Erin Moran, who played Joanie Cunningham in the sitcoms Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi, has died aged 56.
Police in Harrison County, Indiana, said the former child star was found unresponsive after authorities received an emergency call. The cause of her death has not been determined.
Californian-born Moran began acting in TV and movies before she was 10 years old and joined the cast in Happy Days as Joanie, the kid sister to Ron Howard's Richie Cunningham, in 1974.
Her other co-stars included Tom Bosley and Marion Ross as Joanie's parents and Henry Winkler as the loveable tough guy Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli.
"What happened with all of us was like we were this family," Moran told Xfinity in 2009. "It was so surreal with all the cast members. They were my family, get it?"
The show was set in 1950s Milwaukee and became a long-running hit. Howard and Winkler were the show's biggest stars, but the smiling, freckle-faced Moran also became popular.
In 1982, she was paired off with fellow Happy Days performer Scott Baio in the short-lived spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi.
Moran returned to Happy Days in 1984, the show's final season.
On news of her death, Howard tweeted: "Such sad sad news. RIP Erin. I'll always choose to remember you on our show making scenes better, getting laughs and lighting up TV screens."
"OH Erin... now you will finally have the peace you wanted so badly here on earth," Winkler tweeted. "Rest In It serenely now... too soon."
Moran's more recent credits included The Love Boat and Murder, She Wrote, but she never approached the success of Happy Days and endured numerous personal and financial struggles. She was reportedly homeless at times.
In 2011, she and Ross and former Happy Days actors Anson Williams and Donnie Most sued CBS, saying they were owed money for merchandising related to the show. The lawsuit was settled the following year.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
France presidential elections: Polls open as first round of voting begins
Polling stations have now opened across France for millions to cast their votes in the most unpredictable presidential election in decades and one which will be a test of voters' anger with the political establishment.
Amid tight security people will make their choices after a campaign which pitted the far-right against the far-left with the traditional centre parties of France struggling to make ground.
Four candidates are currently in a position to bag one of the two first-round places which would take them into a final run-off.
With a third of voters still undecided in the final days of campaigning, any one of them could make it through.
The economy and jobs have been the dominant issues of the election but security was thrust to the fore after an armed gunman brought chaos to the Champs-Elysees in the French capital on Thursday - the night before the final day of campaigning.
While candidates cancelled major rallies and events, some spoke out on security and terrorism, leading to criticism they were exploiting tragic events for political purposes.
Security has been intensified to ensure the election goes ahead without any problems.
Some 50,000 police and 7,000 soldiers will be deployed across France to protect voters.
Authorities in Paris have offered additional guards for any polling station that needs extra support.
Close to 47 million people are eligible to vote in the election, with 1.3 million of them living abroad.
French overseas territories and French residents living in the US and Canada began voting on Saturday.
The result will be as keenly watched around the world as in France to see whether the populist tide which delivered Brexit to the UK and Donald Trump to America is still at play.
The two candidates who get the most votes in the first round will advance to the second round in two weeks when a new French president will be chosen.
But surveys suggest many voters won't vote at all with abstention rates predicted to hit a record high - a sign in part of people's disillusionment with politics.
Some 57,000 polling stations will be open across the country with exit polls expected soon after the final ones close at 8pm (local time).
Amid tight security people will make their choices after a campaign which pitted the far-right against the far-left with the traditional centre parties of France struggling to make ground.
Four candidates are currently in a position to bag one of the two first-round places which would take them into a final run-off.
With a third of voters still undecided in the final days of campaigning, any one of them could make it through.
The economy and jobs have been the dominant issues of the election but security was thrust to the fore after an armed gunman brought chaos to the Champs-Elysees in the French capital on Thursday - the night before the final day of campaigning.
While candidates cancelled major rallies and events, some spoke out on security and terrorism, leading to criticism they were exploiting tragic events for political purposes.
Security has been intensified to ensure the election goes ahead without any problems.
Some 50,000 police and 7,000 soldiers will be deployed across France to protect voters.
Authorities in Paris have offered additional guards for any polling station that needs extra support.
Close to 47 million people are eligible to vote in the election, with 1.3 million of them living abroad.
French overseas territories and French residents living in the US and Canada began voting on Saturday.
The result will be as keenly watched around the world as in France to see whether the populist tide which delivered Brexit to the UK and Donald Trump to America is still at play.
The two candidates who get the most votes in the first round will advance to the second round in two weeks when a new French president will be chosen.
But surveys suggest many voters won't vote at all with abstention rates predicted to hit a record high - a sign in part of people's disillusionment with politics.
Some 57,000 polling stations will be open across the country with exit polls expected soon after the final ones close at 8pm (local time).
Harry, William and Kate shun marathon limelight to allow focus on mental awareness
Prince Harry has told Sky News he considered running this year's London Marathon but wanted the focus to be on the runners raising awareness of mental health.
Heads Together, the campaign launched by Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is the main charity partner for this year's London Marathon.
The three of them will be cheering on the thousands pounding the pavements through the capital as they hope to make this the "mental health marathon".
Asked if any of them had considered taking on the 26.2 mile challenge, Prince Harry said: "Yes I think all three of us were tempted, but it was probably safer and easier for us not to and to try and do our best to lead the campaign and let the focus be on the Heads Together runners which was 200 and is now 700."
This week the three royals have ramped up the awareness campaign, sharing their own personal experiences, in an attempt to break down the stigma around mental illness and encourage people to talk with the hashtag #oktosay.
While many of the 39,000 runners are doing the marathon for other causes and charities they've all been given Heads Together branded headbands to wear.
Paul Scates and his father Norman will be running for Heads Together and the charity Young Minds. When Paul was 16, while experiencing psychosis and paranoia, he attempted to take his own life and broke his back.
Talking about how he will feel taking part in the marathon, Paul said: "For me, the fact that I broke my back when I was 16, and that running has saved my life basically - the exhilaration, with a bit of anxiety, the exhilaration I'm going to feel is massive."
It's anticipated the marathon will raise millions for mental health charities.
Figures seen by Sky News show that many of the eight charity partners for Heads Together, have already seen a huge increase in demand for their services.
Sarah Brennan, chief executive of Young Minds, said it has also boosted their lobbying power as charities push for more government funding.
Heads Together, the campaign launched by Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is the main charity partner for this year's London Marathon.
The three of them will be cheering on the thousands pounding the pavements through the capital as they hope to make this the "mental health marathon".
Asked if any of them had considered taking on the 26.2 mile challenge, Prince Harry said: "Yes I think all three of us were tempted, but it was probably safer and easier for us not to and to try and do our best to lead the campaign and let the focus be on the Heads Together runners which was 200 and is now 700."
This week the three royals have ramped up the awareness campaign, sharing their own personal experiences, in an attempt to break down the stigma around mental illness and encourage people to talk with the hashtag #oktosay.
While many of the 39,000 runners are doing the marathon for other causes and charities they've all been given Heads Together branded headbands to wear.
Paul Scates and his father Norman will be running for Heads Together and the charity Young Minds. When Paul was 16, while experiencing psychosis and paranoia, he attempted to take his own life and broke his back.
Talking about how he will feel taking part in the marathon, Paul said: "For me, the fact that I broke my back when I was 16, and that running has saved my life basically - the exhilaration, with a bit of anxiety, the exhilaration I'm going to feel is massive."
It's anticipated the marathon will raise millions for mental health charities.
Figures seen by Sky News show that many of the eight charity partners for Heads Together, have already seen a huge increase in demand for their services.
Sarah Brennan, chief executive of Young Minds, said it has also boosted their lobbying power as charities push for more government funding.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Manchester United fans electrocuted watching match on TV in Nigeria
Seven Manchester United fans have been killed while watching their team play on television.
The group in Nigeria were electrocuted while viewing Jose Mourinho's side play Anderlecht on Thursday night.
A transformer had exploded, sending a high-powered electricity line onto the building where they were gathered.
Another 11 people were injured in the incident, which happened in the Nigerian coastal city of Calabar, according to Cross River state police spokeswoman Irene Ugbo.
Witnesses have said 80 people were inside the building at the time and so it is feared the number of dead may increase.
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company did not comment but has previously said it is illegal to build structures under high-tension cables.
State governor Ben Ayade said: "It was heart-wrenching that the lives of the young men were lost through electrocution."
Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari sent his condolences to families of the victims.
Manchester United used its official Twitter account to write: "Our thoughts go out to the United fans, their friends and families affected by the tragedy in Calabar, Nigeria."
FIFA tweeted that it was "deeply saddened by the deaths of several football fans in Calabar and offer our deepest condolences to family & friends of the victims".
The group in Nigeria were electrocuted while viewing Jose Mourinho's side play Anderlecht on Thursday night.
A transformer had exploded, sending a high-powered electricity line onto the building where they were gathered.
Another 11 people were injured in the incident, which happened in the Nigerian coastal city of Calabar, according to Cross River state police spokeswoman Irene Ugbo.
Witnesses have said 80 people were inside the building at the time and so it is feared the number of dead may increase.
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company did not comment but has previously said it is illegal to build structures under high-tension cables.
State governor Ben Ayade said: "It was heart-wrenching that the lives of the young men were lost through electrocution."
Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari sent his condolences to families of the victims.
Manchester United used its official Twitter account to write: "Our thoughts go out to the United fans, their friends and families affected by the tragedy in Calabar, Nigeria."
FIFA tweeted that it was "deeply saddened by the deaths of several football fans in Calabar and offer our deepest condolences to family & friends of the victims".
Scientists march against threat they face in post-fact age
Scientists have taken to the streets to protest over fears that long-standing principles underpinning centuries of progress could be at risk.
Several celebrities joined the March for Science in London as it passed a series of the capital's most celebrated research institutions.
It follows the mushrooming of fake news stories and others that purport to be based on fact but are proved otherwise by the scientific community.
It also comes after the Trump administration faced accusations of attacking efforts to restrict climate change and the science on which it is based by slashing the US's Environmental Protection Agency budget.
The march in London was one of hundreds of similar events taking place around the globe, from Australia to the US, in a mass celebration of scientific endeavour.
Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi and comedian Robin Ince were among those seen mingling with physicists, astronomers and biologists.
Concerns that the comments of politicians could threaten to override academic research flared up last summer after former Cabinet minister Michael Gove claimed the public "have had enough of experts".
Organisers of the march said it was crucial to highlight "the vital role that science plays in each of our lives and the need to respect and encourage research that gives us insight into the world".
In the capital, supporters gathered outside the Science Museum before marching to Parliament Square past the headquarters of organisations like the Royal Society - the oldest society for the promotion of science still in existence.
There are also concerns that Brexit will result in an exodus of talent and funding from UK research establishments.
The Commons Science and Technology Committee this month said it was important to ensure scientists and experts can still work in the UK following Brexit.
In March, Nobel Prize winning scientist Sir Paul Nurse said: "I don't think there's anything in Brexit that helps universities, either in teaching or research, but we are where we are...we have to make the best of it."
Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester and Norwich were also due to host marches at the same time.
Several celebrities joined the March for Science in London as it passed a series of the capital's most celebrated research institutions.
It follows the mushrooming of fake news stories and others that purport to be based on fact but are proved otherwise by the scientific community.
It also comes after the Trump administration faced accusations of attacking efforts to restrict climate change and the science on which it is based by slashing the US's Environmental Protection Agency budget.
The march in London was one of hundreds of similar events taking place around the globe, from Australia to the US, in a mass celebration of scientific endeavour.
Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi and comedian Robin Ince were among those seen mingling with physicists, astronomers and biologists.
Concerns that the comments of politicians could threaten to override academic research flared up last summer after former Cabinet minister Michael Gove claimed the public "have had enough of experts".
Organisers of the march said it was crucial to highlight "the vital role that science plays in each of our lives and the need to respect and encourage research that gives us insight into the world".
In the capital, supporters gathered outside the Science Museum before marching to Parliament Square past the headquarters of organisations like the Royal Society - the oldest society for the promotion of science still in existence.
There are also concerns that Brexit will result in an exodus of talent and funding from UK research establishments.
The Commons Science and Technology Committee this month said it was important to ensure scientists and experts can still work in the UK following Brexit.
In March, Nobel Prize winning scientist Sir Paul Nurse said: "I don't think there's anything in Brexit that helps universities, either in teaching or research, but we are where we are...we have to make the best of it."
Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester and Norwich were also due to host marches at the same time.
Theresa May won't rule out tax rises after election
Theresa May has refused to confirm whether the Conservatives would increase taxes after the General Election.
It follows suggestions her party will abandon a manifesto pledge, made in 2015, not to increase income tax, National Insurance or VAT.
Taking questions from journalists after a campaign speech in Dudley, Mrs May urged voters to look at the Tories' record on taxation over the past seven years in government.
The Prime Minister told Sky's Frazer Maude that the Conservatives "always has been, is, and will continue to be" a party that believes in lower taxes for working people.
Mrs May said four million people no longer paid income tax at all through the Government's policies, while 31 million had seen their tax bills reduce.
She was also asked whether the Tory manifesto would include guarantees to preserve the "triple lock" on state pensions that ensures an increase of at least 2.5% every year.
Mrs May again refused to make such a guarantee, but claimed pensioners had become £1,250 better off under the Conservatives, while Labour governments of the past had offered much smaller yearly increases to pensions - with a rise of just 75p one year.
Jeremy Corbyn has pledged to keep the triple lock if a Labour government is elected.
When asked by Sky's Gerard Tubb whether he would promise not to raise VAT or income tax, the Labour leader said: "The Tories are handing £70bn back in tax to big business and corporations.
"We won't do that. We will instead reverse those tax cuts for the corporations and big business in order to fund the social changes we want to bring in this country.
"Our tax burdens will not fall on those with low incomes. They will fall on those with the broadest shoulders who can bear the greatest burden."
The speculation about the Conservatives' tax policies came after Chancellor Philip Hammond said the vows made in the party's last manifesto had "constrained" the Government's ability to manage the economy effectively.
Party officials have insisted they are still deciding whether the pledge not to raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT will return in their 2017 manifesto.
It follows suggestions her party will abandon a manifesto pledge, made in 2015, not to increase income tax, National Insurance or VAT.
Taking questions from journalists after a campaign speech in Dudley, Mrs May urged voters to look at the Tories' record on taxation over the past seven years in government.
The Prime Minister told Sky's Frazer Maude that the Conservatives "always has been, is, and will continue to be" a party that believes in lower taxes for working people.
Mrs May said four million people no longer paid income tax at all through the Government's policies, while 31 million had seen their tax bills reduce.
She was also asked whether the Tory manifesto would include guarantees to preserve the "triple lock" on state pensions that ensures an increase of at least 2.5% every year.
Mrs May again refused to make such a guarantee, but claimed pensioners had become £1,250 better off under the Conservatives, while Labour governments of the past had offered much smaller yearly increases to pensions - with a rise of just 75p one year.
Jeremy Corbyn has pledged to keep the triple lock if a Labour government is elected.
When asked by Sky's Gerard Tubb whether he would promise not to raise VAT or income tax, the Labour leader said: "The Tories are handing £70bn back in tax to big business and corporations.
"We won't do that. We will instead reverse those tax cuts for the corporations and big business in order to fund the social changes we want to bring in this country.
"Our tax burdens will not fall on those with low incomes. They will fall on those with the broadest shoulders who can bear the greatest burden."
The speculation about the Conservatives' tax policies came after Chancellor Philip Hammond said the vows made in the party's last manifesto had "constrained" the Government's ability to manage the economy effectively.
Party officials have insisted they are still deciding whether the pledge not to raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT will return in their 2017 manifesto.
Police hurt in clashes outside far-right AfD convention in Cologne
Two police officers have been injured in protests outside the German Alternative for Germany (AfD) party convention in Cologne.
Protests against the populist right-wing party were expected to attract at least 50,000 demonstrators - including 1,000 hard-left activists - who oppose the party's anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Over 4,000 police officers were drafted in to keep the peace at the event, some wearing riot gear, and armoured trucks were also deployed.
Police cars were set ablaze during the protest and a police spokesman described as "very dynamic" and "fairly aggressive" in some areas.
Germany's n-tv showed a group of around 50 people clashing with police on horses and reported that police used pepper spray against some of the demonstrators.
Around 600 AFD delegates were meeting at a convention in Cologne's old town to discuss policy for September's national elections.
Protests against the populist right-wing party were expected to attract at least 50,000 demonstrators - including 1,000 hard-left activists - who oppose the party's anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Over 4,000 police officers were drafted in to keep the peace at the event, some wearing riot gear, and armoured trucks were also deployed.
Police cars were set ablaze during the protest and a police spokesman described as "very dynamic" and "fairly aggressive" in some areas.
Germany's n-tv showed a group of around 50 people clashing with police on horses and reported that police used pepper spray against some of the demonstrators.
Around 600 AFD delegates were meeting at a convention in Cologne's old town to discuss policy for September's national elections.
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