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Meet Don. He is a basketball “nut.” He’s the kind of sports buff who can talk nonstop about his favorite basketball teams with anybody who’ll listen. One evening, Don’s wife took a seat next to him on the couch. She placed her arms around his neck and asked him point-blank: “Do you love me more than

Puzzled, Don considered her question for a long minute before answering. He finally said, “College or NBA?”

While most of us men would never make a blunder of that magnitude, we often miss the opportunity to affirm our wives. Marriage is not a spectator sport. Nor is it a place for verbal jabs or cynical put-downs. Those male digs might work in the locker room with the boys, but they’re out of bounds with our wives.

What do Don’s wife, your wife, and my wife need? Affirmation. Lots of it. Soft, tender, thoughtful, unexpected, meaningful, heartfelt affirmation delivered with no sexual demands attached.

That’s difficult for a man, I know. A man usually sets goals and generally acts only when he is after something. When it comes to romance, he’s tempted to give affirmation only because he hopes to “get sex” in return.

You and I will score big when we make our goal unconditional affirmation—no strings attached. My aim is to make my wife feel loved, valued, cherished, and affirmed as the love of my life.

We all would do well to watch Solomon in action. Solomon, by contrast, referred to his wife as “my beloved” forty times in the Song of Solomon. That choice phrase is packed with affirmation. It’s a romantic expression, a call to rich friendship. Each time Solomon said, “My beloved,” his words clothed her with dignity and value.
What woman wouldn’t flourish under such a constant stream of loving affirmation?

Here are 30 nonsexual ways to cherish your bride through words and acts of affirmation. And by the way, these are nonsexual so that you speak her romantic love language. It’s important to remember that you are not doing these things to get something in return. Perhaps she will reciprocate in your language back to you, but that’s not your goal. Are you ready?

1. Hug and kiss her every morning before leaving the house. Research indicates that marriages that practice this simple discipline are much healthier than those that don’t. If she’s sleeping, leave her a note, or gently kiss her forehead and whisper, “Have a wonderful day, sweetheart.”

2. Reach across the front seat of the car when you drive and hold her hand, even for a few moments. Allow your fingers to become entwined.

3. Write, “I’m crazy about you, Honey. You’re the best!” or another personal message on a yellow sticky note. Attach it to her bathroom mirror.
4. Call her from work and say, “I’ve been thinking of how good I have it with you in my life. Thanks for all that you are as a woman and all that you do for me and our family.”

5. The next time you get a pair of tickets to a ball game, theater, or concert that she’d like to go to, make a sacrifice. Instead of going with a buddy, tuck them in her purse with a note saying, “You deserve a night off. Have fun with a girlfriend.”

6. Go an entire day without criticizing anything about her. Instead, try to notice her doing something that you really appreciate, and tell her how much you value her.

7. Go to bed at the same time with her for a week; just talk or read a book and share the quietness together. Or play a card game that you used to play when you dated or were just married.

8. Brush her hair and compliment her hair and eyes.

9. While she studies her face in the mirror, come up behind her and gently kiss the back of her neck. Say, “God broke the mold after He made you. You are so beautiful.”

10. Call her or send her an e-mail midafternoon and ask her how her day is going.11. Try your hand at making breakfast on Saturday morning. Tell her she deserves a break and should feel free to sleep in.

In a spine-tingling episode of “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg bared her harrowing journey with endometriosis, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. She passionately questioned why women suffer for years before a diagnosis, venting her frustration at the healthcare system. Goldberg, 67, recounted her own terrifying experience—initially misdiagnosed with a UTI, she neglected the symptoms until an alarming turn.

“I didn’t know what was going on,” Goldberg revealed, her voice trembling. “Suddenly, there was a smell, and it looked like cottage cheese.” But the shocking twist came when she said, “I was lucky enough to get to somebody who said, ‘This is called endometriosis.’” Is Whoopi Goldberg’s revelation a cryptic cry for help? The mystery deepens as she questions the medical education system.

Endometriosis affects millions, yet diagnosis takes an agonizing 6-10 years. Join the suspense as Goldberg joins the list of celebrities shedding light on this enigmatic affliction. Is she a survivor, or does danger still lurk?

There is nothing quite like getting away from it all, but that doesn’t mean that we want to get away from everything. Those of us who have pets would like nothing more than to have them by our side while we are enjoying some time away.

Having our pets with us as we travel is going to be easier now that a major commercial airline announced the future plans for customers to take their pets on board. Virgin Airlines is trying to do this, and it may begin launching within the next year.

If Virgin Airlines is able to make this work, they will be the first airline in Australia to have pets in the cabin of a plane during flight. The airline made this known in a press release, entitled ‘Cats out the Bag.’

They intend to be the first airline in the country to operate flights with pets on board. They figured it was a good idea after looking at a survey from 2021. In that survey, 85% voted in favor of allowing pets in the cabin.

57% also said that they would be more frequent flyers if it became possible to bring pets along. They would be joining many other major carriers in North America that already offer the service on domestic flights.

Jayne Hrdlicka, the CEO, said: “Our love for animals has always been in the Virgin Australia DNA and we are excited at the prospect of taking off with Australia’s first-ever pets in cabin flights.

“Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets, and we are now on a journey to make that a reality. It’s something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well.”

She also said that having pets in the cabins will not change anything in allowing assistance animals to travel at no cost. Both small dogs and small cats, provided they can fit into a space under the seat in front of the passenger would be welcome.

There is also an approved carrier that would be used, so they aren’t walking around freely during the flight. A fee would be charged to those who qualify, but the cost has not been revealed yet.

After being posted, many had questions about the service. These include if someone has an allergy, could they find out if there would be a dog or cat sitting next to them?

Virgin Atlantic replied: “It’s really important to us that there is minimal impact to guests who are not carrying a pet, and for this reason we will be using the next few months to design a safe proposition with strict rules. Rest assured; all of this is being taken care of!”

The removal of the beloved Aunt Jemima brand has sparked considerable controversy, particularly from those who believe it diminishes an important piece of history. One of the strongest voices in this debate comes from Larnell Evans Sr., the great-grandson of Nancy Green, the woman who famously portrayed Aunt Jemima. Evans is deeply upset, arguing that this decision erases his family’s significant legacy.

A Personal History with Aunt Jemima

For over a century, Aunt Jemima was a household name, with her image adorning syrup and pancake mix products in kitchens across the United States. The character was initially personified by Nancy Green, a former enslaved woman who became the face of the brand. To Larnell Evans Sr., this isn’t just a name change—it’s an attack on his family’s history. He feels strongly that Nancy Green’s contributions to the Aunt Jemima brand should be honored and not erased from public memory.

Evans is convinced that his great-grandmother helped build a lasting legacy that deserves recognition. For him, the brand wasn’t just a product—it was a symbol of achievement, and removing the name feels like a betrayal of that legacy.

The Backlash Against the Rebranding

When Quaker Oats, the company behind Aunt Jemima, announced that it would change the brand’s name in response to concerns about racial stereotypes, Evans was quick to voice his opposition. He views this rebranding as more than a mere name change—he sees it as a dismissal of the hard work and contributions of his ancestors.

Evans has been vocal in saying, “This is an injustice to my family.” He believes that instead of scrapping the brand, Quaker Oats could have used the opportunity to educate the public about his great-grandmother’s role in shaping the brand, emphasizing the strength and resilience that she demonstrated in building a legacy for her family.

Aunt Jemima’s Complex Legacy

The decision to retire the Aunt Jemima brand was driven by the character’s ties to negative stereotypes and problematic origins. However, for Evans and his family, Aunt Jemima’s history is more complicated. While the character may have been born out of troubling times, Nancy Green’s portrayal also became a symbol of progress for her family. Evans argues that his great-grandmother’s success with the brand provided her an opportunity to rise above her circumstances and create a meaningful legacy.

Evans firmly believes the focus should have been on educating the public about Nancy Green’s story, rather than removing the brand entirely. He sees this as an opportunity to discuss the complexities of history while recognizing the perseverance and accomplishments of African Americans in a time when their contributions were often overlooked.

A Broader Movement and Personal Impact

The rebranding of Aunt Jemima is part of a larger movement aimed at addressing racial injustice and reexamining historical symbols that perpetuate harmful stereotypes. For some, this change is a necessary step toward healing and progress. But for Evans and others, it feels like an erasure of personal history and a severing of ties with their ancestors’ achievements.

While opinions on the rebranding are divided, one thing is clear: Aunt Jemima’s legacy, and the role of Nancy Green in it, will remain a topic of conversation. Evans hopes that in the midst of this debate, people will take the time to understand the full story behind the character, recognizing both the flawed origins and the important contributions of African Americans to American culture.

Eight people have been taken into custody by federal authorities concerning a massive smuggling operation that allegedly used the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to bring illegal and counterfeit goods into the United States from China.

It is estimated that the scheme, which involved dishonest truck drivers, warehouse owners, and logistics firms, smuggled at least $200 million worth of goods.

The lead orchestrator, another defendant, is still at large and is believed to be in China. The defendants are accused of breaking customs seals, smuggling, and conspiracy, among other offenses. Read more below

As a single dad juggling work and two young daughters, Jack never expected to find a stranger’s homemade pancakes on his kitchen table one morning. When he discovers the mysterious benefactor, her shocking story of hardship and gratitude changes his life forever, forging an unexpected bond between them.

Being a single dad to two little girls, Emma, who was 4, and Lily, who was 5, was the hardest job I ever had. My wife left us to travel the world, and now it was just me and the girls. I loved them more than anything, but balancing work, cooking, and taking care of everything at home left me exhausted.

Every morning, I woke up early. First, I would wake the girls.

That morning was no different. “Emma, Lily, time to get up!” I called softly, opening their bedroom door

Lily rubbed her eyes and sat up. “Good morning, Daddy,” she said, yawning.

Emma, still half asleep, mumbled, “I don’t want to get up.”

I smiled. “Come on, sweetie. We have to get ready for daycare.”

I helped them get dressed. Lily picked her favorite dress, the one with the flowers, while Emma chose her pink shirt and jeans. Once they were dressed, we all headed downstairs.

Jake dresses Lily | Source: Midjourney

I went to the kitchen to make breakfast. The plan was simple: oatmeal with milk. But when I entered the kitchen, I stopped in my tracks. There, on the table, were three plates of freshly made pancakes with jam and fruit.

“Girls, did you see this?” I asked, puzzled.

Lily’s eyes widened. “Wow, pancakes! Did you make them, Daddy?”

A plate of pancakes | Source: Midjourney

I shook my head. “No, I didn’t. Maybe Aunt Sarah stopped by early.”

I picked up my phone and called my sister, Sarah.

“Hey, Sarah, did you come by this morning?” I asked as soon as she picked up.

“No, why?” Sarah sounded confused.

Woman talks on her phone | Source: Pexels

“Never mind, it’s nothing,” I said, hanging up. I checked the doors and windows, but everything was locked. There was no sign of anyone breaking in.

“Is it safe to eat, Daddy?” Emma asked, looking at the pancakes with big eyes.

I decided to taste them first. They were delicious and seemed perfectly fine. “I think it’s okay. Let’s eat,” I said.

Emma and Lily wait to eat the pancakes | Source: Midjourney

The girls cheered and dug into their breakfast. I couldn’t stop thinking about who could have made the pancakes. It was strange, but I decided to let it go for now. I had to get to work.

After breakfast, I dropped Emma and Lily off at daycare. “Have a good day, my loves,” I said, kissing them goodbye.

At work, I couldn’t focus. My mind kept going back to the mysterious pancakes. Who could have done it? Why? When I returned home that evening, I got another surprise. The lawn, which I hadn’t had time to mow, was neatly cut.

A neatly cut lawn | Source: Midjourney

I stood in my yard, scratching my head. “This is getting weird,” I muttered to myself. I checked the house again, but everything was in order.

The next morning, I decided to find out who was helping me. I got up earlier than usual and hid in the kitchen, peeking through a small gap in the door. At 6 a.m., I saw a woman climb in through the window.

A strange woman in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney

She was wearing old postal worker clothes. I watched as she started washing the dishes from the night before. She then pulled out some cottage cheese from her bag and began making pancakes.

My stomach growled loudly. The woman turned around, startled. She quickly turned off the gas and ran towards the window.

The startled woman | Source: Midjourney

“Wait, please, I won’t harm you,” I said, stepping out of my hiding spot. “You made those pancakes, right? Please, tell me why you’re doing this. Don’t be afraid of me, I’m the father of the girls and would never harm a woman, especially when you’ve helped me so much.”

The woman stopped and slowly turned to face me. I saw her face and thought she looked familiar, but I couldn’t place where I knew her from.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?” I asked, confused.

Confused man in a suit | Source: Pexels

The woman nodded, but before she could speak, Emma and Lily’s voices came from upstairs, “Daddy, where are you?”

I glanced towards the stairs, then back at the woman. “Let’s sit and talk. I’ll get my girls. Please, don’t go,” I pleaded.

The woman hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Okay,” she said quietly.

The stranger sits at the table | Source: Midjourney

I smiled in relief, then hurried upstairs to get Emma and Lily. “Come on, girls, we have a surprise guest downstairs,” I said.

They followed me down, curious. When we entered the kitchen, the woman stood by the window, looking unsure and ready to bolt.

“Please, don’t leave,” I said gently. “I just want to talk and thank you.”

Jake stops the woman | Source: Midjourney

Emma and Lily looked at her with wide eyes. “Who is she, Daddy?” Lily asked.

“Let’s find out together,” I replied. Turning to the woman, I added, “Please, sit down. Can I get you some coffee?”

She hesitated but then nodded slowly. “Okay,” she said softly.

The woman sits at the table | Source: Midjourney

We all sat down at the kitchen table. “I’m Jack,” I started, “and these are my daughters, Emma and Lily. You’ve been helping us, and I want to know why.”

The woman took a deep breath. “My name is Claire,” she began. “Two months ago, you helped me when I was in a very bad place.”

I frowned, trying to recall. “Helped you? How?”

A man tries to remember something | Source: Pexels

She continued, “I was lying by the road, weak and desperate. Everyone passed by, but you stopped. You took me to a charity hospital. I was severely dehydrated and could have died. When I woke up, you were gone, but I convinced the parking guard to tell me your car number. I found out where you lived and decided to thank you.”

Recognition dawned on me. “I remember now. You were in terrible shape. I couldn’t just leave you there.”

The woman when she was seen by Jake | Source: Midjourney

Claire nodded, her eyes moist. “Your kindness saved me. My ex-husband tricked me, brought me from Britain to America, took everything, and left me on the street. I had nothing and no one to turn to.”

Emma and Lily listened intently, their small faces filled with concern. “That’s so sad,” Emma said, her voice barely a whisper.

“But why are you here?” I asked, still puzzled.

Confused man | Source: Pexels

Claire explained, “Your help gave me the strength to keep going. I went to the embassy and told them my story. They helped me get new documents and connected me with a lawyer to fight for my son. I got a job as a postal worker. But I wanted to repay you, to show my gratitude. I saw how tired you looked when you came home every day, so I decided to help you with small things.”

I was touched by her story. “Claire, I appreciate what you’ve done, but you can’t just break into our home. It’s not safe, and it scared me.”

Selena Gomez has been trending on social media once again for a few reasons. The actress and singer posted on social media, but it seems like people have a few opinions.

The actress and singer had some thoughts on the current situation, but other people had an opinion on what this really meant…

Keep reading to learn more about what exactly transpired.

Selena Gomez posted a video to her Instagram stories, which resulted in quite a lot of backlash for her. The video she posted was in response to the latest immigration policies implemented in the United States by the new administration.

“All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry, I wish I could do something but I can’t,” the 32-year-old singer said in the video with tears streaming down her face.

“I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise,” she said. A lot of users are accusing Gomez of making the issue at hand about herself. One person wrote, “she’s so annoying.”

“Selena always finds a way to make it about her feelings. This isn’t the time for performative tears, it’s about real lives being affected,” another person added. “Instead of crying on camera, maybe Selena should use her platform to share resources, donate, or raise awareness in a more constructive way,” another user added.

But others thought the criticism was unfair. One person wrote, “yall just hate it cuz it’s selena girlie just cares.” Another added similar sentiments, saying, “Oh so showing sympathy for your people is now termed as “making things about myself””

But apparently, the backlash was so intense that Gomez promptly deleted her video and wrote a message on a plain black background, “Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people.” She then deleted that story as well. This is not the first time Gomez has posted an emotional video on her social media.

The actress has talked about immigrants before, even sharing the emotional story of her family’s immigration in a 2019 Netflix docuseries called Living Undocumented.

The actress has in the past participated with many charities, including Unicef. She has also founded the Rare Impact Fund. The non-profit is dedicated to funding research for mental health-related initiatives.

What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments and share this with others to see what they think of the story as well.

A 12-year-old girl is dead after drinking a milkshake sold at a London café that failed to follow food safety legislations.

The incident could have been “prevented so simply,” and “only adds to the [heartbreak],” says the parents of the schoolgirl who died after having a severe allergic reaction to the shake that was made in a dirty blender, which had deadly traces of nuts.

A devastating incident in South-East London has left a family heartbroken after 12-year-old Mia St Hilaire suffered a fatal allergic reaction from a milkshake at the Pop Inn Café on Southwark Park Road, according to BBC.

Mia had a known tree nut allergy and, in the summer of 2023, after visiting the store, the young schoolgirl had a severe reaction to the shake that was believed to contain traces of hazelnuts and almonds from a previous milkshake made in the same machine.

She was rushed to hospital where she died on August 30, 2023.

Unwashed blender

Following Mia’s heartbreaking death, Southwark Council’s food safety team launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Their findings pointed to a devastating mistake: traces of hazelnuts and almonds were present in the milkshake Mia had consumed.

The investigation uncovered CCTV footage showing that the café’s operator, Baris Yucel, 47, failed to clean the blender before preparing Mia’s drink. Residue from a previous milkshake, containing tree nuts, remained in the machine, ultimately causing a severe allergic reaction that led to her tragic death.

Southwark Council argued that this lack of basic food safety measures directly contributed to Mia’s passing – a tragedy that could have been avoided.

On December 2, 2024, at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, Yucel pleaded guilty to all six criminal charges brought against him, including failure to provide allergen information for customers, failure to prevent cross-contamination during food preparation and serving food containing an undisclosed allergen – a mistake that proved fatal.

Your Local Guardian reports that Yucel has “shown genuine remorse,” and “has had to live with the consequences (of) what happened.” His lawyer adds that “a day does not go by when he does not think about the child and her family.”

On January 24, 2025, the court fined the café owner $23,000 US and sentenced him to 100 hours of community service.

Food safety

Meanwhile, Leigh Day Law Firm, the lawyers representing the St. Hilaire family, writes in a release that “no outcome will ever make up for the loss [the family] have suffered.”

“Mia and all other children with allergies should be able to feel safe knowing that businesses serving food and drink adhere to food safety legislation put in place to protect their lives. But unfortunately, far too often we see that this doesn’t happen, which can have tragic consequences such as in this case,” the law firm shared.

While this penalty highlights the legal consequences of neglecting food safety regulations, for Mia’s family, no punishment can undo their devastating loss.

In a statement shared on the lawyer’s website, the grieving parents – Adrian and Chanel – said, “We think of Mia every day and knowing her death could potentially have been prevented so simply, only adds to how heartbroken we are as a family.”

The message continues, “We hope this conviction and fine sends a loud message to businesses serving food and drinks across the country, of the devastating consequences of failing to take food safety seriously.”

Since Mia’s death, an enforcement officer from the council has made several visits to the cafe to ensure procedures to prevent a similar incident are being maintained.

An inquest into Mia’s death is set to take place soon, aiming to provide more insight into what went wrong and how such incidents can be prevented in the future.

This case raises serious questions about the accountability of food establishments when it comes to allergen management. Proper training, strict protocols, and clear allergen labeling could have saved Mia’s life – a fact that makes this tragedy even more painful for her grieving family.

What do you think of this tragic story? Do you feel Yucel’s punishment is enough? Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can hear from others!

If you’ve ever spent any amount of time at an airport scanning the baggage carousel for your prized possessions, you’ll understand the stress of seeing hundreds of near identical suitcases passing by on the conveyor belt.

While resourceful travelers discovered that securing a ribbon to their luggage makes theirs stand out from the rest, an airport worker is warning passengers that using personal markers comes with the kind of baggage you can’t unload.

The thought of losing baggage while travelling can strike fear into even the most seasoned of travelers.

To reduce the risk of having luggage taken by another passenger, or of watching luggage slowly swirl by repeatedly on the conveyor belt, travelers are attaching colorful ribbons to their suitcases to make sure it stands apart from the rest.

But according to a Dublin Airport baggage handler, who goes by the name John, these popular tricks are doing more harm than good.

In fact, it can make your worst travel nightmare come true.

Leave the ribbon at home

Speaking to RSVP Live, John revealed that tying identifying ribbons on your luggage can cause delays, meaning your belongings might miss the flight.

“Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall,” John told the outlet. “If the bag can’t be scanned automatically it can end up in manual processing, which could mean your bag doesn’t make it to the flight.”

Checking in your suitcase without identifiers, like ribbons and old travel stickers, gives it a better chance of arriving easily.

John offers: “Take old stickers off the bag, it can cause confusion with the scanning process.”

Posted by MR DIY on Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Another thing that can cause problems with your baggage is marzipan, the delicious sugary almond treat, and John warns you may be flagged by security if you take it on vacation.

“Don’t ever pack marzipan in your luggage. It has the same density as some explosives, so your bag will be removed and you’ll be called from the plane for a bag search,” the Dublin baggage expert said.

Lastly, before sending your luggage down the small conveyor belt to handlers like John, make sure it’s wheels side up to avoid damage.

No more basic baggage

Luggage has evolved significantly in the past few decades and you no longer need to carry basic black, brown or navy baggage.

According to Travel & Leisure, black baggage “is one of the most – if not, the most – versatile color, which is why it’s so popular.”

The outlet writes, “For this reason, it’s worth selecting a different hue if you want your luggage to stand out at baggage claim. Instead, consider a patterned suitcase or perhaps one that comes in a bold color like hot pink.”

The NFL has made headlines by imposing the highest fine in league history on a referee following major mistakes during the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills AFC Championship Game. This unprecedented action signals the league’s response to the widespread backlash from fans, players, and coaches over questionable officiating that may have impacted the outcome of the high-stakes matchup.

The referee in question, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, reportedly made a series of critical errors during key moments in the game. These mistakes included missed penalties and controversial rulings that fans believe unfairly favored the Chiefs. The fallout from these decisions prompted the league to conduct a thorough review, ultimately leading to the record-setting fine.

NFL CEO Roger Goodell issued a statement emphasizing the league’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the game. “While officiating errors are an unfortunate reality of any sport, we hold our officials to the highest standards,” Goodell said. “When those standards are not met, there must be accountability.”

Fans and analysts have reacted with mixed emotions to the news. While some see the fine as a step in the right direction, others argue that it does little to address the root cause of the problem. Many have called for more substantial changes, such as improved training for referees and the implementation of advanced technology to assist in officiating.

The fine also raises questions about the impact of officiating errors on the game’s outcome. Bills fans, in particular, have expressed frustration, feeling that their team was robbed of a fair chance to compete. Social media remains abuzz with debates over whether the fine is sufficient or merely a symbolic gesture.

This decision marks a turning point in the NFL’s approach to addressing officiating controversies, as the league faces mounting pressure to restore trust among its fan base. Whether this move will lead to lasting change or simply serve as a temporary fix remains to be seen, but for now, it underscores the NFL’s acknowledgment of the seriousness of the issue.