After 18 years of marriage, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith decided to call it quits in 2015.
The now-ex couple first met and fell for one another during the shooting of the 1995 romantic comedy Too Much, and it took only a year for them to tie the knot.
They share one daughter together, and the actor helped raise Griffith’s daughter, 50 Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson.
Shortly before their divorce was finalized, Banderas started dating another woman, Nicole Kimpel, whom he met at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival while still married to Griffith.
“Nicole was not the motive of my divorce,” the actor said, per The Arizona Republic. “I met her at the Cannes Festival last year but we both knew where we were. I was still a married man, although things were already heading the way they have now ended up.”
He added, “Nicole told me, ‘You’ve got to solve your problems first, then we’ll see.’ So there’s no direct connection to my breakup with another woman, it’s not like that.”
Kimplel runs a fashion brand together with her sister, and she’s also a model and a financial advisor.
Although the two have been dating for quite some time, they still write romantic messages to one another through the social media and enjoy their time together by attending parties and various events, decorating for Christmas, and taking long walks at the beach. What’s most, Kimpel takes great care of Banderas, and she even saved his life ones, literally.
Back in 2017, the Thick and Thieves star had a heart attack and Kimpel put an aspirin, which she bough the day before for her headache, on his tongue, and that saved his life, Banderas shared with Jimmy Kimmel in 2019.
Speaking of Banderas, Kimpel says she doesn’t see him as a celebrity, but rather as her partner.
“We’re really happy together and I don’t see him as a film star,” Nicole continued. “To me, he’s the man in my life. He has so many great qualities and talents without even taking into account his professional success.”
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As per tradition, the monarch, as well as senior members of the British royal family, are associated or serve in the armed forces, and King Charles, of course, is not an exception. The head of the British monarchy has served in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy and is the military’s Commander-in-Chief.
Just like his father, King Charles fell in love with flying and became a pilot after taking his first flying lessons while studying at Cambridge University. Reports are that years later, he flew the plane all by himself when he needed to be places as part of his royal duties.
“It was a very relaxed relationship where he’d call up asking to be taken out in the aircraft on weekends, and when training was deployed to Aberystwyth one summer, he’d join us in the mess, fly as much as he could, and we even went hiking and fishing together in our down time. It was a wonderful experience,” then-squadron leader Philip Pinney who taught Charles how to fly a plane recalled.
When Charles enrolled RAF College at Cranwell, Squadron Leader, and later AIR Chief Marshal, Sir Richard Johns was the prince’s instructor.
“I had to put my complete faith in the pilots I was training. Prince Charles had a natural ability and picked things up very quickly. He was an easy student to teach, and I was very impressed by not just his focus and concentration but his impeccable determination to succeed. He was not going to fail, it was as simple as that,” Sir Johns said.
Prince Charles reaches out to pick up his flying helmet from the wing of his RAF Chipmunk aircraft at Tangmere in Sussex, August 1st 1968. He is taking his first flying lesson with Squadron Leader Philip Pinney (right). (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
However, back in 1994, he got involved in an incident which turned him away from flying.
In fact, Charles has been involved in scary incidents a couple of times throughout his life.
It was in October of 1982 that Henry VIII’s ship, The Mary Rose, which sank during a battle with the French fleet between the Isle of Wight and Great Britain, was excavated from the ocean’s bottom after centuries. Being a huge lover of history and ships, Charles made sure he watched the process live.
“I remember my days of diving on the ship out in the Solent in the most impossible conditions, it was like swimming in a kind of lentil soup, you couldn’t see anything, or so I thought, until it was under your nose,” Charles recalled when meeting volunteers and fundraisers at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Hampshire in 2014.
“What I could never get over was the sheer expertise of the archaeologists operating under water.”
Matthew Horwood – Pool/Getty Images
Despite the bad conditions and the technical difficulties, then-Prince Charles encouraged the workers to continue with their work.
“I will never forget the almighty crash as the chains came down, and I thought it was all my fault. I think it was worth taking the risk as we have this truly remarkable example of a Tudor warship which is unique,” Charles said.
Charles examined the vessel up close as it was lifted from the seabed. He was supposed to board the remains of the vessel. However, security was critical and the idea was ruled out as too dangerous. At that moment, the giant crane called Tog Mor, which is Gaelic for “big lift,” collapsed and the frame broke away and almost smashed the ship’s hull, close to where the King would have been standing.
“You know, the future king of England could have died live on TV, which I think would have changed the whole aspect of the recovery, to be honest. Everything went silent. There wasn’t a whisper. No one spoke for what felt like minutes, was probably ten seconds, but just no one moved,” Royal Engineer Jack Frost who was involved in the operation said in the documentary Raising the Mary Rose: The Lost Tapes.
AUSTRALIA – APRIL 01: Prince Of Wales Piloting A Hawker Siddely 748 Plane During His Tour Of Australia In 1983. (exact Day Date Uncertain) (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Twelve years after this incident, King Charles was involved in yet another near-death experience.
Back in 1994, then-prince Charles was approaching Islay for a five-day official visit to Scotland and was given the chance to land a Queen’s Flight passenger jet. However, as he was about to approach the runway, the plane hit the ground at too high a speed and there was barely runway left when the pilot decided to brake drastically to stop the plane from sliding onto the rough landscape next to the runway.
As a result of the impact, three of the aircraft’s tires broke and the jet stopped only 60ft from a 14ft drop into a stream.
“It wasn’t quite a crash. We went off the end of the runway, unfortunately. It is not something I recommend,” Charles explained.
“The nose wheel had landed because it was right beneath us, so we were bumping along the runway,” former RAF Squadron Leader Graham Laurie who was the pilot of the flight said, as per People. “But what we didn’t realize was the main wheels were still slightly clear of the ground, so consequently, when I took over, I still couldn’t stop it going off the end.”
“With hindsight, of course, I should have got him to overshoot and make another approach. But I actually told him to land, so he did exactly what he was told to do.”
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Laurie was the one who was disciplined, and no blame was put on Charles. This incident had “career implications” on Laurie, who was not formally disciplined.
Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident.
The damage to the plane was in excess of £1 million. And around a year after it happened, Charles gave up his flying license. It was never noted that the incident was the reason the now-King gave up flying.
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Given her months-long recuperation period after the planned abdominal surgery performed at a private London hospital, concerns have been raised that Kate Middleton may be suffering from a serious illness.
In their statement about the procedure, the Palace wrote among the rest that the surgery was a ‘non-cancerous’ one, but the extended period of recuperation may suggest something else is in question. The Palace added that the Princess of Wales will no be returning to her public duties until Easter.
Samir Hussein – Pool/WireImage
“Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” the statement from Kensington Palace on its social media pages.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.”
The statement continued: “Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share. The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
According to Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, there could be plenty of reasons why Kate is expected to stay at the hospital for around 14 days. Lee told Express that it all depends on what type of surgery Kate has undergone.
“For abdominal surgery, most people stay in the hospital for four to seven days. After laparoscopic surgery [a type of keyhole surgery], this is reduced to two to four days,” she said.
“It very much depends on what exactly has been done. If a patient needs to go to ITU, it’s likely their hospital stay would be considerably longer. It can take two months or more for the patient to feel comfortable and be able to move around normally afterward.”
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
As she would be taking her time to fully recover, her husband, Prince William, would also cut on his public engagements in order to be able to take care of the couple’s three children. Of course, he would be assisted by the kids’ nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.
Among the rest, Kate would take a step back from important projects such as the Mental Health Awareness Week that is to take place next month.
In an interview with GB News, royal expert Jennie Bond said her “jaw dropped” when she read the statement, saying it was a “shock.”
“We’re told it was a planned procedure, that it was an abdominal problem, that it is not cancer,” Bond said. “But to be in hospital for two weeks and then to go recover for up to two or three months and have a full diary canceled means it may have been planned, but not for a very long time.”
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
The expert further added, “I have no idea what it is she doesn’t want us to know at this stage, but I do know that she will want to be back home with her family and her children as soon as possible. And so that makes it all more surprising that she may not be back home for a fortnight.
“Prince William is going to divide his time between looking after the children and being at his wife’s bedside, and therefore he won’t be carrying out public engagements either.”
William was seen arriving at the hospital to visit his wife.
Shutterstock/ Featureflash Photo Agency
Kate’s office reported they have now cleared the Princess’ schedule, and royal expert Daniela Elser is left questioning why would they do that just now if the surgery was indeed planned in advance.
“If royal officials are, as the Times has reported, currently ‘clearing’ the Princess of Wales’ diary ‘for several months to allow her proper recovery time’ then this was all a bit more sudden than the bland statement would otherwise suggest,” Elser wrote.
“Royal sources have told the Telegraph that not only will the father-of-three not ‘undertake any public duties’ while his wife is in the London Clinic but also blocked out ‘the immediate period following her return home.’” she continued. “I can’t think of another occasion in recent history when senior members of the royal family have wholly taken themselves off the board so suddenly and for such a lengthy period of time. All of this is perturbing.”
Karwai Tang/WireImage
To Elser, another alarming detail is that William will also be taking some time off from his engagements, which isn’t something typical for a royal to do unless something serious is going on.
“The prince and princess were also set, according to the Telegraph, to have another short overseas tour on the books for sometime in February too. That too has now been kiboshed. Tours like these take more planning and prep-work than most lunar missions, thus for the plug to be pulled so late in the game is a particularly alarming detail,” she wrote.
We wish Kate Middleton a fully and speedy recovery.
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When then 15-year-old Chantelle Stedman gave birth to a baby girl in 2009, Britain was shocked to learn that the father was a 13-year-old boy named Alfie Patten.
Allegedly, he lost virginity with Chantelle and she fell pregnant with his child.
The young dad was even pictured holding his daughter Maisie in a hospital bed.
No matter how spectacular this story sounded, it was surrounded by controversy from the very beginning. If Alfie was truly the father, it meant his daughter was conceived when he was just 12.
Even then-Prime Minister David Cameron commented on the case, saying, “I just thought how worrying that in Britain today children are having children.”
Shortly after the sensational news spread worldwide like wildfire, six other boys claimed they had intercourse with Chantelle around the same time, with one of them, then 15-year-old Tyler Barker, saying the two had unprotected sex.
As these claims stir things up, Alfie’s and Tyler’s families agreed that both boys should take a £300 DNA test to resolve the paternity issue. When the results came it, it was determined that Tyler was, in fact, the father.
Alfie’s mother was mad at the media and the world, claiming the family were being “treated like something off the TV show Shameless.”
“Suddenly Alfie’s name was being thrown about in Parliament and on the 10 o’clock news. We were portrayed as a bad family from the wrong side of town,” she told The Mirror.
Speaking to The Sun in 2014, Alfie said, “I was devastated. It was too much to take in. I cried for days and barely left my room.
“To make things worse I never saw Maisie again because Chantelle and her family moved away as soon as they found out I wasn’t the dad.
“I couldn’t face doing anything. I couldn’t go to school. I thought my world had ended.”
Today, 28-year-old Alfie still struggles with his life.
He’s unemployed, battles addictions, and have troubles with the law. While suspended for shoplifting, theft and possession of an imitation firearm, he was convicted of criminal damage after smashing up cars. In 2021, he and his mother were kicked out of the home they were renting because of alleged drug dealing.
“The premises were being used for drug dealing and there was the anti-social behaviour spilling out onto the street and affecting the neighbourhood,” District Judge Teresa Szagun said of the case. “From what I can gather the landlord does not want the Pattens back.”
It’s sad how this man’s life turned into horror from very early age.
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Purslane, or Portulaca oleracea, is a herb native to Asia which is spread worldwide. Although many consider it just weed, it is in fact a plant that is edible and extremely nutritious.
Among the rest, this plant is rich in antioxidants, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and beneficial plant compounds. Being full of beta-carotene, the pigment responsible for the reddish color of its stems and leaves and an antioxidant believed to reduce the number of free radicals in your body, purslane lowers the risk of cancer.
It is also helpful for supporting your cardiovascular system as it has the highest-recorded levels of omega-3 fatty acids of any land-based plant.
Among the rest, purslane is a great source of calcium and magnesium, two minerals that help keep your bones strong and healthy.
By including purslane in your diet, you can give your overall health a significant boost.
Purslane, which also goes by the names pigweed, little hogweed, fatweed and pusley, contains about 93% water and is similar in taste with spinach. It is also very crunchy and juicy. Purslane can be eaten cooked or raw and it is a fantastic addition to salads, soups, and stews.
What’s great about this plant is that it can be planted in dry, hot regions, as well as gardens of low maintenance. This means purslane practically grows without any help at all and can be even spotted on sidewalk cracks as it easily adapts to harsher conditions.
However, although it doesn’t require any special conditions or perfect soil, this plant’s impressive root system plays a vital role in improving soil health and preventing erosion. So, not only it would beautify your garden, but it would also naturally enhance the fertility and stability of your soil.
The United States Department of Agriculture refers to it as of a “noxious weed,” and in some regions its cultivation is limited or prohibited.
Besides being a perfect addition to your diet, purslane can attract beneficial insects to your garden. Bees and butterflies are just some of the pollinators that are drawn to its beautiful flowers.
It truly looks like purslane is the perfect plant that would made a valuable addition to your diet and to your garden.
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The planet we live on is not exclusively ours. On the contrary, it is a home of a huge number of species, each of which more fascinating than the other. And although humans have only domesticated insignificant number of animals, it doesn’t mean that we can’t admire the wild ones too, even from a very safe distance.
There are plenty of remarkable stories of humans stepping in for animals when they need it the most. Whether it is a case of a lost creature, a drowning one, or else, some people never hesitate to offer a helping hand, even if that brings a risk on its own.
One day, Brantly Harrison and her family stumbled upon an injured squirrel. Aware that helping an animal of that kind isn’t easy, since squirrels live in the wild, they decided to do all in their power to help the fragile creature survive. Little did they know, however, that their kind deed would be the start of a fascinating bond and a friendship that would last a lot longer than any of them anticipated.
The squirrel, whom they named Bella, sustained the injuries after being attacked by an owl.
Luckily, Bella got used to being around the humans who helped her and she was able to recover after which she was released into the wild. The Harrisons were sad their little friend left their home, but they were aware that Bella would be better in her natural habitat.
Around a year later, while they were still asleep, someone started knocking on their window without stopping.
Brantly and the rest of the family had no idea who might that be, but when they went to check, they were stunned to see it was Bella. This wasn’t the first time that she paid them a visit since they released her into the wild, but this time, it was different. It seemed like she was trying to tell them something, and that’s why she knocked on their window.
As always the Harrions showed their kindness and took Bella home. That’s when they noticed that one of her legs was injured. Quckly, they provided her with the much-needed help and placed her inside a box.
The following day, when they went to check on her, they were stunned to see three tiny squirrels by her side. Bella was a mom, and she was happy to share the news with the people who loved her to the moon and back.
This story is the perfect example that humans and animals can live in harmony. It emphasizes the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife while recognizing that in certain situations, intervention can be an expression of empathy and a lifeline for those in need.
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Until they reach certain age, it is the parents who make decisions on behalf of their children. The truth is, however, that the society and the people you are surrounded with will not always find those decisions to be the right ones.
Nowadays, moms and dads out there are quick to post videos and photos of their little ones, with some even operating social media accounts of their children where they update followers of the lives of their bundles of joy.
Lara, who is now 4 months old, is already a huge star on the social platform TikTok.
Her mom shares plenty of photos and videos of Lara which people love. However, a recent photo which was intended to show how much Lara grew up since day one led to harsh criticism and the opinions are divided.
Namely, Lara’s mom posted a photo of the girl from the day she was born, and one detail attracted the attention of many. Despite being just 24 hours old, she had her tiny ears pierced and that enraged many and left them pretty concerned.
Of course, there were also those who stood by Lara’s mom’s side and explained that this is quite normal in some cultures, while others said that piercing the ears of a one-day-old baby was just wrong and that the mom should have waited for the child to be old enough to make that decision by herself.
“I just do not get it. And it hurts just like when they are older! Don’t kid yourself,” one person wrote. “It’s their decision if they want their ears pierced, or is it? I’m going to let my babies decide when they understand these things,” another added.
Once she read all of the comments, Lara’s mom decided to speak of her decision to have her daughter’s ears pierced.
“When you get your ear pierced when you are 2 or 3 days old, you don’t feel pain like when you are 1 or 2 years old. The holes are made by the neonatologists themselves in the hospital at birth,” she explained.
You can take a look at the video which caused quite a stir below.
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Our name isn’t something we choose ourselves. Of course, there is always the opportunity to legally change it if we don’t like it, but the truth is that most of us just learn how to live with it and simply get used to it.
Our name can play an important role in maintaining our self-identity.
In recent times, new moms and dads tend to give their bundles of joy unique names, just like the famous TikToker Indy Clinton. This Aussie mom of two, who is an influencer that shares quirky videos featuring her sexy looks and her family, caused quite a stir when she shared with her followers that she named her baby daughter Bambi, after the Disney deer character.
Love Islander Molly-Mae Hague naming her baby Bambi as well was just a pure coincidence Clinton said.
According to her, she has always loved the Disney’s story and she has read it to her son since he was born, and she’s now reading it to her daughter Bambi.
Initially, Clinton wanted to name her daughter Paloma, but the moment the girl was welcomed into the world she was immediately struck by her “sweet, curious nature,” not to mention her “big, brown eyes.” It was clear the baby needed to be named Bambi instead.
“Four months ago, when I was giving birth, I was convinced Bambi was the most unique, unusual name that nobody would use,” this mom said.
“Good on Molly-Mae, though. It looks like great minds think alike. We were set on calling her Paloma at first. That was her name, and nothing was going to change that. But I was reading the book to Navy one night, and it came to me.”
The moment she came up with the name she believes suits her now 4-month-old daughter perfectly came as lightning striking.
“I sat up and yelled, ‘what about Bambi?’ and from then on, it stuck.”
For some reason, both Molly-Mae and Indy Clinton received harsh criticism over the choice of name.
Clinton, however, doesn’t mind what people say as long as she loved the name herself.
“You know, unique names are the new trend,” the 25-year-old mom said. “Bambi is going to fit right in with the Rivers, Bears, Forests, Stormis, and Wolfs. I’d be more concerned calling my kid a name from the 1900s. People will criticize anything these days, so at least give them something to talk about.”
What do you think of this? Is Bambi a proper name for a child?
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