Walmart discussing closer ties with Humana, including possible acquisition: sources

(Reuters) - Walmart Inc (WMT.N) is in early-stage talks with Humana Inc (HUM.N) about developing closer ties, with the acquisition of Humana being discussed as one possibility, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Walmart approached Humana health insurance earlier this month and the deliberations are preliminary, one of the sources said. While the conversations have focused on new partnerships, an acquisition of Humana by Walmart is also something being discussed, the source added.

The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential. Humana and Walmart did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Walmart may be acquiring Humana, says report

Walmart is in early stage talks to acquire health insurer Humana, according

Walmart is in early stage talks to acquire health insurer Humana, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Terms of the deal are unknown, but Humana is valued at $37 billion and reported net income of $2.4 billion on $53.8 billion in revenues during 2017. The deal would allow the retailer to strengthen its relationship with a key demographic, seniors, the report explained, and would complement its existing pharmacy and clinic businesses.

It's not clear that there will be an acquisition, or even if regulators would allow it, at this point.

But if the deal were to happen, it would be one of many mergers and acquisitions taking place in the industry in recent months, the report noted. For example, CVS Health agreed to acquire Humana rival Aetna for $69 billion in December; Cigna agreed to buy Express Scripts for $54 billion in March.

Related to this, Walmart's nemesis Amazon has been said to be considering an entry into the pharmacy market itself, which could cut into Walmart's sizable pharmacy business. The retailer has pharmacies in its 4,700 some stores and in many of its Sam's Club stores. It also said in January it would partner with JPMorgan and Berkshire to tackle rising healthcare costs by forming a company to provide healthcare for their thousands of U.S. workers.

Humana is the second-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the private insurance plans offered through Medicare. That would allow Walmart to stay connected to its senior customers, in light of the increased competition. The deal would also accompany other moves Walmart is making in healthcare, including its plans to offer lab-testing in some stores where it already has primary-care clinics - all part of its larger plan to be a one-stop shop for customers' healthcare needs.

The deal would be Walmart's largest by a wide margin if it went through. To date the retailer's other biggest deals were the 1999 acquisition of Asda Group for $10.8 billion and the $3.3 billion acquisition of Jet.com in 2016.

Wife: Husband thought he no longer was a wanted man in Iowa

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona woman says her husband believed he was in the clear after escaping from an Iowa prison 37 years ago and they were both shocked when authorities arrested him earlier this week.

When police arrived at the couple's door in Prescott Valley, Charles "Chuck" Leroy Cagley had been using his own name for over a decade after being told an arrest warrant had been dismissed, Virginia Cagley said Friday.

"We're fighting this," she said during a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "He's never been in any trouble since that time period."

Prescott Valley police detectives arrested Cagley on Tuesday on an active felony extraditable warrant after the FBI notified the department that Cagley lived in Prescott Valley, the department said in a statement.

Virginia Cagley said an Iowa prison warden wrote a 2006 letter saying the 1981 warrant for Cagley's arrest had been withdrawn and that Iowa no longer wanted him back in custody. The warden wrote the letter to the Department of Veteran Affairs after Cagley, a Vietnam veteran, applied for benefits but was told there was a warrant out for him, she said.

Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman Cord Overton said department officials are consulting with the state attorney general's office to determine the status of any warrants for Cagley and what prison time is left to be served.

"We are going to be consulting with our legal counsel to make sure whatever happens next is the most appropriate course of action," Overton said. "We want to be sure we get it right."

Overton said electronic records contain little information about Cagley's escape from the Newton Correctional Facility or his current status and that latest information indicates an escape warrant was requested Feb. 16, 1981.

Cagley had entered the prison system in 1978 to serve a sentence of 10 years, less time for good behavior, on his conviction in Woodbury County, according to Overton and Cagley's online profile on the department's website .

Prescott Valley, a city of 43,000, is 82 miles (132 kilometers) north of Phoenix.

The department's statement said Cagley had been living in the area since 2004 and that detectives who arrested Cagley based on the FBI notification confirmed there was an active warrant for him.

The warrant was dated in January 2018 and "was a re-issue for some reason," police spokesman Jerry Ferguson said.

Virginia Cagley said her husband fled prison because he'd been threatened by other inmates who wanted him to smuggle marijuana into the prison and because somebody tried to break into her trailer. "We were in fear for our lives so we ran."

The couple had been together since before the escape but didn't get married until 2012, after their adult children began getting married, she said.

The family had a private investigator in Iowa research Cagley's status in 2005, the wife said. "He said everything had been dropped."

After using a false name since his escape, Cagley began using his real name and used it in 2005 to get an Arizona driver's license, she said. "And nothing shows up."

Then in 2006, his escape warrant was flagged when he applied for VA benefits, which led to the warden's letter saying Cagley wasn't a wanted man, she said. "That's how we had to clear it up that time."

Virginia Cagley said she's wants to talk to her husband about getting an attorney.

"If this is a false arrest we're going to sue," she said.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's proves he hasn't lost his sense of humour as he jokes 'I'm BACK' after waking up from emergency open-heart surgery in LA hospital

The Terminator star went to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Thursday to have a scheduled catheter valve replacement

Seven-time Mr Olympia winner developed complications, leading to open-heart surgery that reportedly lasted hours

Actor's spokesman said Friday the valve was successfully replaced during open-heart surgery; he is said to be awake and in stable condition  

Schwarzenegger had a surgery in Mexico in 1997 to replace a leaky or partially blocked pulmonary valve

Ex-California governor was last sighted leaving a Beverly Hills hotel after having lunch with his actor son Patrick  

Arnold Schwarzenegger has lived up to his famous catchphrase, 'I'll be back.' 

According to The Terminator star's representative, his first words after waking up from emergency open-heart surgery were, 'I'm back.' 

Daniel Ketchell tweeted on Friday that the 70-year-old actor is awake and is in good spirits following a valve replacement procedure, it was revealed this afternoon.

TMZ, which broke the news, said the former governor of California went to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Thursday to have a scheduled catheter valve replacement.

The procedure is said to be risky, and the seven-time Mr Olympia winner developed complications, leading to an emergency open-heart surgery that reportedly lasted several hours.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, pictured on March 18, has undergone an emergency open-heart surgery after a failed valve replacement procedure

Latest sighting: Puffing on a cigar, Schwarzenegger and a friend are seen leaving the Waldorf Astoria Hotel after having lunch with his son Patrick Schwarzenegger in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, a day before his procedure

A statement released on Twitter by Schwarzenegger's spokesman addressing his health scare

The scheduled catheter valve replacement was carried out on Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles

EXPLAINED: ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER'S HEART OPERATION DESIGNED FOR HIGH-RISK PATIENTS

Arnold Schwarzenegger, 70, underwent a transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement on Thursday.

However, he suffered complications which led to emergency open heart surgery.

He is now stable.

WHO NEEDS A TRANSCATHETER PULMONARY VALVE REPLACEMENT (TPVR)?

There are four valves which control the heart's blood flow. 

One of those if the pulmonary valve. It opens when the right ventricle of the heart contracts, allowing oxygen-parched blood into the lungs for oxygen. 

Any issues with this valve can impact blood flow to the entire body. 

Many can go years without pulmonary heart valve issues being spotted, since the symptoms of fatigue, arrhythmia and shortness of breath.  

WHY A TPVR INSTEAD OF SURGERY?

TPVR operations are associated with shorter hospital stays compared to open surgery, but produce near-identical results. 

This strategy is often used as a safer bet for people who may have risks with their hearts.

This includes people who have already undergone a valve replacement, as Schwarzenegger did in Mexico in 1997. At the time, he told reporters he'd had no symptoms but elected to get operated in an abundance of caution.  

The high-risk bracket also includes patients who show severe symptoms of aortic stenosis. Severe symptoms suggest the person has a high risk of succumbing to their condition if not operated on soon.

Finally, doctors will also endorse a TPVR over open surgery if the patient suffers from other debilitating conditions, like lung disease and kidney disease.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Though the operation is minimally-invasive, it carries a high risk of death, largely because it is performed on high-risk patients:

• Bleeding
• Blood vessel complications
• Problems with the replacement valve, such as the valve slipping out of place or leaking
• Stroke
• Heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias)
• Kidney disease
• Heart attack
• Infection
• Death

As of late Friday afternoon, his condition following the operation was described as stable.

DailyMail.com reached out to Creative Artists Agency seeking comment from Schwarzenegger's publicist and was awaiting a reply.    

The veteran action star traveled to Mexico in 1997 to undergo surgery to replace a pulmonary valve. According to the American Heart Association, the valve closes off the lower right chamber and opens to allow blood to be pumped from the heart to the lungs (through the pulmonary artery) where it will receive oxygen. 

It was reported earlier that the procedure was to replace an aortic valve.  

'I've never felt sick or had any symptoms at all, but I knew I'd have to take care of this condition sooner or later,' Schwarzenegger said in a statement after the operation, according to the Los Angeles Times. 'I said to the doctors, "Let's do it now, while I'm young and healthy." They agreed this was the way to go.' 

Pulmonary valve replacement is a procedure in which a patient's leaky, or partially blocked, pulmonary valve is replaced with an artificial heart valve.

The actor's spokesperson said at the time that he had a congenital heart defect that had nothing to do with steroids, which Schwarzenegger had admitted to using during his time as a world-class bodybuilder.

On Friday, Schwarzenegger's representative released a statement saying the replacement valve from 1997 was never meant to be permanent and has outlived its life expectancy, so he chose to replace it on Thursday through the less invasive catheter valve procedure. 

A team of surgeons at Cedars-Sinai were on standby in case an open-heart surgery had to be performed, which ended up being the case.

Daniel Ketchell, the actor's spokesman, said that the valve was successfully replaced during the open-heart surgery. 

Schwarzenegger presents Byoung Chan of Korea with the winners trophy for the Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding event, during the Arnold Sports Festival Australia at The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 18

Young and buff: Schwarzenegger poses during the 38th Cannes film festival (left), where he presented the documentary Pumping Iron. Pictured right: Schwarzenegger poses for a portrait on Venice Beach in August 1977

He'll be back: Schwarzenegger became a household name after he appeared in James Cameron's futuristic blockbuster The Terminator in 1984

Schwarzenegger's latest sighting was in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, when he was spotted puffing on a cigar in a friend's car while leaving the Waldorf Astoria Hotel after having lunch with his son Patrick in Beverly Hills.

The outspoken actor and politician appeared on CNN last weekend to talk about the future of the Republican Party in the age of Donald Trump, saying that the GOP is 'dying at the box office.' 

The previous Sunday, the Austrian-born Predator star made an appearance at an amateur bodybuilding competition as part of the 2018 The Arnold Sports Festival in Melbourne, Australia. 

A day before Schwarzenegger's procedure, his ex-wife Mariah Shriver took to Instagram to promote the documentary The Heart of Nuba, which focuses on the work of Dr Tom Catena, a Catholic missionary

Father-son quality time: Schwarzenegger is often photographed with his actor son Patrick. In January, the pair donned lederhosen during a visit to Austria (left). In an Instagram post on July 30, 2017, Patrick wished his famous dad happy 70th birthday (right) 

Twinning: Arnold and Patrick Schwarzenegger are pictured during the GQ Men of the year Award 2017 at Komische Oper on November 9, 2017 in Berlin

Schwarzenegger appeared buff and well-tanned, and happily posed with fans for pictures. 

In a recent interview he gave in Australia, Schwarzenegger said his age is just a number to him. 

'I don't even think that I'm 70, I know I'm 70, but so what?' he told The Project. 'It's only on my passport or my driver's licence, but I feel the same way as I did 20 years ago.'

'I feel good about myself. I work out. I make my movies. Life is great. I feel useful and productive,' he added. 

According to Schwarzenegger's IMDB page, the Hollywood heavyweight has a half-dozen film and TV projects in the works, including the action flick Viy 2: Journey to China co-starring Jackie Chan and an untitled Terminator reboot.

The divorced Conan the Barbarian alum has five children, including his son Patrick, who has followed his father's footsteps into acting and is currently starring in the new drama Midnight Sun opposite Bella Thorne.  

Jenni Falconer reveals battle with Raynaud's disease as she shares gruesome snap of blood-deprived finger

TV host, 42, took to Instagram to display a shocking image of her hand

She has battled Raynaud's disease since she was just 17

In 2014 she first revealed her painful battle with the circulatory phenomenon 

The NHS website notes: 'You can often treat the symptoms yourself by keeping warm. Sometimes it can be a sign of a more serious condition'

Jenni Falconer has revealed the gruesome reality of her ongoing battle with Raynaud's disease as she posted a painful snap of her blood-deprived finger.

The 42-year-old shared the snap on Instagram on Thursday evening, showing one finger a white colour in contrast to others, a side-effect of the condition with affects blood circulation around the body.

In the post, Jenni told fans that the cold weather has elevated her struggles with the condition, after previously admitting a Raynaud's attack brings 'tears to my eyes.'

Jenni posted the snap with the caption: This is my hand at its most attractive... Anyone else suffer with bad circulation?' 

Fans were left shocked as she displayed her hand in the image to expose her shocking battle with the painful disease. 

The NHS website describes the disease as: 'Raynaud's phenomenon is common and doesn't usually cause any severe problems. You can often treat the symptoms yourself by keeping warm. Sometimes it can be a sign of a more serious condition.'

In 2014, Jenni discussed her battle with the condition as she explained: 'The problem is, sometimes people think you’re exaggerating how cold you feel... 

Painful: Jenni posted a gruesome snap of her blood-deprived finger on Instagram, white in contrast to all the others

Tough times: In 2014, Jenni discussed her battle with the condition as she explained: 'The problem is, sometimes people think you’re exaggerating how cold you feel' (pictured in 2010)

'I’m a keen runner but going out in cold weather can be painful. I trained this week and got Raynaud’s – it felt like I had blocks of ice attached to my hands. If it’s very cold I’ll train indoors on a treadmill.'

Fans soon swarmed the comments to throw their support behind her as they wrote: 'My three year old suffers from this condition when she has an attack she’s in so much pain it’s heartbreaking to watch she’s on nifedipine but still gets the attacks.

'It’s shocking how so many people don’t no about this and are not aware of the signs I’m actually terrified for my daughter to go nursery... 

 Supportive following: Fans soon swarmed the comments to throw their support behind her as they wrote: 'My three year old suffers from this condition when she has an attack she’s in so much pain' (pictured last year)

'I suffer with it regularly, even in the summer on hot days or even just washing my hands in cold water. I have tried everything I can think of but nothing stops it from happening. I am fit and eat very healthy. It’s so so frustrating... 

'I have this in fingers and toes, even in the warmth, it’s horrible... Me!! I have Raynayds and I run long distance. My feet are worse. It feels like I'm running on hooves sometimes and I get chilblain. 

'Of course the docs blame it on being a runner and being thin but it's hereditary. My dad and uncle both have it... Hi Jenny, I also have raynauds syndrome and feel your pain! Nifedipine does help tho xx'.

What is Raynaud's disease?

Raynaud's condition, triggered by drops in temperature or an increase in stress, causes the blood vessels in the fingers and toes contract, cutting off blood supply.

It can also affect the tiny arteries in the nose, ears and tongue.

Typically, Raynaud's causes the fingers or toes to turn white and numb.

Then, as the blood flow returns, they turn blue and eventually red, accompanied by a burning sensation. Attacks can last from a few minutes to an hour.

Nine out of ten cases are in women, with most sufferers having their first attack before the age of 40.

Although attacks peak in the cold winter months, symptoms can be triggered by everyday tasks such as taking food out of the freezer, air conditioning, or even stress — all of which cause blood vessels to contract.

Most patients can cope by wrapping up warm, although some develop painful weeping ulcers, which can become infected. 

Although Raynaud's is common, only a small number of patients go on to develop a more serious connective tissue disease called scleroderma.

It can cause disability and can be life-threatening, which is why it is important to be diagnosed early on so any complications of the condition can be properly treated.

Raynaud's has a straightforward treatment and can be temporarily cured with a drug called nifedipine which relaxes the muscles of your heart and blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. 

Daily Mail petition demanding Britain’s post-Brexit passports are made in the UK is praised in Parliament – and passes 227, 000 signatures

More than 206,000 readers have signed online with another 20,748 writing in

The government wants Franco-Dutch company Gemalto to make the passports 

But UK company De La Rue is thought to have the best quality of work

Up to 400 related businesses could be affected by the decision to go abroad

The Daily Mail petition demanding that Britain’s post-Brexit passports are made in the UK has been praised in Parliament – and has passed 227,000 signatures.

Labour MP Ian Mearns highlighted the Mail’s battle in the Commons as he criticised the Government’s passport policy as ‘a sham’.

More than 206,000 readers have signed up online, calling for new blue passports to be made in Britain, with another 20,748 writing to us – and thousands more letters have not yet been counted.

Labour MP Ian Mearns highlighted the Mail’s battle in the Commons - industry figures believe up to 400 related businesses could be affected by the decision to have passports made abroad

Sacks of letters addressed to the Daily Mail calling for passports to be made in Britain at the offices

Dozens more sacks stuffed with an estimated 10,000 letters are yet to be counted

The Home Office wants the Franco-Dutch company Gemalto to make Britain’s passports from October next year, putting up to 200 jobs at its British rival De La Rue at risk in the North East.

De La Rue is thought to have scored highest among all the bidders for the quality of its work, but it was beaten by Gemalto on price.

However, the Home Office says outsourcing abroad will save up to £120million over 12 years.

Mr Mearns, MP for Gateshead and chairman of the backbench business committee, said: ‘The Daily Mail petition opposing this decision has now passed 200,000 signatures.

‘It is right that as we leave the EU we continue to maintain close relationships with our neighbours and allies.

‘But this Government has serious questions to answer over the assessment, or apparent lack of assessment, of the economic impact this decision will have on the North East.’

he Daily Mail petition demanding that Britain’s post-Brexit passports are made in the UK has been praised in Parliament

He also hit out at the soaring cost of applications, which will earn an extra £50million for the Passport Office during the next financial year.

The price of online applications has increased by nearly 4 per cent, or 17 per cent for postal applications and 27 per cent for children’s passports. The changes came in on Tuesday.

Mr Mearns added: ‘What a sham that the Government can be claim to be getting the deal for its people when in fact it’s raising costs and exporting British jobs at the same time.’

He said France would ‘never countenance’ having its passports made abroad, while Germany, Italy and Spain also print their own passports.

Calling for the contract’s finalisation to be halted so a full parliamentary debate can take place after the Easter recess, which ends on April 16, Mr Mearns added: ‘There needs to be a more robust debate and better solution than currently planned.’ 

De La Rue has until Tuesday to lodge an appeal against the Home Office’s choice of Gemalto.

Industry figures believe up to 400 related businesses could be affected by the decision to have passports made abroad.

Labour’s business spokesman Rebecca Long-Bailey said: ‘There needs to be an approach that looks at the impact on our national economy rather than looking for the cheapest offer on the table.

‘We now want to see detail from the Government about this, it’s important we get the opportunity to speak on this.’

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: ‘There is growing momentum behind the Daily Mail campaign to get our passports printed in this country – and quite right too. 'We are following the culture of EU procurement rules, that’s what we do, we tender out across Europe regardless of security, regardless of symbolism.

‘The fact we’re printing these passports there, is a symptom of EU membership and shows why we have to leave and start re-thinking our lives.’

Apart from 200 De La Rue jobs in Gateshead, there are also fears for the 90 workers at the firm’s paper mill in Bathford, Somerset, and workers at the passport personalisation centre at Heywood in Greater Manchester.

'Untrue and scandalous': Pippa Middleton's multi-millionaire father-in-law David Matthews, 74, hits out as French police charge him for sexual assault on a teenage girl two decades ago

David Matthews is alleged to have carried out the attack between 1998 and 1999

A spokeperson for Matthews said he 'categorically denies the allegation and unequivocally contests the untrue and scandalous accusation' 

Matthews is under investigation for one attack in Paris and another in St Barts

He was arrested at Paris Orly airport on Tuesday and has been released on bail

He is the father of James Matthews, 41, who is married to Pippa Middleton, and also of Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews

The multi-millionaire father-in-law of Pippa Middleton has been released on bail in Paris after he was accused of raping a minor.

David Matthews, 74, is alleged to have carried out the attacks on a teenage girl between 1998 and 1999. He is accused of one attack in Paris and another in St Barts. 

A spokesperson for the family said: 'David Matthews categorically denies the allegation and unequivocally contests the untrue and scandalous accusation.'

An alleged witness is said to have reported him to the police in 2017, leading to Matthews reporting to judges in the French capital on Tuesday.  

He is being investigated by French authorities and is currently 'mis en examen'.  

David Matthews (right), pictured with James Matthews and Pippa Middleton after their wedding in Surrey last year 

There is no precise equivalent in the British legal system but it is most similar to a charge, with authorities now having six months to decide whether he will be brought to trial. 

Citing legal sources, French national news agency AFP said Matthews was now under investigation for the 'rape of a minor by a person with authority over his victim'.

Matthews has now been released on bail, subject to undisclosed conditions. It is not known whether he has retained his passport, or whether he can travel home.

He was first arrested on arrival at Paris Orly airport last Tuesday, and placed in custody at the Brigade for the Protection of Minors. He denies any wrongdoing.

Matthews, who lives permanently on St Barts with his wife Jane, 70, originally spent a full 48 hours in custody in Paris - the maximum allowed under French criminal law before charges have been filed.

The Juvenile Protection Brigade (BPM) building IN Paris where David Matthews was questioned by Police

The rape case is being dealt with by the BPM of the Paris judicial police, who arrested Matthews on Tuesday. Pictured: The BPM's building in the French capital

He is accused of two historic sex attacks, one in Paris, and one on St Barts, according to a judicial source.

Matthews is the father of James Matthews, 41, who is married to Pippa, the 34-year-old sister of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is married to Prince William.

James's brother Spencer Matthews made his name on British reality TV show Made in Chelsea.

The rape case is being dealt with by the Juvenile Protection Brigade (BPM) of the Paris judicial police, who arrested Matthews on Tuesday. An official said on Friday that David Matthews was questioned three days earlier by special police handling cases involving minors.

The Paris public prosecutor's office opened a judicial investigation, overlooked by an examining magistrate, a source said.

The allegation will now be subject to a judicial investigation and authorities in Paris now have six months to decide if Matthews will be brought to trial. He is currently 'mis en examen'.

David Matthews attends the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mary's Church in Berkshire, England, last year

David Matthews, 74, is alleged to have carried out the attacks between 1998 and 1999. Pictured right: Spencer Matthews

Matthews is a self-made multi-millionaire who grew up near Rotherham and started his professional career as garage mechanic. 

After leaving school, he started work as an apprentice mechanic at his father Wallace's garage.

Aged 19, he started selling cars door-to-door and, in his spare time, indulged his love of motor racing at the local track. A skilled driver , he became division champion in the British Touring Car Championships in 1971.

But his dream ended in August 1973 in a catastrophic accident during a race at Silverstone. His car flipped at 130mph, killing one driver, critically injuring another and temporarily stopping Matthews' heart.

A bystander said: 'It was horrific. His car was airborne. How Matthews escaped is beyond me.' 

After several successful years in business, Matthews retired after the recession and ventured into hotels, snapping up the Eden Rock (pictured) in St Barts in 1995

Matthews is a self-made multi-millionaire who grew up near Rotherham and started his professional career as garage mechanic

He married Anita Taylor, a fellow driver. The couple had a daughter called Nina together but divorced in 1969. Matthews was forced to retire in 1973 due to major injuries.

Matthews then focused on transforming a used-car enterprise into a large dealership, Kirkby Central Group.

Two years later, just before Spencer's birth, Kirkby Central was the subject of a £8.5 million takeover by Plaxton's, a firm which made buses and coaches.

He then met his second wife, Rhodesian-born artist Jane Parker. Moving out of a bungalow in Rotherham, they lived on a 30-acre, 18th-century estate in rural Lincolnshire, before moving to Paris, then Monaco.

He and Jane Parker had three sons, James, Spencer, and Michael, who tragically died when he was just 22 on an expedition up Mount Everest.

After several successful years in business, Matthews retired after the recession and ventured into hotels, snapping up the Eden Rock in St Barts in 1995, which he moved into and revamped.

David Matthews, 73, pictured with his wife Jane, was arrested in Paris on Tuesday

The Eden Rock hotel was wrecked and strewn with rubble after a devastating encounter with Hurricane Irma last year

Fancying a new challenge, at the age of 52, David moved in with his wife and eight-year-old Spencer, while the other children were already pursuing careers in Europe, and devoted his energy and money to restoring it to its former splendour.

The hotel - a hotspot for celebrities including Tom Hanks, Jessica Alba and Jennifer Lopez - also became a holiday destination for Pippa and James. 

Matthews described the hotel, whose priciest suites cost £25,000 and which was visited in the 50s and 60s by guests including the Rothschild and Rockefeller families, as not just a hotel 'but a way of life'.

But it was wrecked and strewn with rubble after a devastating encounter with Hurricane Irma last year.

Matthews also owns the 10,000-acre Glen Affric Estate in the Scottish Highlands, which opened in 2012 as a luxury hunting lodge, offering guests deer stalking, whisky tasting and helicopter rides. Transfer of the title deeds made Dave a Scottish laird.  

Despite their rags to riches story, the family's life has been marred by tragedy. Their son Michael was just 22 when he tragically died after reaching base camp of Mount Everest.  

Mike died following bad weather in Nepal when he was on his way back down the mountain, in 1999.  

Donald Trump Awkwardly Kissed Hope Hicks Goodbye, And It Became A Hilarious New Meme

President Donald Trump's awkward farewell to trusted aide Hope Hicks set

President Donald Trump’s awkward farewell to trusted aide Hope Hicks set Twitter alight on Thursday.

Trump bid goodbye to his former communications director outside the Oval Office with a peck on the cheek, two handshakes, lots of pointing and then what appeared to be a failed attempt at one final kiss.Hicks, 29,

 announced her resignation earlier this month, the day after she admitted under oath that Trump occasionally needed her to tell “white lies.”

Laura Ingraham apologizes 'for any upset or hurt' caused by her comments on Parkland student David Hogg

Fox News host Laura Ingraham apologized Thursday to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student David Hogg for mocking his rejection from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) -- an apology he, as of yet, is not accepting.

The apology follows Hogg’s call to boycott Ingraham’s advertisers, which prompted several sponsors to announce they would pull their ads from her primetime show.

The 17-year-old has emerged as among the most vocal students from the Parkland, Florida, high school -- the site of a mass shooting that left 17 dead on Feb. 14.

On Wednesday, Hogg told TMZ that he had received several rejections from California-based universities.

“We're changing the world,” he said. "Right now, it's too hard to focus on that."

The comments brought mockery from some online conservatives. The most prominent of them was Ingraham, who tweeted to her more than 2 million followers that Hogg “whines about” his rejections.Hogg, who has shown himself adept at leveraging social media against his naysayers, quickly responded by tweeting a list of Ingraham’s sponsors, calling for his rapidly-growing following to pressure her advertisers. The tweet has racked up over 45,000 retweets in under 24 hours.

TripAdvisor and Wayfair both issued statements to ABC News, saying they would be pulling ads as well.

"The decision of an adult to personally criticize a high school student who has lost his classmates in an unspeakable tragedy is not consistent with our values," Wayfair said.

"In our view, these statements focused on a high school student, cross the line of decency," TripAdvisor said.

By early Thursday afternoon, Ingraham issued an apology, tweeting: “On reflection, in the spirit of Holy Week, I apologize for any upset or hurt my tweet caused him or any of the brave victims of Parkland.”For his part, Hogg is not impressed.

"An apology in an effort just to save your advertisers is not enough," he tweetedThursday. "I will only accept your apology only if you denounce the way your network has treated my friends and I in this fight. It’s time to love thy neighbor, not mudsling at children."