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Report: Independent Inquiry Discovers Dozens of Afghan Men and Children Victims of Alleged Extrajudicial Killings by British Special Forces During the War | The Gateway Pundit

The Royal Courts of Justice in London has started hearings this Monday (Oct. 9) on an independent inquiry to examine longstanding claims that British special forces murdered dozens of Afghan men during ‘counterinsurgency’ operations in Afghanistan around a decade ago.

Besides the unlawful killings that took place during night raids carried out by Britain’s elite military units, the inquiry seeks to sort out allegations that authorities covered up the crimes or rather failed to effectively investigate it.

The British military has found that soldiers were in fact acting in self-defense. The investigation will hear submissions from the families of 33 people, including eight children allegedly killed by special forces.

Associated Press reported:

“‘Our clients hope that the opening of this inquiry marks the end of ‘the wall of silence’ and obstruction that has confronted them over the last decade’, said lawyer Tessa Gregory, representing the families.

Her law firm, Leigh Day, argues that between 2010 and 2013, more than 80 Afghans were killed under ‘suspicious’ circumstances at the hands of British special forces. That formed part of a ‘widespread and systematic pattern of unlawful extrajudicial killings’, it said.”

Oliver Glasgow, lawyer for the plaintiffs, said the inquiry will ensure that those with something to hide will be held accountable.

Glasgow cited email exchanges between officers that suggested concerns within the military about the disproportionate number of casualties.

“One such email noted ‘there appears to be a casual disregard for life’, while others discussed the disproportionate number of enemy dead compared to the number of weapons recovered.”

The inquiry will also delve into two previous investigations by the Royal Military Police, which closed with no prosecutions.

“When the BBC  aired details about the alleged unlawful killings in an investigative program last year, the Ministry of Defense cited the lack of evidence in the two earlier inquiries and claimed it was “irresponsible and incorrect” to report the allegations.”

Reuters reported:

“The independent inquiry was ordered by Britain’s defence ministry last December after a BBC TV documentary reported that soldiers from the elite Special Air Service (SAS) had killed 54 people in suspicious circumstances.”

Two families who accuse SAS troops for the killing of their relatives, in 2011 and 2012, began the legal action aiming for a judicial reviews of their cases.

“‘The bereaved families look to the inquiry to fearlessly uncover the truth of the deaths of their loved ones and to ensure that those responsible are held to account’.

The chair Charles Haddon-Cave has said the inquiry would examine whether there was unlawful activity by British military personnel between mid-2010 and mid-2013 during ‘deliberate detention operations’, and whether there was credible information of extra-judicial killings.

It will also look at whether investigations by the military police were properly conducted, and if any unlawful killings were covered up to prevent them ‘ever coming to light’.”

 

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How To Do Double Penetration Safely During Sex

Butt stuff is far from niche these days, as more folks with vaginas become interested in things like anilingus or rimming (aka anal oral), anal fingering, and good ol’ p-in-b sex. While all of these back-door sex acts can bring pleasure in and of themselves, there’s also something to be said for combining or pairing them with vaginal penetration, á la double penetration.

As the name implies, “double penetration (aka DP) involves two different orifices of a person being penetrated simultaneously,” says certified sex therapist Aliyah Moore, PhD, relationship expert at sex toy reviews platform SexualAlpha.

This penetration most often happens “vaginally and anally at the same time,” but DP can also be “two penises [or] toys (or one of each) in a single orifice,” says Carol Queen, PhD, staff sexologist at Good Vibes and curator of the Antique Vibrator Museum. That means you don’t need to involve three people for double penetration—just two and a toy, or one and a double-ended toy can work—but you certainly can (more on that below).

With the extra penetration can come additional pleasure for some. In a nationally representative survey conducted in 2022 of more than 3,000 people in the U.S. who identify as women, 40 percent reported pleasure from “anal pairing,” or touching in or on the anus at the same time as other forms of sexual touch, including vaginal penetration or clitoral stimulation. And research has long shown that diversifying the kinds of sexual behaviors with which you engage can lead to more orgasms—which make sense: More sex acts *can* offer more opportunities for climaxing, so long as they’re all done safely.

How to know if double penetration is right for you

It’s important to note that just because some folks may experience more pleasure with multiple kinds of penetration at once doesn’t mean everyone will; more isn’t always more, and for others, the additional penetration could simply feel like too much.

In turn, there’s never an obligation to try DP. But, if any of the below are true for you, you could very well enjoy it.

You’re curious about how DP feels

Moore says that “curiosity is a key factor” in people experimenting with DP. “Perhaps you came across it in adult movies or heard about it from friends, and that sparked an interest in experiencing it firsthand,” she says.

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In any case, if you’re wondering what DP might feel like or find yourself considering how it might appeal to your sexual interests, that’s your first sign that it may be worth your while to explore it.

You’re into extreme or hardcore play

“For fans of intense penetration and extreme play, double penetration can provide a sensation of fullness [akin] to fisting as well as a [greater] intensity than single penetration,” says Dr. Queen. By a similar token, Moore says that DP can add additional stimulation with “the potential for heightened arousal and more intense orgasms.” Which is all to say, DP can be a great avenue to explore if you’re keen to ramp up your sexual pleasure.

“For fans of intense penetration and extreme play, double penetration can provide a fullness [akin] to fisting as well as a [greater] intensity than single penetration.” —Carol Queen, PhD, sexologist

That’s also an important reminder, though, that double penetration can feel like, well, a lot. So, if you’re curious about DP, but it feels like a big leap, consider exploring other kinds of single penetration first, whether solo or with a partner, like angling or adding (which involves using more than one finger). You can add DP to a sexual bucket list, and either try it out with a toy or introduce it into a relationship when you feel comfortable exploring a more intense sensation.

You want to deepen your connection with a partner

While double penetration can certainly crank the dial up on the intensity of any sexual encounter, that doesn’t mean it’s just for hardcore or kinky sex-plorers. It can also be a great way to make your sexual bond with a partner that much deeper, emotionally speaking.

“[Exploring double penetration] can allow you to push your boundaries with a partner, fostering a heightened sense of trust and opening new avenues for communication,” says Moore.

What to do before trying double penetrationGet to know your body

If you’re new to penetrative sex, double penetration might not be for you—yet. According to Dr. Queen, “knowing how aroused and lubricated you need to be before starting [penetration] and what lubes work best for you, and being experienced with anal sex,” if you’re planning on doing DP with anal penetration, will help make the experience pleasurable for all parties involved.

For any double penetration involving anal, it bears repeating that some prior experience with anal is a necessity, as is engaging in anal-sex best practices. For starters, it’s important to prime your butt for anal play by using anal dilators, take note of what you’re eating before anal, and invest in some high-slip lube to use during anal. Getting comfortable with anal on its own will make pairing it with vaginal penetration that much more seamless.

Discuss specifics with your partner(s)

If you’re planning on involving a partner or two in double penetration, that shouldn’t be a spur-of-the-moment decision. “Preparing for double penetration requires thoughtful planning,” says Moore. “Start with an open conversation, discuss concerns [and] desires, set clear boundaries, and use safewords [which denote when you’d like to pause or stop a sexual act].”

As double penetration is a term with many meanings, it’s also important to get on the same page with your partner(s) about what it means for each of you. “Someone might be open to trying both vaginal and anal penetration simultaneously, while [their partner] might only be comfortable with doubling up on one kind of penetration,” says Moore. And that’s why talking things out beforehand is so essential.

But communication isn’t just a pre-sex must, either. “During the act, if something doesn’t feel right, speaking up ensures everyone’s experience remains enjoyable and consensual,” says Moore. “Discussing [afterward] what worked and what didn’t can also help improve future encounters.”

How to actually engage in safe double penetrationFind a third person you can trust

Bodies are close to each other in a three-person double penetration configuration (especially in the single orifice version). “For some, that’s hot!” Dr. Queen says. “For others, it’s a recipe for their internalized homophobia to come out.” Discussing this possibility with all partners in advance and respecting safewords is vital. Dr. Queen has some straightforward words of wisdom: “If you can’t talk about it [with all parties], you’re not ready to do it.”

The ideal third person for double penetration will be “comfortable in a close, hot, and heavy situation,” adds Dr. Queen. Kink-positive apps or a sex party can be good places to find a third—but you need to be able to trust the person, which means, “it might also be comforting to involve someone you already know,” Moore says.

Choose a sex position that facilitates DP

If vaginal and anal penetration is your chosen option for DP with three total people, the cowgirl sex position works well. The person being penetrated “straddles Partner 1 in cowgirl position, and once [Partner 1’s] penis (or dildo) is in [the] vagina, Partner 2 comes in from behind for anal penetration,” explains Dr. Queen. It’s important to go slowly as “entering anally is different when the vagina [has] a penis or toy” in it, she adds. According to Moore, reverse cowgirl can work in much the same way.

Another option? DP doggy style, “where the receiver is on all fours, with one giver penetrating from behind and the other from the front,” suggests Moore. You could also try missionary DP, which is a typical missionary with “one giver between the receiver’s legs, while the second one joins from above,” or standing DP, with “one giver in front and the other behind, both penetrating the receiver simultaneously,” she adds.

The most important thing to remember? “The person being penetrated is in charge,” Dr. Queen says. That is, if the receiver says to stop or slow down, all givers involved must listen.

Incorporate a sex toy

As noted above, double penetration doesn’t have to involve a third partner or even another person at all. You can explore DP solo using a double-ended sex toy, which may be your best option if you’re a beginner because, according to Moore, “you can control both depth and speed at your comfort.”

In this case, Moore advises choosing a sex toy designed specifically for DP, “like double dildos or those tailored for simultaneous anal and vaginal use.”

Separately, you can also have p-in-v sex with a partner while using (or having them use) a regular dildo for anal penetration, or vice versa. This way, you don’t need to involve a third person and can maintain greater control over one of the modes of penetration.

Use ample lubricant

Lubricant is a critical factor in any type of double penetration play, particularly when it includes anal play, says Moore. (Important reminder: The anus, unlike the vagina, isn’t self-lubricating.) After all, double penetration involves more than one penetrating body part or toy that can cause friction within either the anal or vaginal canal, so it’s all the more important to take precautions for things to glide smoothly.

Avoid swapping partners or toys in a single orifice

Like any kind of penetrative sex, double penetration puts you at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted illness (STI) or becoming pregnant if you don’t use protection, but it also comes with a few particular considerations. Namely, it’s important to “avoid going from anus to vagina or vagina to anus [with a penis] unless you change condoms first,” as this can put you at higher risk for both STIs and other bacterial infections, says Dr. Queen.

And the same goes for toys. Never swap a toy from front to back or back to front “without cleaning it first,” Moore says.

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Kash Patel Calls Out Tony Blinken for Openly Lying to the American Public About the $6 Billion Biden Sent to Iran (VIDEO) | The Gateway Pundit

On Sunday Biden Secretary of State Tony Blinken told reporters the $6 billion Joe Biden gifted to Iran in September was not used in the Hamas Sabbath terrorist attack this weekend.

Tony Blinken has absolutely no proof of this. And Iran was working with Hamas planning the attack for months before Joe Biden gave Iran the $6 billion.

On Monday afternoon former Trump official and author Kash Patel busted Blinken for his recent set of lies.

Kash Patel: I just want to touch upon the fact that we have Blinken going out there saying the $6 billion hasn’t been spent.

What a total lie.

The $6 billion was unfrozen from Korean accounts and went to Middle East bank accounts. And that money has since been transferred to Iranian proxy forces and militia groups.  And the government of Iran and the President of Iran himself said the day after the $6 billion transfer, not only are we removing UN inspectors from the nuclear program, we will spend this money however we want.

Our Secretary of State, as K.T. pointed out, is lawyering up and covering up, and now they’re going to start blaming each other because the DoD cares more about the setting sun than they do about our men and women. And they can’t even tell us how many civilians Americans are over there. This is the same regime that left 1000 American citizens in Afghanistan, not to mention our 13 dead.

Kash Patel was on FOX Business Network on Monday.

Never forget that it was Tony Blinken who planned and organized the letter with 51 intel “experts” who insisted Hunter Biden’s laptop was a Russian op.
Another massive lie.

Never forget Blinken behind 51 Spies who lied about Hunter Biden’s laptop in order to influence the 2020 election
(Called election interference)https://t.co/ZHpJQEkUiH

— Common Sense is Very Uncommon (@1TxStar) October 9, 2023

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OUTRAGEOUS! Joe Biden Enjoys a Picnic with a Live Band in Rose Garden While Hamas Holds Americans Hostage | The Gateway Pundit

Biden Rose Garden stock photo

Joe Biden called a lid Sunday morning and went into hiding amid an unprecedented attack against Israel by Hamas terrorists.

Biden has nothing on his public schedule for Sunday. He called it a day at 11:34 am.

According to a pool report, Joe Biden is actually enjoying a picnic in the Rose Garden with a live band.

“The President and First Lady are hosting a BBQ for White House Executive Residence staff and their families,” a pooler said after he heard a live band playing around the Rose Garden.

Meanwhile, Hamas is holding Americans hostage.

While Hamas holds Americans hostage, Joe Biden is enjoying a picnic with a live band pic.twitter.com/0xqRDwyuoR

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 8, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Hamas after the militant group fired over 5,000 rockets at Israel on Saturday.

WATCH:

Additional footage being released from Gaza of rockets launched towards Tel Aviv from Gaza this evening. pic.twitter.com/jhcmkj8nbv

— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) October 7, 2023

Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, catching the country off-guard during a major Jewish holiday. The attack involved thousands of rockets and dozens of fighters infiltrating Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip.

Horrifying footage has emerged showing women being marched into vehicles, bloodied and bruised. Earlier reports showed Israeli civilians including children, being captured and taken into the Gaza Strip, Daily Mail reported.

The death toll from Saturday’s Hamas terror attack rose to over 700 dead. At least 2,000 were injured.

At least 260 young people were slaughtered at the Dance Party near Kibbutz Urim (Kibbutz Reim) in southern Israel.

The number of Israelis confirmed dead after yesterday’s Hamas invasion has risen to over 700.

Men, women, and children, including elderly people executed in the street and young people shot dead at a dance party.

There has never been anything like this in Israel’s history.

— Avi Mayer אבי מאיר (@AviMayer) October 8, 2023

Biden is a total disgrace. The Hamas attack comes just weeks after Biden released $6 billion in funding to Iran.

On Saturday afternoon nearly 15 hours after the deadly Hamas attack against Israel began Biden shuffled into the State Dining Room to deliver remarks.

He spoke for 2 minutes and 55 seconds before shuffling away without answering any questions.

The surprise terror attacks against Israel started at 11:30 PM ET Friday night – yet Joe Biden admitted he wasn’t briefed on the attacks until 7:30 or 8 am ET on Saturday!

Biden was asleep!

“When I got up this morning and started this at 7:30, 8:00, my calls…Hamas terrorists crossed into Israel and killed not only Israeli soldiers, but Israeli civilians,” Biden said on Saturday.

WATCH:

BIDEN: “When I got up this morning and started this at 7:30, 8:00, my calls…”

Was that his first briefing on the attacks, which started at approx. 11:30 p.m. ET and continued throughout the night? pic.twitter.com/kgG6B6LGwk

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 7, 2023

Once again Joe Biden doesn’t have a care in the world as Americans are held hostage by Hamas.

Several Americans were reportedly killed in the ambush terror attack and many have been taken hostage.

Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on Sunday the U.S. is moving a carrier group to the eastern Mediterranean Sea in response to the attack on Israel.

“The IDF late Sunday night struck around 150 targets all within the Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza, leveling large portions of the neighborhood associated with Hamas terror infrastructure in a short period of time.” – The Jerusalem Post reported.

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Joe Biden Gave Iranian Regime $6 Billion While They Were Plotting with Hamas to Pull Off the Largest Mass Slaughter of Innocent Jews Since Holocaust | The Gateway Pundit

On the 22nd Anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on America, Joe Biden finalized a deal to send $6 billion to the Iranian government in exchange for as many as five detained US dual nationals held by the brutal regime.

Iran is one of the top state sponsors of terrorism and has been for several years.

The Biden administration has issued a waiver for US banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian oil funds without fear of U.S. sanctions — a key step in securing the release of five American citizens detained in Iran, people familiar with the matter said.

Three weeks ago The Gateway Pundit predicted Iran would use the cash to fund their military and regional ambitions.

We were right.

Iran’s Islamist proxy Hamas fired over 5,000 missiles into Israel in a surprise Sabbath attack. Hamas fighters raided the country and slaughtered 700 Jews and 260 young adults at a dance party.

Breaking Israel: Entire families and car loads of Israeli civilians have been slaughtered in the most brutal surprise attack on the Sabbath when many Israelis were celebrating #Shabat

The Israeli Defence forces appear to have been completely caught off-guard and the feared… pic.twitter.com/MAF9T42mVB

— Jim Ferguson (@JimFergusonUK) October 7, 2023

On Sunday the Wall Street Journal reported that the Iranian regime was working with Hamas since August in plotting the historic terror attack.

Joe Biden gave the Iranian regime $6 billion while they were negotiating with Hamas.

Think about that for a minute!

The Jerusalem Post reported:

Hamas’s attacks on Israel, which began Saturday morning, were planned weeks in advance with assistance from Iranian security officials, according to a Sunday report from The Wall Street Journal.

The report, citing senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, stated that the Iranian officials “gave the green light” for the attacks during a meeting between them and Hamas in Beirut last week.

IRGC officers worked with Hamas since August to plan incursions from the “air, land, and sea,” the report noted. Officers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were also at the meetings in Beirut.

Backing by Iran

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had praised the attacks, posting on X earlier this week that the cancer of the usurper Zionist regime will be eradicated at the hands of the Palestinian people and the Resistance forces throughout the region.” Formerly known as Twitter, X stated that Khamenei’s post violated the platform’s rules.

At least 700 Israelis were killed and around 2,300 injured in attacks by Hamas since Saturday morning, with the number expected to rise.

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We’re Still In Awe Of These 7 Thought-Provoking Quotes From Our Women’s Health Event

“Breathing tools can be so much more effective when you’ve taken a moment to allow your vagus nerve to receive that breathwork practice.” — Gwen Dittmar

By now we all know the transformative power of breathwork—which was why we brought in Gwen Dittmar to guide our attendees through some breathing. But she also gave us a tip for taking our breathwork to the next level: by priming the vagus nerve first. And how? Bring your pointer finger to the back of your ear, and your middle finger to your tragus (the knob of cartilage at the opening of your ear) and rub in circles. If you’re feeling calm and a little sleepy, it’s working. 

“Muscle is everything… My advice to you would be to start to build that bank [of muscle]. It’s an outcome you’re looking for. And who you have to become to get that result—the discipline, the resilience, the habits you have to develop—will move you forward through your whole life.” — Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

Building muscle isn’t just about being physically strong, although (as functional medicine expert Dr. Gabrielle Lyon shared) that certainly comes with its advantages. The journey of making deposits into our “muscle bank,” so to speak, also cultivates an invaluable sense of adaptation and resilience. Strength training has always been perceived as masculine, but Dr. Gabrielle is paving a new road, and the women at our event were on board.

“If you schedule your time with yourself, you will get time with yourself.” — Denise Vasi

According to Denise Vasi, founder of Maed, she’s something of a poster child for getting all the things done—from working out to motherhood to running a business. And her secret is simple but powerful: scheduling. She spends 30 minutes at the beginning and end of each day identifying her top priorities. Another simple tip? She puts her phone on focus, reminding us that it’s not normal to be fielding texts and calls all day. 

“I don’t think anyone here should set goals. I think that you should all set standards. Standards for yourself, how you show up, and how you execute. A goal is nebulous, a standard is something you will always become.” — Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

Mic drop.

“I look at a growth mindset maybe slightly differently. I ask myself at the end of the day—did I laugh, did I learn something new, and did I help somebody?” — Hanneke Willenborg, CEO of OLLY

There are a lot of ways to invoke a growth mindset, but Hanneke’s three questions beckon authenticity. After all—what is growth if we aren’t laughing, learning, and living in service to one another? Not only does Hanneke guide her own family with these questions, “It’s how I lead at OLLY,” she said. “Let’s laugh, let’s learn something new, and let’s help each other… Because that creates the atmosphere of true innovation, creativity, and boldness.”

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UPDATE: NY Socialists Hold Pro-Palestinian Rally – Chant “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will Be Free” – Following Hamas Mass Murder of over 700 Jews in Israel Raid (VIDEO) | The Gateway Pundit

Hundreds of Pro-Palestinian protesters marched through New York City on Sunday following the slaughter of 700 Jews by Hamas inside Israel on Saturday.

The protesters supported Hamas following the brutal slaughter of 700 Jews including 260 young adults at a concert.

DEVELOPING: Pro-Palestinian protesters marching through New York City, denounce Israel. WATCH pic.twitter.com/9SPWUd4gZ4

— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) October 8, 2023

The Democratic Socialists of America (the party of Ilhan Omar, Cori Bush, Rashida Talib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman) gathered in New York on Sunday to hold a Pro-Palestinian “All Out for Palestine” rally.

Hamas reportedly launched over 5,000 missiles into southern and central Israel. Reports reveal 700 Israelis are dead over 2,150 are wounded and 100 more taken hostage.

The death toll is expected to rise after Hamas fired thousands more rockets and sent dozens more militants into Israeli towns.

Terrorists reportedly opened fire on hundreds of Israelis attending a nature party, also described as a peace party, in the desert near the border. and it is feared they may have been kidnapped and forced into Gaza.

Margaret Flavin reported on the rally earlier.

At one point the pro-Hamas protesters chanted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” This is an old chant describing the Palestinian goal of slaughtering all of the Jews in Israel.

They were chanting this the day after Hamas murdered 700 Jews in the largest mass murder of civilian Jews since the Holocaust.

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Ohio Social Worker Arrested for Molesting 13-Year-Old Boy She Was Counseling | The Gateway Pundit

Payton ShiresAn Ohio social worker has been arrested for molesting the 13-year-old boy that she was counseling.

Payton Shires, 24, has been charged with one count of sexual conduct with a minor.

The incidents are said to have taken place in September, shortly after she received her social work license in June.

Myrtle Beach Online reports:

The boy’s mom told police she saw text messages between him and Shires. Court records say that in the texts, Shires asked the boy if he deleted videos and if his mom had seen the videos or their messages, WCMH reported.

After reading the texts, the mother was concerned. She gave the phone to investigators, and when they searched it, they say they found a video of Shires and the boy engaging in sex acts, WSYX reported. Police say the boy told them they had engaged in sex acts at least twice.

On a call with investigators and the boy’s mom, police say Shires admitted to engaging in sexual acts with the boy, according to WBNS.

Shires previously worked for the National Youth Advocate Program.

“Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. The National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) is saddened by the situation involving one of our former employees and a young person served by our organization. NYAP has reported the situation to Franklin County Children Services (FCCS) and is collaborating with them and the Columbus Police Department on this case,” the company said in a statement about her arrest.

Shires was booked into the Franklin County Jail October 6 and has been given a $500,085 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court again on October 16.

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Over 2,000 Dead in Afghanistan Following Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake | The Gateway Pundit

Over 2,000 people are reported to be dead after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Afghanistan on Saturday.

The densely populated area near Herat was the hardest hit.

The quake was followed by aftershocks measuring magnitude 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5, and some lesser shocks.

Rescue workers and volunteers were digging through the rubble with shovels and their hands trying to pull people from the wreckage on Sunday.

“Entire villages were flattened, bodies were trapped under collapsed houses and locals waited for help without even shovels to dig people out,” the Associated Press reports. “Living and dead, victims were trapped under rubble, their faces grey with dust.”

At least 1,300 homes were also destroyed in the natural disaster.

“Most people were shocked … some couldn’t even talk. But there were others who couldn’t stop crying and shouting,” photographer Omid Haqjoo, who visited four villages Sunday, told The Associated Press.

A Taliban government spokesperson said that if the death toll is confirmed, it would be the deadliest one to strike the country in two decades.

An earthquake in June 2022 killed approximately 1,000 Afghan people.

The AP reports, “People in Herat freed a baby girl from a collapsed building after she was buried up to her neck in debris. A hand cradled the baby’s torso as rescuers eased the child out of the ground. Rescuers said it was the baby’s mother. It was not clear if the mother survived.”

“There’s not much disaster management capacity and what there is can’t cover people on the ground,” said Salma Ben Aissa, the committee’s country director for Afghanistan told the outlet. “The numbers (of dead) are increasing hour by hour.”

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Using Augmented Reality to Level up your E-Commerce Business

With 20.8% of all retail transactions occurring online in 2023, technological advancements are the driving force behind how customers shop. In today’s dynamic landscape, everything is rapidly evolving, from how we browse through our favorite stores to how we purchase something, and Augmented Reality is one of them.

Since customer preferences are ever-changing, businesses seek new ways to captivate their audience. Integrating augmented reality (AR) into ecommerce experiences is just one of these ways.

Related: Evolution of Ecommerce – A Glimpse of Its Past, Present, and Future

Augmented Reality in Ecommerce

Augmented reality is an innovative technology that helps sync digital elements with the real world, providing an immersive experience for customers. Leveraging AR is proving to be a game changer for several businesses, transforming the way their customers interact with their products and services.

Augmented reality first gained prominence through entertainment apps like Pokémon Go and is now slowly progressing onto the e-commerce stage. According to industry experts and market analysts, AR will soon become a cornerstone of e-commerce success. A Statista forecast survey reveals that by 2025, around one-third of shoppers in the United States will have used AI-powered technologies when buying products online.

So, if you’re ready to hop on board the AR hype train, let’s review some of its benefits to your business.

Better customer engagement

A lot of businesses hesitate to incorporate AR technology into their business strategies. Mostly, they think it’s just a gimmick or a fad that will die soon. But I can assure you it’s not and will not fade away soon. According to a Deloitte report, by 2025, roughly 4.3 billion global consumers will use AR technology frequently.

Harnessing the power of AR will allow you to engage your customers better and attract other potential customers as well. A survey conducted by Retail Perceptions revealed that 71% of customers would be more willing to frequent retailers that offer augmented reality experiences. This engagement isn’t just temporary; it translates directly into conversions and long-term brand loyalty.

By creating immersive shopping experiences to captivate their audience, brands can leverage AR to bring interactivity and engagement to their campaigns that couldn’t have been done previously using traditional marketing methods.

Personalized shopping experience

‘Personalization’ is the buzzword on everyone’s lips these days. Customers want their shopping experience to feel unique and tailored to their needs. AR helps elevate a mundane and generic shopping experience to a personalized one for every customer.

Augmented reality can do this by curating product recommendations based on individual preferences, behaviors, and shopping habits. McKinsey research shows that 71 percent of customers expect brands to deliver personalized shopping experiences, and not only that, but 76 percent of them actually get frustrated when this doesn’t happen.

This makes AR more of a necessity than it was before. And it’s a win-win situation for both the business and the customers. By seamlessly merging the digital and physical realms, AR offers a unique opportunity to create bespoke shopping journeys that resonate with customers.

Related: How Augmented Reality (AR) Continues to Transform Customer Experience?

Improved product visualization

AR actually addresses a common pain point that many online shoppers face – visualizing how the product would fit you or look on you. The frustration of buying a product only to find it doesn’t quite fit or look as good on you as you thought it would is an all-too-common scenario. Time suggests that people return almost 40% of what they buy online due to sizing issues.

Being able to visualize how you would look like in a particular dress or wearing a shade of lipstick that looks really good can save a lot of time and money for both customers and retailers alike. AR helps turn their imagination into reality by enabling customers to visualize products in their real-world environments before purchasing.

Shopify’s research indicates that retailers who add 3D and AR content to their stores experience an impressive 94% increase in conversion rates. A lot of it has to do with customers being assured of what they’re buying. AR can significantly reduce the uncertainty associated with online purchases.

Success Stories of Brands Leveraging Augmented Reality

Augmented reality isn’t exactly new on the market, and several brands have recognized its transformative potential and used it to curate immersive experiences for their customers. Let’s look at some prominent ones.

NikeFit

Nike has recognized a vital pain point their customers face: the inability always to purchase the correct size when buying shoes online. According to them, three out of five people are probably wearing the wrong shoe size. To address this concern, they’ve developed NikeFit – a mobile app made using AR technology that scans customers’ feet to determine their correct shoe size. Using this, customers can ensure they purchase the right size and don’t face any hassles when exchanging or returning the shoes.

L’Oreal Virtual Makeup and Hair Color Try-On

A common issue many women experience when purchasing makeup products or hair colors is that they look great in ads or other women, but they don’t end up looking as good on them as they thought. L’Oreal has come up with an intelligent solution for this with the help of AR technology. They have created a virtual try-on experience for all their products on their website and app. So now customers can see how a shade of lipstick or a particular hair color will look on them before purchasing it. This proved to be a really effective strategy, with L’Oreal’s ecommerce sales increasing by a massive 49% following the unveiling of the technology.

IKEA Place

Home furnishings giant IKEA didn’t fall behind in the race to adopt AR for continued success. The launch of their innovative app, IKEA Place, ushered in a new era of visualization for home decor. Imagine having the ability to see how the rustic armchair fits in your living room.

Picture-checking if the stylish coffee table goes well with your current interior design. The app turns these visualizations into reality. It uses augmented reality technology to achieve this. The app lets users place 3D models of IKEA’s products virtually in their living spaces. This is done using the camera on their smartphones. The 3D models are true-to-scale representations of the actual products.

This helps customers make a buying decision and decide whether to go through with the purchase or not.

Implementing Augmented Reality in Your Ecommerce Strategy

According to Mobile Marketer, 52% of online retailers are not yet ready to integrate AR technology into their shopping experiences. Venturing into a new realm of technology, especially one that can be as overwhelming as AR, is indeed daunting. But its benefits to your business will ultimately be worth it.

So, before you embark on your AR integration journey, it’s imperative to keep a few things in mind.

Understand your target audience

All your efforts and money will go in vain if you don’t understand your target audience’s preferences and technological familiarity. Different age groups have varying degrees of comfort with technology. For instance, Millennials and Gen Z, having grown up in the digital age, are more likely to embrace AR experiences compared to their predecessors.

Choose the right AR technology

The AR technology you decide to adopt depends on the outcomes you hope to achieve. If you’re considering using AR to offer product information, you can choose marker-based AR. This method requires scanning markers to display digital content. In contrast, markerless AR identifies real-world surfaces and objects, which is particularly useful for creating virtual try-on opportunities.

Collaborate with AR developers

While the idea of integrating AR into your e-commerce platform is exciting, it is also something that requires expert consultation and effort. Collaborating with AR development experts can ensure a smooth implementation of AR technology into your ecommerce venture. Their expertise can mitigate technical challenges, ensuring optimal user experiences and seamless interactions.

Innovative content creation

Creating innovative and compelling content is the heart of any successful augmented reality campaign. AR’s potential for immersive experiences demands a strategic approach to content creation that resonates with your target audience. So you need to ensure that you create content that targets common difficulties your customers face and provides a prompt solution for them with the help of AR.

Related: Why You Should Use Augmented Reality in Your Business App

Challenges to Overcome When Integrating AR Technology

Integrating AR into your business’ ecommerce strategy is promising but comes with its fair share of challenges.

The problem of assuring a smooth user experience is paramount, and as the AR experience grows more sophisticated, so does the risk of encountering lag or latency. To combat this, it is crucial to strike a balance between real-time interaction and maintaining the fluidity of the technology.

In addition, technical barriers can also hamper your AR efforts. Device compatibility emerges as a prominent concern, as AR experiences need to be accessible across a variety of devices. Moreover, factors like internet speed and bandwidth can also affect the performance of AR applications. Dealing with these technical barriers involves optimizing applications for a range of devices. Moreover, a robust network infrastructure to support AR’s data-intensive demands.

Questions about privacy and data security are of the utmost concern for any user. AR apps often require access to personal data. This can cause concerns about data collection, storage, and potential misuse. Users need assurance that their private spaces and sensitive information remain safeguarded. Thus, robust security measures and transparent data policies need to be in place to establish trust and encourage widespread adoption.

The Future of Augmented Reality in Ecommerce

While AR has already made significant strides in the e-commerce landscape, its potential is far from being fully realized. With the number of online customers increasing. The demand for personalized shopping experiences and immersive technology to bridge the divide between the digital and physical realms.

As technology continues to evolve, customer expectations continue to shift. According to a NielsenIQ survey, 56% of the shoppers they surveyed revealed that AR technology gives them more confidence about the quality of a product and helps them make a buying decision. AR integration is moving towards becoming an irreplaceable feature for many brands.

The future of AR in e-commerce holds exciting possibilities from a convergence with other immersive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), to a boost in social commerce through AR-powered features and the integration of AI-driven personalization in shopping experiences.

Featured Image Credit: Provided by the Author; Thank you!

Asim Rais Siddiqui

An expert in next-generation technology and software solutions, Asim Rais Siddiqui has over a decade’s worth of experience in development and enterprise digitalization. Asim uses his skills to scale businesses, capitalize on new market opportunities, and facilitate growth through calculated risks.

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