Jessie J claims she has received death threats from people who are incensed by her music.
The Brit Award-winning singer – whose hits include Price Tag and Do It Like A Dude said she has now been the victim of nasty threats.
“I’ve had people say ‘I wanna kill you and your family’,” the 23-year-old told Q magazine. “Death threats. I’ve had people say I hope you get HIV and throat cancer at the same time.”
Jessie, who landed the Critics Choice award at the Brits, said she had also been insulted about her looks. And the singer said she had prompted internet rumours that she is a devil worshipper because of an “OK” gesture she made with her hand in the Price Tag video.
“This is 666 apparently,” she said of the hand signal. “And to me it’s saying ‘OK’.”
Jessie – who is teetotal and avoids caffeine because of health problems she has had since her childhood – said she had turned down lucrative deals with drinks firms for “brands I don’t even drink”.
Lean gene
A “lean gene” that keeps you looking slim may mask danger signs of heart disease and diabetes.
Scientists warned that some people who appear trim and fit may unknowingly be at risk of life-threatening conditions.
The gene reduces levels of fat under the skin, but not the more harmful form of hidden “visceral” tissue that surrounds organs.
Known as IRS1, it is linked to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Tide trap
A group of primary school-age children in the UK had an extended school trip after being trapped by the incoming tide.
The 17 children, aged eight to 10, and their teachers were left stranded on St Mary’s Island, in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, at midday yesterday.
Coastguards contacted the group and said they would have to remain on the island until the tide went out, at about 4 p.m.
The group was on high rocks surrounding St Mary’s Lighthouse and was not in any imminent danger. Rescuers from the Blyth Coastguard started to return some of the children and adults back to the mainland by car shortly after noon.
Dog mess DNA
An apartment complex in the United States is using DNA testing on dog mess to find out who is not cleaning up after their pets.
The Timberwood Commons block in Lebanon, New Hampshire, opened earlier this year and has had problems with owners allowing their dogs to foul the grounds without clearing up.
Manager Debbie Violette is going to use commercially available DNA sampling kits to trace who is responsible. Residents have been told they must submit samples from their pets so their DNA profiles can be put on file.
Swan decapitated
Council officers are investigating an incident in which a swan was left decapitated.
The body of a male swan was found by dog walkers on the banks of a lake at Northlands Park in Basildon, Essex, on Saturday morning.
The head and neck of the swan were missing and bite marks were found by the base of the neck.
Sarah Moran, Basildon Council’s animal control officer, said: “We examined the body of the swan on Saturday morning and it appears the swan was either killed or at least moved by a big dog. The bite marks were too big for a fox and the chances of a fox attacking a swan are very slim. What makes it worse is that swans pair for life and whilst I was at the park on Saturday, the female swan was looking for her mate and visiting the site of the attack.”
Death in the sun
Two Metropolitan police dogs have died after they were left in a car on the hottest day of the year.
The Metropolitan Police animals, a working Belgian Malanois and a German Shepherd puppy, were found collapsed in an unventilated vehicle at the force’s training centre in Keston, Kent, on Sunday.
A spokeswoman from the Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, said it was “saddened” to hear of the two latest deaths. She added: “Whilst the cause of death is still to be determined, the charity would like to remind dog owners and police dog handlers that leaving your dog in a car can prove rapidly fatal, particularly during a heatwave.” Sunday was the hottest day of this year so far in the UK, with the mercury rising to the late 20s in the South East.