DHS’s large electronics ban for direct flights to the U.S. has been officially lifted.

The United States will no longer ban people flying in mostly from Saudi Arabia from using electronics larger than a smartphone while in an airline’s cabins. This large electronics ban was announced back in March 2017, and will now be officially lifted. The decision to impose this interdiction came on March 21, and to lift it, on July 20.

With enhanced security measures in place, all restrictions on large PEDs announced in March for 10 airports/9 airlines have been lifted.

— David Lapan (@SpoxDHS) July 19, 2017

The Large Electronics Ban, a Way of Fighting Terrorism

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a list, back after announcing the ban, of the airlines and airports which would be affected by the decision. This included nine airlines and ten airports, most of them being in the Middle East.

DHS’s prohibited the use of electronics larger than a smartphone during direct flights coming in from the respective locations. The targeted airports and airlines were in North Africa and the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates host eight of the affected airports.

DHS’s overview of the ban offered details on what exactly it considered ‘large electronics’ and the places in which they couldn’t be stored/used. According to this, anything larger than a cell phone or a smartphone could not be utilized or carried onboard the aircraft’s cabin. This meant that they also couldn’t be stored in carry-on luggage or other easily accessible property.

Large electronics included but were not restricted to tablets, e-readers, laptops, cameras, portable DVD players, bigger than a smartphone electronic games, and others. All such devices were prohibited because of their risk of being loaded with explosives by terrorists.

However, “With enhanced security measures in place, all restrictions on large PEDs announced in March for 10 airports/9 airlines have been lifted,” states David Lapan. He is the DHS’s spokesman.

The U.S also recently issued a new directive targeting airlines. This offered a list of additional security measures which they had to take. For example, this pointed out the need of increasing the screening and security protocols affecting all direct flights to the U.S. The new directive targets 280 airports from all over the world.

Further details on the new security methods have yet to be released. However, according to reports, these will not be visible to passengers. At the same time, this large electronics ban was seen as just a “pause”, not a solution.

Image Source: Wikimedia

A blue whale skeleton named Hope took Dippy’s place in the entryway of the NHM.

The central entrance hall of the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London, Great Britain has long since been the home of “Dippy”, the Diplodocus dinosaur. However, he was recently replaced by a blue whale skeleton, as Dippy will also be leaving on tour across the British nation.

The new central exhibit, which was named “Hope”, was installed with the purpose of drawing attention to the environment and its disappearing species.

A real thrill to meet Hope the #BlueWhale this morning at @NHM_London and welcome her to Exhibition Road #TeamWhale ?https://t.co/YKGoMO2ltQ pic.twitter.com/q9M2Fxj9Y8

— Science Museum (@sciencemuseum) July 14, 2017

Hope, the Blue Whale Skeleton, and its Mission

According to reports, the blue whale skeleton got its name based on the scientists hope and recognition of the role science can play in safeguarding and protecting the environment. The massive creature was suspended and is seemingly flying over the atrium.

“It is our hope for the future that we can use good science and good evidence to make the right kind of decisions about these big environmental issues,” states Michael Dixon, the NHM’s director.

The skeleton, which is 82 feet, comes from a blue whale which died off the coast of Ireland in 1891. NHM acquired the specimen and has had on display in the mammal section since 1934. Here, however, it failed to catch the eye. It was suspended as well, but over another whale, which tended to gain more attention.

Hope began being displayed in the museum’s central atrium on July 13. Dippy was a Diplodocus dinosaur cast in plaster. It resided in the entryway of the NHM for decades and gained an iconic status.

The fact that it got replaced with a blue whale skeleton did not bode well with some of the museum’s visitor. However, Dippy is not retiring but instead touring the country. Over the next two years and a half, it will stop in eight locations in the United Kingdom.

According to reports, the museum considers that a formerly live specimen will help more attention to current environmental issues than a replica. Hope will hopefully draw attention to the need to study, monitor, and conserve the planet.

Our countdown to #HintzeHall is nearly over so it’s time to unveil Hope the #BlueWhale as the latest member of the global #MuseumWhales pod! pic.twitter.com/1kv0cbxvBc

— NaturalHistoryMuseum (@NHM_London) July 13, 2017

Image Source: Wikimedia

An international team set out to map the global distribution of invasive species.

Alien or invasive species, which include both animals and plants, can be very damaging as they enter an established ecosystem and measures to remove them can be costly or inefficient. So an international team of researchers set out to determine where such species are most likely to take over.

According to their results, invasive species are more likely to install and become abundant along coastal regions or on islands.

Global Maps Helped Determine Invasive Species Patterns

For this research, the study team turned to mapping out the global distribution of various types of alien species. They included everything from mammals to birds, amphibians to fish, ants to plants. Based on these maps, the team was able to identify and gain further insight into their geographic patterns.

These observations revealed that 423 mainland regions and 186 islands host larger concentrations of alien species. The largest numbers, both in terms of plants and animals, were registered in New Zealand and Hawaii.

“Both regions are remote islands that used to be very isolated, lacking some groups of organisms altogether — such as mammals, for instance,” stated Franz Essl, of the University of Vienna, Austria.

He then continues by pointing out that, presently, both are highly developed countries which maintain strong, constant trade relations. Thanks to them, non-indigenous have both entered and gotten naturalized on the islands.

According to the study results, trade relations are another essential element in the introduction and distribution of invasive species. Coastal and insular regions are already more exposed to alien species based on their geography. But great trade and economic activity levels and a denser human population are also important factors.

They increase the likelihood of introducing new species in an area. Humanity’s effect on the environment, in some cases destructive, also help non-indigenous species take root and spread as the local populations are already weakened.

Study results are available in a paper in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. The research team considers that trade regulations and stronger conservation programs would be needed to help protect coastal and insular regions from invasive species and the ecological degradation they bring with them.

Image Source: Wikimedia

An Irish veterinary clinic released a Cat Cuddler Needed! announcement for a new employee.

An Irish Clinic posted an announcement that any cat lover could wish for. Cat Cuddler Needed! The Just Cats Veterinary Clinic & Cattery situated in Dublin, Ireland, launched a campaign for finding a new colleague that will solely have to ‘cuddle’ cats.

The Irish veterinary clinic is looking for someone with a “cattitude” to fill in this new position. The feline-only clinic is looking for a full-time “cat cuddler”. In its Cat Cuddler Needed job announcement, it also presented the advantages and requirements of its different job.

Cat Cuddler Needed! But Only if You Are Gentle

The clinic begins its statement by asking a series of questions that range from cat lover to quite “crazy cat lover” which is, by their own reports, just what they are looking for. But then things start getting serious as the veterinary clinic points out that this a full time and serious position.

The Just Cats is the only veterinary clinic in Dublin to accept just feline customers. They are now looking for a cat cuddler that could help them calm their more agitated patients. In doing so, the ‘ideal candidate’ would have to have ‘gentle hands’. But not only that, they should also be capable of stroking and petting felines for extended periods of time. Practically, for as long as it takes to either calm them down or spoil them into relaxation.

Also, this new co-worker would have to be “softly spoken”, and ideally, should be capable of “cat whispering”. This way, it could certainly calm the scared nerves of some of the feline patients. An “understanding of the different types of purring” is also considered as an advantage in trying to snag and secure the cat cuddler position.

Although seemingly unusual, this is not taken as laughing matter by the clinic. According to one of its veterinarians:

“We are considering a veterinary intern, a nurse position or a nurse’s assistant and their title will be appropriate to their role.”

The official title of this new employee will be determined based on their skill set. Still, their primary job will be to make sure that any cat receiving its healthcare will have the best possible time.

Image Source: Pixabay

The mysterious massive creature that washed ashore in Indonesian was classified as a baleen whale

The central Maluku province from Indonesia was the host of quite an unusual event last week. On May 10^th, a resident and local fisherman discovered a mysterious massive creature that had washed ashore. Besides its significant size, this strange creature was also very hard to identify.

At footage of it started emerging, the first consensus was that this was a giant squid. But after taking a closer look, some experts refute this claim. Instead, they believe that the massive body used to be a baleen whale.

The Mysterious Massive Creature Brought On A Whole Lot Of Questions

This strange creature was measured to be about 50-foot-long. Besides its huge size, it also surprised with its pair of tusks. Its bizarre attributes raised many claims of it being an undiscovered sea monster or the likes. However, researchers argue that it is clearly a baleen whale, despite its deformed shape.

The massive creature washed ashore on the Hulung Beach, a remote beach on Seram Island. It was also seen to be oozing a red liquid, probably a mix of blood and grease, according to specialists. However, this has been causing troubles in the areas as it started leaking in the water and turning it a ”deep red”.

Scientists are now convinced that this is a baleen whale belonging to the Balaenoptera genus. However, they cannot determine exactly its species, although blue or fin whale have been vehiculated.

“Trying to identify huge ocean creatures […]  from a grainy video is tough to do; but once people start sharing specific information that begins to narrow in on defining characteristics of the creature, the identity begins to come into focus,” said George Leonard.

He is a chief scientist part of the Ocean Conservancy at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Scientists claim that the creature had two dead giveaways to its true nature. One were the “throat pleats” or groves and the baleen plates that should have been in two racks on its upper jaw.

The beached whale is an advanced stage of decomposition, which hindered its identification. Still, experts believe that the animal may have died anytime in between 2 weeks to several months ago.

Image Source: Wikimedia

The annual Eta Aquariid meteor shower promises to be a stunning success at its peak this week.

 

2017 is turning out to be a fantastic one for fans of viewing astronomical events. The Lyrid meteors at the end of April put on a particularly nice version of their annual show. A solar eclipse this summer stands to impress most of the globe. And this week, the annual Eta Aquariid meteor shower promises to be a stunning success.

This Week’s Astronomical Show: The Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower

Annabelle is resting in a blessed glass enclosure at Ed and Lorraine Warren’s house.

As the trailer of the movie Annabelle was recently launched, we thought that it would be nice change a pace to write an article dedicated to the hell-spawned doll that gave so many people nightmares. From the Warrens’ private records, we are honored to bring you the story of the real-life Annabelle, the Raggedy Ann doll, whose name became synonymous to nightmare after the first Conjuring movie was released.

Annabelle – The Beginning of the End

As the story goes, in 1970, Donna, a college student who was studying to become a nurse, received Annabelle, a Raggedy Ann doll, from her mother. It appears that while browsing a hobby store, Donna’s mother saw the used doll and thought It would make a great gift for her daughter.

Donna was living in a rented apartment with another woman named Angie, and the two had a common friend named Lou. Shortly after bringing Annabelle home, Donna and Angie discovered that there is something wrong with the doll.

At first, the signs were very subtle, like the doll changing its position when Donna and Angie were away. However, after only a few weeks, the signs that Annabelle was more than a mere doll became more evident. Donna and her roommate said that, in a matter of weeks, the doll became fully mobile and they would often find it in other areas of the house.

As the story continues, Lou, Donna and Angie’s common friend had an aversion towards the doll from the very beginning, telling the two college students that the doll was giving off an evil aura. Angie and Donna chose to dismiss the man’s claims. However, things would not remain the same.

After a few days, Donna began to find little pieces of parchment scattered around the house, with ominous messages such as “Help Us” or “Help Lou.” In the weeks that followed, Annabelle tormented Donna, Angie, and Lou, culminating with Donna discovering oozing blood on the doll’s hands.

Who or What was Annabelle?

When they finally realized that there might be something terribly wrong with the Raggedy Ann doll, Donna and Angie called in a medium to help them. After performing a séance, the medium told the two women that a little girl named Annabelle Higgins died on the land where the house was buried and that her spirit latched onto the doll. She also said that Annabelle’s spirit chose to remain with the two women because it considers them trustworthy.

Hearing that the spirit of a child is the one who possessed the doll, Donna and Angie abandoned their plan of getting rid of Annabelle. However, they will soon regret their decision. Soon after the séance, Lou became having a terrible nightmare involving the cursed doll trying to kill him in his sleep.

The events that followed confirmed that Annabelle was evil and that something must be done to stop her. According to Donna, a few days after Lou’s nightmare, the two were in the house, making arrangements for a road trip.

Donna recalled hearing some strange rustling sounds coming from her room and went with Lou to investigate. Upon opening the door, they saw Annabelle sitting in a corner. Lou also recalls feeling like he was being watched by someone or something.

As he got closer to Annabelle, the man felt a sudden and excruciating pain in his chest. Upon taking off his shirt, Donna saw that Lou had some distinct scratch marks on his chest, as though he had been seared by a burning rake.

Ed and Lorraine Warren are Called In

From that point, Donna knew that only a divine intervention could save her. She turned towards an Episcopalian priest who, in turn, recommended Lorraine and Ed Warren, two demonologists.

After coming in to investigate Donna’s case, the Warrens concluded that the doll was not haunted by the spirit of Annabelle Higgins but by a demon. As Ed explained, demons cannot possess inanimate objects like dolls, only humans. However, the perverted creature manipulated the doll in order to make Donna and Angie believe that it was inhabited by the spirit of a girl.

Donna’s rented apartment was exorcised by the priest, and the cursed Raggedy Ann doll was taken away by the Warrens to prevent it from tormenting its victims. According to Ed Warrens’ version of the story goes, the road from Donna’s house to his estate was riddled with dangers.

Containing the Demon

As the Warrens explained, since demons can take control of virtually any kind of human-made object in order to break its victim, they were forced to drive at slow speed and only on back roads. Jestingly, Ed added that it’s probably not a good idea to drive a car at 65 mph per hours while carrying a demon-possessed object in the trunk.

During their trip, the car’s engine stalled a couple of times, and several unexplained power drops occurred. At this point, Ed stopped the vehicle, opened the trunk and sprinkled holy water on the doll. Allegedly, the demon stopped manifesting itself for a while.

After arriving at their estate, Ed and Lorrain placed the cursed doll on Ed’s desk. According to the couple’s testimony, the Raggedy Ann doll was seen levitating several times and began moving from one room to the other.

Sensing that the demon is gaining power, the Warrens asked a priest to come and conduct an exorcism. To the priest’s misfortune, he didn’t consider the doll threatening and told it a couple of times that she’s nothing but a children’s toy. Reportedly, upon driving home, the priest’s vehicle experienced a fatal malfunction which resulted in a severe accident.

Fortunately, the father who came to perform Annabelle’s exorcism survived the accident. Later, in an attempt to contain the evil that was inside the doll, Ed and Lorrain Warren built a glass enclosure and locked her up for good in their museum of cursed objects.

According to the couple, a priest comes in at least one per week to bless the room, and of course, Annabelle’s glass prison. Since the doll was locked inside the glass container, the demon failed to appear.

Image source: Wikipedia

China has vowed to dedicate roughly $361 billion to the war against smog and air pollution.

Chinese officials have announced installing a police force in charge of regulating the emissions level of Beijing. The measure aims to control pollutants produced by garbage incineration, open-air barbecues, biomass burning. Furthermore, the agents will also address dust rising from the capita’s heavily circulated roads.

Cai Qi, Beijing’s mayor hopes that the smog police officers will efficiently address environmental offenses like the ones mentioned before in an effort to successfully clean up the capital’s air and ultimately get rid of persistent polluters. The official statement traveled the country from one end to the other on Saturday, January 7^th, via Xinhua news agency.

Furthermore, Cai Qi was heard saying during a government meeting that the levels of pollution Beijing now experiences are a direct result of weak law enforcement combined with lax supervision. Moreover, during New Years, almost three years after Chinese authorities declared war on smog and air pollution, large areas of northern China were engulfed in thick smog, with dangerous air quality readings in major cities like Tianjin, Beijing, and Xian. As a result of the alarming levels of air toxicity, major cities’ residents were forced to remain indoors.

Also, the smog is responsible for disrupting and grounding several flights, stalled port operations, blanketed entire cities, and altered school calendars. After an investigation was launched into the matter, scientists were able to conclude the smog was caused by unfavorable weather conditions and increased coal use for winter.

In order to prevent future incidents of such magnitude, government officials vowed to make better use of their police force and prosecute local officials and companies at fault for exceeding emissions limits. However, over the course of recent years, China’s environmental legislation was subjected to repeated controversies, making the government’s mission of installing a “smog police department” even harder. In present, the country’s reliance on fossil fuels made the fight against pollution extremely difficult, said Chen Jining, China’s environment minister, on Friday, January 6^th.

However, in spite of China’s struggle, government officials are positive they will be able to address the issue more efficiently than other western countries, Germany included. Ultimately, Chinese officials announced last week the nation is going to plow roughly $361 billion into green power generation by 2020.

Image Source: Pixabay

The former president of Malawi declares that she is ready to continue the fight for women’s rights.

Joyce Banda, the former Malawi President is ready to serve her people once more in 2019. However, she says that her return will highly depend on the wishes of the Malawian people. Joyce Banda instated the People’s Party and served as President between 2012 and 2014.

She says that the current state of the country forced her to prepare for the upcoming election and take charge once more. Her statement was broadcasted live on November 23^rd, 2016 on Voice of America Straight Talk Africa.

Joyce Banda is currently in Washington D.C. where she spends her time researching girl education and women leadership programs at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Global Development. As for her campaign policy, she declares that she is ready to continue fighting for women’s rights and most of all women’s right to a strategical position in a leadership structure.

However, she intends to run for president only is Malawians call her by name.

“I shall go back home and answer that call”, says Joyce Banda.

Furthermore, Malawi faces other serious problems, as well, such as corruption. When asked to comment on this, she said that abolishing corruption was in her sights since her presidency years. Also, she says that she will never stop fighting against corruption, no matter her political status.

When Malawi was struggling with the Capital Hill Cashgate under her leadership, Joyce Banda quickly set up a competent team of investigators which soon discovered the source and consequently led to the arrest of the suspects.

Prior to the accusations and the string of arrests that followed shortly after, Joyce Banda dissolved her cabinet. She stands by her decision, explaining that this is exactly the thing a leader must to: expose the culprits and apprehend the perpetrators.

As the first ever female leader of the Malawians, Joyce Banda declares herself the voice of the people and promises to fight corruption in the future the same day she did on September 7^th, 2013.

At the same time, the president of the Malawi Congress Party, Lazarus Chakwera, Joyce Banda’s rival in the upcoming election says that he can pull a “Trump-inspired” victory in 2019. However, since he already suffered a defeat back in 2014, he shows concern regarding the administration of the polls. When he lost to Peter Mutharika in 2014, he accused the actual Malawi president of winning over stolen votes.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Pope Francis approved of the new Vatican regulations

Officials have recently announced new Vatican regulations, meant to determine some conditions on healing works. Only according to them can such a procedure be called a miracle or not, as well as the person performing it can be called a saint. Pope Francis agreed to introduce the new rules in order to make sure that no one commits fraud.

One of the new rules is that a special committee must verify an act which is claimed to be a healing miracle. The board consists of six medical experts, and their task is to determine whether they face a miracle or an act of science, with a rational explanation. Two-thirds of the members must vote in favor of the miracle so that the Vatican can qualify it as such.

Under the new Vatican regulations, an alleged miracle can only be re-examined three times. Additional committees are formed, and a new verdict should be assigned to the case. If the experts’ decision is negative for three times in a row, the person who claims to have made a miracle is not allowed to take further action.

Some of the new Vatican regulations apply to the board of medical experts as well. They get paid for their examinations, but the cash payment is now out of the question. They will only be remunerated via bank transfer. Now they shouldn’t be given, nor should they receive cash payment.

Verifying a healing act is a process which must be kept in secret. There is another rule which must be obeyed by the medical experts and the person claiming to be a saint. According to theis rule, the two parts must not be in contact.

The announcement about new Vatican regulations was made on Friday, September 23. Church authorities have been working on the new set of rules for a year. Now they face the results of their work, which started one year ago.

A person who claims to have made a miracle can be qualified as a saint. The process is called canonization, and it is specific for several Churches, including the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodoxy Church. Performing miracles, dying as a martyr or having a chaste, withdraw existence, governed by good deeds, all lead to the process of sainthood.

Authorities from Vatican agreed on this new regulations in order to make sure that they always make right and wise decisions.

Image courtesy of: Wikipedia