Charles Manson follower seeks parole 47 years after killings

Patricia Krenwinkel, once a devout follower of cult killer Charles Manson and now the longest-serving female inmate in California, appeared again Thursday before a parole board — 47 years after she helped kill pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six other people.

Krenwinkel, 69, has been denied parole 13 times since her conviction in the 1969 slayings.

She acknowledged during her trial that she chased down and repeatedly stabbed Abigail Ann Folger, the 26-year-old heiress of a coffee fortune, at Tate's home and helped kill grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, the following night.

Los Angeles County prosecutors say Krenwinkel carved the word "war" into Leno LaBianca's stomach, then wrote "Helter Skelter" in blood on the couple's refrigerator.

Krenwinkel's attorney, Keith Wattley, successfully petitioned the state to hold the hearing a year early at the California Institution for Women, about 40 miles east of Los Angeles, where Krenwinkel is imprisoned.

"Ms. Krenwinkel is fully aware of the difficulty she faces," Wattley told The Associated Press in an email. "But California law officially recognizes a person's capacity to change and to address the factors that contributed to their previous behavior so that they can safely be paroled."

"World's Highest Bridge" Opens in China Over 1,850-Foot Gorge

A bridge in China suspended over a 1,854-foot gorge became the "world's highest" when it opened to automotive traffic Thursday, reports said.

The Beipanjiang Bridge took three years to build, cost more than $146.7 million dollars, and stretches to be 4,396 feet long. Its four-lane roadway sits nearly two thousand feet over the Beipan River, which it's named after, to connect the Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in southwest China, People's Daily Online reported. It surpassed the 1,837-foot-tall Sidu River Bridge for its world record title.

Prandelli resigns as Valencia coach

Cesare Prandelli

Former Italy boss Cesare Prandelli resigned as coach of Valencia on Friday, after a poor run that has seen the relegation-threatened team go through several managers in quick succession.

“Cesare Prandelli has communicated to Valencia Club de Futbol his irrevocable decision to resign from his position as coach, as of Friday, December 30th,” the struggling La Liga giants said in a statement.

They added Salvador Gonzalez — the former Spanish footballer known as “Voro” who works at the club — would take charge of the first team, though it was unclear whether this was a temporary or permanent appointment.

Tiwa Savage, Elohor Aisien, Latasha Ngwube, Yvonne Nwosu attend Toke Makinwa's celebrity-filled pyjama party

 

Last night in Lagos on the eve of the New Years weekend, Toke Makinwa threw a fabulous pyjama party. Taking over the luxurious pamper house, Oasis Med Spa in Ikoyi; Toke brought together a coterie of A-listers including Tiwa Savage, Elohor Aisien, Arese Ugwu, Gbemi Olagbegi-Olateru for a festive evening that ranged from sipping Ciroc Negroni and Cocoloso cocktails to pillow fights.

Also joining in the fun? Fashionable girls including Bolanle Olakunni, Latasha Ngwube and Yvonne Nwosu joined the ‘no-boys allowed’ night toasting to a year of success.

Toke’s close friends were treated to sweet and savoury treats in silky robes and ankara-style pyjamas. Between the guest list and the dress code, it certainly makes for one of the most glamorous "pyjama parties" Lagos has ever seen.

Photos from the funeral of murdered bride-to-be, Dayo Adeleke

A friend of Dayo Enioluwa Adeleye, who was murdered by her Cameroonian steward posted these beautiful photos of the deceased used on the burial programme along with a touching tribute.

Dayo was laid to rest yesterday, Thursday, December 29th, at The Vaults and Gardens after a service of songs and funeral service at Guiding Light Assembly, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi Lagos. See photos from the funeral and the tribute after the cut..

A 24-year-old's death after working 105 overtime hours in one month causes Japan to rethink work-life balance

Chris Gladis/Flickr

In Japanese the word is karoshi, or "death from overwork."

The latest karoshi victim was 24-year-old Matsuri Takahashi who worked for the Japanese ad agency Dentsu and reportedly logged 105 overtime hours in one month. At work she tried to maintain appearances, but on Twitter she spoke the truth.

"It's 4 a.m. My body's trembling," she reportedly said in one post. "I'm going to die. I'm so tired."

Takahashi leapt from the company dormitory around Christmas last year. This past Wednesday, December 28, Dentsu's president and chief executive Tadashi Ishii announced he would resign in March.

Greek ambassador to Brazil 'murdered after finding his wife in bed with another man'

The Greek ambassador to Brazil whose body was found in a burnt-out car in Rio de Janeiro was murdered after finding his wife in bed with another man, police believe.

The charred remains of Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, were found on Wednesday underneath an overpass in the city, inside the car the diplomat had hired to spend Christmas and New Year with his wife's relatives.His Brazilian wife Francoise Amiridis told police she was out shopping on Monday night when he phoned at 8pm her saying he was going out, and never returned home.

Record number of police to patrol Britain's streets on New Year's Eve amid fears of terror attack

A record number of police will patrol Britain’s streets to protect the public throughout tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Thousands more officers have been drafted in across the country - including armed officers - following the terror attacks across Europe in the past year.

It is part of a huge security clampdown as MI5’s terror warning alert remains at “severe”- meaning a terror attack is “highly likely.”

In London extra armed police will travel on tubes throughout the capital and many more than the 2,000 firearms officers on duty for the celebrations last year will be guarding our streets

Trump on Russia sanctions: Time to move on, but I’ll meet with intelligence agencies anyway

Donald Trump.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

President-elect Donald Trump responded Thursday to President Barack Obama's fresh sanctions against Russia, saying that it's "time to move on," but that he'll meet with intelligence officials to discuss Russian involvement in election hacks anyway.

"It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things," Trump said in a brief evening statement.

The president-elect continued: "Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation."

The statement came hours after Obama announced new sanctions against Russian officials, which included the removal of 35 Russian intelligence officials currently in the US, in addition to sanctions from the Treasury Department against two other Russian individuals.

More US teens are on e-cigarettes than ever before

According to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more American teenagers are have been using e-cigarettes and not just for nicotine.

The CDC and the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) discovered this new trend from surveys filled out by 17,000 high school students across America in 2015.

About 38% of high school students who took the survey revealed they have tried e-cigarettes before.

Ronaldo Turns Down Record €300m Offer From Chinese Club

Real Madrid have been offered 300 million euros by an unnamed Chinese club for Cristiano Ronaldo.
The offer is three times the current transfer fee record of around 100 million euros paid by Manchester United to Juventus for Paul Pogba.
According to Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes, the 31-year-old Portugal captain has no interest in the deal, which included a two million euro weekly wage.
The comments by Mendes were made Thursday night in an interview with Sky Italia, but the super agent revealed that money is not everything for Ronaldo and that he loves playing for Real Madrid.

The Chinese Super League has attracted highly reputable players from different leagues in recent times.

Belles of the ball! Daughters of the world's most elite families dress to impress as they gather in New York for 62nd annual Debutante Ball

The Pierre Hotel in New York was awash with white last night as debutantes dazzled in a myriad of ball gowns at the 62nd International Debutante Ball.

The event, that welcomes the city's well heeled into society, saw the gaggle of girls take to the stage in a series of wedding-dress like ballgowns.

The young ladies are the daughters of the world's elite families, and at stake are their first impressions on a world accustomed to only the greatest of poise: these are the living dolls of the International Debutante Ball. 

Sexy Tennis Star, Serena Williams Engaged To Reddit Co-Founder, Alexis Ohanian

Tennis super-champ, Serena Williams has announced that she’s engaged to boyfriend of 15 months Alexis Ohanian. Alexis is a billionaire and co-founder of Reddit and yes, Serena made the announcement on Reddit. Ohanian is also an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and in-demand speaker.
The 34-year-old champion revealed her engagement story  with this short poem: “I came home. A little late. Someone had a bag packed for me. And a carriage waited. Destination: Rome. To escort me to my very own ‘charming.’ Back to where our stars first collided. And now it was full circle. At the same table we first met by chance. But by choice. Down on knee. He said 4 words. And I said yes.” Williams and Ohanian had been dating for about a year, and were relatively private about their relationship prior to this announcement. The happy couple did not disclose a wedding date. Williams is, at present, preparing for the Australian Open next month.

Scarlett Johansson is the top grossing actress of 2016 (full list)

Scarlett Johansson is the top-grossing actor of 2016 with $1.2 billion at the global box office,according to Forbes.  She achieved this feat with roles in 2016 hits Captain America: Civil War, The Jungle Book and Hail, Caesar! Two other women on the list are Margot Robbie in fourth place, and Amy Adams in fifth.. Full list below 10. Will Smith — $775 million 9. Felicity Jones — $805 million 8. Ryan Reynolds — $820 million 7. Henry Cavill — $870 million 6. Ben Affleck — $1.02 billion 5. Amy Adams — $1.04 billion 4. Margot Robbie — $1.1 billion 2. Robert Downey Jr. — $1.15 billion 2. Chris Evans — $1.15 billion 1. Scarlett Johansson — $1.2 billion

Sir Elton John to perform at George Michael’s funeral

Pop icon, Sir Elton John is reportedly set to perform at George Michael’s funeral.According to reports, John will perform ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’, on which he performed with Michael in 1991 at the latter’s Wembley Arena show
 two ceremonies to say goodbye to Michael could be held, if sources are to be believed. One would be for friends and family and the other for fans.