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Guiso and Honey the labrador at the 'wedding ceremony'
A 20-year old man from Toowoomba, Queensland in Australia married his best friend - a five-year-old labrador.
The town's Laurel Bank Park hosted the wedding of Joseph Guiso and Honey, a labrador he adopted five years ago.
Thirty of the Guiso's closest friends and family, along with their dogs, were in attendance for the emotional ceremony, held at dusk on Wednesday.
"You’re my best friend and you make every part of my day better," Guiso’s vows read.
He decided to 'tie the knot' with Honey after stumbling upon a wedding in the park during an afternoon walk.
"I said that could be us," Guiso said. "She didn’t say anything so I took that as a yes."
Guiso said as a "religious guy", he could no longer take the guilt of living with Honey out of wedlock.
Guiso kissing Honey 'the bride'
"It’s not sexual," he assured the onlookers. "It’s just pure love."
After The Chronicle broke the news of the unconventional 'wedding', Guiso's story has appeared in media all around the world.
Requests for interviews by A Current Affair, New Idea and Woman's Weekly have left Guiso feeling like top dog.
"We're definitely Australia's hottest new couple," Guiso said.
"Bec and Lleyton Hewitt, Brad and Angelina - your time is over."
Guiso and Honey have become a global media and internet sensation
Guiso's attention has been of both the positive and negative variety, but he's quick to tell detractors that the love he and Honey share is a platonic one.
"I didn't set out to offend anyone, this is just about a man and his dog," he said.
"Although I'm wondering if all the attention might make it a bit hard to get a job as a school teacher after I finish at university."
Guiso said the first week of marriage has been going well, but like any relationship, it does have its problems.
"I think she's a bit angry about all the publicity; she's been giving me the silent treatment," he said. "Then again, I was hoping the marriage wouldn't keep me on a short leash."
Guiso said he plans to donate all the money received during the resulting media storm to the RSPCA and other animal welfare organisations.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles of Wales, and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall at the wedding ceremony
Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton exchanging rings
A general view of the wedding service of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton, centre, at Westminster Abbey, London
Prince William and Kate Middleton married in Westminster Abbey on Friday as 1 million people packed the streets and an estimated 2 billion more tuned in around the world to witness an event expected to revitalise the British monarchy.
The couple looked nervous but happy and got through their vows without stumbling before Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams pronounced them husband and wife.
A million well-wishers - as well as some protesters - flooded into the historic environs surrounding Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and other London landmarks.
"Will, it's not too late!" said one sign held aloft by an admirer dressed as a bride.
About 1,900 guests were attendance, including soccer star David Beckham and musician Elton John.
Middleton's ivory wedding gown with lace applique was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, while her hair was half-up, half-down and decorated with a tiara.
William wore the scarlet tunic of an Irish Guards officer, sending a strong signal of support for the armed forces and reinforcing his new image as a dedicated military man.
Against all odds, the sun came out as Middleton emerged from the Rolls-Royce in her wedding gown.
William and Kate received their first royal wedding present from the queen on Friday: the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Maid of honor Pippa Middleton wore a simple column dress and naturally styled hair, while best man Prince Harry was dressed in formal military attire. The flower girls, in cream dresses with full skirts and flowers in their hair, walked down hand-in-hand with Pippa.
The iconic abbey was airy and calm, the long aisle leading to the altar lined with maple and hornbeam trees as light streamed in through the high arched windows.
Plumage of Amazonian variety filled the cavernous abbey as some 1,900 guests filed in, the vast majority of women in hats, some a 0.6 meters across or high. Some looked like dinner plates.
One woman wore a bright red fascinator that resembled a flame licking her cheek. A BBC commentator noted there were some "very odd choices" in fashion walking through the abbey door.
Most men, however, looked elegant and suave in long tails, some highlighted by formal plaid pants and vests. Others wore military uniforms.
All the clamouring over every detail - the wedding dress, her hair, their titles, the romantic kiss on the balcony, the honeymoon - was finally being answered. But the biggest question won't be resolved for years: Will this royal couple live happily ever after?
Will their union endure like that of William's grandparents - Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, now in its 64th year - or crumble in a spectacular and mortifying fashion like that of his own parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana?
Recent history augurs badly: The first marriages of three of the queen's four children ended in divorce. But William and Kate seem to glow with happiness in each other's company, and unlike Charles and Diana they've had eight years to figure out that they want to be together.
Still, the fate of their marriage depends on private matters impossible for the public to gauge, since any wedding is fundamentally about two people. Will their lives together, starting with such high hopes, be blessed by good fortune, children, good health, productive work?
Much will depend on whether 28-year-old William and 29-year-old Kate can summon the things every couple needs: patience, love, wit and wisdom. But they face the twin burdens of fame and scrutiny. Money, power, beauty - it can all go wrong if not carefully nurtured.
These are the thorny issues upon which the fate of the monarchy rests, as the remarkable queen, now 85, inevitably ages and declines.
After the church ceremony, the royal-couple will travel from the abbey to Buckingham Palace in an open-topped carriage for two parties, one hosted by the queen for 650 guests, and an evening dinner dance for 300 close friends.
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip have promised to go away for the evening, leaving the younger royals free to party the night away_ and Harry to make his best man's speech away from his octogenarian grandparents' ears.
Hundreds of street parties were underway as Britons celebrated part of the heritage that makes them unique - and overseas visitors come to witness traditions they've admired from afar.
Brenda Hunt-Stevenson, a 56-year-old retired teacher from Newfoundland, Canada, said there was only one thing on her mind. "I want to see that kiss on that balcony. That's going to clinch it for me. I don't care what Kate wears. She is beautiful anyway."
The celebration was British to the core, from the freshly polished horse-drawn carriages to the sausages and lager served at street parties. Some pubs were opening early, offering beer and English breakfasts - sausages, beans, toast, fried eggs and bacon.
A number of famous people were left off the guest list, including President Barack Obama and Britain's last two prime ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, in a snub to their Labour Party, which is not as strong a backer of the monarchy as the ruling Conservatives.
The invitation for Syria's ambassador was rescinded because of Britain's unhappiness with the bloody government crackdown there.
The public festivities reflected Britons' continuing fascination with the royal family, which despite its foibles remains a powerful symbol of unity and pride.
"It's very exciting," Prime Minister David Cameron said before he entered the church. "I went on to the mall last night and met some people sleeping on the streets. There's a sense of excitement that you can't really put a word to ... It's a chance to celebrate."
The royals fervently hope that a joyous union for the second-in-line to the British throne will rub out the squalid memories of his parents embarrassing each other and the nation with confessions of adultery as their marriage slid toward divorce. Source: AP
A convicted sex offender and his wife have pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a girl when she was 11 and holding her captive for nearly two decades.
The pleas came as part of a surprise deal with prosecutors that will spare Californian victim Jaycee Dugard and her two daughters — born after she was raped by defendant Phillip Garrido — from having to testify at a trial.
Jaycee said in a statement: "I'm relieved that Phillip and Nancy Garrido have finally acknowledged their guilt and confessed to their crimes against me and my family."
The family had been kept in a hidden compound of backyard tents and sheds, never attending school or receiving medical attention.
Phillip Garrido, 60, faces a maximum sentence of 431 years in prison after entering guilty pleas to 14 kidnapping and sexual assault charges.
His wife, Nancy Garrido, 55, who originally faced the same charges as her husband, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping and one count of rape. She faces a maximum sentence of 36 years to life. Source: The Sun
Claire Barrell, 35 had her breast reconstructed out of pig skin.
The Sun reported Barrell from the United Kingdom had breast cancer and needed to have her right breast removed.
She was faced with three options.
She said: "I play a lot of tennis so I really didn't want restricted movement in my shoulder and I didn't have enough flesh on my stomach to take any from there.
"I could have had silicone but I didn't want one fake boob that didn't move!
"I was told that pigs' tissue takes easily to the human body and would feel completely natural - and it does.
"Apart from one breast being a tiny bit tougher than the other, you really can't tell the difference. When I have a bra on, both cups are full - they've done an amazing job," she said.
Barrell is one of just a handful of women across the world and only the second in the UK to have had the state-of-the-art surgery, which costs the National Health Service around £35,000 (RM173,100).
The business consultant said: "I was a bit of a guinea pig because it's such a new procedure. I had about ten surgeons watching me every step of the way.
The pig skin is sent to the hospital pre-packaged from a company in America.
There is a tiny sack and a pump under the skin which is gradually inflated over a few months to get the shape and size.
Traditionally, a breast reconstruction has involved using tissue from another part of the patient's body.
But that practice is painful and leaves multiple scars.
This new surgery could provide hope for the thousands of women diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
However, the option is not available for everyone.
Claire said: "Doctors thought I was an ideal candidate because I am young and active. If your body is not in good condition it will reject the pig skin."
GEORGE TOWN: Not only are motorcycle thieves getting younger, but the fairer sex is getting into the act as well.
A 12-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy had been caught for stealing three motorcycles in the past two weeks.
Police arrested the two primary school pupils while they were riding one of the stolen machines at Taman Sahabat in Teluk Kumbar near here on Tuesday.
Balik Pulau deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Lai Fah Hin said the girl, who was the rider, was the mastermind of the thefts which occurred at a few places in Teluk Kumbar.
He said they stole the motorcycles for joyrides until the machines ran out of fuel, adding that police had recovered the other two motorcycles dumped by the roadside.
“They loitered at apartment blocks and looked for motorcycles with keys left in the ignition,” DSP Lai said at the Balik Pulau police station yesterday.
He said they also used modified keys and a small knife to start the stolen motorcycles.
A 14-year-old girl who met a friend she knew through Facebook ended up being gang-raped by nine people.
Tamil Nesan reported that the teenager, who lives in a flat in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur, slipped out to see the friend without her parents' knowledge last Saturday.
After they met up, they decided to go to someone's house in Cheras with another guy who drove them there.
Three men were waiting for them at the house.
One of them hugged and kissed the girl as she entered the house but she pushed him away. However, he forced himself on her and raped her.
He then called four other friends and all of them took turns to rape the girl throughout the day.
Subsequently, they took her for dinner at a restaurant. The girl took the chance to escape.
A stunning teenage model has died in a suspected suicide after falling under a train.
Blonde Gabby Joseph, 16, appeared to have everything to live for and had high hopes of becoming a top name in the fashion world.
But she was killed on Easter Monday when she was hit by a train after getting on the tracks about 150 yards from her local station at Briton Ferry, South Wales.
Cops are examining her Facebook account for her final messages. She had left one which has now been deleted. Another, believed to relate to her modelling, read: "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."
A friend said there was also a suggestion someone held a grudge. But the pal added: "Gabby would hate falling out with anyone because she was a happy person. We just don't know the truth yet."
Gabby, who was 5ft 4ins, lived with her mum Julie, a hairdresser, and father Kerry, 43. Gabby's aunt, Carolyn Gammon, said: "Gabby showed no signs of depression. We just don't know what happened.
"All we know is that she left a message on Facebook which has been deleted. We would urge any youngsters not to bottle things up and talk to people instead of going on websites."
Mum Julie, 41, said: "She was the most beautiful girl in the world, both inside and out. Nothing will take away the pain and devastation this has brought to us."
Gabby was a student at a sixth form college. Dozens of flowers from pals were yesterday left near to where she died.
Her death is not being treated as suspicious. A British Transport Police spokesman said: "A file will be prepared for the coroner." Source: The Sun
A California man was found living with the badly decomposed body of a woman after neighbors called to complain of an unusual smell coming from inside the man's studio apartment.
Santa Cruz police officers found the 30-year-old woman's body after entering the apartment . Investigators haven't been able to establish how the woman died because of the deteriorated state of her body, authorities said.
Investigators also haven't determined how long the woman had been dead, but Santa Cruz deputy police Chief Steve Clark said he was comfortable saying it had been at least a week.
The apartment's resident, 63-year-old John Clauer, was in custody on a no-bail parole hold based on a prior drug conviction, Clark said.
It wasn't clear if Clauer and the woman were sharing the apartment as roommates or if they were romantically involved. Investigators were questioning neighbors and canvassing the area to try to figure out the relationship between the two, Clark said.
"If it is indeed a homicide, then he becomes a suspect," Clark said. "He could also be charged with failure to report a death as appropriate."
Clauer has had what Clark described as a "storied history" with Santa Cruz police, having been arrested previously on drug and alcohol related offenses, though it wasn't clear how much time Clauer had served behind bars.
Clauer didn't have an attorney by Wednesday evening.
An autopsy was planned for later this week. The woman's name hasn't been released.
Source: AP
A mother in the United Kingdom who repeatedly stabbed her three children to death was sentenced to 16 years jail.
The Sun reported that Theresa Riggi, 47, killed her eight-year-old twins Austin and Luke and her five-year-old daughter Cecilia at their Edinburgh home.
The mother was afraid she would lose them in a bitter custody row.
The youngsters' bloodstained bodies were discovered with eight stab wounds and multiple abrasions and bruises.
The mother was found badly injured after plunging from a second-floor balcony in an apparent suicide bid.
She also had stab wounds which were believed to have been self-inflicted.
Initially, she was charged with murder, but last month she admitted three counts of the lesser charge of culpable homicide on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Source:The Sun
Images: The Sun
Published April 28 2011
KILLER mum Theresa Riggi who stabbed her three children to death during a bitter custody battle was jailed for 16 years yesterday.
Riggi, 47, killed her eight-year-old twins Austin and Luke and her five-year-old daughter Cecilia at their Edinburgh home last August.
The youngsters' bloodstained bodies were discovered lying side by side at their townhouse following a gas explosion at the building, each with eight stab wounds and multiple abrasions and bruises.
American Riggi was found badly injured after plunging from a second-floor balcony in an apparent suicide bid. She also had stab wounds which were believed to have been self-inflicted.
Jailed ... Theresa Riggi with her children
Initially, she was charged with murder, but last month she admitted three counts of the lesser charge of culpable homicide on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
She was sentenced today at the High Court in Glasgow after Donald Findlay QC spent more than two hours delivering a plea of mitigation on her behalf.
The court heard that Riggi and her estranged husband Pasquale, a Shell UK engineer, had been involved in a legal battle over the children's custody at the time of the killings.
Lord Bracadale, sentencing, said: "You have pleaded guilty to charges of repeatedly stabbing to death each of your twin sons, Austin and Luke, aged nine years, and your daughter Cecilia, aged five years.
"The result of these acts is a devastating family tragedy. The father of the children, Pasquale Riggi, and the wider family have been left utterly bereft by the loss of the children.
"And you, who had a genuine but abnormal and possessive love of your children, have lost them and are brought to this sorry pass."
A MUM feared to have stabbed her three young children to death before hurling herself from a balcony yesterday was involved in a bitter custody fight over the youngsters.
Horrified neighbours watched as sobbing Theresa Riggi - who is embroiled in a divorce battle with husband Pasquale - plummeted 40ft from the second floor of the terraced house in Edinburgh.
Last night it emerged cops had been searching for the mum, who went on the run with the children - twin brothers Gianluca and Augustino, eight, and their five-year-old sister Cecilia - from her home in Skene, Aberdeenshire.
Balcony leap ... Riggi was injured
A Lothian and Borders cop source said: "They had been reported missing from the north east and there was cause for concern.
"It has been a very high-profile investigation by Grampian Police.
"The children were at the centre of a bitter custody battle. This is a tragic set of circumstances."
Officers were today still waiting to quiz Riggi who is seriously injured as locals paid tribute to the children.
Reverend Iain Thomson, from Skene Parish Church, said: "This is a terrible tragedy. The children were beautiful and so young.
"Nothing like this has ever happened to people here before and I really feel for the father who's lost his daughter and sons. We are all in shock."
It is thought Riggi had turned on the gas and tried to torch the property in the capital - but a worried local raised the alarm after smelling the fumes.
When emergency teams arrived at the scene, they found the 46-year-old mum lying badly hurt outside the terraced house.
Fire crews raced inside to tackle the small blaze - then discovered a sickening scene of horror.
Gianluca, Augustino and sister Cecilia were found lying dead in the blood-soaked living room after being repeatedly stabbed.
A source said: "It was a horrific scene.
"The kids were lying on the floor with stab wounds and there was blood all over the floor.
Alert ... 999 crews raced to property in Edinburgh
"The woman was crumpled in a heap outside the house with numerous cuts and broken bones.
"Initially there were reports of a gas explosion, but investigations ruled that out."
Riggi was being treated in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where her condition was reported to be serious but stable.
A "detailed and protracted" forensic examination of the Edinburgh home was underway today as cops appealed for information about the family's lifestyle.
Detective Superintendent Allan Jones said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with the children's family, and we are doing what we can to support them at this tragic time.
"The woman and children had been traced to the address in Slateford Road last month after they had been reported missing from their home in the Aberdeen area.
"The family had been in the city for a few weeks and we are keen to speak to anyone who knew them during that time.
"Anyone who knew the detail of their movements and of their lifestyle here is asked to get in touch with us. This is a bit of a dark area for us at the moment and we are keen to shed some light on it."
Gianluca, Augustino and Cecilia never started school and were taught at home by their mother.
Neighbour Bert Michaels said: "The family kept themselves to themselves, I only heard about Theresa speaking to people when she told them to keep off her private road.
"She was not very welcoming and never came to say hello and I have to admit I thought it strange she never took the children to school."
Floral tributes lay close to the scene today.
One card attached to a teddy bear said: "To the little ones lost so tragically.
"There are now three more stars in the sky. I hope the angels are taking care of you."
Emergency services had arrived at the scene after a 999 caller reported the smell of gas.
Ambulance crews and police also headed to the house in the Slateford area of the city and discovered the harrowing scene.
One shaken neighbour told how he watched Riggi plunge from the balcony after a handyman stumbled on the chilling bloodbath inside the house.
The 21-year-old, who didn't want to be named, said: "I was sitting in my living room and I heard screaming. It was really bad, big screaming - the sort you would only do if a death or something very, very bad had happened. I went outside and I saw her on the balcony.
"I went into the house and there was a smell of gas. A handyman who was with me went upstairs and I went outside.
"When the handyman came back out again he was crying. I don't know what he saw - and I don't want to know."
The neighbour told how other worried locals pleaded with Riggi not to jump - then tried to save her as she crashed to the ground.
He said: "She was standing on the balcony.
"She was holding her arms, like she was already injured. She was crying and screaming.
"There were about five of us standing, saying to her 'don't do it, don't jump'. Then she jumped off.
"My neighbour tried to catch her and she kind of landed in his arms. She was lying on the floor and I left the scene - it was all just too much for me."
Investigation ... police officers outside scene of yesterday's stabbing horror
Engineering student Fatth Hamami, 19, lives around 100 yards from the townhouses where the tragedy happened. He said: "I was asleep in bed when I heard a bang - it was really loud, it was massive.
"I jumped up and ran outside. I could see smoke coming out of the second floor window - it was really thick.
"The emergency services were here really quickly and they moved us all inside the cordon. I saw the woman in the back of the ambulance. She was knocked out and very still."
Last night Lothian and Borders Police confirmed a criminal investigation had been launched into the deaths of tragic youngsters Gianluca - known as Luca - Augustino, also called Austin, and Cecilia. Riggi had fled with the kids from her home on July 11 - sparking a major cop search.
Two days later the Court of Session made an order preventing the children being taken out of the country and demanding the handover of their passports.
Grampian Police appealed to the public for help and other police forces became involved after reports of sightings in Ayrshire, Lothian and Cambridge.
Area ... where tragedy happened
Riggi - who also calls herself Mrs Butimore and has family in the US - was finally traced, along with the children, to a friend's flat in Edinburgh on July 21. But she disappeared again.
Riggi objected to her estranged husband seeing their children. Police were last night speaking to Pasquale, after he was traced in Aberdeen. They said he was not being interviewed as a suspect.
There were two saloon cars parked outside the home Riggi shared with the children, Mosslea Cottage at Skene. A policeman opened the door and said: "Pasquale won't be making a comment."
A Lothian and Borders spokesman said: "The deaths of three primary school aged children are being treated as suspicious. A criminal investigation is under way.
"The results of the post mortems are awaited to determine the cause of deaths."
He added: "Emergency services were called to an address in Slateford Road around 3pm following the reports of a suspected gas explosion and a fire. We can now confirm there was no gas explosion.
"A fire in the first floor of the three-storey house was extinguished and the property made safe. The investigation into the cause of this tragedy is in its early stages."
A Lothian fire services spokesman said last night: "We were called to a report of a possible gas explosion in Slateford Road.
"Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished a small fire on the first floor of the building."
The Scottish Ambulance Service added: "We can confirm that three children died at the scene.
"An adult woman was conveyed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment."
A mother in the United Kingdom who repeatedly stabbed her three children to death was sentenced to 16 years jail.
