Latest news with #October2024
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I died after giving birth...The vision I had before doctors saved me shook my faith in the afterlife
Samantha had an uneventful pregnancy and delivery eight months ago, so it shocked everyone when she had a life-threatening complication four weeks later. In October 2024, a month after welcoming her baby, Zuma, she began to bleed profusely, eventually losing four liters of blood, almost everything in her body. As doctors rushed to save her life, her eyes closed, and everything faded to black. She could feel herself dying. 'It was silent and dark, and I was just simply at peace,' she said. 'I didn't feel anything, and in my mind, I knew that I was dying, but I wasn't scared. It felt like I was just going to sleep.' In that moment, she didn't see the tunnel of light or deceased loved ones she was expecting, but she felt an immense peace take over. Doctors found that Samantha had a pseudoaneurysm – a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel, which, given the proximity to her C-section, was considered a delayed postpartum hemorrhage - or excessive bleeding after birth. Samantha spent a week in the ICU following the emergency, missing some of the early days of her daughter's life as she slowly recovered from the ordeal. 'Once I was aware enough to realize that I was in the ICU, and that my daughter wasn't with me, it was so sad,' she said: 'She was only four weeks old and we both needed each other – we were still in the new mommy/baby phase and we were bonding. I just wanted to see her and hold her.' Samantha's pregnancy and most of her labor had gone smoothly, but an emergency C-section was needed when her baby's heart rate dropped. Although she experienced minor bleeding after the surgery, she recovered well. However, four weeks later — the morning after she and her husband marked the anniversary of their first date — she woke up in a terrifying condition. She said: 'I woke up at 5am to a wet, gushing feeling. I looked down and was absolutely covered in blood. My shorts and legs were soaked, and the blood had also soaked through my sheets, mattress topper, and mattress. 'Because I had already hemorrhaged in the hospital, I knew what was happening. This time was just so much worse.' At the hospital, doctors rushed her into surgery and administered multiple blood transfusions while she fell in and out of consciousness. 'Apparently, at some point, the bleeding got worse and I began to crash,' she said. 'My pulse dropped down to 52, my hemoglobin level dropped to a three, a crash cart was brought out, and I just knew that I was dying. 'In an awake state during this, I shouted out to my husband that I loved him more than anything and to take care of our new baby.' That was the moment she felt her life slipping away. While Samantha was unconscious, doctors rushed her into surgery. They found a blockage and weakened blood vessel (an aneurysm) in her right uterine artery, which was causing the bleeding. To stop it, they performed a procedure called a Bilateral Uterine Artery Embolisation — where the blood supply to the uterus is deliberately reduced — using an absorbable sponge to block the artery, like a temporary cork. A surgeon was kept on standby in case an emergency hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) was needed, something Samantha and her husband, Louie, hoped to avoid to preserve their chance of having more children. The four-hour surgery worked, but Samantha spent a week in intensive care, missing some of her baby's early days as she recovered. 'Once I was aware enough to realize that I was in the ICU, and that my daughter wasn't with me, it was so sad,' she added. 'I kept asking my husband to bring her to see me, but we decided together that she shouldn't be coming to the ICU around all those germs. Coming home was the best feeling ever.' Samantha described the lasting trauma she experienced after the ordeal, saying she struggled with severe PTSD. For months, she barely ate or slept, was plagued by nightmares, and felt anxious about being too far from the hospital in case she started bleeding again. She cried daily, suffered frequent panic and anxiety attacks, and constantly checked for signs of bleeding, sometimes even feeling phantom sensations. In the months that followed, she underwent several scans to ensure no new aneurysms had developed, and after six months, her blood count finally returned to normal. Still, the experience left her fearful about the risks of future pregnancies and whether something similar could happen again. 'I want more babies, and because my case was so rare, I don't really have answers,' she said. 'Could this happen to me again? Yes. Could this happen during a future pregnancy? Yes. Was this aneurysm brought on because of my pregnancy? Nobody knows.' A hemorrhage is relatively rare, affecting 0.2 percent to 2.5 percent of postpartum women. After all she has been through, the artist has a whole new appreciation for life that she is taking with her into the future. 'I know it is so cliché, but this gave me a new perspective on life. I feel like I am a lot more chill, and things really don't bother me as much, because I know what could have been,' she said. 'So what if I'm stuck in traffic or if my phone dies – I'm alive!'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Is the VIX Too Low Again?
I asked if the VIX was still too low in a late October 2024 Barchart article. After rising to the 65.72 level on August 5, 2024, the VIX fell below the 19 level when I concluded: VIXY could be a valuable tool over the coming weeks as the current uncertainty remains bullish for the VIX and could cause the implied volatility of put and call options on S&P 500 stocks to soar. At the 20 level, the VIX could still be too low in the current environment. Dear Tesla Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for June 22 Nvidia Says Quantum Computing Is Nearing an 'Inflection Point.' Here Are the 3 Best Stocks to Buy Now to Profit. Warren Buffett Loves This Cheap Dividend Stock and So Do Company Insiders Stop Missing Market Moves: Get the FREE Barchart Brief – your midday dose of stock movers, trending sectors, and actionable trade ideas, delivered right to your inbox. Sign Up Now! The VIX fell to 12.70 in December 2025 before exploding to over 60 again in April 2025. With the volatility index back under 20, it could be back in the buy zone in June 2025. The VIX measures the implied volatility of put and call options on the S&P 500 stocks. Implied volatility is the primary determinant of option prices, which serve as a form of price insurance on stocks. The demand for price insurance tends to rise when stock prices are falling and vice versa. The chart illustrates the bullish trajectory of the SPY ETF, which tracks the S&P 500 index. SPY fell to a tariff-inspired 481.80 low on April 7, 2025, before rallying to over 600 in mid-June. The SPY has formed higher lows and higher highs, moving toward a challenge of the February 2025 record high of 613.23. The daily VIX chart highlights the inverse relationship between the VIX and S&P 500. The VIX reached a high of 60.13 on April 7 and has since made lower highs and lower lows, falling below the 20 level in mid-June 2025. Markets reflect the economic and geopolitical landscapes. The following factors suggest that the VIX could be too low at below the 20 level in June 2025: The war between Israel and Iran could escalate, leading to higher crude oil prices and increasing inflationary pressures weighing on the stock market. Moreover, any escalation in hostilities that causes Iranian or Israeli allies to join the battle could have far-reaching consequences, leading to market volatility across all asset classes, and the U.S. stock market is no exception. The war in Ukraine remains a clear and present danger to world peace. The bifurcation of the world's nuclear powers has a significant impact on the global economy. The Trump administration's trade policies caused significant stock market volatility in April and may continue to cause periodic price fluctuations as trade barriers ripple through the global economy. The declining U.S. dollar index signals an erosion in the faith and credit of the world's leading fiat currency. Gold has surpassed the euro as the world's second-leading reserve currency. A falling dollar could impact demand for U.S. equities, potentially increasing the volatility index. U.S. long-term interest rates remain elevated, making fixed-income assets attractive compared to stocks. Several factors are influencing the U.S. stock market in mid-June 2025. The highest stock market price variance tends to come from events that shock the system, as we learned during the 2008 global financial crisis, the 2020 worldwide pandemic, and Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While the VIX rose to the third-highest level in history at 65.73 in August 2024, as the U.S. election approached, it reached a lower high of 60.13 in April 2025, following U.S. tariffs that caused a stock market correction. The VIX only managed to climb to a 22 high on June 13, 2025, when Israel attacked Iran's nuclear infrastructure. The volatility index quickly returned below the 20 level after reaching its most recent high. Surprises that blindside the stock market will continue to have the most significant impact on the VIX as they cause market participants to seek price insurance to protect investment risk positions. The VIX volatility index has displayed substantial price variance in 2025. The daily year-to-date chart highlights the 14.58 to 60.13 range in 2025. At just over 19 on June 16, the volatility index is a lot closer to the year's low than its high, despite the Middle East conflict. Any surprises, escalation in conflicts, trade issues, or other factors that blindside investors could cause a significant increase in the VIX index in the blink of an eye. The bottom line is that the VIX's downside is limited while the upside is explosive in mid-June 2025. When it comes to the issues facing the stock market and the VIX, we should expect elevated price variance in markets across all asset classes, and commodities are no exception. Commodities are global assets, which makes their prices susceptible to high price variance in the current environment. The ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY) is a short-term trading tool that tracks the VIX index, moving higher and lower in tandem. At $49.81 per share, VIXY had over $79.1 million in assets under management. VIXY trades an average of over 1.27 million shares daily and charges a 0.85% management fee. The three-month chart illustrates the VIXY's rallies on April 8, reaching a high of $89.14 when the VIX exploded during the early days of tariff announcements. Meanwhile, VIXY followed the VIX on June 13, rising to a high of $54.68 per share, before pulling back below the 50 level on June 16 as stocks rallied and the VIX retreated below 20. VIXY can be a valuable short-term trading tool on price weakness in the VIX as the economic and geopolitical landscapes remain a hornet's nest of potential problems. However, the most substantial upside potential will likely occur if market surprises emerge over the coming days and weeks. Moreover, as liquidity declines during the summer, the potential for sudden volatility increases. Be careful in markets during the coming weeks and months. On the date of publication, Andrew Hecht did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Addison Rae's Debut Album Misses No. 1 By Just One Space
Addison Rae debuts at No. 2 on the Official Albums chart in the U.K. with her first full-length ... More release Addison, which also lands inside the top five on other tallies. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: Addison Rae attends the 2024 CFDA Awards at American Museum of Natural History on October 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by) When TikTok superstar Addison Rae first began releasing music several years ago, her handful of tunes didn't make much of a commercial impact. Few took the social media powerhouse seriously, but she didn't quit. For months now, the celebrity has been promoting her album Addison, her first full-length, with a slew of singles. The self-titled project debuts on charts all around the world this week, and as it arrives, it's clear there was significant demand for new music from her, as the title earns a lofty starting point — especially on the charts in the United Kingdom. Addison launches on half a dozen albums rankings in the U.K. this week, opening inside the top five on all but one of them. It performed surprisingly well when it comes to both streaming activity and pure purchases. In every instance, Rae scores her first appearance on the albums lists, as Addison marks her first proper musical release – and she hits big on her first try. Addison launches highest on the Official Albums chart, the main ranking of the most consumed projects in the country. On that tally, the pop set kicks off its time at No. 2. Rae is beaten to the top only by British band Pulp, which scores a new No. 1 with the simply-named More. Rae's self-titled full-length opens in third place on three other rankings in the U.K.: the Official Albums Sales, Official Physical Albums, and Official Vinyl Albums charts. Addison is also new to the Official Albums Streaming ranking at No. 4, as it begins its time inside the top 10 on almost every list it reaches this frame. Addison only fails to begin its time inside the top 10 on one of the half-dozen tallies on which it debuts this week, as the set launches at No. 20 on the Official Album Downloads chart. It seems that while Addison sold well enough to become a top five win across a number of rosters, it didn't perform quite well enough on platforms like iTunes and other download storefronts to rank among the 10 bestselling. Four songs from Addison are charting in the U.K. at the moment. Current single "Fame Is a Gun" rises on both tallies on which it debuted just last week, reaching new high points as it ascends. Meanwhile, album cut "New York" opens at No. 61 on the Official Singles chart, landing not far behind previous focus track "Headphones" at No. 44.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alex Cooper turned her raunchy podcast into an empire. Could she be the millennial Oprah?
With her long blonde hair pulled back into a claw clip and wearing a purple hoodie bearing the name of her media network, Alex Cooper sat across from the vice president of the United States. It was October 2024, a month before the presidential election, and as the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris was only doing one lengthy podcast interview. With Cooper. At the time, Call Her Daddy was the No. 1 podcast for women, and it remains a cultural force and a household name. The interview — one of the tamest in the podcast's history — made sense when Harris was competing against President Trump, who sat for interviews with ultra-popular, right-leaning male podcasters like Logan Paul, Joe Rogan and Theo Von. But aside from advocating for abortion, which she views as a women's rights issue, Cooper had never gotten very political. The interview, which was offered to 30-year-old Cooper while she was doing her first-ever live tour, is the peak of the two-part Hulu docuseries Call Her Alex, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 8. The docuseries charts Cooper's meteoric rise, from her not-so-humble beginnings as a raunchy podcaster whose initial claim to fame was popularizing a sex act she created and named the 'Gluck Gluck 9000.' Now, she's the interviewer that every celebrity wants to talk to. Jane Fonda called her 'one of the best interviewers I've ever had.' Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy, misspeaking slightly, called Cooper 'the female Oprah.' He was one of the first people to see her potential and give her a platform. Gayle King, one of the most iconic interviewers of all time and a friend of Oprah's, said in Call Her Alex that Cooper is 'a true girl's girl … I know she's just getting started.' Orna Guralnik, a psychologist who facilitates the sessions in the TV show Couples Therapy, said Cooper's skill is that 'she's not afraid of going to difficult places. Meanwhile, it's fun, because she's funny and warm.' Cooper didn't ascend to the top of the media mogul pyramid in spite of her raunchy past, but because of it. Her goal has always been to empower women, herself included. The idea for Call Her Daddy emerged from her desire to harness 'locker room talk' for girls, and landed right as women were looking for ways to reclaim their power in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Podcasting itself has long been a male-dominated field, but Cooper is an astute businesswoman who understands her craft. Call Her Alex extensively details how Cooper's competitive spirit, nurtured by her loving parents and cemented in her college soccer career, gave her the drive to chase her dreams of being a creator even when traditional studios and media outlets weren't giving her a chance. She took her dreams into her own hands, editing and producing the podcast she cohosted with her then roommate Sofia Franklyn, and just one month after sharing the first episode on Instagram in 2018, Call Her Daddy was picked up by Barstool Sports. It has only soared since then. One of the keys to Cooper's success is her devoted fandom known as the Daddy Gang. Lucy Donaghey, a celebrity publicist at Streamline PR, is a longtime member. 'In a male-dominated podcasting world, Cooper stands out. She is fun, aspirational and go-getting [while] still embracing the messiness of life as a young woman navigating the world,' Donaghey told Yahoo Entertainment. 'She's the 'It Girl' of podcasting, and for many women, a more relatable and comforting voice than someone like Joe Rogan.' As a publicist, Donaghey sees why Cooper books such big interviews: She's 'candid and compelling without ever becoming confrontational.' That puts her guests — and her audience — at ease. Even without a buzzy guest, Cooper is fun to listen to. 'Cooper herself is a huge draw. To her fans, she is a best friend, a big sister and an honest voice on topics many shy away from: mental health, sex, heartbreak and self-worth,' Donaghey said. 'That intimacy has created a cult following, which makes her show incredibly valuable from a PR perspective. She reaches a huge audience that listens and deeply trusts her.' Another Daddy Gang member, Camila Contreras Merlo Flores, is 28 — around the same age as Cooper. She was struck by how 'normal' the Call Her Daddy host has remained compared to her peers, in spite of all her fame and success. 'Her profile is one of so many people I know, but the difference is that she took conversations that were sort of 'off limits' for women and made them quotidian topics for me and my friends,' she told Yahoo Entertainment. Fans are a major focus of Call Her Alex. They laud Cooper's relatability and her candidness. At one stop on her tour, Cooper pulled a fan onstage to let her speak about how Call Her Daddy soothed her as she sat with her father at chemotherapy appointments. Cooper got emotional, leaning closer to her fan and asking gentle questions about how she's doing. For a moment in 2020, Cooper didn't seem like such a girl's girl. After contract negotiations with Barstool, her cohost Franklyn was dropped from the show, and it moved forward with Cooper as its sole voice. The former roommates, who seemed like best friends on-air, had a fractured relationship behind the scenes. In Call Her Alex, Cooper explained that they both realized 'the Daddy Gang was bigger than both of us.' Frankyln wanted to shop the podcast around in search of a better deal, but Cooper wanted to stick with Barstool for another year so that she could take ownership of the podcast when the contract ended. Cooper won the breakup. In 2021, she took Call Her Daddy from Barstool to Spotify in a $60 million deal. Franklyn, who called the situation a 'betrayal,' started her own podcast but hasn't been able to reach the same heights that she had with her former roommate. This also marked a major shift in tone for Call Her Daddy. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cooper traded in some of her signature raunchiness for openness about her mental health. She stopped pretending she was 'made of steel' and talked about going to therapy. Even the tone of her literal voice changed. Cooper's persona might be relatable, but her success isn't. In 2024, she signed a three-year deal with Sirius XM reportedly worth $125 million — one of the biggest deals in podcasting history. Her trajectory is unprecedented but still feels inextricably linked to her fans, so they're basking in her triumphs with her. In addition to hosting Call Her Daddy, Cooper helms Unwell — an entertainment network with its own drink brand. She's redefining what it means to be a media mogul, signing younger Gen Z influencers like Harry Jowsey and Madeline Argy, crafting her own legacy in the same way Oprah helped make Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz household names. 'I want to create something bigger than just myself,' Cooper says in Call Her Alex. The way she has become a crucial stop in the press tour circus and begun to tap her own network of successors makes her sound like the next Oprah indeed. But is the path that Cooper is carving out for herself really comparable to anyone? 'The Oprah comparison makes sense in spirit, but the blueprint is entirely different,' Victoria Anderson, senior vice president and co-head of strategy for global marketing agency 160/90, told Yahoo Entertainment. 'Rising during an era of media gatekeepers, Oprah brought people into her world. Alex is rising in an era of chaotic communication infrastructure, and she builds worlds around her people.' 'She's not just creating media, she's creating gravity through a very modern style of influence,' Anderson added. As a fan and publicist, Donaghey said Cooper has 'already shown she can make her own seat at the table and build a cultural phenomenon.' 'I don't think she's going to be the next Oprah, but that is exactly the point: She is creating her own lane,' she said. 'Sitting in sweats with guests on her couch might not pull Oprah-sized ratings, but it's built a cult-like audience that's deeply loyal and only growing.' Daniel Iles, the founder of the social media content agency Viral Coach, advises influencers on their careers all the time. He said Cooper certainly benefited from being trained under the 'Barstool method' — the company identifies up-and-coming influencers and trains them to be successful even beyond the sports media brand. '[Cooper] has definitely conquered her zone, and she's carving out a new one,' Iles told Yahoo Entertainment. Oprah and Martha Stewart have both done that — taking a personal brand and turning them into companies in completely different verticals. 'Both of them got attention first from millions of fans, then built business around the audience that they already had, which is very different from how most entrepreneurs approach business — they build a product first, then have to go find customers,' Iles explained. Cooper already has both an audience and a product, so building a network around those things makes perfect sense. 'I think she's going to branch out and meet other parts of her audience's interest. Maybe she'll start a charitable arm for women's rights or do some kind of political move,' Iles said. 'Or maybe she'll keep things business-focused with a range of products. She already has a documentary on Hulu …. Why not do a reality TV show on Amazon or Netflix?' As someone who has dominated podcasting for so long, Cooper also runs the risk of oversaturation. Kevin Mercuri, an executive in residence at Emerson College, told Yahoo Entertainment that he'd advise Cooper to 'stay the course — slow and steady wins the race.' 'We've seen other podcast and internet personalities over-diversify to make money and increase market share, only to alienate fans and damage their public standing,' he explained. 'Jake and Logan Paul are good examples of overexposure. Both brothers are now perceived by many as inauthentic, given crypto scams and absurd boxing matchups.' 'Cooper can potentially be the next Oprah Winfrey, but the Oprah brand wasn't built in a day … I'd counsel her to focus on her podcast and be very judicious of every opportunity that presents itself. Less can be more when building a brand as large as Alex's,' Mercuri said. In Call Her Alex, Cooper's interview with Harris was depicted as a huge honor — and not one that she took lightly. She didn't settle on the decision to do it without processing nervousness about how she'd be perceived. 'I'm going to do it the way I'm going to do it,' Cooper says, rejecting comparisons to CNN or Fox News. 'This is Call Her Daddy.' When the two women sat across from each other — both smiling, clad in pointed heels — Cooper spoke about how 'as a woman, we have to work 10 times harder.' 'When people tell you no … what does that ignite in you?' Cooper asked the former vice president. 'I don't hear no. I urge all the Daddy Gang, don't hear no, just don't hear it,' Harris replied. 'I think it's really important not to let other people define you.' Maybe that's what Cooper has been doing all along.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Liam Payne fans heartbroken as late One Direction singer's Netflix show gets release date
Liam Payne fans have been brought to tears as Netflix has confirmed the release date of the late singer's new music competition series, Building the Band. Filmed before the One Direction star's death in October 2024, the new 10-part series will see talented singers vie for a chance to form the next great band sight unseen. Payne serves as a guest judge on the series – which is hosted by Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean - alongside Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland, while Nicole Scherzinger serves as a mentor and judge. Together, the trio bring their 'unparalleled expertise and personal band experience to the competition.' Netflix finished filming the show prior to the former One Direction star's sudden death and has since confirmed that his family reviewed the series and is supportive of his inclusion. The streaming giant announced on Wednesday that the show's first four episodes will launch on July 9. New episodes will roll out every Wednesday over the course of 10 episodes. Payne's fans expressed their devastation as they reacted to the announcement news. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one said: 'Oh it's gonna be so hard... Liam.' 'Heartbreaking to see Liam Payne in this poster,' another wrote. 'It's going to be his final project forever. I'm going to be crying my eyes out watching this show.' A third continued: 'Oh Liam... you should've been here. Your post sharing this poster, full of excitement and passion should've been the one where I saw it first. 'I know you're screaming about this wherever you are.' 'Not prepared,' another said. 'Idk if I'll be able to watch.' A fifth confessed: 'I'll be sobbing in my room while I watch.' 'Building the Band brings together talented singers for a truly unique competition show where building the perfect band is all about chemistry,' the show's official synopsis reads. 'The singers are in complete control as they seek to form their very own bands in individual "booths" without ever seeing each other. 'All they have to go on is musical compatibility, connection, chemistry and merit. What will happen when the bands finally meet, and looks, choreography, and style come into play? 'With incredible performances, compelling drama, and one big goal — to find the next great music band —t he stage is set for an unforgettable experience.' Payne died aged 31 on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from a hotel. Fans across the world were stunned by his passing and an outpouring of grief culminated in a touching funeral attended by musical royalty and all of his former bandmates. His medical cause of death was announced to be 'polytrauma,' a term which means a person has multiple traumatic injuries to their body. Payne was one of five members of hit boyband One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan. The band were formed on Simon Cowell's The X Factor before becoming an international sensation. They split in 2016 after Zayn decided to leave the band.
