Here’s our edited roundup of the news stories you need to know about this week – the what, who, where and whens…
ROLF HARRIS SENTENCE TO BE REVIEWED
Australian entertainer Rolf Harris, who was a major star in British children’s TV, was sentenced to five years and nine months for indecently assaulting girls during the years 1968 and 1986.
The 84-year-old TV presenter, who is said to be frail with health issues, was told: “You have shown no remorse for your crimes at all. Your reputation now lies in ruins, you have been stripped of your honours, but you have no one to blame but yourself.”
However, recent news of his stash of indecent images of children and criticism over the “unduly lenient” jail term means the attorney general will be reviewing the sentence, which could see his time behind bars vastly increased.
IS CARA DELEVINGNE SET TO LEAVE MODELLING?
They don’t call her the new Kate Moss for no reason – she is the face of a number of high-end and high street brands and the leader of many catwalks – yet it seems the pressure and workload could be getting to model Cara Delevingne.
The 21-year-old model, who stars in the new Balenciaga advertising campaign, was spotted at London’s Gaucho club looking emotional and confiding in Naomi Campbell. According to a Daily Mail source Cara is keen to turn her back on modelling and concentrate on acting.
The source allegedly said: “Cara wants to be taken seriously as an actress and told Naomi she thinks modelling is getting in the way. They talked about how b*tchy the industry is and how Cara feels people are turning against her. Cara spoke about all the pressure she’s under and how modelling is stopping her from living her life properly.”
While Cara’s thespian skills are said to be as impressive as her catwalk persona, she would be sorely missed if she left the fashion world.
IKEA FUNDED SECRET POLICE
According to reports in The Guardian, Swedish furniture band Ikea made covert six-figure payments to fund Romania’s brutal communist-era secret police during the 1980s.
Recent documents obtained by the newspaper suggest “the furniture firm agreed to be overcharged for products made in Romania. Some of the overpayments were deposited in an account controlled by the Securitate, the secret police agency.”
Ikea denies complicity and an internal investigation into the matter has been launched.
TINA FEY IS NOT REVIVING HOCUS POCUS
Despite the rumours, we sadly announce that Tina Fey is not going to produce the sequel to Hocus Pocus.
When news spread that there will be a sequel to the movie, continuing the tale of the Sanderson Sisters, originally played by Better Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker assumptions were made linking 30 Rock star Tina to the project. She is not.
However, the Emmy award-winning star is making a film about witches after signing a deal with Disney.
FRANCE BAN ON BURQAS TO STAY
The European Court Of Human Rights have ruled that France can keep its burqa ban stating the ban on wearing a full-face veil is permissible.
The case was taken to court by a 24-year-old French woman who felt the law restricted her ability to live according to her religion and personal beliefs.
The ban came into effect in April 2011 and has caused major debate in the country ever since.
Anyone caught wearing the burqa or niqab will be fined 150 euros (Dhs749). The fine can be substituted for community service.
ANDREA INCONTRI IS NEW MENSWEAR CREATIVE DIRECTOR FOR TOD’S
As part of its attempt to amp up its ready-to-wear line, Tod’s has appointed Andrea Incontri to be creative director for it’s menswear range.
The designer, who has made a name for himself with his eponymous label, said: “Becoming part of a company like Tod’s is both an honour and an exciting challenge. Quality and contemporary Italian style are Tod’s values that are already part of my personal vision of the modern man. My aim is to develop them, always keeping in mind the importance of the roots of a brand with such a rich history and craftsmanship.”
JESSICA SIMPSON GETS MARRIED
Singer, actress and entrepreneur, Jessica Simpson, wed her pro-athlete beau Eric Johnson on Saturday afternoon, a day after treating guests to a July 4 BBQ.
The wedding took place at San Ysidro Ranch – the same place JFK and Jackie O honeymooned – in front of 250 guests, including sister Ashlee and celebrities Jessica Alba and her husband Cash Warren. Jessica wore a Carolina Herrera gown to recite her vows, while their son Ace, one, was a ring bearer and daughter Maxwell, two, was a flower girl.
“We are overwhelmed with complete happiness and love having made our eternal commitment,” the couple told People. “To say ‘I do’ in front of family, friends and, most importantly, our children has been the happiest moment of our lives.”
ARREST MADE IN ISRAEL
An arrest has been made in the West Back city of Hebron in connection with the kidnapping and murder of three teenagers.
The young men disappeared while hitch-hiking home from their school. Their bodies were discovered by soldiers beneath a pile of rocks. While Hamas were said to be responsible, they have denied involvement.
A funeral was held on Saturday for the Arab teenager who many Palestinians believe was killed by Israeli extremists in a revenge attack.
