Prince Andrew has spoken out about his links to convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, in an interview with BBC Newsnight‘s Emily Maitlis, which was aired on Saturday night. Speaking at Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s son “categorically” denied having any sexual contact with American woman Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey’s accusers, who was aged 17 at the time. The royal told Emily: “It didn’t happen. I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever.” Andrew also said that he would testify under oath if “push came to shove” and that his lawyers advised him too. Addressing Jeffrey’s attendance at Princess Beatrice’s 18th birthday party at Windsor Castle in 2006, Andrew said that he was unaware of an arrest warrant against the American financer at the time. The royal answered: “At the time, I certainly wasn’t aware when the invitation was issued, what was going on in the United States. And I wasn’t aware until the media picked up on it because he certainly never said anything about it.”

When asked if he feels regret over his relationship with Jeffrey, Andrew said that it was the wrong decision to visit him in December 2010. He said: “Do I regret the fact that he has quite obviously conducted himself in a manner unbecoming? yes.” He added that he now regrets going to stay with Jeffrey. “I stayed with him and that’s.. the bit that… as it were, I kick myself for on a daily basis because it was not something that was becoming of a member of the Royal Family and we try and uphold the highest standards and practices and I let the side down, simple as that.”

Andrew said that the allegations have been a “constant sore” in the royal family. “We all knew him, and I think that if we have a conversation about it, we are all left with the same thing, what on earth happened? Or how did he get to where he was, what did he do, how did he do it? And so it’s just a constant ghaw. I mean this first came out in 2011 and it was a surprise to all of us because the photographs were published at a separate time to when I was there, and then we sort of questioned what was going on and discussed it.”

The Duke also said that the Queen and the wider royal family have been nothing but supportive. Andrew told Emily at the end of the interview: “I think you’ve dragged out most of what is required and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity that you’ve given me to be able to discuss this with you.” The royal’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, publicly shared her support for Andrew after the interview was aired. She took to Instagram to share a series of photos of him, which were accompanied by a statement. Sarah wrote: “It is so rare to meet people that are able to speak from their hearts with honesty and pure real truth, that remain steadfast and strong to their beliefs. Andrew is a true and real gentleman and is stoically steadfast to not only his duty but also his kindness and goodness of always seeing the best in people. I am deeply supportive and proud of this giant of a principled man, that dares to put his shoulder to the wind and stands firm with his sense of honour and truth.”

The mother-of-two added: “For so many years he has gone about his duties for Great Britain and The Monarch. It is time for Andrew to stand firm now, and that he has, and I am with him every step of the way and that is my honour. We have always walked tall and strong, he for me and me for him. We are the best examples of joint parenting, with both our girls and I go back to my three C’s ..Communicate, Compromise, Compassion.”

©hello magazine

Jack Osbourne felt something was amiss while poring over his credit card statements … and he was proven right when he discovered he’d been the target of identity theft. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … the red flags started flying for Jack when he saw just a few odd charges, and it prompted him to start looking back at previous months’ statements. Good thing he did, ’cause lo and behold … he found a slew of charges he never made.

We’re told Jack contacted law enforcement and reported the unauthorized charges totaled around $30k. It appears the charge to his card came from an employee of a monthly service Jack has scheduled at his house. The LAPD is now investigating the case, though no arrests have been made. We know getting hit for five figures worth o’ cash flat-out sucks … but it beats the last time Jack fell victim to a crime.

TMZ broke the story … Ozzy and Sharon’s son was brutally attacked back in April after an apparent homeless man walked up to him on a coffee shop patio and sucker punched him. The attacker was tracked down and arrested for battery and assault. We’ll see if Jack has justice on his side again with the credit card scammer.

Parenting can be a wonderful and challenging experience at the best of times. From the moment you find out you’re pregnant, to giving birth, figuring out what’s the best diapers these days or for first time parents, OMG, can I do this? Are we ready?

Now keep in mind all those questions and lets add another layer. What kind of questions goes through the minds of those parents that may have a disability? My main focus will be on blind parents, but I am more than willing/happy to do research and answer questions or provide helpful tips for any parent with a disability.

Are you someone with a disability and wonder:
who can you go to for answers?
Is there anyone out there that will understand what I’m going through?
What my fears are?

Are you a first time parent and thinking:
Oh dear, how do I give medicine?
What’s the best way to change my child’s diaper?
Am I able to help my child with their school work?

These are just some of the things that come up in day to day life as a parent and I hope to be able to share some of my knowledge with you readers. Do you know anyone that is a parent with a disability? If so, make sure you tell them about this beginning article.

My name is May and I am a blind parent with 2 adorable children. One girl age 10, and one boy age 15. My boyfriend and I now are getting ready to go through the adoption process and that will bring on all new challenges and questions. If you have topics you’d like for me to try and address feel free to let me know!

Even before her 1956 conversion, Marilyn Monroe, was attached to Judaism.

One of the most famous photos of the screen legend, with her white
skirt fluttering in a jet of subway exhaust, was snapped by Garry
Winogrand. The picture was promotion for Billy Wilder’s “The Seven Year
Itch” (1955). A year after the film’s debut, she married playwright
Arthur Miller and became a Member of the Tribe. The union didn’t last
long enough for the aforementioned itch to creep up on either spouse,
but Monroe’s relationship with Judaism endured for the rest of her life.

Last year a siddur owned and annotated by Monroe sold at auction for $21,000. Now, another piece of Monroe’s spiritual life will be on the block: Her menorah, gifted to her by Miller’s parents, and among her belongings at the time of her death in 1962.

Kestenbaum & Company, a New York auction house specializing in
Judaica linked to historical figures — including such unlikely subjects
as Henry VIII to Mother Theresa — will take bids for the item on
November 7.

The menorah, which is being sold by a private collector who snagged
it at Christie’s 20 years ago, has been on view before, included as part
of the Jewish Museum’s exhibit “Becoming Jewish: Warhol’s Liz and
Marilyn;” as well as an exhibit at the Museum of American Jewish History
in Philadelphia.

As far as menorahs go (and it’s technically a hanukkiah), Monroe’s is a pretty standard metal affair — not at all glamorous. Her personal rabbi, Robert E. Goldburg opined that Monroe was attracted to “the rationalism of Judaism.”

“Marilyn Monroe’s spellbinding magnetism knows no bounds,” the
auction house company director, Daniel Kestenbaum, noted. “The market
for memorabilia from the Golden Age of Hollywood goes from strength to
strength, as does Fine Judaica, and as such this extraordinary item has
remarkable provenance.”

This Hanukkah, you can pay tribute to the woman who, per Elton John, lived her life like a “Candle in the Wind,” by lighting her hanukkiah. But you’ll have to pay up first. Kestenbaum & Company have listed a guide price of $100,000 – 150,000 for the Marilyn menorah. With that price tag, you may not have money left over for presents.

Why is the housing market important to the economy?

The housing market is closely linked to consumer spending. When house
prices go up, homeowners become better off and feel more confident.
Some people will borrow more against the value of their home, either to
spend on goods and services, renovate their house, supplement their
pension, or pay off other debt.

When house prices go down, homeowners risk that their house will be
worth less than their outstanding mortgage.  People are therefore more
likely to cut down on spending and hold off from making personal
investments.

Mortgages are the greatest source of debt for households in the UK.
If many people take out large loans compared to their income or the
value of their house, this can put the banking system at risk in an
economic downturn.

Housing investment is a small but unpredictable part of how we
measure the total output of the economy. If you buy a newly built home,
it directly contributes to total output (GDP),
for example through investment in land and building materials as well
as creating jobs. The local area also profits when new houses are built
as newcomers will start using local shops and services.

Buying and selling existing homes does not affect GDP in the same
way. The accompanying costs of a house transaction still benefit the
economy, however. These can include anything from estate agent, legal or
surveyor fees to buying a new sofa or paint.

Why do house prices change?

House prices have changed a lot over time.

The average house price was a little over £10,000 back in 1977. Roll
forward 40 years and the average price has risen to £200,000. Even with
the general increase in the prices of goods and services, house prices
are now around three times as expensive as they were in the late 1970s.

For one thing, house prices tend to rise if people expect to be
richer in the future. Normally that happens when the economy is doing
well as more people are in work and wages are higher.

House prices also tend to rise if more people are able to borrow
money to buy houses. The more lending banks and building societies are
willing to provide, the more people can buy a house and prices will
rise.

The Bank of England also affects house prices through setting the key
interest rate in the economy. The lower interest rates are, the lower
the cost of borrowing to pay for a house is, and the more people are
able to afford to borrow to buy a house. That will also mean prices will
tend to be higher.

There are also more fundamental reasons why house prices may change.

For instance, demand for housing may rise if the population is
increasing or there are more single-person households. Growing demand
usually means higher house prices.

Prices will also tend to be higher if fewer houses are built,
reducing the supply of housing. The fewer houses that are built, the
more people will need to compete by increasing the amount of money they
are willing to spend to buy a house

There have also been times when house prices have increased a lot
just because people think prices will continue to rise. This is called a
housing market bubble. Bubbles are always followed by housing market
crashes when house prices fall sharply.

This happened in the 1980s. Between 1984 and 1989 house prices doubled, which was much higher than the growth in people’s earnings. The unsustainable rise was followed by over five years of falling house prices. It then took until 1999 before house prices had recovered to the level they were in 1989.

© Bank of England