Latest news with #Read
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Boston Globe
Federal grand juror accused of leaking information in Karen Read case makes brief court appearance
A plea agreement Leslie signed last week says the government and defense have agreed to recommend that she be sentenced to 'one day, deemed served,' meaning she will not spend any time in prison if the judge adopts the recommendation. Advertisement As of Tuesday afternoon, a date had yet to be set for her plea hearing. Leslie is accused of Officials did not disclose that Leslie was sitting on Advertisement In a highly unusual move, the US attorney's office convened a grand jury to investigate the state's handling of Read's murder prosecution before the case went to trial. While federal grand jury proceedings are by law secret, details of the probe into the Norfolk district attorney's prosecution of Read spilled into public view during state court proceedings. The federal grand jury investigation did not lead to charges against anyone, except Leslie. Read, 45, was retried and acquitted of second-degree murder, manslaughter by drunk driving, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. She was convicted of of operating under the influence, a misdemeanor and the lone charge that did not involve the jury finding Read struck O'Keefe with a car. It was the second trial for Read after another jury ended with a mistrial a year ago. Prosecutors alleged Read drunkenly and intentionally backed her SUV into O'Keefe outside the Canton home of Boston Police Officer Brian Albert after a night of bar-hopping and left him to die in a blizzard on Jan. 29, 2022. Her lawyers said she was framed and that O'Keefe entered the home where he was fatally beaten and possibly mauled by Albert's German shepherd, Chloe, before his body was dumped on the front lawn. Shelley Murphy can be reached at
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bridge hoping home advantage will help them upset the odds
Host side Astley Bridge will tackle the toughest test currently available in the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League when they take on Read in the second semi-final at Sunday's Birtwistle Cup T20 Finals Day - but they do so in confident mood. Astley Bridge are the only Championship side present, alongside Read and Little Lever and Padiham. The latter two contest the morning semi (10.30am). Bridge face Read at 1pm before a 4.15pm final. Read are the current Premiership leaders and Hamer Cup champions and have only lost twice in all competitions in 2025. But second-tier Bridge have won all six T20 games played so far this season, including five of those against top division clubs. 'That's good for our confidence,' said captain Syd De Silva. 'Everybody has chipped in so far, and we've managed to get the job done. 'I first talked to you before the Hamer Cup and said that we wanted to have a good cup run. Unfortunately, we were knocked out in the second round of that. 'But, after winning the first two T20s, I said to the lads, 'Come on, let's really try and get through in this'.' De Silva and company finished top of Group Three South, prevailing ahead of Farnworth, Eagley, Blackrod, Brinscall and Atherton. They then beat Tonge in the quarter-finals last week. Two things stand out from their campaign. One, they have used at least six bowlers in every match. Two, they have been helped by a host of important middle-order contributions with the bat. Batting all-rounder De Silva said: 'I've got two left-arm spinners, two leg-spinners, two off-spinners and four medium-pacers. 'I've got pretty much every department covered with the ball, and it's amazing as a captain. 'Rather than going top heavy with the bat, I spread it accordingly. What I do is I name the top seven batsmen and then say, 'You all pad up and stay ready'. 'You can name a top seven in order, but it doesn't always go like that. 'That's worked in our favour so far, and hopefully it will again in the semi-final and the final.' One of those middle-order contributors, South African overseas amateur Ulli Bronkhorst, has been their leading competition run-scorer with 187 from six matches, while Joe Ducker is the overall leading wicket-taker in the competition with 15. Their professional, Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Dhanushka Dhamasiri, will also be key to their hopes. Aside from winning a trophy, which is clearly special for any club, Bridge will be hoping success on the day can have a positive impact on their league form. One of the pre-season promotion favourites from the Championship, they have not really got going yet, winning six and losing five in 12 games. They are mid-table just beyond the halfway point in the summer. 'I've been a little bit disappointed with the league,' said De Silva. 'Of the five games we've lost, there was only one - Baxenden at the end of May - when we've really been beaten. 'The other four games, we were in winning positions.' De Silva says it means 'absolutely everything' for Astley Bridge as a club to be hosting Finals Day at their Sharples Park home. 'When we start the season, we talk about what we can do that's good for the club,' he continued. 'Trying to bring more junior players into the club is one thing. 'If we manage to go on and win this competition, that's good for the club and us as players. But a club that wins things is always good for attracting people. 'There was a lot of our juniors and their parents watching us in the quarter-final at Tonge last week. It was incredible. I'm sure it will be the same again on Sunday.' Last season, Read were second-tier champions and Hamer Cup winners. They have come up and are immediately flying high at the top of the Premiership and remain in the hunt for the double having reached T20 Finals Day. And Astley Bridge qualifying for Finals Day as a Championship club is a further indication of the strength of the NWCL. 'I don't think there's much difference in the standard between the Premiership and the Championship,' added De Silva. 'This league is going incredibly well, and the competitiveness is very high. 'I haven't played against Read yet, but they are looking really good. I'm not worried about it, though. 'We can definitely go and beat them if we play how we have been doing in this competition.'
Boston Globe
15-07-2025
- Boston Globe
Feds charge grand juror in Karen Read investigation with leaking information
A plea agreement signed by Leslie Tuesday says the government and defense have agreed to recommend that she be sentenced to 'one day, deemed served,' meaning she will not spend any time in prison if the judge adopts the recommendation. A hearing date has yet to be set. Advertisement Leslie is accused of Officials did not disclose that Leslie was sitting on Attorney Keith Halpern, who represents Leslie, declined to comment Tuesday. She has been charged in an 'information,' a federal charging document that signals that a plea agreement has been reached. A change-of-plea hearing has yet to be scheduled. Advertisement Read, 45, was acquitted of second-degree murder, manslaughter by drunk driving, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. She was convicted of a charge of operating under the influence, a misdemeanor. That was the lone charge available to the jury that did not involve them finding that Read struck her boyfriend, O'Keefe, with a car. It was the second trial for Read after another jury ended with a mistrial a year ago. Prosecutors alleged Read drunkenly and intentionally backed her SUV into O'Keefe outside the Canton home of Boston Police Officer Brian Albert after a night of bar-hopping and left him to die in a blizzard on Jan. 29, 2022. Her lawyers said she was framed and that O'Keefe entered the home where he was fatally beaten and possibly mauled by Albert's German shepherd, Chloe, before his body was dumped on the front lawn. In a highly unusual move, the US attorney's office convened a grand jury to investigate the state's handling of Read's murder prosecution before the case went to trial. While federal grand jury proceedings are, by law, secret, details of the probe into the Norfolk district attorney's prosecution of Read spilled into public view during state court proceedings. Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey wrote letters to the Justice Department in 2023 raising concerns about 'the unprecedented use of federal power to interfere with a state homicide investigation,' according to court filings. Federal authorities Advertisement The federal crash reconstruction report was among some 3,000 pages of documents, including grand jury statements by witnesses, that the US attorney's office turned over to Read's lawyers and state prosecutors prior to her first trial. The US attorney's office and the FBI declined to comment on the federal investigation. However, it was disclosed during state court proceedings in Read's case that all of the people who were inside Albert's home around the time of O'Keefe's death were subpoenaed to testify before the federal grand jury. In March, state prosecutors revealed during pretrial proceedings in Read's murder case that the federal grand jury investigation into the state's handling of her case was closed. Until now, federal prosecutors have not pursued any charges related to the Read case. Shelley Murphy can be reached at
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
A new report reveals how badly constipation affects the nation
A new report has revealed the 'Constipation State of the Nation', highlighting the widespread prevalence and impact constipation is having on the health of adults in the UK. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Staggeringly, 84% of people in the UK have experienced constipation in the last year, yet approximately 60% struggle to adequately identify the main symptoms of constipation and more than 40% don't realise that unmanaged constipation can mean it gets even harder to poo. Many people often suffer in silence and are unaware of how and when to treat constipation, that's according to research commissioned by Movicol. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite high profile public campaigns in recent years, the report reveals high levels of stigma remain when it comes to discussing topics around bowel health. Over one third of people surveyed say they feel uncomfortable discussing their poo habits with family or friends. In fact, people in the UK feel more comfortable talking about politics, money, and religion than their poo habits. Brad Read, Global Medical Director from Movicol, says: 'It's vital we break down the stigma around constipation and encourage open communications to normalise conversations around bowel health. It's important people do not to ignore the early signs of constipation, as the longer you wait, the harder it can be to get things moving again.' Regional disparities were revealed too with higher levels of constipation in the North than the South of the UK. The North East of England has the highest proportion of people who are often constipated, with 20% experiencing constipation all the time or frequently in the past year, compared to Greater London, which has the lowest rate at only 10%. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The report showed the significant impact constipation also has on both physical and mental wellbeing, as well as its surprising effect on productivity. For further information on the signs and symptoms of constipation and how to treat it, visit the Movicol website Movicol® UK | Gentle Constipation Relief for Adults Approximately 25% of people in the UK have missed work due to being constipated and on average people spend 13 minutes longer in the toilet per day when constipated. 54.3% of people in the UK agreed that having a satisfying poo improves their mental health, highlighting how constipation can disrupt day-to-day routines and impact overall wellbeing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Read said: 'The Constipation State of the Nation Report has shone a light on an often-ignored health issue. Many patients still feel embarrassed discussing these types of problems with healthcare professionals. These results are a wake-up call and highlight the urgent need for greater awareness and access to effective solutions. It's important to remember that constipation is treatable and early treatment can prevent it getting worse, saving you time and discomfort.'
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shawbrook Bank supports Portman Finance Group with $13m facility
UK-based Shawbrook Bank has structured a £10m ($13.4m) funding line to support Portman Finance Group's expansion into direct small and medium enterprise (SME) lending. The facility, arranged by Shawbrook's Specialist Finance team, will be used by Portman to 'scale up its business and broaden its facilities in the UK SME market'. Set up in 2007 by Alex Read, Portman has transitioned from a brokerage to a lender, supporting more than 20,000 SMEs with more than £1.5bn in funding since inception. The company also aims to broaden its SME loan offerings and assist with larger, longer-dated loans. Shawbrook's structured lending director Chris Clarke said: 'Right from the start, Portman's Board demonstrated they had built a strong, experienced group and their robust systems and data-led approach aligned perfectly with our vision. 'We believe that this funding line is only the start of a long and prosperous relationship, and we are pleased that Shawbrook have also joined the Portman Broker panel, which reflects our commitment to this client.' Shawbrook's specialist finance team collaborated with Portman's leadership, including founder Read, directors Simon Pratt and Ben Laidler, and finance director Mark Craigen, to create a tailored block facility. Read added: 'We are delighted to have Shawbrook as a partner as we look to grow and expand our offerings. This funding line is crucial for us to achieve our ambitious plans and to assist even more SMEs across the UK.' In a separate development, the British Business Bank announced a £10m investment in Shawbrook's £75m Tier 2 note issuance last month. The investment followed a previous £30m subscription to Shawbrook's Tier 2 note issuance in 2020. These investments are designed to support recipient banks in expanding their services and increasing finance supply to smaller UK businesses. With the capital raised through this issuance, Shawbrook plans to continue supporting growth in its specialist small business markets, reinforcing its role in the SME finance sector. "Shawbrook Bank supports Portman Finance Group with $13m facility" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
