HONG KONG, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) — The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Saturday rejected misleading and untruthful remarks on Hong Kong’s legal system and business environment in a so-called “updated business advisory” jointly issued by several departments of the government of the United States, which attempted to create panic. The successful implementation…
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETThis year, IFA 2024 in Berlin saw a deluge of innovative products, but one of the standout gear categories for me was all the new travel accessories. If you’re anything like me, you want to travel as smart and streamlined as possible (no tangled cables here), so I’m always looking for new and useful gadgets to stash in my carry-on. Also: Everything we expect at Apple’s iPhone 16 event: AI features, AirPods, Apple Watch Series 10, moreThese six products stood out to me for being smart, innovative, and, most of all, space-saving — and were just unveiled to the public. Let’s check them out. 1. PlugBug from TwelveSouth
A former science teacher at University City High School was sentenced on Sept. 5 to 10 years in federal prison after he made arrangements to have sex with a 16-year-old girl, not realizing his words on the phone were being recorded by law enforcement.
In a tan prison uniform, Sean Stevenson, 59, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Battaglia. He pleaded guilty in June to attempted enticement of a minor, a felony.
The offense carries a 10-year minimum sentence, and the maximum term is life. Both his attorney, Dana Grimes, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Ko recommended the 10 years.
“Mr. Stevenson’s determination to purchase sex acts from a minor is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath in a statement afterward.
“Thankfully, he was caught before harming an actual child,” added McGrath. “The sentence imposed today reflects our commitment to protecting the vulnerable from exploitation.”
While Stevenson had no prior record, he was charged in this case with possession of two thumb drives that contained images of underage girls in sexually explicit activity, according to court records. That count was dismissed.
Battaglia ordered Stevenson to pay $12,000 to “four victims” without specifying who they were. The attorneys agreed to the restitution at $3,000 each.
Kelly Thornton, the U.S. Attorney’s press spokesperson, said late Thursday that federal courts have held that minors depicted in sexual abuse materials “are eligible for restitution” and the victims referred to in this case were those in the images in Stevenson’s possession.
“I’m horrified by my actions and happy to participate in programs,” said Stevenson to the judge. “You will never see me again under these circumstances.”
Battaglia replied that this type of case was in a group of “most distasteful of cases” he had handled.
A transcript of Stevenson’s recorded words to a woman he thought was a prostitute shows him seeking a girl under 18 for oral sex without a condom in a “car date,” which was defined as commercial sexual encounters in a vehicle.
Stevenson had asked for “sexy pics” and “the younger the better.” Various terms were used for manual genital stimulation and oral sex, according to court records. Stevenson agreed to pay $140 for oral sex without a condom and a meeting was set for Oct. 24, 2023, with what Stevenson thought would be with a 16-year-old girl.
Instead, Stevenson was arrested, and $140 in cash was seized, along with his cell phone, and car. He has been in custody ever since and received credit for nearly a year behind bars. He taught at University City High for nine years and also worked as a coach.
“A teacher is meant to protect and nurture students, guiding them with care and respect, but instead this individual sought to sexually exploit a school-age girl,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.
“The San Diego Police Department remains committed to protecting our youth from the unthinkable,” added Wahl.
“Mr. Stevenson is immensely remorseful for his conduct underpinning this case and has accepted the fact that his life as he knew it, including his career and a significant amount of his freedom, is over,” wrote Grimes, his attorney, in sentencing papers.
“There is no evidence of any inappropriate relationships with any minors in his entire coaching or teaching career,” wrote Grimes. “He is at a low risk of committing a future sex offense.”
The judge ordered Stevenson to register as a sex offender in the county where he will live after he is released. His mother was in the audience. Battaglia received several favorable letters from people who knew Stevenson.
Stevenson graduated from San Diego State University in 1988, received his teaching credential in 1997, and received his master’s degree in biology in 2014 from Point Loma Nazarene University.
“I have a simple message for all those who target children for sex online: If you go after children in California, we’ll go after you,” said Ca. Attorney General Rob Bonta.
“Today’s announcement makes it clear that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated,” said Bonta.
Stevenson was in contact with a prostitute who was arrested in April 2023, and had texted her about getting in contact with “younger girls I could pay u a premium for.” When the woman suggested an 18-year-old high school girl, Stevenson responded “Not young enough.”
When agents from the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force examined the woman’s text and phone messages months later, an agent called Stevenson back and they discussed him meeting up with a 16-year-old girl, according to court records.
A former science teacher at University City High School was sentenced on Sept. 5 to 10 years in federal prison after he made arrangements to have sex with a 16-year-old girl, not realizing his words on the phone were being recorded by law enforcement.
In a tan prison uniform, Sean Stevenson, 59, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Battaglia. He pleaded guilty in June to attempted enticement of a minor, a felony.
The offense carries a 10-year minimum sentence, and the maximum term is life. Both his attorney, Dana Grimes, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Ko recommended the 10 years.
“Mr. Stevenson’s determination to purchase sex acts from a minor is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath in a statement afterward.
“Thankfully, he was caught before harming an actual child,” added McGrath. “The sentence imposed today reflects our commitment to protecting the vulnerable from exploitation.”
While Stevenson had no prior record, he was charged in this case with possession of two thumb drives that contained images of underage girls in sexually explicit activity, according to court records. That count was dismissed.
Battaglia ordered Stevenson to pay $12,000 to “four victims” without specifying who they were. The attorneys agreed to the restitution at $3,000 each.
Kelly Thornton, the U.S. Attorney’s press spokesperson, said late Thursday that federal courts have held that minors depicted in sexual abuse materials “are eligible for restitution” and the victims referred to in this case were those in the images in Stevenson’s possession.
“I’m horrified by my actions and happy to participate in programs,” said Stevenson to the judge. “You will never see me again under these circumstances.”
Battaglia replied that this type of case was in a group of “most distasteful of cases” he had handled.
A transcript of Stevenson’s recorded words to a woman he thought was a prostitute shows him seeking a girl under 18 for oral sex without a condom in a “car date,” which was defined as commercial sexual encounters in a vehicle.
Stevenson had asked for “sexy pics” and “the younger the better.” Various terms were used for manual genital stimulation and oral sex, according to court records. Stevenson agreed to pay $140 for oral sex without a condom and a meeting was set for Oct. 24, 2023, with what Stevenson thought would be with a 16-year-old girl.
Instead, Stevenson was arrested, and $140 in cash was seized, along with his cell phone, and car. He has been in custody ever since and received credit for nearly a year behind bars. He taught at University City High for nine years and also worked as a coach.
“A teacher is meant to protect and nurture students, guiding them with care and respect, but instead this individual sought to sexually exploit a school-age girl,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.
“The San Diego Police Department remains committed to protecting our youth from the unthinkable,” added Wahl.
“Mr. Stevenson is immensely remorseful for his conduct underpinning this case and has accepted the fact that his life as he knew it, including his career and a significant amount of his freedom, is over,” wrote Grimes, his attorney, in sentencing papers.
“There is no evidence of any inappropriate relationships with any minors in his entire coaching or teaching career,” wrote Grimes. “He is at a low risk of committing a future sex offense.”
The judge ordered Stevenson to register as a sex offender in the county where he will live after he is released. His mother was in the audience. Battaglia received several favorable letters from people who knew Stevenson.
Stevenson graduated from San Diego State University in 1988, received his teaching credential in 1997, and received his master’s degree in biology in 2014 from Point Loma Nazarene University.
“I have a simple message for all those who target children for sex online: If you go after children in California, we’ll go after you,” said Ca. Attorney General Rob Bonta.
“Today’s announcement makes it clear that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated,” said Bonta.
Stevenson was in contact with a prostitute who was arrested in April 2023, and had texted her about getting in contact with “younger girls I could pay u a premium for.” When the woman suggested an 18-year-old high school girl, Stevenson responded “Not young enough.”
When agents from the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force examined the woman’s text and phone messages months later, an agent called Stevenson back and they discussed him meeting up with a 16-year-old girl, according to court records.
Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa are back working together, focusing on the singer’s image and tour management. This comes after past legal disputes and their well-known professional and personal history
By Alen Rappaport First Posted: Sep 06, 2024 03:20 PM EDT
Shakira, the reigning queen of Latin music, has once again captured the spotlight, but this time it’s not for her chart-topping hits. The Colombian star has stirred up chatter with news of a recent dinner meeting with her ex-partner, Argentinean businessman Antonio de la Rúa, in Miami last August. While many might have speculated that this reunion was fueled by romantic sparks, it turns out the meeting was all about business.
According to Alex Rodriguez, the former couple has been collaborating on Shakira’s image management and professional affairs. Rodriguez also revealed that de la Rúa played a key role in managing the aftermath of Shakira’s split from Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué, suggesting that the Argentinean might be overseeing the singer’s financial matters. However, some sources have hinted that de la Rúa’s role might be more focused on tour management rather than finances.
@activolive ¿SHAKIRA Y ANTONIO DE LA RUA JUNTOS DE NUEVO?. #shakira #delarua #cena #romantic #polemica #farandula #fy ♬ sonido original – activolive
Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa were more than just a couple; they were a powerhouse team. From 2000 to 2010, de la Rúa was instrumental in negotiating Shakira’s deal with Live Nation, one of the world’s leading event production companies. This agreement granted Shakira a lucrative 10-year contract worth between $70 and $100 million, propelling her to global stardom.
During their time together, both personally and professionally, Shakira released a series of smash hits, including “Laundry Service,” “Oral Fixation Vol. 1 and 2,” and “Sale el Sol.” The duo also spearheaded successful tours like the ‘Oral Fixation Tour’ and the ‘Sale el Sol World Tour.’ Shakira’s prominence soared, and she became a global icon, performing at major events like the 2006 World Cup closing ceremony with “Hips Don’t Lie” and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with “Waka Waka,” one of the most memorable soccer anthems ever.
@carolinavillaloboss #shakira #antoniodelarua #shakirachallenge #musica #viral #parati #foryou #mexico #argentina #españa #colombia #fypシ #viralvideo #tiktok #foryoupage #fyp #viral ♬ Lo Que Más – Shakira
Despite their success, the relationship eventually cooled. Although they were engaged in 2006, their wedding never materialized due to Shakira’s busy schedule. After over a decade together, the couple’s engagement ended amid rumors of infidelity, with Shakira reportedly involved with Gerard Piqué during the production of “Waka Waka.”
Even after their split, de la Rúa continued to represent Shakira until 2012, when he filed a $100 million lawsuit against her, claiming she had failed to make payments in 2011. A legal battle ensued, but Shakira emerged victorious from the courts. In 2013, Shakira countered with her own lawsuit against de la Rúa, accusing him of theft and fraud. Despite these legal dramas, it seems the former couple is now finding common ground again-at least in the business world.
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Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentBoris Johnson failed to disclose that while serving as prime minister he met a uranium lobbyist connected to a co-director at his green energy consultancy Better Earth Limited.The news comes after The Independent revealed that Mr Johnson had employed former aide Charlotte Owen as the firm’s vice-president, despite facing fierce criticism for elevating her to the House of Lords at the age of 29.Transparency campaigners have now warned there appears to be “serious public interest questions” over the nature of the former Tory leader’s relationship with his co-director Amir Adnani, The Observer reports.Mr Adnani, a Canadian citizen, is the founder, president and CEO of Uranium Energy Corp, a US-based mining company that had previously been championed by former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.Mr Johnson met Scott Melbye, the executive vice-president of Uranium Energy Corp, in Westminster in May 2022, while he was still prime minister.Better Earth was incorporated last December by Mr Adnani, who is the director of a number of offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands.Companies House filings show “The Rt Hon Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson” was added as a director and chair in May, while Ms Owen was added as vice-president this summer.News of her latest role emerged in a two-line entry in her Lords register of interests in the last month. Her salary was not disclosed.Charlotte Owen, the UK’s youngest peer, has been made vice-president of Better Earth
Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, Image, Movies, Sony | Tagged: ice cream man, W. Maxwell PrinceFilm rights to Ice Cream Man from W. Maxwell Prince, Martin Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran have been picked up by Sony.Published Sat, 07 Sep 2024 13:03:10 -0500 by Rich Johnston | Last updated Sat, 07 Sep 2024 13:04:32 -0500 | Article Summary
Sony picks up film rights for horror comic series Ice Cream Man, sparking a sales surge on eBay.
Key eBay sales include Ice Cream Man #1 Cover B by Frazer Irving, with raw copies at $85 and CGC 9.8 at $165.
Ice Cream Man #1 Cover A sees high demand, with sellers asking $1000 for a CGC 9.8 version and $450 raw.
Ice Cream Man’s mix of horror and mystery centers on a powerful ice cream man impacting unsuspecting customers.
Yesterday’s news that film rights to the horror anthology comic book Ice Cream Man from W. Maxwell Prince, Martin Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran had been picked up by Sony genre label Screen Gems. And the comic book market noticed, with eBay all of a flutter. Notably, sales from the last couple of days include;
While for the Ice Cream Man #1 Cover A edition, sellers are asking $1000 for a 9.8 CGC version, and $450 raw, $700 for the Frazer Irving CGC 9.8 version, and $300 raw, Is it worth looking in your longboxes and see if you can pull out something that might pay for your weekly supermarket shop?
The series is a semi-anthological horror comic series of loosely connected stories that all share the common link of a mysterious ice cream man named Rick, who, while a seemingly ordinary Ice Cream Man, possesses inexplicable powers which he uses upon unsuspecting people. Rick’s nemesis Caleb, a man dressed in an all-black cowboy outfit, will sporadically appear in the series, trying to thwart Rick’s plans, sometimes successfully and sometimes not. It was a breakout hit for Image Comics, managed to find a new form online during lockdown and then returned. But this is not the first time it has been brought the adaptation rights rodeo.
Previously, an adaptation of the series was in development at Universal Cable Productions in 2018. In 2020, it was announced it had been picked up by Quibi. Now Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the creators of Wednesday and writers of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, will produce the film through their Sony-based Millar Gough Ink, with the company’s Aaron Schmidt also producing. Is the third scoop the charm?
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An Australian tourist who went to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo while in Edinburgh has said her grandmother would be “rolling in her grave”. Ali Smith, from Brisbane, took to social media to say that she ended up “laughing” at the performance, despite thinking she would be crying with pride. The TikToker has almost 380,000 followers,…
An Australian tourist who went to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo while in Edinburgh has said her grandmother would be “rolling in her grave”. Ali Smith, from Brisbane, took to social media to say that she ended up “laughing” at the performance, despite thinking she would be crying with pride. The TikToker has almost 380,000 followers,…
A male aide is accusing California State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil of forcing him into a “sex-based quid pro quo relationship” that he claims cost him three herniated discs, a destroyed hip, and his job.In a filing released Thursday, Alvarado-Gil’s chief-of-staff Chad Condit, 57, claimed that the senator began asking him “if he had ever cheated on his wife and asked if (he) would ever be intimate with a boss” shortly after he was hired in December 2022.Condit’s father, former Democratic Congressman Gary Condit, had been accused of affairs—including with missing intern Chandra Levy—which prompted Alvarado-Gil to allegedly ask whether Condit “would be like his father,” according to the affidavit.Condit said the alleged inappropriate comments intensified over time. In March 2023, Alvarado-Gil allegedly began asking him “what his feelings are about ‘throuples’ and whether (he) thought his wife would be into that.” Condit claimed that Alvarado-Gil openly shared her sexual fantasies with him and other staff members, telling him “that she prefers short black men and old white guys like (Condit).”Alvarado-Gil’s childhood best friend Venessa Bravo—who was hired to work with Alvarado-Gil despite having “no experience working in state government,” according to Condit—allegedly told Condit that Alvarado-Gil was bipolar in reaction to Condit’s allegations against Alvarado-Gil. Condit told Bravo that Alvarado-Gil had allegedly told him to come up to her hotel room because she had hurt herself, but upon entry, found her positioned on the “edge of the bed with just a t-shirt on.”Despite Condit’s attempts to avoid Alvarado-Gil’s alleged sexual advances, things reportedly came to a head when the two traveled together to Inyo County for an event. Alvarado-Gil allegedly “had her pants pulled down” when Condit came back from the bathroom and told him, “‘I want you to kiss it and prove your loyalty,’” according to the affidavit. “Alvarado-Gil appeared to enjoy her power and demanded this show of ‘loyalty’ on several occasions.”However, the straw that literally broke Condit’s back was a similar scenario in which Condit claims he “suffered a back injury while performing (oral sex on Alvarado-Gil) in a car seat with his body having to twist and contort in the confined space of the car.” The pain led Condit to the doctor where he “discovered that the injury was more severe, and that (he) had suffered three herniated discs in his back and a collapsed hip.”Condit said he made his objections to Alvarado-Gil’s advances known by wearing his wedding ring in the office and telling her to keep her distance. Alvarado-Gil allegedly reacted on one occasion by saying “nice ring,” adding “now I know she [Condit’s wife] doesn’t trust you.” Condit alleges he was then fired in December 2023 after he refused to wear a Santa Claus costume and had been reprimanded by a human resources representative for refusing Alvarado-Gil’s advances. However, Condit alleged that even after his firing Alvarado-Gil “has continued to target (him) and his family since his termination with unwanted hostile behavior and lies about (him) and other family members.”Alvarado-Gil made headlines last month for switching sides of the aisle, abandoning her state’s Democratic majority for the Republican minority, because “the pendulum has swung so far to the left that it has disengaged from what true Californians value.”The Daily Beast reached out to Alvarado-Gil’s office for comment.