Serious charge

Lil Wayne charged with federal weapons crime

Lil Wayne could face a lengthy prison sentence after being hit with a serious federal weapon's charge.

On Nov. 17, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida charged the rapper with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, TMZ reported.

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The charge stems from an incident in December 2019 at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport in which federal agents searched a private plane after getting a tip that drugs were allegedly being transported. The plane, in which Weezy was a passenger, was on its way to California and made a stop in Florida.

At the time, Wayne's attorney said the rapper had been "cleared" to leave, despite the fact that authorities reportedly found guns and drugs. According to the charging documents, federal prosecutors believe Wayne was the one illegally in possession of a gun and ammunition. 

Wayne's attorney told TMZ that feds found a gold-plated handgun in Wayne's luggage.

He clarified, however, "There is no allegation that he ever fired it, brandished it, used it or threatened to use it. There is no allegation that he is a dangerous person. The charge is that because he was convicted of a felony in the past, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm."

A court date is set for next month. Wayne, who was convicted of a felony gun charge in New York back in 2009, faces up to 10 years in prison if he's convicted.

Meghan's 'final straw' revealed

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's move to Frogmore Cottage might have pushed them out of the royal fold.

Royal author Tom Quinn claimed in Kensington Palace that Frogmore Cottage was "the perfect retreat from what they saw as an unsympathetic, unfair world of media speculation and criticism."

"Meghan realized that living [at Frogmore Cottage] would be like living in the Russian steppe," Quinn continued. "Its remoteness made Kensington seem like the centre of the universe."

Experts continue to speculate over why Meghan and Prince Harry moved to the U.S. in the first place. The Sussexes previously claimed they felt unprotected by The Firm.

"I tried so hard," Meghan tearfully said about her short-lived royal career in Harry & Meghan. "That's the piece that's so triggering, because … it still wasn't good enough, and you still don't fit in."

Meghan and Harry's move to the U.S. was branded as "Megxit," but the duke stressed that it was his "decision."

"She never asked to leave. I had to see it for myself," Harry said in the couple's Netflix series. He later claimed there was "no other option" after Meghan was criticized by the British press and public.

In another episode, the Suits star hinted at clashing with Prince William and Kate Middleton.

"I was a hugger and have always been a hugger. I didn't realize that that was really jarring for a lot of Brits," Meghan said, referring to her first time meeting the Waleses. "I guess I started to understand very quickly that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside."

"There is a forward-facing way of being, and then you close the door and you are like, 'Oh, great. We can relax now.' But that formality carries over on both sides. And that was surprising to me," Meghan continued. "It's so funny when I look back now because now I know so much, I'm so glad I didn't then because I could just authentically be myself without so much preparedness."

Zara shares her secret to a happy marriage

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Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall revealed their secret to their lasting marriage.

"We are very low key," Mike told Daily Mail while at the Beauty Awards in London. "This wouldn't be our ideal date night."

The rugby star shared that sometimes their nights together are just "food, telly and a glass of vino."

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While at the event, Zara spoke about the holiday season.

"We are so lucky, Christmas is always amazing," Zara said. "We get to do a lot of fun things, and the place looks amazing. We will see everyone."

"We've been together for 21 years," Zara continued. "Nothing runs smoothly ever. You've got to accept that in life. It's a work-in-progress [but] you've got to have fun."

Mike later joked that their union lasts because he accepts Zara is "always right."

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Mike also admitted that raising children is "the biggest challenge that ever comes your way" since their three kids are always doing "different things."

Zara has previously opened up about raising her three children, Mia Grace, Lena Elizabeth and Lucas Philip.

"My personality is coming out in the kids, and there are some parts that you love and some that you don't like," Zara told Bella magazine.

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The Tindalls, who are known for being down-to-earth, are raising their youngsters in a certain way.

"You hopefully instill in them the values that you hold and from both of us (herself and Mike), what we have learned from our careers and our hard work, dedication, motivations, lessons and respect," Zara admitted.

"It is so easy to be distracted from that kind of thing, so we try and work every day to make sure they get the same values that we had," the mom of three continued.

Andrew and Sarah assassination attempt revealed

Jeffrey Epstein allegedly plotted to have Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson killed.

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"He spoke to a hitman who was a former member of the British SAS and said he wanted the Yorks dead. He wanted to remove them," historian Andrew Lownie told The Daily Beast. "I've been told this by two reliable sources, one in Paris and a former FBI agent in Florida, and I can believe it's true."

"Epstein said all sorts of things, and you can't always believe what he said," Lownie added.

Ferguson and Mountbatten-Windsor's ties to Epstein ended their public careers. Despite the damage their relationship with Epstein caused to their reputations, the disgraced financier remained fearful that the duo would spill his secrets.

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"I don't know how far he got with the plans. But I think he was very nervous before he died," Lownie noted. "It's extraordinary and like a scene from The Day of the Jackal — but nothing about this saga is normal."

"She was worried about her safety and that of her daughters. Epstein mixed with some pretty nasty people, so the fear was real," Lownie continued of Ferguson. "Jeffrey became paranoid the Palace would kill him. If Jeffrey hadn't died, Andrew and Fergie would have been murdered. They knew too much."

Ferguson's rep echoed how scary Epstein could be.

"People don't understand how terrible Epstein was. I can remember everything about that call," James Henderson told The Telegraph after his client called Epstein a "supreme friend."

"It was a chilling call, and I'm surprised anybody was ever friends with him given the way he talked to me," Henderson stated. "He said he would destroy the York family and he was quite clear on that. He said he would destroy me. He wasn't shouting. He had a Hannibal Lecter-type voice. It was very cold and calm and really menacing and nasty. The pressure she was put under to protect her family must have been huge. I am sure there were legal actions."

"And this was long before the duke's life had been ruined by his association with Epstein," Henderson added. "It was 14 years ago and everyone will do what they have to do to protect their family. Her family and children will always come first for her."

Sarah Ferguson helped Meghan win over the queen

Sarah Ferguson came to Meghan Markle's rescue before the actress met Queen Elizabeth II for the first time.

According to Prince Harry, the former Duchess of York gave the Suits star one crucial tip to impress the late monarch. 

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Ferguson gives Meghan an important tip

In the Duke of Sussex's 2023 memoir Spare, he recounts Meghan's introduction to his grandmother during a lunch with his extended family at Royal Lodge in Windsor.  

"Fergie came out, a little emotional and asked, 'Can you curtsy?' Meg shook her head. Fergie then demonstrated and Meg imitated her," Harry recalled.

The author and the With Love, Meghan star went on to marry in 2018 with Her Majesty's blessing.

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What has Ferguson said about Meghan?

Despite Ferguson's friendly gesture toward Meghan, the 66-year-old has publicly distanced herself from her nephew's wife.

"I don't really know Meghan. I haven't really met her. I spoke to her at [Elizabeth's] funeral and I thought she looked absolutely beautiful. I think she is beautiful," Ferguson told The Telegraph in 2023.

"She has made Harry very happy and that is so nice. Honestly, he's so happy with her. She really loves him. And I think that's beautiful and that [Princess] Diana would be proud of him and her [two] lovely grandchildren," she added.

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What does Meghan think of Ferguson's public scandal?

Ferguson and her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, were stripped of their titles and evicted from Royal Lodge over their ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

"Neither Harry nor Meghan will want to be seen to be associated with Andrew or Sarah Ferguson. From Meghan's point of view, it's probably a commercial thing. From Harry's point of view, it's probably more of an emotional thing," royal expert Duncan Larcombe told The Mirror

"With Meghan, there's a divide there," he continued. "The Jeffrey Epstein situation is hugely sensitive, especially in America and of course, Epstein, [disgraced film producer] Harvey Weinstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were photographed together at [Princess] Beatrice's 18th birthday."

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Meghan shutting out Beatrice and Eugenie?

While their parents are plagued by scandal, Harry reportedly isn't keen on distancing himself from his cousins, Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

"Harry has always been close to Beatrice and Eugenie," Larcombe said. "Meghan will be very aware of the sensitivities as she's very media-conscious."

"She won't want to be seen to be too sympathetic toward them, so she will keep her distance. I don't think she could object to Harry privately supporting them, but they will be on very different pages," he said.

Andrew is a 'time-bomb waiting to explode'

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be tempted to write an explosive memoir following his scandals.

Daily Express reported that the former prince doesn't want to "pull a Harry," but he might change his mind for the right price.

"We're looking at maybe £25 million [$33 million USD]. With the right ghost-writer asking him the right questions, we could see the history of the House of Windsor completely rewritten with what he knows. He's a time-bomb waiting to explode," a literary agent told Daily Mail.

"Obviously, everyone wants the inside track on his time with [Jeffrey] Epstein… in those circumstances, he might be prepared to talk, in broad terms, about his involvement with Epstein, simply to get his side of the story across," the source added.

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Mountbatten-Windsor, who was friends with Epstein, could create a legal issue for himself if he chooses to write a book.

"But he has to be careful his words don't incriminate him. The Democrats in the U.S. Congress have asked Andrew to appear before them, and now he no longer has royal immunity, he'd have to tread very, very carefully," the insider warned. "But he must be dying to say something in order to salvage his professional reputation."

Mountbatten-Windsor failed to respond to the Congressional House Oversight Committee's request to speak on his relationship with the disgraced financier.

"Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's silence in the face of the Oversight Democrat's demand for testimony speaks volumes," a statement released on behalf of Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam read.

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Mountbatten-Windsor might not be the only York considering a memoir, as Sarah Ferguson is rumored to be working on an autobiography. Businesses cut ties with the ex-duchess after it was revealed she called Epstein a "supreme friend."

"For the first time in a good while, she is now seriously worried about how on earth she's going to maintain her lifestyle," a source told Daily Express. "She's too toxic to touch for every single brand and charity she'd previously worked with, and even the lavish freebies she used to be gifted have stopped."

"With no substantial income coming in, Sarah is now looking to follow in the footsteps of Prince Harry and is willing to pen a tell-all memoir about her time with Andrew and how she was treated by the royal family after their split," the insider continued.

Ferguson was extremely loyal to Mountbatten-Windsor, but she could distance herself publicly from her ex-husband after months of scrutiny.

"She has a lot of diaries and evidence of the backstabbing, scandals and cover-ups," the source shared. "For the right amount of money, she is willing to spill everything, but she's hoping to make enough money that it will give her a nice little nest egg for the rest of her life. She wants somewhere in the region of £10million [$13 million USD] and is actively open to offers."

William's trees deliberately poisoned

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Willow trees planted by Prince William for a reforestation project were intentionally poisoned, police revealed.

A spokesperson for the South West Peatland Partnership called the incident "an attack on those that live, work, enjoy and rely on these landscapes."

The trees were located in the Forest of Dartmoor — land William inherited. The greenery was planted to prevent the erosion of the forest's peaty soils and reduce flood risk.

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Guy Shrubsole, who wrote The Lost Rainforests of Britain, called the attack an "outrageous act of sabotage, one which points a dagger at the heart of efforts to restore nature in this part of the country."

Head of communities and nature Emma Magee assured civilians that the organization is still prioritizing the land.

"We are committed to working with our partners to secure a better future for Dartmoor, and this recent action does not represent the collective commitment of Dartmoor's community to achieve this," Magee said. "Woodland expansion alongside peatland restoration is central to a restored landscape across Dartmoor."

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Under the Duchy of Cornwall, William and the Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery Project (CDLR) launched their afforestation project. The group hoped to "create a resilient environment" and accommodate Dartmoor's communities and their needs.

During the Prince of Wales' trip to the site, he said to "keep Dartmoor special, we must respond to the twin challenges of global warming and the requirement to restore nature."

Over the years, William has used his royal status to advocate for environmentalism. According to the Royal Foundation, William's Earthshot Prize is the "most prestigious" global environmental award "in history."

"Now, more than ever, is the time to fix the planet," William said before heading to Brazil for the fifth Earthshot Prize, which incentivizes repairing and protecting the planet.

"I sat under this oak tree five years ago, soon after we launched The Earthshot Prize. The planet, the only home we have, needed our help, as scientists made it clear that we had to make significant changes by 2030," William said in a promotional video.

"Back then, a decade felt a long time. George was seven, Charlotte five and Louis two; the thought of them in 2030 felt a lifetime away," he continued. "But today, as we stand halfway through this critical decade, 2030 feels very real. The Earthshot Prize was founded because this decade matters," he continues. "2030 is a threshold by which future generations will judge us; it is the point at which our actions, or lack of them, will have shaped forever the trajectory of our planet."

Andrew demanding millions to leave royal residence

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is allegedly annoyed about leaving Royal Lodge.

According to a report, the former Duke of York is seeking a hefty payout from The Firm after King Charles III evicted him from his longtime home over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

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Mountbatten-Windsor's steep demands

Rob Shuter claimed in his ShuterScoop Substack that Mountbatten-Windsor wants $99,016,125.00 to "even think about moving out" of Royal Lodge.

"Andrew is also insisting on a giant six or seven-bedroom house on the Sandringham Estate as his 'replacement,'" the royal commentator alleged. "And not just a house — he wants the whole package. A cook, a gardener, a housekeeper, a driver. Basically, a full-time staff to keep his life running exactly the way it runs at Royal Lodge. And of course, police protection too."

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Charles' dilemma

Unfortunately for the leader of England, getting his younger brother to move won't be easy, as Mountbatten-Windsor signed a $9,883,720.93 lease for 75 years for the estate and pays "peppercorn rent."

"It has legal force. Meaning King Charles can't just toss him out like yesterday's scones," Shuter wrote. "And trust me, the value of that property is insane. On the open market, that thirty-room mansion on 90 acres would go for more than $1,321,265.77 a year. So, you can see why the buyout is such a mess."

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Mountbatten-Windsor's humiliation

After being stripped of his royal titles and forced out of his mansion, the 65-year-old is licking his wounds over the fallout from misconduct allegations and his ties to the late criminal.

"I'm sure he's feeling humiliated and, by all accounts, angry. You have to remember that he has consistently protested his innocence," royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror.

"Therefore, he feels wronged. But the reality is he now has just a few weeks left before he has to leave Royal Lodge, which has been his home for more than 20 years," she added. "One thing he could do to show some remorse (for, at the very least, his bad judgment in befriending Epstein) is to cooperate with the Congressional committee and tell them what he saw and what he knows. At the moment, though, that seems unlikely."

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Mountbatten-Windsor's downfall

Not only did the father of two have his HRH titles revoked, but he also lost his Knight of the Order of the Garter and his Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order honors. Queen Elizabeth II previously removed his military and charity patronages in 2022.

"His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honors of Prince Andrew," the palace said in a late October statement.

"Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor," the statement continued. "His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," they concluded.

The queen's cheap gift for royal staffers revealed

An ex-royal staffer is spilling all about Christmas with Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty's former chef Darren McGrady revealed the cheap holiday gift she and Prince Philip gave their employees at Sandringham every year for their hard work.

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Elizabeth and Philip's supermarket gift

"You'd be presented with a Christmas pudding, which was a Tesco's Christmas pudding," McGrady told Smooth Spins Casino. "All the staff got one, along with a card from the Queen and Prince Philip. That went on for quite a few years."

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Showing appreciation

Despite the ordinary gifts given on the holiday, the late leader of England and her husband ensured that the people who worked for them year-round felt appreciated.

"All the staff got a gift from the Queen. It started off that we would choose something from a catalog that the housekeeping had. They were all purchased at 50 percent off, so you were getting something for half price, whatever you chose," McGrady said.

"The Queen and Prince Philip, before they went off to Sandringham, would meet at Buckingham Palace with all of the staff and present their individual gift to them. They would also do the same at Windsor Castle a few days before, then the same when they arrived at Sandringham," he continued. "Every member of staff would get a gift and you could choose different things. You could collect china by having a different piece every year, the same with cutlery. It was only up to a certain amount."

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What is Christmas like at Sandringham?

Having prepared numerous Christmas meals for the royal family, McGrady revealed that there are no dietary modifications or alternative foods while dining with Elizabeth.

"Absolutely not! That goes for every meal that you ate with the Queen. You're dining with Her Majesty the monarch, so whatever she chooses, that's what you eat," the cook said when asked about special requests.

"If you don't like that, you get a McDonald's on the way home! You wouldn't ask for a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free menu or anything like that. When the Queen was there, it was all very traditional," he added.

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Inside the annual gathering

According to McGrady, the annual gathering would unfold in a specific way. "Christmas Day was very traditional for the royals. The men would come downstairs and have breakfast, then the ladies would actually have breakfast trays in their room. For the men, it was a full English breakfast so sausage, egg, bacon and mushrooms," he said.

"When Prince Philip was there, things like kidney would be on the menu too. He loved all the offal and everything. They were some of his favorites on the menu. For the ladies, it would be a much lighter breakfast, so lots of fruit," McGrady explained.

"They would then go off to church and come back for Christmas lunch, which we'd start off with some canapés. They didn't have a salad course, which they usually do. With this, it was straight into the roast turkey because it's quite heavy. It was the traditional roast turkey, sometimes with cheshunt stuffing," he continued. "Then the traditional side dishes too, the brussel sprouts, roast parsnips, roast potatoes and mashed potatoes, then the turkey gravy. They would also have cranberry sauce served with the dinner."

From Australia to Wall Street: How This PR Firm Expanded Across Five Continents

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The traditional public relations industry operates on established norms where relationships and monthly retainers have long been standard practice. Then came AJ Ignacio, who decided to challenge conventional models with a different approach: offering guarantees for PR work.

Baden Bower emerged from Australia four years ago with an approach that diverged from industry standards. According to the company, Ignacio decided to offer money-back guarantees for media placements. While many agencies continued charging clients monthly retainers, Baden Bower states that its team offered to work with clients on publishing timelines with refund options.

The company reports that it now serves clients across multiple countries spanning five continents.

A Different Approach

Traditional PR agencies often operate in a system where outcomes aren't always directly tied to fees. According to Baden Bower, the company changed this model by accepting accountability for results. Baden Bower describes its approach as focusing on placements in established publications, supported by technology that assists with media targeting.

The company's approach aims to address credibility challenges that can affect business growth. Research shows a significant percentage of buyers investigate companies online before purchasing, yet many businesses struggle to build authority. This challenge is particularly acute for PR firms for startups, which often need to demonstrate measurable impact quickly to attract investors and customers. According to Baden Bower, the company helps businesses build visibility and credibility by securing media coverage that may contribute to website engagement and customer acquisition efforts.

Baden Bower states that its timeline differs from traditional competitors who may require extended periods for pitching cycles. The company reports offering expedited processes through its network of media outlets. According to Baden Bower, this approach stems from data-driven content optimization rather than solely relationship-dependent processes.

Global Expansion Through Digital Infrastructure

Baden Bower's international expansion reflects a technology-oriented approach to growth. The company reports establishing operations across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East while maintaining client service through staff located across time zones. According to Baden Bower, this reach enables culturally relevant storytelling that resonates with local media outlets and audiences.

The company has contributed content to various global publications, reflecting its presence in the PR sector.

Baden Bower states that its technology focus differentiates it from competitors who rely primarily on personal relationships and editorial connections. According to the company, investment in technology for media placement optimization offers potential advantages in visibility over agencies that depend predominantly on individual journalist relationships. Baden Bower says this technological foundation supports its growth while maintaining quality control across global operations.

Shifting Industry Dynamics

Baden Bower's development represents more than business growth; it signals a potential shift toward accountability in professional services. The company's pricing model, according to Baden Bower, contrasts with traditional retainer fees that may not guarantee specific outcomes.

The PR industry now faces questions about maintaining established practices or adopting results-oriented models that some clients seek. Baden Bower's journey from startup to internationally operating firm suggests that performance-based models may influence traditional service industry approaches. According to the company, when clients can choose between different pricing structures, the value proposition becomes an important consideration.