Identical twin sisters to marry identical brothers, live happily ever after in same apartment

Two sets of 24-year-old identical twins — who had their first date together and became engaged at the same time — are now preparing to tie the knot in Michigan this weekend before living together in a two-bedroom apartment.

Identical twins Krissie and Kassie Bevier, from Michigan Center, will marry Zack and Nick Lewan, from White Lake, in Grass Lake on Aug. 3 and 4, the Jackson Citizen Patriot reported. Krissie and Zack’s wedding will be held on Friday, while Kassie and Nick will get hitched on Saturday. The four will have their reception Saturday night.

“I’m in disbelief sometimes of just how everything happened,” Nick Lewan told WILX-TV .

From left, Krissie Bevier, Zack Lewan, Nicholas Lewan and Kassie Bevier pose for a photo. (Nikos Frazier /Jackson Citizen Patriot via AP )

The two sets of twins met at Grand Valley State University four years ago in a psychology class; the twins recalled the professor asking the class if there were any twins in attendance.

“Psychology loves twin studies,” Kassie Bevier told Jackson Citizen Patriot. “So the professor was like, ‘Are there any twins in the class? We’re going to talk about twins.’ And we both raise our hands.”

“I was looking around and I looked behind and I was like, ‘Oh. I’m in trouble now,'” Nick Lewan said.

Following class, the twins exchanged numbers and Kassie and Nick had their first date at church one Sunday morning. They also invited Krissie and Zack to tag along.

From left, couple Nicholas Lewan and Kassie Bevier and couple Krissie Bevier and Zack Lewan strike a pose. (Nikos Frazier /Jackson Citizen Patriot via AP )

“We’re standing there in the church getting ready to sing and [the guys] just start belting it out,” Kassie recalled. “They were actually singing. My sister and I looked at each other like, ‘Who are these guys?'”

Shortly after, Krissie and Zack started dating too.

Last year, Nick and Zack Lewan proposed to the Bevier sisters on a trip to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. The brothers said they did not plan to “propose at the same time,” but it just happened.

“It basically happened at the same time … which is par for the course for us,” Kassie Bevier said. “We do things in twos.”

Kassie, meanwhile, claims the four of them don’t go everywhere together, but “90 percent of their dates turn into double dates.”‘

Following their wedding, the couples plan to move in together into a two-bedroom apartment in Fenton. But first, a relative gifted the couples with a stay at their house in Florida; both couples said they would go on their own for a few days apart but go to Disney World together.

From left, Kassie Bevier, Nicholas Lewan, Krissie Bevier and Zack Lewan discuss their wedding plans. (Nikos Frazier /Jackson Citizen Patriot via AP )

The Beviers are working toward finishing their doctorates in physical therapy at the University of Michigan. Nick Lewan is pursuing his master’s degree in mental health counseling from Oakland University, while Zack Lewan works in vegetation management for an energy company.

“We’re individuals. We are all individuals,” Zack Lewan said. “We work differently and we have different interests, and just respect each other for those differences.”

The couples believed they click so well because they were brought up in good families.

“I’m just really thankful that we met two girls — not just because they’re twins, but they grew up the same as we did,” Zack Lewan said.

“We just flow together and it makes sense,” Krissie Bevier said. “There is a special twin bond, and having someone who understands that is huge.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Tired of the “Hysteria” Surrounding Them

Since their wedding day in May, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been subject to relentless attention. The world has been obsessed with their seemingly perfect love story right from the start, and whether it’s the Duchess’s style choices or their sweet PDA moments, every second of their public appearances together is captured on camera to be shared by millions. So it’s no huge surprise to hear that, after months of intense scrutiny and constant hounding, Harry and Meghan are soon expected to take a step back from being in the spotlight, in order to enjoy more privacy together.

A new report from Vanity Fair claims that the endless media frenzy, bombarding their friends and family as well as the couple themselves, has come a little too much for the newlyweds to handle. It’s thought that the royals are now preparing to make a conscious effort to spend time away from the world’s eye.

An insider explained that Meghan and Harry are both keen to take a break from being in the public eye, and focus more on enjoying each other’s company. “They spend a lot of time in the Cotswolds, more than people realize,” a friend revealed. “They are in the country way more than they are in London and they are enjoying a low-key and very domesticated start to married life. Harry’s not around that much anymore. Meghan likes him to keep his diary clear at the weekends so they can be together in the countryside.”

It’s thought that the couple are currently taking a break from their home in Kensington Palace, and renting a more secluded farmhouse cottage on the coveted Great Tew Estate, which gives them considerably more privacy. “It’s very clear they want to be private and left alone,” said one local. “The property is in the middle of woodland and you wouldn’t know it was there. It is very remote which is why they like it. It’s like a fortress. There’s a huge security presence, you can’t get close.”

According to the report, Harry is becoming increasingly “uncomfortable” with the focus on his new wife. “He worries there is too much hysteria around Meghan and he wants to row back a bit,” the source added.

Hopefully, the upcoming scheduled vacation time for Harry and Meghan will help to ease the pressure a little, too.

Source: https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/a22634665/prince-harry-meghan-markle-tired-hysteria/

When construction changed a blind man’s route, a bus driver took a detour to help him

(CNN) We don’t often think of our public transportation drivers as heroes. But in a Wisconsin town, most of the transit system is made up of everyday heroes.

From a bus driver who literally ran through traffic just to help a man in a wheelchair, to a driver who pulled over to help an elderly man who fell in the snow, the Milwaukee County Transit System bus drivers have become as important as the county’s first responders.

The town’s latest hero is Thaddaus Turner, a 28-year-old bus driver who didn’t think twice about helping one of his passengers cross the street after finding out he was blind.

“The route was barricaded, it was rough for me as a driver, I can only imagine how rough it was for him,” Turner told CNN.
Helping others comes as a second nature to Thaddaus Turner.

The passenger, Gene Hubbard, has been taking the same route to and from work nearly every day for the last 20 years. But the route is now under construction, making it difficult for Hubbard to get around, transit spokesman Brendan Conway said.

Thaddaus Turner, a public bus driver, walks Gene Hubbard, who is blind, across the road.

A bystander snapped a photo of Turner helping Hubbard and sent it to the transit agency. The agency then shared it on Facebook and it quickly caught the attention of local new stations.

“I just can’t say enough about all the bus drivers,” Hubbard,69, told CNN affiliate WITI. “If I don’t have a regular locating point to start from, I may as well be in the middle of the ocean.”

Turner says the attention the photo generated has really caught him off guard.

“I was surprised when I saw it in the news,” he said. “I didn’t think I would be here right now over something that is second nature to me, and my colleagues.”

SOURCE : CNN

Seattle lawyer sues hospital after devastating diagnosis

SEATTLE – A Seattle lawyer and amateur jazz drummer says a mistake at the University of Washington Medical Center has him in a losing battle for his life. Now he and his wife are suing over a devastating diagnosis. A lawsuit says a radiologist at UW Medicine reported that he found a lesion on Douglas Roach’s lung. But no one told Roach or his doctors until he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

Douglas Roach, his wife and his attorneys are blaming that on a systemic failure at the UW Medical Center; a failure that they say is shortening a once vibrant life.

Douglas Roach comes alive when sitting behind a set of drums. But the fact is, he is dying.

“Lymphangitic carcinomatosis” he said of his diagnosis, “which is indicative of really, really advanced lung cancer.”

Six years ago, Roach was undergoing treatment for a broken back at the University of Washington Medical Center. According to his lawsuit, a radiologist found a lesion on his lung “which was marked ‘critical’ in all caps and was sent to my surgeon,” he said. “And I don’t know why he chose never to share it with me or with my primary care doctor.”

But his lawsuit says some doctors knew.

“Pretty much everybody on that team was talking about it to each other but nobody ever told me about it,” he said.

So for five long years, the lesion grew unchecked. Then early last year, he came down with what doctors thought was pneumonia.

“Then finally, one of the scans last spring, the radiologist said ‘boy, this looks like this guy’s full of cancer,'” he recalled. “Yup.”

It was the last thing they expected.

“I was completely shocked, completely shocked,” said Ruby Blondell, Roach’s wife. “Came from nowhere. There’s no cancer in his family.”

“It’s not like somebody was exercising medical judgment or anything,” said Roach. “Should we treat him with this? Should we treat him with that? They just didn’t tell me. They just didn’t give me information. And I don’t understand it.”

And his lawyer says, what is worse, since filing the lawsuit:

“We reached out to the University of Washington,” said Mike Wampold. “And we wanted to sit down with the University of Washington and talk about what happened to make sure that this never happened again and talk about a resolution to this. And we’ve heard nothing.”

Now just 60, this lawyer and part-time musician taps into what optimism he has left always aware of the cloud hanging over his life.

“Not only do I have to deal with this dire prognosis,” says Roach, “I find myself in, not to sound you know melodramatic, I’m having to console my own widow.”

“You called her your widow not your wife,” he was told.

“That’s what she’s going to be,” he said. “Excuse me.” Then he reached for a tissue to wipe away his tears.

The University of Washington did send out a short statement. They say because of the lawsuit, they aren’t able to comment.

Roach says he is taking a newly approved drug. That is why he isn’t already dead.

He also says he never smoked a day in his life. So he believes if he had been diagnosed early, he would have beaten this disease.

SOURCE:
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/uw-medical-lawsuit/712199149

France bans catcalling, outlines steep fines

Want to make a sexual or sexist comment on the streets of France? You could face a $868 fine.

A bill approved Wednesday by French lawmakers outlines steep fines for gender-based harassment on the country’s streets and public transportation.

The law will allow for fines of 90-750 euros, roughly $104 to $868, for sexual or sexist comments. That definition also includes behavior that is degrading, humiliating, intimidating hostile or offensive.

The law also includes even higher fines for taking “upskirt” photos — pictures or video taken under a person’s clothing without their consent. Those fines could reach 15,000 euros or roughly $17,380.

The news follows a high-profile incident of street harassment in France. Surveillance footage in July showed a man striking a 22-year-old woman after she reprimanded him for making obscene sounds at her — that footage has gone viral.

Womens take part to a “slutwalk” with placards reading “I have breasts and a ass, I am a women” (R) and “Flirt but not violence” (L) on October 1, 2011 in Paris. Hundreds of women swapped business suits for short skirts and revealing tops Saturday to protest against sexual violence and victim blaming. AFP PHOTO JOHANNA LEGUERRE / AFP PHOTO / JOHANNA LEGUERRE

The woman in the footage says the new law isn’t enough. It is “almost a joke,” Marie Laguerre told The Associated Press. “I don’t think it’s realistic because it means having police officers on every street.”

She said that officers would need training to recognize harassing behavior.

“The law sends a message, but for me it’s not enough,” Laguerre said.

Laguerre told AP she thinks education is needed to change people’s attitudes on sexual harassment. She believes that would be more effective than punishing harassers.

The new rules are set to take effect in September and include a number of other sexual violence-related measures. The law will also expand the criminal definition of child rape.

Contributing: Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

Source:

Mother charged with murder after allegedly tossing daughter into Hillsborough River

Shakayla Denson faces first-degree felony murder, aggravated child abuse and grand theft auto charges.
TAMPA, Fla. – A 26-year-old mother was charged with murder charges after detectives said she waded into the Hillsborough River and dropped her 4-year-old daughter in.

Shakayla Denson, of Tampa, was charged with first-degree felony murder, aggravated child abuse and grand theft auto charges, Tampa police said.
Denson is accused of stealing a car from an auto repair shop, then parking the vehicle on North Rome Avenue, police said. Then she walked into the river at about 4 p.m. and left her daughter, Je’Hyrah Daniels, in the water, police said.

“The TPD dive team went to the scene at North Rome Avenue and West Aileen Street,” police said. “At approximately 4:30 p.m., a dive team member discovered an unconscious child submerged about 75 feet off shore.”

Je’Hyrah was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Denson was apprehended while walking not far from where the child was dumped in the river, Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said.

Denson has previous arrests for driving with a suspended license and theft charges dating back two year ago.
“Unfortunately at this point, there are a lot more questions than answers,” said Dugan, who called the situation a “completely tragic event.

“It’s a crazy world we live in,” he said.

We’re following this breaking story on 10News. We’ll continue to update this story on wtsp.com, our mobile news app and Channel 10.

Source:
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/mother-charged-with-murder-after-allegedly-tossing-daughter-into-hillsborough-river/67-579775707

Canada says it is using DNA websites to identify some migrants

Canada is using DNA and commercial genealogical sites to help determine the nationality of migrants whose origin is in question.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has confirmed the use of DNA testing “when other avenues of investigation have been exhausted”.

The agency could not confirm how frequently such techniques are used.

One Canadian immigration lawyer says he is personally aware of a handful of such cases.

CBSA spokesman Jayden Robertson said the agency uses DNA testing to assist “in determining identity by providing indicators of nationality thereby enabling us to focus further lines of investigation on particular countries”.

“The CBSA obtains consent from the clients before submitting their information to DNA websites,” he said in a statement to the BBC.

Toronto-based immigration lawyer Subodh Bharati says he is concerned about how well the privacy of those whose DNA has been collected is being protected.

One such case involved Mr Bharati’s client Franklin Godwin, who arrived in Canada in 1994 on a fraudulent Bahamian passport and requested asylum after disclosing to immigration officials that he was Liberian. He was granted refugee status and permanent residency.

He later lost his permanent residency status after being convicted on various drug charges.

Canada sought to deport Mr Godwin in 2003 and in 2005.

Liberia twice denied him entry despite issuing him travel document. In the latter instance, officials claimed he was not Liberian but Nigerian.

Mr Godwin maintains his Liberian nationality but Canada is seeking to confirm his identity.

In 2017, while being held in detention by the CBSA, officials conducted a linguistic test, an interview about his knowledge of Liberia and a DNA test.

Using genealogy websites, they found two distant relatives who claimed Nigerian ancestry and contacted them.

Mr Bharati says he doesn’t believe that DNA testing offers Canada much value in determining someone’s country of origin.

“It’s clear DNA doesn’t give someone’s nationality,” he said.

In another instance reported by AFP, DNA was used to attempt to establish the nationality of Ebrahim Toure, a failed refugee claimant who has been detained by Canadian immigration officials since 2013, pending his removal.

According to AFP, he had arrived in Canada on a fake French passport. He later claimed to be from Guinea, but was refused entry by Guinean officials.

Following a linguistic test, a search of his social media that revealed he had many Gambian acquaintances, and interviews with friends in Canada, officials sought to match his DNA with relatives in The Gambia.

The Toronto Star reports that Mr Toure says his transient upbringing complicates his nationality. He remains in detention.

In a statement to BBC, an Ancestry spokesperson said that protecting customers’ privacy is the company’s “highest priority”.

“That starts with the basic belief that customers should always maintain ownership and control over their own data,” the company said.

It said it does not work with border agencies.

FamilyTreeDNA told Vice News that the company does not work with Canadian law enforcement and has no knowledge of its platform being used to determine a migrant’s nationality.

Source: https://www.daily-sun.com/post/326412/2018/08/01/Canada-says-it-is-using-DNA-websites-to-identify-some-migrants

Zimbabwe election: International calls for restraint

A government crackdown in Zimbabwe after Monday’s elections has prompted international calls for restraint.

The UN and former colonial power the UK both expressed concern about the violence, in which three people were killed after troops opened fire.

Parliamentary results gave victory to the ruling Zanu-PF party in the first vote since the ouster of former ruler Robert Mugabe.

But the opposition says Zanu-PF igged the election.

The result of the presidential election has yet to be declared. The MDC opposition alliance insist their candidate, Nelson Chamisa, beat the incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged Zimbabwe’s politicians to exercise restraint, while UK foreign office minister Harriett Baldwin said she was “deeply concerned” by the violence.

The US embassy in Harare urged the army to “use restraint” on Twitter, saying the country had an “historic opportunity” for a brighter future.

Human rights group Amnesty International meanwhile called on the government to open a probe into the army’s actions.

Amnesty’s acting secretary general Colm O Cuanachain said in a press release that the “militarisation” of the election aftermath “is muzzling freedom of expression, association and assembly”.

“People must be guaranteed their right to protest,” he said.

Source: https://www.daily-sun.com/post/326641/Zimbabwe-election:-International-calls-for-restraint

McDonald’s serves pregnant Canadian cleaning fluid latte

McDonald’s has issued an apology after an expectant mother in Canada was served cleaning solution instead of the latte she ordered.

Sarah Douglas, who is eight months pregnant, asked for the coffee at a drive-thru in the province of Alberta last Sunday morning.

She took a sip a short while later only to discover the brownish liquid in her cup was not coffee and milk.

Sarah Douglas received cleaning solution instead of a latte

Ms Douglas pulled her car over and immediately spat out the substance.

She drove back to McDonald’s and told one of the employees she wanted to speak to the supervisor, she told Lethbridge News Now.

“I showed him the coffee and he had asked if I wanted a new one, and I said, ‘absolutely not, this is unacceptable,'” she told the news site.

The restaurant franchisee said in a statement he was sorry for the incident.

He explained that the machine had been cleaned as usual that morning but the milk supply line to the latte machine had not been disconnected from the cleaning solution while Ms Douglas’ drink was prepared.

“We have taken immediate action to review the proper cleaning procedures with the team and have put additional signage up as an added reminder,” said franchisee Dan Brown.

The pregnant mother of two told Global News that she feels fine but nonetheless visited her doctor as a precaution.

SOURCE: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45037850

No, private schools aren’t better at educating kids than public schools. Why this new study matters.

Despite evidence showing otherwise, it remains conventional wisdom in many parts of the education world that private schools do a better job of educating students, with superior standardized test scores and outcomes. It is one of the claims that some supporters of school choice make in arguing that the public should pay for private school education.

The only problem? It isn’t true, a new study confirms.

University of Virginia researchers who looked at data from more than 1,000 students found that all of the advantages supposedly conferred by private education evaporate when socio-demographic characteristics are factored in. There was also no evidence found to suggest that low-income children or children enrolled in urban schools benefit more from private school enrollment.

The results confirm what earlier research found but are especially important amid a movement to privatize public education — encouraged by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos — based in part on the faulty assumption that public schools are inferior to private ones.

DeVos has called traditional public schools a “dead end” and long supported the expansion of voucher and similar programs that use public money for private and religious school education. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 27 states and the District of Columbia have policies allowing public money to be used for private education through school vouchers, scholarship tax credits and education savings grants.

The new study was conducted by Robert C. Pianta, dean of U-Va.’s Curry School of Education and a professor of education and psychology, and Arya Ansari, a postdoctoral research associate at U-Va.’s Center for Advanced Study for Teaching and Learning.

“You only need to control for family income and there’s no advantage,” Pianta said in an interview. “So when you first look, without controlling for anything, the kids who go to private schools are far and away outperforming the public school kids. And as soon as you control for family income and parents’ education level, that difference is eliminated completely.”

Read Full Story here

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