Latest news with #bodyguards
The Australian
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Australian
P Diddy trial: Lawyer for Sean ‘Diddy' Combs grills star witness Cassie Ventura over ‘freak offs'
A lawyer for Sean 'Diddy' Combs on Thursday argued that singer Cassie Ventura was so deeply in love with the music mogul that she willingly participated in days-long, drug-fuelled sex parties. During the cross examination of Ventura, who is prosecutors' star witness, Combs lawyer Anna Estevao and the singer read for the jury a series of BlackBerry messages exchanged by the couple. In one 2009 message, Combs asks Ventura when she wanted to have a 'freak off,' or sex session during which Combs would watch her have sex with a male escort. 'I'm always ready to freak off, LOLOL,' said Ventura, 38 years old, reading her reply from the witness stand. The pair then discussed scheduling the freak off, with Ventura saying that a Friday night would be best so they could recover for the workweek. Combs's lawyer then displayed an explicit message Ventura wrote to Combs. 'I can't wait to watch you,' said Estevao, reading a message from Combs. 'I want you to get real hot.' Ventura, who is eight-and-a-half months pregnant, then asked the judge for a break. Thursday was the third day on the stand for Ventura. Prosecutors have accused Combs of running a criminal enterprise for two decades with the help of his bodyguards and other high-ranking employees. They said that he physically abused and sexually exploited Ventura for years, and forced her to have sex with male escorts during elaborately choreographed group sex sessions. Under questioning by a prosecutor earlier this week, Ventura told jurors that Combs used threats and violence to control her. Lawyers for Combs have acknowledged his 'swinger' lifestyle and violent behaviour, but said his alleged victims were adults who chose to take part in the sexual activity. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and other offences. Thursday's cross-examination is key to the defence's argument that the sexual activity was consensual, not coerced. Defence attorneys are also expected to highlight a $20-million settlement of a lawsuit Ventura filed against Combs in 2023. Earlier Thursday, defence lawyer Estevao showed jurors a series of messages Combs and Ventura exchanged in the early years of their relationship. Ventura told the jury that Combs was sweet and attentive, and she wanted to make her boyfriend happy. 'You and Sean Combs were in love for 11 years, right?' Estevao asked Ventura. 'Yeah,' replied Ventura softly. Some of the messages showed she craved more time with Combs, whom she calls 'Pop pop.' 'I haven't talked to you at all,' she wrote in 2010. 'I know you can take three minutes out of your day to talk to me and you don't even try.' The Wall Street Journal Iran had said after last weekend's talks there were still significant differences between the two sides. The Wall Street Journal The major US retailer, which counts 90pc of Americans as customers, plans to raise prices this month with other retailers likely will follow.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Daily Mail
How the world's most dangerous country attracts 90,000 tourists every year due to worrying TikTok trend
A worrying new travel trend has seen thousands of thrill-seekers heading to one of the most dangerous countries on Earth - all in the name of fresh, trailblazing TikTok content. Libya, a country in North Africa torn apart by years of political unrest and armed conflict, is now attracting around 90,000 tourists every year. While most Brits are happy lounging on beaches in Spain or Turkey, a growing group of adventurous travellers are swapping poolside cocktails for 'undiscovered ruins' and local culture - with a side of bodyguards and military checkpoints. Fuelled by viral videos on social media showing off an aesthetic of rustic desert landscapes and 'hidden gem' UNESCO sites, so-called danger tourists are ignoring official advice - and heading straight into one of the globe's most unstable nations. Hudson and Emily are a travel-obsessed couple among those who've made the trip. On a mission to visit every country in the world, with only two countries left before they hit their 198 target, the pair ticked off Libya in 2024 and described their experience as surprisingly safe. Speaking to the Mirror, they said: 'Our bodyguard was very serious about his job; he would even follow us to the bathroom. I honestly never would have imagined we'd get to see some of these countries and I just feel so grateful.' The couple praised the stunning ruins of Leptis Magna, the 'beautiful' streets of Tripoli, and the friendliness of the locals they met. But despite photos and videos across the internet shining a spotlight on the Maghreb nation's overlooked traditions, architecture and culinary scene, not everyone is convinced it's a good idea to organise a getaway just yet. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to most of Libya, warning of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and fighting between armed groups. In some parts of the country, they say violence can break out without warning - and British travellers are also told not to expect much help if things go wrong, as the nearest embassy support is in Tunisia. The FDCO warned on the Gov UK site: 'Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. 'British people and nationals of other western countries are considered high-value hostages. Government buildings and security checkpoints have also been targeted in recent years, leading to deaths.' In recent years, there have been several bombings and deadly clashes, such as in 2022, when three people were injured in a car bombing by Islamic State. The year before, two separate attacks killed four people in Libya's south, and in 2023, fighting in Tripoli killed 55 people and shut down the capital's airport. Since the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been stuck in a power struggle. Despite photos and videos across the internet shining a spotlight on the Maghreb nation's overlooked traditions, architecture and culinary scene, not everyone is convinced it's a good idea to organise a getaway just yet Even now, there are rival governments, foreign fighters on the ground, and regular clashes that make the country anything but stable. However, for some tourists, the risk is part of the appeal, as thousands of travellers share videos showing dramatic desert landscapes, ancient cities and 'hidden' tourist spots that rack up millions of views on TikTok. Some travellers say these places are misunderstood, insisting that if you're careful, Libya is safe - but experts have warned tourists to keep in mind the nation is an active conflict zone before planning a trip. Read here for more information on the risks of travelling to Libya as a British national.
Washington Post
09-05-2025
- Washington Post
Pope Leo, please give the Swiss Guard new uniforms
If you have never seen the uniforms of the Vatican's Swiss Guard — personal bodyguards to the pope — imagine that St. Peter's Basilica was once tented for fumigation and the enterprising guards, Maria von Trapp-like, reasoned: 'Why let this fabric go to waste?' The color-blocked red, blue and canary conjures up a Jesus who said, 'Let the little children come unto the bouncy house,' and the bouncy house deflated, and the guards cut it up into clothes.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Spanish deputy PM's bodyguards targeted by man with two knives in horror attack as cops taser and arrest suspect
A man carrying two large knives has been arrested after attacking the Spanish deputy Prime Minister's bodyguards. Leading politician Yolanda Diaz was unharmed in the horror attack, with reports suggesting that the second deputy of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was not in the area at the time. The unnamed Spanish attacker, 44, silently approached the two police guards before launching himself at them when they identified themselves as officers. The man then headbutted one of the guards hard in the face and pulled two knives from his backpack, which he used to threaten him, La Razon reports. Police reinforcements swiftly arrived and forced the man to flee to another street, with dramatic footage showing him running while carrying a knife. He is seen pointing the weapon both at police and himself in the clip. Fearing he could attack someone with the knife, officers are seen pointing their firearms at him as they tried to subdue him. Eventually, they managed to use a Taser gun to subdue the attacker. Another officer hit his arm, forcing him to drop the knives, and he was arrested and handcuffed by the officers. The attack took place near the Ateneo Theatre in Madrid at around 12pm yesterday, according to local news outlets. Prado Street, where the attack took place, had to be closed to pedestrians as the dramatic events unfolded. Police sources rule out political or ideological motives for the attack, according to Spanish media. The man was accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer and was taken by officers to the National Police Station in Centro. Yolanda Diaz arrived at the scene after the incident, by which time the area was secured, according to Spanish media. The motive of the attacker is unknown, with reports suggesting he may have been mentally disturbed. Police sources ruled out political or ideological motives for the attack, according to Spanish news agency EFE. The sources reportedly claimed that the man attacked the bodyguards as he could have attacked any other person.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Spain's deputy PM attacked by man ‘with two knives' in horror broad daylight attack as cops taser and arrest suspect
SPAIN'S Deputy Prime Minister was attacked by a man brandishing knives in broad daylight - before cops tasered and arrested the suspect. Deputy PM Yolanda Díaz and two of her bodyguards were threatened in a horror attack by a man carrying two knives. 3 3 The assault took place near the Ateneo Theatre on Prado Street in Madrid at around 12pm on May 8, according to local news outlet Los Replicantes. Police arrested the man after he tried to attack Díaz and two of her bodyguards with two knives. But the dramatic assault was foiled after police reinforcements used a Taser gun to subdue the attacker. Officers from the Centro Regional Police (GOR) and the General Acquisition (GAC) stepped in at a crucial moment to stop the individual's attack. He fled with two knives, pointing them at officers and at himself. Cops also blocked street traffic due to the large crowd and commotion. Díaz's bodyguards even pointed their own weapons at the attacker. After the man threatened to cut his own throat, an officer used his Taser gun to neutralise the suspect. Another cop hit him in the arm, before he dropped his knives and was arrested. The raging attacker was taken to the Centro District Police Station in Madrid. The brazen suspect is accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer and making serious threats. is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
