Mediaboss Marketing

Michaella McCollum Connolly, 20, from Northern Ireland, and Scot Melissa Reid, 19, from Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire, were arrested while trying to board a flight from the Peruvian capital to Spain last week.

The women claim they are victims of a violent drugs gang who coerced them into carrying the drugs, and say they have resigned themselves to the likelihood that they face a lengthy prison term.

Police are waiting for a translator before officially questioning them, which is expected to happen in the next few days.

Ms Reid and Ms McCollum Connolly said they were given the 24lb (11kg) of cocaine outside their hotel, the Hotel Colonial San Agustin in the capital Lima, the day before were due to fly back to Spain.

Speaking from inside police headquarters in Lima, Ms Reid said: "I was the one who went to pick up the drugs outside our hotel.

"At that point I didn't know what was in the suitcase, drugs, guns or money, and we were like, 'we're not going to do it'. But they said, 'We've been watching you and you've got to do it'."

The pair, who deny drug trafficking allegations, claim they were ordered at gunpoint by Colombian gangsters to smuggle the drugs out of Lima.

Ms McCollum Connolly said: "I didn't realise drugs were so big here but it happens all the time. The police have said they see girls like us all the time. We've resigned ourselves to the fact that we're not going home soon and are doing jail time here."

Ms Reid said that her life had been turned upside down by the events and that she longed to be home.

She said: "If I could turn back time I think I'd put a gun to my head and get it all over with quickly. I'd love to be able to get home as soon as possible, but I know that's not going to happen.

Read the original post:
Scots cocaine mule: I know we're going to jail for a long time

Brits arrested in Peru pictured laughing and eating doughnuts

Two young women being held on suspicion of trying to smuggle 1.5 million of cocaine out of Peru told of how they were forced to take the drugs during a secret meeting.

Michaella McCollum Connolly, 20, from Northern Ireland, and Melissa Reid, 19, a Scot, were arrested while trying to board a flight from the Peruvian capital to Spain last week.

The women claim they are victims of a violent drugs gang who coerced them into carrying the drugs, and say they have resigned themselves to the likelihood that they face a lengthy prison term.

Police are waiting for a translator before officially questioning them, which is expected to happen in the next few days, the Associated Press said.

Ms Reid and Ms McCollum Connolly said they were given the 24lb (11kg) of cocaine outside their hotel, the Hotel Colonial San Agustin in the capital Lima, the day before were due to fly back to Spain, the Daily Mail said.

Speaking from inside police headquarters in Lima, Ms Reid told the newspaper: "I was the one who went to pick up the drugs outside our hotel.

"At that point I didn't know what was in the suitcase, drugs, guns or money, and we were like, 'we're not going to do it'. But they said, 'We've been watching you and you've got to do it'."

The pair, who deny drug trafficking allegations, claim they were ordered at gunpoint by Colombian gangsters to smuggle the drugs out of Lima.

More:
British Pair Tell Of Lima Gang's Drug Drop

Two young women being held on suspicion of trying to smuggle 1.5 million of cocaine out of Peru told of how they were forced to take the drugs during a secret meeting.

Michaella McCollum Connolly, 20, from Northern Ireland, and Melissa Reid, 19, a Scot, were arrested while trying to board a flight from the Peruvian capital to Spain last week.

The women claim they are victims of a violent drugs gang who coerced them into carrying the drugs, and say they have resigned themselves to the likelihood that they face a lengthy prison term.

Police are waiting for a translator before officially questioning them, which is expected to happen in the next few days, the Associated Press said.

Ms Reid and Ms McCollum Connolly said they were given the 24lb (11kg) of cocaine outside their hotel, the Hotel Colonial San Agustin in the capital Lima, the day before were due to fly back to Spain, the Daily Mail said.

Speaking from inside police headquarters in Lima, Ms Reid told the newspaper: "I was the one who went to pick up the drugs outside our hotel.

"At that point I didn't know what was in the suitcase, drugs, guns or money, and we were like, 'we're not going to do it'. But they said, 'We've been watching you and you've got to do it'."

The pair, who deny drug trafficking allegations, claim they were ordered at gunpoint by Colombian gangsters to smuggle the drugs out of Lima.

Ms McCollum Connolly told the Mail: "I didn't realise drugs were so big here but it happens all the time. The police have said they see girls like us all the time. We've resigned ourselves to the fact that we're not going home soon and are doing jail time here."

Ms Reid told The Sun that her life had been turned upside down by the events and that she longed to be home.

Read this article:
Pair tell of Lima gang's drug drop

BEIRUT: In the final round of Diageo Lebanons World Class bartending competition at Iris Beach Club, six mixologists combined creativity and precision for a chance at the coveted title of Lebanons best bartender. In the end, ingredients straight from traditional Lebanese cooking held true when Jad Ballouts fattoush cocktail caught the eyes of the judges. An unconventional blend of tomato, cucumber, sumac and Ketel One vodka, served with crispy bread on the side, the unique drink secured Ballout a spot in the international competition.

Ballout has since returned from the Diageo World Class Finals. Though he didnt bring a title home, Ballout told The Daily Star the competition was a life-changing event and has opened new doors for the young mixologist.

Ballout studied hospitality management at the American University of Science and Technology, and pictured himself in a career behind the bar. As a child he aspired to become a chef, but soon discovered a knack for mixing up delicious beverages and decided to make a living out of his passion for cocktails, he said.

Ballout stepped into the business at Club Social, where his natural instincts for drinks soon saw him promoted to the position of bartender. He then worked at a series of restaurants, nightclubs and cocktail bars, honing his skills and developing his classically inspired signature drinks.

Despite his newfound glory, the road was a little bumpy, he said. Ballout smiled as he recalled a disastrous competition where a shaker slipped through his fingers in the final seconds of the round. I had finished the presentation, the drink, and then I dropped the shaker. It was bad, I definitely didnt win that one, he laughs.

But the hard work got Ballout to Diageo World Class Finals: several grueling rounds against more than 40 of the worlds top bartenders. This years competition was held on a weeklong cruise touring Nice, St. Tropez, Barcelona, Cannes, Monaco and Ibiza.

It was a great experience. I met like 44 bartenders, each from a different country and from a different bartending culture, he said. Each day was different. The first five days, I didnt sleep and I didnt really eat, we were waking up at 6 a.m. to start preparing for the two challenges.

During the cruise, Diageo treated the competitors to events at some of the party capitals of the world. They got tickets to see international DJ David Guetta and VIP treatment in Ibiza, he said.

While winning the international round would be the ultimate title for any bartender, Ballout considered participating in the prestigious event an honor in itself.

His experience has given his career a major boost and international exposure. His name and biography are now posted all over the Internet, on trade publications and Diageos website. Diageo is also publishing a book of all the 2013 finalists.

Visit link:
Beirut’s top mixologist returns with new doors open

Steve Marcus

Pin Up star Claire Sinclair arrives at the Las Vegas premiere of Lovelace at Planet Hollywood on Sunday, Aug. 4,2013.

By Robin Leach (contact)

Monday, Aug. 12, 2013 | 4:09 p.m.

The president of the United States vacations in Marthas Vineyard. Members of Congress and senators are on a five-week break, and Las Vegas VIPs vacation en masse at California beach spots or jet set off to the French and Italian Rivieras. Big-name celebs are partying in Ibiza rather than at our Strip nightclubs.

These are known as the dog days of summer, when the news business becomes the snooze business. Everything goes quiet, but wait. Stop the presses. Its a Fox News alert!

As an urgent midnight deadline neared, and the clock got ready to tick into early Sunday morning, pens were poised, cameras were ready to click and digital tape recorders were on. Veteran, hard-bitten and heart-hardened journalists were about to get their big break with a major midsummer headline story.

After 100 Pin Up shows under her garter belt, Playboys 2011 Playmate of the Year Claire Sinclair was about to debut a more revealing wardrobe to show off her curves, leaving only a little to the imagination.

The costume change meant she could finally show audiences more than a peek of the perky points behind the bustier not completely topless but as near as could be. Media and audiences since the shows debut March 2 had wondered why the 22-year-old brunette who showed all in Hugh Hefners magazine couldnt display her assets onstage at the Stratosphere.

Curvy Claire wanted it. The choreographers wanted it. The audiences definitely wanted it. Yelp reviewers who recently received an accidental surprise flash, thanks to Claires mischievousness, raved about her mathematics: 36D-24-38. Finally, Stratosphere execs rolled back their hard-line decision negating nudity and gave their thumbs-up for a little more skin.

Read more:
Claire Sinclair’s skimpier ‘Pin Up’ debut a peek-a-boo, wardrobe-malfunction moment