
Millennial Money: 4 ways married couples can use tax breaks to build wealth
Married couples can benefit from a range of tax breaks in the form of credits and deductions
2023-10-03 22:16

Having an overweight pet could cost owners over £1,000 in vets’ bills
Having an overweight pet could cost owners £1,500 in vets’ bills per visit, claims data has revealed. Common health problems caused by excessive weight include cruciate ligament injuries, urinary tract disease, diabetes and arthritis. Addressing cruciate ligament injuries can mean swallowing a whopping bill of £1,578.28, and urinary tract disease costs for cats are skyrocketing to a jaw-dropping £752.06. Data from pet insurer ManyPets shows, on average, pet owners are forking out £682.65 for a trip to the vets for diabetes, while arthritis costs are coming to £476.61. However, 51 per cent of cat and dog owners are already concerned about their pets’ weight, a separate poll of 2,000 pet owners found. And nearly one in five (18 per cent) with a cat or dog could encounter these bills soon as they believe their pet already is carrying more weight than it should. With almost a fifth (19 per cent) admitting they are already shelling out more to tackle their pets’ fluctuating size. The research was commissioned as part of the ManyPets ‘Why Weight?’ report and launch of its Obesity Learning Hub. Steven Mendel, chief executive and co-founder of the pet insurer, said: “We understand it can be difficult to resist rewarding pets with extra treats, and heart-breaking to say no to them when they’re asking for more food. “But, with obesity associated health problems becoming more and more prevalent, we urge pet parents to think twice to save their pets. “We’re proud to have launched our Obesity Learning Hub to offer tips and veterinary approved advice for pet parents everywhere.” The research went on to find, with the rising cost of living still looming large for many pet owners, 22 per cent have been forced to make cutbacks to their pet’s lifestyle. Almost half (49 per cent) of these are now opting for lower quality brands of food, and 37 per cent have reduced their spend on healthcare. But 88 per cent believe they would be able to recognise the signs a pet is potentially getting to an unhealthy weight, yet only 31 per cent regularly keep an eye on their pet’s weight. Moreover,39 per cent will only visit the vets in an emergency – all of which point to an increase in weight going unchecked. In a bid to help keep weight down, 76 per cent do try to keep their four-legged friends as active as possible, while 75 per cent limit the number of treats or table scraps they give out. The study, carried out via OnePoll, found of those with an overweight pet, 22 per cent feel as if their cat or dog is ‘always hungry’. While a puzzled 19 per cent scratch their heads over their pet’s weight as they don’t think they eat an excessive amount. Steven Mendel added: “While many pet owners believe it should be straightforward to spot if their cat or dog is putting on weight – it’s often easier said than done. “In most cases, gaining weight is very gradual, meaning it can be trickier to identify - especially if pets are not attending the vet regularly. “We’re hopeful that with the right course of action and identifying the signs early, longer term pet health problems can be avoided in the future.” Read More Cat owner reunited with pet Tux after emotional Lyft ride saga Dogs’ facial markings could play a role in how close they are with owners Moment cat stuck inside boat’s hull after fire is rescued by firefighters Cat owner reunited with pet Tux after leaving her in a Lyft What you need to know about depression during menopause – as Carol Vorderman opens up Linda Evangelista describes relationship with Gerald Marie as a ‘MeToo marriage’
2023-10-03 21:51

Secret spots on Croatia's famous Dalmatian coast
The southern coast of Dalmatia is classic Croatia. Between Split and Dubrovnik lie some of the most visited places in the country. But while tourists crowd the honeypot destinations, there are plenty of lesser visited spots. Here's where to go.
2023-10-03 20:45

Linda Evangelista describes relationship with ex-husband Gerald Marie as a ‘MeToo marriage’
Linda Evangelista has described her relationship with ex-husband Gerald Marie as a “MeToo marriage”, in the first episode of Kirsty Young’s new podcast. On Young Again, the BBC broadcaster interviews a number of famous figures about what they would tell their younger selves if given the opportunity. Evangelista reflected on her 40-year career as one of the first international supermodels, her upbringing, and her regret at not speaking about her abusive marriage sooner. The 58-year-old was married to Marie, the former head of the European division of Elite Models, from 1987 until 1993. “Did I have #MeToo moments? Absolutely. I was in a #MeToo marriage. Absolutely,” she told Young. “I kept quiet for many many years. And The Guardian did a story on all the models. Only when speaking to the journalist did I find this out. And to think that I was married to him when all this was happening, is crazy. “And there’s a side of me that thinks that if I would have spoken up and said something about what was happening to me, that maybe they would have come forward at that time. And the statute of limitations wouldn’t have run out.” In 2020, seven women accused Marie of rape and sexual misconduct, which he denied. The investigation was closed without charges last month. In a recent Apple TV+ documentary, The Super Models, Evangelista described the marriage as “an abusive relationship” and claimed Marie knew not to touch her face because that was “the money-maker”. In a statement, the 73-year-old denied the abuse allegations, and said he “has never committed the slightest act of violence”. The Super Models profiled modelling stars Naomi Campbell, Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford, exploring their careers as the most sought-after models in the fashion industry during the late Eighties and Nineties. Campbell, Evangelista, Turlington and Crawford, now in their fifties and with children of their own, offer a snapshot into their early careers. Each episode – “The Look,” “The Fame,” “The Power” and “The Legacy” – features archival footage from their heyday and intimate interviews with each model. The first three episodes of Young Again, the new podcast from Young, are available now on BBC Sounds. Future episodes will be broadcast weekly on BBC Radio 4 at 11am from 3 October. The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men’s advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org Read More Helena Christensen says she has no interest in being in a supermodel documentary Cindy Crawford reflects on ‘traumatising’ haircut in her early career Groping, abuse and racism: 10 of the most shocking revelations from The Super Models TV show Helena Christensen says she has no interest in being in a supermodel documentary Fans convinced that Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell are ‘feuding’ 10 of the most shocking revelations from ‘The Super Models’ on Apple+
2023-10-03 20:20

‘Anonymity is our greatest gift’: Jamie Oliver says he’d choose ‘a normal life’ over fame if given the choice again
Jamie Oliver has claimed he would choose a life of anonymity over fame, if he was given the chance to go back and do things again. The TV chef was interviewed by broadcaster Kirsty Young for her debut podcast, Young Again, which is available on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. In each episode, Young revisits pivotal moments in the lives of her guests, and asks them what they wish they’d known at the time – along with what they would change if given the opportunity. In the third episode of the podcast, which is out now, Young spoke with Oliver about his rapid ascent to fame aged just 23, following the release of his BBC cooking show The Naked Chef. Oliver, now 45, also discussed what he learnt from a young age working in his parents’ pub, his relationship with wife Jools, and the challenge of balancing his activism and campaigning work with running a business empire. “If you could go back, would you not do it?” Young asks him during the episode. “Definitely,” Oliver responds. “I’m not trying to say ‘shoulda woulda coulda’ but if I came back on Earth and did again, I would go to (set up the) pub, and I would have a normal life and I would be aware that anonymity is our greatest gift that we will never give any currency to. “And to have just enough and to trot on, and to be the best you can at your thing, and be part of a community, and to have a mutuality… That is very very very precious.” Oliver and his wife met when they were 17, and have been together ever since. They have children together. The TV chef’s remarks come not long after his business enjoyed a major boost thanks in part to his work producing shows such as Jamie’s £1 Wonders. The programme achieved an average of 1.4 million viewers as it helped households deal with the cost-of-living crisis by creating cheap and nutritious meals. His empire, which includes TV shows, recipe books, branded products and several lucrative partnerships, along with his numerous franchised restaurants around the world, made a pre-tax profit of £7.7m in 2022, a 17.5 per cent increase on the past year. Sales for the Jamie Oliver Cookery School, which offers cooking classes in London and online, also grew by more than a third last year. Amid a return to the hospitality industry after lockdowns during the pandemic, he also announced the launch of a new restaurant in London’s Catherine Street, scheduled to open in November. Last month, Oliver called for more free school meals help from the government, urging them to “put children’s health first” and widen the eligibility. Under current rules, only children from households with an income below £7,400 – after tax and benefits – are eligible. Following a major campaign by The Independent,London mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged to roll out free primary school meals to all pupils in the capital in a year-long pilot. The first three episodes of Young Again, the new podcast from Kirsty Young, are available now on BBC Sounds. Future episodes will be broadcast weekly on BBC Radio 4 at 11am from 3 October. Read More Jamie Oliver’s businesses notch up higher profits after £1 Wonders TV success Jamie Oliver calls for vulnerable children to be given free school meals Tom Kerridge: Free school meals should be part and parcel of education Is there such a thing as British pizza? Three recipes from Michel Roux’s new fuss-free French cookbook How to cook to keep your gut healthy
2023-10-03 18:45

Five things to know about Trump's New York fraud trial
His business reputation and his own self-image are on the line, but he calls the case a sham.
2023-10-03 18:26

‘I think it’s wise if you pipe down’: Man inundated with criticism after judging mum on her phone
A man has been receiving backlash for giving his opinions on parenting, despitehaving no children of his own. Mario Mirante took to TikTok to share a video about what he observed when he watched a mother and her son at a park. “Please watch the whole video before you comment. Thanks,” he captioned the clip, after the original was taken down. “The kid is just playing quietly, not being annoying. I don’t hear a peep from him, he’s just doing his thing on the playground,” Mirante said. “The mom the entire time is on her phone, staring right down at her screen. Doesn’t look up one time.” He explained that as he walked by, he noticed the child sitting on top of the slide. “I hear: ‘Hey mom, watch. Watch, Mom,’” Mirante recalled. “And at the top of her lungs, shrieking like a Velociraptor, this mother screams: ‘One second!!!’” The TikToker claimed the mother yelled so loudly that he stopped abruptly to hear what the problem was. When her child heard his mother scream, Mirante claimed that he looked “terrified” and confused, thinking that he upset his mother. “He wasn’t doing anything wrong,” Mirante said. “Mom never looks up from the screen as the kid goes down [the slide].” Mirante added that he is most definitely “judging” the mother based on what he saw in those few minutes. “When your kid isn’t doing something wrong, or in danger, you probably shouldn’t scream at them. It might have some traumatic effects in the future,” he declared, before asking: “Are you guys that attached to your phones?” @mariomirante Please watch the whole video before you comment. Thanks ♬ original sound - Mario Mirante He explained that his original video was taken down due to the amount of negative comments, with people telling him he shouldn’t judge a mother when he is not a parent himself. According to Mirante, some TikTokers told him that “maybe the mom needs a break and she takes him to the park to get that break” or that the mother could’ve been a single mom. Even content creator Abby Eckel stitched Mirante’s TikTok, explaining in a separate video that he has never experienced being the default parent. “A default parent is typically one who is ‘first in line’ when it comes to caring for children, child-related responsibilities, or home-related tasks,” clinical psychologist Amber Thornton wrote in Psychology Today. “If you have never been the default parent, and you don’t know what it’s like to be constantly needed all day, every day if you’re not the one consistently and constantly regulating your child’s emotional needs while also having to regulate your own, which also likely means that you’re having to relearn how to do that because you weren’t taught that as a child,” Eckel said in her TikTok video. “I think it’s wise if you pipe down.” @itsme_abbye If youve never been a parent, please sit down. ♬ original sound - Marriage & Motherhood Many people agreed with Mirante’s video, while others continued to disagree in the comments section. “I am a single mom, I 100 per cent agree with you. Kids remember who is actually PRESENT with them, not glued to their phone, the TV etc etc,” one commenter wrote. “That feeling of ‘but what did I do wrong?’ will stay with that child for a long time. It can be very damaging,” another comment read. “My kid used to say ‘mom’ every five secs. It was a joke in the family. I’d lose my mind about 2 per cent of the time about it. You just caught a bad moment,” one commenter pointed out. Another person wrote: “I thought the same way as you. And then I became a parent. Until you become a parent, you do not understand the struggle.” The Independent has contacted Mirante for comment. Read More The tyrannical fear of being ‘left on read’ is wrecking romance Bride warms hearts after having 104-year-old grandfather serve as ring bearer at her wedding Mother’s TikTok calling out parenting ‘double-standards’ resonates with women everywhere Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat
2023-10-03 14:26

How are ancient Roman and Mayan buildings still standing? Scientists are unlocking their secrets
Scientists are trying to understand how some ancient buildings have lasted for centuries in hopes of making modern buildings more durable
2023-10-03 13:16

Chinese toy company Pop Mart opens Beijing theme park
Following in the footsteps of Disney and Studio Ghibli, China's Pop Mart brand has expanded into the theme park business.
2023-10-03 12:58

Chinese Stocks in Hong Kong Slump, Leading Asia Equities Selloff
Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong slumped as trading resumed after a holiday, hurt by a broad risk-off
2023-10-03 11:18

Evergrande shares volatile as trade resumes amid chairman probe
HONG KONG (Reuters) -Shares of China Evergrande jumped as much as 42% in volatile trade on Tuesday, days after the
2023-10-03 10:22

Marion police chief resigns after the widely-condemned raid of the Marion County Record newspaper in Kansas
The Marion, Kansas, police chief who ordered a widely-condemned law enforcement raid on a local newspaper and its publisher this summer has resigned, the city's mayor said.
2023-10-03 09:59