On 2 December 2018, British backpacker Grace Millane should have been celebrating her 22nd birthday during the trip of a lifetime in New Zealand.

Thousands of miles from her home in Essex, the messages and requests for video calls from friends and family kept pinging through to her phone. But they were never answered.

Her disappearance made headlines around the world. Grace had been murdered by Jesse Kempson, a 26-year-old man she met through Tinder. He strangled her in a hotel room in Auckland, calmly left in the morning to purchase a suitcase, and later buried her body in an area of bushland in the Waitakere Ranges.

When CCTV contradicted his story – that they enjoyed a short date before going their separate ways – he admitted she had died while with him, but claimed a case of consensual “rough se*” gone badly wrong.

Kempson’s defence meant Grace’s parents David and Gillian, grieving and in a strange country, listened in court to what felt like blame and shaming of their daughter; details of her sex life raked over, never able to tell her own story. Following the trial, it emerged Kempson had a record of violence against women and had raped another British tourist eight months before he murdered Grace.

Almost five years on, a new documentary, The Murder Of Grace Millane, takes a look back at the night of her death and Kempson’s subsequent trial, focusing on his use of the defence and the reaction from some on social media that Grace was in some way at fault for going back to a hotel room with a man she had met that day.

“Essentially the rough se* defence re-victimises that victim and their families – in a murder case, their families who are sitting in court,” Detective Inspector Scott Beard, the lead investigator on the case, tells Sky News. “The victim isn’t there to answer.”

The documentary has been made by filmmaker Helena Coan, featuring DI Beard and with the blessing of Grace’s family. She says Kempson’s defence, arguing that Grace had asked to be choked during sex, was one of the main reasons she wanted to tell the young woman’s story.

“I’ve been in that position and probably every woman in the history of the world has been in that position, on a new date with someone that you don’t really know,” she says. “We’re excited to be there.” The CCTV footage shows a “young girl having fun in a new country”, she adds. “She was just a normal young woman who absolutely didn’t deserve what was about to happen to her.”

Coan’s film lets the evidence speak for itself. There is contradictory CCTV, footage of Kempson rifling through Grace’s bag when she left the table during her date, his internet search history for porn in the hours after Grace’s death, as well as for “Waitakere ranges” – the location where he would later bury her body. He also took photos of her. And there was no call to emergency services, no attempt to get help.

Jurors saw through Kempson’s account and he was ultimately found guilty, sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison. But campaigners say the rough sex defence in some cases can lead to reduced sentencing.

“People don’t really understand the prevalence of the rough sex defence,” says Coan. “Men are getting away with the most heinous, manipulative, planned, pre-meditated crimes. And they are saying, basically, ‘she asked for it’.

“It’s scary to see how lawyers use this defence and how juries still buy into this idea, that a woman can consent to being strangled to death.”

As it was said in court, she points out, it takes five to 10 minutes to kill someone by strangulation. “That’s not pleasure. That’s murder.”

In England and Wales, following much campaigning, it was announced in 2020 that “rough sex” legally should not be considered a defence to violent crime, that a person “cannot consent to actual bodily harm or to other more serious injury or, by extension, to their own death”.

Before this, the We Can’t Consent To This campaign group, which was set up following another woman’s killing, said the use of the defence had increased tenfold since 2000. It features the stories of dozens of women and girls on its website.

Following Kempson’s conviction in 2019, Susan Edwards, a barrister and law professor who spent years campaigning for a change in legislation in the UK, told Sky News she believed the “alarming” increase in the use of the defence was down to “a narrative in society of pornography in the media and much more generally” which meant jurors “might be more persuaded to accept that women are more consenting to this type of dreadful behaviour”.

Coan says she wants to see changes in the conversation generally, “outside of the courtroom – about women and violence against women and domestic violence and victim blaming – that then makes these defences harder to use because juries don’t buy into them as much”.

Her film features comments made about Grace on social media as news of her disappearance and death made headlines. She says it was “horrifying” to see the negative remarks. “It’s always scared me how quickly people want to blame victims of violence for the violence that’s committed against them. I want people to hear [the evidence] and then go, there is no way she could have consented to this.”

Coan says she hopes more than anything that the film will help more men understand the “silent burden” of the fear of violence that women carry.

“That’s really where things start to change, is with good men calling out other men. I want men to watch this film and understand that this feeling that something like this could happen is with every single woman, all the time. All the way through their lives. I want men to watch this and realise the fear that we carry and how heavy that is, and how men can really help to solve that.”

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Stocks Rise on Trump’s Tariff Delay; Dollar Wavers: Markets Wrap

(Bloomberg) — European stocks climbed along with US equity futures after President Donald Trump extended a deadline on aggressive euro area tariffs, reinforcing a pattern of leaving markets guessing by making trade threats before backtracking.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index erased Friday’s losses sparked by Trump’s threat of 50% tariffs on the European Union. The US President later said he had agreed to delay the date for the levies to July 9 from June 1. Contracts for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 advanced more than 1%. A gauge of the dollar hovered near its lowest level in almost two years. Cash Treasuries didn’t trade due to holidays in the UK and US.

The tariff war has returned as the major driver once again after concerns about Trump’s proposed tax cuts, and their impact on the US deficit, churned markets much of last week. Trump’s whiplash moves have increased uncertainty in markets and his broadside against Europe on Friday, followed by a backtrack, was a stark reminder of the president’s volatile policy making.

“The stock market seems to dance to Trump’s tune: first a threat, then a pullback, quickly followed by a rebound as speculative investors anticipate a concession from the US President,” said Jochen Stanzl, chief market analyst at CMC Markets. “This morning’s confirmation of such expectations reinforces the so-called ‘Trump Pattern,’ which is increasingly seen as a successful strategy for risk-tolerant investors.”

Trump’s decision to extend the deadline came after a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen, who heads the EU’s executive arm, said earlier Sunday in a post on X that “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” but “a good deal” will need “time until July 9.” That’s the date on which Trump’s 90-day pause of his so-called reciprocal tariffs had originally been set to end.

“One thing that is starting to concern us a bit is the fact that the rebounds that follow these selloffs are losing strength as we go on,” said Frederic Rozier, a portfolio manager at Mirabaud France. “We can sense investor fatigue about this back-and-forth and there’s a risk sentiment will erode as markets run in circles on tariffs. The only thing we know is that even if there’s an agreement, there will be a cost for European stocks.”

Trump’s tariff threats on Friday also included a 25% levy on smartphones if companies including Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. failed to move production to the US.

Among individual movers in Europe, Thyssenkrupp AG jumped more than 8% after a report that the firm’s chief executive plans to turn it into a holding company, allowing it to cut overhead costs as it divests further units. Volvo Car AB climbed as much as 4.9% after announcing plans to eliminate around 7% of its global workforce to cut costs and protect profits.

The trade tensions and weak demand for US assets are showing up in the dollar. Bloomberg’s dollar spot index was track for its lowest close since July 2023, while the greenback is at or approaching key levels against a host of currencies including the euro, British pound, yen and Swiss franc.

Enthusiasm has faded for the world’s reserve currency this year. Speculative traders remained bearish on the dollar but trimmed their positioning to $12.4 billion in the week ending May 20 from $16.5 billion in the week prior, according to CFTC data reported Friday.

A key event this week will be Nvidia Corp.’s results on Wednesday. The chip-making giant is seen as a bellwether for so called growth stocks and the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom. Its outlook will be crucial given macro risks and tariff uncertainty.

Investors are also gearing up for the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the US personal consumption expenditures price index excluding food and energy, which will be released Friday. The April reading is forecast to rise 0.1% based on consensus expectations.

Elsewhere, signs of port congestion in northern Europe and other hubs suggests trade wars could lead to maritime disruptions around the world, increasing shipping rates.

Some of the main moves in markets:

Stocks

• S&P 500 futures rose 1.2% at 12:13 p.m. New York time
• Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.1%
• The MSCI World Index rose 0.3%
• Nasdaq 100 futures rose 1.5%
• The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.1% to the highest in more than seven months
• The MSCI Emerging Markets Index fell 0.2%
• Ibovespa Brasil Sao Paulo Stock Exchange Index rose 0.1%
• Mexico’s S&P/BMV IPC fell 0.2%

Currencies

• The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed
• The euro rose 0.2% to $1.1380
• The British pound rose 0.2% to the highest in more than three years
• The Japanese yen fell 0.2% to 142.85 per dollar
• The offshore yuan was little changed at 7.1783 per dollar
• The Mexican peso rose 0.1% to the highest in more than eight months

Cryptocurrencies

• Bitcoin rose 2.3% to $110,150.03
• Ether rose 1.6% to $2,564.64

Bonds

• The yield on 10-year Treasuries declined two basis points to 4.51%
• Germany’s 10-year yield was little changed at 2.56%
• Britain’s 10-year yield declined seven basis points, more than any closing decline since April 14

Commodities

• West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.1% to $61.61 a barrel
• Spot gold fell 0.5% to $3,339.37 an ounce

This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg.

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How does pet insurance work? A complete guide

In many households, pets are family. And in the same way health insurance covers the care of family members in case of illness or accidents, many pet owners are turning to pet insurance to provide the same sense of security for unexpected pet medical bills.

Only about 4% of dogs and less than 1% of cats are covered by pet insurance, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. Understanding how pet insurance works can help you decide if it’s a smart purchase for your dog or cat.

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance reimburses you for certain kinds of medical treatment, medications, and sometimes other unexpected pet care costs. Most pet insurers offer only coverage for dogs and cats. And generally, pet insurers won’t cover preexisting conditions, meaning problems that were present before the policy was purchased or that started during the policy’s waiting period.

How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurers usually offer a few types of policies and a variety of reimbursement methods to choose from. Typically, if you have pet insurance and your pet has an injury or isn’t feeling well, you can take them to any licensed vet or emergency clinic and then submit a claim. You’ll wait to be reimbursed by the pet insurer for the amount your policy covers, unless your pet insurer offers a system for direct payments to the vet.

Types of pet insurance policies

Many pet insurers offer two main types of policies and an optional add-on for routine wellness care.

Accident-only policies

Accident-only coverage is limited to treatment for accidents, such as a fall. These policies can cover more than severe cuts and broken bones. They also apply if your pet has swallowed something they shouldn’t have, including foreign objects or potentially poisonous substances.

Accident and illness policies

Accident and illness coverage is a more comprehensive approach to pet insurance that reimburses you for treatment for pet accidents like a broken paw, illnesses (such as skin infections), diseases (such as cancer), and hereditary and congenital conditions. All policies have exclusions for certain treatments and conditions, so make sure to read the exclusions section of your policy.

Pet wellness plans

Wellness plans are not technically insurance, but they’re usually offered as supplemental coverage to a pet insurance policy. Wellness plans generally reimburse specific amounts for preventive care services for pets, such as immunizations, dental cleanings, and routine annual exams.

How pet insurance reimbursement works

When you buy pet insurance, you’ll generally have options for the annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement percentage (or coinsurance). When you get a pet insurance quote, you’ll be able to adjust these reimbursement levels to see how they affect the monthly premium.

What is a maximum annual payout?

A maximum annual payout for pet insurance is the most the policy will pay during the policy year. If your pet’s veterinary costs exceed the maximum limit for the year, you’ll have to pay any additional bills out of your own pocket. These limits generally don’t roll over, so when a new policy period starts, your maximum annual payout resets.

Annual coverage limits can be as low as $2,000 or as high as unlimited.

What is an annual deductible for pet insurance?

Pet insurance has three potential types of deductibles:

• Annual deductibles require you to pay a certain amount toward vet bills every policy year before coverage kicks in. Most pet insurance policies have annual deductibles.
• Per-incident deductibles require you to pay a deductible each time you visit the vet for a new condition.
• Lifetime per-condition deductibles require that you pay the deductible only once for each new condition for the pet’s lifetime. For example, Trupanion has a lifetime per-condition deductible.

What is a reimbursement percentage?

The reimbursement percentage (much like coinsurance) is the portion your insurer will pay of your pet’s eligible medical costs once any deductible is met. In some cases, the reimbursement will be calculated first and then your deductible will come out of the remaining bill. Most pet insurance companies offer reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, or 90%.

For example, let’s say your pet has accident and illness coverage with a $300 annual deductible and 90% reimbursement. Your dog has a severe ear infection that requires multiple visits and medications to the tune of $750. If you haven’t paid any of the deductible yet, you’d pay $300 out of pocket, and your pet insurance would reimburse you for $405 (90% of the $450 bill remaining).

Selecting a higher reimbursement percentage for claims will translate into a higher insurance premium. And some pet insurance companies may limit choices for deductibles and reimbursement rates, depending on your pet’s age and health.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance covers medically necessary treatments, but coverage varies by policy. Services and treatments that are covered can include:

• Hereditary and congenital conditions
• X-rays, ultrasounds, and CT scans
• Cancer
• Dental accidents
• Prescription drugs
• Behavioral therapy for issues like separation anxiety
• Alternative therapy, such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and chiropractic care

What does pet insurance not cover?

No matter what type of coverage you have, pet insurance typically does not cover anything deemed a preexisting condition, elective procedure, or experimental treatment. Here’s a snapshot of other expenses usually excluded from pet insurance:

• Injuries from intentional acts
• Injuries and illnesses related to breeding
• Boarding and transportation costs
• Anal gland expression
• Conditions related to racing, such as sled racing
• Spaying or neutering

Are there age limits for buying pet insurance?

Some pet insurance companies have both minimum and maximum age limits for buying a new policy. It’s common to require that a puppy or kitten be at least 8 weeks old to be eligible for coverage, although a few pet insurers, such as AKC, MetLife, and Trupanion, don’t have minimum age limits.

And while you may have heard your dog or cat is “too old” to qualify for pet insurance, quite a few pet insurers have no upper age limit to qualify, but might offer only reduced coverage.

Does pet insurance require an initial vet visit?

Some (but not all) pet insurance companies require an initial vet visit before or soon after buying a policy. For example, Embrace pet insurance requires an exam by a veterinarian 12 months before the policy start date or 14 days after.

In some other cases the pet insurance company will want to see the pet’s medical records but won’t require an exam.

How do pet insurance waiting periods work?

Unfortunately, pet insurance is not like auto insurance. You can’t just roll up and get immediate coverage. All pet insurance policies have some sort of waiting period, such as:

• For accident coverage, you may need to wait anywhere from one to 15 days for coverage to start.
• For illness coverage, the waiting period is typically 14 days.
• Waiting periods can extend even longer (often up to six months) for cruciate ligament or other conditions.
• Wellness plans typically have no waiting period.

What does pet insurance cost?

The average annual premium for accident-only coverage was $116.11 for cats and $204.16 for dogs, according to NAPHIA’s 2023 report. For accident and illness coverage, average premiums were considerably higher at $383.30 for cats and $675.61 for dogs. Adding a wellness plan to accident and illness coverage increased average annual premiums to $625.99 for cats and $1,263.39 for dogs.

Factors that affect pet insurance costs

In addition to the type of coverage you choose, these factors affect pet insurance quotes:

• Location: This is based on your local costs for vet care.
• Pet breed: Breed affects health and life expectancy, so it also affects pet insurance premiums.
• Pet gender: Female pets can be cheaper to insure.
• Pet size: Larger breeds cost more to insure because they tend to have more claims.
• Pet age: Older pets are more likely to develop chronic conditions or illnesses.

And last but not least, the cost of pet insurance will also depend on your maximum limit, deductible, and the reimbursement rate you choose.

Are there pet insurance discounts?

Fortunately, many pet insurance companies offer multi-pet discounts of 5% or 10%.

Some pet insurance companies offer military discounts.

Embrace’s Healthy Pet Discount program offers a 5% discount for each pet the first year you don’t have any pet insurance claims and a 10% discount for the second year. MetLife has a similar program called the Healthy Pet Incentive that reduces your deductible every year you don’t have a claim.

How do pet insurance claims work?

Pet insurance claims are fairly straightforward. In most cases, you’ll submit a claim after you’ve paid the medical bill at the vet. Usually, you’ll need to submit proof of payment, a detailed invoice, and answer a few questions about the claim.

The pet insurer will send reimbursement payment, sometimes directly to your checking account.

How long do I have to submit a claim?

The window to submit a claim is usually pretty generous. You’ll have anywhere from 90 to 270 days from the time of treatment, service, or office visit to file a claim with your pet insurer.

If you’d like to speed up reimbursement time, most pet insurance companies recommend using a direct deposit option linked to a bank account.

Pet insurance that pays the vet directly

If fronting the costs of your pet’s vet bills is not ideal, look at pet insurance companies that can pay a vet directly. Pet insurers that offer direct vet pay include:

• ASPCA
• Healthy Paws
• Pets Best
• Trupanion

Even if your pet insurance company doesn’t advertise that it can pay the vet directly, it’s worth asking in advance if you know you have a large vet bill coming up, like surgery. Some pet insurers will pay the vet directly on a case-by-case basis for prohibitively expensive vet bills.

Learn more: Pets Best pet insurance review 2025

Can I cancel my pet insurance?

You can cancel a pet insurance policy by contacting the company directly. You’ll generally get a prorated refund for the remainder of the policy term. You can also wait until the policy term ends and then notify the insurer you’re not going to renew.

Some insurers require notice in writing, while others will process a cancellation request by phone or online. Look over your policy and the insurer’s website for more details, including any information about potential fees for early cancellation.

Free look periods

Free look periods function like a money-back guarantee. For a short period of time after you purchase a pet insurance policy, you can cancel and receive a full refund as long as you haven’t filed any claims.

Pet insurance free look periods are usually 30 days, although Liberty Mutual pet insurance has a short period of 10 days.

Is pet insurance worth it?

Deciding if pet insurance is worth it depends entirely on your financial situation, your pet, and your risk tolerance.

After getting pet insurance quotes, calculate the annual cost of pet insurance over a few years. Then calculate the potential cost of a large vet bill. Consult with your veterinarian about what kinds of vet costs your pet’s breed can expect. For example, is the breed prone to certain chronic conditions?

Compare future pet insurance payments to the potential cost of a large bill. If you’d like a financial safety net for unexpected vet bills, pet insurance can be worth it.

How pet insurance works FAQs

What veterinarians take pet insurance?

Fortunately, pet insurance doesn’t work based on a provider network. You can submit claims for bills from any licensed vet in the U.S., and some pet insurers also cover other countries, such as Canada.

What pets can be insured?

Most pet insurance companies will insure only dogs and cats. MetLife and Nationwide insure exotic pets, such as lizards and birds.

Is pet insurance tax-deductible?

Pet insurance costs, including premiums, are generally not tax-deductible, but there are some exceptions. If your pet is a service or emotional support animal or you’re fostering a pet for a 501(c)(3) adoption organization, you may be able to write off certain expenses.

Some types of working or performance animals may be tax-deductible if you use them for a business, but you’ll need to carefully document both their income and expenses to submit to the IRS.