Latest news with #Vicki
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Letter: Death penalty is in keeping with principles of Bible
I'm writing in response to 'The time to end the death penalty in Pennsylvania is at hand' (Reading Eagle, May 31). While one sympathizes with Vicki and Sylvester Schieber, whose daughter died at the hands of a serial rapist, their opposition to the death penalty may have been grounded in the teaching of the Catholic Church, but it was not based on the Bible. If anything, it is not capital punishment that is 'an assault on human dignity' (Pope John Paul II), but murder itself; it is because life is sacred and people are made in the image of God that he called for the death penalty in Genesis 9:6 ('Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed'), just after he had destroyed the world by a flood because 'the earth was filled with violence (Genesis 6:11).' The intent of the regulations in the Law of Moses was to see to it that justice was done. If restitution was possible — as in the case of robbery or neglect — it was demanded; if not, the penalty was death. When a killing was premeditated (Exodus 21:14), or a rape was committed (Deuteronomy 22:25), there was no way someone's life or virginity could be restored, so the death of the perpetrator was required. The apostle Paul in his explanation of the role of human government (Romans 13:1-7) stated that ruling authorities do not 'bear the sword in vain (verse 4); he is, in fact, 'God's minister,' an instrument in God's hand to 'execute wrath on him who practices evil.' Greg Wasser Colebrookdale Township
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
New voice in Irish fiction Vicki Notaro dreams of her stories making it to the big screen
LONG STORY SHORT | Vicki Notaro gave up a solid career in magazines to pursue her ambition of writing books, and she tells Denise Smith how she dreams of her stories making it on to the big screen some day 'I love a sex scene,' laughs the 39-year-old Dubliner, who's just released her second novel, Long Story — a whip-smart tale of the complexities of female friendship, with plenty of sex, sass and chaos in between. 'I feel like they're a bit less filthy and overt than they were in my first book. Maybe they're not. Maybe I'm just more used to it. Either way, I do feel sorry for the poor actress who has to narrate the audiobook — it must feel awkward,' she grins. 'But for me, sitting alone writing them, it's grand. I enjoy it.' Vicki's debut, Reality Check, was a commercial and critical success, topping book charts and cementing her place as an exciting new voice in Irish fiction. Despite her seamless segue into the literary world, her decision to leave her role as editor-in-chief of Stellar magazine wasn't made lightly. Reflecting on the identity shift of stepping away from a high-status job, the You Had Me at Hello podcast host explains: 'For me, it was more about disengaging my ego. I had worked my way up in Irish media and I was managing director of a company that publishes three amazing magazines. For me, that's your job title and not who you are, and once you make a decision to walk away from that, you are also walking away from people licking up to you in a way,' she says with impressive candour. Vicki Notaro Laughing, she adds: 'And getting great opportunities like press trips and free makeup. You have to be secure in doing that, and hopefully you've built yourself a strong enough reputation that people will still remember you and want to talk to you about your work. And that has come to pass. So I feel very lucky in that way as well.' Delving into the financially viability of her career change, Vicki laughs when we probe if she's now on the pig's back. 'I'm still very much the new girl. So I mean, the hope is that eventually I'll be on the pig's back. But I have a very supportive husband. And yeah, I mean, of course I was walking away from a salary, so I was walking away from guaranteed money. But really I'd already made the decision to leave my job before I even knew I had a book deal,' she explains. 'The magazine industry has changed a lot, and selling on shelves is harder than ever.' Though still a relatively new name in fiction, there's no denying that the Tallaght native is quickly carving out her niche in a literary tradition rich with Irish women's voices that spotlight women's lives with wit, warmth and insight. 'We've such a rich literary tradition in Ireland. I'm not claiming to be any sort of literary writer, but I think we do have such a rich history of the likes of Marian Keyes, Patricia Scanlan, Cathy Kelly, writing for women and writing about women's stories at every stage of their lives. Vicki's new book Long Story delves into female friendships and all that goes with them News in 90 seconds - June 2nd 'And I think other Irish women just really relate to that. And there's nothing, to me, like reading an Irish book because you just relate to it so much more. We've such a specific humour and turn of phrase.' While Long Story is full of sex, sass, and escapism, it's also got heart. 'It's about female friendship — the complexity of it, how it's rarely straightforward,' Vicki says. 'We tend to put all our energy into romantic relationships, but our platonic ones deserve just as much attention. I hope people come away from the book laughing, maybe crying, and feeling like they've spent time with characters they recognise or relate to. It's glossy, it's fun, it's light — but it's meaningful, too. And honestly, I just want to keep doing this forever.' Like most authors, Vicki dreams of a screen adaptation but she's fully aware of how difficult it is to break into the TV and film industry. 'I think it's a lot harder than anyone realises, even harder than I realised,' she admits. 'There are so many books published every week, not just in Ireland but globally. Everyone has that dream. What you really need is a producer to say, like my publisher did, 'I get you. I see your vision.' Look at Marian Keyes —30 years on, her Walsh Sisters books are being adapted into a series, and Grown Ups is on the way too. It can happen at any time.' When asked who she'd cast to play her beloved characters, she politely declines to comment. 'I'm far too close to them. I have a very specific image in my head, and I think there's a reason authors shouldn't cast their own work,' she says. Still, she gives us a taste. 'Sean Sweeney, the romantic interest-slash-villain of Long Story? I saw someone in my head who's a mix of Paul Mescal and Colin Farrell — rugged, tattooed, kind of bad-boy energy. If any man out there fits that description… congrats, the role is yours!' Now already putting pen to paper as she writes her third book, this is one seasoned journalist that is truly keeping her feet on the ground. 'I still feel like the new girl,' she says with a grin. 'But I'm so grateful. Vicki's new book Long Story 'The feedback has been gorgeous. You can go through life thinking the world's a bit dark, and then something like this reminds you people are actually lovely. 'Sometimes I am like, 'I can do this, you've built a great career and you have brilliant contacts, it's all about ideas and you've got good ideas and the ability to see them through' and the other side of it is 'who do you think you are?' which is so Irish. Right now though I couldn't be happier.' Long Story Short is available in all good book stores now.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Fears gunman is targeting cats in village after pet shot with air rifle
A 'close-knit' village has been rocked after a family's adored pet cat was shot by an air rifle. Vicki Waskett's beloved cat Bella was gunned down 'in broad daylight' on May 22 and needed emergency surgery to stay alive. Residents of the sleepy village of Wendlebury, outside Bicester, 'don't feel safe' as the mystery shooter remains on the loose. Bella, 4, a timid half-Burmese half-tabby cat who doesn't roam far, returned home with an 'odd puncture wound' on her leg. When blood began pouring out of her limb, Vicki, 49, rushed her to the vet, where they discovered a 1cm long bullet lodged in her. The mum-of-two told Metro: 'I was horrified, absolutely horrified. I cried all the way home. 'They were aiming for a vital organ. I couldn't think of anybody who would want to do that. It's a village where people generally feel quite safe. 'Somebody out there close by, potentially one of our neighbours, has got evil intent.' The vets confirmed she had been shot with an air rifle or BB gun, and once the pellet had been removed, it appeared to come from a small rifle. Bella was left 'depressed and crying' for days before a metal rod and pins could be placed in her leg in surgery. Email: The feline is slowly on the mend, but that has not stopped the incident two weeks ago from becoming the talk of the town. Despite posting on a local Facebook page and reporting to Thames Valley Police, Vicki is still in the dark about who shot her cat. Vicki, who owns two other cats, added: 'I actually wanted to move house after I found out. 'A couple of hours later, I thought, 'I just want to move, I don't want to live here any more.' 'I don't think I will ever feel safe, because when the cats go out, I will always be a bit more nervous. 'I hope whoever did this feels a bit ashamed at least. I really hope they feel ashamed of themselves and nothing else.' Her 20-year-old son William has also been out knocking on doors in Wendlebury in hopes of finding answers. Vicki believes Bella must have been shot in Wendlebury because she does not travel long distances, but is unsure whether the shooters live in the town or were just passing through. Cat charity Cat Protection has been campaigning for the introductory licensing of air guns to stop 'cruel air gun attacks' on cats. They told Metro there were 53 media reports of cats being shot with air guns in 2024 and already 8 so far this year. Their Advocacy & Campaigns Manager, Stefan Blakiston Moore, added: 'These numbers are only the tip of the iceberg. It is something that comes up a lot more than we expect. 'It is horrific. Sadly, in many situations, air gun attacks can be fatal. 'From media reports alone, around 30% of those that were reported across the UK were fatal. 'Cats Protection has been calling for licensing of air guns. More Trending 'Essentially, in England and Wales, anyone over the age of, age of 18 can go out and buy one of these weapons unchecked. 'Sadly, that does mean these weapons are sometimes in the hands of the wrong people who are wishing to do harm to people's pets.' Thames Valley Police told Metro: 'The force was called on 25 May to report that a vet had said a cat in their care may have been shot with an air rifle or bb gun in the village of Wendlebury. 'If anyone saw anyone with an air rifle or BB gun in the village on that morning, please contact the force by calling 101 or our website, quoting investigation number INC-20250525-1857.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: River Thames boat fire leaves baby and eight others in hospital MORE: 'Frail' Brit, 79, faces time in Chile prison after crystal meth found in luggage MORE: Hooded men slash care workers' tyres and smash their windows in terrifying CCTV footage
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Shock EastEnders death rocks Walford as major secret is revealed
EASTENDERS has been rocked by a shock death as a major secret has been revealed in today's episode. Viewers watching today saw the aftermath of the dramatic car crash after Teddy Mitchell and Zack Hudson drove into a lake. 3 Nicola Mitchell's lies have been exposed Credit: BBC 3 Vicki exposed Nicola's lies and the Mitchells' murderous actions Credit: BBC 3 Barney was shellshocked by the truth Credit: BBC The shock events came after Zack tried to save his biological son Barney from his murderer mother Nicola Mitchell and his gangster family. Teddy discovered the truth and took over his son's Harry's plan to get rid of Zack. However they were followed by Billy, Honey, Nigel and Harry who watched the car sink into the lake. And when Teddy emerged they simply accepted that Zack was dead, barely giving him a second's thought. Returning to the Square, they told Phil what had happened and with Sharon away, he went to break the news to Vicki who was being supported by Linda Carter. And it's safe to say Vicki didn't take it well. Storming around to the Mitchells, Vicki began hammering on the door as Barney asked what was happening. But despite Nicola telling the family to ignore the screaming and banging at their front door - Vicki got in. 'You evil witch!' screamed Vicki after kicking her way through the door, followed by Linda and Phil. Turning to Barney, Vicki told him: 'Your mum, she has been lying to you. Teddy ain't your dad - Zack is. EastEnders horror as as car plunges into a river in explosive trailer 'And they have all just had him killed.' But is Zack really dead?
The Herald Scotland
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
BBC EastEnders actor Max Murray has very famous actress mum
Vicki had previously been played by Scarlett Alice Johnson, who left the show in 2004, with this being the reintroduction of the character after 21 years. It was previously announced that Vicki would be returning to the square following the death of Martin Fowler in the 40th anniversary live episode of EastEnders. EastEnders actor Max Murray has a famous mum While we are still being introduced to Max Murray and his character Joel Marshall, did you know he has a famous actress mum? Now soap star Max is actually the son of Gina Murray, an actress and singer with work spanning both stage and screen. She has appeared on a number of shows, including Doctors, Witless and The Hunt for Raoul Moat. On stage, Gina has featured in productions such as Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, Chicago, and more. You may be even more impressed to know she has even made an appearance in EastEnders before, too. It was an episode of the BBC soap in 2014 in which she played a woman called Helen. Helen was a specialist who helped Carol Jackson, played by Lindsey Coulson, find a wig after losing her hair during her cancer battle. Speaking about his role as Joel when he joined the cast, Max said: 'It's an absolute privilege and honour to be joining such a wonderful production full of a lovely cast and crew. I'm really looking forward to introducing Joel to EastEnders viewers and telling his story.' However, Max is not the only newer face on EastEnders with a famous family. Alice Haig, who took on the role of Vicki Fowler, has some very famous connections, including her film star father, David Haig. Recommended reading: David is an actor and playwright best known for his role as Bernard in the hit 90s movie, Four Weddings and a Funeral. The actor has also appeared in My Boy Jack, The Thin Blue Line, Yes, Prime Minister, COBRA and the award-winning show, Killing Eve. Alice is one of David's five children he shares with his wife, Juila Gray, who acts under the name of Jane Galloway.
