Rhode Island judge Frank Caprio, known as "the nicest judge in the world", has died after a battle with cancer, according to his social media accounts.
"Unfortunately, I've had a setback. I'm back in the hospital now and I'm coming to you again asking you to remember me in your prayers once more," Mr Caprio said in a recent video, referring to a previous bout of pancreatic cancer.
He became a judge in 1985 and earned his nickname after his stint on the show Caught in Providence, where he was the subject of frequent viral videos due to his compassionate responses to defendants brought before him.
In one case from a 2017 episode, a grieving mother appeared with a stack of parking fines, telling Mr Caprio she was struggling to cope after her son was killed.
The judge dismissed all the penalties and said: "I don't think anyone in their lifetime would ever want to experience that."
Governor Dan McKee ordered that Rhode Island flags fly at half-staff through the day of his interment. He called Mr Caprio a "treasure" who connected with people as "a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity".
Mr Caprio was a beloved community figure and had millions of followers on social media.
He travelled to the UAE in 2023, where he delivered a speech at the Sharjah International Communication Forum, telling the audience that his visit was motivated by a desire to promote his message that understanding can unite human beings.
"To have a good society, we need to have empathy for others and treat everyone the way we want to be treated," he told The National at the event. "A little compassion can go a long way in helping people solve real-life challenges."
Mr Caprio was due to appear at the same event in Sharjah next month.
Eiman Al Blooshi, an Emirati who met Mr Caprio in his visit to Sharjah’s International Communication Forum in September 2023, said she learnt how to be lenient from the former judge.
“I used to watch his videos from a young age and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I met him during the forum,” she said. "It was a dream come true.
“He inspired me to be lenient and taught me that everything shouldn’t be by the book only. He was a nice and sweet guy. I was praying for him when I learnt that he had the cancer especially after my mother too was diagnosed with cancer.
"I was praying for him like he is a close friend or a relative. He taught me how to be merciful and will always be missed.”
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The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
beabadoobee
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)