Home Blog Page 543

Angelina Jolie Looks Tense Amidst Ongoing Legal Clash with Brad Pitt

0

Amidst a contentious legal saga with ex-husband Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie was recently spotted in Beverly Hills, her demeanor notably somber. The ongoing dispute centers around the ownership and management of Chateau Miraval, their shared French winery.

On Friday, the 51-year-old star, whose brother James Haven revealed his sexual orientation as gay, was seen in the city, tending to some private errands while maintaining a low profile.

The dispute over the vineyard has escalated into a legal affair set to hit the courts with a trial scheduled for February 2027, pitting the former power couple against each other once again.

Jolie opted for a laid-back yet sophisticated look, sporting black trousers paired seamlessly with a matching sweater during her outing.

Complementing her ensemble, she wore simple black flats and elegantly carried a black leather purse, draped over her arm, epitomizing understated style.

The actress’s long locks flowed down in light waves past her shoulders and she also opted for a pair of stylish shades. 

Angelina Jolie, 51, cut a glum figure in Beverly Hills this week amid an ongoing and bitter legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt over their French winery Chateau Miraval

Angelina Jolie, 51, cut a glum figure in Beverly Hills this week amid an ongoing and bitter legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt over their French winery Chateau Miraval

The star kept it casual during her latest outing wearing a pair of black trousers as well as a black sweater

The star kept it casual during her latest outing wearing a pair of black trousers as well as a black sweater

Jolie was spotted climbing out of a sleek vehicle inside what appeared to be a parking garage before heading to her next destination.  

Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Jolie for comment, but has yet to hear back. 

Jolie and Pitt’s legal showdown took a dramatic turn this week when the F1 actor asked the court to order the Maleficent star to turn over financial records. 

He asked the court to order the actress to produce records showing her income from 2017 to 2019, after she claimed to have ‘largely put her career on hold’ and forewent ‘years of compensation’ following their 2016 separation. 

Jolie allegedly agreed to produce financial records from the years 2017 to 2021, but has apparently only produced documents for the years 2020 and 2021.

In court documents obtained by The Daily Mail, Pitt’s lawyers allege Jolie has been withholding specific financial documents despite agreeing to produce said records. 

Jolie’s Cross-Complaint alleges that, after the parties’ 2016 separation, she put her career on hold, “forgoing years of compensation”; that Pitt possessed “substantial leverage and control” over her due in part to her financial condition at that time.

‘And that by 2019 she concluded she needed to sell her interest in Miraval to obtain “financial independence” from him,’ Pitt’s filing reads. 

Jolie and Pitt's legal showdown took a dramatic turn this week when the F1 actor asked the court to order the Maleficent star to turn over financial records; seen in 2014 in L.A.

Jolie and Pitt’s legal showdown took a dramatic turn this week when the F1 actor asked the court to order the Maleficent star to turn over financial records; seen in 2014 in L.A. 

In court documents obtained by The Daily Mail, Pitt's lawyers allege Jolie has been withholding specific financial documents despite agreeing to produce said records; seen in 2024 in Venice

In court documents obtained by The Daily Mail, Pitt’s lawyers allege Jolie has been withholding specific financial documents despite agreeing to produce said records; seen in 2024 in Venice

Join the discussion

How do you think ongoing public legal battles impact the children caught in the middle?

‘On February 23, 2026, Jolie withdrew both her agreement to provide declarations responsive to Request Nos. 81 and 82 for the full 2017-2021 period and her agreement to produce participation statements from that same period.’

They allege she instead provided ‘supplemental responses limiting her production to 2020 and 2021, and later produced profit participation statements and tax returns for those two years only as well.’

They are now seeking to produce documents showing her annual income and profit participation statements from 2017 to 2019.

‘Prior to the IDC [Informal Discovery Conference], Plaintiffs proposed that Jolie stipulate that she was not under economic pressure before January 1, 2020, and that Pitt did not exert economic coercion on her from 2017 to 2019. Jolie declined.

‘At the IDC, the Court then separately proposed limiting the scope of Jolie’s testimony concerning her earnings and compensation. 

‘Again, Jolie declined the proposal. Instead, Jolie confirmed at the IDC that she may argue at trial that Pitt used Miraval as leverage to control her and that her decision to put her career on hold bears on why the proposed NDA was allegedly abusive. The parties therefore did not resolve the dispute.

‘The Requests seek information directly bearing on financial assertions Jolie pleaded: that she forwent “years of compensation,” that Miraval was her “most important asset.”

‘And that Pitt’s control over Miraval distributions gave him “substantial leverage and control” over her during the period leading to her 2019 decision to sell her stake in Chateau Miraval.’

They are now seeking to produce documents showing her annual income and profit participation statements from 2017 to 2019; seen in June in NYC

They are now seeking to produce documents showing her annual income and profit participation statements from 2017 to 2019; seen in June in NYC 

One of the requests ‘seeks documents sufficient to show Jolie’s earned income during the period between her separation from Pitt through 2019 – the year Jolie allegedly decided she needed to sell Miraval.’

And the other request ‘seeks documents sufficient to show Jolie’s earnings from the profit-sharing bonuses she received during that period from her earlier acting and directing roles.’ 

Yet, in a previous legal filing, Jolie hit back at Pitt’s characterization of her remarks for ‘financial independence’, claiming she was misquoted.

She also noted she has already provided financial records despite having ‘no obligation to do so.’

‘Pitt claims that Jolie has put her entire financial condition at issue going back to 2017 because of her allegation that she was seeking “financial independence.” (IDC Statement at 3:2-6.),’ a documented filed in June stated.

‘But Pitt’s selective quote misleadingly fails to include the entirety of her allegation. Jolie does not allege that she was seeking financial independence in the abstract; she alleges that she was seeking “financial independence from her ex-husband [Pitt].”‘

The document also stated that the actress ‘never alleged that she was in financial distress – her allegations are clear that she sought to untangle her financial life from the ex-spouse she was divorcing. That distinction is dispositive.’

It further notes: ‘Pitt also inaccurately ties his demand for a coercive NDA to Jolie’s financial condition, but here too his summaries are not accurate.’

Yet, in a previous legal filing, Jolie hit back at Pitt's characterization of her remarks for 'financial independence', claiming she was misquoted; seen in 2015 in Hollywood

Yet, in a previous legal filing, Jolie hit back at Pitt’s characterization of her remarks for ‘financial independence’, claiming she was misquoted; seen in 2015 in Hollywood

It further notes: 'Pitt also inaccurately ties his demand for a coercive NDA to Jolie's financial condition, but here too his summaries are not accurate'; seen in 2024

It further notes: ‘Pitt also inaccurately ties his demand for a coercive NDA to Jolie’s financial condition, but here too his summaries are not accurate’; seen in 2024 

It was later added that, ‘The issue is not whether Jolie needed the money – the issue is that she was trying to untangle her life and her finances from her controlling and abusive ex husband. That distinction makes all the difference.’ 

They also allege digging into Jolie’s finances from 2017-2019 pose a ‘serious invasion’ of her ‘privacy rights.’ 

The F1 actor first sued Jolie in February 2022, alleging she had secretly sold her half of their French winery, where the former couple married in 2014, without his consent.

The star claimed that he and Jolie had an implied agreement that neither would sell their share to a third party without the other’s approval, a deal Jolie’s side has denied ever existed.

Two years after their marriage, it came to an explosive end after the pair got into an alleged physical altercation while on a private flight with their six children and Jolie later filed for divorce.

The pair welcomed three children together during their romance: Shiloh in 2006 and twins Vivienne and Knox in 2008.

They also adopted two more, Zahara and Pax, and Pitt legally adopted the son that Angelina had adopted before they got together, Maddox.

Since they split, the two stars have been embroiled in one of the most publicized legal battles in Hollywood history over custody of their children, as well as the winery that they once owned together.

In May 2021, after years of duking it out in court, Pitt and Jolie were officially granted joint custody of their six children, but one month later, the judge’s decision was thrown out.

The F1 actor first sued Jolie in February 2022, alleging she had secretly sold her half of their French winery, where the former couple married in 2014, without his consent; seen in June in NYC

The F1 actor first sued Jolie in February 2022, alleging she had secretly sold her half of their French winery, where the former couple married in 2014, without his consent; seen in June in NYC 

Pitt has since moved on romantically and has been dating jewelry designer Ines de Ramon for the last few years; the couple seen in June in Paris

Pitt has since moved on romantically and has been dating jewelry designer Ines de Ramon for the last few years; the couple seen in June in Paris 

And in late 2024, it was revealed that the former couple had reached a divorce settlement following a lengthy, eight-year battle. 

The fallout from their split has gotten progressively uglier.

Zahara, Vivienne, Maddox, Shiloh and Knox have all stopped using their father’s last name. It’s unclear where Pax stands.

Pitt has since moved on romantically and has been dating jewelry designer Ines de Ramon for the last few years.

Ivory Buchanan Charged in Chicago Hit-and-Run Injuring Jamie Drozier on 61st Birthday

0

CHICAGO (WLS) — Charges of attempted murder have been filed against a woman involved in a hit-and-run incident that occurred last month on Chicago’s North Side.

Police have taken Ivory Buchanan, a 41-year-old from Evanston, into custody as of Thursday.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Buchanan is accused of driving the vehicle that struck and wounded 61-year-old Jamie Drozier in the 6100 block of North Ravenswood Avenue, situated in the West Rogers Park neighborhood, on July 26.

Drozier’s friends grew worried when he failed to respond to their calls and texts on his birthday, the same day the collision took place. This prompted them to report him missing and distribute flyers around his Edgewater neighborhood.

According to neighbor Ann Regan, Drozier was attempting to cross at the intersection of Ravenswood and Ridge when a vehicle hit him, resulting in head injuries.

Regan said Drozier lives alone and has no living relatives, but that a close friend was staying by his side at the hospital.

Police said Buchanan is charged with first-degree attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery.

Further information was not immediately available.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Tragedy in Thailand: School Shooting Claims Eight Lives

0

In a harrowing sequence of events near Bangkok, a teenager allegedly shot his grandparents before carrying out a deadly attack at a local school, leaving seven people dead in total, authorities reported on Friday.

The young suspect initially turned a firearm on his grandparents, using his grandfather’s gun, law enforcement stated. He then proceeded to a secondary school in Nonthaburi province, which is adjacent to Bangkok, where he tragically killed five members of the school personnel.

In the wake of the shooting, dozens of police officers and emergency response teams swiftly arrived at Debsirin Nonthaburi School. Amidst the chaos, frantic parents rushed to retrieve their children, while students and staff, in tears, sought solace in one another.

Pawarisa Maylissa, a senior student aspiring to enter medical school, expressed her terror, saying, “I was afraid that I would die, and I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to pursue my dreams.”

She recounted the terrifying ordeal: “I heard many gunshots very loudly because it seemed the suspect was on the floor directly above us. I could even hear bullets hitting the floor.”

Fifteen injured students were not struck by gunfire but hurt as they were trying to flee, deputy interior minister Polapee Suwunchwee told local broadcaster Thai PBS.

The shooter was identified as a teenage student of the school and also reported dead, according to local media reports citing authorities.

Thailand School Shooting

One 18-year-old student told the Reuters news agency he initially thought there were firecrackers going off or someone banging an object.

“I didn’t think it was a gun at first,” he said. “There were many shots: bang bang bang. Then it went quiet. Then it started again.”

Second school shooting in 2026

Some reports said police officers had shot and killed the suspect, while others said he had died by suicide.

“It’s such a terrible incident. It should never have happened. How could this happen in our country?” Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters at Bangkok’s Government House.

Photos published by local media show the suspect wearing a purple school uniform and carrying a black cross-body bag, with several bullet casings visible on the ground.

It is the second school shooting in Thailand this year after a teacher died and a student was injured in the south of the country in February.

Thailand School Shooting

Emergency worker Kiatikhun Verapongpradith, 47, described arriving as the shooting was ongoing and his team treated students with injuries in the back, chest and arms.

They found a male teacher lying dead on an upper floor of the school, and in another room they found a female teacher with wounds in her chest and arm.

“We gave CPR for about 30 minutes and rushed her to the hospital as we could not get her heart rate up, but we tried our best,” he said.

In the 2025 academic year, the school had an enrollment of around 3,100 students and 147 teachers, according to district authorities.

Deputy education minister Akkharanan Kannakittinan said in a statement he was coordinating to provide assistance.

History of shootings

Gun ownership and gun violence are not uncommon in Thailand, which has seen a series of deadly shootings in the past six years, with children among the victims.

Thailand’s worst mass killing by a single perpetrator in its recent history took place in 2022, when a former policeman ran amok in a three-hour gun-and-knife attack in the northeast that killed 36 people including 22 children stabbed as they slept at a daycare centre.

A gunman killed five people including security guards and a vendor at a Bangkok market in July 2025 before turning the gun on himself, while a teacher died in the southern city of Hat Yai in February this year when a shooter opened fire at a school where she worked.

In 2020, a soldier killed 29 people in a shooting rampage in Nakhon Ratchasima. And in 2023, a 14-year-old used a modified handgun to kill two people and wound five others at a luxury Bangkok shopping centre.


Shocking Video: Charlotte Man Publishes His Violent Assault on Woman, Exposing Heartless Attack

0

In a troubling incident on the streets of Charlotte, a North Carolina man has been apprehended following allegations of assault, with the encounter allegedly shared across social media platforms. Records indicate this individual has faced arrest on nine separate occasions since the beginning of 2023.

The arrest of 32-year-old Di-Quan Schafar Hunt by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police occurred on Thursday. Authorities were responding to a tip-off when they discovered a social media page featuring videos already under investigation by detectives.

Investigations revealed one particular video captured an assault reported on July 30 along East Boulevard’s 400 block, within the Providence Division. According to police, the suspect attacked a woman on the sidewalk before making a hasty exit.

Hunt was subsequently transported to a local healthcare facility for necessary treatment. Following his discharge, he is expected to be handed over to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

Nine mugshots of Di-Quan Hunt

Records from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirm that Di-Quan Hunt has encountered at least nine arrests since the year began. (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office)

The victim was taken to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

News Media reviewed videos posted to the social media account. One appeared to show a woman being chased until she took cover behind a vehicle. A comment from the account read, “Ahhhh feels GOOD!!!”

Another video shows the person filming confronting a woman before the camera jolts and the sound of an apparent punch can be heard. The woman is then shown on the ground as the person behind the camera continues to taunt her and appears to strike her again.

Three Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police vehicles with flashing blue lights block a street near an underpass at night.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested Di-Quan Hunt on Thursday after he allegedly assaulted a woman and posted video of it to social media. (WJZY)

It was not immediately clear whether either clip was the video police tied to the July 30 assault, whether the women in the footage had been identified or whether detectives are investigating the other videos as potential crimes.

CMPD said its investigation remains active and asked anyone with information about incidents connected to the social media account or its videos to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Aerial view of downtown Charlotte skyline under clear skies.

An aerial view of the skyline of downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, on Oct. 12, 2023. (Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Mecklenburg County arrest records show Hunt was arrested at least nine times between October 2023 and December 2025.

Most recently, a December 2025 arrest record lists charges of assault with a deadly weapon, communicating threats, second-degree trespass and two counts of carrying a concealed weapon. The booking entry does not describe the underlying allegations or identify an alleged victim.

Records also list a September 2025 simple-assault charge and a March 2025 charge of assault on a female. In 2024, Hunt was arrested in cases involving alleged violations of a domestic-violence protective order, breaking or entering and injury to personal property.

Records show he is a felon with at least six additional misdemeanor convictions in Mecklenburg County.

The records also list a felony charge of malicious conduct by a prisoner and a resisting-a-public-officer charge. The available booking records do not state the outcomes of the cases, and charges are not convictions.

76% of Pet Owners Willing to Go into Debt: The Emotional Cost of Furry Family Members

0

Picture this: your beloved pet is in need of urgent medical attention, and the veterinary bill comes to an alarming $6,000. Ask any pet owner how they would react, and the answer is often already determined.

A new survey by ValuePenguin reveals that about 76% of pet owners are willing to plunge into debt if it means safeguarding their furry friend’s life. This sentiment resonates even more strongly with Gen Z, where the number escalates to 82%. Paralleling these findings, a poll conducted by U.S. News shows that 76% of respondents have already taken this financial leap.

The dedication pet owners show towards their animals is undeniable. However, the question that looms large is whether these financial choices have ever truly made economic sense.

Key findings

  • Emergency surgeries for dogs and cats commonly start at $4,000 to $5,000
  • 53% of pet owners couldn’t cover a $1,000 pet emergency without taking on debt
  • Most pet insurance reimburses after the fact, so owners still pay the vet upfront
  • Most veterinary hospitals no longer offer in-house payment plans, pushing owners to third-party financing
  • How much can pet owners afford before going into debt?

    Here’s the number that actually explains the pet debt problem: Pet owners say they can spend an average of about $2,818 on a pet’s emergency medical costs before taking on debt. Meanwhile, 53% say they couldn’t afford a $1,000 pet emergency without borrowing.

    Now compare that to what an emergency actually costs.

    What pet owners can absorb What pet emergencies cost
    $2,818 average amount owners say they can spend before taking on debt $1,200 to $2,500 for a basic ER workup and outpatient care
    53% couldn’t cover a $1,000 emergency without borrowing $2,400 to $5,000 for one to two days of hospitalization
    $3,167 average pet debt balance for owners of chronically ill pets $4,000 to $5,000 minimum for surgery or critical care, commonly $5,000 to $10,000+
    $2,269 average balance for owners of otherwise healthy pets $7,000 to $10,000 for torn ACL repair through full recovery; $8,000 to $15,000+ for foreign body surgery

    Owner figures from ValuePenguin and U.S. News. Treatment costs per Dr. Zac Pilossoph and Dr. Mathieu Glassman.

    “Working in ER predominantly, I rarely create estimates for gold-standard services that fall below $500 for the most basic of care, with most initial estimates falling in the range of $1,200 to $2,500 for a basic workup and outpatient care,” said Dr. Zac Pilossoph, an emergency and integrative medicine veterinarian who consults for Healthy Paws. And that’s before treatment.

    “For basic hospitalization 1 to 2 days, those numbers usually double easily,” Pilossoph said. “For surgeries or critically ill patients, almost never will you see an estimate less than $4,000 to $5,000, with most being somewhere in the range of $5,000 to $10,000-plus.”

    Put those two figures side by side, and the picture is stark. The average owner’s ceiling is roughly $2,800. The floor for a real surgical emergency is $4,000. The debt isn’t a failure of planning so much as a structural gap, and it opens the moment something goes wrong.

    Dr. Mathieu Glassman, a veterinary surgeon in Washington, D.C., and the creator of ReadyRESCUE, sees where that gap lands. A torn ACL, “the most common orthopedic disease in dogs,” runs “approximately $7,000 to $10,000 by the time the animal is healed,” he said.

    Foreign body surgery, when a dog swallows something it shouldn’t, runs “approximately $8,000 to $15,000-plus depending on how sick the animal is or how much damage is done to the intestines.”

    Why don’t vets offer payment plans for emergency bills?

    There’s a mechanical reason vet debt shows up as consumer debt rather than a payment plan. Veterinary hospitals mostly can’t extend credit themselves.

    “Vet hospitals no longer offer in-house payment plans, with rare exceptions, as there is too high of a risk of never receiving subsequent payments,” Pilossoph said. What’s left is third-party financing: CareCredit, ScratchPay, Cherry, Affirm.

    Dr. Karen “Doc” Halligan, a practicing veterinarian and surgeon with more than 35 years of experience, points to the structural difference.

    “Unlike human hospitals, veterinary hospitals generally cannot provide long-term payment plans because they don’t receive government reimbursement or insurance payments,” she said.

    Those third-party options work, but they carry teeth.

    “Pet owners should read all the fine print with these payment plans carefully,” said Thomas Dock, director of communications at Noah’s Animal Hospitals. “Some may charge high rates of interest if the payments go behind the specified time frame.”

    Even insurance doesn’t fully solve the cash-flow problem in the moment. Most policies reimburse rather than pay directly. As Dock put it, “you still need to pay the veterinarian upfront.”

    That’s the part owners rarely anticipate. U.S. News found that among owners who borrowed, average balances reached $3,167 when the pet had a chronic illness, compared with $2,269 for healthy pets — proof that the debt tends to compound over months of management, not just one bad night.

    An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A young girl in a red shirt with her Corgi, both smiling at the camera, recording a video for social media, Image 2 shows A smiling woman pushing two dogs in a stroller

    Last year, 45% of Gen Z owners spent $2,000 or more on their pet, compared with just 15% of Baby Boomers, according to Healthy Paws research. New York Post photo composite

    Which generation spends the most on pet care?

    Younger owners are carrying more of this and responding to it differently.

    Last year, 45% of Gen Z owners spent $2,000 or more on their pet, compared with just 15% of Baby Boomers, according to Healthy Paws research.

    That pressure appears to be reshaping behavior: 28% of Gen Z say pet ownership has influenced their financial planning or savings goals, versus 10% of Boomers.

    About half of Gen Z owners currently carry pet insurance, compared with roughly one in 10 Boomers.

    The comparison is rather striking when set side-by-side.

    Gen Z Baby Boomers
    Spent $2,000+ on their pet last year 45% 15%
    Currently paying for pet insurance ≈50% ≈10%
    Say pet ownership shaped their financial planning 28% 10%
    Cite cost as the reason they’re uninsured 18% 41%
    Likely to buy a policy in the next year 39% 16%

    Source: Healthy Paws

    The barrier for the uninsured among them isn’t price. Only 18% of uninsured Gen Z owners cite expensive premiums, compared with 41% of Boomers. Instead, 22% say they didn’t know pet insurance existed, and 28% simply haven’t gotten around to it. Nearly four in 10 say they’re likely to buy a policy within the next year.

    A worried woman holding a bill at a vet's office while a veterinarian examines her dog.

    “Once a pet is in the ER and the estimate is several thousand dollars, families may be making medical decisions under enormous financial stress,” says certified veterinarian Dr. Sarah Wooten. highwaystarz – stock.adobe.com

    What happens when a pet owner can’t afford treatment?

    “There is nothing more heartbreaking and stressful for the veterinarian to know that you can help a pet, remove their pain and suffering, and help the owners, but be unable to because they are unable to pay,” Glassman said.

    Halligan describes the same scene from the exam room. “I routinely see loving owners forced to make heartbreaking decisions because a $6,000 emergency surgery or a $3,000 hospitalization wasn’t in the family budget,” she said. “They aren’t bad pet owners, they just never expected veterinary medicine to resemble human medicine so closely.”

    I’ve been on the owner’s side of that counter, uninsured, doing the math I never wanted to do. It is not a decision anyone makes well under pressure.

    A man calculating utility bills with a smartphone, notebook, and pen, while petting an orange cat.

    Even insurance doesn’t fully solve the cash-flow problem in the moment. Most policies reimburse rather than pay directly. Anna – stock.adobe.com

    How can you avoid going into debt for vet bills?

    The financing options that exist are real, but they’re built for people who set them up early.

    “The painful part is that these options are much easier to use before a crisis than during one,” said Dr. Sarah Wooten, a veterinarian and certified veterinary journalist. “Once a pet is in the ER and the estimate is several thousand dollars, families may be making medical decisions under enormous financial stress.”

    Her benchmark question for any owner: “Could I pay for a $2,000 emergency this month? If the answer is no, they need a plan before something happens.”

    Bob McKay, president of Together Credit Union, recommends treating it as a standing budget line rather than a surprise.

    “Just as a household might have an emergency fund for personal expenses, creating a pet emergency fund means that when an emergency strikes, they will have more options,” he said. Start small if you have to. The point is that it exists before you need it.

    The other path is coverage, purchased while a pet is healthy and before anything becomes a pre-existing condition. Plans like Healthy Paws Pet Insurance convert an unpredictable four- or five-figure event into a monthly number a household can actually plan around.

    Glassman’s framing is the one worth sitting with. Given how compressed a pet’s lifespan is, he said, “when you get a new pet, you can almost be guaranteed that within the next 15 years, there will be a major life-threatening event that will cost a lot, so it is prudent to be prepared.”

    Three in four of us say we’d borrow to save them. The better question is whether we ever have to.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many pet owners would go into debt for their pet? 

    About 76% say they would take on debt to save their pet’s life, according to ValuePenguin, rising to 82% among Gen Z and 80% among millennials. A U.S. News survey found the same 76% share reporting they had actually done so.

    Is it cheaper to get pet insurance or save for emergencies? 

    Owners report being able to absorb roughly $2,818 in emergency vet costs before borrowing, and 53% say they couldn’t cover a $1,000 emergency without taking on debt. Emergency surgeries commonly start at $4,000 to $5,000, which is where the gap opens.

    Do vets offer payment plans for emergency bills? 

    Rarely. Most veterinary hospitals no longer extend in-house credit, so owners are directed to third-party financing like CareCredit, ScratchPay or Cherry. Those carry interest terms worth reading closely before signing.

    Does pet insurance pay the vet directly? 

    Usually not. Most policies work on reimbursement, meaning you pay the hospital upfront and get money back afterward, often within 30 to 45 days. A few providers offer direct-pay arrangements with participating hospitals.

    Why is pet debt worse for owners of chronically ill pets? 

    Because it compounds. Owners who borrowed for a chronically ill pet carried average balances of $3,167, versus $2,269 for owners of otherwise healthy pets.

    Explore America’s Type 1 Diabetes Hotspots: Discover Where Your State Stands

    0

    Renowned for its delectable lobster rolls and serene charm, Maine is a picturesque northeastern state. Yet, beneath this tranquil surface, it has emerged as an unexpected hub for type 1 diabetes, according to recent data.

    A new compilation of state-specific statistics highlights that Maine boasts the nation’s highest incidence of type 1 diabetes, with a rate of 27.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, far surpassing the national average of 24.0.

    On a broader scale, states such as Vermont, New Hampshire, and West Virginia also find themselves among the top five in type 1 diabetes rates. In contrast, regions like Hawaii, New Mexico, and California enjoy the lowest rates nationwide.

    In the United States, the majority of diabetes cases are type 2, a condition marked by the body’s inability to manage blood sugar levels effectively due to a diminished cellular response to insulin.

    However, an increasing number of individuals are receiving diagnoses of type 1 diabetes. This form involves the cessation of insulin production, often triggered when the immune system erroneously attacks insulin-producing cells.

    The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unclear. But researchers warn that genetics, being from a white ethnic background and exposure to viruses and other environmental factors may play a role.

    Now, researchers in New York have analyzed state-level population data to establish which areas of the country have the highest rates of the disease. 

    Nationwide, an estimated 2.07 million Americans are now living with the condition, a number projected to grow by 10 percent by 2033. 

    More than 60,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year, with half of all new cases now diagnosed in adults, most commonly in those 45 to 64 years old.

    The latest data, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed incidence rates – number of cases newly diagnosed – for type 1 diabetes nationwide in 2024. 

    Data was converted to cases per 100,000 people to allow for comparisons between states, which have different population sizes.

    By state, West Virginia recorded the highest incidence rate at 27.8 per 100,000, followed closely by Maine and Vermont, both at 27.4. 

    New Hampshire, with 26.9, and Kentucky – 26.8 – rounded out the top five. 

    Researchers caution, however, that West Virginia’s figure is based on a smaller population, and that Maine and West Virginia are statistically tied.

    At the other end of the scale, Hawaii had the lowest incidence rate at just 17.0 per 100,000. New Mexico’s rate was 20.5. 

    California, at 20.6, also ranked among the lowest, along with Alaska, with 20.9, and Arizona with 22.5.

    Separate data on the prevalence for type 1 diabetes – the total number of people living with the disease – in 2024 showed that California and Texas had the highest rates. 

    These states also have the largest overall patient populations.

    The researchers did not speculate on why certain states had higher rates for type 1 diabetes compared to others.

    In the paper, the scientists added that their results showed that more pediatric endocrinologists were needed across the country.

    More than 70 percent of type 1 diabetes cases have been diagnosed in white adults, while 15 percent are in Hispanic individuals and 10 percent are in Black and Asian individuals.

    Maine has the highest proportion of adults from a white ethnic background in the US, according to statistics, which make up 90 percent of its population, followed by West Virginia and Vermont, both at 89 percent.

    At the other end of the scale, Hawaii has the lowest proportion of adults from a white ethnic background, 21.6 percent, followed by California, 35 percent.

    It is not clear why individuals from a white ethnic background may be more likely to develop type 1 diabetes than those in other groups, but researchers say it may be down to a genetic mutation.

    White adults are more likely to have a mutation on the HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR4 genes, which are linked to autoimmune disease, which scientists say may raise the likelihood of the immune system misfiring and destroying insulin-producing cells, causing the condition. 

    Some environmental exposures have also been linked to the condition.

    A landmark 2025 study found that 83 percent of people with type 1 diabetes showed signs of an infection with enteroviruses, a group of viruses that cause colds, pink eye and polio.

    They suggested the virus does not directly cause diabetes but may act as a trigger in genetically susceptible people.

    Another theory is that overly clean environments and reduced exposure to microbes in early life can disrupt immune system development, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases.

    A 2025 mouse study found that antibiotic exposure during a critical developmental window stunted growth of insulin-producing cells, while a specific fungus – Candida dubliniensis – found in healthy infants promoted beta-cell growth and reduced diabetes risk.

    Higher type 1 diabetes rates at greater distances from the equator point, such as Maine, to vitamin D deficiency as a potential factor.

    Vitamin D has immunosuppressive effects, and deficiency may allow the autoimmune response to proceed unchecked. Evidence on supplementation is mixed, but some studies suggest higher sun exposure or vitamin D sufficiency during pregnancy or early life may lower risk.

    Obesity and insulin resistance may accelerate beta-cell destruction, known as the accelerator hypothesis. Environmental chemicals like phthalates and heavy metals, which can disrupt immune function and hormone systems, are also under investigation.

    RHOC Star Gina Kirschenheiter Discusses Emily’s Motives Questioning and Her Strong Stance on Heather

    RHOC's Gina Kirschenheiter Reacts to Emily Telling Carmella She Questioned Her Motives and Hints Emily Was ‘Too Harsh’ on Heather, Plus She Shares Wedding Update

    Credit: Bravo

    Gina Kirschenheiter shared her thoughts on praise she received from Vicki Gunvalson during the latest episode of Watch What Happens Live. As the conversation unfolded, she also discussed Vicki’s ongoing tensions with newcomers to the franchise. Among the topics was Carmella Garcia, 44, and Gina also shared her perspective on whether Emily Simpson, 50, might have been too critical of Heather Dubrow, 57. Additionally, Gina revealed who she feels most connected to among her Real Housewives of Orange County colleagues, and provided an update on her relationship with Travis Mullen, 40, following their New Year engagement.

    “[Vicki] genuinely appreciates me. She’s had nothing but nice things to say, and I believe it’s because I have a strong work ethic,” Gina disclosed in the August 6 broadcast of WWHL. “I have a lot of respect for her. Her accomplishments both in and out of the Housewives universe are impressive. Her insurance company, for instance, is very much legitimate. [And] I hold her opinions in high regard.”

    “[Vicki] actually really likes me. She’s been saying such kind things about me. She likes me cuz I work,” Gina shared on the August 6 episode of WWHL. “I very much respect her. I think what she’s built is extraordinary and incredible, in the housewife world, but also outside of the housewife world. Like her insurance company is real. [And] I value her opinion.”

    After watching as Vicki admitted she was proud of her and sees herself in her, Gina said that while she hadn’t told her that in person, she was “extremely flattered.”

    “I love it, honestly, I love the way our relationship has evolved and the way that she sees me now,” she explained. 

    Gina also said that because she and Vicki had made such progress, she had hope for a future reconciliation between Vicki and Carmella.

    Following a bit of a hazing from Vicki, which came amid questions about Carmella’s career in real estate, and whether she was an actual developer, Gina said that it was either herself or Carmella who Vicki was harder on.

    “Now I feel like it’s Carmella, but she did tell me I have no moral compass when I joined the show. It was rough,” Gina admitted.

    Moving on to Emily, Gina said she didn’t care that Emily told Carmella that she had questioned her motives following the pricey Dior birthday gift she gave to Emily.

    “It wasn’t that serious. It was something trivial. Do I love that she shared it? No. But whatever … because I did, I said all those things to multiple people, multiple times. So it was what it was,” she reasoned.

    As for whether Emily was too harsh with Heather amid questions surrounding their friendship, Gina confirmed the two of them have “love for each other” before agreeing that Emily could’ve been softer.

    “I’m a sucker for Heather when she gets upset,” Gina noted.

    Then, after being asked if she was closer to Heather or Emily, Gina revealed, “I don’t think Heather would be surprised by this: Emily is literally like a sister to me. She’s a ride or die. We are just close in a way that’s different, honestly, than any of the other friendships on the show.”

    “We’re really, truly best friends. She’s so important to me and we can bicker on the show or whatever, but we’re sisters,” Gina continued, adding, “But I love Heather and I respect Heather … She is a ride or die too. I love Fancy Pants. I really do.”

    Also on the live broadcast, Gina confirmed that Travis had upgraded her ring from the prototype he previously gave her, and she added that she also got a bonus ring.

    “When he first was designing this, he designed two rings, and I loved them both but I really didn’t want to change anything. So he also got me the other ring,” she revealed.

    As for how Travis could afford to purchase both rings, she explained, “He has a full time job and I’ll tell you what, we’re crushing it in real estate, so houses bought these rings.”

    Later, on the WWHL: After Show, Gina admitted that she and Travis do not yet have a wedding date — and won’t for a while.

    “I’m not planning a wedding. Honestly, I’m taking my time,” she explained. “I want to get my kids through school, and then I feel like I can really focus on that. I do have other goals, like financially. I feel like I’m building a business, I’m making investments, I’m saving for college. That’s my focus right now, and then once I’m through that I’m gonna throw a rager.”

    After agreeing that it could be 10 years before she and Travis say, “I do,” Gina confessed that she wasn’t sure how Travis felt about waiting so long.

    “We’ll have to ask him because I tend to just go with my own ideas … I made all these decisions, and I clearly did not include him on any of them.”

    She then dished on Travis’ friendship with her ex-husband, Matthew Kirschenheiter, 41, saying they get along “really well.”

    “They’ll have bro days. They went and had a bottle of wine together that Matt had brought back for him from Italy, and they went, and they had it together and like, smoked cigars and like, bro-ed out. It’s like, weird but it works for us.”

    The Real Housewives of Orange County season 20 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo.

    Deadly Russian Strikes Overwhelm Kyiv’s Defenses, Killing 4 in Fierce Assault

    0

    In a somber turn of events, four lives, including that of a young child, were tragically lost as Russian forces unleashed a barrage against Kyiv and its neighboring areas, according to local officials on Saturday. Meanwhile, Ukraine struck back by targeting another Russian oil refinery.

    Kyiv’s residents find themselves in a relentless cycle of drone and missile onslaughts. The capital’s beleaguered air defense systems are straining under the pressure of Moscow’s ongoing four-year military campaign. Conversely, Ukraine’s strategic strikes on Russian oil sites have led to significant fuel shortages, inciting unease across the border.

    Grandparents and grandson killed in Ukraine’s Kyiv region

    In the latest round of attacks, a devastating blow came early Saturday when Russian drones took the lives of two grandparents and their 3-year-old grandson in the Brovary district, northeast of Kyiv. The assault left their home in ruins.

    Others were not spared from this tragedy. Three family members and a neighbor who rushed to help are now receiving hospital care, as confirmed by local officials. The attack has left an indelible mark, reducing structures to debris and leaving vehicles in tatters.

    In the heart of Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported the grim news of at least one other casualty due to an attack involving six ballistic missiles, which targeted civilian infrastructure.

    In its daily report, Ukraine’s air force said it had downed or intercepted 135 of 151 drones launched by Russia overnight. The attack also involved six ballistic missiles and other guided missiles.

    Russia has relentlessly pounded civilian areas of Ukraine, even though Moscow insists its forces target only military facilities.

    Moscow is exploiting Ukraine’s critical shortage of interceptors for the US-made Patriot systems, the sole air defense weapon in its arsenal able to shoot down ballistic missiles.

    Zelensky has pleaded with other countries, especially the US, to send more of the ammunition made scarcer by the Iran war.

    Failing that, he wants to make Patriot ammunition in Ukraine or win permission from Elon Musk to use his Starlink satellite communications system to guide strikes inside Russia that can hit its missile launchers.

    Following the latest attacks, Zelensky appealed on X for more sanctions to “prevent the production of these ballistic missiles,” along with “anti-ballistic capabilities” and “interceptor missiles.”

    Ukraine’s air defenses shot down around 5,300 drones and missiles last month, Ukraine’s defense ministry said Friday, just under 60% of the around 9,000 attack drones and missiles Russia fired in the same period.

    Ukraine strikes a Russian oil facility

    In Russia, five people were wounded when a fire broke out at the Ilsky Oil Refinery in the southern Krasnodar region due to debris from a falling drone, local officials said.

    Ukraine’s almost daily long-range drone and missile strikes using domestically developed weapons have battered Russian oil facilities for months. The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin.

    Zelensky in Serbia for talks

    The latest attacks came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived Friday for his first official visit to Serbia, one of the few European countries that have maintained friendly relations with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine.

    “Important talks are scheduled for today and tomorrow,” Zelensky said Friday. He added that he will meet with Vucic and Serbia’s Prime Minister Djuro Macut.

    “We will discuss expanding economic ties between our countries, relations with the European Union, and other areas where we can find practical opportunities that benefit our peoples, as well as security issues,” Zelensky said.

    Donald Trump’s Vegas Visit Sparks Fascination Amid Enigmatic Appearance

    0

    In a startling yet subtly humorous turn of events, President Donald Trump arrived in Las Vegas sporting a new hairstyle that quickly became the center of online chatter. The internet lit up with speculation about his suddenly more luxuriant mane.

    Trump was at the Red Rock Casino on Wednesday night, proudly highlighting his administration’s reported economic triumphs. But what truly captured the public’s imagination was not his speech, but the striking change in his hair’s volume.

    Journalist Aaron Rupar took to social media platform X to remark on the situation: “Trump’s hair, uh, has a lot more volume than normal. Is Trump rocking a wig, or what the hell is going on here?” he posted, fanning the flames of curiosity.

    This topic isn’t a new one for the president. He candidly confronted the issue back in 2018 during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland.

    At that time, he humorously admitted, “I try like hell to hide my bald spot, folks. I work hard at it.” This acknowledgment only adds to the intrigue surrounding his latest hair transformation.

    That same year, Trump’s physician revealed he takes a drug to tackle male-pattern baldness, USA Today reported.  

    Yet, his fuller golden locks became the center of online discussions in the following days, as memes of Trump poured in. 

    ‘What on earth is going on with his hair? He really looks like his mother,’ one user joked.

    As President Donald Trump appeared at the Red Rock Casino on Wednesday night to boast his administration's accomplishments, the internet exploded over his fuller looking hair style

    As President Donald Trump appeared at the Red Rock Casino on Wednesday night to boast his administration’s accomplishments, the internet exploded over his fuller looking hair style

    He previously addressed his bald spot in 2018 at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland

    That same year, Trump's physician revealed he takes a drug to tackle male-pattern baldness

    That same year, Trump’s physician revealed he takes a drug to tackle male-pattern baldness 

    ‘Mike Rogers is gonna be so jealous of Trump’s new head ferret,’ another quipped. 

    ‘It is odd. Doesn’t match the rest of his hair like the old Rubik’s cube sweep over thing,’ a third said. 

    ‘He appears to be wearing some roadkill that Bobby picked up,’ another comment read.

    ‘He’s grifted billions but still won’t splurge on anything that looks better than a dead ferret,’ one wrote. 

    ‘RFK Jr. must’ve have found him some fresh roadkill to glue to his head,’ another said. 

    Edited photos of the president cropped up across social media, many featuring furry animals on top of his head including a ferret, a squirrel and a cat. 

    Others jumped to support the president’s new look.

    ‘I’m not happy with President Trump, I think he lied to the people who voted for him, but I think the new hair fits pretty well. For being 80 years old the man is holding up pretty damn well,’ one user wrote. 

    ‘He’s talking about defeating a socialist movement in this country and you clowns are obsessed about his hair. Ridiculous,’ another user said. 

    ‘who cares.. you communists are all out talking about Trumps hair instead of how you are all communists now,’ a third commented. 

    Besides the president’s new hairstyle, he championed his administration’s ‘Trump Accounts’ while on stage, which allows people to deduct up to $12,500 in qualified tip or overtime earnings from their taxable income in federal tax filings. 

    Joint filers can deduct up to $25,000, and it can be claimed on top of the standard deduction without itemizing taxes. 

    No tax on tips and overtime was passed as part of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act in early July last year. 

    Trump Accounts were passed on July 4, 2025, and came into effect on July 4 of this year.

    The accounts function as a kind of custodial-style traditional IRA for minors. Parents of any US citizen under 18 can open one in the child’s name and contribute up to $5,000 to it per year.

    The money is invested in mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that track the S&P 500 or other equity indexes, with at least 90 percent going to US companies. The child gains access to the account and can begin withdrawing once they turn 18.

    Any US citizen child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, who has a Trump Account opened in their name is eligible for a $1,000 seed deposit from the federal government.

    The Daily Mail reached out to The White House for comment.  

    Discover Lorenzo Lamas & Shauna Sand’s Model Daughter Now

    With striking looks inherited from their high-profile parents, it’s no wonder that Alexandra Lamas, the first child of Lorenzo Lamas and Shauna Sand, shines just as brightly. Following in the footsteps of her glamorous parents, Alexandra has gracefully stepped into the modeling world. Yet, she sets herself apart by vocally championing the values of inner beauty and self-love. Many remember Lorenzo Lamas as the charismatic heartthrob of the 1980s, captivating audiences on “Falcon Crest.” Meanwhile, Shauna Sand carved her niche in the ’90s as a celebrated Playboy Playmate. Given this star-studded lineage, Alexandra’s entry into the world of modeling feels only natural. Her journey so far boasts impressive highlights, such as features in renowned fashion publications like France’s Malvie Magazine and Moevir Magazine, not to mention gracing the cover of Pump’s Summer 2021 issue.

    Shauna Sand frequently expresses her pride for Alexandra on Instagram, sharing glimpses of her daughter’s work with enthusiasm. Lorenzo Lamas, equally proud, refrains from focusing solely on Alexandra’s physical beauty. Instead, he regularly praises her intelligence, character, and strong work ethic. During a candid 2024 episode of the “Media Path Podcast,” the “Grease” star admitted, “I never told [my daughters] how beautiful they were, not because I didn’t want them to hear it, but because I knew that’s what they would hear for the rest of their life.” He believes their alluring appearance is merely genetic, emphasizing, “It’s completely genetic! We have nothing to be proud of. […] What we have inside is the most important thing.” Furthermore, Lamas takes pride in the fact that his daughters have succeeded in forging their individual paths.

    Alexandra Lamas’ busy life is a balancing act

    Modeling is just one part of Alexandra Lamas’ professional journey. She’s also spoken about using that experience to help others, and even became a holistic health coach at one point. While great genetics obviously helped her get into modeling, in a moving 2024 Instagram post, she admitted that she’d tried to avoid it for a long time, instead striving for something more “normal” than her parents,’ and grandparents,’ careers. Alexandra studied psychology, but she ended up getting an opportunity to model after graduating. While that was very exciting in a lot of ways, she clarified, “It also reignited the perfectionism and pressure to please that had long been ingrained in me since childhood. As my career took off, so did the internal battles I had long suppressed.” Sadly, that brought on unhealthy expectations and body image issues. 

    Fortunately, as Alexandra went on to note, “Within this struggle, something changed. I started to recognize that the path I was on was not sustainable.” She added of her later decision to become a certified health coach, “Today, I channel my passion for health into helping other women navigate their own journeys of recovery.” Fast-forward to 2026, and Alexandra is a creative strategist, and continues to share her wisdom on balancing the different parts of oneself while healing online. In one Instagram post, she asserted, of being a creative, “If you’re a multi-passionate creative trying to build something meaningful, you’re not scattered, you’re powerful. The world doesn’t need another perfectly defined niche. It needs people brave enough to build something new.” The post included not just Alexandra’s words, but a selection of past photoshoots, too. She’s definitely forging her own path, and looking totally gorgeous while doing it.