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In relationships, it’s not perfection that binds us, but the choice to embrace and love each other ... [+] exactly as we are. Many people believe that the greatest love stories should be free of flaws, misunderstandings or heartache. Movies, books and social media feeds show us perfectly curated moments, often creating an illusion of what love should look like. But real love doesn’t thrive in perfection. It lives and breathes in the beautifully messy, unpredictable and deeply human moments we share with one another. Here are four reasons why “imperfect love” is not only inevitable, but also deeply healing. 1. Imperfection Is Authentic The concept of “perfect love” is a pervasive myth, shaped by fairy tales and romantic comedies that idealize flawless relationships where problems vanish with a kiss or a grand gesture. In reality, unlike these polished narratives, authentic love is imperfect, human and far more fulfilling. When we try to present an idealized version of ourselves to others, we create a façade that hinders genuine connection. Authentic love, by contrast, removes these barriers, creating relationships where partners truly know and accept one another. Research published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology supports this, showing that perceived partner authenticity is strongly associated with positive relationship outcomes, such as greater interpersonal trust, satisfaction and commitment. Apple Cancels iPhone 14 And iPhone SE For Millions Of Users Samsung’s Android 15 Leak—Bad News For Nearly All Galaxy Owners Critical Gmail Warning—Don’t Click Yes To These Google Security Alerts Being truly authentic involves embracing one’s quirks, vulnerabilities and flaws without fear of judgment. It transforms the relationship into a safe space where both individuals feel seen and valued for who they are. For instance, admitting you don’t know how to handle a difficult situation or laughing off a burned dinner instead of feeling embarrassed can build trust and openness. Such moments are an opportunity to signal to a partner: “You don’t need to pretend for me. I accept you as you are.” This mutual vulnerability creates a foundation of honesty, allowing both partners to show up as their true selves. 2. Imperfection Is Love’s Greatest Teacher While society often portrays love as effortless and harmonious when “done right,” the reality is that moments of imperfection are what strengthen relationships. These experiences offer valuable lessons in patience, communication and understanding, helping couples grow closer. Every challenge faced together is an opportunity to deepen your bond. Disagreements can reveal unmet needs, unspoken desires or hidden fears, while mistakes remind us of our shared humanity, teaching humility, accountability and forgiveness. A relationship that embraces imperfection values growth and learning over blame and the illusion of perfection. For example, consider an argument where you feel misunderstood. Instead of reacting defensively, take a moment to ask, “What is my partner really trying to communicate?” Shifting from self-defense to curiosity creates room for meaningful dialogue, transforming conflict into collaboration. Similarly, when a mistake occurs—whether it’s forgetting a special date or saying something hurtful in frustration—a sincere apology and a conversation about how to improve next time can strengthen the relationship. Moments of repair are where love proves its resilience, evolving into something deeper and more enduring. 3. Imperfection Inspires Creativity When love doesn’t conform to a prepackaged ideal, it opens the door to creativity. Relationships aren’t one-size-fits-all, and the rigid script of perfect date nights, grand romantic gestures and flawless communication can feel stifling. Embracing imperfection allows you to break free from these constraints, crafting a love story that reflects your unique personalities, values and circumstances. Ample research shows that creativity can enhance relationships, with creative individuals often perceiving their partners as more attractive than their partners’ self-assessments or objective ratings. Longitudinal data, from a 2019 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that creativity buffers against the decline of passion, acting as an antidote to monotony and routine in relationships. Embracing imperfection grants you the freedom to experiment, adapt and redefine what love looks like. Instead of adhering to traditional notions, you can design a relationship that works best for you both. So next time, be open to the idea that maybe date night isn’t candlelit dinners but spontaneous hikes. Maybe “I love you” isn’t necessarily spoken every day but shown in consistent acts of service or small gestures. By letting go of rigid ideals, you allow love to take a shape that’s uniquely yours, full of spontaneity, innovation and authenticity. 4. Imperfection Nurtures Acceptance Imperfect love creates a space where you can show up as your true self—flaws, vulnerabilities and all—and still be cherished. This acceptance goes beyond surface-level affection and reaches the core of who you are. Hiding your imperfections in a relationship creates a barrier to intimacy. Maintaining a façade of perfection is also exhausting and prevents your partner from truly knowing you. However, when you let go of the fear of judgment and allow your flaws to be seen, you create a connection based on trust and authenticity. In imperfect love, the focus isn’t on “fixing” each other but on embracing each other’s humanity. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that both accepting your partner and feeling accepted by them are crucial to relationship satisfaction. Partner acceptance enhances satisfaction by increasing the other person’s sense of being accepted, while also boosting one’s own satisfaction through their own felt acceptance. Perhaps the next time you’re grumpy after a long day, instead of retreating or putting on a happy face, share how you feel with your partner. When they show their love on these difficult days, support you through struggles and embrace you when you’re not at your best, it acts as a reminder that love doesn’t depend on perfection. It’s also essential to remember that imperfect love celebrates human flaws, not harmful or abusive behavior. Healthy love always prioritizes safety, respect, accountability and care. Such imperfect love, in essence, invites you to be real. And in that realness, you find the true beauty of connection. In the end, it’s not about loving your partner despite their flaws, but about loving them because of the complete, multifaceted person they are. Do you find it hard to let go of the idea that love must be flawless? Take the Authenticity In Relationships Scale to find out if perfectionism stands in the way of your connection.Bill Belichick didn't wait around for a call that he might not get from an NFL team. With no guarantees that another opportunity might come his way — only the Atlanta Falcons interviewed Belichick last offseason — and unsure whether he could find the right fit in the NFL, the 72-year-old future Hall of Fame coach decided to go back to school. Belichick took his eight Super Bowl rings to North Carolina on a mission to build a college program the way he constructed two dynasties during 24 seasons with the New England Patriots. It starts with doing things his way. The Patriot Way is legendary. Perhaps it'll translate into the Tar Heel way. That's to be determined. But Belichick is back doing what he loves: coaching. And, he's going to run the show with his guys around him. An NFL team giving Belichick full control the way he had in New England seemed unlikely. Success at North Carolina could change that thinking. For now, Belichick's quest to break Don Shula's all-time record for most wins in the NFL is on hold. He's 15 victories short but the buyout clause in his college contract — a $10 million fee if done before June 2025 and $1 million after that date — leaves the window open for a return to the league. If Belichick stays in college or retires without returning to the NFL, his legacy is already cemented. Winning at North Carolina will only enhance his reputation. Losing won't impact his NFL resume. "He's one of the all-time great coaches. What he's done for the NFL and the game, we all know where he'll end up — in the Hall of Fame with a gold jacket," Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said Wednesday shortly before Belichick agreed on a five-year deal with North Carolina that pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary annually with up to $3.5 million in bonuses per year. Belichick has his detractors. There's no denying he couldn't win without Tom Brady. He was 29-39 and had no playoff wins without No. 12 in his final four seasons with the Patriots. Critics have labeled him a cheater because of the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. He overlooked Aaron Hernandez's issues. He was tough on players, even alienating Brady in the end and letting him walk him away in free agency in 2020 only to see him lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in his first season there. But Belichick instilled in players the importance of doing their job and presided over an unprecedented two-decade run of dominance that withstood changing times, free agency, salary-cap restrictions and much more. Brady has always maintained how important Belichick was for his career, giving him credit for helping him become one of the best players in sports. Now, Belichick is onto Chapel Hill in a surprise twist after he spent most of the NFL season reinventing himself as an entertaining and engaging analyst. Belichick is a football genius and his knowledge came across on television. But he also displayed a fun personality, trading quips with the Mannings and cracking jokes with Pat McAffee. "College kind of came to me this year," Belichick said at his introductory news conference. "I didn't necessarily go and seek it out. I had many coaches, probably a couple dozen coaches, talk to me and say, 'Can we come down and talk to you about these things?' Let's call it the salary cap of pro football relative to college football. The headsets, the green dot, the two-minute warning, the tablets on the sideline. Those were all rules changes this year for college football that were either or the same or similar to what we had in the NFL. These coaches said, 'Hey coach can we talk to you about how you did this? How you did that? How did you use this?'. "As those conversations started and then the personnel conversations started relative to salary cap and how you spend whatever the allotment of money you have. I'd say that started to make me a lot more aware of it because the first thing I would have to do is learn about it. .... As you learn different things about different programs you start to put it all together. There is some common threads and there's some variables." How will he do as a college coach? Nobody knows yet. Three of Belichick's former players were skeptical before he took the job. "There's a lot of things he can do, and obviously he's tremendous, and even showing his personality. But getting out there on the recruiting trail and dealing with all these college kids, that would be ..." Brady said before trailing off during a conversation on Fox's NFL pregame show last Sunday. Fellow former Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman also wondered the same. "Can you imagine NIL, and all that nonsense?" Gronkowski said. Edelman added: "Can you imagine Bill on a couch recruiting an 18-year-old?" But Belichick doesn't have to recruit kids on visits. These are new times in college sports. The NIL has dramatically changed the landscape. Plus, Belichick's name is enough. Just like Deion Sanders at Colorado. "I think it could be great for this game, honestly, if he can find a way to make college football more like this in terms of what's being asked of the coaches, the recruiting staff, the personnel, the NIL, and all those different things," Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen said. "If he can make it a little bit less demanding on some of the coaches and create a great atmosphere and have success, I think it's great for our game. It's pretty cool to see, actually." Time for Belichick to do his job. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100Irish rebellion inspired Jews
It’s that odd time of year between Christmas and New Year’s where it is easy to lose track of what day it is, what year it is, if you have to work tomorrow and other basics that are so cut and dried the other 51 weeks of the year. Maybe that explains the Minnesota Wild seemingly losing track of where they were and what they were doing for some critical minutes on Sunday, as things slipped away in a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. ADVERTISEMENT The Wild grabbed an early lead but could not add to it, as Josh Norris netted the game-winner for the Senators on a third-period power play, snapping a two-game Ottawa losing streak. Claude Giroux hit an empty-net goal in the final minute for the visitors. Freddie Gaudreau supplied the only offense for the Wild with a first-period goal. They got 33 saves from goalie Filip Gustavsson, but saw their two-game winning streak and all of the good feelings they had collected with last Friday’s come-from-behind win in Dallas disappear. The Wild’s struggling penalty kill had gone 3 for 3 versus the Stars, and killed a penalty midway through the third, only to see team captain Jared Spurgeon head to the box just seconds later. On their second consecutive man advantage, Norris popped a quick shot over Gustavsson’s left shoulder to give the visitors their first lead with 7:18 remaining in regulation. The Wild were being outshot and outplayed late in the first when Declan Chisholm caught a pass from Marcus Foligno and ripped a long-range shot that Gaudreau deflected into the upper right corner. It was just the seventh goal of the season for Gaudreau and his first since he had the only bright spot in a 7-1 home loss to Edmonton on Dec. 12. It was also the 50th goal of Gaudreau’s career. The Senators began the middle period with a strong push and forged a tie when Ridly Greig grabbed a puck that came hard off the end boards and slipped it past Gustavsson with less than two minutes gone in the second. Ottawa outshot the Wild 11-0 in the opening five minutes of the period. Ottawa goalie Leevi Merilainen, making just his third start of the season, finished with 30 saves in the game and got some assistance from the goalposts, as Matt Boldy’s deflected shot in the first period and power-play shots by Mats Zuccarello and Spurgeon all struck the iron. In the final seconds of the middle frame, another Boldy shot hit the crossbar. The Wild at least kept the home crowd engaged, moving the puck well on the power play, and via fisticuffs when fourth-liner Ben Jones and Senators winger Noah Gregor exchanged blows late in the second. ADVERTISEMENT Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizov missed his second consecutive game and third of the season with a lower-body injury. Team officials have listed him as day-to-day and are hopeful for his return soon. The Wild close out 2024 with a New Year’s Eve home game at 7 p.m. versus Nashville. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
Germany's president said Tuesday that a deadly car-ramming attack on a Christmas market had cast a "dark shadow" over this year's celebrations but urged the nation not to be driven apart by extremists. In his traditional Christmas address, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier sought to issue a message of healing four days after the brutal attack in the eastern city of Magdeburg killed five people and left over 200 wounded. "A dark shadow hangs over this Christmas," said the head of state, pointing to the "pain, horror and bewilderment over what happened in Magdeburg just a few days before Christmas". He made a call for national unity as a debate about security and immigration is flaring again: "Hatred and violence must not have the final word. Let's not allow ourselves to be driven apart. Let's stand together." His words came a day after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) held what it called a memorial rally for the victims in Magdeburg, where one speaker demanded that Germany "must close the borders". Nearby an anti-extremist initiative was held under the motto "Don't Give Hate a Chance". Steinmeier recognised that there was a "great deal of dissatisfaction about politics" in Germany but insisted that "our democracy is and remains strong". A Saudi doctor, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, 50, was arrested Friday at the scene of the attack in which a rented SUV ploughed at high speed through the crowd of revellers, bringing death and chaos to the festive event. His motive still remains unclear, days after Germany's deadliest attack in years. Abdulmohsen has in his many online posts voiced strongly anti-Islam views, anger at German authorities and support for far-right conspiracy narratives on the "Islamisation" of Europe. News outlet Der Spiegel reported he wrote on social media platform X in May that he expected to die "this year" and was seeking "justice" at any cost. Investigators found his will in the BMW that he used in the attack, the outlet said -- he stated that everything he owned was to go to the German Red Cross, and it contained no political messages. Die Welt daily, citing unnamed security sources, said that Abdulmohsen had been treated for a mental illness in the past, thought this was not immediately confirmed by authorities. - 'You are not alone' - The attack has fuelled an already bitter debate on migration and security in Germany, two months before national elections and with the far-right AfD party riding high in opinion polls. The government is facing mounting questions about possible errors and missed warnings about Abdulmohsen, who was arrested next to the battered BMW sports utility vehicle. Saudi Arabia said it had repeatedly warned Germany about its citizen, who came to Germany in 2006 and was granted refugee status 10 years later. A source close to the Saudi government told AFP that the kingdom had sought his extradition. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has pledged to fully investigate whether there were security lapses before the attack. The Saudi suspect has been remanded in custody in a top-security facility on five counts of murder and 205 of attempted murder, prosecutors said, but not so far on terrorism-related charges. German Christmas markets have been specially secured since a jihadist attacker rammed a truck through a Berlin Christmas market in 2016, killing 13 people. The Magdeburg event too had been shielded by barricades, but the attacker managed to exploit a five-metre gap when he steered the car into the site and then raced into the unsuspecting crowd. Steinmeier offered his condolences for relatives of those injured and killed "in such a terrible way" -- when the attack killed a nine-year-old boy and four women aged 45 to 75. "You are not alone in your pain," he told the hundreds of affected families. "The people throughout our country feel for you and mourn with you." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the worldCroatia's President Zoran Milanovic will face conservative rival Dragan Primorac in an election run-off in two weeks' time after the incumbent narrowly missed out an outright victory on Sunday, official results showed. The results came after an exit poll, released immediately after the polling stations closed, showed that Milanovic, backed by the opposition left-wing Social Democrats, had scooped more than 50 percent of the first round vote and would thus avoid the January 12 run-off. Milanovic won 49.11 percent of the first round vote and Primorac, backed by the ruling conservative HDZ party, took 19.37 percent, according to results released by the state electoral commission from nearly all of the polling stations. Such a strong lead for Milanovic, whom surveys labelled a favourite ahead of the vote, raises serious concerns for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's HDZ. The election comes as the European Union and NATO member country of 3.8 million people struggles with biting inflation, widespread corruption and a labour shortage. Among the eight contenders, centre-right MP Marija Selak Raspudic and green-left MP Ivana Kekin followed the two main rivals, the exit poll showed. They each won around nine percent of the vote. Croatia's president commands the country's armed forces and has a say in foreign policy. But despite limited powers, many believe the office is key for the political balance of power in a country mainly governed by the HDZ since independence in 1991. "All the eggs should not be in one basket," Nenad Horvat, a salesman in his 40s, told AFP. He sees Milanovic, a former leftist prime minister, as the "last barrier to all levers of power falling into the hands of HDZ", echoing the view of many that was reflected in Sunday's vote results. The 58-year-old Milanovic has been one of Croatia's leading and most colourful political figures for nearly two decades. Sharp and eloquent, he won the presidency for the Social Democrats (SDP) in 2020 with pledges to advocate tolerance and liberalism. But he used the office to attack political opponents and EU officials, often with offensive and populist rhetoric. Milanovic, who condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine, has nonetheless criticised the West's military aid to Kyiv. That prompted the prime minister to label him a pro-Russian who is "destroying Croatia's credibility in NATO and the EU". Milanovic countered that he wanted to protect Croatia from being "dragged into war". "As long as I'm president no Croatian soldier will wage somebody else's wars," he said this month. Milanovic regularly pans Plenkovic and his HDZ party over systemic corruption, calling the premier a "serious threat to Croatia's democracy". "I'm a guarantee of the control of the octopus of corruption... headed by Andrej Plenkovic," he said during the campaign. For many, the election is a continuation of the longstanding feud between two powerful politicians. "This is still about the conflict between the prime minister and president," political analyst Zarko Puhovski told AFP. "All the rest are just incidental topics." Primorac, a 59-year-old physician and scientist returning to politics after 15 years, campaigned as a "unifier" promoting family values and patriotism. "Croatia needs unity, global positioning and a peaceful life," he told reporters after casting his ballot in Zagreb, adding that he would later attend a mass. Primorac repeatedly accused Milanovic of "disgracing Croatia", a claim that resonated with his supporters. ljv/bc
Thanks to meme culture, a whole new generation is enjoying the beloved 2003 holiday movie, "Elf." Video above: Giant Buddy the Elf cutout looms over Vermont children's museum We are now learning the behind-the-scenes story about one particular scene that has gone viral. According to Mark Acheson, who played "Mailroom Guy" in the film, not only was much of his scene improvised, it almost didn't make it into the movie. "I called my agent and he said, 'Listen, they would like you to come and do one line with Will Ferrell. Would you like to do it?,'" Acheson told People magazine. "And I said, yeah, I'd be happy to do that. I was only supposed to say 'work release' and that was the end of it." Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf, sent to the mailroom at his father's office to stay occupied. "Elf" director Jon Favreau got Acheson to improvise with Ferrell. During the scene, Acheson's character tells Ferrell's character he's 26 years old but has "nothing to show for it." "You're young, you're so young," Ferrell's Buddy tells the "Mailroom Guy." But not everyone loved the banter, and Acheson said the improvised dialogue initially landed on the chopping block. "The producers wanted to axe the whole scene because of that. I think, 'Who is gonna believe this guy is 26?' I mean, seriously," Acheson said. "I believe I was 46 at the time and an older, 46 even at that. Because I never looked young in my life." Favreau fought to keep it in the movie. "He said that the joke, that's the funny part, right?" Acheson recalled. "He kept me in. They didn't want me, but he did and thank God for me because it changed my career quite a bit." The scene is now being shared all over social media.Auto Glass Shop In Westminster Expanded by Bright Auto Glass1. A Ninja air fryer , perfect for anyone who hasn't always been a big fan of leftovers but wants to make the most of all their delicious homemade meals. Best of all? You can crisp up your fave foods without all that oil. Promising review: "This Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is a fantastic addition to our kitchen. Its sleek design and compact size make it easy to fit into various spaces, while its powerful performance delivers exceptional results without much sound at all. I've been using it for several years now, and I'm thoroughly impressed. The air fried chicken wings were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, without the greasy mess of deep frying. I've also used it to roast vegetables, bake cakes, and reheat leftovers. The results have been consistently delicious. Overall, this Air Fryer is a great investment for anyone looking to cook more convenient meals at home. Its versatility, speed, and ease of use make it a must-have appliance." — Ariana Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in three sizes). 2. A reading light you can wrap around your neck, in case you have no interest in fumbling with a clip-on light while you turn the pages of your book. Reviewers have also said it's great if you tend to fall asleep while reading, leaving your overhead lights on in the process. Promising review: "I also ordered one of those book lights that you have to clip directly on to your book. I haven't even tried the clip-on yet because I LOVE THIS ONE SO MUCH!! It's so versatile. It is the perfect solution for when I'm up in the middle of the night and I still want to stay in bed and read while my husband sleeps next to me. Even when I don't have to worry about disturbing someone this light is still my go to when reading. It's better than any night stand lamp because you can focus this light directly on your book or other types of hands-on projects. I had worried that it would be uncomfortable around my neck but It's so lightweight I hardly even notice it" — Linda Holloway Get it from Amazon for $22.98+ (available in seven styles). 3. A light-blocking tent that'll seem like a gag gift until you break it out and drift off to sleep seamlessly without even noticing your partner still has the TV on. Promising review: "I was searching for some blackout curtains until I came across this gem. I was skeptical at first because it was a small tent over my head; I was worried ventilation would be an issue, but I decided to give it a shot and purchased it. Upon receiving zDen I notice the material is soft but breathable. I tried it the first night. It was nice. I slept longer and uninterrupted. I tried sleeping without it after the 3rd night. It took a little longer to sleep, even without it, and I was waking up two hours earlier because of the summer sunrise. After going back to using zDen, I was slowly going back to reaching 7.5 hours of interrupted sleep . I felt more energy waking up." — woodchuck56 Get it from Amazon for $94.97 . 4. A roll-on migraine stick to nip your pain in the bud before it gets out of hand and ruins a perfectly good day. I actually did buy this for my best friend when she was starting to get so stressed-out about her daily migraines. It helped immensely! It's sold by Basic Vigor , which is a small business. Promising review: "I can't give this product enough stars! I have suffered from debilitating chronic migraines for years. Prescription medications, while effective, usually make me extremely tired and result in rebound headaches, so I rarely take them. This oil blend is especially great for the days when I have a migraine, but am unable to stay home and rest. This takes the edge off the pain enough that I am still able to go about my day and do everything I need to do. I also love the way it smells. I sometimes roll it on my wrists just to enjoy the energizing fragrance." — Lacey V Get it from Amazon for $12.95 . Read our full review on the Migrastil Migraine Stick here. 5. A foot massaging machine you can use to apply acupressure on the bothersome parts of your feet to make them feel fantastic before heading off to bed. It's so easy to use you can roll away without taking your eyes off of the TV. Read more about reflexology, acupressure, and how it can help with stress at Cleveland Clinic . Promising review: "We got this for our mom who has neuropathy and her feet are always cold and numb. We've bought all sorts of things to make her feet feel better, like heated socks, foot baths, compression devices for her legs and feet ... nothing worked. So we were skeptical when we bought the Miko foot massager, even though it kept coming up as one of the top foot massagers in our research. We've been pleasantly surprised (shocked actually) at how much our mom LOVES it. It has an automatic setting for 15 minutes, and she just keeps pushing the start button for hours at a time! The combination of a little heat, the rollers and the compression all work together to give her feet a nice massage . She keeps things on the high setting so she's able to feel it. There are definitely less expensive foot massagers out there, but this one actually works , so was WELL worth the money!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $139+ (available in two styles). 6. A dual cup holder that'll ensure you always have a spot for your emotional support coffee *and* your phone — it attaches easily to strollers, bikes, wheelchairs, and scooters *and* comes in a bunch of fun colors. One of my mom besties had this on her stroller and I immediately was like, "Welp, NEED." I ordered one and never looked back — it attaches tightly and can be adjusted to any angle. In a desperate attempt to keep both my baby and my toddler content I spent the majority of my maternity leave on walks around my neighborhood — it was ESSENTIAL to have a solid spot to put my drink and also my phone (we needed music, of course). This one was so great I've already ordered a second one for our other stroller. Promising review: " I ordered this with low hopes because I feel like stroller cup holders are always so flimsy. I'm extremely impressed with the quality of this cup holder! You can attach it to any bar, no matter the direction it goes as it is adjustable. It was easy to attach. It holds my large 42 oz cup with no problem. I do have to remove my wallet from my phone to put in the phone compartment. I'll be ordering another for our leisure stroller!" — Jeanette Rojas Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in 26 colors). 7. An undetectable laptop mouse jiggler that'll slide right into a USB port so you can sneak away to catch your breath and grab a coffee without anyone wondering why you've been offline for so long. Promising review: "Saves me from auto logouts! My brother recommended this handy gadget. I work from home and have three monitors. When I leave my desk for lunch, the computer goes to sleep and when I come back, everything is logged out and whatever was on three monitors ends up on two. SO frustrating. This is programmable for three settings and I use it on the minimal movement so when I come back, everything is just as I left it. Revolutionary! Just remember to turn it on!" — Isaiah Get it from Amazon for $8.99 . 8. A pair of fur-lined Crocs so you can show off all the cute lil' Jibbitz you've collected all year instead of just when the weather is warm — your tootsies will be toasty *and* your personality will remain on display. Promising review: "I work from home and was looking for the perfect comfortable shoe. These Crocs were perfect because they are lined for extra coziness but also if I need to go out to the store or get the mail they are durable for outside. Love them!" — Brooklyn Whitesides Get them from Amazon for $38.99+ (available in women's sizes 4–17 and in 32 colors). 9. A fan favorite Otherland candle that'll make your home smell divine while also adding a pretty piece of decor to the room. If it were acceptable to soak your entire body in a candle scent....you'd like want to choose one of these. I'm SUCH a fan of Otherland candles. I've been burning them in my home for years and, honestly, cannot get enough of them. I've given tons of them as gifts as well, and everyone has always raved about how much they love them. They each have a burn time of 55 hours, are made of a coconut and soy wax blend, contain a cotton wick, and are hand poured in the USA. Additionally, Otherland is a small business! Get it from Amazon for $30 (available in 14 scents). 10. A bag of FryAway cooking oil solidifier — a seemingly magical substance you can sprinkle on top of your grease-coated pan and watch as it turns to a solid. No more waiting ages for it to cool, having to grossly scrape it out of your pan with a paper towel, or accidentally clogging your pipes. FryAway is a US-based small business specializing in planet-friendly cooking waste solutions. Promising review: "I will always keep this stocked in my house! My husband sent me a TikTok, I know I know, and I thought it couldn't hurt to try it out. I loved after the first night! I could easily remove the hardened oil and throw it out." — Roberta Get it from Amazon for $9.97 . 11. A drink organizer and dispenser that'll help you live out your dreams of transforming your fridge into a majestic beverage haven (you know, just like the ones in convenience stores that seemingly have every drink known to man). Would it be so awful to fill the entire thing with Diet Cokes? Promising review: "Love these! For someone who must have organization, these are the best. Easy to put together and great quality. Would buy again." — Jacqueline Bice Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four sizes) 12. A Saucemoto dip clip , because eating fries while you're in the car just tastes better and you shouldn't have to sacrifice your favorite dipping sauce to do so! Thanks to this lil' clip you really can have it all. Saucemoto is a small business! Promising review: "How did I go so long without one of these??? The Saucemoto was my first 'TikTok Made Me Buy It' purchase and I have no regrets. It clips easily to my car's vent and the sauce cups clip in easily so I can dip and drive . No more trying not to dump the sauce by accident while steering with the same hand that's holding the dip cup. It even comes with a dip cup for those places that do the pouches for their sauces rather than the cups. (I'm looking at you, Arby's.) Ya know, you end up squeezing the sauce onto the wrapper that's balanced on your lap and you end up getting some sauce on your steering wheel. OR you try the whole 'wrapper and sauce on the passenger seat and try to dip while watching the road,' which usually doesn't turn out so great." — Pleasure Pamela Get set of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three colors). 13. E.l.f.'s Poreless Putty Primer reviewers adore because of its lightweight texture and how wonderfully it works to reduce the appearance of pores. You can also count on it to help you apply your makeup smoothly and evenly. I, like many others (it has over 27,000 5-star reviews on Amazon) have this primer and also agree that it's fantastic! It really does go on my skin so smoothly, I can barely even feel that I've put any primer on at all. My makeup stays on so nicely when I take the time to apply it over it. And at a price like this? Ya can't beat it. Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok and thought I'd take a chance. I have sensitive skin and have to watch what I use. I LOVE this product! Goes on smooth and you don't need to use a lot. I put it on before I put on my foundation. Makes a huge difference . Highly recommend and will buy again!!" — Brooks Crim Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in three shades). 14. A jar of internet-beloved The Pink Stuff , which is an all-purpose cleaning paste that'll help you tackle all of your messes but make it *~pretty in pink~* at the same time. Check it out in action on TikTok ! After hearing what incredible things The Pink Stuff can do, I finally ordered it and tried it for myself. Honestly, wow! It really does work wonders. I tried it first on my Le Creuset cast-iron pan (seen above, right) and really was amazed at how just one pass with The Pink Stuff (and a scouring brush ) took off almost every stain! I can't wait to try it on literally everything in my home that needs a deep cleaning. Promising review: " It removed stubborn mold and grime from my shower tile grout with use of a hard bristle tooth brush. It removed hard water stains from my sinks and faucets . I noticed it really does remove mineral build up, but it takes a lot of elbow grease and repetitive applications before you start seeing progress. It works amazing so far! No overpowering smell (barely any smell at all), easy to use, and a little product goes a long way. Highly recommend!" — Marissa Get it from Amazon for $6.49+ (available in three sizes). 15. A veggie chopper you can use to dice onions in a flash — save your uncontrollable crying for the next time you watch The Notebook . It can also spiralize, slice, and chop! Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container. " — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $29.97 (available in three colors). 16. A Bluetooth speaker with an adorable '90s feel to it that you can program with fun pixelated messages, a clock, and animations galore! This lil' gadget has RGB-backlit buttons and, of course, has the ability to play music and podcasts. Check out an unboxing TikTok from @thatkawaiigrl ! BuzzFeed editor Jenae Sitzes loves hers! You can read more on why it's one of her favorite pieces of desk decor here . Promising reviews : "I actually impulsively purchased this because I saw it on TikTok. I have had it for a little over a month now, and it is actually the best item I have purchased in a while. I admit, there is a slight learning curve when setting it up because there is not a clear-cut instructions guide for all of the features, but once you figure it out, it’s so worth it. It is really multifunctional and you can customize it to your liking. I really love the mini games feature on here, like Tetris and Snake , because they all bring back childhood memories for me. My favorite part is the fact that it works as a speaker and when I play music, I can have little videos sync to the music. Who knew a tiny little speaker could bring me so much joy. It is a bit pricy though, but it is just so cute. If you’re looking for a sign to buy this, here’s your sign." — Khuyen Nguyen Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in five colors). 17. A pair of wireless sleep headphones , because we're basically living in the future — you can listen to music, a podcast, or your go-to comfort show (helloooo endless hours of Gilmore Girls ) to help you fall asleep without fruitlessly attempting to get cozy with earbuds bulging out of your ears. The headphones connect via Bluetooth and have 33 feet of wireless range (meaning your phone doesn't have to be right next to you). The controls are on the forehead, which makes it comfortable for back and side sleepers, and they are made to block out ambient noise. Promising review : "I saw these on TikTok, and since I have so much trouble finding quality headphones, I decided to try it. I’m very happy with the sound quality and comfort of these. I’m able to fall asleep to my music or podcast without having to limit myself to sleeping on my back or losing an earbud in my bed in the middle of the night. It makes working out easier as well. The value is worth the quality. I would recommend." — Thunder Muffin Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 17 colors). 18. An acupressure mat and pillow set to help reduce muscle tension and back pain — a must-have for attempting to restore your body to its prime after an extra-long work day. Talk to your doctor before using this if you're in pain. Read more about how applying pressure to acupoints on your body can help muscles relax and improve blood flow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center . Promising review: "Honestly, a friend sent me a TikTok video on this item. I was like for 20 bucks I'll try it, and oh my god, I have lower back problems and 20 minutes lying on this spiking mat helped relieve pressure . I work remotely and am sitting down for 8–10 hours a day, so tension builds up and this totally worked. So many ways to try using the mat." — Arlington Ink Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 10 colors). 19. A silly windshield shade that'll keep your car cool while making it look like all four of The Golden Girls are cruising around — want to place bets that they're headed to pick up a cheesecake??? Promising review: "I am so happy with my purchase. It keeps the sun out and makes me smile whenever I see it in my window. 😂 5/5 recommended!" — Stephanie Get it from Amazon for $39.99 . 20. An extra-large car cup holder that'll transform your car's too-tiny cup holder into one that'll properly support your oversized emotional support water bottle. You're welcome. Promising review : "I saw one of these on TikTok and I gasped!! I carry my Yeti with me everywhere, so usually it just sits in my passenger seat. But this is perfect so it doesn’t fly around in the seat. This fit in my Chevy Equinox perfectly. So far so good." — J Get it from Amazon for $14,95 (available in two colors). 21. A set of pastel kitchen utensils so you can embrace the Barbie Core trend and decorate your kitchen like it's, quite literally, a Dream House. Aside from just being SUPER cute, reviewers have noted that these utensils are great against heat resistance and can be tossed right into the dishwasher for cleaning. Check out a TikTok of the utensil set in action. These can withstand temps up to 392-degrees F. Promising review : " Really cute set and the quality is good too, so a win-win for me! It is dishwasher-safe. I tried one of the pieces washed in the dishwasher and it came out just fine. For longevity I plan to just hand-wash because I love things in pink! They're heat resistant — I used the spatula to cook bacon and pressed on the pan and nothing bad happened to it. I've had this set for a month now and been using it every day; it still looks as good as new. No burns/melted marks; no discoloration. I have washed it in the dishwasher several times and they come out fine. Easy to clean." — Pookie Bear Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four colors). 22. COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence that’ll have you wondering if Gary the Snail has been the reason SpongeBob has been looking GOOOOOD for all of these years — it soothes damaged skin while also repairing dark spots and improving skin vitality. Promising review: " Um...WOW! I have used so many products to help with my dry, red, and inflamed skin. During the winter it is so hard to keep my skin moisturized through out the day. Within two days I saw such a huge difference. So calming and gives you a nice, moisturized glow . I feel so much better knowing my skin is healing. I will use this in my routine for the rest of my life!" — Christina A. Get it from Amazon for $20 . 23. A Quick Dry Polish from Olive and June, so even if you're short on time you can still give your nails the manicure they deserve. I have *so* many Olive and June products it should be a crime — that being said, the Quick Dry polishes are a 10/10 in my book. I'm a mom of a toddler so free time is not something that comes easily for me these days. However, I feel naked if my nails aren't done. These polishes have been an absolute godsend for me! They really do dry shockingly fast but without sacrificing any quality of the polish itself! In the photo above I'm wearing Pomodoro with Fairy over it for some shimmer. I think it took me 10 minutes total to do three coats of polish and a top coat (including drying!), so I was able to get right back into all the messy tasks that come along with being a parent. The brand has 32 different Quick Dry shades to choose from, so there's definitely an option that'll work for everyone. Get it from Olive and June for $7.50 (available in 32 shades). 24. A travel pill organizer you'll wonder how you've lived this long without — it's moisture-proof, has eight compartments, and is made of cereal fiber and food grade plastic. You can totally use this *all* the time, not just when you're jet setting. Promising review: "I love these! I have pretty severe ADHD, and I am constantly forgetting my meds when camping or hiking or just generally leaving the house for extended periods of time. These make it so much easier for me to just squirrel away in my backpack and be so pleased when I find them again. The labels are great, they are durable, and I'm no longer finding stray pills of unknown origin in the bottom of my bag. Highly recommend." — Eliza Get a pack of three from Amazon for $9.47 (available in two styles). 25. A lil' car trash can, so the next time you pick up fast food, you'll have a designated spot to toss your (likely) greasy bag instead of letting it live on the floor in front of your passenger seat. Promising review: "Love this trash can! I drive a small car, and it fits perfectly in the back behind the center console. Before this, I always used whatever random bags I found floating around, but this is so much better. No spills, and it looks great." — Stacey Dawson Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in eight colors). 26. A grape cutter because who on earth wants to spend their precious time cutting grapes??? This lil' gadget will ensure your kiddo's favorite fruit is the perfect size without costing you an entire afternoon. Watch a mom quartering grapes in a flash with this tool on TikTok . Promising review: "I was stubborn initially and didn’t believe in getting something to cut my kid’s grapes. I would cut them by hand. My friend told me about it and I caved in and bought it. I shouldn’t have been stubborn! I can literally cut more grapes in half the time! If you’re reading this, do not be stubborn, just get it! It will save you time! I even managed to cut blue berries with them!" — Kao Get it from Amazon for $11.95 . 27. A subscription to Big Island Coffee Roasters , a must-have for anyone who has ever been lucky enough to visit Hawaii and experience how amazing their coffee is firsthand. You'll be able to bring those delicious flavors into your life daily! The "Tasters Club" subscription will deliver one bag of coffee to you each month. You can choose from four different flavor profiles of coffee and whether you'd like the beans whole or ground. I've been lucky enough to try these coffees (and to have traveled to Hawaii!) and can't get enough. The coffee is ripe harvested, milled in small batches, and roasted-to-order. They really are as delicious as you'd imagine them to be. Get it from Big Island Coffee Roasters for $45/month . 28. A shaker of edible cocktail glitter , so just like Taylor Swift, you and your drinks can make the whole room ✨shiiiiiimmmerrrr✨. Bakel is a small business that specializes in edible glitters for food and drink (fun!). I used the pink glitter to jazz up the drinks at my Taylor Swift–themed baby shower and it was a huge hit! It even looked fabulous when added to sparkling water. A little goes a long way, so don't be concerned when a tiny jar of glitter arrives — it'll be PLENTY. Promising review: " Don’t think any further and just buy it . This was so cool, and everyone loved it! I got the clear one because it will go with any drink. I will be the one to put this in all my friends' drinks. Also had no taste, so it was just the look. Sooooooo cool!" — gigi Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 18 colors). 29. An under-desk electric treadmill complete with an LED display that shows time, speed, and distance. It also features a quiet motor, and Bluetooth capabilities so you can blast "I Can Go The Distance" a la Hercules while getting your steps in and perusing your emails. See it in action in this TikTok here . The speed range is 0.5–6mph, and it can hold up to 220 pounds. Promising review : "This thing is awesome. I'm a small, not technical person and managed to haul this thing up two flights of stairs (slowly), unbox, turn on and even connect my phone to the Bluetooth in it. No assembly. Simple instructions. Distance and time measurements seem to be accurate, but the 'calories' might be missing a decimal point. No squealing or groaning under my walking. Not too loud. Slides right under my bed. Didn't need to adjust the belt, though the tool to do so is included. Packaging says to oil every 30 hours. The remote is needed to make the treadmill function. It is extremely cheap — like dollar store cheap. I hope the company has a remote replacement for if/when the remote bites it. Even still, I would 100% buy this again. Great treadmill!" — Crowells Get it from Amazon for $290.99+ (available in four colors). 30. Rhode pocket blush — it'll make getting ready for the day a breeze, letting you craft a no-makeup makeup look without the need for a million products. It blends in beautifully and is so buildable (in case you *do* want it to appear more pigmented). It's so lightweight you won't even remember that you have it on! I own this in the neutral peach shade and after trying it out for a while I've found myself reaching for it more than any of my other blush products. It's just SO easy to apply! It can definitely be blended with your fingers, but I opt to use a brush. It's very subtle but adds the perfect amount of glow to my cheeks. I also love that it's not a bulky item, so I can pop it into my bag to add a lil' color to my face whenever. It can also be used on lips! So it's a lovely little two-for-one! Also! Rhode is owned by Hailey Baldwin Bieber. All of the products are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and tested/developed by dermatologists. Promising review: "Umm hello this blush is amazing!??? She’s the perfect shade. I was influenced from TikTok of course so I had to try her out and it was so worth itttt... so girl if your thinking of buying you definitely should. Although, I would say, I wish they were bigger and in afraid I’ll run out to quick!" — Madelynn S. Get it from Rhode Skin for $24 (available in six colors) or buy the entire set for $130 . 31. And a boxed set of The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks , perfect for anyone who would basically give their kidney away if it meant being able to chow down on a Mickey-shaped pretzel right about now. This set comes with The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook , The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook and The Unofficial Disney Parks Restaurants Cookbook . Promising review: "We like going to the Disney parks, and one of the things we try to do is figure out the different dishes we get at the sit-down restaurants. While most of them are pretty easy to figure out, some of them are not. These books help us go a long way to recreating some of our favorites. It's a fun read." — RocketTom Get it from Amazon for $34 . For more recipes, check out The Unofficial Disney Parks Drink Recipe Book and the latest addition The Unofficial Disney Parks Holidays Cookbook . Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Manchester United Foundation to be targeted in Ratcliffe costs purge
With a focus on human rights, US policy toward Latin America under Jimmy Carter briefly tempered a long tradition of interventionism in a key sphere of American influence, analysts say. Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, defied the furor of US conservatives to negotiate the handover of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control, suspended aid to multiple authoritarian governments in the region, and even attempted to normalize relations with Cuba. Carter's resolve to chart a course toward democracy and diplomacy, however, was severely tested in Central America and Cuba, where he was forced to balance his human rights priorities with pressure from adversaries to combat the spread of communism amid the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. "Latin America was fundamental and his global policy was oriented toward human rights, democratic values and multilateral cooperation," political analyst Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank in Washington, told AFP. During his 1977-1981 administration, which was sandwiched between the Republican presidencies of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, the Democrat sought to take a step back from US alignment with right-wing dictatorships in Latin America. An important symbol of Carter's approach was the signing of two treaties in 1977 to officially turn over the Panama Canal in 1999. "Jimmy Carter understood that if he did not return the canal to Panama, the relationship between the United States and Panama could lead to a new crisis in a country where Washington could not afford the luxury of instability," said Luis Guillermo Solis, a political scientist and former president of Costa Rica. Carter called the decision, which was wildly unpopular back home, "the most difficult political challenge I ever had," as he accepted Panama's highest honor in 2016. He also hailed the move as "a notable achievement of moving toward democracy and freedom." During his term, Carter opted not to support Nicaraguan strongman Anastasio Somoza, who was subsequently overthrown by the leftist Sandinista Front in 1979. But in El Salvador, the American president had to "make a very uncomfortable pact with the government," said Shifter. To prevent communists from taking power, Carter resumed US military assistance for a junta which then became more radical, engaging in civilian massacres and plunging El Salvador into a long civil war. Carter took a critical approach to South American dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, suspending arms deliveries and imposing sanctions in some cases. But his efforts "did not achieve any progress in terms of democratization," said Argentine political scientist Rosendo Fraga. The American president also tried to normalize relations with Cuba 15 years after the missile crisis. He relaxed sanctions that had been in force since 1962, supported secret talks and enabled limited diplomatic representation in both countries. "With him, for the first time, the possibility of dialogue rather than confrontation as a framework for political relations opened up," Jesus Arboleya, a former Cuban diplomat, told AFP. But in 1980, a mass exodus of 125,000 Cubans to the United States, with Fidel Castro's blessing, created an unexpected crisis. It "hurt Carter politically with the swarm of unexpected immigrants," said Jennifer McCoy, a professor of political science at Georgia State University. Castro continued to support Soviet-backed African governments and even deployed troops against Washington's wishes, finally putting an end to the normalization process. However, more than 20 years later, Carter made a historic visit to Havana as ex-president, at the time becoming the highest-profile American politician to set foot on Cuban soil since 1959. During the 2002 visit, "he made a bold call for the US to lift its embargo, but he also called on Castro to embrace democratic opening," said McCoy, who was part of the US delegation for the trip, during which Castro encouraged Carter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cuban All-Star baseball game. "Castro was sitting in the front row and we were afraid he would rise to give a long rebuttal to Carter's speech. But he didn't. He just said, 'Let's go to the ball game.'" In the years following Carter's presidency, Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) would go on to resume a full-frontal confrontation with Cuba. Decades later, Barack Obama (2009-2017) opened a new phase of measured normalization, which Donald Trump (2017-2021) brought to an end. US President Joe Biden promised to review US policy toward Cuba, but hardened his stance after Havana cracked down on anti-government protests in 2021. "Carter showed that engagement and diplomacy are more fruitful than isolation," McCoy said. bur-lp-rd-jb/lbc/mlr/bfm/sst/bbkExploring Space and Neurotherapeutics at the 2025 Ultrasound Event: A Journey into the Future of Medical UltrasoundA report from the charity on hurricanes, floods, typhoons and storms influenced by climate change warns that the top 10 disasters each cost more than 4 billion US dollars in damage (£3.2 billion). The figures are based mostly on insured losses, so the true costs are likely to be even higher, Christian Aid said, as it called for action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and finance for poor countries to cope with climate change. Politicians who “downplay the urgency of the climate crisis only serve to harm their own people and cause untold suffering around the world”, climate expert Joanna Haigh said. While developed countries feature heavily in the list of costliest weather extremes, as they have higher property values and can afford insurance, the charity also highlighted another 10 disasters which did not rack up such costs but were just as devastating, often hitting poorer countries. Most extreme weather events show “clear fingerprints” of climate change, which is driving more extreme weather events, making them more intense and frequent, experts said. The single most costly event in 2024 was Hurricane Milton, which scientists say was made windier, wetter and more destructive by global warming, and which caused 60 billion US dollars (£48 billion) of damage when it hit the US in October. That is closely followed by Hurricane Helene, which cost 55 billion US dollars (£44 billion) when it hit the US, Mexico and Cuba just two weeks before Milton in late September. The US was hit by so many costly storms throughout the year that even when hurricanes are removed, other storms cost more than 60 billion US dollars in damage, the report said. Three of the costliest 10 climate extremes hit Europe, including the floods from Storm Boris which devastated central European countries in September and deadly flooding in Valencia in October which killed 226 people. In other parts of the world, floods in June and July in China killed 315 people and racked up costs of 15.6 billion US dollars (£12.4 billion), while Typhoon Yagi, which hit south-west Asia in September, killed more than 800 people and cost 12.6 billion dollars (£10 billion). Events which were not among the most costly in financial terms but which have still been devastating include Cyclone Chido which hit Mayotte in December and may have killed more than 1,000 people, Christian Aid said. Meanwhile, heatwaves affected 33 million people in Bangladesh and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, flooding affected 6.6 million people in West Africa and the worst drought in living memory affected more than 14 million in Zambia, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe, the charity said. Christian Aid chief executive Patrick Watt said: “There is nothing natural about the growing severity and frequency of droughts, floods and storms. “Disasters are being supercharged by decisions to keep burning fossil fuels, and to allow emissions to rise. “And they’re being made worse by the consistent failure to deliver on financial commitments to the poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries. “In 2025 we need to see governments leading, and taking action to accelerate the green transition, reduce emissions, and fund their promises.” Dr Mariam Zachariah, World Weather Attribution researcher who analyses extreme events in near-real time to discern the role of climate change, at Imperial College London, said: “This report is just a snapshot of climate devastation in 2024. “There are many more droughts, heatwaves, wildfires and floods not included that are becoming more frequent and intense. “Most of these disasters show clear fingerprints of climate change. “Extreme weather is clearly causing incredible suffering in all corners of the world. Behind the billion-dollar figures are lost lives and livelihoods.” And Prof Haigh, emeritus professor of atmospheric physics at Imperial College London, said: “The economic impact of these extreme weather events should be a wake-up call. “The good news is that ever-worsening crises doesn’t have to be our long-term future. “The technologies of a clean energy economy exist, but we need leaders to invest in them and roll them out at scale.” The 10 costliest climate disasters of 2024 were: – US storms, December to January, more than 60 billion US dollars; – Hurricane Milton in the US, October 9-13, 60 billion US dollars (£48 billion); – Hurricane Helene in the US, Mexico, Cuba, 55 billion US dollars (£44 billion); – China floods, June 9-July 14, 15.6 billion US dollars (£12.4 billion); – Typhoon Yagi, which hit south-west Asia from September 1 to 9, 12.6 billion US dollars (£10 billion); – Hurricane Beryl, in the US, Mexico and Caribbean islands from July 1-11, 6.7 billion US dollars (£5.3 billion); – Storm Boris in central Europe, September 12-16, 5.2 billion US dollars (£4.1 billion); – Rio Grande do Sul floods in Brazil, April 28-May 3, 5 billion US dollars (£4 billion); – Bavaria floods, Germany, June 1-7, 4.45 billion US dollars (£3.5 billion); – Valencia floods, Spain, on October 29, 4.22 billion US dollars (£3.4 billion).
The ever-evolving world of Minecraft has beguiled millions with its boundless creative opportunities and unparalleled adaptability. Now, a groundbreaking update called ‘マイクラ Actions&Stuff’ is set to revolutionize the gaming experience once again. This new feature, unveiled at the recent gaming expo, promises to transform how players interact with the iconic sandbox game. Enter ‘マイクラ Actions’: At the heart of this update lies a robust mechanism that introduces dynamic, programmable actions that are completely customizable. Gamers can now design complex sequences and tailored animations, bringing a level of depth and personal expression never before seen in the Minecraft universe. Think of it as coding simplified for creative execution, allowing even novices to craft intricate interactions within their in-game worlds. And then there’s ‘Stuff’: Complementing these enhanced interactivity options is an expanded inventory of objects and materials, known affectionately as ‘Stuff.’ This addition is designed to embrace the latest breakthroughs in digital rendering and in-game physics. From new building materials that mimic real-world textures to advanced environmental interactions that alter gameplay dynamics, ‘Stuff’ offers myriad possibilities for exploration. Looking Ahead: ‘マイクラ Actions&Stuff’ isn’t just a content pack—it signifies a paradigm shift. By leveraging cutting-edge technology trends, this update signals Minecraft’s leap into a future where imagination and technology converge seamlessly. For the Minecraft community eager to push the boundaries of virtual creativity, ‘マイクラ Actions&Stuff’ opens a portal to limitless potential. Stay tuned for more updates as this innovative content release reshapes the digital landscape. Revolutionary Update: How ‘マイクラ Actions&Stuff’ is Set to Transform Minecraft Minecraft enthusiasts are in for a transformative experience with the recent unveil of ‘マイクラ Actions&Stuff’, a groundbreaking update poised to redefine the way players interact with the popular sandbox game. This ambitious update, introduced at a major gaming expo, offers a blend of innovative features that enhance both interactivity and creativity. Features and Innovations Enhanced Programmable Actions A central feature of this update is the introduction of dynamic, customizable actions known as ‘マイクラ Actions’. These actions offer a simplified coding interface that allows players to create intricate sequences and animations. This innovation empowers gamers, regardless of their coding experience, to inject a new level of personal expression and complexity into their virtual worlds. By facilitating creative programming, this update bridges the gap between imaginative construction and technological execution. Expanded Inventory ‘Stuff’ Accompanying the programmable actions is ‘Stuff’, an enriched inventory featuring an array of objects and materials. This update embraces the latest achievements in digital rendering and in-game physics, providing players with unprecedented opportunities to explore both construction and gameplay dynamics. From new building materials that reflect the tactile feel of real-world textures to advanced environmental interactions that influence gameplay, ‘Stuff’ expands the creative toolkit available to players, encouraging experimentation and innovation. Market Insights and Trends The introduction of ‘マイクラ Actions&Stuff’ positions Minecraft at the forefront of gaming trends by leveraging cutting-edge technology. This update integrates developments in digital design and interactivity, mirroring a broader industry shift towards games that facilitate user-generated content and community-driven development. By fostering collaboration and creativity, Minecraft maintains its relevance and appeal to an ever-expanding global audience. Use Cases and Limitations With ‘マイクラ Actions&Stuff’, players can anticipate a multitude of new use cases, from creating complex automated systems within the game to designing elaborate storytelling experiences. However, the introduction of programmable actions may present a learning curve for some players. While the user-friendly interface simplifies the programming process, players may need to invest time to fully harness these capabilities. Future Predictions As ‘マイクラ Actions&Stuff’ starts reshaping the digital landscape, it is anticipated that Minecraft will continue to expand its creative possibilities, possibly incorporating artificial intelligence and advanced physics in future updates. This trajectory suggests a future where user-generated content becomes deeply integrated into the core gameplay, further solidifying Minecraft’s status as a pioneering platform for creativity. For more information on Minecraft and upcoming updates, visit the official Minecraft website to stay informed about the latest news and developments in this ever-evolving world.( MENAFN - The Conversation) Sometimes in life it's important to follow your own path, regardless of what others are doing. That's why, in an age of growing populism, at The Conversation we seek out the voices of experts. It's why we treasure nuance over simplistic solutions, and collaboration matters to us far more than self-aggrandisement. It's also why we are committed to several unfashionable ideas about journalism. We believe that facts and evidence matter more than opinions. We believe access to quality information is too important to democracy to be dependent on one's ability to pay. We believe that journalism should be respectful and non-partisan, to hold open a public space in which everyone can contribute and be heard. We have been producing our unique form of“constructive journalism” in Australia and New Zealand since 2011, long before the idea became a movement. We now have expanded to have teams across the globe, across several countries in Africa, the UK, the US, France, Spain, Canada, Indonesia and Brazil. We couldn't be more proud of what we've achieved so far. But we know that nothing we've done would be possible without you, our thousands of thoughtful and generous readers who see the value of reliable information, and who care enough to help us provide it. My deepest thanks to every academic who gave up their valuable time to write an article and share their expertise this year. Thanks to our university partners and philanthropic funders who work so hard to make a positive difference. Thanks also to the volunteer board members and my colleagues in editorial, administration and technology, who are smart, passionate, humble and fun. Special thanks to the 800 readers who became monthly donors this December (and if you want to contribute, there is still time ). Finally, from everyone in the team here, we wish you a joyous and peaceful Christmas full of friends, family, reading, reflection and affection. May you continue to follow your own path, in 2025 and beyond. MENAFN16122024000199003603ID1108999786 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
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