document stated: 'Jeffrey and Ghislaine have been together, a couple, for the last 11 years. They are, contrary to what people think, rarely apart. I always see them together.  Ghislaine is highly intelligent and great company with a ready smile and an infectious laugh.'

The document stated that Maxwell and Epstein 'share many mutual interests and are a lot of fun together,' adding that they both had 'inquisitive minds.'  The document said: 'Jeffrey and Ghislaine compliment each other really well and I cannot imagine one without the other. On top of being great partners they are also best friends.'

Another Word document on the same hard drive, also created by Maxwell, was an ad she wrote in September 2001.  It read: 'Help wanted. Are you a massage therapist? Work in Palm Beach home. Excellent pay. Mostly weekends. Please call 351-1000. Leave message.'

The same hard drive contained emails sent by Maxwell in May 2001 berating Epstein's Palm Beach house manager Juan Alessi, who she referred to as John.  Maxwell wrote to a woman named Sally that Alessi was 'doing a truly awful job.'  Maxwell complained about the 'filthy pool' and how Epstein's 'massage creams' were not tidied up.  Maxwell said that 'I am at a loss' about how to get John to follow her orders.

Maxwell also asked about the progress of the 'household manual', which appeared to refer to the 58-page booklet with hundreds of checklist items for running the residence which was already admitted into evidence.  Another document from September 2002 created by Maxwell was titled: 'Palm Beach new shampoo and massage products'.

The list contained 16 different shampoos and 13 massage products to be used in the home including some from high end brands like Kiehls.  Also on Tuesday, Maxwell's second accuser Carolyn, who is going by only her first name instead of a pseudonym, testified that she was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein by Virginia Roberts when she was 14 years old, and went to Epstein's Palm Beach mansion where she gave him a massage.  Carolyn, wearing an orange, white and black striped sweater with shoulder length red hair, told the jury was met by Maxwell at the door.   'Maxwell came in and felt my boobs,' Carolyn said. 'She told me that I had a great body for Mr Epstein and his friends.'

She added that Maxwell 'took pictures of me nude' and also photographed 'the stuff with Epstein.'

Becoming emotional, Carolyn said that Maxwell 'took off her clothes' and Carolyn left her bra and underwear on. Carolyn said Virginia Roberts was also there.  Carolyn said after 45 minutes of massaging his back, Epstein turned over, and Epstein and Virginia Roberts began having sex. She said she watched from the couch and earned $300.  When asked why she continued to go back to Epstein's home, Carolyn said it was because she was young and '$300 was a lot of money.'

Carolyn's bombshell testimony came on Day Seven of Maxwell's trial.  She explained that she dropped out of school in seventh grade and never went back. She moved to Florida from New York when she was a child and had a troubled upbringing as her mother was an alcoholic and drug addict.  This serves the prosecution's case that Maxwell and Epstein targeted young girls from broken homes.  Her grandfather abused her from the age of four, Carolyn told the jury.  She met Epstein when she was 14 through her boyfriend Shawn, who was 17.  Shawn was friends with Tony Figueroa who was dating Virginia Roberts, the Epstein victim who claims that she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17.  Carolyn said that the four of them used to hang out and 'smoke pot' until one day Roberts brought up Epstein.  Carolyn said: 'Virginia asked me if I wanted to go make money.'

Carolyn added that Roberts said: 'We were going to go to her friend's house in Palm Beach island…I would give him a massage. I was going to make a lot of money'.

On her first visit to Epstein's Palm Beach home, Carolyn said she entered through the kitchen with Roberts and met Maxwell.  She said she was an 'older lady with an accent and shoulder length black hair. Carolyn called her Maxwell because she had trouble pronouncing her first name.  Roberts told Maxwell: 'This is my friend Carolyn'.

Maxwell said: 'You can bring her upstairs and show her what to do'.

Carolyn said that they went upstairs to Epstein's bathroom and Roberts got out the fold-up massage table and showed her where the massage oils were.  Carolyn said: 'Virginia had taken her clothes off and she asked me if I would be comfortable taking off mine. I told her I would like to keep my bra and underwear on'.

Epstein came into the room and lay face down on the massage table and for the next 45 minutes the two girls 'massaged the backs of his legs up to the buttocks', Carolyn said.

She said: 'After 45 minutes he turned over, Virginia got on top of him. They were having sex.'

Carolyn said: 'I was sitting on the couch right in front of them'.

Afterwards Carolyn was paid $300 in $100 and on the way out gave her phone number to Maxwell, she told the jury.  Carolyn told the jury that she would go on to visit Epstein's house 'over 100' times more from the ages of 14 to 18, with some kind of sexual activity happening every single time.  Maxwell would call her to schedule the appointment, and sometimes it was her assistant Sarah Kellen.  Carolyn said she sometimes called Epstein to set up an appointment because she was 'young and $300 was a lot of money'.  Sometimes Maxwell would call Carolyn's home and her mother would take the call, shouting to her daughter that she had a call.  Carolyn said that she used the money to pay for 'marijuana, cocaine, alcohol' to 'block out' her feelings so she could get to the next appointment with Epstein.  She also said she was addicted to painkillers.  Carolyn said that each time she went to the house she would go into the kitchen where she would see Maxwell. If Epstein was out she would say he would be back soon.  Carolyn admitted to Maxwell and later Epstein that her mother was an alcoholic and that she had been abused as a child, she told the jury.  One time Maxwell asked her if she wanted to travel to an island, which Carolyn took to mean Epstein's private island in the Caribbean.  Carolyn said: 'I told her there was no way in hell my mom was going to let me leave the country. I told her I was 14.

Asked by prosecutor Maurene Comey how old she was, Carolyn said: 'I was 14'.

After a grueling afternoon of cross examination, Carolyn sobbed uncontrollably when asked by Comey why she was giving evidence.  She said: 'Money will never fix what that woman did to me because what she did was wrong and she picked vulnerable young girls and trafficked them.  I am so petrified that my daughters are going to be trafficked'.

The emotional moment came after Maxwell's defence lawyers revealed that Carolyn got $446,000 after settling a 2009 civil claim against Epstein.  She also got $2.8m after filing a more recent claim with the Epstein victims compensation fund.  In a bizarre exchange Maxwell's lawyer Jeff Pagliuca asked Carolyn if during her interviews with prosecutors she talked about a 'seeing a photograph of Ms Maxwell pregnant?'

He asked: 'You claimed you saw a photograph of her in Epstein's house, pregnant?'

Carolyn replied: 'Nude and pregnant'.

She was shown a photograph but said that was not the image.  At the end of the day prosecutors said they could rest their case as early as Thursday meaning the final accuser, Annie, is likely to be called next.

The six charges against Maxwell:

THE CHARGES

Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts (5 years max sentence) 

 Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts (20 years)

Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (20 years) 

Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (10 years minimum, life maximum)

Sex Trafficking Conspiracy

Sex Trafficking of a Minor

Ghislaine Maxwell also faces two charges of perjury but those counts are due to be tried after her sex crimes trial.  The charges relate to testimony she gave in 2016 in a defamation case filed against her by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre. 

THE 'FACTS'

Prosecutors say Maxwell groomed three girls between 1994 and 1997 for Epstein.   They are not named in the indictment, but she allegedly targeted them in London, Florida, New York and New Mexico.  Maxwell, it is alleged, would befriend the girls by asking them about their life and their schooling. She would put them at ease by taking them to the movies and taking them shopping, winning their trust to later deliver them to Epstein, it's alleged.  To 'normalize' the abuse that would come later, prosecutors say she undressed in front of the girls herself and asked them sexual questions.  She then not only facilitated Epstein abusing them, prosecutors say, but took part in some of it herself.   The alleged sex abuse includes 'sexualized group massages'.   The indictment also says Maxwell made the girl feel 'indebted' to Epstein by encouraging them to take money from him and let him pay for their education and travel

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/girl-16-killed-friend-never-25420562?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=daily_morning_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Girl, 16, killed by friend will 'never know straight A GCSE results', say parents

Wenjing Lin was choked to her death by Chun Xu who also tried to kill her stepfather by luring him into the basement. Her mother says she never forgive him

By Peter Diamond, Leonie Chao-Fong & Philip Dewey

21:47, 9 Nov 2021 Updated 21:50, 9 Nov 2021

A 'model student' who was murdered by a family friend in a Chinese takeaway will never know she was awarded straight A’s for her GCSEs, say her parents.  Wenjing Lin, from the Welsh village of Ynyswen, Treherbertm, was choked to death by Chun Xu at the Blue Sky takeaway before he tried to murder the girl’s stepfather by luring him into the basement.  Xu, 32, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of murdering Wenjing and attempted murder of her stepfather at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday.  Yongquan Jiang Yang, the 16-year-old girl’s stepfather was attacked by Xu with two knives, in what was described as a “repeated and vicious attack”.

After the trial, Wenjing’s mother Meifang Xu spoke of her grief at the loss of her daughter, and how she proud she was of her achievements, according to the Daily Record.  Speaking outside Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court with the support of her husband Mr Yang, Ms Xu said: “My beautiful daughter is gone and I can never forgive you.  I have lost my beloved daughter, my everything. Everything of me.  She cared for my husband and I very much. She has been helping us to communicate with all the English speakers.  (Wenjing’s) school friends miss her so much, I know they are suffering from the pain and loss of their best friend. They will never recover from it."

She praised her daughter for passing all her GCSE's with As but was saddened she will never know her results that she worked so hard for. "I’m so proud of her achievements in the school," she added.

“I’m still not able to comprehend why the perpetrator would do this to her. Our lives have been turned upside down. I was crying every day, watching videos every day and trying to feel close to her and listen to her voice.  I cannot imagine what my life is like without her.  The perpetrator has broken our family. I had to begin counselling to help me but it will never take away the pain the perpetrator has caused us.”

Ms Xu also described how her husband Mr Yang had suffered from the violent attack in Ynyswen, Treherbert, on March 5.  She said: “My husband was a very strong and fit young man. Before this vicious brutal attack he never felt scared of anything but now he even struggles to work and he also has nightmares of when Wenjing was lying on the floor by the counter in the reception area.  Due to the severe mental and physical injuries from the savage, brutal attack by the perpetrator, the treatment he must receive from the hospital will go on for a long time.”

Ms Xu also thanked the police, CPS, school, the community and friends for their support.  She added: “We are so relieved justice has been done and the perpetrator should be punished for my husband and Wenjing. He should be punished for what he did.  I hope there won’t be any innocent victims like Wenjing.”

During the trial, Xu said he "did not mean to hurt the little girl. I wanted revenge on her mother".

After the verdict, the judge said Xu could expect "a sentence of life imprisonment", due to take place on Friday.  Xu was regarded as a nephew to the mother as their parents had lived next door to one another in China. Ms Xu had transferred £20,000 to Xu who promised to send the money back to a friend in China for them to repay a loan they used to start their business in the UK.  However, Xu gambled away £14,000 of the money and sent only some of the cash back which he had begun repaying.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-man-charged-murder-mum-25041685?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=12at12_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Boyfriend charged with murder of mum and three children found dead at sleepover

Damien Bendall, 31, has been charged with murder after the bodies of John Paul Bennett, 13, Lacey Bennett, 11, their mum Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, 11, were found at her Killamarsh home

By Talia Shadwell Reporter

08:23, 22 Sep 2021 Updated 08:52, 22 Sep 2021

A 31-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a mum, her two children, and her daughter's friend in Killamarsh.  The bodies of John Paul Bennett, 13, Lacey Bennett, 11, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, 11, were discovered at the property near Sheffield, on Sunday morning.  Damien Bendall, who was reportedly in a relationship with Terri, has been charged with the murders of the mum and three children.  Derbyshire Police announced on Wednesday that he had been charged with four counts of murder.  The force said earlier the murder suspect was detained at the property and had only minor injuries.  The three children found dead at the property were pupils at Outwood Academy City in Sheffield, which paid tribute to the 'bright' youngsters as the community reeled in shock at their deaths.  Connie had been at a sleepover with Lacey on the Saturday night before she was found dead along with the siblings and their mum.  In a heartbroken tribute, Connie's father Charlie Gent paid tribute to his daughter, writing a Facebook post which reads: "I don't want anyone to ever go through what I am going through right now. My little girl has gone I can't even put into words or even how to feel or react right now.  Fly safe baby girl. I love you with all my heart and always will.  Going to miss you like crazy.":

Lacey and John Paul's father had become distraught as he visited the scene read the tributes left to his children on Monday. Jason Bennett said that he was "heartbroken" as he collapsed in tears while laying flowers for the children.  Asked about his feelings as he left, he said "heartbroken; million pieces; shattered".

Visiting the scene where the community was laying flowers and tributes the day after her son, the children's grandmother, Diane Bennett, recalled the 'beautiful children.  She said: "They were beautiful, well-mannered, did anything for anybody."

She added: "But at the moment it's my son I'm worried about. I know we've lost somebody but he's lost even more. "

Ms Bennett said John Paul wanted to be an engineer and Lacey "was just a girly-girl".  She said: "I've got eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter and we're all upset."

Derbyshire Police said Bendall remains in custody.  The force said the four bodies were found after police responded to a call about concerns for the safety of a man at the address at 7.26am.  Police had previously said officers did not have any prior contact with those involved.  Bendall, of Chandos Crescent, will appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court in Derby later today.  A fundraising page set up for the families had raised more than £15,000 by Tuesday.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9900699/Prince-Harry-Meghan-secret-christening-Lilibet-royal-expert-claims.html

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will NOT christen Lilibet at Windsor in front of the Queen and will 'do things their own way' with a private service in California, royal expert claims

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will 'do things their own way' for christening
    Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said couple are likely to have ceremony in US
    Said: 'It seems certain that Lilibet's christening will be in Meghan's home state'
    Added there would be 'secrecy but without the controversy' of Archie's event

By Harriet Johnston For Mailonline

Published: 09:50, 17 August 2021 | Updated: 11:06, 17 August 2021

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will have a 'secret' christening for daughter Lilibet in the US, a royal expert has claimed.  The Duke, 36, and Duchess of Sussex, 40, who are currently living in their $14 million Santa Barbara mansion having stepped back from royal duty last year, are currently on parental leave having welcomed their baby in June.   In recent weeks there have been reports the couple were hoping to christen Lilibet at Windsor in front of the Queen, 95.  However royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam told the Express the couple will 'do things their own way' with Lilibet, adding: 'It seems certain that her christening will be in Meghan’s home state and with the secrecy but without the controversy that surrounded Archie’s christening.'     

The couple have never released an image of their daughter to the public, with royal commentator Richard saying the decision shows the Duke and Duchess are acting on their own terms.  Sources had suggested in recent weeks that the couple were planning for Lilibet to be christened at Windsor in front of the Queen.  Insiders told Eden Confidential: 'Harry told several people that they want to have Lili christened at Windsor, just like her brother. They are happy to wait until circumstances allow.'

However royal biographer Angela Levin said Prince Harry was putting the Queen in a 'difficult position' by expecting her to attend his daughter Lilibet's christening.  She described Harry's expectation that his grandmother to attend as unreasonable, given she has missed christenings of other royal children in recent years.  According to Levin, the Queen sometimes isn't present at such events because 'they're not close enough to the Crown'.

The Duchess herself was christened in the UK in a private ceremony shortly before marrying Prince Harry.   Although Meghan attended a Catholic high school, she was baptised and confirmed into the Church of England in a private ceremony at the Chapel Royal conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.  The intimate 45-minute service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Chapel Royal in 2018 and was a closely-guarded secret with only a handful of royal aides involved.  Meghan followed partly in the footsteps of the Duchess of Cambridge, who was baptised as an infant but had a private confirmation after her engagement to Prince William.  The service observed the full ritual of the Church with holy water from the River Jordan from the private Royal Family font poured on Meghan's head.  Meanwhile Lili's brother, Archie, was christened by the Archbishop amid unprecedented secrecy at St George's Chapel, Windsor, in 2019.  The 25 invited guests - which did not include the Queen arrived discreetly on the day through a back entrance to the grounds.  Although details of royal babies' godparents have always been made public in the past, Harry and Meghan refused to confirm any names.  Godparents of royal babies are traditionally announced beforehand often on the morning of the christening and conventionally elderly or foreign relatives were selected.  The couple faced significant backlash over their insistence that the 25-person ceremony would remain private and the identities of Archie’s godparents would not be revealed at the time.  The Dean of Chelmsford, Nicholas Henshall, previously told the BBC: ‘Baptism should never be private. It’s a public demonstration of God’s love.’

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge allowed the media to cover each of their children’s christenings, as well as releasing family photographs afterwards.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mans-mum-dad-brother-died-24716405?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=daily_morning_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Man's mum, dad and brother died of Covid within seven days of each other

Francis Goncalves, from Cardiff, said brother Shaul, 40, mum Charmagne, 65, and dad Basil, 73, died within two weeks of contracting Covid and had not had the vaccine after falling victim to conspiracy theorists.

By Lucy John

21:27, 8 Aug 2021

A man lost his mum, dad and brother in the space of a week after they contracted Covid-19.  Francis Goncalves, who lives in Cardiff, said brother Shaul, 40, and mother Charmagne, 65, caught the virus from dad Basil, 73, while having dinner together on the weekend of July 10.  Basil had contracted it in hospital a few days earlier.  They had not got the vaccine after being scared by anti-vaxxer misinformation.  Within two weeks of becoming ill all three, including super-fit Shaul, had died.  Frances has now spoken to WalesOnline to raise awareness of the dangers conspiracy theorists are posing.   The 43-year-old said his brother soon began "feeling like he was filled with weight and that he was tired".

His parents were admitted to hospital on Monday, July 12.  Due to communication difficulties and distance Francis struggled to get hold of them but found out that Basil was moved to intensive care on Wednesday, July 14.  From that point each family member started to deteriorate, so Francis made plans to fly to Portugal.  He said: "Meanwhile my brother's mucus had changed from green to brown and I told him to be very careful because that could be a sign of pneumonia. From then, he deteriorated. I started pushing my plans to get up there faster."

But heartbreakingly, as Francis waited for the Covid test results he needed to be able to fly, he received a text saying his brother had been rushed to hospital. Hours later he passed away.  Francis said his brother was the "healthiest person" he knew and believes the vaccine would have saved his life, adding: "If he wasn't working out in the gym or running, he was going on walks. He hadn't drunk in 15 years and had a plant-based diet."

With his brother being Francis' only means of contacting his parents, he had to get hold of a law firm in Portugal to help him out. The firm contacted the hospital on his behalf and passed on his contact details.  Devastatingly, on Tuesday, July 20, the hospital called Francis to say his father had also died.  The next day, he finally managed to get a flight to Portugal. When he arrived, he discovered his mother who had a number of underlying health issues, including an autoimmune disease was struggling to cope with the virus.  Francis said: "She was also in an induced coma. They allowed me to go and see her which was already a sign that things weren't going well and I had to dress up in full PPE."

Days later he got a call to say Charmagne had also passed away.  A week later, on Sunday, August 1, all three were buried next to each other in the Covid section of a cemetery in Lisbon.  He was told due to the circumstances moving their bodies elsewhere would never be possible.  Francis grew up with his "small and close" family in South Africa but they moved to Cardiff in 2015 to escape violence.  A year later, his parents and brother moved to Portugal, where his father was originally from.  He said: "My father gave everything. He would wear broken shoes so we could have the best.  I could see that he loved mum and she loved him. My mother was a mother hen and she'd do anything for us.  My brother was my best friend. He started a YouTube channel called Animation Deconstructed where he would talk people through animation and it was picking up slowly, but the greatest and worst part about it is it's now gone crazy. This was his thing and the career he wanted and he never got to see it."

Francis hopes sharing his experience might encourage others to get the vaccine.  "They got caught up in a lot of the anti-vaccination propaganda," Francis said.

"It preys on people who are afraid. Why would the government want to hurt you by giving you a vaccine? What is the purpose behind it?."

https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/wexford-martyrs-7-facts-irish-catholics-hanged-drawn-quartered-elizabeth-treason-1581-168733?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=trending

Wexford Martyrs: 7 facts about Six Irish Catholics hanged, drawn and quartered by Elizabeth I for treason in 1581
Elizabeth I became increasingly hostile to Irish Catholics during her long reign

BY: Aidan Lonergan
July 05, 2021

THE Wexford Martyrs were six Irish Catholic rebels who were hanged, drawn and quartered in the late 16th century for treason against Queen Elizabeth I of England.  On this week in 1581:

The men were executed in Wexford town on July 5, 1581 after being found guilty of refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy which declared Elizabeth to be head of the Church.  They were also convicted of aiding the escape from Ireland of rebellious Anglo-Irish nobleman James Eustace, 3rd Viscount Baltinglass as well as several Catholic priests, laymen and a Jesuit.   Their names were Patrick Cavanagh (Pádraigh Caomhánach), Edward Cheevers, Robert Myler, John O'Lahy and Matthew Lambert while the identity of the sixth martyr has sadly been lost to history.  Here are 7 things you should know about the Wexford Martyrs...

1. Persecution

Religious persecution of Catholics in Ireland began under King Henry VIII (then Lord of Ireland) around 50 years before 1581, when he broke the Church of England away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church during the English Reformation - the process of transforming England into a Protestant country.  The Irish Parliament adopted Henry's Acts of Supremacy and Treasons Act in 1534, meaning many priests, bishops and laypeople who continued to pray for the Pope were imprisoned, tortured and killed.  In 1537, John Travers, the Chancellor of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, was executed under the Act of Supremacy one of the first executions of the so-called Irish Catholic Martyrs.

2. Rebellion

There was no great pressure put on Catholics to become Protestant during the early years of Elizabeth I's reign, but the situation changed rapidly from about 1570 on wards.  In 1569, the First Desmond Rebellion was launched in Ireland at almost the same time as the Catholic Northern Rebellion in England.  Both insurrections were mercilessly crushed by the English forces, and Gaelic customs such as Brehon Laws, Irish dress, bardic poetry and the maintaining of "private armies" were outlawed and suppressed in Ireland.

3. Defeated

A decade later in 1579, the Second Desmond Rebellion was sparked when Anglo-Irish lord James FitzMaurice FitzGerald launched an invasion of Munster.  This second rebellion was even bloodier than the first and only ended in 1583 with the death of Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond, and the defeat of the rebels.  One of the leading rebels during the insurrection was James Eustace, Viscount Baltinglass, who began raising forces in Co. Wicklow in the summer of 1580 in support of the Earl of Desmond's separate uprising in Munster.

4. Fugitive

Viscount Baltinglass wasn't very good at the whole rebelling thing and was forced to flee to Munster after 45 of his followers were executed in Dublin.  Baltinglass and his chaplain, Father Robert Rochford, eventually found refuge with a Wexford baker named Matthew Lambert.  Lambert fed them and arranged for a ship to take them to Catholic Spain with the help of five sailor friends.

5. Betrayed

Lambert was betrayed and along with the five sailors arrested, imprisoned and tortured by the Elizabethan government.  While being questioned, Lambert replied: "I am not a learned man. I am unable to debate with you, but I can tell you this, I am a Catholic and I believe whatever our Holy Mother the Catholic Church believes."

All six men were found guilty of treason and hanged, drawn, and quartered in the centre of Wexford on July 5, 1581.

6. Spain

Viscount Baltinglass actually made it to Spain in the end and was initially well-received by the Catholic nation.  However, he later died there childless in 1585 having only just failed to persuade King Philip II to provide sufficient troops and ships to invade Ireland.  Three of his own brothers had been executed or slain while rebelling against England, while another brother later served in the failed Spanish Armada of 1588.

7. Legacy

In 1992, Pope John Paul II beatified 17 Irish Catholic Martyrs who died between 1537 and 1714, including the Wexford six.  One of the most notable martyrs was Bishop Dermot O'Hurley, who was tortured and hanged at Hoggen Green, Dublin on June 20, 1584.  A monument commemorating the executed Archbishop of Cashel was erected in the Irish capital following his beatification in 1992.

Originally published on July 2019.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/kate-middletons-authoritative-parenting-head-24564535?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=12at12_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Kate Middleton's 'authoritative' parenting head taps, bending down and raising finger

Kate Middleton has often been admired for how her young kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis behave in public

By Jennifer Newton

11:26, 19 JUL 2021Updated14:55, 19 JUL 2021

Most parents pray their children will be on their best behaviour when out in public.  And the Duchess of Cambridge is no different when it comes to her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.  In fact, Kate has the added pressure of all eyes and all cameras being on her family whenever they make a public appearance.  However, it's rare to see the Cambridge children ever put a foot out of line and according to one parenting expert it's down to Kate being a "warm and sensitive mum".  Dr Rebecca Chicot, founder of Essential Parent and the author of the Calm and Happy Toddler, told Fabulous: "This is a called an authoritative style of parenting that is now encouraged."

Here are some of the techniques she follows....

Head taps

At her sister Pippa's wedding in 2017, Kate was seen placing her hands on Prince George's head after he appeared to start acting up.  She was also seen telling George, Charlotte and the other little bridesmaids and pageboys to "shhh" as they entered the church.  And according to Dr Rebecca: "She seems to be good at making warm contact ‘touch to the head’ which is a nice connection."

Getting down to their level

When speaking to her kids, Kate is often spotted bending down to her children's eye level.  And parenting author Martina Mercer says this is important as it shows you aren't towering over the child.  She told the Express: 'She understands the importance of being on a level with children and not towering over them.  This has been a trend in the last few decades, as psychologists have explained that it has many benefits.  It removes the fear of the parent while utilising eye contact and connecting with the child on their level."

Raising her finger

When Princess Charlotte had a small toddler tantrum in 2017 while at Hamburg Airport, Kate quickly diffused the situation.  She knelt down to her daughter's level, calmly talked to her and raised her finger.  Dr Rebecca said: "This shows firmness and warmth neither cajoling nor getting angry."

Sofa chats

Both Kate and William have implemented a clever trick when things are getting out of hand - and it's not the naughty step.  Instead, they sit their children down for a sofa chat.  A source told the Sun: "The naughty child is taken away from the scene of the row or disruption and talked to calmly by either Kate or William.  Things are explained and consequences outlined and they never shout at them."

Spending time in nature

Kate has spoken before about how she believes that spending time in the outdoors "enjoying simple things" is good for children.  Speaking on the podcast Happy Baby Happy Mum, she said: “As children, we spent a lot of time outside and it’s something I’m really passionate about.  I think it’s so great for physical and mental wellbeing and laying those foundations.”

Never afraid to show affection

Even though Kate is quick to show discipline if needed neither she nor William are afraid to show affection towards their children.  Just last week, Prince George was seen hugging his mum and dad and celebrating wildly with them when England scored an early goal in the Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley.  While at full-time, they were seen consoling their eldest son after England lost a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out.  And in 2018 on a visit to Basildon Sporting Centre, Kate smiled as she told fans: "Hugs are very important. That's what I tell my children".

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Dannielle Haig, Principal Psychologist from DH Consulting praised the couple for expressing their fondness so openly.  “The overt affection that Wills and Kate show towards their children is most definitely unusual for the British Royal Family," she said.

“But my, how wonderful it is to see.  As a psychologist, it is well known that children need to feel affection, love, and safety from their parents to truly thrive and be happy in life."