How To Murder Your Husband writer Nancy Crampton Brophy jailed for life for killing her own spouse - Sky News

A romance novelist who wrote an online essay called How To Murder Your Husband has been sentenced to life in prison over the murder of her own spouse.

Nancy Crampton Brophy, 71, was found guilty of second-degree murder on 25 May following a seven-week trial.

Her sentence includes the possibility of parole after 25 years in custody.

Prosecutors said Crampton Brophy fatally shot Dan Brophy, 63, inside the now-closed Oregon Culinary Institute where he worked in 2018 because she stood to get money from his life insurance payout.

Image: Daniel Brophy was killed in 2018

The prosecution also told jurors the couple had been facing financial difficulties at the time of the murder and said that she had researched and purchased a "ghost gun" kit online and then later bought a Glock 17 handgun at a gun show.

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Crampton Brophy's attorney argued the state's evidence was circumstantial and disputed the claims of financial trouble.

They also brought in witnesses who testified about the couple's strong and loving relationship.

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Crampton Brophy took the stand and said she and her husband had both purchased life insurance policies as part of their retirement planning and had a plan to reduce their debt.

She also said her research into ghost guns was in preparation for a future novel.

Image: Romance writer Nancy Crampton Brophy was found guilty over her husband's death

Crampton Brophy's case gained international interest after it emerged she once wrote an essay on murdering a husband.

The essay went into detail about several ways for committing an untraceable killing and avoiding getting caught.

But circuit Judge Christopher Ramras ultimately excluded the essay from the trial, noting it was published in 2011.

A prosecutor still mentioned the essay's themes without naming it after Crampton Brophy took the stand.

She had remained in custody since her arrest in September 2018.

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2022-06-13 22:12:01Z
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Shocking moment groom ‘batters his wife in front of stunned guests at their wedding party’... - The Sun

HORRIFIC footage has emerged of a groom apparently beating his new wife in front of shocked guests at their wedding.

The shocking video appears to show a groom and his bride beaming in front of a loud crowd, as guests film the festivities on their phones.

The video shows a bride allegedly punching his bridge in the headCredit: East2West

Local reports say that the groom lost a game instructed by the toastmasterCredit: East2West

The bride is seen holding her head in agony after the vicious blowCredit: East2West

The newly betrothed couple from Uzbekistan are seen on stage at their party, with the toastmaster seemingly making them take part in a competition.

Whilst it is not known what game they were playing, the bride excitedly lifts her left arm up in the air to signal that she has won before the groom from hell seems to punch her hard on the back of the head with his left fist.

The shocked and glum-looking bride looks down and holds her head in agony as she is quietly consoled by a woman next to her.

The new bride is then led off the stage by two women, as the best man standing alongside the groom appears to smile before nervously playing with his phone.

The groom, who is dressed in a black suit with a Burgundy tie, remains on the stage as if nothing had happened.

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It is not known what happened after the filming stopped, and Uzbek law enforcement agencies are yet to comment on the filmed incident.

The wedding footage has gone viral on social media in Central Asia, where users have taken to Twitter to share their views on the incident.

"This is so sad. I hope she will find [the] courage to charge him and keep him accountable for his actions," a user wrote.

Another shared: "It’s horrific how much this is normalized. I hope she gets away from him sooner better than later."

It is not the first time that the video of an Uzbek bride being slapped in the face has gone viral.

In another disturbing viral clip, an alleged abusive husband is seen slapping his new bride across the face after she teases him with some wedding cake.

The young woman is then seen holding her face as the aggressive man is pulled aside by a male guest.

Social media users have slammed the groom’s violent behaviour.

One said: “That guy needs to be taught a lesson in human rights and the woman needs to file for an annulment, ASAP!”

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Another posted: “I hope she never went through with the wedding.”

A 2019 law passed criminalised domestic violence in the ex-Soviet state of Uzbekistan, but campaigners say toxic masculinity is rampant in the country, which faces a domestic violence crisis.

The bride is ushered away by two women following the disgusting punchCredit: East2West

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2022-06-13 10:25:00Z
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COVID-19: Beijing tests millions and puts thousands in lockdown after 'ferocious' outbreak at 24-hour bar - Sky News

Beijing is rushing to contain a COVID-19 outbreak traced to a 24-hour bar known for its cheap alcohol and large crowds - with millions facing mandatory testing and thousands under targeted lockdowns.

The outbreak of nearly 200 cases was linked to the city centre Heaven Supermarket Bar - which had just reopened as curbs in China's capital eased last week.

It highlights how much of a challenge it will be for China to make a success of its "zero COVID" policy as most countries have decided to learn how to live with the virus.

The re-emergence of COVID-19 infections also raises fresh concerns about the outlook for the world's second-largest economy.

It also comes as Shanghai - China's most populous city - has just emerged from a two-month lockdown in a bid to contain the virus.

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In Beijing, dine-in service at restaurants resumed last week after more than a month of enforced coronavirus measures on the city of 22 million people.

Heaven Supermarket Bar was one of the venues that swiftly reclaimed its popularity among young, noisy crowds following the strict measures.

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The bar, where customers check aisles to grab anything from local heavy spirits to Belgian beer, is renowned for its tables covered with empty bottles, and people falling asleep on sofas after midnight.

With the almost 200 COVID cases linked to the bar since 9 June, authorities described the outbreak as "ferocious" and
"explosive".

One resident, Cao, who runs a convenience store in Beijing's largest district Chaoyang, where the bar cluster was discovered, said: "We have to test every day now. It's a bit of a hassle, but it's necessary."

"The virus situation has hurt our business a bit, it's down about 20 to 30%."

Many venues were closed during Beijing's lockdown, including malls and gyms, and parts of the city's public transport system were suspended, with millions urged to work from home.

Following the bar outbreak in Chaoyang, authorities kicked off a three-day mass testing campaign among its roughly 3.5 million residents on Monday.

Around 10,000 close contacts of the bar's patrons have been identified, and their residential buildings put under lockdown.

Some planned school reopenings in the district have been postponed due to the outbreak.

Image: People line up for nucleic acid tests at a mobile testing booth in Beijing

Testing sites in the city saw long queues for more than 100 metres, according to eyewitnesses.

Several residential compounds have been barricaded with large metal barriers, with people in hazmat suits spraying disinfectant nearby.

State-backed Beijing Evening News wrote in a commentary piece that the bar cluster was caused by loopholes and complacency in epidemic prevention.

"At a time when... normality in the city is being restored, the fall of Heaven Supermarket Bar means the hardship and effort of countless people have been in vain," the newspaper wrote.

If the outbreak grows, "consequences could be serious, and would be such that nobody would want to see", it added.

As Beijing authorities tackled new COVID cases in April, retail sales in the capital fell by 16% year-on-year, while property sales nosedived 25%.

Data for May, due later this month, is expected to be dire as well. Before the bar cases, there had been high hopes for a rebound in June.

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2022-06-13 08:56:13Z
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Darwin Nunez blow could lead Man Utd to another transfer mistake with old Ferguson target - Express

Liverpool's blockbuster swoop for Darwin Nunez could lead Manchester United to plot a move for Bayern Munich goal machine Robert Lewandowski. That is according to the Daily Star, who claim the Red Devils will try to tempt the wantaway striker away from his ideal destination of Barcelona.

Lewandowski is one of a host of Europe's elite strikers expected to be on the move this summer, with the prolific Poland international outlining his intention to leave Bayern. The 33-year-old has entered the final year of his contract, and publicly declared his career at the Allianz Arena is over.

United are expected to undergo a major rebuild this summer following a miserable end to last season under interim boss Ralf Rangnick. Former Ajax boss ten Hag has reportedly been handed a transfer budget in excess of £100 million, and in-demand Benfica star Nunez was said to be at the top of the shortlist.

However, reports over the weekend indicate Liverpool are closing in on a club-record deal for the Uruguay international. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners seem to have moved swiftly to secure a replacement for Sadio Mane, who has been heavily tipped to make the move to Bayern.

JUST IN: Man Utd 'not afraid to walk away' from Frenkie de Jong deal despite Darwin Nunez defeat

Bayern are said to be demanding in excess of £40 million for their star striker, but that price tag does not look to have deterred Chelsea or United from expressing an interest. It could however prove prohibitive for cash-strapped Barcelona, with Spanish football president Javier Tebas insisting the Catalan giants have no chance of completing the deal unless they sell players to comply with financial regulations.

Chelsea's negotiations over a second exit for Romelu Lukaku could pave a clear path for United to make their move. Much like Raphael Varane's arrival last summer, it would be a case of revisiting a former Ferguson target almost a decade on.

Lewandowski revealed his conversations with the ex-United boss in December 2020, telling France Football: "After my second year in Dortmund, I had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson. He wanted me to come to Manchester.

"I was very interested. I can even say I was ready. But Dortmund didn't want to let me go. It didn't upset me more than that because things were going well with Borussia."

The signing of Lewandowski would be a statement of intent, much like the recent arrivals of the likes of Edinson Cavani, Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. There would likely be few complaints from United supporters should the club land one of the best strikers in world football after a sixth-placed finish.

However, to go from targeting Nunez to mulling over a move for Lewandowski represents a drastic shift in priority. Rivals Manchester City and Liverpool look set to have signed their leading frontman for the coming seasons in Erling Haaland and Nunez respectively.

United already have club legend Ronaldo at their disposal, who still scored 24 goals despite being subject to criticism for much of the season. Rangnick warned the Red Devils are six seasons behind their rivals, but the signing of Lewandowski would be another attempt at a quick fix.

The names so far linked with United suggest ten Hag is planning a long-term rebuild to create a team capable of closing this gap over the coming seasons. However, the switch of attention from Nunez to Lewandowski suggests the Red Devils could still be working off the same tired blueprint.

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2022-06-13 04:10:00Z
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Russia renames McDonald’s chain after ballistic MISSILE used to blitz Ukraine as Putin pal owner unveils ‘... - The Sun

RUSSIA has renamed its McDonald's chain after a ballistic missile being used to blitz Ukraine in a pointed jibe after all restaurants were sold off.

The fast-food giant, which first opened in Russia 30 years ago as the Soviet Union crumbled, had 847 stores in the country until the US giant decided to pull the plug last month.

McDonald's restaurants in Russia are reopening under new ownership and brandingCredit: AFP

The new name - Vkusno i Tochka - has a reference to the OTR-21 Tochka-U ballistic missile being used by Russian troops in UkraineCredit: EPA

McDonald's branches in Russia first closed in March following an international outcry at Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Now, a new dawn for the country's fast-food lovers has emerged as former McDonald's restaurants today reopen under a new branding and ownership having been bought up by Putin's pal Alexander Govor.

The chain has been renamed "Vkusno i Tochka", or "Tasty full stop", in a chilling taunt over the war as it shares its name with the OTR-21 Tochka-U ballistic missile being used by Russian troops blasting Ukrainians.

McDonald's iconic Golden Arches have been stripped from the sites being reopened in Moscow and St Peterburg.

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The logo has been replaced by a fresh one made up of two fries and a "red dot" hamburger patty against a grey background.

Today, 15 branches will throw their doors open in Moscow and the surrounding region.

The relaunch has begun on Russia Day, a patriotic holiday celebrating the country's independence, at the same flagship location in Moscow's Pushkin Square where McDonald's first opened in Russia in January 1990.

Oleg Paroyev, the director-general of the new group, said: "The new name is Vkusno i Tochka. Our goal is that our guests do not notice a difference either in quality or ambiance."

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He told a press conference in Moscow a further 50 restaurants are expected to open across Russia tomorrow, with around 200 ready for business by the end of June.

Russian businessman Alexander Govor, who had been a licensee of the chain, bought it after McDonald's announced in May it would sell its Russian portfolio of almost 850 restaurants.

It's understood some favourites such as the Big Mac burger and McFlurry ice cream will not be on the new menu.

McDonald's opened its first branch in Moscow's Pushkin Square in 1990, as 30,000 people queued up to have their first Big Mac.

Because of low Russian wages, it was a luxury in the country at the time.

But the US giant ditched its branches in Russia last month as Putin's war raged on - leaving Ukraine's landscape littered with debris amid severe levels of bloodshed.

The company said: "The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and the precipitating unpredictable operating environment, have led McDonald's to conclude that continued ownership of the business in Russia is no longer tenable."

When McDonald's announced it was closing its Russian restaurants in March, one devastated fan stocked up his fridge with 50 burgers.

Others tried to make some money by selling McDonald's food on auction sites.

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One advert for a "still warm" full meal consisting of a double Big Mac, a double royal, two large portions of chips, 18 McNuggets, and mozzarella dippers was on sale for £255.

Another distraught fan chained himself to a McDonald's branch in protest in a bid to stop it from closing down.

The chain has been renamed 'Vkusno i Tochka', or 'Tasty full stop'Credit: Reuters

Russian businessman Alexander Govor bought the branches after McDonald's announced it would be pulling out of the countryCredit: AFP

McDonald's branches first opened in Russia back in 1990Credit: Getty

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2022-06-12 08:25:00Z
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Ukraine war: Former British soldier 'shot dead' in fighting in Severodonetsk - Sky News

A former British soldier has died fighting Russian forces in the Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk, his family have said.

Jordan Gatley left the British Army in March "to continue his career as a soldier in other areas" and flew to Ukraine soon after to help fend off Russian forces and train Ukrainian soldiers.

Announcing the news on Facebook, his father Dean wrote: "Yesterday (10/06/22) we received the devastating news that our son, Jordan, has been shot and killed in the city of Severodonetsk, Ukraine."

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is "supporting the family of a British man who has died in Ukraine".

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His father added: "His team say they all loved him, as did we, and he made a massive difference to many peoples lives, not only soldiering, but also by training the Ukrainian forces.

"Jordan and his team were so proud of the work they were doing and he often told me that the missions they were going on were dangerous, but necessary.

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"He loved his job and we are so proud of him. He truly was a hero and will forever be in our hearts."

Mr Gatley's post, written late on Saturday, has been met with hundreds of messages of condolence.

Will Murray, who was in the 3rd Battalion The Rifles with Jordan, told Sky News: "Jordan was a really good lad. He took his job very seriously and was very professional."

Mr Murray said they were not deployed into a conflict during the time they served together, but as he left The Rifles in 2020 it was possible that Jordan could have been on such a deployment between then and March of last year.

"I was surprised [he went out to Ukraine]. I didn't think he would. But like I said he took it very seriously," added Mr Murray.

Another person who served with Jordan in the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, Billyjoe Powers, told Sky News: "When I got into the army, Gatley was already there as a Lance Corporal. He always put you first, he was a top lad. In the field he was perfect, always looking out for others. Top lad.

"He always had a smile on his face."

Responding to the news of his death, he added: "I couldn't even believe it. I didn't know he had gone out there until I saw the RIPs."

Image: Jordan is pictured during his British Army days with his father Dean. Pic: Dean Gatley/Facebook

Second Briton to die in Ukraine since war began

His son is the second Briton to have been confirmed dead in Ukraine during the war.

Scott Sibley, 36, died in late April and was also a former member of the British Armed forces.

The city of Severodonetsk has become the main focus of the Russian offensive in recent weeks.

It is one of the last areas in the occupied eastern Luhansk region that is still under Ukrainian control.

On Sunday the Ministry of Defence (MoD) posted in its latest intelligence update that "Russia is using its overmatch in force ratio and artillery to gradually seize territory in and around Severodonetsk".

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2022-06-12 13:18:45Z
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China fires back at US claims of aggression as it admits to developing new weapons - Financial Times

China’s defence minister has strongly pushed back against US accusations of aggression, and sought to present Beijing as a responsible power and western countries as outsiders undermining stability in Asia.

The stance came as Beijing tried to avoid a further escalation in tensions over Taiwan, after a meeting between General Wei Fenghe and US defence secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday that was dominated by discussions about the island that were described as “frank, positive and constructive”.

Austin had also warned Beijing against “a steady increase in provocative and destabilising military activity near Taiwan”, telling the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore on Saturday that the US would maintain “our own capacity to resist any use of force” against the country.

In his own address on Sunday, Wei said China aimed to be “a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a protector of the international order and a provider of public goods”, using a keynote phrase coined by Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Wei’s remarks came as defence and foreign policy officials and analysts at the forum confronted China over the threats against Taiwan, aggressive interceptions of western countries’ military aircraft in the South China Sea and ambitions to build footholds for its expanding armed forces.

China’s message regarding Taiwan remained inflexible but not more belligerent than usual. Wei claimed that it was “China’s Taiwan” and reiterated that Beijing perceived annexation of the island as a historic mission that “absolutely must be achieved” and for which its military would be ready to fight.

But Wei said peaceful unification remained “the biggest hope of the Chinese people, and we continue to hold the greatest sincerity and are willing to make the biggest effort” to achieve it.

“Wei laid out a fairly compressive position that I viewed as firm, but didn’t break any new ground,” said Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund. “He repeated the statement [China’s president] Xi [Jinping] made to [Joe] Biden last November that China will do its utmost to pursue peaceful reunification.”

However, China’s mild messaging also belied a position that remained hardline in substance. One US official said People’s Liberation Army officers had told their US counterparts in recent months that the Taiwan Strait was not international waters. “That sounds like a new position, and has operational implications,” Glaser said.

While Beijing has in the past mostly complained about US support for Taiwan, Wei also objected that “other countries” were interfering in China’s affairs over the island.

“He put out a veiled statement acknowledging they are watching what other countries are doing in support of Taiwan,” said Meia Nouwens, an expert on the Chinese military at IISS, the think-tank and organiser of the conference.

Wei also defended the PLA’s rapid modernisation and expansion.

He said it was natural that China was developing new weapons, when asked by the Financial Times about a highly advanced Chinese hypersonic weapon test in July 2021 that shocked the Pentagon.

“Many countries are testing weapons. There is no surprise that China is doing so,” Wei said. “These weapons are for protecting the national interest of China . . . It is natural for us to have some new weapons.”

The FT reported last year that the PLA had tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic weapon that flew around the world and fired a missile as it flew over the South China Sea.

The Chinese foreign ministry previously denied the FT report, saying China had tested a space plane. Wei’s comments marked the closest Beijing has come to confirming the hypersonic weapons test.

“[General] Wei has acknowledged that the test last year was a weapons demonstration, contradicting earlier alibis from the foreign ministry,” said Ankit Panda, a nuclear expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “The subtext to his comments is that we should expect more such tests, perhaps, as China continues to modernise.”

“We still don’t understand whether China intends to field such a weapon, however,” he added.

Follow Kathrin Hille and Demetri Sevastopulo on Twitter

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2022-06-12 08:14:07Z
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