Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.

Police violence in Brazil killed the equivalent of more than one black person every four hours last year, disproportionately hitting the Afro-Brazilian...

TL;DR: ExpressVPN is the best service for unlocking extra Netflix libraries. Access Indian Netflix from

The Reddit blackout protests didn't quite force the company to reverse course on its API

A woman shared an emotional story about a stranger’s kind words at the gym which brought her to tears. In her TikTok video, a gym-goer named Steph (@callmeindythanks) said that after working out for almost “over two years” she has been “struggling” lately with her progress, especially after an incident a few weeks previously in which two men made some cruel remarks about her weight. She told viewers that one of them “coughed into his hand and said ogre,” which she admitted hurt her feelings. Ever since that interaction, Steph has been grappling with “deep-rooted insecurities” about her weight, which has been impacted by ongoing medical issues. To treat her ailments, she explained that she takes “steroids” which have caused “blood clots” among other problems. As she has tried to deal with her medical issues, Steph said that she was, in turn, “neglecting” herself. When a man with “tattoos all over” approached her as she left the gym, she told viewers that she was bracing herself for what she thought was another bully. As a self-proclaimed overthinker, Steph remarked, “There are a lot of thoughts going through your head being a bigger woman in the gym because there’s all sorts of ages there, different body types, like super fit, not fit, and it kind of messes with your head.” What he ended up saying to her was not at all what she expected. She recounted: “He goes, ‘I’ve seen you in here every week, almost every day. I see you in here every week and I’m proud of you.’” His words of encouragement hit Steph hard, motivating her to make a video about the kindness of this stranger. “You have no idea how much people that are going through something appreciate the kindness,” she said through tears. “He didn’t have to say it, he doesn’t even know what I’m going through.” She continued to say that nobody besides the management at the gym knew about her medical condition. “I’m just grateful for people like you guys that encourage us, people like me. Even if you’re not like bigger but you’re still, like, insecure about something.” “I was having a hard day today but you know what?” Steph told viewers. “That made my day.” @steph5468 #gymprogress #workputjourney #keepgoing #healingjourney ♬ original sound - X There was an outpour of support for Steph and the stranger’s act of kindness online, with one fitness coach commenting on the video: “Just having someone say they are proud of you can move mountains for so many of us.” “To be seen as we are is such a human need in each of us,” someone else remarked. Another wrote, “Little happiness snowballs. We all gotta throw them sometime.” Many have taken to writing encouraging comments on Steph’s personal account where she frequently posts about her ongoing fitness journey. Including comedian Paul Kim, who commented on a recent video of Steph’s, saying: “Crush them with your consistency and progress. You got this!!! We believe in you.” The Independent has contacted Steph for comment. Read More Influencer sparks debate after admitting she asks to see man’s bank account info on first date Fitness influencer Larissa Borges dies aged 33 after double cardiac arrest Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat

Intimidating sports culture is putting millions off working out – as many are feeling alienated by the exercise industry. A poll of 2,000 adults who don’t exercise found 68 per cent feel too embarrassed to go to the gym because they don’t fit the mould of the “typical” gym goer. More than three-quarters (78 per cent) don’t find sports adverts motivating and 33 per cent say adverts actually put them off working out. However, 55 per cent would be more likely to exercise if they saw everyday people in sports adverts. And 20 per cent would be more inspired to do something active if there were more realistic expectations set by the industry. A further 29 per cent say sports brands aren’t relatable to them, and a quarter think exercise culture is intimidating. While 49 per cent wish they had more confidence to exercise. The research was commissioned by ASICS as part of its ‘New Personal Best’ campaign, which is calling out performance-obsessed exercise culture in partnership with mental health charity Mind. Gary Raucher, European vice president for the sportswear brand, said: “The sports industry has been telling us for years that the only thing that matters is a faster time, a longer distance, a higher score, and more reps. “Although it’s aimed at motivating people, our research shows it’s having the reverse effect and instead creates an intimidating culture that’s putting people off exercise – something we’re committed to change.” As part of the research, survey respondents were shown a series of marketing images from sportswear and athletic brands and asked to comment on how the pictures made them feel. Just over one in 10 (12 per cent) said the images made them feel ‘inferior’, 13 per cent felt intimidated and for seven per cent, the images even made them feel depressed. It was found 16 per cent typically come across these types of images on social media, with 42 per cent admitting seeing boastful exercise posts makes them feel like a failure – even before they’ve started exercising. Hayley Jarvis, head of physical activity at Mind, added: “For people who don’t exercise, taking that first step can be daunting, especially if they’re also experiencing a mental health problem. “When you add the pressure of performance so often seen in sports marketing or on social media, for some it can feel impossible to get started as they don’t feel like they’re ‘good enough’. “Getting active can play a vital role in helping us stay and live well with mental health problems.” The survey, which was conducted via OnePoll.com, also found 23 per cent of non-exercisers feel too embarrassed to start now, and nearly one in five (18 per cent) worry people would judge them as they are too unfit. Over three quarters (77 per cent) admitted they are aware of the mental health benefits of exercise. But despite 61 per cent saying they have either personally experienced a mental health problem or know someone who has, it is still not motivation enough to get them moving. Mental health activist and TV personality Dr Alex George, who is supporting the ASICS campaign, said: “As someone who is passionate about the benefits of exercise on mental health, it’s upsetting but unsurprising that people feel excluded and alienated by the sports industry. “I too have felt intimidated and insecure after comparing my performance and results to others. “People need to know that regardless of the type of exercise they do, or the times or distances they achieve, any movement benefits mental health and is something that should be celebrated.” The ‘New Personal Best’ campaign features everyday people and is encouraging them to share their own ‘personal best’ images on social media using the hashtag #NewPersonalBest on World Mental Health Day, 10th October. One of which is Tom Durnin, whose inspirational story caught the sports brand’s attention when he finished in last place at the London Marathon 2023. He said: “For me, it was all about crossing that finish line no matter how long it took me. I run purely because it makes me feel good, I don’t worry about my time or being the slowest. “I never thought I’d ever be the face of a sports campaign but I’m honoured to be partnering with ASICS to encourage more people to move for their mental health. “If my story can inspire at least one person to take the first step that’s all I could ask for.” Read More Brits reveal advice they would give their younger selves - including investing in property Girls in UK have much lower confidence than male peers, study finds Average person completes 90 online tasks a day Israel-Hamas conflict: How to talk to teenagers about distressing news stories How to get rid of bedbugs: Signs and symptoms amid threat of UK invasion How to support someone coming out in their 30s and beyond

Monster Beverage Corp missed Wall Street estimates for second-quarter sales on Thursday as higher cost of living weighed

Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.

If you're interested in watching some seriously strong individuals lift extremely heavy weights, you should

Capcom didn’t reveal any bombshells at its dedicated Summer Game Fest showcase; many titles were

Tourist activity has continued despite devastating wildfires, bringing tensions with residents to a head.

Netflix has released a trailer for documentary film Yellow Door: ‘90s Lo-fi Film Club, which