The leader of Sinn Fein has expressed determination to form a government of the left in Ireland as she insisted her party’s performance in the General Election had broken the state’s political mould. Despite Mary Lou McDonald’s confidence around shaping a coalition without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail – the two parties that have dominated the landscape of Irish politics for a century – the pathway to government for Sinn Fein still appears challenging. With counting following Friday’s election still in the relatively early stages – after an exit poll that showed the main three parties effectively neck-and-neck – there is some way to go before the final picture emerges and the options for government formation crystalise. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, has dismissed talk of a Sinn Fein surge and said he was “cautiously optimistic” about where his party will stand after all the votes are counted. Meanwhile, Ireland’s deputy premier and Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, insisted his party has a “very clear route back to government” as he predicted seat gains. The counting process could last days because of Ireland’s complex system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PR-STV), where candidates are ranked by preference. The early indications have turned the focus to the tricky arithmetic of government formation, as the country’s several smaller parties and many independents potentially jockey for a place in government. Ms McDonald told reporters at the RDS count centre in Dublin that she would be “very, very actively pursuing” the potential to form a government with other parties on the left of the political spectrum. The smaller, left-leaning parties in Ireland include the Social Democrats, the Irish Labour Party, the Green Party and People Before Profit-Solidarity. Ms McDonald said her party had delivered an “incredible performance” in the election. “I think it’s fair to say that we have now confirmed that we have broken the political mould here in this state,” she said. “Two party politics is now gone. It’s consigned to the dustbin of history and that, in itself, is very significant.” She added: “I am looking to bring about a government of change, and I’m going to go and look at all formulations. “If you want my bottom line, the idea of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for another five years, in our strong opinion, is not a good outcome for Irish society. “Obviously, I want to talk to other parties of the left and those that we share very significant policy objectives with. So I’m going to do that first and just hear their mind, hear their thinking. But be very clear, we will be very, very actively pursuing entrance into government.” In Friday night’s exit poll, Sinn Fein was predicted to take 21.1% of first-preference votes, narrowly ahead of outgoing coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail at 21% and 19.5% respectively. Prior to the election, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael both ruled out entering government with Sinn Fein. Fine Gael leader Mr Harris rejected suggestions Sinn Fein had broken new ground. He told reporters in his count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow: “Certainly we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it. “I mean, it looks likely, on the figures that we’ve seen now, fewer people, many fewer people would have voted Sinn Fein in this election than the last one. “In fact, I think they’re down by around 5% and actually the parties, particularly the two parties, the two larger parties in government, are likely to receive significant support from the electorate. So definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented.” He said it was too early to tell what the next government would look like. “I think anybody who makes any suggestion about who is going to be the largest party or the construct of the next government, they’re a braver person than I am,” he said. “Our electoral system dictates that there’ll be many, many transfers that will go on for hours, if not days, before we know the final computations at all. “But what I am very confident about is that my party will have a very significant role to play in the years ahead, and I’m cautiously optimistic and excited.” Fianna Fail’s Mr Martin told reporters at a count centre in Cork he was confident that the numbers exist to form a government with parties that shared his political viewpoint. Mr Martin said it “remains to be seen” whether he would return to the role of Taoiseach – a position he held between 2020 and 2022 – but he expressed confidence his party would outperform the exit poll prediction. “It’s a bit too early yet to call the exact type of government that will be formed or the composition of the next government,” he said. “But I think there are, there will be a sufficiency of seats, it seems to me, that aligns with the core principles that I articulated at the outset of this campaign and throughout the campaign, around the pro-enterprise economy, around a positively pro-European position, a government that will strongly push for home ownership and around parties that are transparently democratic in how they conduct their affairs.” Asked if it would be in a coalition with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Social Democrats, he said that would be “racing a bit too far ahead”. The final result may dictate that if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are to return to government, they may need more than one junior partner, or potentially the buy-in of several independent TDs. Mr Martin said it was unclear how quickly a government can be formed, as he predicted his party would gain new seats. “It will be challenging. This is not easy,” he added. The junior partner in the outgoing government – the Green Party – looks set for a bruising set of results. Green leader Roderic O’Gorman is in a fight to hold onto his seat, as are a number of party colleagues, including Media Minister Catherine Martin. “It’s clear the Green Party has not had a good day,” he said. The early counting also suggested potential trouble for Fianna Fail in Wicklow, where the party’s only candidate in the constituency, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, is considered to have a battle ahead, with the risk of losing his seat. Meanwhile, there is significant focus on independent candidate Gerard Hutch who, on Saturday evening, was sitting in fourth place in the four-seat constituency of Dublin Central. Last spring, Mr Hutch was found not guilty by the non-jury Special Criminal Court of the murder of David Byrne, in one of the first deadly attacks of the Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud. Mr Byrne, 33, died after being shot six times at a crowded boxing weigh-in event at the Regency Hotel in February 2016. A Special Criminal Court judge described Mr Hutch, 61, as the patriarchal figurehead of the Hutch criminal organisation and said he had engaged in “serious criminal conduct”. The constituency will be closely watched as other hopefuls wait to see if transfers from eliminated candidates may eventually rule him out of contention. In the constituency of Louth, the much-criticised selection of John McGahon appeared not to have paid off for Fine Gael. The party’s campaign was beset by questioning over footage entering the public domain of the candidate engaged in a fight outside a pub in 2018. The Social Democrats have a strong chance of emerging as the largest of the smaller parties. The party’s leader, Holly Cairns, was already celebrating before a single vote was counted however, having announced the birth of her baby girl on polling day.Repealing no-fault divorce has so far stalled across the US. Some worry that'll change

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Married couples across the U.S. have had access to no-fault divorce for more than 50 years, an option many call crucial to supporting domestic abuse victims and key to preventing already crowded family courts from drowning in complicated divorce proceedings. But some advocates for women worried as old comments from now Vice President-elect JD Vance circulated during the presidential campaign opposing no-fault divorce. After President-elect Donald Trump and Vance won the election, warnings began popping up on social media urging women who might be considering divorce to "pull the trigger" while they still could. Some attorneys posted saying they saw a spike in calls from women seeking divorce consultations. Donald and Ivana Trump pose in May 1988 outside the Federal Courthouse in New York after she was sworn in as a United States citizen. Trump — who is twice-divorced — hasn't championed overhauling the country's divorce laws, but in 2021 Vance lamented that divorce is too easily accessible, as have conservative podcasters and others. "We've run this experiment in real time and what we have is a lot of very, very real family dysfunction that's making our kids unhappy," Vance said during a speech at a Christian high school in California, where he criticized people being able to "shift spouses like they change their underwear." Marriage rates held steady but divorce rates of women age 15 and older declined from 2012 to 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released in October. Despite concerns, even those who want to make divorces harder to get say they don't expect big, swift changes. There is not a national coordinated effort underway. States determine their own divorce laws, so national leaders can't directly change policy. "Even in some of the so-called red states, it hasn't gotten anywhere," said Beverly Willett, co-chair of the Coalition for Divorce Reform, whose group unsuccessfully attempted to convince states to repeal their no-fault divorce laws. A couple exchanges wedding bands Oct. 11, 2018, at City Hall in Philadelphia. Mark A. Smith, a political science professor at the University of Washington, said while many Americans became accustomed to no-fault divorce being an option, Vance's previous comments on making it more difficult to separate from a spouse could help jump-start that effort. "Even though he's not directly proposing a policy, it's a topic that hasn't gotten a ton of discussion in the last 15 years," Smith said. "And so to have a national profile politician talk that way is noteworthy." Meanwhile, Republican Party platforms in Texas and Nebraska were amended in 2022 to call for the removal of no-fault divorce. Louisiana's Republican Party considered something similar this year but declined to do so. A handful of proposals were introduced in conservative-led statehouses over the years, but all immediately stalled after they were filed. In January, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Dusty Deevers introduced legislation that would have removed married couples from filing for divorce on the grounds of incompatibility. Deevers backed the bill after writing a piece declaring no-fault divorce was an "abolition of marital obligation." Sen. JD Vance smiles as his wife Usha Vance applauds Nov. 6 at an election-night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Similarly, in South Carolina, two Republican lawmakers in 2023 filed a bill that would have required both spouses to file for a no-fault divorce application rather than just one. In South Dakota, a Republican lawmaker attempted to remove irreconcilable difference as grounds for divorce since 2020. None of the sponsors of these bills responded to interview requests from The Associated Press. All are members of their state's conservative Freedom Caucus. Nevertheless, some Democratic lawmakers say they remain worried about the future of no-fault divorce. They point to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion in 2022 as an example of a long-accepted option that was revoked through a decades-long effort. "When you choose to be silent, you allow for this to creep in," said Democratic South Dakota Rep. Linda Duba. "These are the bills that gain a foothold because you choose to be silent." Before California became the first state to adopt a no-fault divorce option in 1969, married couples had to prove their spouse violated one of the approved "faults" outlined in their state's divorce law or risk a judge denying their divorce, said Joanna Grossman, a law professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Qualified reasons varied from state to state, but largely included infidelity, incarceration or abandonment. Donald and Marla Trump wave to photographers Dec. 20, 1993, as they enter their wedding reception in New York's Plaza Hotel. The system was a particular burden on domestic violence victims, who are often women who could be stuck in dangerous marriages while they try to prove their partner's abuse in court through expensive and lengthy legal proceedings. "If there was any evidence that the couple both wanted to get divorced that was supposed to be denied because divorce was not something you got because you wanted it, it was something you got because you've been wronged in a way that the state thought was significant," Grossman said. To date, every state in the U.S. adopted a no-fault divorce option. However, 33 states still have a list of approved "faults" to file as grounds for divorce — ranging from adultery to felony conviction. In 17 states, married people only have the option of choosing no-fault divorce to end their marriages. Photo Credit: shisu_ka / Shutterstock Marriage—and divorce—in the U.S. today are starkly different than in earlier eras of the country’s history. A series of economic, legal, and social shifts reshaped marriage in the second half of the 20th century. More women began working outside of the home in the post-World War II era, which provided avenues to financial security and independence outside of marriage. Greater emphasis on postsecondary educational attainment and career development have led young people to wait longer to enter marriage. States began to adopt no-fault divorce laws throughout the 1960s and 1970s that made it easier to end a marriage. Meanwhile, changing social and cultural attitudes have made it more common for couples to cohabitate, combine finances, and raise children prior to getting married—or without getting married at all. These trends have contributed to a decline in the overall number of marriages and to delays in when people get married for the first time. In the U.S., there are currently only 6.5 marriages per 1,000 people each year , compared to 10.9 five decades ago. For those who do choose to get married, the age of first marriage is happening later. As late as the early 1970s, the median age for a first marriage in the U.S. was just 22. By 2018, that figure had increased to 28.8. These shifts have also affected how likely married couples are to stay together. As women entered the workforce in the mid-20th century and feminism and the sexual revolution took hold, rates of divorce rose quickly throughout the 1960s and 1970s. From 1960 to 1980, the divorce rate per 1,000 people in the U.S. more than doubled from 2.2 to 5.2. But the rate began to fall steadily after 1980, and as of 2018, the rate of divorce had dropped to 2.9 per 1,000 people. The link between rates of divorce and age at first marriage has been borne out over time, but it also explains geographic differences in rates of divorce. Today, most of the states with the lowest rates of divorce are also those with a higher median age for marriage. States like New Jersey, New York, California, and Massachusetts all stand out for having fewer than 10% of adults divorced and an age at first marriage above 30. One exception to this is Utah, which has the lowest overall median age for first marriage at 25.5 but also the third-lowest share of divorced adults at 9%, likely due in part to the state’s strong religious ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In contrast, Maine and Nevada lead all states in the share of the population currently divorced at 13.9% and 13.8%, respectively. And at the local level, many of the cities with the highest levels of divorce are found in Florida, Appalachia, and the Southwest. The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey . To determine the most divorced locations, researchers at ChamberOfCommerce.org calculated the percentage of adults currently divorced. In the event of a tie, the location with the higher percentage of adults currently separated was ranked higher. To improve relevance, only cities with at least 100,000 residents were included. Additionally, cities were grouped into cohorts based on population size: small (100,000–149,999), midsize (150,000–349,999), and large (350,000 or more). Here are the most divorced cities in the U.S. Photo Credit: Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Photo Credit: photo.ua / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Jonny Trego / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Tupungato / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Kevin J King / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Galina Savina / Shutterstock Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock Photo Credit: CHARLES MORRA / Shutterstock Photo Credit: LHBLLC / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Valiik30 / Shutterstock Photo Credit: turtix / Shutterstock Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!

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Watch video as Nigerian man shows off magnificent mansionThe application of rubber in the field of shoe materials, and how to improve the abrasion resistance of rubber outsoles 11-22-2024 11:52 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: ABNewswire Rubber outsole materials are widely used in shoe materials, they are used to make various types of shoe soles due to their excellent physical properties. The following are the main applications and characteristics of rubber outsole materials in shoe materials: 1. Durability: Rubber outsoles are more durable and suitable for footwear that need to be worn for a long time and resist harsh environments, such as sports shoes, outdoor shoes and working shoes. 2. Anti-slip and grip: rubber has good anti-slip properties, especially on wet or smooth surfaces. This is particularly important for outdoor and sports shoes that need to walk on variable terrain. 3. Shock absorption: Rubber has certain shock absorption properties, which can absorb the impact on the feet when walking or running, reduce the pressure on the joints, and improve the wearing comfort. 4. Wide range of applications: Rubber outsoles can be adapted to a wide range of activities and environments, from casual sports shoes to professional hiking boots, rubber outsoles are widely used because of their adaptability. The main difficulties faced by rubber outsole materials during processing include: 1. Abrasion resistance problem: Traditional rubber outsole materials have the problem of poor abrasion resistance. In order to solve this problem, abrasion resistance can be improved by using high-performance rubber materials such as modified rare-earth cis-butadiene rubber, methyl methacrylate grafted natural rubber copolymers, and hydrogenated nitrile rubber. 2. Uneven mixing: Uneven mixing will lead to uneven dispersion of the mating agent in the rubber, and locally, the mating agent may exceed the solubility and produce frost phenomenon. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the mixing is uniform for the quality of the rubber outsole material. 3. Aging of rubber: Aging of rubber leads to the destruction of its web structure, which may lead to frosting. These difficulties involve many aspects of rubber outsole materials such as formula design, processing technology, quality control and environmental regulations, which need to be overcome through technological innovation and fine management. For rubber material manufacturers, it is very important to improve the abrasion resistance of rubber, and the common ways to improve the abrasion resistance of rubber outsole materials are adding silicone additives and so on. SILIKE Anti-abrasion masterbatch, Improve rubber abrasion resistance. SILIKE Anti-abrasion masterbatch NM-3C is a pelletized formulation. It's particularly developed for rubber shoe's sole compounds, helps to improving the final items abrasion resistance and decrease the abrasion value in the thermoplastics. Compare to conventional lower molecular weight Silicone / Siloxane additives,like Silicone oil, silicone fluids or other type abrasion additives, SILIKE Anti-abrasion Masterbatch NM-3C is expected to give a much better abrasion resistance property without any influence on hardness and color. SILIKE Anti-abrasion masterbatch NM-3C has a wide range of applications, Applicable for NR, NBR, EPDM, CR, BR, SBR, IR, HR, CSM, etc. What are the advantages of SILIKE Anti-abrasion masterbatch NM-3C [ https://www.siliketech.com/anti-wear-agent-nm-3c-product/ ] in applications: (1) Improved abrasion resistance with decreased abrasion value. (2) Impart the processing performance and final items appearance. (3) Eco-friendly. (4) No influence on hardness and color. (5) Effective for DIN, ASTM, NBS , AKRON, SATRA, GB abrasion tests. We are very experienced in improving rubber outsoles and other shoe sole materials, if you are looking for rubber abrasion resistance agents, please feel free to contact silike. Chengdu SILIKE Technology Co., Ltd, a Chinese leading Silicone Additive [ https://www.siliketech.com/products/ ] Supplier for modified plastic, offer innovative solutions to enhance the performance and functionality of plastic materials. Welcome to contact us, SILIKE will provide you with efficient plastics processing solutions. Contact us Tel: +86-28-83625089 or via email: amy.wang@silike.cn. website: www.siliketech.com [ https://www.siliketech.com/ ] to learn more. Media Contact Company Name: Chengdu Silike Technology Co.,Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=the-application-of-rubber-in-the-field-of-shoe-materials-and-how-to-improve-the-abrasion-resistance-of-rubber-outsoles ] Country: China Website: https://www.siliketech.com/ This release was published on openPR.Sinn Fein actively pursuing route into government, insists leader McDonald

Aldi Just Brought Back One of Its Most Popular Holiday Items, and It's Sure to Fly Off Shelves FastPrime Minister and U.S. president-elect both shared some reflections on social media Saturday over their at Mar-a-Lago in Florida Friday night. Trump shared his perspective of how his meeting with Trudeau went in a post on Truth Social, saying they touched on number of key issues related to border safety, illegal drug trafficking and, most importantly, trade. The meeting comes just days after Trump threatened to slap massive 25-per-cent tariffs on Canadian products being imported into the U.S. “I just had a very productive meeting” with Trudeau, Trump wrote on his social network. “I made it very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our Citizens become victims to the scourge of this Drug Epidemic.” Donald Trump’s post from Truth Social Saturday. “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a commitment to work with us to end this terrible devastation of U.S. Families,” he continued. “We also spoke about many other important topics like Energy, Trade, and the Arctic. All are vital issues that I will be addressing on my first days back in Office, and before,” Trump said. In his own post on X Saturday afternoon, Trudeau shared a photo of them and thanked Trump for the dinner, writing “I look forward to the work we can do together, again.” Thanks for dinner last night, President Trump. I look forward to the work we can do together, again. However, there was no indication that Trump has changed his mind about imposing a massive 25-per-cent surcharge on all imports from Canada, which would have a devastating impact on Canada’s energy, auto and manufacturing exports. Trump’s post on Truth Social did not address it. The Star reported Friday that the face-to-face meeting was suggested by Trudeau, according to sources familiar with the communications between the two sides. The meeting was accompanied by several of the future president’s advisers and their wives and was described by a senior Canadian official as a positive, wide-ranging discussion.

New Delhi: India’s IPO market is wrapping up an exceptional year, with two new public offers and multiple stock listings scheduled in the final week of 2024. This year has been the most vibrant for the primary market, with companies collectively raising a record Rs 1.3 lakh crore. Experts predict that the strong momentum will carry forward into 2025, with fundraising expected to cross Rs 2 lakh crore. Indo Farm Equipment IPOThe IPO of Indo Farm Equipment, a Chandigarh-based manufacturer of tractors and pick-and-carry cranes, will open for subscription on December 31 and close on January 2. The company has set a price band of Rs 204-Rs 215 per share, with a lot size of 69 shares. The public offer includes a fresh issue of up to 86 lakh equity shares and an offer for sale of 35 lakh shares by promoter Ranbir Singh Khadwalia. The funds raised from the IPO will be used to expand the company’s manufacturing capacity for pick-and-carry cranes, repay debt, and for general corporate purposes. Aryaman Financial Services is managing the issue, and the shares will be listed on both the BSE and NSE. Also Read: Do You Know Which State/UT Has The Highest Monthly Expenditure? It's Not Delhi Technichem Organics IPOIn the SME segment, Technichem Organics is opening its IPO on December 31, which will remain available for bidding until January 2. The company, which manufactures a wide range of chemicals and dye intermediates, is offering a fresh equity issue of Rs 25 crore, priced between Rs 52 and Rs 55 per share. Technichem Organics serves industries like pharmaceuticals, agriculture, coatings, and pigments, highlighting the versatility of its product range. 6 Stock Listings To WatchIn addition to these IPOs, six companies, including four in the mainboard segment, are set to debut on the stock exchanges in the last week of the year. Also Read: Will Govt Employees' DA See Another Rise In 2025? Here’s What You Need To Know Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Markets, Business Economy and around the world.Jewish community to come together after firebomb attack at Melbourne synagogue as police investigate bullet found outside

Here's how the US and Israel could thwart Iran’s nuclear efforts under a new Trump administrationAldi Just Brought Back One of Its Most Popular Holiday Items, and It's Sure to Fly Off Shelves Fast

None1. A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash infused with white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber that reviewers swear by for a cheap alternative to keep that delectably luxe scent on them all day long. Nothing wrong with smelling a lil' ~~expensive~~! I bought this after being peer-pressured by all the lovely reviews and I'm happy to report it lives up to the hype. The scent is lovely — it has depth with a hint of floral, but it's light and not at all overpowering . My favorite thing about it is how easily it pairs other scents, because I am a body mist gremlin who swaps out her scents every day. The lather is also deeply satisfying and I feel quite refreshed and squeaky clean without ever feeling dry. Promising review: "Cremo's body wash is nothing short of exceptional. If you’re a fan of luxurious fragrances, this product will quickly become your new favorite. It boasts an incredible scent that perfectly mimics Baccarat Rouge 540 — a fragrance renowned for its sophisticated and captivating aroma. What sets this body wash apart is not just its stunning scent but also its longevity. The fragrance lingers beautifully throughout the day , ensuring you stay enveloped in that luxurious aroma long after your shower." — Ralph D. Thompson II Get it from Amazon for $9.34 . 2. A gorgeous pastel paint-by-number you can get in all kinds of intricate, deeply satisfying patterns for anyone who is looking for an activity that pairs perfectly with a screen-free night in. Each set comes with a detailed numbered outline, four brushes, and a set of numbered acrylic paints with extra to spare. Promising review : "Colorful and fun! This is the third paint-by-number I’ve done, and by far the most challenging. Lots of fine point detail, and the paint brushes included were adequate, unlike other PBN sets I’ve bought." — Emily cox Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 12 styles). 3. E.l.f's brand new Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara , a GODSEND for anyone with thin or fragile lashes. This uses lightweight ~tubing~ technology to wrap around lashes and give them a natural-looking, smudge-proof extension so good it almost looks fake. The real boon, though, is how easily the "tubes" slide off in clean, easy swipes at the end of the day when you're washing your face — absolutely no smudging, over-scrubbing, or special eye makeup removal products required. Check out a TikTok of the E.l.f. tubing mascara in action. I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing . I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!), but it also comes in black and soft black. Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three shades). 4. A Lego lotus flower building kit so you can build yourself a dainty little bouquet and then sit back and admire them as decor for however long you please, no flower food or pruning required. Promising review : "I bought this lotus flower set for myself, and it only took me a little while to make it. Each stem with a flower is bagged separately, making it easy to put together. You can make the stem as long or short as you want . The leaves on the two open flowers have bendable hinged leaves, so you can make them look more realistic. They look cute in a vase, and I'm very pleased with the results ." — Happy Amazoner Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two styles). 5. A portable retro-style radio with built-in speakers and a handle so you can bop around to your nostalgic heart's content wherever you roam. Promising review: "This was to replace an inherited vintage radio that finally died after 50 years. This is smaller and has a similar style, but pulls in so many more stations than the old one did. Good sound in small package, perfect kitchen radio." — Pat Kidwell Get it from Amazon for $17.70 (available in two styles). 6. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey that you're definitely going to want to stock up on *now*, before TikTokers go feral again (guilty as charged). This cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status — it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it subtly transforming entire beauty looks with just a few swipes. I was very adamant about not buying this for the longest time because I am stubborn about "expensive" beauty products, but this is worth every penny and then some . It's so lightweight and layerable, it's foolproof to apply, and I have yet to wear a single outfit it doesn't complement??? I love watching it instantly elevate a casual look or add simple elegance to dressy ones. I wear it every day now, and after weeks of use, I've barely made a dent . Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to get pigment on my teeth with a lot of lip products, and I've simply never had an issue with this magic stick. Anyway, watch this TikTok of someone using it on their lips AND cheeks , because I did and oops, this lipstick FELL into my cart. Get it from Amazon for $21.25. 7. A set of affordable lavender shower steamers so you can have a dose of ~calm~ to cap off a long day of capitalism and help your poor overworked brain getting into de-stressing mode. Read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at Johns Hopkins . Promising review : "Hubby bought these for me because I work full time and just decided to go back to school full time, and he figured I'd be a little stressed, haha . They all smell wonderful, they work great, they'll definitely help me calm down especially during exam time at school or budget season at work." — Tyleena Gloeker Get a set of six from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three styles). 8. A pick-apart ASMR cloud plush, or "Fluffie Stuffiez" — this unique fidget toy is covered with fluff you can methodically pluck off, revealing a different color plush underneath. No worries about the extra fluff, because it comes with an adorable container to make a second cloud out of it! Reviewers love this engaging, adorable fidget both as a toy for kids and a stress reliever for adults. A few reviewers with trichotillomania swear by this as a helpful alternative for picking tendencies. Promising review : "I have a tendency to pick at my clothes when I’m bored and have nothing else to occupy my time with . I got this toy to see if it would scratch that itch and save my clothes from my boredom . It worked much better than I thought it would. The outer layer to pluck has a soft wooly feel and the under layer is very soft. Some of the strands were a bit stuck and took some effort, but most came out with only a little effort. I’ll probably get some more if I know I’m going to be away from home for a while." — Terras Get it from Amazon for $11.02 (and check out dozens of other versions on the Fluffie Stuffiez Amazon storefront !). 9. A set of delightfully ~~tingly~~ self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for anyone whose recent step count is "too many." Nothing like a lil' self-care on those aching feet to lift your spirits! Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that, my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 10. A Mason jar-inspired cold brew coffee maker to save you (*crunches numbers*) one bajillion dollars at coffee shops, and a whole lot of time to boot. All you have to do is put your favorite coffee grounds in this pitcher and let them steep overnight. Be the cool, aloof barista with amazing cold brew on tap you want to see in the world! Promising review : "This is the best way to have coffee without the acid and still have the caffeine. Easy to use and so much cheaper than buying cold brew coffee. I have bought several over the years for friends. I’ve owned mine now for four years and still love it." — Terry "Absolutely love this cold brew coffee maker. TikTok made me buy it. I use it all the time. I use 1 cup of ground coffee and 7 cups of filtered water. Once I pull out the coffee filter, I top it off with more water. I add coffee to my chocolate protein shakes every day!" — Connie Forbes Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in two sizes). 11. An oh-so-sweet hummingbird lamp with three brightness levels and a touch sensor that reviewers love using as a reading light, a wind-down light, or a nursery light. Bonus: it also functions as an aroma diffuser if you add 3–4 drops of essential oil to the top of its head. Check out a TikTok of the bird night-light in action. Promising review: "This little bird is truly a gem. You tap on its head to get three different brightness of lighting. Works great as a night-light or to have on during the day as a decor for your table or end table. I love that it comes with a charger. No need to worry about having the right battery size. Will buy as gifts for friends and family! " — Linda S. Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 12. A shaker of Thin Mint seasoning you need to buy as a favor to all your taste buds immediately. Allow me to paint a picture for you: Thin Mint coffee, Thin Mint pudding, Thin Mint popcorn, Thin Mint anything your dessert gremlin heart desires. I stared at this for months online before caving and buying it, and when I tell you!! It jazzes up my morning coffee in a way that makes my little '90s baby heart sing. I've also loved it on Greek yogurt, oatmeal, and mug cakes. Plus, when I am feeling lonely for a real Thin Mint, and we're not in Girl Scout cookie season, I'll shake this on an Oreo Thin to stave off the despair. Get it from Amazon for $4.98 (and try their s'mores seasoning blend, too!). 13. A deep exfoliating shower back scrubber so soothing and effective that it won't be long before all your friends are like, "Wow, remember when they talked about something other than how squeaky clean their back feels?" A lot of reviewers with dry skin and keratosis pilaris swear by this for relief! Dermasuri is a small business that specializes in skincare and personal care products. Check out a TikTok of the back scrubber in action. Promising review: "I used this back scrubber the day after it arrived, and I love it. Finally, I have an easy-to-use and more effective way to scrub my back. I saw the dead skin fall to the shower floor. Wow! And it easily rinsed cleaned, too." — Naomi M. Get it from Amazon for $18.79 . 14. A set of 2-in-1 magnetic rechargeable hand warmers that are a genuine must-have for cold weather traveling — you can keep these in your pockets to keep your hands the kind of roasty toasty warm that radiates through your whole body, and makes it a heck of a lot easier to stay outside and explore. Bonus: both hand warmers double as device chargers, so they'll come in handy in warm weather, too! Promising review: "These are amazing! I use them when I volunteer at the outdoor food bank and they keep my hands nice and toasty. I keep them in my coat pocket and they warm me right up! They are easy to charge and easy to use!" — Karen Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in eight colors). 15. A dual beverage Stanley cup separator so you can have TWO beverages in ONE GIANT CUP. It's a free-for-all of bevvy combos. Apple cider + seltzer, iced tea + lemonade, High Noon plus — you know what, I'll let you choose that journey for yourself 😉. Each set comes with two silicone separators and two straws in different colors adapted to a 40-ounce Stanley cup. Promising review : "I love this separator! It fits in snugly and comes with two straws. Works well with my 40-ounce Stanley!" — Dana Daily Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven styles). 16. A penguin-shaped egg cooker and holder that makes it ridiculously easy to make easy-, medium-, and hard-boiled eggs on the stove, *plus* keep them safe afterward. No more sticking your eggs back in the fridge and confusing them for the raw ones anymore — you can just pop the little penguins in there for storage. Promising review : "Bought this for a serotonin boost because it’s ridiculously cute . Little did I know how utterly functional it is . No more cracking eggs while dropping them into the pot, no more fishing them out, no more putting them back into the damp cardboard carton where they inevitably are forgotten right next to the equally neglected bag of spring mix. Just in the pot, out the pot, into the fridge where they cutely greet me every time I open the door. Gives me five seconds of joy every time. Highly recommend." — Kitty M. Get it from Amazon for $19.90 (also available in a bear version ). 17. A set of of Minnie Mouse ear scrunchies for anyone whose permanent spiritual address is "Magic Kingdom," even if their physical address is somewhere else. Promising review: "I bought these at the last minute prior to a school trip to Disney. They came in a two-pack. I wore them EVERY DAY of the trip. They are so dang cute and durable. Standing in lines for the ride, almost EVERYONE asked me about them. They thought I bought them there, but surprisingly, NOT ONE shop at any of the Disney properties sold this. I sold one to someone in the line!" — Melissa Rae Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 13 styles). 18. "You Need To Calm Down: A Coloring Book," which is the new ideal way for Swifities to de-stress. This features 45 pages of illustrations and quotes designed to loosely follow the Eras tour in order, so you can color your way back to the magic whenever you please. Psst — you can pick up a cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon for $11.99! Promising review : "I never thought I would enjoy adult coloring as much as I do with this book. It provides many opportunities to be creative, mix colors, be whimsical, and enjoy the lyrics." — Sherry Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 19. A pair of wireless over-the-ear headphones crafted to look like AirPods Max, so you can still enjoy the comfort and chic style of their iconic headphones without shelling out hundreds of dollars. These feature premium cushion padding, a built-in mic with the ability to take calls, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and surprisingly decent noise blocking for the price. iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories. I own a pair of these, and because I'm vain as heck and need to own all things pink, but I was decently surprised by how well they muffle noise! I feel like these are ideal for people who still want to hear some of the world around them (read: parents, people working in open offices), but still want to listen to their tunes comfortably . The charge on these goes for at least four hours (I haven't tried it beyond that yet), and the Bluetooth connects to my devices super easily. Excellent pair of headphones for the price point. Promising review : "These headphones surprised me. I thought they were not going to be as great because of how cheap they are, but the bass is amazing! The noise cancellation is so good that I can’t hear anything. The volume is loud and sound quality is a win , and just how I like it. Very snug and comfy, recommend! Thanks TikTok, lol :)." — Chevelle Revero Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in five colors). 20. Etude's delightfully multipurpose Dear Darling Water Tint , which a lot of reviewers compare to Benefit's Lip Tint. This smudgeproof formula is designed primarily to be a natural-looking, weightless lip stain, but reviewers use it as a blush as well! Promising review : "I bought the Benefit version a couple of months ago and was very underwhelmed by it, but this product is sooo soo much better than Benetint. The pigment is so good and natural at the same time. A 10/10 for sure. And at this price point what’s there not to like?" — Rachael Get it from Amazon for $6.20+ (available in three shades and combo packs). 21. A coquette cocktail print so your bar can be every bit as cutesy, demure, and mindful as the rest of your life. (Well, so long as that espresso martini isn't in the picture.) Each poster is made on lightweight, uncoated classic matte paper. Honey Island Studio is a California-based Etsy shop established in 2019 that specializes in funky, trendy digital prints for your home. Promising review : "Looks just like the image! I bought a frame for it and it fits perfectly, I love it. If you're thinking of buying this item, I highly suggest you do so! :)" — Allison Get it from Honey Island Studio on Etsy for $17+ (available in 13 sizes). 22. Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce , which is basically what happens when teriyaki sauce and barbecue sauce have an absurdly delicious baby. Reviewers are obsessed with putting this umami + savory + sweet sauce on just about everything they can. Check out a TikTok of Bachan's Japanese barbecue sauce in action. Bachan's is a small business that specializes in Japanese barbecue sauces. Promising review: "Worth the hype . This is absolutely delicious and full of umami. It's so tasty on stir fry with rice and makes it taste more like hibachi . I warmed up leftover restaurant brisket in a skillet, and tossed a little of this on it at the end, and let it caramelize, and it was outrageously good. The flavor is hard to describe . It's savory and salty, like the sauce that comes with Chinese dumplings, but not quite that . And there are notes of barbecue sauce, but not heavy or overly sweet." — John Flora Here's what BuzzFeed Contributor Jonathan Mazzei has to say about it: "I love this sauce! It's the perfect mix of savory, sweet, and spicy, and I've found that it works beautifully whether you're cooking with it or just using it as a last-minute topping or dipping sauce." Get a set of two (Original + Miso from Amazon for $23.98 (available in five flavors and several combo packs). 23. A sweet Nessie sugar spoon reviewers are obsessed with, and for good reason. It infuses just the right amount of ~whimsy~ into the best parts of their day (read: that first cup of coffee, the first bite of oatmeal, that lil' bowl of ice cream before bed). It also has a very satisfying weight and curve for optimum sipping. Promising review: "This little silly spoon makes me happy. It is now the #1 spoon everyone looks for in the silverware drawer at our house. Often found in a container of ice cream or a mug of tea living its best little life." — Emily Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (also available in sets of four and eight). 24. Kitsch's Zig Zag Headbands , an iconic callback to the '90s style with a chic modern update. This is designed to work for all hair types, letting you add some volume and cheeky playfulness to the rest of your look. Reviewers especially love that these don't give them headaches like other headbands! Promising review : "If you don’t have this headband, you need it! I haven’t stopped wearing it since I bought it! I’ve had so many people compliment it and order one because of how simple but cute it is! I have a medium thickness of hair and It holds my hair out of my face, the quality is great and it stays put all day. Wouldn’t use for working out but great for everyday wear!" — Morgan "Saw these on TikTok and knew they were worth buying. I was right to love them!!!" — Debbie Ladnier Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two colors). 25. A mushroom growing kit that grows right there in the packaging, so you can add some sweet, sweet umami flavors to all your favorite dishes by sautéing, roasting, or air frying them up. Back To The Roots is a California-based small business founded by two college friends that specializes in indoor gardening kits with a mission to reconnect families to food. Promising review: "This product has been so much fun to watch! I followed the directions, exactly as written, and the mushrooms began growing within 3–4 days. I will say that I did soak them for close to 10 hours before putting them back in the box to grow and I believe this helped a ton. I also kept the box inside by a window with the blinds closed in order for them to get indirect sunlight . The mushrooms grew tremendously for almost a week before they started to shrink so I clipped them to cook with and they were DELICIOUS! This was such a fun product and process to watch." — Steph A Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 26. A beautifully packaged, travel-friendly Touchland Power Mist hydrating hand sanitizer for anyone who's like "mindfully practicing health and safety, but make it fashion." Unlike other sanitizer sprays, it's infused with aloe vera to keep your skin hydrated and has the most luxurious floral scents. Touchland is a small business that specializes in hand sanitizers. Promising review: "Touchland's hand sanitizers are absolutely beautiful! Not only is the packaging functional for travel, but it’s pretty! Absolutely no issues with the product or the design of the packaging leaking, and it’s extremely easy to use! No sticky residue, and your hands feel completely hydrated and soft after each use . I’m especially impressed with this perk, considering most hand sanitizers leave your skin feel tight and dry . No leaks, great hydration, phenomenal fragrance.... what’s not to LOVE!!!? 🤍 SPOIL YOURSELF, NO EXCUSES NECESSARY!" — Briana R. Get it from Amazon for $16 (available in Lily of the Valley and Rose scents; check out Touchland's Amazon storefront for more options). 27. A gorgeous vintage-inspired botanical tapestry that will bring some much-needed calm, lovely vibes to your space with almost *zero* effort on your part — all you have to do is hang it up with the included hook. Promising review: "This is a very nice item that I am using in my small Florida apartment to enhance my decor since my hobby is growing indoor houseplants. It is the best-quality item I own . It's beautiful, the pictures didn't do it justice. " — Sharon Boggs Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . 28. Mr. Sketch Scented Watercolor Markers so all the foodies out there can finally sniff their beloved orange and mint pen tips to their heart's content without a teacher being concerned they're about to take a big honking bite out of it. Promising review : "These are my favorite markers to use for anchor charts in my first grade classroom. The tips are great for writing nice, big letters. The smells are fantastic , although this pack had a few interesting scents, like nacho cheese. I will only use this brand." — KPorto28 Get a set of 22 from Amazon for $14.10 . Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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No knife needed for brain surgery that could help 750,000 Brits with OCD By MEIKE LEONARD Published: 23:06 GMT, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 23:09 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments A brain surgery technique being developed could help more than 750,000 people in the UK with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Researchers in Korea found that the non-invasive procedure using high-powered ultrasound – during which patients remain awake – significantly reduced the symptoms of the debilitating mental health condition. Those with OCD suffer from unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours, known as compulsions, which can be distressing as well as time-consuming. Compulsions can include frequent hand washing, counting in patterns, silently repeating a word or phrase or arranging items in a particular way. About one in 50 people in the UK suffer from OCD at some point in their lives, and most cases can be treated with talking therapy and medication. The NHS does not recommend brain surgery as a treatment for OCD – but the advice has not been updated since 2005. The surgery, tested in a ten-year clinical study, uses beams of ultrasound energy to destroy targeted areas of brain tissue. Patients remain awake for the procedure and are assessed before and after each ultrasound beam is delivered – with side effects limited to headaches or dizziness during the treatment, which later dissipate. A non-invasive procedure using ultrasound could help people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Those with OCD suffer from unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours, known as compulsions, such as frequent hand washing Called magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound, the 'scalpel-free' surgery was shown to reduce symptoms and have no adverse effects more than a decade after being carried out. The study's lead researcher, Dr Jin Woo Chang from Korea University Anam Hospital, said: 'This technology will offer a new lease of life for those suffering and struggling from serious psychiatric problems.' The ultrasound procedure is currently used by the NHS to treat essential tremor – a nervous system condition that is often a symptom of Parkinson's – as well as fibroids in the uterus. According to the researchers, in the future it could also be used to remedy other common psychiatric diseases, such as treatment-resistant depression. NHS Share or comment on this article: No knife needed for brain surgery that could help 750,000 Brits with OCD e-mail Add comment