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What are Nintendo amiibo? The gaming figurines explained

Other than being highly coveted collectable items, what exactly do Nintendo amiibo toys bring to the Nintendo experience?

If you want to learn everything there is to know about Nintendo amiibo, make sure you keep reading.

What are Nintendo amiibo?

Nintendo amiibo are a range of collectable interactive figurines and cards that can be paired up with select Nintendo games to unlock new features. Amiibo also come in some other variants, but the figures and cards are the most well-known.

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Amiibo are true-to-life replicas of some of Nintendo’s most popular characters, with 843 released amiibo figures and 614 released cards. It’s worth noting that these statistics are not from Nintendo directly, but they give a good indication of how many figurines and cards are currently in rotation. 

Amiibo figures can be used across various Nintendo platforms, including the Nintendo 3DS, Wii U and Nintendo Switch series. Amiibo can be found and purchased on the official Nintendo website as well as from a vast array of third-party sellers. 

Image Credit (Nintendo)How does Nintendo amiibo work?

Each amiibo – whether that be a card or a sculpted figurine – contains a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that can be scanned using compatible Nintendo devices. Once the amiibo has been scanned, the system can recognise the character being used and then load in specific features that relate to them. 

Each title reacts to amiibo differently, with a majority of games working on a read-only capacity. This means that no changes are made to the amiibo itself, only to the game it’s paired with. 

Examples of amiibo features include unlocking special outfits for Link in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, while in Animal Crossing: New Horizons you can trigger a specific character to visit your island.

Not all games are compatible with amiibo and no games require an amiibo to be played, although some titles are enhanced by the use of an amiibo. 

Which games support Nintendo amiibo?

There are a multitude of games that support amiibo. Here is a selection of some recent Nintendo titles that come with support for the software: 

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French President Criticizes BRICS Expansion: “World fragmentation and confrontation against the U.S.” | The Gateway Pundit

Photo by YouTube/Emmanuel Macron

 

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concern over the expansion of the BRICS group, stating that the addition of new members to the bloc could lead to “world fragmentation.”

The French President went on to warn that the expansion of the BRICS would add a new chapter to the ongoing confrontation between China and the US. Macron made the remarks during a meeting with ambassadors on Monday, 28.

During the recent BRICS summit in Johannesburg on August 22-24, several new countries joined the bloc, including Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Iran. With the addition of these new members, the group now represents nearly 40% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The expansion of the BRICS grouping poses a potential threat to the United States, primarily because of the support that Iran and other authoritarian countries are likely to receive as they integrate with Western nations in the group.

Macron expressed:

“The expansion of BRICS shows an intention to build an alternative global order to the existing one, which is seen as too Western. All this takes place in the context of the ongoing confrontation between the United States and China, which also violates international law and the accepted order in the field of international trade.”

Asserting that the new configuration of BRICS could pose a risk of weakening Europe, Macron declared his intention to have discussions with all partners to avert this scenario.

Macron’s statement reflects a sense of concern shared by some global powers following the expansion of the BRICS group.

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What is Google Voice and how to set it up

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Google Voice makes it easier to keep your work and personal life apart. It’s designed for personal and business use, making it an ideal solution for everyone from freelancers to large scale companies. If you’re wondering what Google Voice is and how to set it up, don’t worry; we’ll cover it all in this article.

QUICK ANSWER

Google Voice is a voice calling and text messaging application. The app is free for personal use in the United States. Business plans start at $10 per user per month, and three plans are available.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

What is Google Voice, and how does it work?

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Google Voice first became available way back in 2009. It’s one of the many VoIP services that lets users make calls via the internet. Yet, unlike Whatsapp and Telegram, Google Voice provides a separate number from your standard network provider.

One of the main perks of using Google Voice is that you don’t need to purchase a separate mobile device, as all its functionality works through the mobile app. It’s also available to use via a desktop application and through supported web browsers.

The app is especially useful for organizations that require multiple users to answer calls from the same number, like customer service departments and sales teams. Team members log into a shared Google Voice account and instantly gain access to all the available features.

Currently, Google Voice isn’t widely available and only accessible in 14 countries across North America and parts of Europe. Single users can use it as a standalone app, while those on a business plan must create a Google Workspace account to access the app.

Google Voice features

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Before highlighting Google Voice’s core features, we should mention that it isn’t built for video calls. If that’s a feature you need, it’s worth checking out our selection of the best video calling apps.

Calls and text

The bread and butter of Google Voice is its calling and texting capabilities. Users can call other Google Voice numbers, standard network numbers, and landlines. Messages work like any other messaging app; beyond text, it’s possible to send photographs and videos – you get unlimited text messages per month across all plans.

Spam calls filtering

Though not unique to Google Voice, one of the stand out features is the app’s ability to filter out spam calls. Using Google’s AI technology, the app will alert you if it believes an incoming call is spam, like a cold sales pitch. You still have the option to take the call if you wish and you can block numbers to prevent receiving future calls.

Voicemail

Despite being a VoIP service, setting up a voicemail in the Google Voice app is still possible. It has some cool features too, like listening to a caller leave their voicemail in real-time. Alternatively, you can ask Google Voice to transcribe your voicemails so you can read rather than listen.

Compatibility

For desktop, Google Voice is compatible with ChromeOS, Windows, and macOS. You can download the app on Android and iOS, and it’s available for iPadOS. As for browsers, the app is compatible with Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Is Google Voice free

Google Voice is only free for single users making calls and sending texts to numbers in the United States. Keep in mind, that if you intend to make international calls, charges will apply, and the cost depends on which country you are calling.

Business users can choose from three paid plans with Google offering more features for those on a higher paid subscription. Calls to numbers inside the United States are part of the cost of your subscription, but you’ll pay extra fees if you make calls abroad.

How to set up Google Voice

Another benefit of using Google Voice is that it’s relatively easy to use the service. We’ve broken down how to create accounts for personal and business use, as the process differs slightly.

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Select “For personal use.”Next, choose which platform you would like to use Google Voice.

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Choose a Google Voice number within a selected city or dialing code.Note that if you skip this part, you won’t be able to send and receive calls and messages.

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Add your current telephone number to receive a verification code via phone call or text.

Once you have verified your account, you can use Google Voice and its features.

Setting up Google Voice for business useVisit the Google Voice homepage.Select “For business.”Next, select the paid plan you wish to use.Log in to your Google Workspace administrator account.Finally, select “Get Started”.Why choose Google Voice?

Google Voice hardly offers groundbreaking features, which may leave some readers asking: What’s the point?

The app is a great addition for those already using Google Workspace, as it integrates with other apps like Google Calendar and Google Meet. Plus, it removes the need for a third-party voice calling solution.

It’s also one of the quietest and easiest ways to get mass business communications up and running. We also shouldn’t underestimate how invaluable it can be to make calls over WiFi, which becomes even more important if you ever find yourself in areas with low mobile coverage.

If you’re not in the market for a business line and only need an app that lets you communicate via the internet, we recommend checking out the best free calling apps instead.

FAQsIs Google Voice HIPAA compliant?

All Google Workspace apps can be compliant with HIPAA regulations. Users who are subject to HIPAA must first sign Google’s Business Associate Agreement (BAA).

Can Google Voice receive texts?

Yes. Users can receive text messages through the Google Voice mobile app and the desktop and web-based versions.

Does Google Voice work internationally?

Yes. Google Voice allows you to make international calls. These calls are charged separately to your monthly subscription and the cost of the calls depends on which country you are calling.

Is Google Voice safe?

Google uses industry-standard encryption to secure your data. This, along with Google’s other security features, should be enough to fend off middleman attacks. Note, however, that Google Voice doesn’t have end-to-end encryption, which means Google employees could potentially access your data.

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15 Best Labor Day Mattress Sales in 2023

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A comfortable and supportive mattress can make all the difference when trying to achieve a better night’s sleep. And, while high-quality and long-lasting mattresses are usually an investment, there are certain times of year where the price is just right. With Labor Day Weekend approaching, many top mattress companies—including Casper, Avocado, Serta, and Purple—are already offering exclusive Labor Day mattress sales, making this week one of the best times to buy a new mattress. On top of mattress savings, some brands are also offering customers deals on bedding, pillows, furniture, and more.  

Here are the best Labor Day mattress sales you don’t want to sleep on (pun intended). 

The best Labor Day mattress sales of 2023Avocado

Known for its certified organic mattresses, Avocado is currently offering up to 30 percent off inventory, including mattresses—such as the coveted Avocado Green Mattress and the Eco Organic Kids Mattress—pillows, and toppers with promo code LABORDAY at checkout. Shop the Avocado mattress deals here.

Awara Sleep

This Labor Day, Awara Sleep wants you to get some high-quality R&R with their Labor Day mattress sale. The mattress brand is offering $400 off all eco-friendly hybrids and a 365-night home trial so you can test the Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress IRL to see if it’s the right fit for you. Shop the Awara Sleep Labor Day sale here.

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Bear

Labor Day weekend—and the week leading up to it—is one of the best times to buy a mattress. And, right now, Bear is offering an impressive discount on their mattresses, including 35 percent off site-wide plus $400 worth of free accessories (when you purchase a mattress), including free pillows, a free sheet set, and a free mattress protector. Shop the Labor Day mattress sale here.

Birch

If you have your eye on a Birch by Helix mattress, this week is the best time to buy. In honor of Labor Day, the mattress brand is offering 25 percent off site-wide with promo code LDS25. If you purchase a mattress this week, you’ll also get two free Eco-Rest Pillows with your purchase. Shop the LDW mattress sale here.

Brentwood Home

Brentwood Home is also offering a Labor Day Weekend deal on mattresses with 10 percent off the entire site, including the brand’s top-rated Oceano Luxury Hybrid Mattress. It’s a great time to not only buy a new mattress but also stock up on sleep necessities such as luxury pillows, organic cotton sheets, and more. Shop the sale here.

Casper 

Casper is another mattress brand offering steep savings the week. Right now, the top-rated mattress brand is offering up to 20 percent off of everything on its website, including the Original Hybrid Mattress, The Casper Mattress, and the Nova Hybrid Mattress. You can also save on Casper pillows, adjustable bases, and even some bedroom accessories such as the Glow Light. And, if your fur baby is in the market for a new bed, the Casper Dog Bed is also on sale. Shop the Casper mattress deals and more here.

Helix

If you’ve been wanting to upgrade to a Helix mattress, you can save big this week when you shop the Helix Sleep Labor Day sale. This week (and weekend), get 25 percent off site-wide plus two free Dream Pillows with any mattress purchase. Shop the Helix mattress deals here.

Nectar

If you’re shopping for a budget-friendly mattress, Nectar is a great place to start. This week, new customers can get 33 percent off everything on the mattress brand’s website, including mattresses (which start as low as $359). With this Labor Day Weekend sale, it’s also a great time to save on bed bundles, too. Case in point: The Nectar Adjustable Bundle—which includes an adjustable frame, classic gel memory foam mattress, sheet, pillows, and a mattress protector—is on sale for 50 percent off, bringing its original price tag of $3,336 down to $1,607. Shop the Nectar Labor Day weekend deals here.

Nolah Sleep

This week, Nolah Sleep is offering early access to its Labor Day Weekend sale with up to $1,200 off Nolah mattresses. On top of that, you can score the Smart Adjustable Base for $400 off, too. Shop the Nolah mattress deals here.

Purple

Purple mattresses are also on sale this week. Shop between now and Labor Day Weekend for up to $500 off a Purple mattress and $400 off a Smart Base (psst: that’s $900 in savings). Shop the Purple Labor Day mattress sale here.

Saatva

Saatva is known for its collection of luxury mattresses—but, this week, you don’t have to pay luxury prices for a better night’s sleep. The mattress company is ringing in Labor Day weekend early with up to $600 off its collection of mattresses. Shop the Saatva deals here.

Serta

Serta is also celebrating Labor Day weekend mattress sales with its deal on the iComfortECO and other Serta mattresses. With up to $1,000 of savings on select mattresses and adjustable bases, it’s the best time to buy a Serta. Shop the LDW sale early here.

Tempur-Pedic

Ahead of Labor Day Weekend, Tempur-Pedic is offering a whopping 40 percent off the Essential Mattress and Ease Powder Base, as well as $700 off select adjustable mattress sets. On top of that, you can get $300 worth of accessories for free when you use promo code 300FREE. Shop the Tempur-Pedic deals here.

Tuft & Needle

Whether you’re looking to buy a new mattress or are in need of bedroom furniture, Tuft & Needle has you covered. This Labor Day week, shop the sleep brand for up to $700 off the Mint Hybrid mattress, plus up to 40 percent off select bedding, furniture, and other home items (including the Tuft & Needle Essential Dog Bed and the cozy Weighted Blanket). Shop the Tuft & Needle sale here.

Zoma

Save on Zoma mattresses this week when you shop the sleep brand’s LDW sale early. Right now, you can get $150 off all mattresses—including the Zoma Hybrid—with promo code WIN150. Shop the Zoma mattress deals here.

 

Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.

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“All I Wanted to Do Was Shout Out, ‘It’s-Two F—ing-Thirty, A–hole!'”; Gold Star Father of Kabul Airport Bombing Victim Rips Biden for Checking Watch at Dover (Video) | The Gateway Pundit

“All I wanted to do was shout out, ‘It’s-two f—ing-thirty, a–hole!’” That was the anguished voice of a grief-stricken father saying what he wanted to say to Joe Biden two years ago this month as he watched Biden check his watch during the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for 13 American servicemen and women killed in the August 26, 2021 Abbey Gate terrorist bombing at the Kabul Airport during Biden’s chaotic withdrawal from from Afghanistan. The bombing also killed over 150 Afghans seeking to flee the conquering Taliban regime.

Gold Star father Mark Schmitz, father of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, appeared at a roundtable meeting of the families of the fallen hosted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday. NBC News reported Schmitz said, “I identify as a father, a husband, a pissed-off, fed-up American patriot and now, thanks to this administration, a Gold Star dad — a title no one ever wants to have.”

TOPSHOT – US President Joe Biden looks down alongside First Lady Jill Biden as they attend the dignified transfer of the remains of a fallen service member at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, August, 29, 2021, one of the 13 members of the US military killed in Afghanistan last week. – President Joe Biden prepared Sunday at a US military base to receive the remains of the 13 American service members killed in an attack in Kabul, a solemn ritual that comes amid fierce criticism of his handling of the Afghanistan crisis. Biden and his wife, Jill, both wearing black and with black face masks, first met far from the cameras with relatives of the dead in a special family center at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.The base, on the US East Coast about two hours from Washington, is synonymous with the painful return of service members who have fallen in combat. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz.

Mark Schmitz: “Not a single general slapped down their stars, which should have happened two years ago when Biden ignored his reliable intelligence. Not a single person has been held accountable. Our so-called leader can’t seem to even utter their names in public, not even once. Mr. Biden has run his entire political campaign for 50 years as the “family man.” Well I’ve got news for you, sir. The curtain has been lifting, and that campaign slogan will never work again. We have seen what’s going on in your family and even worse, we’ve seen how you’ve been treating us as Gold Star families. And there couldn’t be anything more disgusting and cowardly than the way you have treated us. You are a disgrace to this nation. You have no business having ultimate command over our military. And I regret not saying that to your face when I had the opportunity in Dover. I felt it more like, more important to bite my tongue but I also had more important things on my mind at that time like receiving my son’s lifeless body stateside.

While I stood there on the tarmac, watching you check your watch, over and over again, all I wanted to do was shout out, “It’s two f—ing thirty, a—–e!” But out of respect of the other grieving families I bit my tongue once again. Well as you can probably tell by now, I’m done biting my tongue. You sir stole their lives, their futures, their dreams and have ripped apart thirteen families. You cannot even man up and admit that. You sir gave us all the title Gold Star Family. You sir discredit honor and integrity. Two years later there are things I find myself thinking about, “Where and what was Biden’s logic sneaking out of Bagram in the middle of the night before ever getting a single Afghan partner or American civilian out?” This is the purest definition of intel, intentional negligence. This is just one of many irresponsible and negligent decisions coming from the White House.”

Transcribed by TGP.

Mark Schmitz spoke to NPR in 2021 shortly after Jared was killed (excerpt):

When a suicide bomber attacked the Kabul airport last week, the lives the 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members were cut short.

One of them was Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz of Wentzville, Mo. He was just 20 years old. Schmitz was only 6 months old when 9/11 happened and the U.S. went to war in Afghanistan.

…Jared wanted to be a Marine from his sophomore year of high school. His father says he was fearful of his son getting into a dangerous type of work, but he knew that being a Marine fit Jared “like a glove.” Jared was never studious, Mark says, but once he set his mind on it, he was laser focused on learning everything he could about the Marines. He had to have his parents’ permission when he signed up at age 17.

Afghanistan was Jared’s first deployment. Earlier, he was at Camp Pendleton in California, then was sent to Jordan. Then he got his orders to go to Kabul.

Link to audio interview with NPR.

Schmitz told NPR he initially turned down meeting Biden at Dover but changed his mind. He said when Biden came in to meet his family he said he kept a hard silence as Biden spoke to the family. Schmitz said he broke his silence to tell Biden as he looked at a photo of Jared taken the morning of the attack, “That’s Jared. That’s Jared Schmitz. Don’t ever forget that name and don’t forget the names of the twelve others. And you need to spend some time learning their stories, who they were.”

Schmitz said Biden replied, “I know their stories” and mentioned his son again. Schmitz said Biden pulled out a card with the number of KIA in Afghanistan with a “plus 13” on it, telling Schmitz he carried the card with him daily. Even though he was upset with Biden, Schmitz says he gave Biden credit for showing up to face the families.

Schmitz appeared on Fox & Friends Weekend on Saturday:

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Relaxed or Natural, Having Healthy Textured Hair Takes Work

When I decided to go natural in 2014, I assumed that once I opted out of my regular relaxer appointments and bi-weekly silk presses, healthy hair was a guarantee. At the time, it seemed as though my ancestors had encoded hair wellness into my DNA, and all I had to do to reap the benefits was embrace my natural texture. But, as I’ve discovered in the near-decade since, it doesn’t work that way.

“Natural” hair has long been associated with simplicity, health, and—honestly—superiority, which explains why so many women (myself included) have opted to make the switch in recent years. Between 2017 and 2020, the percentage of Black women who desire to have their natural hair texture increased by 23 percent, and in that time, going natural became synonymous with embracing your truest self. Ditching relaxers was a way of shedding ties to Eurocentric beauty standards in favor of a lower-maintenance routine that was better for your hair. And for me, going natural seemed like a way to sit at the cool kid’s table while bringing my scalp and strands back to the healthiest versions of themselves.

Over the course of the past eight years, though, I’ve learned the hard way that “natural” doesn’t automatically mean “thriving.” Sure: Embracing your natural texture may mean that you don’t have to go to the salon every six weeks to touch up your relaxer. But it still requires just as much, if not more, effort to maintain—and a whole lot of love, energy, and attention to keep healthy.

‘Natural’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘healthy’

Because of the potential risks associated with using chemical relaxers—without proper care, they can destroy the integrity of your hair; and the formulas have been loosely linked to different health concerns—many people believe that ditching them is all you have to do to bring your hair back to health. But according to Tippi Shorter, celebrity hairstylist and global artistic director at Mizani, that isn’t necessarily the case.

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“The misconception is that natural hair is healthier,” she says. “It is if you’re putting time and energy into it, it’s not if you don’t.”

She recalls a former client who went natural in an attempt to fix the dryness she was experiencing as a result of chemical treatments, only to find that the transition had the opposite effect. “Her hair started breaking because her natural hair was tighter than she was expecting it to be—which means it was drier, it was thicker, it was coarser, and it required more maintenance and time than it did was relaxed,” she says.

Though there’s a wide population of DIY girlies going strong, going natural without establishing consistent healthy hair habits can cause damage. “Actually taking care of natural hair takes so much time, energy, and effort,” says Aicha Ouermi, hairstylist and national educator at Phyto. “Even with the whole going-back-to-natural hair movement that happened 10 years ago… it looked super easy when you looked at all those tutorials on YouTube, and a lot of people got caught up in that and didn’t realize they could actually damage their hair.”

Given that going natural isn’t necessarily the silver bullet of hair health we’ve been promised, many women have opted to return to relaxers to introduce ease and manageability into their routines. Google searches for “hair relaxer” have been on a slow and steady climb since 2020, and my TikTok feed is full of videos of girls who got a relaxer after nearly a decade of being natural.

However, even with this pique in interest, chemical treatments remain a controversial choice—girls are posting their relaxed hair videos on TikTok with trigger warnings. And since many people in the natural hair community still frown upon chemical treatments, war is waged in the comment section over whether or not chemically straightened hair can be healthy. But according to the pros, it absolutely can be. Having healthy textured hair has nothing to do with whether it’s natural or chemically treated. It’s all about the effort you put into maintaining it.

Your hair can be healthy in any state

Finding the right products for textured hair—whether you wear it natural or not—has gotten easier over time thanks to an increase in funding and support toward Black-owned brands. Once you’ve got a solid arsenal of products, Harris explains that you need to keep three key things in mind to maintain a “good” regimen.

“Number one is knowing what your hair needs,” he says. “Number two is understanding the frequency of taking care of your hair. Are you washing at the right frequency? Are you protecting your hair daily at nighttime? And then, finally, making sure you’re paying attention to how your hair is responding to the products you’re using. Are you applying the right products and technique based on how your hair is responding?”

How to keep natural hair healthy

The most important thing to keep in mind when caring for natural hair is that hydration is key. “Being able to restore moisture is very important when you have kinky, coily hair, so I’m a big believer in deep conditioning,” says Adeline Kikam, DO, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Brown Skin Derm. Additionally, sealing in that deep conditioner with a heat cap can help take things to the next level.

“When I knew I was transitioning to natural, I already had a good, healthy routine for my hair,” says Ouermi, who went natural 10 years ago after a decade of using relaxers. “Relaxed or natural, to me, it didn’t change my routine at all. Except for the styling part, which was totally different. If people don’t have a good regimen prior to being natural, it could definitely bring some serious issues.”

Take care to regularly detangle (ideally with a detangling conditioner), and opt to style with your fingers instead of a brush, particularly when hair is wet.

How to keep straightened hair healthy

“As long as you have good products, prep, protection, lifestyle, and maintenance, you can definitely wear your hair straight regularly without causing damage,” says Al Campbell, a Mizani artist and hairstylist based in Chicago. He adds that if you prefer wearing your hair straight, relaxing it is actually better for its health than heat styling. “Why not relax the hair and re-form the bonds to be permanently straight and healthy instead of permanently damaging them with heat?” he says.

To keep relaxed hair healthy, you’ll want to ensure you have bond-building products in your routine to counteract the effects of the chemical treatments. “Protein application is so important because chemical straightening breaks down the protein bonds in your hair,” says Candace Mitchell Harris, co-founder and CEO of Myavana, a beauty technology company. “With any treatment you’re doing, you have to consider ‘If I’m changing my hair in this way, how am I replacing it? How am I strengthening it?’ so that it doesn’t become further, further damaged.”

You can also reach for straightening methods that are a bit less harsh. For example, Ouremi loves the Phyto Relaxer ($65) because it’s made with all-natural ingredients and is made with bond-building ingredients. And a keratin treatment could be a great alternative to a relaxer because, these alter the bonds with heat instead of breaking them. Plus, after a few months, the hair goes back to its natural texture.

Additionally, monthly steam treatments (if not bi-weekly) can help your hair retain moisture. “Eighty percent of your hair problems are related to not retaining enough moisture—dryness is the leading cause of breakage,” says Harris. “Steam therapy really increases your moisture retention.”

Continuing on my own hair journey

After nearly a decade of bare-minimum DIY natural hair “care” (if you can call it that), I finally gave in and got my ass back in a salon chair. The management of my type-4 coils is now tasked to a patient professional who performs regular trims, deep conditioning, and steam treatments. I’m taking 2023 to focus on rehabbing my hair from years of neglect and doing lots of protective styles. And I might just fuck around and get a keratin treatment next year. Either way, I’ll be making sure I’ve got the basics of hair care covered, keeping my strands strong, nourished, and healthy in a way that’s manageable and realistic for me.

“Consider realistic regimens that you need to keep your hair healthy and then think about what makes you feel like your best self,” says Harris. “How do you want to wear your hair? Ultimately, it’s about what makes you feel your best, and that’s different for every person. Every person doesn’t have to be natural or wear curly hair—it’s about how you will look and feel your best.”

Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.

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UPDATE: Colorado School Board Votes to Allow Young Kid to Wear “Don’t Tread on Me” Patch on School Grounds | The Gateway Pundit

The Vanguard School Board of Directors in Colorado Springs has voted to allow a young student to wear a “Don’t Tread on Me” patch on his school backpack.

The Gateway Pundit reported in a now-viral video that the Vanguard School in Colorado Springs told 12-year-old Jaiden (last name withheld) that he had to remove the flag because it has “origins with slavery” and was “disruptive to the classroom environment.” When he refused, the child was dismissed.

“The reason that they do not want the flag reason we do not want the flag is due to its origins with the revolution, slavery, and slave trade,” the school administrator told Jaiden’s mom, Eden Rodriguez.

“It has nothing to do with slavery, that’s like the Revolutionary War patch that was enslaved when they were fighting the British,” Ms. Rodriguez refuted.

WATCH:

The school, not surprisingly, butchers the Gadsden flag’s history. It originated on a warship in 1775 as a battle cry for American independence from British rule. The flag became a symbol for America during the fight for their freedom.

The news gets more asinine, though. The Vanguard School then admitted that the Gadsden flag did not originally have a racial context but claimed without evidence racists had successfully hijacked its meaning.

The school cited the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (USEEOC) which admitted that the flag “originated in the Revolutionary War in a non-racial context,”

“But then said “However, whatever the historic origins and meaning of the symbol, it also has since been sometimes interpreted to convey racially-tinged messages,” Boyack wrote.

They cited @USEEOC, which admitted that the flag “originated in the Revolutionary War in a non-racial context”…

But then said “However, whatever the historic origins and meaning of the symbol, it also has since been sometimes interpreted to convey racially-tinged messages…” pic.twitter.com/w0M74bMgN2

— Connor Boyack (@cboyack) August 29, 2023

The director of the school then attempted to justify Jaiden’s dismissal by pointing to a silly article which contained no actual facts about the Gadsden flag but instead focused on the feelings of woke snowflakes regarding the symbol.

“The director then argued that the flag is associated with “hate groups,” linking to this weak article that cites a “graphic design scholar” who claimed that “some may now see the Gadsden flag as a symbol of intolerance and hate—or even racism,” Boyack added.

The director then argued that the flag is associated with “hate groups,” linking to this weak article that cites a “graphic design scholar” who claimed that “some may now see the Gadsden flag as a symbol of intolerance and hate—or even racism.”

Link: https://t.co/ZD6JZ4AhDK pic.twitter.com/sUOqLEwGf0

— Connor Boyack (@cboyack) August 29, 2023

Boyack then points out another interesting fact. The school could not point to an actual rule Jaiden broke so they decided to put the Gadsden flag in the same category as drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons.

Not only does the flag have nothing to do with drugs and weapons, but the school is seemingly contradicting the original explanation for Jaiden’s dismissal from class.

So what rule was he actually breaking? According to the director, this one (see highlight).

Though it’s unclear what alleged slavery connections have to do with drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons. pic.twitter.com/KohiU4X0jz

— Connor Boyack (@cboyack) August 29, 2023

After Jaiden was kicked out of school for refusing to cooperate, he stood next to a staff member’s car to expose the school’s hypocrisy. The school employee has bumper stickers on the car promoting far-left agenda, such as “Make America Green Again” and “I’D RATHER BE SLOWLY CONSUMED BY MOSS.”

This is Jaiden, the 12 y/o Patriot who refused to remove the Gadsden flag from his backpack

School officials said it was “distracting” and “offensive” to other students

After being asked to leave school for refusing to comply, he took this picture near the car of a school… pic.twitter.com/0VXHGhsbgr

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) August 29, 2023

The Vanguard School Board of Directors called an emergency meeting on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Board said:

Yesterday the student returned with the patch still visible on his backpack. Following the District’s direction, Vanguard administrators pulled the student aside so that they could speak with his parents and the District.

Upon learning of these events today, The Vanguard School Board of Directors called an emergency meeting. From Vanguard’s founding we have proudly supported our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the ordered liberty that all Americans have enjoyed for almost 250 years. The Vanguard School recognizes the historical significance of the Gadsden flag and its place in history. This incident is an occasion for us to reaffirm our deep commitment to a classical education in support of these American principles.

At this time, the Vanguard School Board and the District have informed the student’s family that he may attend school with the Gadsden flag patch visible on his backpack.

BREAKING: Colorado school board votes to allow Jaiden to wear “Don’t Tread on Me” patch on school grounds

Victory for the 1st Amendment! pic.twitter.com/L6IVd5rwkH

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) August 30, 2023

Colorado Governor Jared Polis also shared his thoughts about the controversy, “The Gadsden flag is a proud symbol of the American revolution and a iconic warning to Britain or any government not to violate the liberties of Americans. It appears on popular American medallions and challenge coins through today and Ben Franklin also adopted it to symbolize the union of the 13 colonies. It’s a great teaching moment for a history lesson!” he wrote on X.

The Gadsden flag is a proud symbol of the American revolution and a iconic warning to Britain or any government not to violate the liberties of Americans. It appears on popular American medallions and challenge coins through today and Ben Franklin also adopted it to symbolize the… pic.twitter.com/sroNXnlJsf

— Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) August 29, 2023

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Dermatologists Say This Could Be Behind ‘Lazy’ Skin

It takes more than a clever name and a couple hundred thousand views on #beautytok for a fad to escape the inevitability of the trend cycle, but slugging has done just that, spawning an entire skin-care category of its own. For the uninitiated, slugging refers to a skin-care technique in which moisture and hydration are locked into the skin via a heavy occlusive (like petroleum jelly) applied as the last step in a nighttime skin-care routine. Not only does it boost water retention and restore the skin barrier, but slugging also leaves skin looking supple and plump.

And unlike other TikTok trends, the phenomenon has taken off in a big way. Legacy brands like SkinCeuticals and Jouer have both introduced their own slugging products, while FutureWise, an entire line dedicated solely to slugging, launched earlier this year to rave reviews.

But too much of a good thing isn’t always beneficial, and that’s certainly true when it comes to slugging. Read on to find out why daily slugging might not be the best move.

Is there such thing as too much slugging?

Water retention and skin barrier support are both essential healthy skin. And since slugging does both, the more you slug the more you can help your skin, right?

Wrong. According to board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, overuse of occlusives can potentially make your skin ‘lazy.’ While slugging is a great way to trap moisture and hydration deep into the skin, it does all the hard work for you. Over time, and with too-consistent use of an occlusive, our skin can become lax and complacent.

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As Dr. Zeichner explains, that artificial layer on the skin’s surface can potentially trigger the skin to stop producing its own lipids, which, in turn, makes skin even drier. In other words, chronic slugging may block the skin from receiving certain signals from the outside world telling it to rev up its self-hydrating and moisturizing activities. As a result, skin can become a little too chill for its own good.

You might be more familiar with the phenomenon than you realize: It’s the same cycle seen with lip balm ‘addiction,’ in which the overuse of occlusive-based lip balms causes lips to become extremely dry and chapped. The result is a vicious cycle of dependency that’s not only harmful to the skin but also expensive.

That being said, according to board-certified dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, it’s important to keep in mind that for those with very dry, regular slugging can be incredibly beneficial. The key here, dermatologists say, is to listen to your skin.

How much moisture is too much?

Because skin care isn’t one size fits all, there’s no one, definitive answer here. And that’s not to say that no one should slug ever, or even regularly. Ultimately, it comes down to your own needs and how your skin reacts to the occlusive.

If you find that your skin feels dry, stiff, and tight on non-slugging nights, that’s a good indicator that you might be overdoing it. Other telltale signs that your skin might be veering into lazy territory include lingering dullness, congestion, and reactive, acne-prone skin. If that occurs, it’s important to drop the slugging for a bit and instead rely on lightweight serums and moisturizers to hydrate the skin without compromising its productivity.

And to be totally clear, this is all theoretical—there haven’t been any studies conducted to definitively prove the phenomenon—and according to Dr. Zeichner, it’d require long-term, consistent slugging. As Dr. Hirsch explains it, your stove doesn’t stop working just because you UberEats every night. That is to say, there could be other factors at play beyond just excessive occlusives.

All’s to say: We still love a good slugging session, but you won’t catch us getting gooey on the daily—we’ll be saving it for those occasions when our skin could really use that extra TLC.

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Maui Resident Slams Joe Biden Over His Visit: ‘A Waste of Time’ | The Gateway Pundit

One resident of Maui recently spoke out about Joe Biden’s late visit to the fire ravafed island, calling it “a waste of time.”

This person was merely saying what many other people on Maui are probably thinking.

Biden’s response to this situation was disgraceful.

Breitbart News reports:

Exclusive: Maui Resident Says Joe Biden’s Visit ‘Was a Waste of Time’

A Maui resident who led grassroots relief efforts after the devastating Lahaina fire on August 8 told Breitbart News in an exclusive interview that President Joe Biden’s visit to Hawaii made things worse.

“It was a waste of time. That did hinder the efforts because all the fire department and everybody had to back off and make room for him to walk through the area when our first priority is getting the people out of there, dead or alive,” Dale Hermo-Fernandez told Breitbart News in a phone interview on Friday.

Biden visited Maui on August 21, nearly two weeks after a brushfire destroyed the town of Lahaina on August 8 and killed more than a hundred residents, with several hundred still missing.

At that time of Biden’s visit, 15 percent of the disaster area still needed to be searched for unaccounted persons, and recovery efforts were in full swing, with thousands still lacking electricity and access to clean water.

Hermo-Fernandez also blamed Biden for not doing more sooner to help with recovery efforts.

“All the way to the top, the government could have acted better,” he said.

There is a lot of completely justified anger over this.

Maui Locals Slam Biden: “Thanks for nothing! F*ck You!”pic.twitter.com/amlnO9uoI7

— RPK Report (@RPKReport) August 22, 2023

Biden dropped the ball and the media is covering for him, as ususal.

We all know how the media would have treated this if it happened on Trump’s watch. You’d have people from Maui being interviewed on CNN and MSNBC every single night, slamming the federal response.

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Singapore Named ‘Blue Zone 2.0’ in ‘Live to 100’

For more than 20 years, longevity researcher Dan Buettner has been traveling the globe to find and study the places where people tend to live the longest, healthiest lives, thriving well into their 100s. Over time, these explorations have yielded five longevity hot spots, which he’s dubbed Blue Zones: Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy; and Okinawa, Japan. Using his forays into the livelihoods of the centenarians occupying them, Buettner has written five books on longevity. But his latest ventures are giving us the deepest dive yet into the workings of healthy aging: a sixth book, The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer: Lessons From the Healthiest Places on Earth and a new Netflix documentary series, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones .

The series, premiering August 30, puts faces and names to the longevity insights around eating, exercise, sleep, and socializing that Buettner has shared over the years, following his conversations with residents in every Blue Zone, as well as in Singapore, which Buettner calls a “Blue Zone 2.0:” a place where the government has instituted policies designed explicitly to promote longevity—as opposed to one where people have long embraced cultural habits that just so happen to support healthy aging (more on that below).

Spotlighted in the series are the residents of Okinawa, who regularly enjoy plant-focused meals, and of Sardinia, who scale near-vertical hills on daily walks and always make time for dinner with family and friends, as well as the locals of the Nicoyan peninsula, who are known to embrace a plan de vida, or particular life purpose, as their north star. Another episode takes Buettner to apiaries in Ikaria; and another takes him to the pickleball courts, kitchens, and worship groups of residents of Loma Linda. It isn’t until the last installment of the series that Buettner makes his way to Singapore, which he sees as the model for creating additional Blue Zones through infrastructure and policy.

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“The biggest opportunity with this documentary was to harness all of the scientific research that was done on the Blue Zones and metabolize it into a gorgeous story,” says Buettner. He was thrilled to work with director Clay Jeter, who directed episodes of Chef’s Table, to bring the people of the Blue Zones to life.

“We found people in the Blue Zones, and we distilled the science of why they’re making it to 100.” —Dan Buettner, longevity researcher

Buettner hopes that by getting to hear directly from the people who live and breathe the principles of longevity on a day-to-day basis, those who watch the series will better understand how and why they live so long, and feel inspired to adopt similar behaviors. “We found people in the Blue Zones, and we distilled the science of why they’re making it to 100,” says Buettner. But the power of the show is really in its storytelling around that science. “The best way to somebody’s brain is through their heart and by telling beautiful stories that move them emotionally,” he adds.

Why Singapore is deemed a “Blue Zone 2.0” in the new Live to 100 documentary series

In initially identifying each of the five Blue Zones, Buettner found that they were places where longevity-boosting habits have been passed down through generations and ingrained in the local culture—places where the environment naturally nudges the people who live there toward the actions that promote a long life. “The big insight with the Blue Zones has been that longevity ensues over time,” says Buettner. “It’s not something you have to try to convince people to pursue; rather, it happens where the healthiest choice is the easiest choice.”

But in the series, Buettner reveals that Singapore has become a longevity hot spot in its own right by very different means—through proactive policy changes and investment in infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle. “It’s not the same class as the original Blue Zones, but what’s unique about [Singapore] is they engineered a Blue Zone by shaping their environment so the healthy choice was not only easy, but in some cases unavoidable,” says Buettner, who first began investigating Singapore in his reporting for a 2017 National Geographic story about happiness.

For a couple examples, Buettner points out that Singapore’s government has implemented restrictions on sugary drinks like soda and offers subsidies to food businesses for including nutritious ingredients like whole grains on their menus.

Singapore also has universal health care, the quality of which has been deemed the best in Asia by the International Trade Administration. Medical facilities are also often incorporated right into housing complexes, many of which are designed to recreate a kampung, or “village” in Malay, where people can easily co-mingle—another longevity-boosting dynamic Buettner explores in the series. The government also offers credits of up to $30,000 Singapore dollars (about $22,000) to people buying homes with or near their parents or married children to encourage familial support.

Transportation and leisure infrastructure in Singapore has only added to its longevity power: Widely available and inexpensive public transit facilitates plenty of everyday walking, and lots of recreational parks—many of which offer government-sponsored exercise classes—make it easy and pleasant to spend ample time moving your body in fresh air, says Buettner.

Taken together, these government-directed programs and policies prove that a Blue Zone is possible to engineer from scratch, says Buettner, which has far-reaching implications for making longevity accessible to more people.

2 other key takeaways from Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones1. Romantic partnership is a recurrent feature among the longest-living people

Buettner has long espoused strong social ties as a key tenet of Blue Zones living—but in filming the series, he found that romance, in particular, may be an especially important piece of that. “Visiting Ikaria this time, I had a really big epiphany around love,” Buettner narrates in the series. “The power of happy, committed partnerships may seem obvious, but we can’t underestimate how this type of connection can lead to a longer, more fulfilled life.”

One particularly touching vignette in the documentary series highlights Panagiotis Kouloulias (96) and Aleka Mazari (81), a couple living in Ikaria. These two found love later in life, when Kouloulias was a 73-year-old widower. “When my first wife passed away, I had lost my appetite to live,” says Kouloulias in the series. “I wouldn’t talk, I wouldn’t laugh, I wouldn’t eat… I fell into pieces, and [Mazari] brought me back.”

Kouloulias and Mazari’s relationships demonstrates the power of a romantic partnership to not only boost your happiness, but also, to encourage you to partake in healthy habits, says Buettner. Research has shown that we tend to mirror the lifestyle behaviors of our partners, so if we’re romantically involved with someone who’s engaging in longevity-boosting activities all day long, there’s also more of a chance we will, too.

2. A simple snack can have a big impact on your longevity

Though Buettner identified a plant-based diet as one of the original nine pillars of the Blue Zones, he’s found in the years since that one common piece of that diet may play an outsize role in longevity—and that’s nuts, in particular walnuts. Indeed, an observational study published in 2021 that assessed mortality in nearly 100,000 people over the course of 20 years found that higher walnut consumption was associated with greater life expectancy, likely because of the nut’s high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids.

In the series, nuts get their spotlight when Buettner visits Loma Linda, where many residents are members of the Seventh-day Adventist faith and thus eat a plant-based diet for religious reasons—which undoubtedly contributes to their longevity. In exploring the diets of locals in the episode, Buettner uncovers that “it’s not just the absence of meat, but the regular presence of whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and nuts [that makes a difference].”

On nuts in particular, Buettner emphasizes the importance of eating a handful every day to up your chances of living a longer life. And if walnuts aren’t your thing, know that there are health benefits to be gleaned from all kinds of nuts, which are rich in protein and healthy fats.

Liu, Xiaoran, et al. “Association of Walnut Consumption with Total and Cause-Specific Mortality and Life Expectancy in U.S. Adults.” Nutrients, vol. 13, no. 8, Aug. 2021, p. 2699. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082699. Nakaya, Naoki et al. “Spousal similarities in cardiometabolic risk factors: A cross-sectional comparison between Dutch and Japanese data from two large biobank studies.” Atherosclerosis vol. 334 (2021): 85-92. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.08.037

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