Literally speaking, I am not like other girls. I am a statistical anomaly. In the United States, about 3% of babies are born with a disability — and I was one of them. As a result, it affected the way I perceived myself. Growing up, I wholeheartedly believed I was unlovable. As a gen Z-millennial cusp, my tacky Y2K style reflected this self-hatred: I hid behind layers of clothes, like a corny Bobby Jack T-shirt accessorized with a tie, which I paired with a sequin skirt layered over low-rise skinny jeans. Gah! Now in my unapologetic, maximalist era, I could never. But it’s been a journey to get here.

The alleged bodies of two "non-human" beings were presented during a congressional hearing in Mexico, generating a mixture of surprise, disbelief and ridicule...

Max Verstappen says wins in Miami, Zandvoort and Suzuka were his favourite victories of the 2023 season. The Red Bull driver, in one of the most destructive F1 cars ever, stormed to his third-straight world title with 19 wins from 22 races. The 26-year-old has now revealed what races stand out for him amid a record-breaking campaign. “I think the comeback race in Miami was great, that was an important one,” he said, after his season-ending win in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. “Winning at home at Zandvoort was a very nice one and I think winning at Suzuka, after the tough weekend we had at Singapore.” Verstappen started ninth on the grid in Miami but fought back and overtook team-mate Sergio Perez to seal his second-straight win in Florida. The Dutchman won his home race despite a late crash triggering a red flag, while his win in Japan followed a disappointing showing in Singapore – the only race Red Bull failed to win all year. Verstappen added how he stays motivated to win week after week despite sealing the title back in October in Qatar. “I love driving, I think that’s – first and foremost – the most important thing to be here,” he said. “For me, naturally, the motivation is there, because I know that for most of the races that I go to this year, I have a big chance of winning, so that’s great. “I think it’s tougher when you have been in that position and then you come to a race where it’s not possible anymore, then it’s hard, or harder, to find your motivation. You need to try and look into different places, how you can keep that motivation going. “But at the moment, of course, when you’re on the top, I think it’s probably easier than when you’re in the middle of the pack.” The 2024 F1 season starts on March 2 with a Saturday night opening race – the Bahrain Grand Prix Read More F1 Drive reveal bespoke karts with ‘DRS’ for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium track Lando Norris snaps at Max Verstappen ‘BFF’ comment Carlos Sainz’s personal trainer links up with F1 rival Lewis Hamilton: ‘I had asked Mercedes for changes and they weren’t done’ Mercedes team member miraculously finds wedding ring in Abu Dhabi marina Michael Masi could return to F1 despite 2021 Abu Dhabi finale

For so, so, so many reasons, flying is a pain. Lately, it feels like there's

Halloween is next week (or this weekend if you're celebrating early) and so many of us will be trying to scramble a last-minute costume together. From Barbenheimer to Taylor Swift, this year has been jam-packed with pop culture moments and so there are a number of options to choose from that are relevant and fresh. And with TikTok being a great source for all things Halloween-inspired, the possibilities are endless. Here is a rundown of the costumes that best represent 2023 - if that's the vibe you're going for: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce @nfl gonna see a lot of these costumes this year ?? #traviskelce #taylorswift #halloween #nfl (via kidsuper/IG) With pop star Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce making headlines with their rumoured romance, there's no doubt this will be a popular couple's costume. Meanwhile, one couple was ahead of the trend as Makayla and Nick Stephens dressed up as the celebrity couple back in 2020 - years before Swift and Kelce got together, and now their holiday photo has gone viral. Or Taylor Swift (from any era) @baileylovestayl0r 2 more months!! ? part 2? #fyp #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #taylorswiftedit #halloween #halloweencostume #ideas If you wantfell to dress up as Taylor Swift for Halloween, then the internet is full of inspiration thanks to Swifties dressing up in singer's different album eras when attending the Eras Tour live shows. Whether, it's debut, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, reputation, Lover, Folklore, Evermore or Midnights, there are costume tutorials and guides out there for every single one. AI-generated Pope in a Puffer Jacket Artificial intelligence has improved in recent years, so much so this realistic photo generated by AI of the Pope Francis in a white puffer jacket had people scratching their heads, unsure on whether it was real. The image quickly became a viral meme, so this would be a great 2023 meme to recreate for Halloween - and you'll be kept warm wearing a puffer jacket. Carmy from the Bear @sofia.silerio yes jeff #fyp #thebear #jeremyallenwhite #halloween #halloweencostume Season 2 of The Bear was released in June this year, and viewers love Jeremy Allen White's character the intense award-winning chef - a costume that is easy to put together with a white t-shirt, black trousers and a blue apron. Daisy Jones & the Six @ecovi ahead of my time @daisyjonesandthesix #halloween #halloweeninspo #halloween2023 #fyp #foryou Channel the 1970s by recreating looks from Daisy Jones & The Six, after the TV adaptation was released back in March - this could make a great group costume. Some of the different elements include flared trousers, crochet tops, kimonos, and florals while not forgetting the knee-high platform boots. Kendall Roy from Succession @remyedenmaria My boy squiggle cooked up this beat for me #kendallroy #halloween #ltotheog #succession #successionhbo #jeremystrong #fyp #foryoupage Viewers were devastated when the final season of Succession aired back in May this year, but fans can recreate one of the show's most iconic moments - Kendall Roy displaying his rap skills with his song 'L to the OG'. To channel Kendall, you'll need a pinstripe NY Yankees jersey, and a white shirt with a black bowtie. Rihanna at the Super Bowl @lifewithvikki best couple’s costume if you ask me #halloween #couplescostume #rihanna #rihannasuperbowl #rihannahalftimeshow Rihanna playing her biggest hits while pregnant at this year's Super Bowl was one of the musical highlights of 2023, so there was no doubt it would also be a go-to costume for Halloween. And if you're looking for a group costume, then other pals can dress up in white as the backup dancers - which inspired plenty of memes. Barbenheimer @noodlesn16 #greenscreen Barbenheimer will be the number 1. Count it ONE. Couples Halloween cotume this year. You heard it here first. #barbie #barbenheimer #oppenheimer #halloween #couplescostume With the release of the Barbie movie and Oppenheimer on the same day (July 21), 2023 was truly a Barbenheimer summer, and so this will no doubt inspire many looks this Halloween. For those who want to dress as Barbie there are a number of looks to choose from - roller-skating Barbie, cowgirl Barbie and disco Barbie etc, while with Ken you have surfer Ken, cowboy Ken, or the white fur coat look with the bandana and glasses. While bright and bold colours are seen in Barbie, those dressing up in an Oppenheimer look should be suited and booted in muted tones from the 1940s - with a porkpie hat and a cigarette or smoking pipe. Justin and Hailey Bieber @biebersgoodside.2 “Another one. Thank u!” ? #justinbieber #haileybieber #jailey #halloween #couplecostumes #bieberfever #costume Justin and Hailey Bieber became a meme this year for their different styles, with Hailey dressing up when attending events while Justin goes for the more casual and relaxed look. This is a pretty easy couples costume as you can recreate the look with clothes from your own wardrobe. Paris bed bugs @thatblonderebel Easy Halloween costume: Parisian bedbugs video inspo: @Danielle Pinnock #halloweencostume The news of bedbugs infesting public transport in Paris soon became a viral concern as videos circulated of the critters on TikTok so what better way to reference a recent trend than by dressing up as a bedbug for Halloween? (After all, Londoners have been petrified of bugs arriving on the tubes and trains). Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

“I never saw anyone who looked like me surfing,” says Danielle Black Lyons, a founding member of the Black female surf collective Textured Waves. “Growing up in Oceanside, CA, there weren’t a lot of Black and brown people in the water. And I think that definitely prohibited me from initially pursuing the sport.”

Google is outfitting Bard with some meaningful upgrades with an assist from Adobe. As anticipated,

Take a sip of one of Fura’s cocktails, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s simply just

With all the access teenagers today have to the internet and social media, they may see more distressing news stories than even their parents. Palestinian militant group Hamas – deemed a terrorist group by the UK Government – invaded Israel on Saturday from Gaza, with rocket attacks by air as well as military in boats. Since then, Israel has sealed the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip off from food, fuel, medicine and other supplies, while launching retaliatory air strikes on the territory, which is home to 2.3 million people. The most recent numbers suggest 900 people have been killed in Israel, 700 in the Gaza territory and the West Bank, and many hostages have been taken. Hamas has pledged to kill captured Israeli hostages if attacks target civilians in Gaza. The conflict has sparked protests by pro-Palastine and pro-Israel groups in the UK and prompted political division on social media. Teenagers are likely to be exposed to a lot of the news, internet discussion and perhaps distressing images of conflict. So how should parents approach this? Talk about it at home Dr Jeri Tikare, clinical psychologist at Kooth, a digital mental health platform, believes parents should be as truthful as they can with their teenagers. “This means that it is important for us to not to hide things away from them. It is better for them to hear it from us (their people of safety) as opposed to reading it or hearing it from others,” he says. “Also bearing in mind the curious nature of the mind. It is inevitable that for things that they do not understand, they might research and look for answers. “It can be helpful if they get their information from a reliable source which can feel contained and reassuring. But share information at a level that is developmentally right and just enough to help the young person feel contained and safe.” Check yourself As the parent, learn the basics of what is going in the conflict yourself from reputable sources so you can have balanced, informed conversations with your child. “It can also be useful to be aware of our own reactions as parents or primary caregivers,” he says. “One of the ways young people learn and develop is via observing and then modelling adult behaviour. Hence, they can pick up anxieties or worries displayed by parents.” Validate and normalise expressing emotion If your teen is particularly affected by distressing news stories about war and conflict, Tikare encourages parents to give their teenagers the opportunity to express how they are feeling in different ways – such as writing, drawing, stories, songs, and things that feel helpful for the young person. “Some find a feelings box helpful,” he adds. “It might also be helpful to introduce them to some simple relaxation techniques such as taking three deep, slow breaths, breathing in for a count of three and out for three.” Be there for them Giving your teenager the space, time and encouragement to open up about how they feel on any subject – world news or otherwise – is key. “I know that life can be hard, busy and sometimes young people are aware of this and might not want to disturb you,” Tikare says. “Therefore, it might be helpful to make a conscious effort to let them know that you are mindful of how difficult it can be and reassure them that you are available to talk about things. “Giving them extra love and attention at this time can be helpful, especially at difficult times like this.” Discuss social media Tikare acknowledges that television, social media and other platforms “can be very distressing and exacerbating” for teenagers. But you may not be able to prise your child away from posting on their social media accounts altogether. “It would depend on the motivation behind posting and where they are posting,” Tikare says. “Posting about the feelings experienced around the conflict in a supportive and possibly moderated space, with people sharing similar feelings associated with the conflict, can help normalise the experience and leave them feeling less alone. “On the other hand, it could also expose them to content and comments that could potentially trigger distress.” So be sure to make them aware of the content they may come across online. Read More Autumn décor ideas for a seasonal refresh Why you shouldn’t tidy your garden too much in autumn World Mental Health Day: 5 ways to beat anxiety and change your life Alternative veg to grow for next season How to spot if your child is struggling with their mental health – and what to do next Does your pillowcase make a difference to your skin and hair health?

Today at its annual Made by Google event, Google introduced the latest iteration of its

Lewis Hamilton insists Christian Horner is ‘stirring things’ after the Red Bull team principal claimed the Mercedes driver’s team approached him about a move earlier this year. A representative of Hamilton put out feelers about leaving Mercedes earlier this year, according to a report in the Daily Mail, with Red Bull and Ferrari both approached. However Hamilton, who has won six of his seven world titles at Mercedes, signed a new two-year contract with the Silver Arrows in September and in Abu Dhabi on Thursday denied Horner’s claim. “I know it’s [the story] has come from Christian, I don’t really understand what he’s been talking about,” Hamilton told Sky Sports. “No one as far as I’m aware from my team has spoken to him. I haven’t spoken to Christian in years. “However he did reach out to me earlier on in the year about meeting up. But that’s it. I congratulated him on an amazing year and said ‘hopefully soon I’ll be able to fight against you guys in the near future.’ “That was it. I’m not really sure… I think he’s just stirring things. “There aren’t any confidential discussions. You know Christian… he loves that kind of stuff.” Horner told the Mail that he “can’t see Max and Lewis working out together”. Hamilton now has a deal until the end of the 2025 season with Mercedes while Max Verstappen has a long-term contract with Red Bull until 2028. “100% would be more than happy to race against him [Max] in an equal car,” Hamilton added. “Red Bull have done an amazing job and it is an incredible team. Any driver would love to drive with such a great group of people. “Moving from a car that’s not so great to a winning car from my perspective, that’s not a dream. The dream is always to start where we are and to build up to then winning. That’s why I’ve stayed with Mercedes.” Hamilton was heavily linked with Ferrari earlier in the season but put all speculation to bed when he penned a new £50m-a-year extension with Mercedes, a rise of approximately £10m. Hamilton has not won since December 2021 in Saudi Arabia. A week later, he lost the 2021 world championship to Verstappen on the final lap in controversial circumstances in Abu Dhabi. Mercedes have just won one race since, with George Russell’s first F1 victory in Brazil last year, while Hamilton has had 15 podiums since 2021 without a victory. Red Bull, meanwhile, have won 20 of the 21 races this season with Verstappen triumphant a record-breaking 18 times ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Read More Why are Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen missing first practice in Abu Dhabi? Hamilton ‘made contact with Red Bull and Ferrari’ before signing new Mercedes deal Guenther Steiner to produce new hit ‘workplace comedy’ show F1 Juniors broadcast an admirable idea – but all kids want to be is grown up Mick Schumacher returns to racing with Alpine in 2024 Lando Norris posts update from hospital after Las Vegas crash

Based on a True Story stars Chris Messina and Tom Bateman give us insight into