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A real estate developer who has bought Matthew Perry’s former home in Los Angeles has shared details of a blessing ceremony carried out at the property.

Anita Verma-Lallian, who is also a film producer, posted pictures and a video on Instagram, saying she and her family plan to honour “the positive aspects of the previous owner’s life, his immense talent, and all the joy he brought to so many people”.

She also said she would retain some of the features – including the famous Batman logo in the pool at the property, which “is definitely staying”.

Perry was found dead at the house in the Pacific Palisades area on 28 October 2023, aged 54.

In her post on Instagram, Ms Verma-Lallian wrote: “The moment I walked into the home, I absolutely fell in love with the features, especially the view of the Pacific Ocean. We knew it was ‘the one’ and decided to write an offer on it immediately.

“As a real estate developer myself, I believe every property has a history that we may or may not know about, and every home carries the energy that the current owner brings to it.

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“I am Hindu, and it’s customary to do a blessing and prayer anytime you buy a new home. We were so lucky to have our Panditji [Hindu priest] from Arizona come to the house to do the blessing.”

David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Courteney Cox Arquette, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc of "Friends", appear in the photo room at the 54th annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, U.S., September 22, 2002. REUTERS/Mike Blake
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The Friends stars in 2002 (L-R): David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Perry, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc. Pic: Reuters/Mike Blake

The decision to buy the property had nothing to do with Perry, “just our love of the home”, Ms Verma-Lallian added.

She said the family would keep some of the design elements, including the Batman logo, and added: “It’s a piece of paradise that is filled with light and the perfect vacation home for us. Can’t wait to make new memories in it.”

The property was sold for $8.55m (£6.6m) in an off-market deal, according to US media.

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Last month: Matthew Perry’s family speak out

During his life, Perry was open about his battle with substance abuse and addiction – and set up a sober living facility for men with similar issues.

Ketamine, a sedative that can be used as a recreational drug, as well as to treat depression and pain management, was found to be the primary cause of his death.

Five people were charged earlier this year after an investigation unearthed a “broad underground criminal network” of people who “took advantage” of Perry when he fell back into addiction.

On the anniversary of the actor’s death last month, Friends stars including Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston paid tribute, with Cox sharing photos and writing on Instagram: “Missing you today and always.”

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American Airlines forced to ground all US flights

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American Airlines forced to ground all US flights

American Airlines was forced to ground all flights in the US on Christmas Eve due to an unspecified technical issue.

The airline did not immediately say why it was stopping all flights, but social media was quickly abuzz with travellers worrying about getting to their loved ones for the holiday.

A groundstop notice was lifted not long after it was issued, but the possibility of disruption remains with so many flights needing to make up time.

Earlier on Tuesday, the airline said on social media: “An estimated timeframe has not been provided, but they’re trying to fix it in the shortest possible time.”

The Federal Aviation Agency said American Airlines was reporting “a technical issue and has requested a nationwide ground stop”.

In an update on Tuesday afternoon it said: “American Airlines reported a technical issue this morning and requested a nationwide ground stop. The ground stop has now been lifted.”

Air traffic control notice
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The groundstop notice that was later rescinded

Passengers on social media reported having their flights stuck on the runway at various airports and being sent back to the gate.

American Airlines operates thousands of flights per day to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries.

It comes months after a faulty CrowdStrike software update led to worldwide flight cancellations.

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Former US president Bill Clinton in hospital with fever

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Former US president Bill Clinton in hospital with fever

Former US president Bill Clinton is in hospital in Washington DC after developing a fever.

Mr Clinton, 78, has been admitted to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for “testing and observation”.

Angel Ureña, the 42nd president’s deputy chief of staff, told Sky’s US partner network NBC News he is in “good spirits and grateful for the care he is receiving”.

Another source close to Mr Clinton said the situation is “not urgent”.

“The former president will be fine,” the source added. “He developed a fever and wanted to be checked out. He is awake and alert.”

Mr Clinton was active on the campaign trail in support of vice president Kamala Harris this year and has also been promoting his book Citizen.

The former president, who served two terms from January 1993 until January 2001, also addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this summer.

Read more from the US:
Matt Gaetz paid girl, 17, for sex – report
Biden reduces all but three federal death sentences

Since leaving office, Mr Clinton has undergone two heart operations in New York – having a quadruple bypass operation in 2004, and two stents inserted into a coronary artery in 2010.

He was also in hospital for six days in 2021 with a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream.

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Matt Gaetz: Ex-Trump attorney general pick paid women for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, US House report says

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Matt Gaetz: Ex-Trump attorney general pick paid women for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, US House report says

Matt Gaetz, who was briefly Donald Trump’s nominee for US attorney general, paid women for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and used drugs while he was a member of Congress, a committee has said.

The House Ethics Committee’s report concluded there was “substantial evidence” that the former Florida congressman violated House rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct banning prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, and obstruction of Congress.

And the committee accused the 42-year-old of accepting gifts of luxury travel in excess of permissible limits with a trip to the Bahamas in 2018.

The House of Representatives panel wrote: “From 2017 to 2020, Representative Gaetz made tens of thousands of dollars in payments to women that the Committee determined were likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use.”

The Republican, who denies any wrongdoing, had sought a restraining order against the committee in a bid to halt the release of its report summarising its investigation.

The filing accused the committee of an “unconstitutional” attempt “to exercise jurisdiction over a private citizen through the threatened release of an investigative report containing potentially defamatory allegations, in violation of the committee’s own rules”.

Last month, Trump ally Mr Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration to be the next US attorney general – the country’s top legal official.

Mr Gaetz said his selection was “unfairly becoming a distraction” to the transition of Mr Trump’s administration into the White House.

Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz in Augusts 2023, Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz in August 2023. Pic: Reuters

The Florida Republican had faced scrutiny over previous sex trafficking allegations which were investigated by the department he had been picked by the president-elect to lead.

Mr Gaetz was re-elected to the House of Representatives in November this year but resigned after Mr Trump nominated him as attorney general.

The 37-page House report said: “From at least 2017 to 2020, Representative Gaetz regularly paid women for engaging in sexual activity with him.

“In 2017, Representative Gaetz engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl. During the period 2017 to 2019, Representative Gaetz used or possessed illegal drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, on multiple occasions.”

‘Sex with 17-year-old girl’

The ethics panel received testimony that Mr Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl, described in the report as Victim A.

It said: “Victim A recalled receiving $400 in cash from Representative Gaetz that evening, which she understood to be payment for sex.

“Victim A said that she did not inform Representative Gaetz that she was under 18 at the time, nor did he ask her age.”

Mr Gaetz was investigated by the Justice Department for three years over sex trafficking allegations. No criminal charges were brought.

The ethics panel said there was not enough evidence that Mr Gaetz violated the federal sex trafficking statute.

All of the women who testified said the sexual encounters with Mr Gaetz were consensual.

‘I feel violated’

However, one woman told the committee that the use of drugs at the parties and events they attended may have “impair[ed their] ability to really know what was going on or fully consent”.

Another woman told the committee: “When I look back on certain moments, I feel violated.”

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