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LONDON — A woman who claimed mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse was awarded nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) on Friday by a civil court jury in Ireland. Nikita Hand said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. His lawyer had called Hand a gold digger. The fighter, once the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship but now past his prime, shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men found him liable for assault after deliberating about six hours in the High Court in Dublin. He was mobbed by cameras as he left court but did not comment. He later said on the social platform X that he would appeal the verdict and the "modest award." People are also reading... Hand's voice cracked and her hands trembled as she read a statement outside the courthouse, saying she would never forget what happened to her but would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her family, partner, friends, jurors, the judge and all the supporters that had reached out to her online, but particularly her daughter. "She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice," she said. "I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served." The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual violence unless they come forward publicly, as Hand has done. Under Irish law, she did not have the anonymity she would have been granted in a criminal proceeding and was named publicly throughout the trial. Her lawyer told jurors that McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client. "He's not a man, he's a coward," attorney John Gordon said in his closing speech. "A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is." Gordon said his client never pretended to be a saint and was only looking to have fun when she sent McGregor a message through Instagram after attending a Christmas party. He said Hand knew McGregor socially and that they had grown up in the same area. She said he picked her and a friend up in a car and shared cocaine with them, which McGregor admitted in court, on the way to the Beacon Hotel. Hand said she told McGregor she didn't want to have sex with him and that she was menstruating. She said she told him "no" as he started kissing her but he eventually pinned her to a bed and she couldn't move. McGregor put her in a chokehold and later told her, "now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times," referring to a UFC match when he had to admit defeat, she said. Hand had to take several breaks in emotional testimony over three days. She said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter and she feared she would never see her young daughter again. Eventually, he let go of her. "I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn't tell anyone so he wouldn't hurt me again," she testified. She said she then let him do what he wanted and he had sex with her. A paramedic who examined Hand the next day testified that she had never before seen someone with that intensity of bruising. A doctor told jurors Hand had multiple injuries. Hand said the trauma of the attack had left her unable to work as a hairdresser, she fell behind on her mortgage and had to move out of her house. Police investigated the woman's complaint but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely. McGregor, in his post on X, said he was disappointed jurors didn't see all the evidence prosecutors had reviewed. He testified that the two had athletic and vigorous sex, but that it was not rough. He said "she never said 'no' or stopped" and testified that everything she said was a lie. "It is a full blown lie among many lies," he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. "How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings." McGregor's lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter. "You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise," attorney Remy Farrell said. "I'm not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch." The defense said the woman never told investigators McGregor threatened her life. They also showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor's arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. Farrell said she looked "happy, happy, happy." McGregor said he was "beyond petrified" when first questioned by police and read them a prepared statement. On the advice of his lawyer, he refused to answer more than 100 follow-up questions. The jury ruled against Hand in a case she brought against one of McGregor's friends, James Lawrence, whom she accused of having sex with her in the hotel without consent. Get local news delivered to your inbox!In addition to the positive economic data, strong corporate earnings reports also contributed to the market's rally. Many listed companies exceeded earnings expectations, showcasing their resilience and ability to navigate challenges in the current economic environment. Investors were encouraged by the solid performance of these companies and showed renewed interest in the stock market.
BRISK BUSINESS Fireworks stores in Bocaue, the country’s fireworks capital, are enjoying brisk business despite the increase in prices as demand rises days before the revelry to greet the New Year. —Carmela Reyes-Estrope BOCAUE, BULACAN, Philippines — The prices of fireworks have begun to soar in this fireworks capital with just a few days left until the New Year celebrations as demand for pyrotechnics surged dramatically. Close to 100 firecracker and pyrotechnic stalls have already been operating 24 hours in three designated pyrozone areas, primarily in Barangays Turo and Binang 1st. This round-the-clock sales started on Thursday, the day after Christmas, according to Iya Bedro, a sales attendant at Majik Fireworks in Turo. READ: Remulla to LGUs: Enforce regulations on firecrackers In an interview, Bedro said they experienced significant price hikes on the most popular items, especially the local “kuwitis” (sky rockets) and “sawa,” which remained the favorites for welcoming the New Year. “Prices have gone up from P8 to P9 per piece for kuwitis, and a bundle of 100 pieces now costs around P900, while the special branded ones can reach P1,200,” Bedro said. Sawa, available in various quantities ranging from 500 to 10,000 rounds, is also experiencing price increases, now ranging from P500 to P10,000. “These two types of fireworks are seeing an additional P50-100 increase,” she added, even as stocks quickly disappeared. The demand is not limited to firecrackers, as the prices of aerial pyrotechnics have also increased in anticipation of more customers. Items previously priced at P1,800 for 20 shots have increased to P2,000, with larger packages experiencing similar price jumps. For instance, a 36-shot package has surged from P3,500 to P4,500, and a 100-shot display, originally P9,500, is now pegged at P10,500. A grand showcase of 268 shots that once cost P38,000 now carries a hefty price tag of P45,000 to P48,000. Even smaller items like fountains have felt the price jumps, from P100 to P1,200 depending on the size. However, “luces” remain unchanged at P70 to P80 for a set of 10. Due to the influx of buyers, traffic congestion has returned in areas along Turo roads leading toward Sta. Maria town and MacArthur Highway, where stalls stand in a long line. Bulacan’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, led by Chief Manuel Lukban Jr., has stationed fire trucks and ambulances in Turo, complemented by roving patrols and assistance areas to ensure public safety. At the provincial police headquarters in Camp Alejo Santos, Bulacan police director Col. Satur Ediong announced the disposal of confiscated illegal fireworks. Items such as “plapla” and “Goodbye Philippines” firecrackers were being buried to eliminate potential hazards. Police Brig. Gen. Rederico Maranan, Central Luzon police director, has earlier called for a simultaneous disposal of illegally held firecrackers in provincial police offices in the region. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . But in Aurora, Police Col. Reginald Francisco, the province’s police director, reported minimal fireworks sales as residents continued to recover from the devastation caused by Typhoon “Pepito” (international name: Man-yi) which struck the area in October.The response from farmers was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their appreciation for Professor Guo's humility and his willingness to embrace the nickname with grace. One farmer, Mr. Zhang, shared, "Professor Guo's response shows his genuine care and respect for farmers. He doesn't see himself as above us, but as a friend and ally in our shared journey to improve agriculture."
The chief prosecutor, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly apprehended in a sting operation targeting individuals soliciting sex workers. The news has sent shockwaves through the legal and political circles in Heilongjiang province, as such scandalous behavior is deemed highly inappropriate and unethical for a senior official entrusted with upholding justice in the region.Amzil's 14 lead New Mexico past Colorado State 76-68NATO vows Baltic patrols amid possible cables sabotage