The city agrees to a new policy waiving a requirement that officials attending meetings remotely permit members of the public into their private homes.
Read More »
Berkeley officials who worried public would show up to their homes settle suit
Vincent Thomas Bridge remains closed due to crash, battery fire in San Pedro
The Vincent Thomas Bridge remains closed in San Pedro Friday after a semi overturned causing six lithium batteries to explode in the trailer and catch fire Thursday afternoon. Officials say the closure could extend into Saturday as firefighters continue to monitor the trailer, which was still in the roadway near the bridge Friday morning. The [...]
Read More »
The story of Elizabeth Taylor’s rise to fame during Hollywood’s Golden Age
ELIZABETH Taylor is one of the biggest film stars of all time and was an inescapable presence on screen, throughout the Twentieth Century.
BBC2 will air a show about the icon entitled Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar at 9pm on September 27, 2024.
The glamorous actress was known for her strong characters and for being unwavering in her fight for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Her career started early, though the American actress was actually born in London.
Silver screen goddess
Elizabeth was born on February 27, 1932, to prominent parents.
Her father was an art dealer and her mother was a stage actress, who had both moved to London to open an art gallery.
The threat of the Second World War meant they returned to California, where Elizabeth was encouraged to go into film by her mother.
She starred in her first lead role at the age of 12, in National Velvet, and was required by the studio to wear braces and have two baby teeth removed.
They also wanted her to dye her hair and go by Virginia, but Elizabeth’s parents refused.
By 1950, she was starring in roles that the studio considered were “more mature” including the spy thriller Conspirator.
Elizabeth had her breakthrough with 1951’s A Place in the Sun, which as based on Theodore Dreiser’s 1925 novel An American Tragedy.
By the 1960s, she was the world’s highest paid movie star and was widely known for her critically acclaimed role in Cleopatra as the eponymous Pharaoh.
Her role in the 1958 film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof also garnered acclaim.
A life of activism
Elizabeth was one of the very first celebrities to publicly join the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Since the 1980s, she helped to raise over $270million for research and to support people who were living with the virus.
She said that, though she resented her fame, she was happy that she could use it to get tabloids to report on AIDS.
Elizabeth even persuaded Ronald Reagan to acknowledge the disease in a speech, in 1987, and testified before the Senate and the House for the Ryan White Care Act.
The Act, which was enacted in 1990, is the largest federally funded program in the US supporting people with HIV/AIDS.
Eight time lucky
Over her life, Elizabeth walked down the aisle a whopping eight times.
She even married the same man, Richard Burton, twice.
Her first marriage was to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, who was the heir to the Hilton hotel chain.
She was later labelled a homewrecker after she began an affair with Eddie Fisher, who she eventually married and divorced.
Eddie was married to Debbie Reynolds and the pair, known as “America’s Sweethearts”, were the parents of Carrie Fisher.
Her final marriage was to Larry Fortensky, a construction worker who was 20 years younger than the movie legend.
Elizabeth converted to Judaism in 1959 but was adamant that her husbands, some of whom were Jewish, had nothing to do with her choice.
Mother of four
Elizabeth had four children, across each of her marriages.
During her second marriage, to Michael Wilding, she had two sons.
Her first son, Michael Jr, was born in 1953 and her second, Christopher, was born in 1955.
During her third marriage, to Mike Todd, she had a daughter named Liza in 1957.
Finally, in 1964 she adopted a German orphan named Taylor with Richard Burton.
Health battle
Elizabeth had battle serious health problems for most of her life, having been born with scoliosis.
She broke her back while filming National Velvet and had a continued struggle with pneumonia.
The movie star was also a heavy smoker and, over her career, became an alcoholic as well as being addicted to prescription pain killers and tranquillisers.
Elizabeth publicly struggled with her weight, even releasing a diet book in 1980 entitled Elizabeth Takes Off.
Towards the end of her life, she overcame both skin cancer and a benign brain tumour but eventually died from congestive heart failure in 2004.
She was given a private Jewish ceremony, which Elizabeth requested would begin 15 minutes behind schedule.
Her representative said: “She even wanted to be late for her own funeral.”
Love of diamonds
Elizabeth had a love of diamonds and luxury jewellery.
Her Le Peregrina natural pearl necklace broke the world record for the most expensive pearl sold at auction.
It was sold for an eye-watering $10million.
Over her life, Elizabeth amassed a staggering amount of wealth estimated to be around $500million in total.
This was left to her children and grandchildren when she passed away.
One of her her grandchildren, Quinn Tivey, oversees the House of Taylor which is Elizabeth’s foundation and estate.
‘Secret’ UK island forgotten by tourists you can visit certain days of the year – with one small bar and rare wildlife
A SMALL island in Somerset is often described as secret because of its isolated location.
Steep Holm in the Bristol Channel, five miles offshore from popular seaside town Weston-super-Mare, is often unheard of because of its remote setting and being difficult to reach.
The island is run by Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust, and except for wardens who help maintain it, it’s uninhabited.
Strong tidal currents also make the island a difficult place to land.
But during certain times of year, organised trips by Bay Island Voyages allow visitors to discover what Steep Holm has to offer.
Trips are run on certain days of the year from the end of March through to October.
Because Steep Holm is only accessible at high tide, day trips there last 12 hours.
As a protected nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the island is a haven for rare plants and wildlife.
Steep Holm is the only place in the UK where wild peonies grow, and the island is home to rare plants like Alexanders, golden samphire, and wild leeks.
European herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls can often be seen nesting, and a small population of muntjac deer have also been spotted.
The island also has a rich history, with evidence of occupation dating back to prehistoric times.
The Romans built a signal station on the island, and it was fortified in the 1860s as part of the Palmerston Forts – constructed to encircle Plymouth and to protect the Royal Dockyard against a landing by the French.
There are also Victorian military installations, including underground ammunition stores
On a clear day, visitors can enjoy excellent 360 degree views of the Bristol Channel and the Somerset and Welsh coastlines.
As far as facilities go, The Visitor Centre housed in the Victorian barracks is visitors’ base for the day.
Items you don’t need to explore the island can be safely left there.
There’s also hot and cold drinks, home-made cakes, confectionery and crisps available there, as well as a selection of beers, wines and cider at the licensed bar.
Toilets have water provided by the underground reservoir, but as the water is pumped by a generator, it’s not suitable for drinking.
Fresh water is brought to the island for drinking from the barracks cafe, otherwise visitors need to bring their own water flask.
Sailings to Steep Holm can be cancelled at short notice because of the weather, even if it’s a nice day on the mainland, so back up plans are advised.
The cost per person to visit is £47.70.
Other secret islands in the UK
Northey Island – A remote island in Essex that’s owned by the National Trust and considered to be “the closest you’ll get to true wilderness in Essex”. Visitors need to arrange a permit and can’t cross over to the island at high tide.
Foulness Island – A secretive island that’s used by the Ministry of Defence for weapons testing. The only way for the public to reach the island is via the Broomway.
Lundy – A secluded island in Devon that dates back to the Neolithic period. In 1160, King Henry II granted the land to the Knights Templar.
Holy Island – Also known as Lindisfarne, this island is home to Lindisfarne Castle and Lindisfarne Priory, which was once a centre of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England.
Another tiny island in the UK has been dubbed a “hidden treasure”.
And we’ve rounded up five islands off the coast of the country where you don’t need your passport.
Vaping inside leaves film of ‘thick, oily toxic slime all over your home – that can seep through your skin’
VAPING inside your home may not be as harmless as you thought.
Though the cloud of vapour you exhale may only be visible for an instant, researchers found that it settles into a “thick, oily layer” of toxic slime across surfaces.
As the sticky film of vape chemicals lingers counter tops or sofas, it can then seep into skin that comes in contact with the surfaces.
Though previous research has touched upon the dangers of second-hand vape smoke, this new study from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) highlights yet another way e-cigs might harm those who aren’t even using the devices.
The liquid packed into vape pens will into most cases have nicotine in it, but it can contain a number of other chemicals too.
This includes propylene glycol, glycerol, as well as flavouring and other additives.
When heated it can produce toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, a hazardous air pollutant, researchers said.
Study co-author Prof Brian Oliver, from UTS and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, said: “When vapes are used indoors, or in a vehicle, the vapour condenses on surfaces forming a thick, oily layer, and this residue can be absorbed through the skin.”
Dr Richard Kim from the UTS School of Life Sciences, who led the study, added: “Visitors to the homes of friends or relatives who vape might not realise they’re being exposed to harmful chemicals just by touching bench-tops or sitting on the couch.
“People who vape need to understand that this doesn’t just affect them.”
Researchers also warned that the chemical film left over from vaping may have particular consequences on babies if their mums are exposed to it during pregnancy.
“Previous research has shown that vaping during pregnancy can cause serious harm to the baby, including increased risk of stillbirth, low birth weight and developmental problems,” Prof Oliver explained.
Researchers sought to find out whether oily vape residue left on surfaces may also have detrimental consequences.
The study team – led by Dr Chantal Donovan and Dr Kim from the UTS School of Life Sciences – tested out their theory using mice.
They exposed pregnant mice to e-cigarette vapour residue on towels.
Their offspring were then infected with flu, and their immune system response assessed seven days afterwards.
Researchers looked at immune responses in lung and bone marrow cells.
They found that in the exposed offspring, a specialised type of immune cell, called a CD8+ T cell, didn’t work as well.
CD8+ T cells are essential for producing an effective immune response against infections, as well as cancer.
But researchers observed “blunted activation” of the cells in mice whose mums had been exposed to e-cig residue.
Smoking vs. vaping
VAPING has been touted as an effective tool to help people quit smoking.
Though vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, the habit isn’t completely harmless and comes with its own set of risks.
The NHS only recommends it for adult smokers, to support quitting smoking.
GP and author Dr Philippa Kaye explained to The Sun that the differences between vaping and smoking – and whether one is better than the other – is “complicated”.
“In a nutshell, vaping is better than smoking, but breathing air is better than vaping at all.”
Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins – and at lower levels – than smoking cigarettes.
Switching to vaping significantly reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and diseases of the heart and circulation like heart attack and stroke.
These diseases are not caused by nicotine, which is relatively harmless to health. But research has still linked vaping to a higher risk of failure and lung disease.
Health risks of cigarettes
- Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer
- Smokers are at greater risk for diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels
- Smoking can cause lung disease by damaging your airways and the small air sacs
- Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body
- It affects overall health too, such as your mouth, eyes, immune system and fertility
Health risks of vaping
- They can cause side effects such as throat and mouth irritation, headache, cough and feeling sick
- They could lead to tooth decay
- They could damage heart health
- They could cause lung disease
- They could slow brain development
Read more on how vaping can affect your health here.
Sources: NHS, CDC
Dr Donovan said the study revealed for the first time that third-hand exposure to e-vapour while pregnant could result in significant, long-lasting effects on lung and bone marrow immune cell responses in mice.
She said: “The study supports the growing body of evidence of the dangers of e-cigarette exposure and highlights that even third-hand e-vapour exposure during pregnancy could have long lasting effects.”
But as the study – published in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology – was conducted on mice, we can’t know that if the same effect would be observed in human babies.
In the UK, vaping indoors isn’t explicitly banned but most public places have their own rules.
For example, pubs, bars and restaurants tend not to allow people to use their e-cigs indoors.
But most vapers probably wouldn’t think twice about whipping out the pens in their own homes.
It should be noted that the NHS still upholds that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, and in fact recommends taking up vaping in order to quit cigarettes.
Maggie Smith dead: Harry Potter star dies aged 89 after incredible 70-year career on stage and screen
HARRY Potter star Maggie Smith has died aged 89 after an incredible 70-year career on stage and screen.
The beloved actress played Professor Minerva McGonagall in the blockbuster film franchise.
Maggie was also well-known for bringing her scathing wit to other roles, including as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.
Her sons
In a statement issued via their publicist, they said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
She was born Margaret Natalie Smith in December 1934 in Ilford, Essex, to a Scottish secretary mum and pathologist dad.
The star moved to Oxford when she was four after her father got a job at the university and later left school to study acting at the Oxford Playhouse.
Aged just 17, Maggie got her first role as Viola in Twelfth Night before appearing in Cinderella, Rookery Nook and The Government Inspector.
In 1957, she landed a role opposite Kenneth Williams in the musical comedy Share My Lettuce.
This led to regular appearances in a string of plays at the Old Vic theatre, including The Rehearsal and Mary, Mary.
While starring in The Double Dealer, Maggie caught the eye of Laurence Olivier who invited her to become part of his National Theatre Company.
Maggie went on to appear opposite the actor in Othello, with the pair famed for their professional rivalry.
In 1958, the actress made her screen debut in Nowhere to Go but it wasn’t until her Oscar-winning performance in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie 11 years later that she gained international fame.
Maggie continued to appear on stage in a number of plays – winning a Tony Award for her role in Broadway comedy Private Lives.
During this time, she won her second Academy Award for best supporting actress in California Suite alongside Michael Caine.
Maggie received further nominations for roles in A Room with a View and Gosford Park.
She appeared in a number of comedies, including Sister Act, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Quartet.
In 2001, Maggie took the role as Hogwarts deputy headmistress Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series of films.
She played the Transfiguration teacher in seven of the eight films until 2011.
Maggie won three Emmys for her portrayal of as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey.
The actress became a firm fan favourite for her acerbic put-downs during the five-year series and two subsequent films.
Away from the screen, Maggie married actor Robert Stephens in June 1967.
The couple shared two sons, actors Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, before they divorced eight years later,
Maggie later went on to wed playwright Beverley Cross in 1975 before his death in 1998.
She previously opened up about her health battles, including treatment for Graves’ disease in 1988.
In 2007, it emerged Maggie had been diagnosed with breast cancer but she went on to make a full recovery.
The actress was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990 and was named a Companion of Honour (CH) in 2014.
Speaking about her glittering career previously, Maggie said: “Honest to God, I have no idea where the urge [to act] came from. It was such a ghastly time and we didn’t go to the theatre.
“I got into terrible trouble once because the neighbours took me to the cinema on a Sunday, but I had a wonderful teacher, Dorothy Bartholomew, who also taught Miriam Margolyes, and who encouraged me.”
Muriel Furrer dead at 18: Cyclist dies after suffering serious head injury in horror accident at world championships
SWISS cyclist Muriel Furrer has tragically passed away aged just 18.
The teenager suffered a serious head injury after crashing at the Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Switzerland on Thursday.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
First Graduate in a Family of 500 Who Quit His Banking Job to Start a Special Nomadic School
In this inspiring video, we meet the first-ever graduate in a family of 500, who made the bold decision to leave a stable banking job to pursue his passion for education. Driven by a desire to make a difference, he started a Special Nomadic school, dedicated to providing education to underserved children. Join us as […]
Read More »
The bike shelter, the contractor, and the questions to be answered
Paschal Donohoe
The post The bike shelter, the contractor, and the questions to be answered appeared first on Gript.
Sharks roster outlook: Five players trending up; three others fading out
NHL: Competitive San Jose Sharks training camp will soon require some tough decisions
Read More »