How Robert De Niro Is Building a Barbuda Paradise From the Sand Up
It's a surprisingly low-key entrance for an Oscar winner. But De Niro is here to get work done—namely, overseeing the final design details of the Beach Club, Barbuda, the restaurant-hotel-and-residences project he's building in his own personal happy place. Come November 2026, the 36 rooms and private villas of the Nobu Beach Inn, its hotel component, will open to the public. I'm here to observe how granular this movie megastar gets.
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CNN
11 minutes ago
- CNN
Frank Caprio, Rhode Island judge who drew a huge online audience with his compassion, dies at age 88
Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge in Rhode Island who found online fame as a caring jurist and host of ' Caught in Providence,' has died. He was 88. His official social media accounts said Wednesday he 'passed away peacefully' after 'a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.' Caprio billed his courtroom as a place 'where people and cases are met with kindness and compassion.' He was known for dismissing tickets or showing kindness even when he handed out justice. Last week, Caprio posted a short video on Facebook about how he had 'a setback,' was back in the hospital and was asking that people 'remember me in your prayers.' Caprio's show was filmed in his courtroom and featured his folksy humor and compassion. Clips from the show have had more than 1 billion views on social media. During his time on the bench, Caprio developed a persona at odds with many TV judges — more sympathetic and less confrontational and judgmental. In his bite-sized segments on YouTube, Caprio is often seen empathizing with those in his courtroom. Many of the infractions are also relatively minor, from failing to use a turn signal to a citation for a loud party. Caprio also used his fame to address issues like unequal access to the judicial system. 'The phrase, 'With liberty and justice for all' represents the idea that justice should be accessible to everyone. However it is not,' Caprio said in one video. 'Almost 90% of low-income Americans are forced to battle civil issues like health care, unjust evictions, veterans benefits and, yes, even traffic violations, alone.' Caprio's upbeat take on the job of a judge drew him millions of views. His most popular videos have been those where he calls children to the bench to help pass judgment on their parents. One shows him listening sympathetically to a woman whose son was killed and then dismissing her tickets and fines of $400. In another clip, after dismissing a red-light violation for a bartender who was making $3.84 per hour, Caprio urged those watching the video not to duck out on their bills. 'If anyone's watching I want them to know you better not eat and run because you're going to get caught and the poor people who are working hard all day for three bucks an hour are going to have to pay your bill,' he said. On social media, his family described Caprio 'as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.' 'Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond,' the family wrote. 'His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.' State and local politicians mourned his passing and celebrated his life. 'Judge Caprio not only served the public well, but he connected with them in a meaningful way, and people could not help but respond to his warmth and compassion,' Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement. 'He was more than a jurist — he was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity.' Robert Leonard, who co-owned a restaurant with Caprio, said he was 'going to be sorely missed' and was 'all around wonderful.' 'There is nothing he wouldn't do for you if he could do it,' Leonard said. Caprio retired from Providence Municipal Court in 2023 after nearly four decades on the bench. According to his biography, Caprio came from humble beginnings, the second of three boys growing up in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. 'I hope that people will take away that the institutions of government can function very well by exercising kindness, fairness, and compassion in their deliberations. We live in a very contentious society,' he said in 2017. 'I would hope that people will see that we can dispense justice without being oppressive.'
CNN
27 minutes ago
- CNN
Frank Caprio, Rhode Island judge who drew a huge online audience with his compassion, dies at age 88
FacebookTweetLink Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge in Rhode Island who found online fame as a caring jurist and host of ' Caught in Providence,' has died. He was 88. His official social media accounts said Wednesday he 'passed away peacefully' after 'a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.' Caprio billed his courtroom as a place 'where people and cases are met with kindness and compassion.' He was known for dismissing tickets or showing kindness even when he handed out justice. Last week, Caprio posted a short video on Facebook about how he had 'a setback,' was back in the hospital and was asking that people 'remember me in your prayers.' Caprio's show was filmed in his courtroom and featured his folksy humor and compassion. Clips from the show have had more than 1 billion views on social media. During his time on the bench, Caprio developed a persona at odds with many TV judges — more sympathetic and less confrontational and judgmental. In his bite-sized segments on YouTube, Caprio is often seen empathizing with those in his courtroom. Many of the infractions are also relatively minor, from failing to use a turn signal to a citation for a loud party. Caprio also used his fame to address issues like unequal access to the judicial system. 'The phrase, 'With liberty and justice for all' represents the idea that justice should be accessible to everyone. However it is not,' Caprio said in one video. 'Almost 90% of low-income Americans are forced to battle civil issues like health care, unjust evictions, veterans benefits and, yes, even traffic violations, alone.' Caprio's upbeat take on the job of a judge drew him millions of views. His most popular videos have been those where he calls children to the bench to help pass judgment on their parents. One shows him listening sympathetically to a woman whose son was killed and then dismissing her tickets and fines of $400. In another clip, after dismissing a red-light violation for a bartender who was making $3.84 per hour, Caprio urged those watching the video not to duck out on their bills. 'If anyone's watching I want them to know you better not eat and run because you're going to get caught and the poor people who are working hard all day for three bucks an hour are going to have to pay your bill,' he said. On social media, his family described Caprio 'as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.' 'Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond,' the family wrote. 'His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.' State and local politicians mourned his passing and celebrated his life. 'Judge Caprio not only served the public well, but he connected with them in a meaningful way, and people could not help but respond to his warmth and compassion,' Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement. 'He was more than a jurist — he was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity.' Robert Leonard, who co-owned a restaurant with Caprio, said he was 'going to be sorely missed' and was 'all around wonderful.' 'There is nothing he wouldn't do for you if he could do it,' Leonard said. Caprio retired from Providence Municipal Court in 2023 after nearly four decades on the bench. According to his biography, Caprio came from humble beginnings, the second of three boys growing up in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. 'I hope that people will take away that the institutions of government can function very well by exercising kindness, fairness, and compassion in their deliberations. We live in a very contentious society,' he said in 2017. 'I would hope that people will see that we can dispense justice without being oppressive.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘The biggest buffet in the world': On board the largest-ever cruise ship
While Star of the Seas is still moored on the banks of Florida's Cape Canaveral, it's difficult to understand what being the world's biggest cruise ship – together with its sister Icon of the Seas – actually means. The terminal building to which the ship is attached masks much of the vessel as guests approach it, and understanding where the bow begins and the stern ends after boarding is a bit like estimating London's boundaries by standing in Bloomsbury. Yet during Star of the Seas' inaugural sailing – a three-night journey gliding over a preternaturally calm Caribbean, including a stopover at the cruise company's private Bahamian island CocoCay – an unexpected moment of realisation occurred. It happened on the 17th of the behemoth's 20 decks. 'So that's how big this thing is,' I heard myself saying out loud. All except the very lowest and highest levels are accessible via elevators that lead to every conceivable attraction and distraction. I suddenly realised that I had encountered seven swimming pools; a water park with six lurid water slides; 40-plus restaurants; and eight 'neighbourhoods' including the family-oriented Surfside with its watery playgrounds and Central Park, which has a leafy promenade and speciality sushi and steak houses. It's all at a scale wholly beyond expectations. 'Speciality' translates to the dining venues that aren't included in the fare, and which therefore cost extra. Those who stick with the complimentary options, however, won't go hungry. The Windjammer buffet provides a boggling selection of breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Described by Royal Caribbean's bullish British president Michael Bayley as 'the biggest buffet in the world', it spans not only the width of the ship, but a huge variety of cuisines. Hovering over the display is the spectre of waste and greed – not so much the cruise line's but the consumers should they succumb to the implied invitation to eat all they can and more. Elsewhere the main multi-deck dining room has the feel of a 19th-century eating hall with bustling waiters, a maître d', a chandelier and a pleasing soupçon of formality. Alternatively, the made-to-order burgers at Thrill Island's Basecamp are singularly satisfying. However, it's best to eat your burger only after consuming this level's other attractions: the nearby climbing wall known as Adrenaline Peak, or Crown's Edge – a pulse-pounding challenge that involves traversing a walkway which climaxes by sweeping you through the air and over the sea while you are harnessed to an overhead rail. By late afternoon the Star had welcomed on board its first full complement of almost six thousand guests, and a conga was already pulsating to the rhythms of a professionally happy Calypso band. Bronzed torsos lined the Swim & Tonic pool, said to be the largest swim-up bar at mind that Star had not yet departed Port Canaveral, the busiest cruise ship hub in the world. (The waterway, itself not much wider than the length of the ship in places, also serves Elon Musk's nearby SpaceX operation. I first became aware of this when a charred reusable rocket was towed erect past the window of my stateroom while I was unpacking.) I was staying in an Infinite Ocean Balcony room, with a floor-to-ceiling window running the width of the room, which offers a stark contrast to the cheapest stateroom on offer: the windowless (and poky) interior cabin class. At the other end of the spectrum, the Royal Loft Suite, which sleeps six and is described as the most luxurious in the line's fleet of 30 ships, is dominated by a white grand piano in the reception room from which a sweeping staircase rises to the two bedrooms and as many bathrooms. The décor is clean, relentlessly modern and might be described as glassy rather than classy. Regardless of the accommodation category, the ship goes all out to encourage guests out of their staterooms. The rink at Absolute Zero hosts an impressive acrobatic ice show, the purpose built Aqua Theatre is a technical marvel in which the aerial and synchronised swimming show Torque is performed, while the main theatre hosts the hit West End and Broadway musical Back to The Future. The standard of the performances and the productions (especially the musical) are undeniably high. But typically for cruise companies, the artistic programming is relentlessly crowd-pleasing stuff. Would it hurt to have a small-scale genuinely challenging theatre on board? Next stop: CocoCay. Royal Caribbean has spent $250 million (£185 million) turning this isle into a 'thrill and chill' excursion during which kids can do one while the parents do the other. Access to the island's exclusive Coco Beach Club costs extra but, apart from some of the shack shops selling pricey merch (a Bahamas hoody is priced at $60), few are going to feel short-changed by the fresh water lagoon, or the white sandy beaches that shelve gently into the azure Caribbean Sea. Children meanwhile, will be delighted by the adventurous Daredevil's Peak, the biggest water slide in North America. Ten-year-old Jacob dared me to follow him down the water park's near vertical blue flume. 'It goes straight down,' he promised as we approached the entrance. He was right. Such is the speed of the descent that water forced itself up my nose and possibly out of my eyes as the tube levelled out. After this, the largest wave pool in the region was a breeze. Was the day perfect? Perhaps not if cultural and environmental authenticity is your thing. But it would be churlish to deny its obvious pleasures. When Star's sibling, Icon, embarked on its maiden voyage out of Miami last year, the event was marked by a galactic firework display. No such celebration for the younger sister which, despite a few tweaks, is almost identical to Star departed Royal Caribbean's 25-acre private island escorted by wheeling pelicans, I was struck by the responsibility that goes with being in charge of £1.7 billion dollars worth of vessel and the safety of thousands of people and their families. 'We have a lot of human life and a lot of responsibility,' agreed Captain Rob Hempstead when I meet him on the bridge. In his crisp white uniform, the American, who hails from a generation of seafarers, greets me with a reassuringly firm handshake. 'My great grandpa was an admiral in the navy and commander of the Pacific Fleet around the turn of the century. I wouldn't want to do anything else.' Essentials John Nathan was a guest of Royal Caribbean, which offers a seven-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise from £1,809pp for a Balcony Ocean View Stateroom, departing May 10, 2026. Includes meals and entertainment. Excludes flights. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
