The celebrities who’ve killed people

US film and television actor Michael Jace has been charged over the fatal shooting of his wife.

Police are questioning actor Michael Jace after his wife was found dead in their home on Monday. Picture: AP Source: AP

TRAGIC news out of Hollywood today that The Shield actor Michael Jace has allegedly killed his wife.

Police rushed to the home after Jace allegedly called 911 and said "I shot my wife".

Jace isn't the first well-known celebrity to fall foul of the law - many other famous faces have been arrested for crimes that have resulted in a person's death, including homicide, manslaughter and culpable driving.

BRANDY

R&B singer Brandy Norwood in 2010. Picture: AP Photo Source: AP

The R&B singer and actress was involved in a fatal car accident on Los Angeles' San Diego Freeway in 2006. Brandy failed to stop when approaching a traffic jam on the freeway, and slammed into the back of a Toyota at more than 100km/h. The accident claimed the life of 38-year-old Awatef Aboudihaj.

Brandy was not charged with vehicular manslaughter, but there have been multiple lawsuits filed against her in the ensuing years by Aboudihaj's family, all of which have been settled out of court.

Brandy herself has said of the tragedy:

"The whole experience did completely change my life, and I can say that I think I'm a better person from it. You know, I still don't understand all of it and why all of it happened, but I definitely have a heart, and my heart goes out to everyone involved. I pray about it every single day, and that's all I can really say on the subject."

DON KING

Boxing promoter Don King is considered an eccentric character, but many don't realise that before he was famous, he killed two men. Picture: AP Source: AP

The eccentric, wild-haired boxing promoter Don King has killed two men in separate incidents. King killed the first man in self-defence when the man was trying to break into his gambling operation. The killing was ruled 'justifiable homicide', as the man King shot was found to be robbing the gambling house.

However, the second incident was far more sinister: in 1966 King was convicted of second-degree murder for stomping to death an employee who owed him $600. He served just under four years in prison.

MATTHEW BRODERICK

Matthew Broderick and wife Sarah Jessica Parker. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

In 1987, Broderick was in a car accident in Northern Ireland, while vacationing with then-girlfriend Jennifer Grey. The couple's rented BMW, which Broderick was driving, crossed into the wrong lane and crashed into a woman and her mother, who were both killed instantly. Broderick suffered a fractured leg, fractured ribs, concussion, and a collapsed lung, and told authorities he had no recollection of the crash.

"I don't remember the day. I don't remember even getting up in the morning. I don't remember making my bed. What I first remember is waking up in the hospital, with a very strange feeling going on in my leg," he said at the time.

Broderick was convicted of careless driving and fined just $175, which the victims' family called "a travesty of justice".

OSCAR PISTORIUS

Oscar Pistorius leaves the high court in Pretoria, South Africa, this week. Picture: AP Photo Source: AP

Perhaps the most infamous celebrity court case of recent years, there's one inarguable fact surrounding the case of South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius: he shot and killed his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year. What is yet to be decided is whether Pistorius killed her accidentally, as he insists, or whether it was a case of cold-blooded murder. As of this week, the court case was adjourned to enable Pistorius to undergo a month of psychiatric evaluation.

REBECCA GAYHEART

Rebecca Gayheart (centre) in a scene from the film Jawbreaker. Source: News Corp Australia

This '90s teen queen appeared in flicks such as Scream 2, Urban Legend and Jawbreaker, but her career went quiet after one fateful day in 2001: Gayheart was driving a vehicle which struck a nine-year-old boy as he walked across a street in LA. He died the following day from his injuries. Gayheart pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter. She was sentenced to three years of probation, a one-year suspension of her license, recieved a $2800 fine and 750 hours of community service.

She's now married to Eric Dane, aka Dr McSteamy from Grey's Anatomy, although married life hasn't completely settled her down - in 2009, a video leaked of the couple having a nude romp with a former Miss Teen USA contestant.

LISA 'LEFT EYE' LOPES

TLC rapper Lisa Lopes' (centre) own death came just two weeks after she was involved in the death of a young boy. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

This is a very spooky and surprisingly little-known story about the late TLC rapper. Holidaying in Honduras in 2002, Lopes was in a car which struck and killed a 10-year-old local boy who had wandered into the road. While her personal assistant was driving and it was found to be an unavoidable accident, Lopes met with the family to take care of the boy's medical expenses and funeral costs.

In home videos shot at the time, Lopes can be seen saying she felt the presence of a 'spirit' following her, and was struck by the fact that the child killed in the accident shared her last name, even thinking that the 'spirit' may have made a mistake by taking his life instead of hers.

Just two weeks later, still holidaying in Honduras, Lopes was driving a car full of friends when she swerved to avoid a collision with another vehicle and the car rolled. She was the only person killed in the accident.

PHIL SPECTOR

Producer, murderer and perm victim Phil Spector. Source: Supplied

The eccentric record producer had a long history of violence, but what happened one night in 2003 shocked the world. Actor Lana Clarkson was found dead in Spector's mansion, a single gunshot wound to the mouth. Spector insisted that Clarkson's death was self-inflicted — that she had "kissed the gun". However, eyewitness testimony proved his undoing, and the 74-year-old is currently serving a sentence for second-degree murder. He'll be eligible for parole at age 88.

ROBERT BLAKE

Actor Robert Blake outside the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2004, where he faced trial for the death of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakely. Source: AP

The veteran actor was best-known for roles in the film In Cold Blood and the TV series Baretta - until 2001. Blake took his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, for an Italian dinner in LA. Afterwards, Bakley was killed by a gunshot to the head while sitting in the car, which was parked on a side street around the corner from the restaurant.

Blake claimed that he had returned to the restaurant to collect a gun which he had left there, and was not present when the shooting occurred. By 2002, he had been charged with her murder and sent to prison. However, on appeal in 2005, Blake was found not guilty and has since been a free (but bankrupt - legal fees totalled more than $3million) man.

LAURA BUSH

Former first lady Laura Bush was behind the wheel during a fatal car accident in 1963. Source: AP

Yes, former First Lady Laura Bush. In 1963, the then-named Laura Welch ran a stop sign and struck another car, resulting in the death of its driver. The victim was her close friend and classmate Michael Dutton Douglas, who had reportedly been her boyfriend at one time. Bush was never charged over the accident.

After the accident report was released to the public in 2000, Bush's spokesman said, "It was a very tragic accident that deeply affected the families and was very painful for all involved, including the community at large."

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Man secretly lived in teen’s wardrobe

Jarred Workman, 27, was the "monster" in a 14-year-old girl's wardrobe. Picture: Iredell County Sheriff's Office Source: Supplied

A MAN faces life in jail without parole after he allegedly sexually abused a teenager while secretly living in her wardrobe for five days.

Jarred Workman, 27, was charged with 11 counts of statutory rape and five counts of statutory sex offence, according to the Iredell County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina.

"During the day he was either in her closet or in her bedroom, and when she would come home from school or on the weekend or whatever, he would come out on evenings," Detective Lt. Bill Hamby told NBC news.

Police said the girl's mother found Workman hiding in the 14-year-old's wardrobe on May 2.

"I was sort of shocked more than anything," the mother told WSOC. "I asked him who he was and he said Jarred Workman and he was 19."

Once sprung, he fled "into the woods" but police were able to track him down after he left his wallet and mobile phone behind.

It later emerged that Workman had "moved in" to the wardrobe on April 27 after befriending the victim on a social media site and "developing an online relationship".

The girl's parents told police they had no idea Workman had been communicating with their daughter let alone hiding in her wardrobe for five days.

The daughter told police she met Workman online and arranged to meet with him, but that he sexually assaulted her once they got to her house.

"The internet has just ruined that poor girl. She was just taken advantage of," the mother told WSOC.

"I'm uncomfortable in my own home. I'm scared. I can't sleep at night."

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Desperate Warney’s plea for help

Help Shane Warne find a fan who looked all the more devastated when he was dismissed for 99 againt New Zealand.

Help! This purple shirt really clashes with my complexion! Oh, and I'm looking for some guy... Source: NewsComAu

CREDIT where it's due, Shane Warne could bat. We all know the guy holds a swag of bowling records, but he actually holds a significant batting record too. We'll tell you about that in a minute.

But wait, why are we telling you this at all?

Because Shane Warne once got out for 99 in Test cricket, that's why. And on that fateful day, against New Zealand in Perth in 2001, Warne traipsed off the ground mindful he may never again get the chance to notch three figures. Which he didn't.

A fan at the ground that day clearly felt just as disappointed, as Shane Warne explains in the video above.

"There was some fan out there that reacted exactly as I felt when I was walking off for 99 — DEVASTATED," Warne says. "So what I want to do is find him and share a beer with him and shout him a beer. The only thing I have to go on is he was wearing this t-shirt."

Warne's also grouse at self promotion through social media. Source: NewsComAu

At that point, Warne holds up a t-shirt that says "Warney's Grouse at Cricket". That's the silly t-shirt the fan wore.

He then urges people to tweet him at @Warne888 with the hashtag #Fanhunt if you think you've found the mystery t-shirt wearer.

The question is, what's Warne really up to with all of this?

Well, as any cricket fan knows, Shane Warne was a tricky character as a bowler. While he had more weapons than anyone, he didn't try to take a wicket every ball, instead setting a slow trap for batsmen.

He's likely playing the patient game here too, setting things up for a great big promo of his self-branded "99 Not Out Pale Ale" beer. No, we don't understand the "not out" bit either, given that Warne clearly got himself out that day playing a needlessly aggressive hero shot when a humble single would have sufficed.

Wait a minute, we do know. The editor just wandered over and told us that Warne was dismissed off a massive no-ball. So in his mind he was really not out.

Pfffft. Tell him he's dreamin'. He still shouldn't have played the shot.

Anyway, if you know t-shirt guy, maybe ask him to contact Warne.

Oh, and the batting record that Warne holds is for most runs scored in Tests without making a century. All 3,154 of them. No one has ever made more without hitting at least one ton.

At this point, we should also probably warn you that the flashes of Warne's teeth in the above video could cause permanent damage to your retinas.

For the cricket nerds: a full list of Warney's Test knocks

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Secret McDonald’s menu hacks

Forget your standard Big Mac meal. Try out these secret menu hacks at Maccas. Source: Supplied

"THERE'S something for everyone to love at McDonald's."

At least that's what McDonald's says (and Lebron James stands by the claim, too).

If you feel the promise falls a little flat, you might've missed Mickey D's "secret menu". Tired of that classic Big Mac? Why not try a McGangBang instead? Feel that your McNuggets could be a bit more sprightly? Next time, order them "fresh".

These mystical order transformations appear on multiple online sources. Sites such as #HackTheMenu and SecretMenuholic offer tips and tricks for fast food fans who like to order outside of the box. If you're curious how to get fish, chicken and beef all under the same bun (and who wouldn't be?), these hacks are for you.

Do note, these items are definitely more "hacks" than unique food orders. But, if you think hard about it, McDonald's serves about four basic foods and dresses them up with sauces and McNames to feign variety.

Nevertheless, some of these hacks will actually save you a couple of bucks, while others will just take your tastebuds on a little trip around the world's most beloved fast food restaurant.

Without further ado, here are 13 of McDonald's off-the-menu items to give a whirl:

Land, Sea and Air Burger

If you want to taste beef, chicken and fish in one mouthful. Source: Huffington Post

Description: This is a beef, chicken and Filet-O-Fish patty stacked in one bun. We decided to separate the chicken from the cow and fish because it seemed to make most sense.

How To Order: Ask for a burger, Filet-O-Fish and a McChicken. Assembly required.

McGangBang

The name is questionable but it looks pretty good. Source: Huffington Post

Description: Also referred to as McB*tchin'. One astute HuffPoster said it should be called a "McDoubleTeamed". This is a McChicken patty stuffed between the two patties of the McDouble. Opt for cheese if you want to get real nasty.

How To Order: Order one McChicken and one McDouble. Assemble privately.

Poor Man's Big Mac

Because sometimes a whole Big Mac is just too much. Source: Huffington Post

Description: This menu hack optimises the flavour of a Big Mac for the price of a McDouble. Sneaky.

How To Order: Order a McDouble with special sauce, lettuce and onion and sans pickles and ketchup.

2-Cheeseburger Meal

Why settle for one cheeseburger, when you can have two? Source: Huffington Post

Description: It's a vintage throwback revived. According to HackTheMenu.com, this used to be "a staple of the old McDonald's Menu." It's a classic cheeseburger meal (comes with a soft drink!), with two cheeseburgers. For the simple diner, and the simply hungry.

How To Order: Ask for the 2-cheeseburger meal. If your cashier hasn't heard of it, order an additional cheeseburger alongside your classic cheeseburger meal.

Big McChicken

EW. But perfect for those on a gluten-free diet. Source: Huffington Post

Description: This monstrosity is a McTribute to KFC's infamous Double Down. The buns of the burger are replaced with three McChicken patties. Meaty.

How To Order: Ask for three McChickens and a Big Mac. Expect your hands to a little McMessy as you put it all together.

Monster Mac

A heart attack on a plate. Source: Huffington Post

Description: Oh. So this is a classic Big Mac with a tiny, tiny twist. It has EIGHT patties. Notably, the box that this bad boy was packed up in could barely sustain its weight.

How To Order: Despite the complex look of this "burger", all you have to do is ask for a Big Mac with eight patties. McDonald's will build it for you. If you're feeling like more of a mini monster, you could ask for four (or six, seven, three) patties.

Grilled Cheese

For when your sandwich press is broken. Source: Huffington Post

Description: Did you go to McDonald's but don't feel in the mood for McDonald's? How strange of you! Nevertheless, you needn't go hungry. This is a slice of cheese on a hamburger bun.

How To Order: Order a slice of cheese on a hamburger bun, receive this sad little number.

McKinley Mac

Mmmm delish. Source: Huffington Post

Description: This is a Big Mac made with quarter pound patties. A regular Big Mac is made with 1.6 oz patties, and the Quarter Pounder is made with 4 oz patties. If you're craving more meat and less bun, this appears to be the burger for you. The contrivance allegedly gets its name from Alaska's Mount McKinley.

How To Order: Order a BigMac with quarter pound patties. No assembly required.

'Fresh' Chicken McNuggets

No one like cold nuggets! Source: Huffington Post

Description: These are nuggets that haven't been sitting out — they are apparently made (warmed?) to order. This menu hack comes from redditor Ritch88, who was once employed at McDonald's.

Says Ritch88: "I used to work at McDonald's. If you order, especially chicken nuggets, just ask for them fresh. Otherwise they've been just sitting in their container in the heat. They have a timer, but 9/10 times when that timer goes off, people just reset the timer instead of making new ones. This could go on until all the nuggets are sold."

How To Order: Ask for fresh nuggets. I was surprised that the McDonald's employee we ordered from knew exactly what we were asking for.

McCrepe

We'll stick to the 50c cones, thanks. Source: Huffington Post

Description: Oh, this is a wildly imaginative breakfast masterpiece. It's a do-it-yourself conception that calls for equal parts Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait and hot cakes.

How To Order: Ask for one Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait and one order of Hotcakes*. Dress one half of each hot cake with yoghurt and fold. Once each cake is folded, drizzle syrup and granola (supplied separately with the parfait, as luck will have it) atop your dish.

*Make sure to get there while breakfast is being served!

Pie McFlurry

Ew. Source: Huffington Post

Description: For when you can't decide between a McFlurry and a boxed, baked apple pie, we suppose, shove the latter into the former.

How To Order: Ask for one baked apple pie and one McFlurry of your choosing (we opted for M&M). You can ask politely for the McDonald's employees to blend the two together, but they may decline. If that's the case, do your own blending, or use the oddly stick-shaped pie as a vessel to scoop the creamy stuff into your mouth.

Neapolitan Shake

Strawberry, chocolate and vanilla shake. Source: Huffington Post

Description: A trifecta milkshake, made by blending three classic flavours: Strawberry, chocolate and vanilla.

How To Order: Just kindly request a shake with all three flavours, and patiently wait for the mixture to blend.

Chicken McGriddle

Sweet and savoury all at once! Source: Huffington Post

Description: A McTwist on chicken and waffles. A McChicken patty is sandwiched inside two McGriddles. Sweet and savory.

How To Order: This "secret menu item" is a bit tricky to order, since it calls for an item on the breakfast menu and an item on the regular menu. If you're really dedicated, you can go to McDonald's just as the menu is turning over: Get the last of the McGriddles and the first of the McChickens. Otherwise, you'll have to make two trips (like we did) to chomp down on this fancy thing. Once that work is done, place the chicken patty inside of the McGriddle, and dress with syrup if you like.

Is it worth the effort? I wouldn't know, I am a vegetarian.

This article originally appeared on The Huffington Post.

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John Stamos’ rant at Full House hater

The theme song for the popular TV show, Full House.

John Stamos bites back at a blogger. Source: AFP

JOHN Stamos has hit back at a blogger who blames 1990s TV shows for giving her false impressions about life.

In an article on The Huffington Post , social blogger Annelia Alex wrote that "by 14 I was bored by dumb sitcoms".

"They were too far-fetched precisely because they were too predictable," Alex wrote.

She then highlighted a few examples of how shows such as Friends, Full House and Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place lied to her:

The blogger says shows like Friends lied to her about life as an adult. Source: News Limited

• When you get upset and flee a situation, someone chases after you: "I tried this all the time as a kid and no one ever chased after me."

• You can work as a coffee shop waitress or struggling writer and afford a 1100 sq foot apartment in Manhattan: "I cannot. I can live in a windowless, "garden level" closet with a kleptomaniac and an Ultimate frisbee player."

• You will be friends and ultimately more-than-friends with the attractive person in the apartment across the hall: "The person across the hall from me has never once been attractive."

John Stamos, who played Uncle Jesse on Full House, wasn't a huge fan of the article.

He posted it on his Facebook page and took a swipe at the blogger in the process, saying, "You simply just weren't bright enough to take the good from what we did and laugh at the rest".

Here's his full response:

John Stamos played the smooth, Elvis-loving Uncle Jesse on Full House. Source: News Limited

Annelia, if you hadn't watched those check mix shows like FULL HOUSE you wouldn't have been open minded and bright enough to write an article like you just did — on the other hand — don't blame the way your life turned out because of TGIF — if you're lucky enough to have kids — maybe you should have them watch re-runs of Breaking Bad — see how that turns out.

I get what you're saying — I agree we did some silly unrealistic stuff — and maybe it's not the way everyday families are today — ALTHOUGH — more so now than when we made the show — meaning, more broken families, same-sex parents.

Let's focus on that and not the unrealistic stuff — because the happiness that these shows have brought to people's lives — I've felt that more first-hand than I'm sure you have ….

Also — I bet more good than bad came out of those shows. Sorry it didn't turn out that way for you Annelia or you simply just weren't bright enough to take the good from what we did and laugh at the rest.

JOHN STAMOS

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Proof that babies look better with eyebrows

AS a parent, it's often difficult to work out what babies are trying to tell you with their tiny unformed features. They can also get boring.

So why not make your life (and theirs, surely) more interesting by drawing ridiculous eyebrows and other facial hair on their bland faces?

Here are 13 pictures of babies with eyebrows on Instagram in what is becoming a bit of a craze.

Picture: callum1787 on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: meggajanette on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: shelbyloveland on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: morningswithjj on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: autumnpaigexo on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: Tristan_brianne on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: lawrentabor on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: mrs_hardy13 on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: lauren_frink on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: kayrdubyah on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: mindywhitesings on Instagram Source: Instagram

Picture: ashley031813 on Instagram Source: Instagram

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Tens of thousands protest against Abbott budget

March in May protesters in Melbourne. Source: News Corp Australia

Tens of thousands of people have gathered all over the country to protest against the Abbott Government's first federal budget.

The March in May protests have seen people express their anger and despair over initiatives announced by the government in Tuesday's budget.

Protesters have converged in central areas in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth to unite against the Abbott Government on issues including healthcare cuts, education cuts, treatment of refugees, the environment, pensions and more.

March in May protesters in Sydney. Picture: Michael Browning Source: NewsComAu

There was estimated to be more than 10,000 protesters in the Sydney event, which started at Belmore Park near Central and made its way down George Street towards Victoria Park near Broadway. Singer Sarah Blasko performed two songs at the rally.

Organisers have asked protesters to be respectful and stay clear of offensive language as it was a "family day." Many elderly and disabled protesters were spotted in the crowd.

In Melbourne, Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt told the crowd "No one voted for this budget. [Tony Abbott] lied his way to power. Tony Abbott has rounded on us. It takes guts and courage to stand up to the powerful and wealthy but a coward to take an axe to the young, the sick and the poor."

MORE: TONY ABBOTT "LIED HIS WAY TO POWER"

MORE: THOUSANDS RALLY IN ADELAIDE

The March in May nationwide protests followed the March in March, which claimed to be a nonpartisan, non-affiliated protest movement against the Abbott Government's policies across a range of issues.

MORE: MARCH IN MARCH WAS BIG ON PEOPLE POWER

The events are organised over social media and on Sunday afternoon, #marchinmay was trending on Twitter.

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‘If I have one more drink I’ll die’

"If I have one drink the docs say I will die" ... Deryck Whibley, who has been battling alcoholism for several years, posted this warning on his website. Picture: deryckwhibley.net Source: Supplied

THE lead singer of rock band Sum 41 has confessed: "If I have one drink the docs say I will die".

Deryck Whibley, who was married to singer Avril Lavigne, wrote the grave warning on his website where he posted a picture of himself sleeping on a hospital bed and being tended to by doctors, Rolling Stone reported.

He has spent a month in hospital after years of heavy drinking collapsed his liver and kidney.

"The reason I got so sick is from all the hard boozing I've been doing over the years," Whibley wrote. "It finally caught up to me."

DERYCK WHIBLEY: Avril Lavigne on why they split

MARRIAGE BREAK UP: Lavigne says Tim Tams ease pain

Happier days ... Avril Lavigne with her ex-husband Deryck Whibley. Source: Splash News Australia

Lavigne's ex-husband, they married in 2006 and divorced in 2010, was rushed to the hospital by his fiancée after he collapsed at his home.

"I was drinking hard every day. Until one night. I was sitting at home, poured myself another drink around midnight and was about to watch a movie when all of a sudden I didn't feel so good," Whibley wrote in the letter titled Rock Bottom.

"I then collapsed to the ground unconscious. My fiancée got me rushed to the hospital where they put me into the intensive care unit.

"I was stuck with needles and i.v.'s all over. I was completely sedated the first week. When I finally woke up the next day I had no idea where I was.

"My mum and stepdad were standing over me. I was so freaked out. My liver and kidney's collapsed on me. Needless to say it scared me straight.

"I finally realised I can't drink anymore. If I have one drink the docs say I will die. I'm not preaching or anything but just always drink responsibly. I didn't, and look where that got me."

Whibley and Ari Cooper dress up as Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger for Halloween. Source: Supplied

Wedding in 2009 ... Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley. Source: Supplied

Sum 41's last album, Screaming Bloody Murder, was released in 2011.

Whibley said the stay in intensive care has given him ideas for songs on a new album he hopes to release before touring again.

Members of Sum 41 Cone McCaslin, Deryck Whibley (middle) and Steve Jocz. Source: AP

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How will Google change our future?

The future is here, Google Glass is now available in the US. Source: AP

WHAT will Google do next?

Co-founder Larry Page has given us a glimpse into our hi-tech future in his annual founder's letter.

Ensure humans live a longer and more healthy life

"In healthcare we have Calico — a new company led by the former CEO of Genentech, Art Levinson, that's focused on health, wellbeing and longevity." Calico is aimed at finding ways to slow the ageing process and significantly expand the human lifespan. Page has said that he expects the project will take 10 or 20 year to come up with anything significant and there is speculation that Google's data processing will be used to shed light on age-related diseases. Google has also invested in Iris, a smart contact lens that monitors glucose levels in tears, something which people with diabetes can only test by drawing blood through pricking their finger. This technology will probably take about five years to reach the market.

A Google prototype of a smart contact lens that's built to measure glucose levels in tears. Source: Supplied

Smart appliances in the home

"We also recently acquired Nest, a company that's taken unloved household products like thermostats and made them much more useful," Page says in his letter.

The Nest thermostat learns how warm you like your home, what your schedule is and within a week it can start setting temperatures on its own, potentially saving you 20 per cent in heating and cooling bills. It also allows you to control temperatures from your phone. Another device Nest has developed is a smart fire alarm that talks to you in a "human voice" to give you an early heads up if it starts to detect smoke rather than sending out a screeching false alarm. This allows you to silence it if it's just your toast burning.

Same day shopping deliveries

"We're excited about our new Google Shopping Express service, which is a great way to get deliveries the same day you order them." This is being rolled out in America and already provides services in San Francisco. People can order online a wide variety of groceries, health and beauty products, appliances, toys and clothes, and get them delivered the same day.

Self-driving cars

Google has made a lot of progress in making this project a reality. The cars have been under development for five years and use detailed maps and a combination of lasers and sensors that allow it to see 360 degrees. This is aimed at avoiding the 93 per cent of accidents that happen on roads each year due to human error. Google is reportedly in talks with manufacturers to roll out a limited number of cars in about six years.

OK, it's not sexy but come on, this car can drive itself! AFP PHOTO/Glenn CHAPMAN Source: AFP

Intuitive search results

"Improved context will also help make search more natural, and not a series of keywords you artificially type into a computer." Page says Google is still "a million miles away from creating the search engine of my dreams, one that gets you just the right information at the exact moment you need it with almost no effort," but the company is looking to improve results by building in more "context". "Google Now is starting to tackle this challenge. It provides information without you even having to ask, so no more digging around in your inbox to find the tracking number for a much-needed delivery; it's already there on your screen." There is also work to make searches more "conversational". "We're getting closer: ask how tall the Eiffel Tower is, and then when 'it' was built. By understanding what 'it' means in different contexts, we can make search conversational."

Getting more people online

"It's a tragedy that with so much information available today, two-thirds of the world's population lack even the most basic internet connection," Page notes in his letter. Google is working to address this issue through Project Loon, which is aimed a creating a network of balloons on the very edge of space that can provide connectivity in rural and remote areas. "Soon there will be a classroom in northeast Brazil we are working to put online for the first time". But this innovation is not entirely altruistic, opening new markets will generate more income for Google, which it needs if it wants to keep on growing.

Wearable technology

"We're now taking Android to wearables, like watches, and to cars, where we can make it super easy to get directions, make a call or play music." And who can forget Google Glass? The hi-tech glasses which function like a smartphone are now on sale for $1500 in the US.

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The Aussie company in US corruption scandal

Combined speed and red light running camera designed by Redflex. Source: News Limited

THE US arm of Australian red light camera operator Redflex Holdings Group is embroiled in a corruption scandal in Chicago.

A former city official is facing a 10-year prison sentence after allegedly being lavished with cash, a condominium, hotel stays and golf games.

US government prosecutors allege John Bills, the former managing deputy commissioner of Chicago's transportation department, pocketed benefits totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars to steer $US124 million ($A134.16 million) in city contracts to Arizona-based Redflex Traffic Systems Inc.

Prosecutors declined to say if current or former Redflex employees will be charged when the probe is completed. However, the company is not accused of any wrongdoing.

"The investigation is continuing, but I can't be specific as to who or what that may involve," Randall Samborn, spokesperson for the US Attorney for the northern district of Illinois, told AAP on Thursday.

Redflex's global headquarters is in Melbourne.

The windy city. Source: Supplied

The indictment against Bills, a 52-year-old Chicago resident and 32-year City of Chicago employee, alleges he used his influence to help Redflex win contracts.

Prosecutors have granted immunity to a former Redflex employee, codenamed "CS1", who allegedly worked closely with Bills.

CS1 and others at Redflex allegedly paid for at least $US23,000 worth of hotels, car rentals, meals, golf games and other personal items for Bills.

"According to individuals at Redflex, the Chicago contract was the most important contract for the company, both because of the revenues it generated as well as the name recognition it gave to Redflex," the criminal complaint reads.

"By 2010, the Chicago red light program was the largest red light camera program in the United States and encompassed 20 per cent of the total camera systems that Redflex operated in the US." Another key figure in the investigation is a friend of Bills, named in court papers as Individual A.

Prosecutors allege John Bills received hundred of thousands of dollars in pay-offs. Source: News Limited

On Bills' suggestion, Individual A was hired by Redflex as its "Chicago customer liaison" and paid more than $US2 million in salary, bonuses and commissions, according to prosecutors.

CS1 told investigators he and his superiors "had explicit conversations about Individual A serving as a conduit to get money to Bills in return for Bills' help in getting Redflex the City of Chicago contract, and for Bills' help in ensuring that Redflex's contract would potentially be expanded and renewed in the future".

Individual A, between 2006 to 2011, withdrew more than $US643,000 in cash and prosecutors allege Bills and his wife made major cash bank deposits or purchases, including paying for a Mercedes-Benz convertible, a boat and at least 35 trips.

Melbourne-based Redflex has cornered half the US market. Source: News Corp Australia

Prosecutors also allege Bills paid his divorce lawyer in cash and used $US16,000 in money orders to pay his girlfriend's mortgage.

When Bills retired in 2011, he allegedly "made it known" to CS1 and other Redflex employees he wanted a job with Redflex.

Redflex allegedly arranged for Bills to get a job with a company funded by Redflex.

Once the company hired Bills, Redflex allegedly increased its monthly contribution to the company to help pay Bills' salary. Bills was arrested on a federal bribery charge in Chicago on Wednesday.

His lawyer, Nishay Sanan, denied Bills had taken bribes and claimed Redflex was trying to make Bills the scapegoat.

Redflex, in a statement, said it had "fully co-operated with the authorities" and after an internal investigation "announced new leadership, new policies and a line between our past and today's Redflex".

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