Health authorities in Hawaii are raising alarms following a troubling increase in cases of whooping cough, a potentially deadly disease that predominantly affects infants.
According to the Daily Mail, Officials are urging both visitors and residents to update their vaccinations as confirmed infections in the state have surged to levels not seen in years amid a growing national trend of pertussis outbreaks.
This year, the Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed 108 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis. This marks a sharp increase from 84 total cases in all of 2024 and only three reported cases in 2023, none of which were fatal.
The bacterium Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, a bacterial infection. It produces violent, uncontrollable coughing fits that can lead to vomiting, breathing trouble, and even more serious complications like brain damage and death, particularly in babies.
The illness often begins with symptoms resembling the common cold: runny nose, mild fever, and sore throat. However, it typically progresses to severe coughing spells and can leave infants gasping to breathe, with reported cases of blue lips, pneumonia, and even seizures.
“Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that spreads through the air via the coughs or sneezes of an infected person,” said Dr. Sarah Kemble, epidemiologist with Hawaii’s State Department of Health. She emphasized the need for vaccination among people frequently around babies, including expectant parents and grandparents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 35,000 cases of pertussis in the United States in 2024, including about 10 associated deaths. These rising numbers reflect a broader concern among health officials about slipping vaccine coverage and waning immunity nationwide.
The DTaP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, is normally administered to babies starting at two months old and continues through toddlerhood. A booster shot is advised just before school age, with additional Tdap boosters recommended for preteens, adults, and pregnant women.
In Hawaii, vaccine coverage among toddlers lags behind the national average, 87% compared to 92.7%. Nationwide, even the vaccination rate among kindergarteners has declined from 95% during the 2019–2020 school year to 93% in 2023–2024, contributing to greater vulnerability in communities.
Health officials warn that areas with high tourist traffic, like Hawaii, may see faster transmission of whooping cough due to close contact among unvaccinated populations. Travelers arriving from areas with low immunization rates may also contribute to the spread.
“It’s particularly important for families that are expecting a baby,” Dr. Kemble said. “So, everyone in the household who may be spending a lot of time around a newborn infant, we recommend that they also get their booster for pertussis.”
Dr. Marcos Mestre, a pediatric health official at Nicklaus Children’s Health System in Miami, said hospitals are seeing more pertussis cases in emergency departments. “They’re coughing to the point that they can't catch their breath,” Mestre said. “And those are the children we worry about.”
Before vaccines became widely available in 1948, the United States reported as many as 250,000 cases of whooping cough annually. The disease seemed to be in decline until recent years, as vaccination rates began to drop.
Adding to the concern are early signs that the pertussis-causing bacteria may be mutating. According to the CDC, these changes might allow the organism to become resistant to current vaccine formulations, making control of outbreaks more difficult in the future.
Officials are also monitoring the potential policy impact of vaccine skepticism at high levels of government. The nomination of Health Secretary candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine views, has raised fears that public confidence in routine immunizations might erode further.
Severe cases are not just theoretical. While U.S. health agencies continue tracking domestic outbreaks, media reports from the United Kingdom have highlighted the serious effects of whooping cough as well.
Doctors placed Polly Deehy, a UK patient, into a medically induced coma for 10 days due to the infection. In another incident, doctors hospitalized one-month-old Rosie Robin for two weeks after she fell ill.
Back in the U.S., hospitals such as Nicklaus Children’s Health System are also reporting increased cases that require clinical intervention, if not hospitalization. Some patients, while not admitted, still require urgent care and treatment to manage the disease.
Despite the growing threat, experts say the solution remains clear: get vaccinated. The DTaP and Tdap vaccines continue to offer strong protection, especially in the first year after immunization—up to 98% effectiveness in children and 73% in teenagers.
However, as time passes, the immunity provided by the vaccine declines. In teens, protection drops to about 34% four years after the initial dose, making it important to maintain updated booster schedules through adulthood.
Public health leaders emphasize that even small reductions in immunization rates can quickly lead to larger outbreaks, particularly in communities with dense populations and a high number of infants. Maintaining high vaccine uptake is critical to stopping pertussis from becoming a more widespread threat.
Hunter Biden has made a striking accusation against CNN anchor Jake Tapper, claiming that the journalist sought an interview during one of the most devastating periods of his life.
In a recent interview, Hunter Biden alleged that Tapper repeatedly contacted him for an interview in 2015 while his brother Beau Biden was dying of brain cancer, a charge Tapper has strongly denied, the Daily Mail reported.
Speaking with media outlet Breaker on May 21, Hunter Biden recounted events from a decade ago, claiming that Tapper relentlessly pursued him for a sit-down interview in the final weeks of Beau Biden’s life. Beau, a former Delaware attorney general and Iraq War veteran, died on May 30, 2015, at the age of 46 after a battle with brain cancer.
Hunter claimed the persistent outreach from Tapper in May 2015 felt invasive and deeply inappropriate. According to his account, he intentionally ignored repeated calls from the CNN host. Eventually, a call came in from a blocked number, which Hunter answered, only to hear Tapper's voice requesting an interview once again.
Hunter said his response was furious and immediate, telling Tapper to “go f**k” himself during the call. “It would be impossible to forget or misremember something that upsetting and out of line,” Hunter added, referring to the alleged moment, which he described as one of the worst periods in his life.
In the same interview, Hunter blamed Tapper for showing an “astonishing lack of decency” at a time when the Biden family was enveloped in grief and preparing to say goodbye to Beau, who passed away later that month at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The feud did not fade with time, according to Hunter. He described a tense follow-up confrontation that occurred more than two years later at a Super Bowl party in Minneapolis in 2018. According to multiple witnesses and Hunter, the displeasure he felt over the incident boiled over into a confrontation at that event.
Hunter reportedly placed his arm around Tapper and issued what one witness heard as a threat. “I would have knocked [him] out” had there not been so many people around, Hunter allegedly said, suggesting the intensity of his emotions still lingered years after the initial encounter.
Tapper later acknowledged the 2018 Super Bowl interaction but claimed it stemmed from a separate issue. He said Hunter grew upset over what he perceived as Tapper’s reporting on his personal life, specifically his drug use and divorce proceedings—a subject Tapper firmly denies covering.
In a public statement, Tapper refuted Hunter’s claims about the 2015 phone calls, calling them “a patently false lie.” He emphasized that he had never pursued such a request at that time and dismissed the notion as implausible, especially given the dire state of Beau Biden’s health.
Tapper’s spokesperson echoed those sentiments and described the idea that Tapper would act in such a callous manner as defying common sense. “The idea that Jake could do something so heartless... completely defies logic,” the spokesperson said in the response.
The spokesperson also pointed to Tapper’s history of interviews with President Joe Biden, referencing a 2020 interview in which Tapper pressed the then-presidential candidate on the need for transparency about his health status—suggesting Tapper has a professional track record of asking difficult but responsible questions.
Fueling the ongoing disagreement is Tapper’s recent promotional campaign for his new book, Original Sin, which includes unapologetic criticism of Hunter Biden. The book explores Hunter’s influence within the Biden family and his alleged impact on the presidency.
During media appearances promoting the book, Tapper described Hunter as someone comparable to a “chief of staff” in the Biden family’s internal affairs. He went on to label him as “unethical,” “sleazy,” and someone who makes “horrible decisions.”
Tapper also referenced Hunter’s controversial relationship after Beau’s death, where Hunter became involved with his late brother's widow. According to Tapper, not only did the relationship cross emotional boundaries, but he also alleged that Hunter introduced the woman to crack cocaine during that time.
Despite their fraught history, Tapper claims he hardly knows Hunter, stating in an interview that he’s met the president’s son only “once or twice.” Hunter’s personal accusations contrast with that statement and underscore the rift between them.
Hunter, on the other hand, was adamant in his assertions during the Breaker interview. “It happened. I was furious,” he said, referencing the purported calls from Tapper during Beau’s final days. He insists that the memory is fixed in his mind because of the emotional turbulence of the time.
These latest developments emerge as political and media figures brace for a contentious election season, with renewed scrutiny of Hunter Biden’s past and his role in the broader Biden family narrative.
Denzel Washington's appearance at the Cannes Film Festival took an unexpected turn when a red carpet moment escalated into a heated exchange with a photographer during the premiere of his latest film.
According to the US Sun, the 70-year-old actor engaged in a tense standoff after being touched by a photographer, leading to repeated warnings, physical rebuke, and his absence from a scheduled press event the next day.
The incident unfolded Monday evening as Washington walked the red carpet for the premiere of Highest 2 Lowest, a modern retelling of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller High and Low. The film, directed by an unlisted collaborator, was added to the festival schedule following confirmation of the actor’s attendance.
According to visual analysis and eyewitnesses, Washington was first agitated when a photographer reached out and tapped his arm. The Oscar-winning actor swiftly turned and warned, “Stop it!”
Lip-reader Jeremy Freeman later confirmed to media outlet MailOnline that the physical contact was the catalyst for the encounter. The photographer reportedly laughed, then attempted to touch Washington’s arm again—prompting a sharp reaction.
The actor pushed the man’s hand away and voiced his frustration more clearly: “Stop it, stop it!” He then exited the scene, walking away from the photographer and continuing down the red carpet.
Freeman’s lip-reading provided further context to the exchange. According to him, Washington warned the photographer with: “Hey, one - more time, stop. Let me tell you - stop, stop - never put your hands on me again.”
The photographer, in response, appeared unfazed and said phrases such as “Not allowed” and “Yes, yes, yes,” before asking, “Can I take a picture?”
Washington responded with increasing emphasis, repeating “Stop, stop it, stop it. I mean it. Stop, stop it,” before leaving the photographer behind and continuing his entrance into the venue.
The aftermath of the confrontation was evident the following day when Washington did not appear at a scheduled news conference for the film. The move was seen as an indication that the night’s events had made a deeper impact.
Director Spike Lee alluded to Washington’s absence during the press panel, stating, “The last time I was in this room, I had to apologise for a f**k up, but I won't be apologising today for a f**k up.”
Although Lee did not directly mention the photographer dispute, his comment appeared to acknowledge the tension surrounding the incident without expanding further.
Despite the disruption, the festival honored Washington with an honorary Palme d’Or during the same premiere night. Longtime collaborator Spike Lee presented the award and warmly referred to Washington as “my brother.”
Washington appeared genuinely surprised and deeply moved by the award, exclaiming, “A total surprise for me!”
The tribute was met with applause by the audience and served as a moment of calm following the earlier confrontation.
This was not the first occasion in which Washington found himself in a public exchange over personal boundaries. In October 2024, he confronted autograph seekers outside an event in New York, telling one, “I said I’ll see you when I get out - which part of that don’t y’all understand?”
During that event, he emphasized the importance of respect in fan interactions. “I heard you. You talk about showing love… respecting me,” he told another person.
When a fan replied, “We already do,” Washington responded, “It’s about showing love… or not, or not! We can do it another way… or not, we can do it both ways!”
Washington’s involvement partly drew interest to The Highest 2 Lowest. Festival organizers added the film to the Cannes program after they secured his participation, as it was not initially listed.
A24 plans to release the film theatrically in the United States on August 22, and Apple TV+ will begin streaming it on September 5.
The film reimagines Kurosawa’s 1963 classic, bringing themes of justice and social inequality into a modern setting, making it one of the most anticipated premieres of the festival.
In an unexpected twist fit for the wrestling ring, Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer is making a bold bid to acquire the struggling Hooters franchise.
According to the US Sun, the all-cash offer comes as Hooters faces financial distress, recent closures, and a road to modernization with the help of a new operational partner.
Real American Beer, a beverage brand associated with wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, has formally proposed an all-cash acquisition of the Hooters intellectual property. The move is part of an ambitious plan to reinvigorate the iconic but ailing restaurant brand known for its wings and sports bar atmosphere.
The offer follows a period of turmoil for Hooters, which has been teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. In recent months, multiple restaurant closures have taken place across a wide range of U.S. states, including Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Virginia.
To address its financial troubles and reboot its public image, Hooters recently partnered with The Buyer Group, a public relations firm. The new arrangement allows the PR firm to take over certain locations and help transition Hooters into a more focused, franchise-driven company model.
The acquisition plan by Real American Beer marks an unusual expansion for the brand, which has already seen notable growth. The company recently became the official beer sponsor of World Wrestling Entertainment and has secured retail distribution in Walmart stores across eight states.
Should Real American Beer finalize the acquisition, its intentions go beyond operating restaurants. The plan includes extending the Hooters brand into new consumer product categories, immersive experiences, digital entertainment, and gaming formats.
Hooters' brand image has come under increasing criticism in recent years, with many industry observers calling it out of step with modern dining trends. In response, the company has made efforts to pivot to a more “family-friendly” model to better fit with contemporary customer expectations.
Sal Melilli, CEO of Hooters of America, stated that the brand is not disappearing and that current efforts are part of a broader drive to ensure long-term stability. He emphasized that the announcement marks a pivotal moment in solidifying the company’s financial footing.
In his words, “Our renowned Hooters restaurants are here to stay,” Melilli said. “Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to reinforce Hooters’ financial foundation and continue delivering the guest-obsessed hospitality experience and delicious food our customers and communities have come to expect.”
Additionally, Melilli voiced gratitude to the chain’s loyal customer base, business allies, and employees, signaling that the company’s trajectory would remain focused on growth and strong operational values. He also noted the brand has deep consumer value and sees major untapped opportunities going forward.
The partnership with The Buyer Group is also reshaping how Hooters operates internally. Neil Kiefer of Hooters Inc., speaking on behalf of the firm, outlined a plan to adopt a streamlined, franchise-only model to simplify internal structures and promote sustainable growth.
Furthermore, Kiefer explained that The Buyer Group has over three decades of operational experience with the Hooters ecosystem. According to him, this legacy equips them to meet and potentially exceed guest expectations during this period of transition.
Looking ahead, Kiefer emphasized the company’s long-term vision: “As we look toward the future, we are committed to restoring the Hooters brand to its roots,” he said. “The foundation we’ve laid ensures the continued success of our brand—one that is driven by a relentless focus on delivering an exceptional experience on every visit.”
As a prospective owner, Real American Beer is poised to reimagine what the Hooters brand could be. Its multi-faceted plan aims to blend traditional dining with digital innovation and brand extensions, potentially reshaping customer perception and relevance.
In particular, such an approach could give Hooters a new lease on life in an era where restaurant brands must increasingly compete through experience, e-commerce presence, and diversified product offerings to stay competitive.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Real American Beer and the next steps to see whether this deal will close, and if it does, whether the transformed Hooters can regain its place in American dining culture with a fresh face and Hogan-sized ambitions.
Flames reduced Louisiana’s largest antebellum mansion to ashes last week, igniting renewed discussions about how the South remembers its past.
Nottoway Plantation, a 166-year-old landmark near White Castle, Louisiana, was destroyed by fire on May 16, 2025, in what officials believe may have been a catastrophic electrical failure, the New York Post reported.
The fire erupted shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday at the mansion, located about 30 minutes south of Baton Rouge. Witnesses say the blaze began after a tour took place earlier that day. The flames caused total destruction, but no one reported any injuries, according to officials.
Ten fire departments from the surrounding area responded to the emergency, but the flames quickly consumed the vast 53,000-square-foot structure. Investigators suspect the blaze started in a side bedroom, though authorities are still reviewing the official cause.
Fire officials emphasized that no one appears to have set the fire intentionally. One state fire marshal, speaking to ABC, described the incident as “the biggest fire” they had encountered in their career.
Attorney and preservationist William Daniel Dyess, the mansion’s current owner, recently purchased Nottoway. He acquired the property after the prior owner died unexpectedly in a car crash. Dyess expressed his determination to restore what the estate had lost.
“We are trying to make this a better place,” Dyess said in a public statement. “We don’t have any interest in left-wing radical stuff. We need to move forward on a positive note here, and we are not going to dwell on past racial injustice.”
Sugar planter John Hampden Randolph originally built the house in 1859. He used enslaved people to construct the massive estate, which contained 165 rooms and symbolized both wealth and entrenched inequality in the antebellum South. He spent approximately \$80,000 on the project—roughly \$3 million in today’s terms.
Since the 1980s, Nottoway operated as a public museum and event venue. Over the years, it drew both admiration for its grandeur and criticism for its association with slavery.
In response to the fire, a range of reactions have emerged across social media and public forums. While many lamented the loss of a historic structure, others expressed a sense of relief or even satisfaction at its destruction.
Neo, a commentator from The Black Wall Street Times, posted on X, “Some call it a tragedy, but for many Black folks, it feels like a small act of justice. That house was built by enslaved hands and later turned into a wedding venue that profited off our pain.”
They added, “Maybe now, our ancestors can rest a little easier. Sometimes, ashes feel like freedom.”
Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle acknowledged the complexity of the mansion's history in a Facebook post. He described Nottoway as “a symbol of both the grandeur and deep complexities” of the South's past.
“While its early history is undeniably tied to a time of great injustice,” Daigle wrote, “over the last several decades it evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue.”
Dyess, who also owns the Steel Magnolia House in Natchitoches, sought to distance himself and his family from the legacy of slavery tied to the estate. “I take this position — we are non-racist people,” he said.
“I am a lawyer, and my wife is a judge. We believe in equal opportunity rights for everyone, total equality and fairness,” Dyess added. “My wife and I had nothing to do with slavery, but we recognize the wrongness of it.”
The future of the site remains unclear, though Dyess said he hopes to reconstruct the mansion. He did not offer a timeline or specific rebuilding plans, but remained publicly committed to preserving what he sees as an important part of Southern history.
While some see the potential rebuilding as a chance to recast the property's narrative, others question whether anyone can revive it without remaining tied to the injustices of its origins. For now, the historic grounds stand scorched—a physical and symbolic reminder of a complicated legacy.
Ivanka Trump surprised a Philadelphia Eagles player with a handwritten message after visiting the team’s practice facility last week.
During a tour of the Eagles complex with her son’s flag football team, Ivanka left a signed note in Eli Ricks’ locker, just weeks after the rookie defender’s viral praise of her on social media, the Daily Mail reported.
The visit took place on Friday, when Trump toured the Eagles’ training grounds along with her 9-year-old son Theodore’s youth football team. Theodore, the youngest of Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s three children, is an avid sports fan and attends games with his family. That connection led to the team’s invitation to host the young players for a behind-the-scenes look at the franchise’s operations.
While inside the locker room, Trump stopped at the assigned spot of 22-year-old cornerback Eli Ricks and left a short message of acknowledgment. The handwritten note, signed “Ivanka,” read, “Stopped by to say hi! Sorry to miss you! Go Birds!” The message also referenced the team’s slogan and expressed support for the Eagles organization.
Ivanka later shared a photo of the note on her own social media platform, showing it sitting among Ricks’ personal items. The image quickly drew attention due to the public backstory between the two.
The brief locker room message came in response to an earlier online post from Ricks. The rookie first made headlines last month during the Eagles’ visit to the White House as part of their offseason schedule. While in Washington, and after seeing the former White House adviser, Ricks posted to X, formerly Twitter, where he commented on Ivanka Trump’s appearance.
“Donald Trump daughter is beautiful damn,” Ricks wrote during the event. The statement drew widespread online reaction, generating over five million views within a month. Social media users speculated about whom he was referring to, but reports later confirmed the message was directed at Ivanka and not her younger sister, Tiffany Trump.
The post turned Ricks into a trending topic briefly, with users reacting with jokes, support, and curiosity over whether Ivanka would respond. Until Friday’s informal gesture, there had been no public outreach from her end on the matter.
The note in the locker appears to be Ivanka’s good-natured response. Though just a few lines, it was clearly addressed toward Ricks, who was not present during the team’s facility tour. The absence allowed the note to become the centerpiece of this exchange and was spotlighted in Ivanka’s online post.
Ricks, surprised and seemingly amused by the shoutout, replied within an hour of her upload. In a follow-up message shared to his social media account, he wrote, “My apologies, I owe you a glass of wine now!” and added playful emojis of a face palm and a wine glass. The message prompted additional fan engagement as the lighthearted tone continued.
Neither Trump nor Ricks has given further official statements beyond the social media comments. However, fans of both the Eagles and the Trump family have continued discussing the lighthearted exchange across various platforms over the weekend.
At 41, Ivanka Trump continues to remain active in both political and family circles. Married since 2009 to Jared Kushner, the former White House adviser and businesswoman, has stayed public in select family and ceremonial appearances. This visit to the Eagles' headquarters was one of her more casual family outings this year.
The tour was arranged primarily for 9-year-old Theodore and his fellow youth football teammates. Philadelphia’s franchise had welcomed the group to experience the NFL-level preparations and facilities, offering them an up-close look at how professional athletes operate during the offseason.
Unbeknownst to Ricks, the experience would quickly become a highlight not only for the young players but also for the rookie defender himself. His locker became a centerpiece of conversation, and social media users were quick to join the fun.
Online responses ranged from humorous to speculative, with some users joking about a potential friendship and others discussing the unique overlap between pop culture and sports. Social media platforms have played a major role in shaping the narrative of this interaction, as millions of users view, comment on, and share the posts involved.
Though only in his second NFL season, Ricks has become increasingly active online, often sharing updates about his football journey and off-field experiences. The former Alabama and LSU standout joined the Eagles as an undrafted free agent and has since made a name for himself through both play and personality.
Whether or not the exchange leads to any further interaction, the lighthearted moment has provided a fun and unexpected headline during the NFL offseason, bringing attention to both the Eagles and one of their young defenders.
Ivanka’s visit was entirely in support of her son’s activities but resulted in an internet-friendly story that tied her political past with the present-day culture of professional sports. By acknowledging Ricks' now-famous comment with a handwritten note, she managed to tip her hat to his sense of humor while keeping things lighthearted.
There has been no indication that the note represented anything more than a fun response, and the public has mostly received the moment in that spirit. The Eagles organization has also not commented publicly on the brief exchange, though the event added a layer of attention to what was originally a quiet youth tour.
As of Monday, the viral interest continued to climb, and Ricks’ social media following has seen a noticeable bump, suggesting that the combination of sports, celebrity, and lighthearted commentary remains a strong draw for fans.
With the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background, Lauren Sánchez brought together a glittering circle of celebrities in Paris for a chic bachelorette party ahead of her wedding to Jeff Bezos.
According to the US Sun, Lauren Sánchez marked her upcoming marriage to the Amazon founder with a glamorous affair in France, surrounded by friends including Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, and Kris Jenner, before their summer ceremony in Venice.
The weekend celebration took place in Paris, where Sánchez played hostess to an exclusive guest list of powerful women from entertainment, fashion, and media. The group included Kim Kardashian, who had just finished testifying related to her 2016 robbery case, and found the gathering a refreshing way to end her week. A source close to Kardashian said she felt grateful to have been part of the trial but welcomed the lighthearted break.
Other attendees included singer Katy Perry, actress Eva Longoria, and media personalities such as October Gonzalez and Charissa Thompson. Prominent entrepreneurs like Elsa Collins and Natasha Poonawalla were also on hand, underscoring the blend of celebrity and business that defines Sánchez’s circle. A black-and-white photograph shared on social media captured the women with the Eiffel Tower in the backdrop, with Sánchez seated at the center, highlighting her place as the guest of honor.
On Instagram, Sánchez expressed her appreciation for her friends, noting that they had supported her through tough times and had been instrumental in shaping her path. She captioned one picture with a message about beginning “forever,” surrounded by influential women who lifted her spirits.
Sánchez turned heads with a bright white mini dress and a plush double-breasted white coat during the night’s festivities. She was also seen in a photo clad in a cozy bathrobe, posing inside with October Gonzalez and two others, giving followers a glimpse at both sides of the celebration: high glamour and intimate relaxation.
The group gathered for dinner at the Paris location of Lafayette’s, where their meal spanned from fried chicken and Caesar salads to Norwegian smoked salmon. Entrees included mushroom rigatoni and additional chicken-centered dishes. Throughout the night, guests documented moments of laughter, shared toasts, and warm embraces, signifying a deeper layer of connection beneath the glamorous surface.
Katy Perry wore a pink silk corset dress alongside strappy white heels, while Kim Kardashian accessorized with gold jewelry and draped herself in a faux-fur shawl. In one scene, Perry handed Sánchez a vibrant bouquet of roses, symbolizing both celebration and solidarity.
Sánchez and Bezos have been together since 2019 and became engaged in May 2023 after five years of dating. The proposal reportedly took place when Bezos presented Sánchez with a 20-carat diamond ring valued at $2.5 million, which he had hidden under a pillow. The proposal set the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about weddings of the year.
The couple celebrated their engagement aboard Bezos’s mega-yacht in Positano, Italy, last August, offering a glimpse of the European flair they plan to bring to their ceremony this summer. They have confirmed the wedding for the end of June in Venice and reportedly plan to hold it at either the Aman Hotel or the Gritti Palace—two of the city's most luxurious venues. The Aman Hotel, which hosted George Clooney's symbolic wedding ceremony, offers rooms that can cost up to $32,000 per night.
As the event approaches, guests have booked out five luxury hotels in Venice, highlighting the scale and exclusivity of the celebration. Bezos plans to use his $500 million superyacht to ferry guests, and organizers have largely reserved Venice’s water taxi fleet for the occasion.
An A-list roster is expected to attend the upcoming wedding. Reports say the couple has invited Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Karlie Kloss, Orlando Bloom, and Ivanka Trump. Jared Kushner—and possibly Donald Trump—may also join the celebration, adding a political layer to the glamour-heavy guest list.
Sánchez has reportedly chosen a gown by Oscar de la Renta for her wedding look. Legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour will oversee her styling, promising an elegant, high-fashion ensemble suited to the Venetian setting. Society watchers have marked the ceremony as one of the year’s most highly anticipated events.
Beyond the spotlight, Sánchez and Bezos have spoken warmly of their relationship. In interviews, she has called Bezos the most loving person she knows and said he inspires her to be better every day. Bezos has likewise praised Sánchez for her generosity and dedication to friends and family, noting the extent of her birthday gift-giving as a small example of her big-heartedness.
The couple’s adventurous spirit and strong public partnership have been a consistent theme throughout their relationship. Just last month, Sánchez flew with Katy Perry on an all-women mission with Blue Origin, the space exploration company founded by Bezos. The trip symbolized both a personal milestone and their shared vision for pushing limits together.
Both Sánchez and Bezos were previously married. Bezos finalized his divorce from MacKenzie Scott in 2019 after 25 years of marriage; the two share four children. Sánchez ended her 13-year marriage to Hollywood executive Patrick Whitesell later that same year. She also shares her 24-year-old son Nikko with her ex-partner and former NFL player Tony Gonzalez. Despite the splits, both maintain amicable relationships with their former spouses.
With the Paris celebration behind her and preparations for Venice well underway, Sánchez appears to be embracing every step of this journey toward her next chapter. The bachelorette party not only hinted at the extravagance expected at the wedding but also highlighted the close relationships that have supported her along the way.
Justin Bieber, once one of the most lucrative names in pop music, now finds himself at the center of a financial controversy explored in a new Hulu documentary.
“TMZ Investigates: What Happened to Justin Bieber?” details how the singer’s career earnings of nearly $1 billion unraveled into financial turmoil, soured partnerships, and a troubled personal life—all contributing to a widely-reported state of near-bankruptcy, News Nation reported.
The documentary, released by TMZ and now streaming on Hulu, follows Bieber’s path from teenage sensation to global superstar, and then onto a series of personal and professional difficulties. Longtime manager Scooter Braun discovered Bieber on YouTube in the early 2000s, and Bieber quickly rose through the music ranks. However, according to TMZ executive Harvey Levin, the pop star struggled to handle the demanding adult responsibilities that came with achieving overnight fame at such a young age.
One key revelation in the film centers around Bieber’s finances. TMZ reports that Bieber made up to $1 billion over his career, but by 2022, he was allegedly without funds to the extent that he borrowed a friend’s credit card just to play a round of golf. “He was broke,” Levin said, explaining the dramatic fall from financial grace.
That same year, Bieber attempted to address his money problems by selling his music catalogue for $200 million. Braun had advised him to wait until January 2023 for the deal to fetch him better tax advantages, but Bieber proceeded with the sale in December 2022. This premature move reportedly cost him financially.
Another major financial setback came from the premature cancellation of Bieber’s “Justice World Tour.” TMZ alleges that concert promoter AEG gave Bieber a $40 million advance to secure the tour. His decision not to complete it meant he missed out on approximately $90 million in additional income.
Following the cancellation, Bieber reportedly owed AEG $24 million. TMZ states that Braun’s company, HYBE, initially paid off this debt with a repayment agreement in place. According to Levin, Bieber made only one payment before informing Braun’s team that he could not afford to continue with the repayments.
The financial tension escalated when Bieber’s business manager accused Braun of collecting nearly $26 million in commissions that were not earned. In response, Braun's team initiated an independent audit, which determined Bieber owed him $8 million. Disputes over these findings reportedly further strained their longstanding professional relationship.
Beyond money woes, the documentary also explores personal challenges, including Bieber’s troubling health issues. After the tour’s end, Bieber was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition that paralyzed part of his face and compelled him to focus on recovery.
Adding another layer of complexity, Justin and his wife, Hailey Bieber, reportedly experienced a rocky period in their marriage during this time. Levin revealed that Hailey became so overwhelmed that she confided in her mother, saying she couldn't continue. Despite this, the documentary suggests the couple has since rebuilt their relationship and are now doing significantly better.
Don Nash, another TMZ executive producer, said there were multiple factors behind Bieber’s choice to cancel the tour, not all of them financial or health-related. According to Nash, Bieber simply "wanted to go home" and spend more time with his wife, enjoy vacations, and live outside the pressures of touring life.
Bieber’s early start in the music industry plays a prominent role in the Hulu program. At just 13 years old, he entered a high-pressure environment filled with adult expectations, a dynamic that TMZ argues took a toll on his mental well-being. “He was robbed of a typical developmental path,” Levin said, emphasizing how fame disrupted the singer’s ability to mature in the usual way.
Encounters with aggressive paparazzi and constant scrutiny also weighed heavily on him, according to the documentary. Levin described situations where photographers even pursued Bieber on highways, amplifying the pop star’s desire for privacy and rest from public life.
Despite these challenges, TMZ maintains that assertions about Bieber’s finances and character are under dispute. In a statement released by his team, they slammed the financial scandal reports as “clickbait stupidity” from sources no longer associated with the artist.
The statement from Bieber’s representatives sought to undermine the credibility of the allegations, asserting that the sources lacked accurate knowledge of the music business. They also defended Bieber’s choices, stating he remains committed to navigating his path forward independently and with clarity.
“As Justin forges his way forward, these unnecessary stories and inaccurate assumptions will continue,” the statement read. The team emphasized that the pop star's journey is his own and that critics should not presume to know his current situation or character.
Ultimately, “TMZ Investigates: What Happened to Justin Bieber?” paints a complex picture of a once-unstoppable celebrity managing the burdens of extraordinary success. Through interviews and documents, it attempts to explain how fame, money, health, and personal relationships collided at a vulnerable moment in Bieber’s life. The story is far from over, but the documentary offers an introspective glance into one of pop culture’s most dramatic turnarounds.
In California, a notable meeting united Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz, as the royal couple extended their support over shared experiences of family disputes.
The Sussexes provided both counsel and hospitality to Beckham and Peltz amidst ongoing family tensions, Daily Mail reported.
Prince Harry, aged 40, and his wife, Meghan, 43, who have faced their array of public and private challenges, recently hosted a dinner for the younger duo at their Montecito estate. This gathering was underscored by mutual understandings of family complexities.
Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola have been navigating their own family rifts, notably missing from David Beckham's 50th birthday celebrations. This gap appears to remain a sore point in the Beckham family narrative.
The dinner raised eyebrows considering the past frosty exchanges between the Sussexes and the Beckhams. It also highlights how personal relationships evolve amidst the glare of media scrutiny.
Shared experiences over the dinner table allowed for personal connections, with conversations addressing the struggles both couples have faced in the public eye. "Brooklyn and Nicola found Harry and Meghan to be kind and generous," reported a source close to both families.
Furthermore, the support provided by Harry and Meghan was not just emotional. Discussions also encompassed navigating familial estrangement under public observation, an ordeal both couples are intimately familiar with.
The term "homewrecker" has been controversially applied to both Meghan and Nicola by detractors, imputing them a role in their husbands' alleged familial tensions. A source shared, "Nicola and Meghan had a deep and meaningful conversation, recognizing the shared pain caused by their portrayal in the media."
An insider also highlighted that despite recent headlines suggesting their meeting was opportune, the timing of their gathering was purely coincidental and was arranged before other family events became public knowledge.
Harry's empathy was particularly noted: "Offering unwavering support, Harry understands Brooklyn's situation firsthand," an insider noted. This moral and emotional backing was also emphasized as something that Harry could uniquely offer, given his personal experiences.
David Beckham has been open about his past familial rifts, having experienced periods of disconnection with his father. This historical context gives him a poignant insight into his current situation with Brooklyn.
A friend of David reported, "The Beckham family fears losing Brooklyn forever," emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Similarly, David's reconciliation with his father after many years is a hopeful precedent for resolving the current family discord.
The heartache extends to Victoria Beckham as well, who has expressed feelings of betrayal and disappointment regarding the unfolding family dynamics. Despite these feelings, a family friend conveyed a message of hope, stating, "All David and Victoria want is their son back – they are ready to welcome him any time."
Apart from their private life and counsel to the Beckhams, Harry and Meghan have been active in the public sphere. They recently attended a concert by James Taylor and were spotted at Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour, engaging with cultural events while managing their commitments.
These outings highlight the couple's attempts to balance their public engagements with their personal lives, paralleling their private support meetings with younger couples facing similar pressures.
In summary, the gathering between these two power couples underscores a unique intersection of celebrity, personal struggle, and potential reconciliation that captures the ongoing human drama at the intersection of public life and private responsibilities.
The United Nations has officially determined that Russia is accountable for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which resulted in the tragic loss of 298 lives.
According to the US Sun, this long-awaited confirmation pinpoints responsibility for a breach of international law, spotlighting Russia's direct involvement.
In July 2014, a Boeing 777-200ER operated by Malaysia Airlines departed from Amsterdam, destined for Kuala Lumpur. Tragically, the flight was shot down over eastern Ukraine, a region then engulfed by conflict. The aircraft was hit by a Russian-made Buk missile system, tragically ending the lives of all onboard, including 283 passengers and 15 crew members.
The catastrophic event provoked global outrage as it claimed lives from around the world; notably, 196 Dutch citizens and 38 Australians were among the victims. The emotional and diplomatic ramifications have been profound, stretching across nations and leading to years of investigations and legal proceedings.
The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) played a pivotal role in uncovering the truth behind the incident. After a thorough investigation and analysis, the ICAO adjudged Russia's responsibility, aligning with the accusatory stands held by Australia and the Netherlands. This ruling is a significant stride towards tying up the loose ends of international justice regarding the incident.
Before this, a Dutch court in 2022 had already made significant headway by convicting Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy, both Russians, and a Ukrainian, Leonid Kharchenko, of murder. Their involvement in the downing led to sentences of life imprisonment and a combined compensatory demand exceeding €16 million, marking a critical step toward accountability.
Nevertheless, despite these judicial achievements, the geopolitical and legal complexities may impede the execution of these verdicts, underlining the difficulties inherent in international law enforcement, especially involving state actors.
On the day of the tragedy, July 17, 2014, air traffic control lost connection with MH17 nearly three hours post-departure from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The aftermath was disturbing; the wreckage was strewn across a battle-scarred zone controlled by pro-Russian rebels, with personal belongings and human remains tragically scattered across a vast area.
"The crash site was huge," recounted Brian McDonald, an AFP Commander who was part of the early response team. "We knew we were going to have very limited time on the crash site... I saw belongings and human remains scattered across the scene, a grim testament to the last moments of those onboard," he added.
This elaborate scene depicted the grim reality of the incident, driving international efforts to secure the site and proceed with the sensitive task of recovering remains and piecing together the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
In response to the ICAO's ruling, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp emphasized the significance of the decision, stating, "This decision is an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their loved ones." He highlighted the broader implications, adding that it sent a "clear message to the international community: states cannot violate international law with impunity."
Meanwhile, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong called on Russia to acknowledge its role and make reparations, demonstrating the international demand for Russia to accept responsibility for the incident.
The aftermath of the MH17 tragedy has seen the Dutch government spend over £158 million on forensic investigations, victim repatriation, and prosecution costs. This demonstrates the extensive logistical and financial burdens that countries often bear in the wake of such international tragedies, striving towards justice amidst geopolitical challenges.
Despite the clear identifications and rulings around the MH17 incident, the complete adherence to and execution of international law remains challenging. Furthermore, the relocation of the missile system back to Russia after the attack accentuates the continuing impunity and complexities involved in such cases involving state actors.
Nevertheless, the prospect of the responsible parties facing full accountability remains uncertain. In fact, the detailed investigations have tied the decision to ground the flight directly to Russian leadership, thereby compounding the geopolitical delicacy of the situation.
Over time, the MH17 story continues to symbolize the daunting quest for justice in an era of complex international relationships and legal frameworks. Moreover, the continuation of diplomatic and legal efforts reflects the enduring impact of the tragedy on international aviation safety and law.