Foxy Knoxy’s surprising new day job

Amanda Knox is working as a reporter for her local paper. Picture: Mark Lennihan / AP Source: AP

WRITING about organic cashew milk, eczema and local theatre productions is a long way from life in an Italian jail cell.

But that's the new reality for convicted murderer Amanda Knox who has scored a job with her local paper, the West Seattle Herald.

Online editor Patrick Robinson told The Daily Beast the woman who once captured international headlines and was dubbed 'Foxy Knoxy' has been working freelance for the organisation in a bid to provide her with a 'normal life'.

"We simply asked her as we would ask anyone of that age and stage, if they would be interested in writing for us as a qualified writer of that scale and this level of journalism," he told The Daily Beast.

Amanda Knox captured global headlines in 2007 after the death of her friend and flatmate. Source: AP

Knox shot to notoriety in 2007 after her friend and roommate Meredith Kercher was found dead in their home in Perugia, Italy.

Knox and her boyfriend at the time Raffaele Sollecito, along with a local bar owner, were arrested and charged for her murder.

MORE: Read the full story here

They were found guilty in 2009 and spent time in prison before being acquitted in 2011. Knox immediately returned to the US, however in early 2014 a court upheld the original guilty verdict and sentenced her to jail.

The case is being appealed and Knox has avoided extradition to Italy so far.

Meredith Kercher. Pic: Franco Origlia/Getty Images. Source: Supplied

Knox has since written a book about the event and been the subject of two movies including a fictionalised account starring Cara Delevigne.

Mr Robinson said she started writing for the paper under a pseudonym but eventually decided to use her real name.

He said he's "flabbergasted" at her photography skills but denied hiring her because of her fame.

"It doesn't matter what people say or think — the truth is that she's a West Seattle resident, she grew up here."

"Why not give her the opportunity to be an actual human being versus a celebrity?"

"It's really about giving a young, talented writer an opportunity at a normal life."

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‘Worst hair in world cricket’

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Hybrid animals to give you nightmares

Artist Sarah Derememer named this dog-vulture hybrid a Fierce Schnowlzer. Source: Picture Media

THESE disturbing pictures show what hybrid species might look like.

An inventive artist from California merged photos of different animals together to create a startling series of images.

Sarah Derememer, 25, said she deliberately combined the adorable with the terrifying to achieve the most ridiculous-looking creatures she could.

A cross between a seal and a blue tit gives us the Sleepy Pirdy. Source: Picture Media

A black labrador and a killer whale make an adorable combination. Source: Picture Media

A monkey is transformed with the face of a white tiger. Source: Picture Media

They may look sweet individually, but mix a cat with a pomeranian and behold the Papillat. Source: Picture Media

The evil Angry Beavussy — a cross between a cat and a beaver. Source: Picture Media

"I really enjoy the juxtaposition between cute and scary animals, such as a growling wolf on a pygmy marmoset, or a snarling tiger on a baby monkey," she said.

"It's hard to pick a favourite, but I really enjoy both the 'Birboon' and 'Little Bit' because they're such adorable little birds with such character from the yawning animals.

"I also really love the White Tiger Monkey because the two animals included are so drastically different but go together so well."

Sarah said she began the project to improve her Photoshop skills, but soon became transfixed by the myriad possibilities.

A lion and a llama make a mouthy merger. Source: Picture Media

This shark-spider (Shider) combines many people's worst fears. Source: Picture Media

A moose-bear looks surprisingly real. Source: Picture Media

The majestic eagle-deer could be something out of a fantasy movie. Source: Picture Media

Each image can take up to four hours to complete and she works with 20 layers on the picture to make the combinations seamless.

The bizarre results range from a killer whale with the face of a labrador to a monkey with the face of a white tiger.

The colours are carefully blended to produce new species that are by turn ferocious and laughable in appearance.

Would you pet any of them?

This sperm whale/giraffe bears the brilliant moniker African Blue Whirrafano. Source: Picture Media

A rat mixed with a macaque becomes a Rankey. Source: Picture Media

A red panda and a yak — the funny-looking Highland Red Pandow. Source: Picture Media

Would you hang out with the Laughing Hamstyna (hyena-hamster)? Source: Picture Media

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Torah Bright the latest casualty on DWTS

After a shocking performance with her partner Robbie, Torah opens up on her medal winning past and use that as her inspiration moving forward into the next round.

Torah Bright pulls out of Dancing With The Stars / Picture: Channel 7 Source: Channel 7

OLYMPIAN snowboarder Torah Bright is the latest contestant to be forced to pull out of competing on Dancing With The Stars, making it three celebrities who have departed the reality dancing show this year.

The 27-year-old injured her big toe in rehearsals and has quit under her doctor's advice after undergoing tests at a Melbourne hospital.

Torah Bright And Robbie Kmentoni / Picture: Channel 7 Source: Channel 7

Torah Bright pulls out of Dancing With The Stars / Picture: Channel 7 Source: Channel 7

Dancing with the Stars contestants Torah Bright and Robbie Kmetoni are forced to retire hurt. Picture: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia

"This show, it waits for nobody. If you can't walk, you can't dance," said Bright after finding out the toe was not broken but seriously bruised and swollen. "It could be just a really good toe jam and in a week the swelling will be all right but for now, I'm just keeping it elevated and staying off my feet."

Torah Bright And Robbie Kmentoni. Torah has been forced out after injuring her big toe. Source: Channel 7

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Big Brother love rat’s girlfriend emerges

Candice Leeder pictured outside her Perth home. Source: Diimex

BOTH Big Brother "love rat" Lawson and his girlfriend outside the house have been spending a lot of time with a Cat recently.

But one of those Cats has gotten one half of the long-time couple into a lot more trouble than the other.

Candice Leeder, Lawson's girlfriend of five years, has gone to ground since the cheating scandal between her boyfriend and his fellow housemate Cat erupted inside the Gold Coast compound.

And now Ms Leeder has been pictured for the first time since her beau went into the house, taking her own cat for a walk on a leash outside her Perth home.

There were intense rumours Ms Leeder would enter the Big Brother house, which Nine has since denied. Source: Diimex

After Lawson's straying ways, one can't help but think that her cheating partner might also be kept "on a leash" if the pair are able to reconcile after he is evicted from the house.

Rumours were rampant that Ms Leeder was set to enter the Big Brother house to stir the pot even further, but host Sonia Kruger recently told Kiss FM Ms Leeder was reluctant.

"We have extended the invitation to Candice," Kruger told Kyle and Jackie O, "she's in the middle of exams at the moment, she's doing her masters. But yeah, we are in communications with her."

Candice has a pretty good looking Cat of her own. Source: Diimex

Ms Leeder has gone to ground since the scandal broke. Source: Diimex

Discussing Candice's reaction to the TV love affair, Kruger added: "Look, she's not happy. Obviously you wouldn't be would you?

"At this point, she's been pretty clear about wanting to focus on her exams. But, things change, people change... something might happen this week that could actually propel her to want to talk to us, and I think the best thing for Candice to do is talk to us because the media will stay on it until they can say something."

Big Brother star Lawson Reeves and his girlfriend Candice Leeder, in happier times. Source: Supplied

Cat and Lawson began their relationship almost a month ago in the house after they kissed while spending a night in the Sanctuary together.

The pair were an unlikely couple, Lawson a 23-year-old electrician in a long-term relationship and Cat, a 31-year-old divorced midwife.

The pair's relationship instantly created tension in the house, with many housemates making their disapproval of the situation known.

Cat and Lawson have been in a relationship inside the house for about a month. Source: Channel 9

Sonia Kruger with Cat before she entered the house. Source: Supplied

Recent evictee Jason slammed the pair's antics in his farewell video to the house saying: "I completely don't agree with it.

"My heart goes out to Candice, she's been in a committed three year relationship with him. It takes two to tango so they're both equally to blame but it's cheating, in the simpler sense, so I don't agree with it."

Again referring to Ms Leeder he added: "There is a girl on the outside who is hurting. My heart breaks for her every single day that I see them together, because I can only imagine the pain she's going through on the outside watching someone that she called a partner being intimate with another girl."

It all began with a kiss. Source: Facebook

Lawson breaks down in the diary room. Source: Channel 9

While Aisha added: "He knows what he's doing is wrong."

At one point Lawson and Cat both said "I love you" to each other, after which Lawson broke down in the diary room, apologising for cheating and "ruining (Candice's) life".

"I never intended to hurt Candice," he said through tears.

"I can't even imagine how she would feel; Embarrassed I would assume. She's a really good person. I'm not. She definitely didn't deserve this. I think I'm sorry for ruining her life."

Ms Leeder was forced to shut down her social media profiles and has maintained a dignified silence ever since the scandal broke.

But there has been an outpouring of support for her from fans of the show who have slammed Lawson as a "love rat" and labelled his behaviour "disgusting".

Cat and Lawson both said "I love you" to each other while in the house. Source: Supplied

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Tigger caught in ‘full blown sex’

Iron Man, Spider-Man, and even Rocket Raccoon show off their strides in this upcoming sequel of Disney Infinity 2.0.

A favourite with children ... Tigger with Owl in the Winnie the Pooh movie. Source: Supplied

TIGGER, the Disney cartoon character, was seen by a three-year-old girl having "full blown sex" in a baby changing room.

A man, wearing the costume, was seen having sexual intercourse with a naked woman in the toilets in the town of Dawlish in Devon, UK, reported Exeter Express and Echo.

The "disgusting act' was posted by Maryanne Saunders on Dawlish Neighbourhood Police's Facebook page. She called the police to report the incident.

A Disney favourite ... 'Tigger' from the Winnie the Pooh books is a regular at family events. Source: News Limited

Ms Saunders said that her daughter took her granddaughter to the toilet.

"There was a couple in the baby changing room having full blown sex," she wrote on Facebook.

"They slammed the door in my granddaughter's face and caught her hand in the door resulting in bruising to her fingers.

"This is a disgusting act and in a baby changing room.

"They were about 30ish, the man had a Tigger outfit on, the woman was undressed.

"It's not very nice for a three-year-old child."

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Whale man: Mum thinks I’m an idiot

Man climbs onto whale carcass as feeding sharks circle off West Australian coast. Footage courtesy Channel 7.

Sharks circle a whale carcass off the coast of Rottnest – at one point, a man was sitting on the creature. Picture: Seven News Source: Supplied

THE Perth man who risked his life diving into shark-infested waters to climb on to a rotting whale carcass says he won't do anything like it again and even his parents think he's an idiot.

Harrison Williams, of Quinns Rock, north of Perth, said: "I was out on the boat with the boys and one of my mates said it would be pretty funny to surf the whale so I did it."

The 26-year-old said he saw the sharks, including a massive great white, but they did not deter him from getting into the water.

"They were too busy chomping on the whale so it wasn't too bad," he said.

Mr Williams told Seven News it was not until he was on top of the whale that he realised the danger and stupidity of his actions.

"Definitely not (wouldn't do it again) ... I've done it, I don't need to do it again. Definitely it was a stupid act, didn't mean to disrespect anyone, mum thinks I'm an idiot, dad's not too proud either," he said.

Authorities reportedly won't fine Mr Williams because the whale was already dead and he did not remove any part of it.

'DAFT': Whale expert slams whale rider

GALLERY: Man on whale, sharks v whale

That same whale carcass has now washed up, forcing the closure of one the city's most popular beaches.

The carcass washed up on Scarborough Beach this evening, with about 10 big sharks part of the feeding frenzy lurking about 15 metres from shore.

It is up to the City of Stirling to remove the carcass, while a Surf Life Saving WA spokeswoman said the decision to close the beach would be reassessed tomorrow morning.

Surf Life Saving WA closed Scarborough Beach about 4.30pm today as the whale carcass had drifted within around 1km from shore.

The Channel 9 helicopter captured footage of a massive 5.5m shark circling a 7m boat not far from a whale carcass off Rottnest. Picture: 9 News Source: Channel 9

The Channel 9 helicopter captured footage of a massive 5.5m shark circling a 7m boat not far from a whale carcass off Rottnest. Picture: 9 News Source: Channel 9

Sharks circle a whale carcass off the coast of Rottnest. Picture: Seven News Source: Supplied

The incredible photographs, taken by crew members on the Seven News helicopter, show a shirtless man sitting on the massive carcass as several other men watch on from a nearby boat.

Crew on the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter snapped photographs yesterday of two huge sharks feeding on the whale, which was floating in the ocean about three nautical miles northeast of Rottnest.

Mr Williams told the Daily Mail Online he was trying to help the whale but clearly he was too late.

It is not known if those photographs were taken before or after the man jumped on the carcass.

A Surf Lifesaving WA spokesman said the man was not on the whale carcass when the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter flew over it.

●SURFER HOLDS GROUND AGAINST 'CURIOUS' SHARK

Meanwhile, a bootcamp fundraiser will take place in Perth next Saturday for Sean Pollard, who lost both hands when he was attacked by a shark while surfing near Esperance.

One month after the attack, the 23-year-old Bunbury electrician is continuing his recovery from the traumatic injuries at Royal Perth Hospital. He has undergone multiple surgeries and the medical team has developed a recovery plan from each procedure, a message to his supporters said.

"What is aiding Sean's recovery is his physical fitness as a result of his healthy lifestyle and active sporting interests," a statement on Renegade Bootcamp's website states.

"However, his injuries are severe so there will be a long road ahead. Sean has said his first goal is to stand and receive a group hug from his family, such is the character of this remarkable young man."

The fundraiser will be held at Brighton Beach Reserve on Saturday, November 8. Check-in is at 8.30am, with the bootcamp from 9am-10am.

It costs $25 to take part, with all money going to Mr Pollard. For more information, go to renegadefx.com.au.

Originally published as Whale man: Mum thinks I'm an idiot

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Lined up and killed one by one

New attack ... Sunday's brutal murder of at least 50 people in the Anbar province comes just days after IS militants lined up 30 Sunni men and shot them dead. Picture: AP Photo Source: AP

ISLAMIC State extremists lined up and shot dead at least 50 tribesmen, women and children in Iraq's Anbar province Sunday, officials said, the latest mass killing committed by the group.

The attack against an Anbar Sunni tribe took place in the village of Ras al-Maa, north of Ramadi.

There, the militant group killed at least 40 men, six women and four children, lining them up and publicly killing them one by one, Sheikh Naim al-Gaoud, a senior figure in the targeted Al Bu Nimr tribe, told The Associated Press.

Ruthless terror ... in this file photo, IS militants parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armoured vehicle. Picture: AP Source: AP

Another 17 people were kidnapped by the militant group, he said.

An official with the Anbar governor's office corroborated the account, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to brief journalists.

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The militant group killed another 50 members of the Al Bu Nimr tribe late Friday, and at least 48 people on Thursday, according to various officials who spoke to the AP.

Heavily armed ... in this file photo, IS fighters terrorise Iraqi locals in a display of force. Picture: AP Source: AP

The militant group has overrun a large part of Anbar province in its push to expand its territory across Iraq and Syria.

HOME SUPPORT: Facebook riddled with Australian Muslims supporting IS

The United Nations mission in Baghdad said that at least 1273 Iraqis were killed in violence in October, a slight increase compared to last month amid the Islamic State group's assault.

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Top chef dishes on ‘lazy’ gen Y

Celebrity chef Luke Mangan shows you how to make his seared scallops with corn puree for a simple Christmas entree.

ONE of Australia's most successful chefs has taken aim at a lazy work ethic he believes is hurting the industry he loves.

Luke Mangan will open his 20th restaurant this year in the Maldives and is already planning his next foray possibly in the US.

The 44-year-old who also creates business class menus for Virgin Australia said his success was born out of hard work, and being in the right place at the right time.

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Paradise...Luke Mangan in the Maldives at the site of one of his new restaurants. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

Not happy...Luke Mangan is frustrated by people in the hospitality industry who only want to work 38-hours a week. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

When he started his apprenticeship in Melbourne as a restless 15-year-old, he routinely racked up between 70 and 80 hours a week.

Now, he said, "the kids look at their watch at 38-hours".

"You do not learn a profession by taking short cuts or just doing the hours you have to do," said Mr Mangan in an exclusive interview on the One and Only Hayman Island.

"You've got to put in hard work and commit to it and I think I've done that."

Started young...Luke Mangan started his apprenticeship in Melbourne as a restless 15-year-old, he routinely racked up between 70 and 80 hours a week. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

He also expressed his frustration that there was too much focus on "celebrity" and not enough on genuine chefs of "substance".

Despite being one of the first in Australia to earn the tag of "celebrity chef" along with Neil Perry, Mr Mangan said he did not like the term.

"A lot of the chefs now just want to be on TV, do a cookbook and work 38-hours for it," Mr Mangan said.

"People want to get somewhere too quick, they don't want to put in the hard work.

"There are no shortcuts in this industry."

On the side...Cookbooks are par for the course for chefs these days, although Luke Mangan's are in more kitchens than most. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

He also offered some words of advice to young restaurant owner chefs.

"It's so hard to just survive in just one restaurant," he said.

"I'm lucky I've got a lot of streams of income that can help prop up a restaurant but a lot of the younger kids still think it's all about the food.

"It's not all about the food, it's the whole package as a restaurant and you've got to be creative and get other streams of income if you want to survive because you won't survive in a restaurant."

One of the best...Spanish chef Ferran Adria has mastered the art of "molecular gastronomy". Picture: AP Photo. Source: AP

On the topic of food, Mr Mangan revealed he was not a fan of "molecular gastronomy" pioneered by the likes of Heston Blumenthal and Ferran Adria, and now being copied worldwide.

"To me it's not real food, it's fluff and puff and I like real food," he said.

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Here’s what we know about Marvel’s Black Panther

The latest celebrity news including Marvel expanding their line-up of super-heroes slated to hit the silver screen. John Russell reports.

Robert Downey Jr., Chadwick Boseman and Chris Evans onstage during Marvel Studios fan event. Source: Getty Images

ON TUESDAY, Marvel announced that it was expanding its cinematic universe to include several new superheroes:

Established, franchise-leading figures like Iron ManandCaptain Americawill soon be joined by Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, the Inhumans, and, finally, the Black Panther — the first black superhero to get his own movie from Marvel Studios. (The Blade films, which starred Wesley Snipes, were produced by New Line Cinema.)

Chadwick Boseman will play the movie's eponymous monarch-superhero, and considering his impressive work in recent biopics Get on Up and 42, the movie is already starting out on the right foot.

But for those film fans who don't know the Black Panther story, what can we look forward to? Here's a brief primer.

The first thing to know about the Black Panther is that he's an interesting combination of brains and brawn. His real name is T'Challa, and he was born an heir to the throne of Wakanda, a fictional, isolationist African kingdom that also has some of the world's most advanced technology.

Chadwick Boseman will play the Black Panther. Source: AP

T'Challa's path to inheriting the Wakandan throne and becoming the Black Panther was far from direct. T'Challa's mother died in childbirth, and when T'Challa was a teenager, his father was murdered by a Dutchman bent on stealing Vibranium, a rare Wakandan metal. (Some might remember that Vibranium was also the metal used to forge Captain America's shield.) After attending schools in America and Europe, T'Challa returned to Wakanda for a ritual tournament, wherein he defeated and replaced his uncle S'yan as the nation's ruler, also called the Black Panther. The feat earned him the Heart-Shaped Herb that made him a superhero: The herb links its bearer's spirit to Bast, the Panther God, and imbues the newly crowned Black Panther with superhuman senses and extraordinary strength and speed.

And that's all in addition to the Black Panther's awesome gear. His uniform is bulletproof, he has super-sharp claws, and he has a "Kimoyo Card" that's basically a very advanced smartphone. (He once commandeered and remotely landed a jumbo jet with it.) For footwear, he has boots that let him climb up the sides of buildings and walk on water. To top it all off, the outfit has cloaking technology that lets him walk down the street looking like an average Joe.

Robert Downey Jr. and Chadwick Boseman onstage during Marvel Studios fan event. Source: Getty Images

Like the Avengers team itself, the Black Panther was a creation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. He was one of the first mainstream black superheroes, and he was created a mere three months before the Black Panther Party formed. His first appearance was in a Fantastic Four comic in 1966, and after several supporting roles, he got his first starring appearance in 1973, with a new series launching in the following issue. The series, written by Don McGregor, ran for three years, and it wasn't just the Black Panther's race that made history: Critic Jason Sacks has credited the early "Panther's Rage" comics as Marvel's "first graphic novel," since they followed one titled and self-contained story arc over 13 issues.

The Black Panther has also accrued lots of extras along the way. On top of his powers and gadgets, he has a doctorate in physics from Oxford University, is a member of the Illuminati (Marvel Illuminati, not the Illuminati), and is widely considered (including by his enemies) one of the eight smartest people in the Marvel Universe. He's travelled to America to battle the Ku Klux Klan. He was married to Storm … But like most high-profile marriages, it didn't last, and news of the split stirred up controversy among fans.

As for friends and enemies, the Black Panther is a frequent ally to both the Fantastic Four and the Avengers. His arch nemesis is Ulysses Klaw, the same Dutch physicist who killed the Black Panther's father in pursuit of Vibranium to complete his fearsome sound transducer. It was the first time the Black Panther ever saw gunfire as a child, and in response, he stole Klaw's weapon and used it against him, shattering his hand and scaring him off — for the time being. They've obviously had lots of run-ins since.

The Black Panther is coming. @Marvel Source: Twitter

When it comes to his personality, our Wakandan monarch-superhero is known for his calculating mind, and also for the endless balancing act he performs between his duties and desires. He might have as many resources as Iron Man, the strength of Captain America, and a Batman-like persona, but he has more responsibility than any of them: He runs an entire kingdom.

Marvel Studios' movie won't be the first Black Panther adaptation for the screen. A few years ago BET collaborated with Marvel Animation to produce a motion-comic-style prime time series with Djimon Hounsou voicing the superhero. The show premiered in Australia in January of 2010 and was released to DVD a year later. Wesley Snipes was also slated to play the Black Panther in a Columbia Pictures adaptation in the '90s, but the movies never materialised. The BET-Marvel animated series might be the closest we get to a Black Panther adaptation before Marvel's Black Panther movie in 2017, and you can watch a trailer for the series below.

This article was originally published in Slate.

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