Latest news with #Nina
Newsweek
38 minutes ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Mom Told Autistic Daughter May Never Talk, Unprepared for What Happens Next
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mom who was told her autistic non-verbal daughter may never talk, could not believe what she captured one rainy Saturday afternoon. Samantha Start (@samninawolf), 30, posted a reel on Instagram sharing a moment she never thought would come: her daughter Nina's first words. In the clip, her 6-year-old can be heard finally saying phrases like "all gone" and "oh dear", followed by counting along with her mom using a colorful number chart—a huge milestone for the family. Nina, 6, pictured wearing pink children's romper with green dinosaurs on. Nina, 6, pictured wearing pink children's romper with green dinosaurs on. @samninawolf "I'll forever remember the date she spoke words to me because that was a date we never thought would come," the mom of two told Newsweek. Samantha, who is also mom to son Wolf with husband Robert, 34, explained that her daughter was diagnosed with autism when she was just two years old. "It's try and understand what she wants, but we communicate in different ways and have learnt to understand Nina's needs," she told Newsweek. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects individuals in a variety of ways, including how they communicate, behave and interact with others. While some children with autism develop language typically, others remain non-verbal or minimally verbal. It's estimated that around 25 to 30 percent of individuals with autism are non-verbal or have very limited verbal abilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "We haven't vocally communicated in the whole six years she has been alive, so we don't know any different," Samantha added. After six years of silence, Nina's first words were a real breakthrough. "I was so shocked [at] how clear her speech was and just so happy to finally hear her speak," Samantha said. "I've waited six years for this day." Nina's first words had been watched over 376,000 times and received over 11,000 likes online at the time of writing. Hundreds commented on the clip, with many parents saying it's given them hope. "Oh my gosh, I dream of this day! How incredibly special," one user wrote. "Music to your ears! Her sweet little voice finding its way to you," another added. A third user commented, "This is so so amazing! Gives me so much hope for my autistic son." While Samantha was elated, the moment meant even more to Nina's younger brother. "It means so much to us as a family but especially her little brother who has longed for her to speak to him," she said. "He was so happy." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures you want to share? Send them to life@ with some extra details, and they could appear on our website.
Pink Villa
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
General Hospital Spoilers, July 24 Episode: Will Willow Learn the Truth About Nina and Drew?
In the upcoming July 24 General Hospital episode, Willow finds herself facing a heartfelt question from Scout. Meanwhile, Drew receives a request, Curtis moves forward with a betrayal plan, and Nina contemplates confessing her secret. Sonny and Carly discuss whether their family is still in danger, and Elizabeth is stunned by a reunion. Willow and Scout's heartfelt moment before the wedding Willow shares a sweet moment with Scout, who wonders if she should start calling Willow "Mom." Willow is likely to reassure Scout that she would never try to replace Sam and respects the special bond they share. Meanwhile, Alexis asks Drew for a favor, possibly tied to keeping Sam's memory alive during this transitional phase for Scout. Curtis is ready to act on the secret Nina shared with him, her past with Drew. When Portia encourages Curtis to use whatever leverage he has, he prepares to spill the truth. This could mean Willow may soon find out about Drew and Nina's history before the wedding even happens. Curtis' betrayal could be particularly devastating, considering the trust Nina had placed in him. But with so much at stake, he seems determined to expose the truth. Nina considers confessing to Willow Nina talks to Ava and admits things have gotten much worse than she imagined. She feels she can't keep quiet any longer and seriously considers coming clean to Willow about her past with Drew. However, Curtis might beat her to it, which could ruin any chance of reconciliation between Nina and Willow. One way or another, General Hospital spoilers hint that Willow is on the verge of learning the truth. Sonny and Carly discuss the threat of Marco Sonny updates Carly about the situation involving Jenz. Carly wonders if their family is safe now, but Sonny isn't so sure. Marco is now free, and Sonny warns that retaliation may still be coming. The threat isn't over yet, especially now that Marco is aware his son is out of danger. Elizabeth is caught off guard when she runs into Liesl. The details of their encounter remain unclear, but this unexpected reunion could bring back old emotions and unresolved issues.
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Why Karnataka court halted deportation of Russian woman found in Gokarna cave
Karnataka High Court on Wednesday halted the deportation of Nina Kutnia, the Russian woman who was found with her children in a cave in Gokarna earlier this month. The woman, Nina Kutina, 40, was found in the cave by a police team from Gokarna station during a routine safety patrol.(PTI) The matter was heard by a single bench judge comprising Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav, who stated that the deportation order could endanger the 40-year-old woman's children and their welfare. Also Read | 'Nina doesn't believe in…': Partner of Russian woman found in Karnataka cave 'concerned' about daughters Citing principles put forth by United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Beena Pillai, the advocate apearing for Kutina, argued that the deportation process would disregard the children's welfare and their best interest. Based on this, the state high court stated it was in best interest of both the children if the deportation was reconsidered. Under Article 3 of the UN Convention, "the best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children." Who is Nina Kutina? Nina Kutina was found living with her two daughter in a cave on Ramatirtha Hill, Gokarna. As per police officials, the Russian woman had overstayed her visa in India by eight years. The 40-year-old Russian woman told cops she moved from Goa to Karnataka for "spiritual solitude and live closer to nature." After the family was found in the cave on July 9, authorities transferred Nina and her children to a shelter in Tumakuru for further processing. After her rescue, Nina's estranged partner Dror Goldstein surfaced and stated that he has been working for shared custody of his two daughters. In a Goa police complaint filed by the Israeli businessman in 2017, Goldstein accused Nina of brainwashing his children and keeping them away from him. He added that the Russian woman began to use him for money and often subjected the Israeli man to physical and verbal abuse.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Call to regulate property agents who charge commissions to both landlords, tenants
JOHOR BARU: A former Kuala Lumpur-based executive has urged authorities to crack down on property agents in Johor allegedly engaging in unethical practices, including collecting commissions from both landlords and tenants without either party's knowledge. Nina Omar, 46, who moved to Johor Baru with her family after losing her job during the Covid-19 pandemic, said she has dealt with three different rental properties and repeatedly encountered questionable agent conduct. "Some agents 'double dip', taking one month's rental commission from both the house owner and the renter, with neither party knowing the other has already paid," she said. Nina, now living in Forest City, said tenants must insist on transparency. "Always ask for the landlord's contact after committing to a unit," she advised, adding that agents appointed by owners should not be charging tenants. She also urged the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers and other relevant bodies to act against rogue agents who exploit tenants, especially those unfamiliar with the rental landscape in Johor. Nina said during the pandemic, tenants had the upper hand due to weak demand, but things have changed. "With the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) gaining traction and Johor's proximity to Singapore, rental prices, especially near the land checkpoints in the state, have climbed significantly," she said. Still, she maintains that renters should never be forced to pay commission if they did not appoint the agent. "I have rented homes in Horizon Hills, Aspira Lakehomes, and now Forest City. Not once have I paid agent commission. That cost should be borne by whoever hires the agent," she said. The mother of five said she had never paid any agent's commission but had paid a one-off RM200 contract renewal fee. She first rented a house in Horizon Hills, which she found on a property agency website, that was owned by a Singaporean landlord. The landlord hired a local realtor. Nina paid the standard two months' deposit, one month's advance rental, and a half-month utility deposit. "A year later, when renewing the contract, the agent asked me to pay him one full month's rent as commission. I declined, I wasn't the one who hired him," Nina said. She added that the agent eventually relented, likely due to the soft rental market at the time. "I was paying below market rate because of the pandemic. He had no leverage to impose extra conditions," she said, adding she demanded the owner's contact details. She then contacted the landlord directly soon after the contract was done. Two years later, Nina moved her family into a townhouse in Aspira Lakehomes, also without paying any agent fee. "The owner had already appointed the agent. My dealings were with the landlord and not the negotiator." She now resides in Forest City, where she said the rental process was transparent and clean. "The agents here are appointed by the China-based developers. We deal only with the management company, not the owners, and pay two months' deposit and one month's rent in advance. That's it," she said. Earlier, the NST reported a Malaysian woman working in Singapore had cried foul after she was charged a second agent's commission simply for renewing her rental near the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex here. The NST has reached out to the State Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA), which monitors industry best practices and ethical standards. The chairman is expected to respond soon.
Metro
3 days ago
- General
- Metro
I've always paid my own way — but my younger sister is a spoilt brat
Sibling rivalry can be intense at the best of times. But when you add in favouritism (or even the belief that one side's getting preferential treatment) things get really ugly. Nina, a 41-year-old Metro reader from Glasgow, has long believed her sister is babied by their parents. While her mum and dad play down their youngest daughter's financial dependence to avoid conflict, Nina's worried about what'll happen when they're older and need support themselves. In this week's Money Problem, personal finance journalist and consumer champion, Sarah Davidson, shares her perspective. If you've got a money problem you'd like Sarah to look into, fill in this online form or email providing as much detail about your situation as possible. No issue is too big or small, and all submissions will be treated with the strictest confidence. My sister is only nine years younger than me, but she might as well be a child when it comes to money – and our parents enable her helplessness, much to my annoyance. While I've worked since I was 16, moved out by 18 and have never taken a handout from my mum and dad (not that they've ever offered) she's still living at home and can't seem to hold on to a job for more than a few months at a time. She doesn't pay a penny in rent and my dad covers all her bills and spending, which I know for a fact he can't really afford. I could probably accept this if she at least helped them out in other ways but she barely lifts a finger, as if it's her right to be bankrolled and waited on around the house. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Whenever I mention how spoilt she is, my mum and dad tell me not to be spiteful. But why is she allowed to sponge off them while I've had to graft? Are they really going to spend their retirement funding her mistakes? And what happens when they can't take care of her anymore – will I be expected to take her in? It's all so unfair. Dear Nina, The fate of the elder sister – you're the first to grow up, push your parents' boundaries, get into trouble and to take responsibility for yourself. To eldest siblings everywhere (and I count myself among you) it can sometimes seem like a tough deal. If I totted up how much money I spent at 25 buying loo roll for my brother, then 22 and living with me in London for 'just a few weeks' (two years), well… But spare a thought for younger siblings too – they're constantly being compared to you. Either they don't do as well or they feel under pressure to outperform you. They're not only being bossed around by your parents, but also by you. Their big achievements aren't a first for your family – you and any other siblings you share have probably already got that T-shirt. And middle children? Let's not even go there. At least the youngest is the baby of the family and, like your own sister it would seem, is indulged where the rest of you were perhaps expected to stand on your own two feet rather sooner. As you correctly identify, it's all so unfair. But then, you don't need me to tell you life isn't fair. Most brothers and sisters want their parents to treat them the same. However, rather than focusing on feeling hard done by, maybe look at it another way. I'd argue that parents are inherently programmed to nurture their children according to their needs – and different children have different needs. You're feeling put out because you perceive your sister as being given exactly what she wants. Your parents might see it differently. Consider this: is being at home for now actually be what she needs? It sounds like you are a self-starter and she isn't. Why is that? Does she need a little bit more support? Now, it may be that your sister is taking advantage of your parents here. She wouldn't be the first. But forget her for a moment. What is it you're really annoyed about in this situation? 'Are my parents really going to spend their retirement funding her mistakes,' you ask. 'Why is she allowed to sponge off them while I've had to graft? And what happens when they can't take care of her anymore – will I be expected to take her in?' This isn't about your sister. It's about you. What you really mean is, why are they spending your inheritance on her ? All of this comes down to choices, Nina. Ultimately, this isn't your decision to make. It's your parents' money and they're entitled to spend it on whatever they like. Obviously, right now they want to spend it on your sister. Whatever the reason and whether it's fair or not, it's their choice and you should probably respect it. If you don't, it will inevitably harm your relationship with them and, even, with your sister. Instead of fretting, consider why you care about this situation so much. Do you need some help with money? Are you feeling neglected by your parents? Or your own relationships at home? Are you equating money with love? More Trending Try talking to them about how you feel. Do it with grace and lay out your reasons for being uncomfortable with the situation. And before you start, have in mind what outcome you want from this. Nobody likes a spoilt brat, but nobody likes a moaner either. Sarah Davidson is an award-winning financial editor and head of research at WPB . View More » Got a money worry or dilemma? Email Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: No parent should feel the need to apologise when their child cries MORE: I tried to give Gran a hug – her reaction still haunts me MORE: Pass the parcel? 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