Latest news with #Andrew
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
ACT Announces Andrew Pickford As ACT Local Candidate For Hauraki
ACT Local has selected Andrew Pickford, a former international airline captain who now runs a family farm and local businesses, as its candidate for the Plains Ward of the Hauraki District Council in this year's local election. After more than 25 years flying for major airlines, Andrew swapped the skies for the paddocks. These days, he co-manages a sheep and beef farm and helps run two local franchise stores. He's also worked in project development, bringing practical experience in planning, logistics, and getting things done. He knows what it's like to juggle work, business, and family – and he's standing to bring that real-world perspective into council. The HDC needs someone like Andrew. Someone who will scrutinise spending and push for better value. Council forecast a $500,000 surplus for 2024 and instead delivered a $17 million deficit. Now rates are set to rise by 10.6%, with no real improvements in core services. Last year alone, the council's power bill increased by $650,000, a massive cost blowout that ratepayers are left to cover, with nothing to show for it. It's a clear sign the council has lost control of its finances. Ratepayers deserve better. As an ACT Local candidate, Andrew brings real-world experience from the private sector – where budgets are respected, every dollar is tracked, and waste isn't tolerated. "Flying taught me how to plan ahead, stay calm under pressure, and take responsibility. Farming has shown me the daily challenges families face. Running a business reminds me every day how important it is to spend wisely and stay focused on the essentials. "I want to bring all that experience and knowledge to council, which is why I'm standing with ACT — to bring common sense and accountability back to local government, so ratepayers get real value, not more waste.' – Andrew Pickford Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time – after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects. When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting: Fixing the basics Cutting the waste Lower Rates Stopping race-based politics Restoring accountability Ending the war on cars ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says: ' ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who've had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It's time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won't divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They're here to serve, not lecture." – Cameron Luxton
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Inside the late Queen's radical births: Author reveals how Elizabeth was drugged into a 'twilight sleep' to deliver Charles, Anne and Andrew 'pain-free'
Any woman who has given birth will likely say that labour was the most painful experience of their lives - so it is no surprise that Queen Elizabeth II went out of her way to absent herself from it. The late Queen was put into a 'twilight sleep' when giving birth to Charles in 1948, Anne in 1950 and Andrew in 1960. Twilight sleep, also known as dammerschlaf, was first developed in Germany by obstetricians Bernhardt Kronig and Karl Gauss in 1906. Using a combination of the drugs scopolamine and morphine, the mother enters an amnesic state prior to giving birth and wakes up with no memory of the baby being delivered - usually by forceps. Queen Elizabeth's decision to use this extreme form of pain relief would have been viewed as 'radical' at the time. Milli Hill, author of bestselling pregnancy guide The Positive Birth Book, exclusively told MailOnline: 'News travelled fast of a clinic in Germany that was offering these "pain-free" births. 'Women began to demand twilight sleep as part of the new discourse about their autonomy, and the method spread across the USA, UK and Europe, with even Queen Elizabeth II using a version in the birth of her first three children.' But there is a long list of sinister reasons as to why twilight sleep has been resigned to history. As a result of being pumped full of drugs, the mother often had no recollection of giving birth - to the extent that they did not recognise their own baby. Some mothers struggled to bond with their children as a result of the procedure, while others refused to accept they had given birth at all. Milli explained: 'Taken up as a way for women to gain more control in childbirth, the reality seemed very far away from this. 'Women were placed in padded, crib-like beds, blindfolded, with cotton wool in their ears and their arms tied down or even straight-jacketed. 'Conscious, but entirely unaware of their own actions, the women under twilight sleep would thrash around and scream at full volume, often waking with feelings of disassociation and friction burns to their arms from fighting their restraint. 'This, along with side effects such as horrifying flashbacks, increased birth complications and even death. This caused the method to decline in popularity, but the use of scopolamine and the whole concept of "knock 'em out, drag 'em out" obstetrics pervaded for 60 or more years of the 20th century.' While it is not clear exactly what happened to Queen Elizabeth II when she used twilight sleep to give birth to Andrew in 1960, a lady-in-waiting told royal biographer Gyles Brandreth that she suffered 'post-natal side effects'. And it is no coincidence that Prince Edward was born naturally four years later. By the late 20th century, twilight sleep had been phased out, as doctors became increasingly aware of its risks. The late Queen knew her fourth child would be her last, so she made the decision to be awake for the delivery. But this was not the only change Elizabeth insisted upon for her final birth. Inspired by women's magazines of the time, she wanted Philip to be involved in the labour. Instead of attending the birth of his first three children, Philip had opted to play polo, challenge his private secretary to a round of squash and swim in the Buckingham Palace pool. Writing in her book My Husband And I: The Inside Story Of 70 Years Of Royal Marriage, royal expert Ingrid Seward said: 'The Queen, by then aged 37, had asked him to be there; she'd been keenly reading women's magazines that stressed the importance of involving fathers in childbirth and had become fascinated by the idea. 'Thus Philip became the first royal father in modern history to witness the arrival of one of his children.' The Duke of Edinburgh held his wife's hand as she gave birth to Prince Edward in the Belgian Suite of Buckingham Palace in 1964. Notably, the late Queen's children, Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward, were among the last generation of royals to be born at home. Upon his birth at the Lindo Wing in London's St Mary's in 1982, Prince William became the first direct heir to the throne to be born in a hospital, rather than Buckingham Palace. Years later, his wife Catherine would give birth to their children George, Charlotte and Louis in the same private wing. Much like Charles and Diana, William and Catherine faced a mass photo call outside St Mary's each time they welcomed a child into the world. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, by contrast, announced that they wanted to keep details surrounding the birth of their first child private, as Meghan is said to have considered the idea of posing for pictures and greeting well-wishers straight after the birth to be archaic. It is believed that the American actress initially wanted a home birth. Both she and Harry had studied hypnobirthing techniques and were hopeful of having an all-female, midwife-led delivery in the privacy of Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate. But after she reached her due date, a home birth began to look increasingly unlikely. Princess Charlotte (left) was born on May 2, 2015, and Prince Louis (right) was born on April 23, 2018 - both at the Lindo Wing in London's St Mary's Hospital Indeed, experts had long warned that as a first-time mother and one who, at 37, had experienced what was classed, in medical terms, as a 'geriatric pregnancy', there would be a strong chance that the Duchess would require some sort of medical intervention. More than a week overdue, Meghan was eventually taken to The Portland Hospital in London, where she gave birth to Archie on May 6, 2019. Standing outside the stables at Windsor, Harry reassured the public that both mother and baby were 'doing incredibly well', calling it 'the most amazing experience'. In his bombshell memoir Spare, Harry went into more detail about the birth experience, confirming that Meghan was induced in a private room. According to Harry, his wife settled into a bath and immersed herself in the calming sounds of Deva Premal's Sanskrit mantras, which had been remixed into hymns. Meanwhile, the Duke's job was to set the ambience by arranging electric candles - the same ones he had used during his proposal to Meghan - around the room. Among the items in her overnight bag was a framed photograph of Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, which he propped up on a small table. He noted in his memoir that this touching tribute was Meghan's idea. But, despite the ambience, Meghan's efforts to breathe through the discomfort became overwhelming and she ultimately had to receive two epidurals. 'The anaesthetist hurried in. Off went the music, on went the lights,' Harry wrote. There was a brief moment of concern when the umbilical cord was discovered to be wrapped around the baby during delivery but, soon after, their healthy son Archie was born. 'A nurse swept the baby into a towel and placed him on Meg's chest and we both cried to see him, meet him,' the Duke wrote. 'Our ayurvedic doctor had advised us that, in the first minute of life, a baby absorbs everything said to them. So whisper to the baby, tell the baby your wish for him, your love. Tell. 'We told.'
Eater
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
Highly Opinionated: An Eater Editor's Favorite Barbecue in Los Angeles
When it comes to barbecue, there are as many opinions as there are styles. Los Angeles might not be the hotbed of barbecue like Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, or the Carolinas, but there is still plenty of top-quality smoked meats to be found. Southern California pitmasters have to deal with stringent air quality standards and often difficult permitting processes, but once set up, there's no reason why the barbecue can't be as good as the best in Austin or Dallas. Those places certainly have a deep, decades-long tradition of barbecue with hundreds of practitioners, but I would submit any of my favorite places in Los Angeles as top-tier. Don't just take my word for it, even famed Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn has praised these restaurants. Here are my favorite barbecue places to try around town. Waiting for barbecue at Snow's in Lexington, Texas in 2015. Matthew Kang The counter at Snow's BBQ in Texas in 2015. Matthew Kang The overall favorite: Moo's Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights Meats and more from Moo's Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. Matthew Kang In 2021, Andrew and Michelle Muñoz's longtime pop-up Moo's Craft Barbecue established a permanent home in Lincoln Heights, capturing a casual blend of walk-up-style Texas barbecue sprinkled with a good dose of California and Mexican flavor. Their brisket is irreproachable, balanced with juiciness and heavy oak smoke flavor without being overwhelming. Ribs, turkey breast, and jalapeño cheddar sausages are also fantastic, everything smoked to a high-level of detail in large pit smokers in the back. What I especially enjoy about Moo's is the sides, like esquites, tangy and crunchy coleslaw, and saucy brisket beans. Andrew takes on LA-style flavors with the Korean barbecue pork belly burnt ends, which tug at my Korean heart with a balance of sweetness and rich smokiness. Sitting out on the patio with a dozen friends, diving into the Muñozs' barbecue with my hands, and experiencing all of it together, I feel an incredible amount of comfort and joy. Michelle especially brings a welcome level of service to the barbecue experience that's rare in the mostly male arena. A meal here is the exact kind of seasoning, smoke, and creativity that Moo's brings to every tray, and what makes this place a world-class barbecue destination. Worth a journey and a wait: Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano Smoked meats, brisket, chicken, sides, and beef rib at Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. Stan Lee It was very difficult to make a choice between Moo's Craft Barbecue and Heritage Barbecue, Daniel Castillo's immense smoked meat destination down in San Juan Capistrano. The drive down takes about an hour for most Angelenos, and probably even half that for those living in the more densely populated parts of Orange County. Once there, Heritage captures the feeling of Austin, its mostly outdoor seating sprawled across a skinny plot of land, the big steel smokers billowing out wood aromas throughout the morning. Folks line up for hours just like in Texas, marinating in the smoke while they work up an appetite. Yet instead of cattle auctions or warehouses (like at Snow's in Lexington), there's a historic California mission across the street, its church bells ringing right when Heritage opens at 11 a.m. Castillo and his team's prowess with the smoker is evident with the entire array of the dishes at Heritage of which there are something like 19 depending on how you count. The smoked meats are much more diverse than what one would find in Texas, including whole smoked chicken, maple-glazed pork ribs, and even tri-tip, something more associated with Central California/Santa Maria-style barbecue. Depending on the day, char siu pork belly, whole beef ribs, and a burger will show up as specials. Across the board, Heritage's meats are amazing, deeply smoky, highly peppered, and well-seasoned. Close your eyes, and the brisket is as luscious and evocative as the best in Texas. The beef rib doesn't reach the heights of say, Black's Barbecue in Lockhart, but it is also terrific. Instead of turkey breast, it's nice to see chicken here for non-red-meat eaters, and the heavy herb seasoning balances nicely with the smoke. The sides are also highly complementary, like Korean-style chile pickles that would please a grandmother (kimchi and American food usually spooks me out but it really works here). The spiral macaroni and cheese is dense and salty and hearty beans almost look like Texas chili until you look at the actual cheese-topped chili, rich enough to feed a trucker for an entire day. Queso comes with crisp tortilla chips, while a peach and cherry tomato salad brings a welcome summery freshness. Castillo and the kitchen go absolutely beyond the call to create a meal brimming with excellence, so it's not hard to imagine why he was a 2025 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: California. Will Heritage eventually join the four Michelin-starred barbecue spots in Texas (LeRoy & Lewis, Interstellar, La Barbecue, and Corkscrew)? I definitely think it should. Another excellent spot for Texas-style barbecue: Ray's Barbecue in Huntington Park Smoked meats and sides from Ray's Barbecue. Matthew Kang Ray Ramirez was one of the most consummate hospitality professionals I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Prior to his untimely death in 2022, he served my wife and me an ample tray of Texas-style brisket, ribs, sausage, and pulled pork. His sides of macaroni and cheese, vinegary cole slaw, and potato salad were great but I most loved the Salvadoran-inflected rice and beans studded with bits of meat. Ramirez left behind an amazing legacy of working-class barbecue in the heart of Huntington Park, a neighborhood just south of Vernon set in the middle of an industrial zone. His two sons Raul and Sebastian along with his wife Anabell, continue his work serving barbecue worthy of Texas Monthly's Vaughn. A recent visit confirmed my first experience. The brisket here is juicy and well-smoked while the ribs are competition-level. The well-browned jalapeño cheddar sausage is also delightful. The damp coleslaw still conjures pupusa-style curtido, while the seasoned rice remains difficult to stop eating. Ramirez taught his sons well, and Ray's continues to be one of the best barbecue places in Los Angeles. Pro tip: out of the top three barbecue spots I selected, Ray's is the only one open on Tuesdays. Other excellent barbecue spots around town: Domestic BBQ in La Puente. Matthew Kang Domestic BBQ La Puente (and Covina) barbecue destination Domestic straddles that happy medium between Texas and California, serving well-smoked meats and very good sides like bacon-topped macaroni and cheese. The tri-tip here hews closer to Santa Maria-style, slightly dried out (dip it into the side of jus to re-moisten) but smoky enough, while the brisket will certainly be tender. The ribs were a standalone, as was the extra-long smoked sausage. In all, its very handy barbecue hangout with an impressive craft beer selection for those located in east San Gabriel Valley. Bludso's BBQ I've always enjoyed Bludso's, a place very conducive to hanging out with friends and catching a ballgame on the screens. Founder Kevin Bludso's Texas-style barbecue is very consistent, with moderate smoke and high-quality meats. The beef ribs are probably the best overall meat (as they are at most barbecue joints) but the turkey is a nice respite from beef. Smoked wings are another specialty worth trying as an appetizer. Maple Block Meat Co. Finding good barbecue in central parts of Los Angeles isn't always easy. Maple Block Meat Co. has been a reliable place for smoked meats since it opened in Culver City in 2015. Recently, the menu, under the direction of talented pitmaster Rudy Suazo, has taken a turn to Mexican flavors, like brisket tacos, smoked carnitas tortas, esquites, and smoked carne en su jugo, but the main part of the smoked meats leans Texas-style. Smoke Queen Barbecue Winnie Yee's distinct Asian-style barbecue comes out of three massive 1,000-gallon smokers and a welcoming cottage in the city of Garden Grove, where fans line up to try the pitmadam's smoked char siu, crispy siu yuk pork belly, and beef brisket. Yee's approach aims for balance, with sweetness and smoke interplaying with spice and texture. Her mapo chili will bring on a flavor likely unseen in places like Texas, while spicy cucumber pickles wouldn't look out of place at a Sichuan restaurant. Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton-area Today: 26-year-old killed in Dundas + Downtown mineral extraction
G ood morning! It's July 29, and here are the top stories today in the Hamilton area. The heat wave continues. Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 32 C at the airport weather station that feels like 41 with humidity. A heat warning is in effect. Find the latest provincial road closures and traffic incidents via Ontario 511 . Taking transit today? Find the latest GO Transit service updates here . The latest information on local bus services are available here: Hamilton , Burlington and Oakville . Hamilton police have identified the Dundas man killed in a shooting in a Governors Road parking lot Sunday. Homicide detectives are searching for an unknown suspect who fled in a blue Ford Edge. Andrew and Eric Smoke had their murder convictions upheld by the Court of Appeal for Ontario. The brothers were found guilty of shooting a man in the head while he held his toddler in his lap. Are the city's arena developers looking for aluminum or pyrite? Hamilton's Ward 2 councillor likened the $280-million revitalization of the downtown arena to a 'mining operation.' Hamilton police arrested a naked man on a Nikola Tesla Boulevard ramp Sunday afternoon after he allegedly assaulted someone and then stole a bicycle. In 1975, Kim Mitchell's guitar was stolen after a gig in Hamilton. Five decades later, the search is on. Subscribe to our newsletters for the latest local content . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Spurned woman falsely branded lover a ‘rapist, paedo woman beater' after he dumped her following a one-night stand
A SPURNED woman falsely branded her lover a "rapist, paedophile and woman beater" after he dumped her following a one-night stand. Kirsty White hurled abuse at Andrew Crosby outside his home and stalked him with love messages through bank transfers. Advertisement 3 Kirsty White launched a stgalking campaign against her former lover Credit: Cavendish The 28-year-old failed to accept their fling would not turn into anything more serious and launched a two-month campaign. She called innocent Andrew a "paedophile" and "rapist" and accused him of beating women on his Facebook page. The victim told how he considered taking his own life due to the abuse and now suffers with anxiety. White has been jailed for 43 weeks after she admitted stalking between April and June 2025. Advertisement Read more news Warrington Magistrates' Court was told the pair had a one-night stand in December 2024 after meeting in a pub. Andrew did not want a relationship at the time and in March 2025, he spurned White's advances on a night out in Blackpool. Elizabeth Browne, prosecuting, said: "On April 11, the complainant lent £20 to the defendant but she did not pay it back and he asked her to leave him alone. "The defendant then posted Mr Crosby's personal details on Facebook, accusing him of being a woman beater. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest ''On April 18, she went to Mr Crosby's address and started shouting towards him, calling him a 'rapist' and a 'paedophile'. These are all untrue allegations. "He called 999, told her to leave him alone and blocked her. But on April 19, he received messages asking to be unblocked and got a call from a number he did not recognise and a text message saying 'Hello. 'Do not ring the police on me again'." White was arrested and later bailed on the condition she did not contact Andrew again. But over a ten-day period sent him small amounts of money via online bank transfers with messages in the reference saying: "Love you always, Kirsty White." Advertisement White also contacted Andrew on Facebook using different profiles and sent him two parcels. Andrew was forced to flee his home with his parents as a result of the harassment and is now believed to be sofa surfing with friends. He told police how his mum ended up in hospital with stress and his dad, who suffers from epilepsy , also suffered seizures during the stalking campaign. Andrew added: "As a result of this crime, I suffer severe anxiety and I am constantly looking behind my back. Advertisement ''Kirsty had been stayed with her father over the road from me and this has caused my family a lot of stress and put a stain on our relationship. It caused me to become physically sick due to Kirsty constantly trying to contact me and also trying to get my attention. "Kirsty has been messaging my family and friends asking for my address. I am very wary of other people due to this. It will take a lot to trust anyone. "It has taken over my life. I feel I see Kirsty everywhere I go. I should not have to live like this. I feel very vulnerable. "I have to constantly watch what I am doing, and who I am talking to. I feel she is constantly trying to ruin my life." Advertisement As well as a jail sentence, White was also ordered to £400 in compensation and slapped with a five-year restraining order. Sentencing, JP Jeffrey Dodd said: "I think everyone is in agreement that this is a really serious offence. "We have been swayed by the victim impact statement. We feel Mr Crosby has had his life significantly impacted by your actions." 3 White failed to accept the fling would not turn into anything more serious Credit: Cavendish Advertisement 3 She has now been jailed for 43 weeks Credit: Cavendish
