Latest news with #Watts
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Five disturbing details missing from Netflix's Chris Watts murder documentary
Netflix documentary American Murder: The Family Next Door tells the real-life story of how one man brutally murdered his wife and children, before dumping their bodies in the most callous way. However, some key details were omitted Netflix is known for its regularly updated stream of gripping and shocking true crime content, but one documentary remains one of the most horrifying. Viewers were left so deeply disturbed by Netflix documentary American Murder: The Family Next Door, they were 'sick to their stomach' when it was first added to the streaming platform. The show told the story of a father who brutally murdered his pregnant wife and children. On August 13, 2018, Chris Watts, 35, strangled his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, 34, to death and then killed his two daughters, Bella, four, and Celeste, three, in Colorado, where the family lived. Shanann's body was found on property owned by Anadarko Petroleum, one of the US's largest oil and gas drillers in Colorado, where Watts worked as an operator. Investigators found the bodies of Bella and Celeste nearby in an oil tank. Watts pleaded guilty to nine charges, including murder and the unlawful termination of a pregnancy. He is currently serving a life sentence without parole in Wisconsin. The Netflix documentary, which was aired in 2020, followed the tragic turn of events. From showing how Chris and Shannan met and began their romance to the aftermath of her and their daughters' murder, the documentary also used real-life footage to bring Watts' crimes to life. As seen on the doc, he eventually confessed to the triple murder, but some details from the story were omitted. Here, the Mirror looks at the five chilling details that were missing from the documentary, as reported by US news site 1. 'Evil' mother-in-law Shannan isn't thought to have had a good relationship with Chris Watts' parents and branded her mother-in-law, Cindy Watts, "evil". She believed Cindy endangered their youngest daughter, Celeste, by serving her ice cream with peanut chips, despite her severe nut allergy, Daily Mail reported. 'You should call your dad and tell him you did not appreciate your mom putting your daughter at risk today,' she told her husband in a furious message. 'She's evil and willing to risk your daughter's life just to get under my skin.' Tensions escalated to the point where Watts' parents reportedly blocked Shanann on Facebook and skipped Celeste's birthday party entirely. They hadn't even attended their son's wedding. As the doc showed, devastated Cindy vowed in court to continue to support her son despite his despicable crimes, which included the deaths of his young daughters. 2. Marriage obsession American Murder: The Family Next Door depicted Watts as having an affair with coworker Nichol Kessinger, but it didn't reveal that the illicit romance was a full-blown relationship and Kessinger had hopes of marrying Watts, reports Daily Mail. Just nine days before the murders, on August 4, 2018, Kessinger searched Google for over two hours, looking at wedding dresses. She also browsed topics related to 'marrying your mistress,' according to Business Insider. After discovering Watts had lied to her, Kessinger is said to have later filed to change her name in Jefferson County, Colorado. 3. Alleged affairs Amanda McMahon claimed she had a one-night stand with Watts in March 2018 after meeting him on Tinder. 'It got really fast and aggressive,' she said of the encounter. She told the police that she had to physically fight Watts off her after he turned violent, putting his hands around her throat and trying to initiate anal sex despite her reluctance. He also reportedly revealed details of his "rape fantasy" to her in extreme detail. And a few months after the murders, The Mirror spoke to the gay escort Trent Bolte, who claimed he had a 10-month affair with Watts in 2018. However, Watts denied any involvement. 'I've never been with a guy,' he told police. 4. Female prison visitor According to an 'Inmate Visitation History' document dated January 6, 2020, a woman named Anna Nowak was approved to see Watts and made 31 visits between March and December 2019. The document shows that she was once turned away after exceeding the maximum visits for a single day. 5. Plans for romantic getaway The documentary hinted at marriage troubles - using Shanann's own text messages, but she also made serious efforts to save the relationship - because she loved her husband and she didn't want a broken home for her two daughters who doted on their father, The Daily Mail reported that the unsuspecting spouse was looking for travel deals on Groupon and had also arranged childcare for Bella and Celeste so she and her future killer could holiday together. To the outside world, the Watts looked like any family next door - a loving couple and two adorable children living a happy, normal life together. But behind closed doors, it was a very different and horrifying story.
IOL News
14 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Transnet secures R51 billion bailout to enhance South Africa's rail and port infrastructure
Analysis by the maritime sector has been mostly positive to the news that Transnet would be receiving a R51 billion bailout for Transnet announced by the Minister of Transport last week. Image: File IT IS HOPED that the R51 billion bailout for Transnet, announced by the Minister of Transport last week, will help revitalise the country's rail and port facilities and secure South Africa's reputation as the gateway into Africa. While it is yet to be established how exactly the entity would get to use the much needed financial assistance, but indications are that it will be directed mainly towards Transnet's debt and infrastructure upgrades. Experts in the maritime sector have been largely upbeat about the Minister of Transport's announcement. Transnet, in a statement, said that it welcomed the minister's R51 billion government guarantee facility to support Transnet's sustainability and long-term growth. 'The facility will enable Transnet to refinance maturing debt and ensure the organisation's continued access to adequate resources and facilities to be able to continue its operations as well as fund the capital investment programme for the foreseeable future.' Dave Watts, a maritime consultant, said that the communication from Transnet does not make clear how much of the R51 billion guarantee will be used to roll over or refinance current debt and how much will be used for increased borrowing. 'Clearly the state guarantees are critical in enabling the organisation to continue as a going concern and provide ongoing services to the SA Logistics sector and broader economy.' Watts added that refinancing maturing debt was not paying debt off; however, it was essential that there was sufficient working capital to enable ongoing operations and capital investments. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'Investment in infrastructure and equipment will, in the long run, enable volume and revenue growth, providing the ability to reduce the corporation's substantial debt burden. It is critical for the entire economy that there are sufficient funds to enable Transnet not only to continue operations but to sustain and expand on its current capital expenditure programme.' Malcolm Hartwell, Norton Rose Fulbright director and master mariner, said that Transnet will use the bailout in part to refinance maturing debt, which was reported to be in the region of R120 billion earlier this year. 'It is also going to be used to pursue public sector participation (PSP) transactions being implemented in the port and rail networks. Transnet's capital debt, which has grown significantly over the last decade, is one of the obstacles Transnet faces in its attempt to revitalise the rail and port facilities. Much of its income is being used to service that debt and a bloated wage bill, which has not been helped by its recent agreement with the majority unions on wage increases or its ongoing dispute with United National Transport Union (UNTU) regarding wage increases." Hartwell added that the effect of this is that Transnet has not been in a position to invest at all in maintenance of existing infrastructure or building new infrastructure. 'In part, this has driven Transnet's recent enthusiasm to embrace PSPs, which have seen the signing of a number of agreements for terminal operations in Durban and Richards Bay and its invitation to the private sector to invest in rail operating agreements. The guarantee, which hopefully is closely protected by criteria to ensure that the money is properly invested in infrastructure rather than in wages, has to be welcomed by everybody involved in the logistics network. Hartwell said that Transnet's virtual monopoly over much of South Africa's logistics infrastructure means that its operational efficiency and cost models affect South Africa's entire import and export industry, which is the backbone of South Africa's economy. 'It is trite economic theory that investment in infrastructure creates the most significant return on investment, and it is to be hoped that this guarantee helps Transnet accelerate its privatisation programme. While details of the maturing debt have not been released, if a portion of this guarantee is to help refinance that debt, this must free up capital for investment in maintenance and thereby attract more interest from the private sector in PSPs involving the port and rail networks.' Hartwell added that the guarantee will allow Transnet to continue to operate, and it is to be hoped that this will not be seen by Transnet and its employees as an opportunity to consider carrying on business as usual. 'Given all of the well-publicised recent initiatives, however, it seems likely that the guarantee will help Transnet revitalise the rail and port facilities to enable South Africa to continue to be the gateway into Africa.' A maritime consultant who did not want to be named said that a large portion of the Government bail-out will unfortunately have to be utilised for the purposes of reducing the debt with International Funders secured in EUROS and not all for the acquisition of new equipment. 'This will also unfortunately result in a less than optimum impact of the bail-out on improved operations. For maximum impact on operations, the Government should have a qualifier to the bail-out of the nature that it should largely be used for the acquisition of new equipment.' BUSINESS REPORT Addition reporting: DAILY NEWS
IOL News
16 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Transnet receives R51 billion bailout: Implications for South Africa's logistics sector
Analysis by the maritime sector has been mostly positive to the news that Transnet would be receiving a R51 billion bailout for Transnet announced by the Minister of Transport last week. Image: File Analysis by the maritime sector has been mostly positive to the news that Transnet would be receiving a R51 billion bailout for Transnet announced by the Minister of Transport last week. Transnet, in a statement, said that it welcomes the Minister of Transport's announcement of a R51 billion government guarantee facility to support its sustainability and long-term growth. 'The facility will enable Transnet to refinance maturing debt and ensure the organisation's continued access to adequate resources and facilities to be able to continue its operations as well as fund the capital investment programme for the foreseeable future.' Dave Watts, a maritime consultant, said that the communication from Transnet does not make clear how much of the R51 billion guarantee will be used to roll over or refinance current debt and how much will be used for increased borrowing. 'Clearly the state guarantees are critical in enabling the organisation to continue as a going concern and provide ongoing services to the SA Logistics sector and broader economy.' Watts added that refinancing maturing debt is not paying debt off; however, it is essential that there is sufficient working capital to enable ongoing operations and capital investments. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'Investment in infrastructure and equipment will, in the long run, enable volume and revenue growth, providing the ability to reduce the corporation's substantial debt burden. It is critical for the entire economy that there are sufficient funds to enable Transnet not only to continue operations but to sustain and expand on its current capital expenditure programme.' Malcolm Hartwell, Norton Rose Fulbright director and master mariner, said that Transnet will use the bailout in part to refinance maturing debt, which was reported to be in the region of R120 billion earlier this year. 'It is also going to be used to pursue public sector participation (PSP) transactions being implemented in the port and rail networks. Transnet's capital debt, which has grown significantly over the last decade, is one of the obstacles Transnet faces in its attempt to revitalise the rail and port facilities. Much of its income is being used to service that debt and a bloated wage bill, which has not been helped by its recent agreement with the majority unions on wage increases or its ongoing dispute with United National Transport Union (UNTU) regarding wage increases." Hartwell added that the effect of this is that Transnet has not been in a position to invest at all in maintenance of existing infrastructure or building new infrastructure. 'In part, this has driven Transnet's recent enthusiasm to embrace PSPs, which have seen the signing of a number of agreements for terminal operations in Durban and Richards Bay and its invitation to the private sector to invest in rail operating agreements. The guarantee, which hopefully is closely protected by criteria to ensure that the money is properly invested in infrastructure rather than in wages, has to be welcomed by everybody involved in the logistics network. Hartwell said that Transnet's virtual monopoly over much of South Africa's logistics infrastructure means that its operational efficiency and cost models affect South Africa's entire import and export industry, which is the backbone of South Africa's economy. 'It is trite economic theory that investment in infrastructure creates the most significant return on investment, and it is to be hoped that this guarantee helps Transnet accelerate its privatisation programme. While details of the maturing debt have not been released, if a portion of this guarantee is to help refinance that debt, this must free up capital for investment in maintenance and thereby attract more interest from the private sector in PSPs involving the port and rail networks.' Hartwell added that the guarantee will allow Transnet to continue to operate, and it is to be hoped that this will not be seen by Transnet and its employees as an opportunity to consider carrying on business as usual. 'Given all of the well-publicised recent initiatives, however, it seems likely that the guarantee will help Transnet revitalise the rail and port facilities to enable South Africa to continue to be the gateway into Africa.' A maritime consultant who did not want to be named said that a large portion of the Government bail-out will unfortunately have to be utilised for the purposes of reducing the debt with International Funders secured in EUROS and not all for the acquisition of new equipment. 'This will also unfortunately result in a less than optimum impact of the bail-out on improved operations. For maximum impact on operations, the Government should have a qualifier to the bail-out of the nature that it should largely be used for the acquisition of new equipment.' BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa baseball bullpen arm enters transfer portal
Iowa baseball bullpen arm enters transfer portal Iowa baseball continues to suffer departures in the transfer portal, with one of the Hawkeyes' top bullpen options, Anthony Watts, announcing his entry into the portal on Friday. The Clive, Iowa, native spent the past two seasons with the Hawkeyes after transferring from Creighton. In his two years at Iowa, Watts held a 6-5 record with three saves, a 3.90 ERA, and 103 strikeouts, while allowing 42 runs (37 earned), 52 base-on-balls, and ten home runs in 85 1/3 innings pitched through 45 appearances. Throughout his three-year collegiate career, Watts has an 8-8 record with a 4.33 ERA and 129 strikeouts. He has also allowed 67 runs (62 earned), 77 base-on-balls, and 17 home runs in 129 innings pitched through 59 appearances. Watts was a vital part of the back end of Iowa's bullpen this season as he was able to provide length and stability during the mid-to-late innings of games. Iowa's loss of Watts will sting, as he was one of the more trusted relief options for head coach Rick Heller over the past two seasons, particularly in situations where he was tasked with bridging the gap between the starter and set-up man/closer. While the incoming recruits and the possibility of transfer additions could step up to fill the void left by Watts, the Hawkeyes' offseason has certainly gotten off to a rocky start. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Extra Hydro Generation Secured To Support Energy Security
Press Release – New Zealand Government The agreement reached today allows for more flexible drawdown rates once the lakes reach lower operating levels, enabling Meridian to continue generating when lake levels are low. Minister for Energy The Guardians of Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau and Meridian Energy have agreed on changes to the Operating Guidelines for how the lake levels are managed, that will boost New Zealand's hydro generation and energy security, Energy Minister Simon Watts has announced. 'These changes will deliver an extra 45 GWh of energy from the Manapōuri Power Scheme each year that's enough energy to power around 6,000 homes. It is an important step in the Government and the sector's work to protect the security of our energy supply for the future,' Mr Watts says. 'Last Winter, New Zealand faced an energy shortage that led to significant price increases for consumers, in part due to low hydro lake levels. This Government will not accept a repeat of last winter and is working at pace to ensure we have a reliable and affordable energy supply. 'Lake Manapōuri and Lake Te Anau are not only environmentally and culturally significant, but they are also essential to New Zealand's energy system. However, in recent years the lower operating ranges of these lakes have been underutilised, impacting our energy supply and risking the health of plant life along their shorelines. 'The agreement reached today allows for more flexible drawdown rates once the lakes reach lower operating levels, enabling Meridian to continue generating when lake levels are low. The changes balance the needs of our country's electricity system with the environmental impact on the lakes and their surrounding areas. 'I am pleased to have enacted the Guardians and Meridian's recommendations by amending the relevant legislation and publishing in the New Zealand gazette. 'I acknowledge the expertise of the Guardians, who are responsible for advising on environmental, ecological and social effects of the power station on the lakes, and Meridian, as operator of the Manapōuri power station. 'I thank them for working together to recommend a path forward that better protects the existing patterns, ecological stability and recreational values of the lakes, while optimising hydro generation.' Notes: Changes to the operating guidelines include changing the drawdown rates, reducing duration requirements, and removing equinoctial requirements. In more detail: o Changing the drawdown rates – the rates at which hydro generation can reduce the levels of the lakes – when they are in their 'Low Operating Ranges', enabling Meridian to generate more flexibly at the lower ranges. o Removing the duration requirements on the how long the Lakes can stay within the first band of Low Operating Ranges, enabling Meridian to continue generating more often when hydro levels reach these stages. o Removing equinoctial requirements, which set additional limits on how hydro generation could affect the Lakes twice a year during windier periods. Minister Watts has given effect to these changes under section 4A of the Manapōuri-Te Anau Development Act 1963. The Guardians of Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau are a statutory advisory board appointed by the Minister for Conservation. Of the eight Guardians, at least one is nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tau to represent iwi interests as part of the Crown's Treaty settlement with the iwi.
