Latest news with #John
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Former House Speaker and FSU President John Thrasher dies at 81
FSU President John Thrasher and his wife, Jean Thrasher. (Photo courtesy of the Thrasher family) Former House Speaker and Florida State University President John Thrasher died Friday, a month after announcing a cancer diagnosis. Thrasher was president of FSU from 2014 through 2021, the culmination of a lengthy legislative career that began with him lobbying for the Florida Medical Association and eventually led him to serve in both chambers of the Florida Legislature. He served in the Florida Senate, starting in 2009 and leaving in 2014, and in the Florida House for eight years, starting in 1992 and terming out in 2000. Thrasher was speaker of the chamber for his last two years. On Aug. 19, FSU's campus will host Thrasher's celebration of life in the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. The family plans a private burial in Orange Park for Thrasher. 'John lived a remarkable life — and he made a big difference in the lives of so many in our state,' Gov. Ron DeSantis posted to X. Thrasher was an alumnus of the school he led, earning his bachelor's and law degrees from FSU. In between the two degrees, he served in the U.S. Army and received two Bronze Stars for his service in Vietnam and the Army Commendation Medal in Germany. Florida Board of Governors Vice Chair Alan Levine, who served on the board during Thrasher's presidency, spoke to Thrasher's legacy in a text message to the Phoenix. 'Florida lost a giant, today. From his leadership and support of his beloved FSU to every issue important to Florida, John led with integrity,' Levine wrote. 'My prayers are with my friends in Tallahassee and with those who've known John, because this one hurts, and a lot of good people are in pain today. Rest Peacefully, John. Your work here may be done, but your legacy will never be forgotten.' The Southern Group, the lobbying firm Thrasher co-founded, announced on April 22 that the former president was receiving treatment for cancer at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. After retiring as FSU president, Thrasher returned to The Southern Group in 2021 and served on the faculty of the FSU College of Law. Thrasher was chair of the Republican Party of Florida for a year in 2010 and 2011. 'John Thrasher was a mentor, a patriot, and a man of integrity. His faith never wavered, his principles never faltered, and his love for this state was unmatched,' RPOF Chairman Evan Power said in a news release, adding that Thrasher 'unified and stabilized' the party during his stint as chairman. Thrasher also served on the Clay County School Board and as the first chair of the FSU Board of Trustees. 'From the battlefields of Vietnam where he returned as a highly decorated officer, to years of honorable service as Speaker of the House, Rules Chair of the Senate, and President of Florida State University, John was regarded by all as a strong, fair leader with unquestionable judgment, timeless principles of honor, and a gentleman all the way through,' Senate President Ben Albritton wrote in a letter Friday to sitting senators, announcing Thrasher's death. FSU credits Thrasher for 'substantial investments in student success initiatives,' increased graduate enrollment, and milestones in faculty hiring and research funding. Thrasher's successor at FSU, President Richard McCullough, said he and his wife will 'always remember the kindness' Thrasher and his wife, Jean, extended when he became president. 'They made it their mission to help us feel at home in Tallahassee,' McCullough wrote in a statement posted to social media. 'John had a remarkable ability to bring people together with his warmth, humor, and unmistakable charm,' McCullough wrote. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried joined the outpouring of condolences on social media. 'While we cheered for different teams, politically and collegially, he never let that impact our friendship. He was a great leader, true public servant and a terrific human being. RIP,' Fried posted to X. Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones called Thrasher 'a good one' and 'a true statesman, and a good man.' FSU football alum and Florida Sen. Corey Simon said he is 'deeply saddened,' also calling Thrasher 'a true statesman.' 'John was a champion for FSU and served Florida and his country with honor. His legacy of service and commitment to education will live on for generations,' U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis posted to X. 'The Lion of the Senate has passed. John Thrasher was a great mentor and friend. He fought the good fight. His legacy will continue on for generations,' Thrasher's former Senate colleague, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, posted to X. Phoenix Senior Reporter Christine Sexton contributed to this story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
I watched maniac hack his own neck with kitchen knife & took on infamous ‘suicide bomber'…my life as hostage negotiator
One particularly tragic case continues to haunt ex-Met chief John Sutherland to this day EDGE OF DISASTER I watched maniac hack his own neck with kitchen knife & took on infamous 'suicide bomber'…my life as hostage negotiator Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS filing cabinets, chairs and shattered glass rained from the sky, John Sutherland felt like he was in a scene from the apocalypse. Hours earlier a man wearing a suicide vest and wielding a homemade flamethrower had stormed offices on London's Tottenham Court Road and taken terrified hostages, including a pregnant woman. 10 John Sutherland spent 26 years with the Met Police, working as a hostage negotiator Credit: Supplied 10 Suspected 'terrorist' Michael Green was arrested over the 'Siege of London' of 2012 Credit: Sky News 10 Cabinets, chairs and computers were thrown from the windows of an office block on Tottenham Court Road Credit: AFP 10 The suspect is led away by police Credit: David Hartley More than 1,000 workers, shoppers and tourists were evacuated as it was feared the 'terrorist' had enough explosives to 'bring the whole building down with everyone in it'. Dubbed 'the Siege of London', it was an exceptionally-high alert situation due to it being three months before the 2012 Summer Olympics. 'It was one of the most extraordinary days of my whole career,' former Met Police Chief Superintendent John, now 55, tells us. 'I was on the scene working out what on earth to do when I heard the sound of glass shattering. I looked up and a window was being broken. 'A series of office equipment - computers, furniture, cabinets, everything - rained down onto the street below. It was genuinely apocalyptic.' Fortunately, despite threatening to "blow everyone up", the suspect's bomb jacket was fake and the attacker wasn't a terrorist but a disgruntled HGV driver. Ex-BNP candidate Michael Green, then 48, carried out the siege to retrieve £1,000 he paid for a driving course after failing his exams twice and feeling he had 'nothing left to live for'. Green forced his hostages to lob office supplies through a window to 'liquidise some assets'. 'He raided their offices as way to settle his grievances after some form of meltdown,' John says. 'It could have ended terribly but we managed to get him and everyone out unscathed.' It's one of many colourful tales from the retired Met officer, who has mined his experiences over 26 years as a hostage and crisis negotiator to pen his Sunday Times bestselling crime thriller, The Castle. I'm a cop turned vigilante who hunted down a one-man crime wave after police turned a blind eye In an exclusive interview, John explains that unlike in Hollywood movies, 90 per cent of his work was 'holding out a hand' to those in crisis on 'the worst day of their lives'. He tackled dozens of threats in London and recalled the simple question he was routinely asked before being dispatched on a job: 'Are you ready to save a life?' 'Whether it was 3am or in the middle of the afternoon, when you heard those words it focused the mind, because it was the only thing that mattered,' John says. 'I've always said the greatest duty and privilege for any police officer is to save the life of another human being, and that is the exact job of a negotiator.' 10 Debris from the office equipment thrown out of a window Credit: Getty 10 Armed police and snipers raced to the scene in April 2012 Credit: Reuters Stand-off tragedy Despite that, it was a deeply challenging and emotionally turbulent role which is voluntary within the police force. When on shift, negotiators are on-call 24 hours a day for that week. Most stand-offs go on for a few hours, but John said it was not unusual for them to last two to three days. One of the longest he was involved with was the tragic Markham Square siege in London's Chelsea on May 6, 2008. John was the negotiator for the five-hour stand-off which ended with wealthy divorce barrister Mark Saunders being shot dead by police. The 32-year-old, who had represented presenter Chris Tarrant, had fired shotgun rounds from his £2.2million home during a mental health episode linked to alcohol and drugs. 10 Barrister Mark Saunders died during a stand-off with police Credit: Handout 10 John tried to talk down the shotgun-wielding barrister for five hours Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 10 Mark Saunders during the Markham Square stand-off Credit: Handout Out of respect for Mark's widow, John only says a few words about the tragedy, admitting: 'It was one of the days that will stay with me for the rest of my life.' Previously in his memoir, Blue, John mournfully explained how "a man died on my watch", and he was "the last living soul to hold a conversation with him". Another harrowing encounter saw John talk down an Eastern European man who was threatening to throw himself from the 17th floor of a block of flats in Islington overlooking Arsenal's Emirates stadium. 'He was standing on the wrong side of the window on a ledge that was six inches wide, if that,' John recalls. 'Inexplicably, the windows opened into space with no balconies. It was one of the days that will stay with me for the rest of my life John Sutherland 'I don't know how long I was with him, all I know was that it was a hell of a long way down and any of the next moments could have been his last. 'It was difficult talking to him because I didn't speak his language, but as a negotiator you try to find common humanity and understand the story of the person you're dealing with. 'For him it was a perfect storm of being unable to get a job because he had no address, but not being able to have an address because he didn't have a job.' John admits he had no idea whether he would be able to coax the man back inside after he'd reached such a heartbreaking 'point of desperation', but thankfully he succeeded. Heartbroken OAP John tells us the key to a successful hostage negotiation is the art of listening, as was proven in an extraordinary case at an old people's home. Upon arriving, John was taken into a communal area where a man in his 80s sat in an armchair holding a large kitchen knife to his throat. 'There was almost a surreal nature to the scene, he clearly represented no threat to anyone else but a significant threat to himself,' John recalls. He approached him slowly and sat in an armchair nearby, knowing he could move much faster should he need to flee, and "asked the old boy tell his story'. It was difficult talking to him because I didn't speak his language, but as a negotiator you try to find common humanity and understand the story of the person you're dealing with John Sutherland 'It transgressed, later on in life, he'd fallen in love with a fellow resident of the home but his feelings were not reciprocated," John says. 'In fact she had been fairly unkind to him and he was an old boy with a broken heart. I listened to him and he agreed to put the knife down.' The need to be heard and 'feeling that they matter' were common themes, with John recounting many stories of people on the edge after mental health struggles. They include a man threatening to jump into an icy cold pond on Hampstead Heath at 3am and a drug addict holding a hypodermic syringe in his neck 'as a weapon'. Life in the balance 10 John has turned to writing crime novels Credit: collect By the time John arrived at one difficult incident there was already a line of territorial support group (TSG) officers on the scene, clad with long shields. He recalls: 'The man in his 20s was in the kitchen-diner of a flat on one side, with a knife to his throat, and I was safely behind the shields trying to engage with him. 'This poor young guy was seriously mentally ill. It was one of few times in my career where I've spoken to someone directly and knew mine wasn't the only voice they were hearing.' John remembers him 'pacing continually backwards and forward, like a tiger I'd seen in London Zoo', twisting the knife more and more. If there's a life hanging in the balance, you can't wait for anyone else. You have to get on and deal with what is in front of you John Sutherland 'One minute he was with us, partly lucid, the next he was somewhere else,' he recalls. The man eventually surrendered after speaking to his mum on the phone. In another incident a man with a kitchen knife was furiously 'sawing backwards and forwards on his head and neck' while holding his ex-girlfriend and child hostage. John recalls the "curtain of blood running down his face and soaking his clothes", adding it reminded him of a scene from the Stephen King film Carrie. Race against time Whenever he received a dispatch call, John says there was an element of adrenaline, which was followed by exhaustion "so deep you're almost unable to speak or walk" afterwards. But he remained motivated by the 'profound sense that today we did something good'. He retired in February 2018, and John has now turned his hand to writing books including memoirs Blue and Crossing The Line, and fiction titles The Siege, The Fallen and his latest novel, The Castle. 'Psychologically and emotionally I draw on my lived experience," he says. "Alex, one of the lead characters [in The Castle], is a version of me, but is a million times more interesting. 'But my deeper purpose to all of it, which I feel very passionately about having worked as a hostage and crisis negotiator, is for people to re-learn the art of listening. 'In the world at the moment it seems that most of us are shouting at each other and not listening. Listening is in danger of becoming a lost art. 'While I hope my thrillers are thrilling, subtly they have something to say about the ways that we listen and how it can do some good in the world. It can save people's lives.' John Sutherland's latest novel The Castle, a Sunday Times bestseller, published by Orion, is available for £9.99 in paperback, as well as in eBook and audio formats.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We take a spin in the new KGM Actyon and highlight AUDI's new entry-level model to its e-tron range
The Actyon has strong kerb appeal and features Korean-flag inspired daytime running lights, upright tail lights, black roof rails and privacy glass. In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John takes a spin in the new KGM Actyon, a smart-looking SUV from Korea, and highlights how AUDI is releasing a new entry-level model to its e-tron range. The stylish five-door Actyon is the first offering from KGM, the company that recently acquired SsangYong, and it is hoping that the newcomer will be a sales success. Featuring a 1.5-litre petrol engine and available in just one smart trim, the Actyon is an eye-catching coupe-SUV from the Korean company and it combines good looks, advanced technology and practicality for just under £37,000. The Actyon has strong kerb appeal and features Korean-flag inspired daytime running lights, upright tail lights, black roof rails, privacy glass, and handsome 20-inch alloy wheels and lots more. The interior is also impressive and boasts eight-way power-adjustable seats in a mix of Nappa leather and suede and are both heated and ventilated. There is a nice hexagonal leather steering wheel which offers bags of adjustment and features heating and controls. A pair of 12.3-inch screens sit behind a curved glass panel with the left screen handling all the on-board tech, including the navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and ambient lighting. Behind the steering wheel the other screen displays all the essential driving information and there is also a favourites button on the wheel which allows the driver to customise frequently used features for quick access. This means you don't constantly have to fiddle with touchscreen menus. There is stacks of space inside for five to travel in comfort with lots of head, shoulder and legroom. A powered tailgate opens to reveal a substantial 668 litre boot which can be boosted to 1568 litres with the rear seats folded down. A hands-free kick sensor lets you open the boot by waving your foot under the rear bumper and there are lots of additional storage spaces inside the large cabin. The only engine available is a 1.5-litre petrol unit which produces 161bhp and 280Nm of torque and is matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox. It is good for 0 to 62mph in 10.8 seconds and has a top speed of 119mph. That performance will be good enough for most buyers but it is quite thirsty with a WLTP-tested combined fuel efficiency of 33.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 194g/km resulting in higher day-to-day running costs. The automatic transmission makes for smooth and quiet progress and there are three drive modes called Normal, Sport and Winter to choose from. Sport does sharpen things significantly and you can also play with steering wheel-mounted paddles for extra engagement. In town, light steering and a 360-degree camera proved to be a bonus and the suspension dealt well with rough surfaces and potholes. It cruised well at motorway speeds and provided good grip on country roads. It has all the latest safety features and driver aids and comes with eight airbags and a suite of smart safety features, including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Safety Distance Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Front Vehicle Start Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Assist, Blind Spot Assist, plus Safety Exit Warning. For the more adventurous, the Actyon can tow up to 1,500kg (braked) or 750kg (unbraked) and can also wade through water up to 300mm deep and boasts impressive approach and departure angles of 17.6 and 21.4 degrees, respectively. According to KGM the name 'Actyon' combines 'Act Young' and 'Act On,' and invites customers to live life fully. With smart styling, lots of tech and decent driving dynamics this newcomer is also very practical at a very competitive price. It is competing in a very crowded market and its fuel efficiency does let it down but you still might be tempted after a test drive. In other motoring developments, German giant AUDI has added an entry-level GT variant to its e-tron range with prices starting from £88,555, with the new seven model range topping out at £149,925. The e-tron GT quattro can call on up to 584ps while also covering up to 384 miles when its battery is fully charged. The new entry level Grand Tourer is available to order in the UK from this month and deliveries are due to begin in August. The Audi e-tron GT quattro rounds off the existing GT family, which comprises the S e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT performance. It has a system output of 503ps (584pswith Launch Control). Thanks to a gross battery capacity of 105kW and a range of up to 384 miles, it can fulfil the Grand Tourer role but is equally at home in city traffic. The newcomer also features a charging capacity of up to 320kW. This means that only short charging stops are needed, as around 177 miles of range can be regained in 10 minutes. From a practicality perspective boot space is 405 litres and there is also a front compartment with a volume of 77 litres. Like the other GT models, the new version is produced at the Audi Sport plant in Neckarsulm. In the UK it is available as the e-tron GT quattro or the e-tron GT quattro Vorsprung, which adds features such as all-wheel steering, a head-up display, Fine Nappa Leather upholstery and Bang & Olufsen audio to the equipment list. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's almost time for CMA Fest! Watch out for these downtown Nashville road closures
Country music stars both established and on the rise will take over Nashville next week as Music City hosts its annual CMA Fest. Around 90,000 music lovers are expected to attend the festival daily, which runs from June 5-8. CMA Fest will feature several heavyweights in country music with four nights of shows at Nissan Stadium featuring Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Shaboozey, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan. In addition to main stage performances at Nissan Stadium, the festival will features stages across downtown Nashville featuring up-and-coming artists from Ascend Amphitheater to the Reverb Stage next to Bridgestone arena. With tens of thousands of fans expected each day, the festival will cause several road closures in the week leading up to its June 5 opening. Here's when and where the closures will occur: First Avenue South from Demonbreun Street to Broadway First Avenue from Molloy Street to Demonbreun Street. This road will reopen June 4 Alley behind Acme Feed from First Avenue to Second Avenue Alley between Acme and Pesca Lot Demonbreun Street westbound from Fourth Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way will be closed rom 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Demonbruen Street from Fourth Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way will be closed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Rep. John Lewis Way from Demonbreun Street to Broadway will close from 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. June 9. First Avenue from Broadway to Church Street will close starting at 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. June 9. Demonbreun Street westbound from Fourth Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way will be closed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. South First Street from Woodland Street to Russell Street. Russell Street from Second Street to Titans Way Titans Way from Russell Street to Victory Avenue. Victory Avenue from Titans Way to South Second Street. Symphony Place from Third Avenue to Fourth Avenue will be closed until 5 p.m. June 10. Demonbreun Street westbound from Fourth Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way Broadway from Second Avenue to Fourth Avenue Demonbreun Street from Fourth Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way from 5 a.m. June 4 to 3 a.m. June 9. First Avenue from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Demonbreun Street will be closed from 5 a.m. June 4 to 3 a.m. June 9. Molloy Street from First Avenue to Second Avenue will be closed from 5 a.m. June 4 to 3 a.m. June 9. Demonbreun Street from South Second Avenue to First Avenue will be closed from 5 a.m. June 4 to 3 a.m. June 9. Rep. John Lewis Way from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Demonbreun Street will be closed 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Demonbreun Street from Rep. John Lewis Way to Sixth Avenue will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. More CMA Fest: Shaboozey, Keith Urban, more to appear during festival at SiriusXM events at Chief's Demonbreun Street from Fourth Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way will be closed from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. A shuttle service will run daily during the festival from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Here are the pickup and drop-off locations. Nissan Stadium: Woodland Street at S. First Street Downtown: Sixth Avenue between Korean Veterans Boulevard and Demonbreun Street Downtown: Commerce Street at Rep. John Lewis Way On June 7, WeGo Public Transit will have a special event train from Lebanon to downtown Nashville for the concert at Nissan Stadium. The train will leave the Lebanon station at 4 p.m. and arrive at the Riverfront Station at 5 p.m. Return trips to Lebanon depart one hour after the concert. Advance tickets can be purchased at for $15 plus a $2 processing fee. SpotHero is offering advanced reserved parking. For additional CMA Fest parking, visit This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Watch out for these CMA Fest 2025 road closures in downtown Nashville
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Emmerdale surprise as Ryan Hawley spills major spoiler about Robert Sugden's plans for John
Emjson Sugden made his shocking return to Emmerdale during the wedding of his ex husband Aaron Dingle and his half brother John Sugden - but it appears he may have a darker motive. Emmerdale was abuzz with excitement last night as Ryan Hawley made a dramatic return as Robert Sugden after a six-year hiatus. The beloved character made a surprise comeback during the nuptials of his former husband, Aaron Dingle, and his half-brother, John Sugden. The Mirror had the exclusive scoop that he's back for the long haul, a fact Ryan himself confirmed on Lorraine this morning. The presenter could barely contain her delight when Ryan announced his return to the role "indefinitely" but that wasn't all he divulged. In a teases during the chat, Ryan said: "Robert's back. He's coming back to try and win Aaron back, he's going to put a stop to John." Lorraine playfully interjected: "He's going to try," leading Robert to amend his statement: "He's going to try!" This apparent 'slip up' didn't escape the notice of eagle-eyed viewers, with one fan speculating on X, previously known as Twitter: "and he will put a stop to John! that was a little slip up, wasn't it? he corrected himself immediately because we ́re not supposed to know just yet." With fans already concerned for Aaron's safety as John has been implicated in several sinister events in the village, including the demise of Cain's son Nate Robinson, speculation is rife that Rob might return to "save" his ex from his half-brother, reports the Mirror. Could Ryan's comments have inadvertently confirmed these theories? Previously speaking to the Mirror, he revealed: "The secret is out today! My character is returning permanently and not just for Aaron and John's wedding. I am back for good, and I am so excited to be playing Robert again." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He went on to explain that he had been asked to reprise his role in the past, but it "never felt quite right". However, a recent conversation with co-star Danny Miller changed his mind. "Recently, while I was living in Brazil with my family, where we had been for the past year, Danny texted to see how I would feel. We've always kept in touch, and after a lot of thought, I told him, 'Yeah, I am up for it'. I then got a call swiftly from the producers, and it went from there," he added. Hawley has now moved back to the UK permanently to continue his role in the soap. Despite efforts to keep his return a secret, rumours began to circulate in recent weeks. The show even used the pseudonym 'Marco' on scripts to maintain secrecy. Fans will have to wait and see what new drama Robert brings to the Dales.... Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
