Kate Middleton ‘bullied’ into giving out more details about her health issues, royal expert says

By
Monica Pop
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Following her two-week hospital stay, the Palace announced that the Princess of Wales would return to Windsor where she would continue her recovery.

According to the palace, the abdominal surgery Kate Middleton had undergone at the private London clinic was a planned one. However, they hadn’t provided any further details, which intrigued the public’s curiosity.

Sadly, they, along with the media, put pressure on the Palace into revealing more information regarding Kate’s surgery, which some experts dub a form of bullying, something Kate experienced before in her life.

What rose suspicion was the fact that Kate decided not to share the news of her surgery with no one except her family members. According to People Magazine, Kate Middleton’s hospitalization was a complete surprise for those working closely with the royals, relatives, and friends within William and Kate’s broader circle. The Princess of Wales hid that something was up.

On Kate’s birthday, which she celebrated with only her closest family and friends at Anmer Hall on January 9, there was no indication that anything is wrong with her.

“The carefully guarded news about Kate’s situation came as a surprise even to those who work closely with the royal family,” People reported.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

The London Clinic, where Kate had her surgery, is in many ways related to the royals. During the years, several members of the Firm were involved in opening certain facilities of the hospital. Then-Prince Charles opened its physiotherapy department in 1989, and just two years later, Princess Margret opened the MRI unit. The hospital’s new cancer unit was opened by late Queen Elizabeth II in 2010.

The facility has a leading cancer center which provides radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

In the past, Princess Margaret was treated there when she had a benign skin lesion removed, and Prince Philip was admitted there for what was described as an “abdominal investigation.”

Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images

When it comes to Kate, she needs to take some time off from her public duties. As per the Palace, she would only be able to return to her duties around Easter.

Dr Max Pemberton, a full-time psychiatrist with the NHS explains that the Princess of Wales should take her time until she recovers completely.

“The Palace has said she’ll be taking time off official duties until Easter and on this, I think she’s incredibly sensible. We don’t know what’s wrong or why she needed the operation, but Kate has always struck me as quite down-to-earth, level-headed and stoical, so I’m sure she wouldn’t have heeded medical advice and taken that much time off unless really necessary,” he said, as per the Daily Mail.

“Abdominal surgery is serious. Of course, there’s always someone who will tell you how they had a hysterectomy in their lunch break, or their appendix removed while on the school run. But in reality we should all be taking a leaf out of Kate’s book and convalescing properly.”

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Further, he advises the readers that before getting back to work following a surgical procedure, they should fully recover, both mentally and physically.

The doctor shared his personal experience with an abdominal surgery and said he wished he appreciated how major his own operation was before he returned to work.

“I hope Kate makes a speedy recovery, but also hope she doesn’t return to duties until she’s good and ready,” the doctor concluded.

As much as Kate wants to keep the details of her surgery private, the public puts pressure on her and the Palace to reveal further details.

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Royal expert Richard Eden appeared on the show Palace Confidential and revealed that readers constantly send letters to The Times, asking questions regarding Kate’s procedure.

He dubbed this efforts by the public “bullying.”

“I think that there’s no reason why she should feel bullied into giving more details,” Eden said, per Express. “If she wants to, at a later point, fine, that’s up to her. But, she shouldn’t feel that she has to.

“It’s been ‘She should give more details,’ and ‘Why doesn’t she?’

“And there’s been more pressure, there’s even been letters written to The Times newspaper, saying it would be a great example to other women if she was to be more open about her medical problems and this sort of thing.”

RICHMOND, UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 17: Kate Middleton watches Prince William compete in the Chakravarty Cup charity polo match at Ham Polo Club on June 17, 2006 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Indigo/Getty Images)

In the past, Kate experienced bullying, especially when she attended the all-girls boarding school Downe House.

Despite her parents paying around £28,000 pounds in tuition, attending Downe House didn’t turn out to be the best decision as Kate experienced a very hard time there. According to her former classmates, she was often teased and bullied and she felt like she didn’t fit there.

We wish Kate Middleton a speedy recovery.

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Barron Trump’s ‘unusual’ gesture to his father – body language expert reveals hidden meaning

By
Monica Pop
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The Trump family have a lot on their plate. Donald Trump has won both the Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire Republican primary, and most points toward him becoming the Republican candidate for the 2024 Presidential election, but at the same time, he’s splitting his time between the campaign trail and the courtroom. On Thursday, Trump testified in the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial, in which the former advice columnist and freelance writer is accusing Trump of sexually assaulting her in the 1990s.

On January 10, the family received yet another blow when Melania’s mother, Amalija Knavs, died at 78.

Melania announced the news with sadness.

“Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity,” the former First Lady said.

In the statement she released, Melania further wrote about her late mother that “[Amalija] was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law.

“We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy.”

The news of Amalija’s ill state came to light when Melania was missing from the Christmas family photo. Back then, Donald Trump explained that his wife was absent because she was caring for her mother whose health deteriorated.

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 27: Amalija Knavs and Viktor Knavs, parents of the first lady Melania Trump, arrive to listen to President Donald Trump’s acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House August 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump gave the speech in front of 1500 invited guests. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Amalija Knavs and her husband, Viktor, became US citizens in 2018 after living in the US on green cards sponsored by their daughter. 

Melania’s parents have always been by her and her sister’s side. They have been very supportive and did all in their power to provide a good life for their daughters. Even when they were very young, Amalija and Viktor took Melania and her sister Ines to trips around Europe, including France, Germany, and Italy.

When Trump became the President, Melania gave speech in the White House Rose Garden in which she thanked her parents.

“My parents worked very hard to ensure our family could not only live and prosper in America but also contribute to a nation that allows for people to arrive with a dream and make it a reality,” she said. “I want to take the moment to thank my mother and father for all that they have done for our family. It is because of you that I am standing here today.”

Melania’s parents also played an important role in the life and upbringing of Barron Trump.

“Barron almost certainly speaks Slovenian with… Ines, his aunt, who also lives in New York.” author Bojan Pozar wrote in his book Melania Trump – The Inside Story: The Potential First Lady, released in 2016. “[Melania’s sister] Ines Knavs was the one who took care of all the paperwork at the Slovenia consulate in New York so that Barron could formally acquire Slovenian citizenship.” The same was true for Amalija and Viktor.

The New York Times reported that Melania’s parents “split their time among an apartment in Trump Tower, Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and the suite in the White House once used by Mrs. Obama’s mother.”

During the private funeral of Amalija, Melania Trump delivered an emotional eulogy, paying tribute to her mother’s “unparalleled affection.” She remembered her mother as “a ray of light in the darkest of days.”

“She embodied the best mother, wife, grandmother, mother-in-law – a true beacon of love and luxury in our lives,” Melania Trump said, adding that her mother’s “beauty and impeccable sense of style turned the heads of many.”

“She’s a true inspiration, a role model to me, and to so many,” the former FLOTUS said, concluding her seven-minute eulogy with, “Rest in peace, my beloved mummy.”

NEW YORK, NY – JULY 20: Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Barron Trump are seen at the funeral of Ivana Trump on July 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by JNI/Star Max/GC Images)

At his campaign rally, Trump also took the time to mention his late mother-in-law and thank her for everything she had done for his son and his family.

“I want to thank her incredible, beautiful mother who passed away a few days ago,” he said. “And she’s up there, way up there. She’s looking down and she’s so proud of us,” he told the crowd.

“And I just want to say to Amalija, you are special, one of the most special people I’ve ever known,” he added.

Trump further added, “Great people, great parents to all of us, really. Great parents, but also to Barron. Boy, did she take care of Barron. That’s how he got so tall, he only ate her food.”

PALM BEACH, FL – JANUARY 18: Viktor Knavs, Melania Trump, Barron Trump and Donald Trump are seen at the funeral of Melania’s mother Amalija Knavs on January 18, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)

Trump then joked about his son’s height, saying it is pity he isn’t interested in basketball, but in soccer.

“I said you’re gonna be a basketball player. He said, ‘Well, I like soccer, Dad, actually.’ I thought… at your height, I like basketball better, but you can’t talk them into everything,” Trump added, saying that Barron was a “special boy.”

On the day of Amelija’s funeral, the family showed how united and how close they are.

At one moment, Barron was spotted extending his arm towards his visibly emotional father in an attempt to comfort him.

Body language expert Judy James said this act by Barron shows that he’s growing older and with that, he’s taking more responsibility.

“It elicits an unusual response from their son Barron, too. Clearly tuned into his father’s mood, he extends a hand in what looks like a mimed or truncated embrace that could suggest a desire to show comfort and/or support,” Judi James explained.

“This is an unusual display of emotion from Trump, who appears to be mourning Melania’s mother as a personal loss,” she added.

PALM BEACH, FL – JANUARY 18: Viktor Knavs, Melania Trump, Barron Trump and Donald Trump are seen at the funeral of Melania’s mother Amalija Knavs on January 18, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)

Further, James discussed how Donald Trump “seems to have adopted a pose similar to his wife Melania” and “here “looking much more vulnerable than usual, with his arms falling to the front of his torso and a reflective-looking frown on his face.”

In another interview, Judy told The Mirror, “Donald and Melania have positioned their son between them rather than standing together here, and Trump himself is standing rigidly to attention with his chin raised as though wanting to perform a mark of formal respect for his mother-in-law.

“The lack of touch here could be deliberate. When someone has to mourn in public, it is common to worry that acts of comfort, support, and affection can make them lose their composure completely, and that might be Melania’s concern that she needs to stay in control of her emotions at this very public moment for the ex-FLOTUS.”

We are so very sorry for Melania Trump’s loss.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Trumps during their time of grief.

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3-month-old baby’s belly grows bigger and bigger, doctor takes 1 look and realizes awful truth

By
Monica Pop
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Welcoming a baby in their lives is what most couples dream of, and Sarah and Chris St. James weren’t any different.

The moment they learned they were expecting their second baby, they were overjoyed. When baby Sloan was born, she looked like the most perfect little girl they have ever seen.

However, as days gone by, the parents noticed that Sloan’s belly started growing more and more. At first, they believed she was just a bit chubby, but they eventually decided to visit a doctor and be at ease.

Facebook/Sarah St James

Unfortunately, after running tests and check-ups, doctors determined Sloan was suffering from a serious disease known as biliary atresia that affects the liver. In this case, the bile ducts get blocked and damaged. The bile builds up in the liver, which eventually breaks under the pressure if the disease is left untreated.

Speaking to Sentinel Source, Sarah said, “Here we are thinking we’re bringing her in for peace of mind, and instead it was devastating. Everything we dreaded came true.”

A week after the initial hospital visit, Sloan was forced to return and be admitted at the intensive care unit.

Facebook/Sarah St James

The devastated parents were told that the thing that could help save Sloan’s life was a transplant. Sadly, no member of the family was a match.

The hospital did their best to find a donor, but the success of finding a match outside the family is rare.

Even if someone is a match, they must willingly accept to be donors, they need to go through a psychiatric evaluation, and of course they need to be physically healthy.

One of the family’s close friends, Jake Tenney, re-shared Sarah and Chris’ plea on Facebook, and it caught the attention of one person who showed he was a hero many times in his life, but would he become a hero in Sloan’s story too?

Facebook/Sarah St James

The person was Jake’s brother, Steve Tenney, an American Army veteran who has also worked as a police officer in New Hampshire for 18 years.

Steve, 40, was in a great shape and hasn’t visited a doctor for over 10 years. He was willing to undergo tests in order to learn if he was a match, and to the surprise of many, he was.

This man didn’t hesitate even a bit when he made the decision to give part of his liver to baby Sloan.

Shortly after all the tests, he had undergone the surgery that saved a precious life.

“Fortunately, here, I was in a good position. My wife and I talked and it was really a no-brainer — if you can help a 4-month-old and potentially save her life, it’s something you’re going to do,” Steve said.

The liver is the only organ that can heal itself, so Steve would be fine after taking some time to fully recover.

As of Sloan, her liver would grow stronger over time.

Facebook/LynnTenney

Hearing of stories where complete strangers step in for those in need restores our faith in humanity. People like Steve are making this world a much better place.

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This single guy raised 30 children and adopted five more; here’s how they all live now

By
Monica Pop
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Being a foster parent means making a change in a child’s life. These people are compassionate and caring and always ready to open their hearts and homes to minors in need of love and kindness. 

Lamont Thomas from Buffalo, New York, has devoted the last 20 years of his life fostering children. Speaking to Good Morning America of the time he welcomed the first child, this amazing man says, “In the beginning, I was helping out some friends. They had lost their child to the system. I went on and got certified and became a foster parent. I haven’t stopped since.”

Believe it or not, Lamont has fostered more than 30 kids, five of which he officially adopted. So with his two biological children, Anthony and LaMonica, he became a father of seven. 

The first kid Lamont adopted is Michael Thomas. He’s now 27 and recalls the time he became part of the family. 

“He was my third foster home and it ended up being my forever home,” Michael said. “He [knew] my biological parents.”

“Lamont never turned [a child] away,” Michael added. “They either aged out or went back home to their own families.”

With seven kids to take care of on his own, Lamont knew he was done adopting, but then he came across a very special case that made him change his mind. 

Five siblings aged 5,4,3,2 and 1, who were children of one of Lamont’s foster kids were placed in foster homes themselves. Lamont was sad the kids got to experience their parent’s fate, and his heart tore apart when he learned Zendaya, Jamel, Nakia, Major, and Michaela were separated. Not only they were taken in by four different families, but they were also in four different cities. 

Sadly, that meant one thing, that they wouldn’t be raised together. 

That’s when Lamont stepped in. He just couldn’t let the siblings spend their childhood without being by each other’s side so he re-certified as a foster parent and adopted all of them. 

Some of his older kids had moved from the house already and had families on their own, so Lamont knew he was making the right decision as he could devote all his time to the new addition to the family. 

“I was fighting to keep back the tears,” he said of his adoption day with Judge Lisa Rodwin. “Every day I think about it, my eyes swell up. All that we endured to make this happen, it was something.”

This incredible single dad was now a father of 12 children. He knew things wouldn’t be easy, but he was willing to give it a go. 

“They bring new energy to me,” Lamont shared. “They’re lovable kids, very affectionate. They deserve to be raised as siblings, and that was my fight.”

Everyone who knows Lamont says he’s the most special person they’ve ever met. He made huge impact in the life of every kid that has ever been part of his family, and now he’s doing the same thing for their kids as well. 

“It’s amazing he’s taking on all of them,” LaMonica told the morning show. “He does anything for everybody. He’s a really a great man.”

Michael added that Lamont somehow felt fostering was his call, and he can never reject someone in need of parental love. 

“We’re all grown now. I can’t believe he’s started all over again,” Michael shared. “Lamont has been a life-saver to me. I wouldn’t be the person that I am today, had Lamont not ventured in my life.”

Lamont never expected anything in return, he only hopes that his story will inspire other people to be part of the fostering system as the need for foster families increases every single day.  

“I wanted to make a difference by being a difference,” he shared. “And I love what I do.”

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Angelina Jolie’s leaked email to Brad Pitt’s shows the reality of their marriage and divorce

By
Monica Pop
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Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt at THE TOURIST Premiere, The Ziegfeld Theatre, New York, NY December 6, 2010

When Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston split, the world went silent. But as much as fans were devastated over the failed romance, they were as eager and as excited to see how the on-screen relationship between the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star and actress Angelina Jolie will proceed in real life.

Eventually, Brad and Angelina became a thing.

Sadly, the couple called it quits years later, when Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, shortly after the news of an alleged incident involving Pitt and the couple’s oldest son Maddox on the family’s private plane emerged.

Although no one knows what really happened, the alleged child abuse was investigated by the FBI and the Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services, and Pitt was cleared of any child abuse allegations almost immediately, as per US Weekly.

The divorce and the lengthy custody battle between Pitt and Jolie is remembered as one of the nastiest ones in recent times when it comes to celebrity couples.

Shutterstock

On January 21, 2021, Jolie emailed her ex-husband, and that email became public. In it, she states that she writes “with a heavy heart,” informing Pitt of her decision to sell Miraval, “a business that is centered around alcohol.” Many believe this is a reference to the above mentioned plane incident during which Pitt allegedly chocked Maddox and then poured alcohol on her and the children.

The Maleficent star further wrote, “Even now impossible to write this without crying.

“Above all, it is the place we brought the twins home to, and where we were married over a plaque in my mother’s memory. A place…where I thought I would grow old…. But it is also the place that marks the beginning of the end of our family.

“Miraval for me died September 2016,” she continued, “and everything I have seen in the years since has sadly confirmed that.”

In February 2021, Pitt agreed to pay Jolie $54.5 million to buy her stake in Miraval. However, the business deal was affected by their ongoing divorce proceedings.

She submitted sealed documents which involved information regarding the plane incident, after which Pitt asked Jolie to sign an NDA which prohibited her from “discussing outside of court any of Pitt’s personal conduct toward her or the family” for the sale of the property.

Jolie dubbed the request an “unconscionable gag order.”

Shutterstock

But Pitt framed his request as vital toward the sale as he wanted to “ensure the seller doesn’t damage the value of the asset after being paid for it.”

On October 5, 2021, Jolie Nouvel, the holding company which controlled her portion of shares for Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, the wine division of the Stoli group controlled by Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler, for $67 million.

“It is not a coincidence that she sold her interest in Miraval to an adversarial party, and part of the family home to a stranger, right after a judge granted Brad a huge win: 50-50 custody,” a source close to Pitt shared with ET Online. John Ouderkirk, the judge who had awarded Pitt joint custody was later removed from the case by a panel of three judges, and his ruling was vacated.

In February 2022, Pitt filed a lawsuit against his ex, her holding company, and the new owners of Miraval claiming that Jolie had “contributed nothing to Miraval’s success.” Stoli filed a cross-complaint “for the illegal and malicious actions of Pitt and his allies to injure Nouvel by devaluing its investments and depriving it of its proper role in the management of Chateau Miraval, the world-famous producer of rosé wine.”

Pitt filed an amended complaint seeking to have Jolie’s sale of Nouvel reversed on June 1, 2023.

“Brad has owned everything he’s responsible for from day one, but he’s not going to own anything he didn’t do,” Anne Kiley, who represents Pitt said.

Shutterstock

Following the fuss surrounding their divorce, Pitt has moved on and is now dating someone else.

“Brad is very careful and intentional about who he dates. He likes to ease into things and let things grow naturally,” a source said.

Rumors are that Pitt’s new girlfriend is Ines de Ramon, who was famously married to Paul Wesley of Vampire Diaries fame. People close to the couple say they are “happy being low-key.”

“Brad and Ines are still seeing each other and having fun. They enjoy each other’s company and have similar interests. They’re both creative, like to travel, and are happy being low-key. Things are good between them, but Brad isn’t rushing anything,” the source clarified.

Getty Images

As per Entertainment Tonight, the couple was spotted together in December 2022. “It is still new, but they are seeing where things go and like each other,” a source revealed at the time. “They are having a good time together.” 

They were vacationing in Mexico together.

Whether or not he introduced her to his children has not yet been revealed, but people close to him say she’s in the room when he speaks to his kids.

Ines was spotted wearing a charm necklace with the letter B hanging on and it’s not confirmed whether if it’s in honor of her new love.

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A woman crept beneath the bed to spy on her husband

By
Monica Pop
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The following story comes from Reddit and it’s so good that is has been around for a while. Check it out below.

A woman, cranky because her husband was late coming home again, decided to leave a note, saying, “I’ve had enough and have left you. Don’t bother coming after me.”

Then she hide under the bed to see his reaction.

After a short while, the husband comes home and she could hear him in the kitchen before he comes into the bedroom.

She could see him walk towards the dresser and pick up the note.

After a few minutes, he wrote something on it before picking up the phone and calling someone.

“She’s finally gone…yeah I know, about bloody time, I’m coming to see you, put on that sexy French nightie.

I love you…can’t wait to see you…we’ll do all the naughty things you like.”

He hung up, grabbed his keys and left.

Pexels

She heard the car drive off as she came out from under the bed.

Seething with rage and with tears in her eyes she grabbed the note to see what he wrote…

“I can see your feet. We’re outta bread: be back in five minutes.”

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25-year-old dancer dead after cookies from grocery store were mislabeled

By
Monica Pop
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Órla Baxendale, a 25-year-old professional dancer, tragically lost her life on January 11 from a fatal allergic reaction after eating a mislabeled cookie.

The young woman consumed a Vanilla Florentine Cookie that was “manufactured by Cookies United and sold by Stew Leonard’s, which contained undisclosed peanuts,” as shared by a law firm representing the late dancer’s family. 

Sadly, she went into anaphylactic shock, and despite her friends’ efforts to save her by administering her epi pen and rushing her to a hospital, she lost her life.

@abcnews A 25-year-old woman died from an allergic reaction after eating a cookie sold by the grocery chain Stew Leonard's that was not properly labeled as containing peanuts, officials and her attorneys said. Stew Leonard's issued a recall this week for its vanilla and chocolate Florentine cookies because they contain undeclared peanuts and eggs. The cause of the labeling errors remains under investigation. #news #peanutallergy #stewleonards ♬ original sound – ABC News

In a statement shared by Stew Leonard Jr., he revealed that their supplier “changed the recipe and started going from soy nuts to peanuts and our chief safety officer at Stew Leonard’s was never notified.” 

Further,the statement read, “It’s a sad day for us. We’re just all devastated, very sad. have four daughters, one of them is in their 20s. I can imagine how that family feels right now, and we’re all just very, very sad about this whole thing.” 

Cookie United, which manufactures the cookies that are later repackaged by Stew Leonard’s with their own labels, claim they did notify the latter of the change in the ingredients used to produce the cookie that claimed Baxendale’s life.

“This product is sold under the Stew Leonard’s brand and repackaged at their facilities. The incorrect label was created by, and applied to their product by Stew Leonard’s,” a spokesperson for Cookie’s United said in a statement.

The manufacturer’s statement included images of the updated cookie labels sent to 11 of Stew Lenaord’s employees on July 20, 2023, with the Vanilla Florentine Cookies packaging stating peanuts as an ingredient.

While the two companies are passing the blame on each other, The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and the Department of Public Health have opened an investigation.

“Correct labeling so that people who have food allergies can appropriately protect themselves is of utmost importance. I am devastated to learn of this incident and will work with partners to ensure that we can protect people with food allergies,” DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in a statement.

They described the incident as a “heartbreaking tragedy that should never have happened,” and added that they’re eager to get to the bottom of the case.

Speaking to ABC News, the young woman’s family’s attorney, Marijo Adimey, said, “Because Orla was so vigilant and so careful with everything she touched, she actually Googled ‘soy nut,’ which is on the package wanting to make sure that a soy nut wasn’t a nut.” 

He further said that the investigation into the dancer’s death, who moved from England to New York to pursue a professional career, revealed “gross negligence and reckless conduct of the manufacturer and/or sellers.”

“This failure in proper disclosure has led to this devastating yet preventable outcome,” Adimey added.

We are so very sorry about this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Baxendale’s family. May she rest in peace.

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Am I wrong for leaving a family dinner at an upscale restaurant?

By
Monica Pop
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When we try to please everyone, we often end up pleasing no one, including ourselves. This is something an anonymous Reddit member learned the hard way.

Taking to the AITA subreddit, this person started his story by explaining that he has been a very successful individual compared to the rest of the members of his family. He frequently traveled abroad for work, but whenever he was in his hometown he made sure he treated his family members to dinner.

This time, it wasn’t any different. The moment his mom learned he was coming home, she informed him of the family gathering she organized. She texted him the location of a high-end steakhouse and told him the family would be waiting for him there.

However, when he entered the place he was shocked to see over 20 people gathered there. Until then, the family gatherings consisted of around six people whom he was close to. This time, his mom even invited one of OP’s grandma’s neighbors, a person OP only met a few times during his life. He never even spoke to this person, only waved hi.

At that point, those who were present at the upscale restaurant had already ordered pricey steaks, which cost from $80 to $250 per person. As the waiters were bringing more drinks and more appetizers, the grandma’s neighbor raised a toast in which he highlighted OP’s generosity in covering the expenses. This set the stage for an unforeseen chain of events.

Medium overhead shot of families sharing dinner at table at outdoor restaurant during vacation

OP wasn’t happy he was expected to cover the bill for that many people without even be consulted about it in advance. According to his calculations, the bill was around $4,000 until that point, and counting.

Realizing his family was trying to take advantage of him, OP decided to leave the place.

He left $100 on the table and said, “I’m not paying for dinner,” as he stormed off.

His phone wouldn’t stop ringing. He received numerous messages, mainly from his mother, but he decided to turn the phone off and retire for the night. The following day he left the country without saying goodbye.

Despite recognizing his less-than-ideal handling of the situation, OP felt devastated that his family wanted to take advantage of him and his generosity in such a sneaky way.

“I know I’m nta with the dinner but more concerned about my reaction [sic],” he wrote.

Guys chatting in restaurant

Following his mother’s persistent pleas to call her, he decided to talk to her and apologize for storming out of the restaurant in such a manner, offering an olive branch. Sadly, he was met with accusations of being selfish, greedy, and disrespectful.

This came as a shock to OP who showed extensive kindness to his family over the years. Among the rest, he provided his mom with two cars, a bathroom remodel, a roof replacement, new appliances, and on top of that, he paid in full for numerous family vacations.

The accusations angered OP to the extent that he decided to put an end to any assistance for those who failed to appreciate it by taking drastic measures.

Shortly after, OP initiated a cascade of cancellations: six AT&T lines, internet services, streaming accounts with changed passwords or outright cancellations, removal from AAA coverage for the cars, termination of car insurance coverage for their mom, and the cancellation of the credit card they had provided. 

This decision marked the beginning of the end of funding things for people who never showed any gratitude.

Most of the family members wanted to get involved into the feud, and OP was even uninvited from a cousin’s wedding with the explanation that they wanted to avoid any drama, yet the expectation for a gift remained.

OP believed that he shouldn’t talk to his mother until some time passes by. In the meantime, the discussion about the upcoming family vacation, a once lively topic, now lay dormant.

OP’s mother kept sending her son messages, each more hostile than the other.

One of his nieces, who wasn’t present but heard from a third-party, informed OP that on the day he left the restaurant, the family tried to cancel the rest of the dinner, but with appetizers and drinks already served, they reluctantly split a $700 bill.

That same niece also told OP that the entire family branded him a greedy monster.

As expected, the Redditors unanimously deemed OP “NTA.”

“Everyone else at that table “knew” you were going to be paying for dinner but you. How odd. The position your mom and family put you in was quite disrespectful. And I do not know how you could have reacted better,” one person wrote.

“Your mom was way out of line for all of this. Starting with assuming you’re going to pay, choosing that expensive place, and inviting so many people. She owes you a major apology,” another added.

“Your family invited your neighbors!? Do you even know these people? Wait, it doesn’t even matter. And everybody had drinks and appetizers and steak…Paying for your part and leaving was entirely appropriate. They took advantage of the golden goose and the golden goose left and cut mama off,” a third commented.

Do you believe OP did the right thing when he decided to stand for himself?

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Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

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