themindunleashed--2020-08-02--Baboons prowl UK safari park ‘carrying knives and chainsaws,’ stirring rumors of chaos

( TMU ) – Workers at a popular safari park are on edge after baboons were spotted wielding tools like knives , screwdrivers , and even a chainsaw .
And to make matters worse , the primates are having a blast using the tools to terrorize visitors ’ cars .
The baboons at Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside , England , have long enjoyed the ignominious reputation of being extremely destructive mischief-makers who were previously infamous for nabbing objects from the cars of visitors , including side-view mirrors and windshield wipers .
One mechanic in nearby Sale said that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone who needed work done after the monkeys went to town on their cars .
“ The kids start chirping up saying they want monkeys all over the car , and the next thing you know , you ’ re driving home with no registration plate , ” the mechanic said .
However , some local workers worry that the creatures are possibly being given the weapons and power-tools “ for a laugh ” by equally mischievous park-goers , reports the Sunday Times .
“ We ’ re not sure if they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guests who want to see them attack cars , or if they ’ re fishing them out of pick-up trucks and vans , ” one worker said .
Given the primates ’ history of thievery , it would make sense that the baboons themselves are taing it upon themselves to find goods hidden in toolboxes scattered across the 550-acre safari park .
“ One of the baboons was seen lugging around a chainsaw , ” the worker added .
However , given the frequency with which the baboons have been sighted walking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been raised about how they are suddenly so well-supplied to wreak havoc .
“ The baboons have been found with knives and screwdrivers .
I do wonder if it ’ s some of the guests handing them out , ” a source told Daily Record .
The safari park , which hosts a range of individual creatures including rhinos , lions and tigers , reopened last month after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Aquariums and other zoos were also given the green light by the U.K. government to resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park ’ s website , potential visitors are assured that while proper public health measures are in place and people are restricted to their cars , a similar guarantee can ’ t be made about the problems caused by the baboobs .
“ If you take a drive through our Baboon Jungle , we ’ re unable to return any car parts that our cheeky baboons may take , ” the website noted , adding that a “ car friendly route ” is also an option .
Managers at the safari park are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baboons stalking park grounds is true , shrugging it off as an urban myth .
“ We believe many of these stories have grown in exaggeration as they ’ ve been retold , with embellishment to make the objects that are sometimes found in the enclosure seem more exciting and unbelievable , ” the park said .

(TMU) – Workers at a popular safari park are on edge after baboons were spotted wielding tools like knives, screwdrivers, and even a chainsaw. And to make matters worse, the primates are having a blast using the tools to terrorize visitors’ cars.
The baboons at Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside, England, have long enjoyed the ignominious reputation of being extremely destructive mischief-makers who were previously infamous for nabbing objects from the cars of visitors, including side-view mirrors and windshield wipers.
One mechanic in nearby Sale said that he’s had two customers this year alone who needed work done after the monkeys went to town on their cars.
“The kids start chirping up saying they want monkeys all over the car, and the next thing you know, you’re driving home with no registration plate,” the mechanic said.
However, some local workers worry that the creatures are possibly being given the weapons and power-tools “for a laugh” by equally mischievous park-goers, reports the Sunday Times.
“We’re not sure if they are being given weapons by some of the guests who want to see them attack cars, or if they’re fishing them out of pick-up trucks and vans,” one worker said.
Given the primates’ history of thievery, it would make sense that the baboons themselves are taing it upon themselves to find goods hidden in toolboxes scattered across the 550-acre safari park.
“One of the baboons was seen lugging around a chainsaw,” the worker added.
However, given the frequency with which the baboons have been sighted walking about with knives or screwdrivers in-hand, suspicion has been raised about how they are suddenly so well-supplied to wreak havoc.
“The baboons have been found with knives and screwdrivers. I do wonder if it’s some of the guests handing them out,” a source told Daily Record.
The safari park, which hosts a range of individual creatures including rhinos, lions and tigers, reopened last month after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Aquariums and other zoos were also given the green light by the U.K. government to resume operations following the lockdown.
On the park’s website, potential visitors are assured that while proper public health measures are in place and people are restricted to their cars, a similar guarantee can’t be made about the problems caused by the baboobs.
“If you take a drive through our Baboon Jungle, we’re unable to return any car parts that our cheeky baboons may take,” the website noted, adding that a “car friendly route” is also an option.
Managers at the safari park are skeptical about whether the tales of knife-wielding baboons stalking park grounds is true, shrugging it off as an urban myth.
“We believe many of these stories have grown in exaggeration as they’ve been retold, with embellishment to make the objects that are sometimes found in the enclosure seem more exciting and unbelievable,” the park said.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-01--Police Identify “Umbrella Man” Who Instigated Minneapolis Riots As A White Supremacist

( TMU ) – The conditions that led to the uprising in Minneapolis earlier this year had been provoking anger in the city for years , and there is no doubt that this anger was ready to boil over in the wake of George Floyd ’ s killing .
However , it appears that one of the catalyzing events of the riot may have been instigated by a white supremacist who wanted to provoke a strong police response and create negative press for the demonstrations .
Since the riots began , there was suspicion about a masked man with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the windows of the AutoZone store across the street from a police precinct where protesters had initially gathered .
The store was looted and set on fire shortly after the windows were broken , and theories began to circulate that the person in the film was an undercover police officer acting as an agent provocateur , while many traditional media sources speculated that perhaps Antifa was responsible .
Witnesses have told the TMU staff that a man with an umbrella , possibly the same person , threw a rock at police officers very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which resulted in police firing the first tear gas canisters of the uprising .
This incident happened near the Target store that was looted shortly after .
Videos of the “ Umbrella Man ” spread across the internet , but police were reportedly having trouble identifying the suspect .
Eventually , they received a tip that it was a man named Mitchell Carlson .
Carlson is reportedly affiliated with the Hell ’ s Angels & Aryan Cowboys , and his social media pages are filled with racist posts and **** imagery .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the Hell ’ s Angels and that Carlson wanted to sow discord and racial unrest by breaking out the windows and writing what he did on the double red doors.
” According to court records , Carlson has been charged with numerous violent crimes in the past , including convictions as recently as this year for domestic abuse and “ terroristic threats.
” One of the gangs that Carlson is affiliated with , The Aryan Cowboys , is named in law enforcement documents relating to the riots .
The documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ****** while police were preoccupied with the protests , and posing as members of Antifa to carry out acts of violence and vandalism .
The police noted that the protests were peaceful until Umbrella Man started causing trouble .
“ Until the actions of the person your affiant has been calling ‘ Umbrella man , ’ the protests had been relatively peaceful .
The actions of this person created an atmosphere of hostility and tension , ” the report said .
Police say that there is a “ striking resemblance ” between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also , of note is also a slight variation in Carlson ’ s left eyebrow that is present in the photos of ‘ Umbrella Man , ’ ” police wrote in the warrant application .
Investigators now have a court ’ s permission to look through Carlson ’ s phone for additional evidence linking him to the crime , including GPS coordinates which would put him in the area at the time it happened .
Carlson is also suspected of being involved in an incident last month in Stillwater , Minnesota , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vests harassed a Muslim woman .

(TMU) – The conditions that led to the uprising in Minneapolis earlier this year had been provoking anger in the city for years, and there is no doubt that this anger was ready to boil over in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. However, it appears that one of the catalyzing events of the riot may have been instigated by a white supremacist who wanted to provoke a strong police response and create negative press for the demonstrations.
Since the riots began, there was suspicion about a masked man with an umbrella who was seen on video breaking the windows of the AutoZone store across the street from a police precinct where protesters had initially gathered. The store was looted and set on fire shortly after the windows were broken, and theories began to circulate that the person in the film was an undercover police officer acting as an agent provocateur, while many traditional media sources speculated that perhaps Antifa was responsible.
Witnesses have told the TMU staff that a man with an umbrella, possibly the same person, threw a rock at police officers very early on in the peaceful protests, which resulted in police firing the first tear gas canisters of the uprising. This incident happened near the Target store that was looted shortly after.
Videos of the “Umbrella Man” spread across the internet, but police were reportedly having trouble identifying the suspect. Eventually, they received a tip that it was a man named Mitchell Carlson.
Carlson is reportedly affiliated with the Hell’s Angels & Aryan Cowboys, and his social media pages are filled with racist posts and Nazi imagery.
The tipster told police that Carlson “is a member of the Hell’s Angels and that Carlson wanted to sow discord and racial unrest by breaking out the windows and writing what he did on the double red doors.”
According to court records, Carlson has been charged with numerous violent crimes in the past, including convictions as recently as this year for domestic abuse and “terroristic threats.”
One of the gangs that Carlson is affiliated with, The Aryan Cowboys, is named in law enforcement documents relating to the riots. The documents accused the gang of flooding the city with heroin while police were preoccupied with the protests, and posing as members of Antifa to carry out acts of violence and vandalism.
https://twitter.com/NatSecGeek/status/1273329710576152581
The police noted that the protests were peaceful until Umbrella Man started causing trouble.
“Until the actions of the person your affiant has been calling ‘Umbrella man,’ the protests had been relatively peaceful. The actions of this person created an atmosphere of hostility and tension,” the report said.
Police say that there is a “striking resemblance” between the Umbrella Man and Carlson.
“Also, of note is also a slight variation in Carlson’s left eyebrow that is present in the photos of ‘Umbrella Man,’” police wrote in the warrant application.
Investigators now have a court’s permission to look through Carlson’s phone for additional evidence linking him to the crime, including GPS coordinates which would put him in the area at the time it happened.
Carlson is also suspected of being involved in an incident last month in Stillwater, Minnesota, where a group of men in Aryan Cowboy vests harassed a Muslim woman.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-03--Authorities Identify 17-Year-Old Florida Kid As “Mastermind” Behind Twitter Hack

( TMU ) – Authorities believe that they have found the mastermind behind the biggest attack on Twitter in the site ’ s history , and it ’ s a 17-year-old kid from Tampa , Florida .
The teen ’ s name and photograph are not being released to the media because they are technically a minor .
Despite the teen ’ s young age , they were able to effectively take over the Twitter accounts of Elon Musk , Bill Gates , Barack Obama , and numerous other celebrities .
They then used the accounts to direct payments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to collect over $ 100,000 before Twitter regained control of the accounts .
On Friday , Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren announced that they filed 30 felony charges against a 17-year-old for the Twitter hack .
These charges include organized fraud , communications fraud , fraudulent use of personal information , and access of computer or electronic device without authority .
“ These crimes were perpetrated using the names of famous people and celebrities , but they ’ re not the primary victims here .
This ‘ Bit-Con ’ was designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the country , including here in Florida .
This massive fraud was orchestrated right here in our backyard , and we will not stand for that , ” Warren said in a statement .
Warren described the 17-year-old as the “ mastermind ” behind the attack , but there were two other charges in the case .
On Friday , the US Department of Justice announced that two young adults were also being charged for their participation in the hack .
19-year-old Mason Sheppard , aka “ Chaewon , ” of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with conspiracy to commit wire fraud , conspiracy to commit money laundering , and the intentional access of a protected computer .
22-year-old , Nima Fazeli , aka “ Rolex , ” of Florida , was charged with aiding and abetting the intentional access of a protected computer .
In a statement announcing the additional charges , U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson threatened hackers and said that they can no longer outsmart the US government .
“ There is a false belief within the criminal hacker community that attacks like the Twitter hack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today ’ s charging announcement demonstrates that the elation of nefarious hacking into a secure environment for fun or profit will be short-lived , ” Anderson said .
These comments will likely come as a challenge for many .
In their most recent update about the hack , Twitter clarified that : “ The social engineering that occurred on July 15 , 2020 , targeted a small number of employees through a phone spear phishing attack .
A successful attack required the attackers to obtain access to both our internal network as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them access to our internal support tools .
Not all of the employees that were initially targeted had permissions to use account management tools , but the attackers used their credentials to access our internal systems and gain information about our processes.
” After the charges were announced on Friday , Twitter said that they continue to be transparent as their investigation continues into how much access these hackers had to high profile accounts .
The site has previously admitted that some private messages were accessed by the hackers when they had access @ @ @ @

(TMU) – Authorities believe that they have found the mastermind behind the biggest attack on Twitter in the site’s history, and it’s a 17-year-old kid from Tampa, Florida.
The teen’s name and photograph are not being released to the media because they are technically a minor. Despite the teen’s young age, they were able to effectively take over the Twitter accounts of Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Barack Obama, and numerous other celebrities. They then used the accounts to direct payments to a Bitcoin address, and were able to collect over $100,000 before Twitter regained control of the accounts.
On Friday, Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren announced that they filed 30 felony charges against a 17-year-old for the Twitter hack. These charges include organized fraud, communications fraud, fraudulent use of personal information, and access of computer or electronic device without authority.
“These crimes were perpetrated using the names of famous people and celebrities, but they’re not the primary victims here. This ‘Bit-Con’ was designed to steal money from regular Americans from all over the country, including here in Florida. This massive fraud was orchestrated right here in our backyard, and we will not stand for that,” Warren said in a statement.
Warren described the 17-year-old as the “mastermind” behind the attack, but there were two other charges in the case. On Friday, the US Department of Justice announced that two young adults were also being charged for their participation in the hack.
19-year-old Mason Sheppard, aka “Chaewon,” of the United Kingdom, was charged in California with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and the intentional access of a protected computer. 22-year-old, Nima Fazeli, aka “Rolex,” of Florida, was charged with aiding and abetting the intentional access of a protected computer.
In a statement announcing the additional charges, U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson threatened hackers and said that they can no longer outsmart the US government.
“There is a false belief within the criminal hacker community that attacks like the Twitter hack can be perpetrated anonymously and without consequence. Today’s charging announcement demonstrates that the elation of nefarious hacking into a secure environment for fun or profit will be short-lived,” Anderson said.
These comments will likely come as a challenge for many.
In their most recent update about the hack, Twitter clarified that:
“The social engineering that occurred on July 15, 2020, targeted a small number of employees through a phone spear phishing attack. A successful attack required the attackers to obtain access to both our internal network as well as specific employee credentials that granted them access to our internal support tools. Not all of the employees that were initially targeted had permissions to use account management tools, but the attackers used their credentials to access our internal systems and gain information about our processes.”
After the charges were announced on Friday, Twitter said that they continue to be transparent as their investigation continues into how much access these hackers had to high profile accounts.
We appreciate the swift actions of law enforcement in this investigation and will continue to cooperate as the case progresses. For our part, we are focused on being transparent and providing updates regularly. For the latest, see here ? https://t.co/kHty8TXaly — Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) July 31, 2020
The site has previously admitted that some private messages were accessed by the hackers when they had access to the accounts.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-03--Records Of Prince Andrew’s Location On Night Of Molestation Destroyed By Police

( TMU ) – According to a former member of the Royal guard who worked on Prince Andrew ’ s security detail , The London Metropolitan Police have destroyed evidence that could have revealed where Prince Andrew was on the night that he is accused of having sex with a teenager that was being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell .
The night in question is March 10th , 2011 , as well as the morning hours of March 11 .
Virginia Giuffre , who was known by the name Virginia Roberts at the time , says that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maxwell and was expected to have sex with Prince Andrew .
Giuffre says that she was just 17-years-old at the time and remembers being taken to the “ Tramp ” nightclub in London , as well as one of Maxwell ’ s homes in the city .
Andrew was questioned about Giuffre ’ s accusations during an interview with BBC , and he made numerous mistakes and fumbles that brought his credibility into question .
In the interview , Andrew vehemently denied knowing Giuffre and insisted that he was not at that nightclub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was at a Pizza Express location in Woking , for a party , but at least one other witness has come forward to corroborate Giuffre ’ s claim .
The witness says that she distinctly remembers seeing the prince at the nightclub on that evening .
There should be records of what the prince was doing on that evening , which would either exonerate him or prove that he was lying .
Members of the royal family are regularly accompanied by police guards in their day to day activities and there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were sent , or at the very least a record of which officers worked on which day .
If these records were to be made available , the investigators could easily determine where Prince Andrew was on the night in question .
Initially , police refused to release this information to the media , insisting that revealing such sensitive information about the royal family could be a “ threat to national security.
” One of the guards who was assigned to work Andrew ’ s security detail on that night , remembers having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to Buckingham Palace .
He says that Andrew ended up making his return to the palace very late that night , but wanted to obtain the records to confirm that this was the same night .
A few months ago , the former guard requested to see his shift records from his time working Andrew ’ s security detail .
He got no response for months , but was eventually contacted by a caseworker with the London Metropolitan Police .
The caseworker told him that the records were destroyed , and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy to only keep records for two years , which is a bit of a strange policy in the computer age where files don ’ t take up much space .
“ I am very disappointed .
Why on earth did it take nearly five months to respond with such a non-informative answer ?
I ’ m also surprised to discover that any records regarding the Royal family and their police protection are destroyed , much less after just two years , ” the guard told the Daily Mail .

(TMU) – According to a former member of the Royal guard who worked on Prince Andrew’s security detail, The London Metropolitan Police have destroyed evidence that could have revealed where Prince Andrew was on the night that he is accused of having sex with a teenager that was being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The night in question is March 10th, 2001, as well as the morning hours of March 11. Virginia Giuffre, who was known by the name Virginia Roberts at the time, says that she was taken to London by Epstein and Maxwell and was expected to have sex with Prince Andrew.
Giuffre says that she was just 17-years-old at the time and remembers being taken to the “Tramp” nightclub in London, as well as one of Maxwell’s homes in the city.
Andrew was questioned about Giuffre’s accusations during an interview with BBC, and he made numerous mistakes and fumbles that brought his credibility into question.
In the interview, Andrew vehemently denied knowing Giuffre and insisted that he was not at that nightclub on March 10th.
He claimed that he was at a Pizza Express location in Woking, for a party, but at least one other witness has come forward to corroborate Giuffre’s claim. The witness says that she distinctly remembers seeing the prince at the nightclub on that evening.
There should be records of what the prince was doing on that evening, which would either exonerate him or prove that he was lying. Members of the royal family are regularly accompanied by police guards in their day to day activities and there are records of where and when the officers were sent, or at the very least a record of which officers worked on which day.
If these records were to be made available, the investigators could easily determine where Prince Andrew was on the night in question. Initially, police refused to release this information to the media, insisting that revealing such sensitive information about the royal family could be a “threat to national security.”
One of the guards who was assigned to work Andrew’s security detail on that night, remembers having an issue with the prince when he returned to Buckingham Palace.
He says that Andrew ended up making his return to the palace very late that night, but wanted to obtain the records to confirm that this was the same night.
A few months ago, the former guard requested to see his shift records from his time working Andrew’s security detail. He got no response for months, but was eventually contacted by a caseworker with the London Metropolitan Police.
The caseworker told him that the records were destroyed, and said that it is the agency’s policy to only keep records for two years, which is a bit of a strange policy in the computer age where files don’t take up much space.
“I am very disappointed. Why on earth did it take nearly five months to respond with such a non-informative answer? I’m also surprised to discover that any records regarding the Royal family and their police protection are destroyed, much less after just two years,” the guard told the Daily Mail.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-03--Leaked footage shows George Floyd crying, begging for his life while cop aims gun at his head

( TMU ) – Newly-leaked police bodycam footage shows the tragic last moments before George Floyd , casting new light on the killing of the 46-year-old Black man whose May 25 death sparked a long period of unrest and ongoing protests against police brutality and racism .
In video footage obtained by UK tabloid The Daily Mail , rookie police officer Thomas Lane can be seen pointing his firearm at Floyd ’ s head , provoking an extremely distressed response from Floyd .
Floyd , who had just attempted to use a counterfeit $ 20 bill to buy cigarettes at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely deferential and referred to the officers as “ Mr .
Officer ” throughout the ordeal while also repeatedly saying that he would likely die in the encounter .
Floyd had been waiting in the car with his ex-girlfriend Shawanda Hill , 45 , and friend Maurice Hall for some time before the police arrived .
It still remains unclear if Floyd knew that the money he was using was counterfeit .
The footage also depicts the police behaving in a belligerent and physically rough manner despite the clear need for de-escalation when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxious state .
When Officer Lane approached the driver side of Floyd ’ s SUV , he immediately ordered Floyd to show his hands .
Floyd did not immediately open the door .
Officer Lane abruptly opened the door and Floyd apologized , saying “ Hey man , I ’ m sorry.
” At that point Lane , who was on his first week with the Minneapolis Police Department along with his fellow rookie partner Alex Kueng , responded with extreme belligerence and aimed his gun straight at Floyd ’ s head .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now !
Let me see your other hand , ” Officer Lane shouts .
Floyd doesn ’ t immediately place his hands on the wheel , causing Lane to continue cursing and brandishing his weapon at him .
“ Put your f**king hand up there !
Jesus Christ , keep your f**king hands on the wheel , ” he continues to shout .
Floyd , clearly alarmed by the officer ’ s angry escalation , begins explaining himself .
“ I ’ m sorry , I ’ m so sorry , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , man .
Man , I got shot the same way , Mr .
Officer , before.
” “ Okay .
Well when I say ‘ Let me see your hands , ’ you put your f**king hands up , ” Lane replies .
“ Okay .
Mr .
Officer , please don ’ t shoot me , please man , ” Floyd begs .
“ I ’ m not going to shoot you , ” Lane replies .
“ Step out and face away.
” “ I ’ ll look at you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me man , ” a visibly upset Floyd answers .
“ I just lost my mom , man.
” Floyd then begins to break down and weep as Kueng and Lane pull him out of his car , explaining that he “ didn ’ t do nothing wrong.
” Lane then begins to speak to the passengers to find out why Floyd responded “ all weird like that , ” and whether he was under the influence of alcohol or another substance .
“ No , he ’ s got a thing going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , gesturing to her head with a circular motion to suggest Floyd suffered from mental issues .
As the officers attempt to put Floyd in the squad car , Floyd refuses and begins falling down , begging : “ Please man .
Don ’ t leave me by myself man , please .
I ’ m just claustrophobic.
” As he pleads with the officers , he explains : “ Y ’ all , I am going to die in here … I ’ m going to die , man .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want to go back to that.
” As Lane says that he can roll the window down , Floyd continues to beg : “ I ’ m scared as f**k. ” A bystander attempts to calm Floyd down by explaining that he can ’ t win by behaving the way he was .
“ Please , I ’ m not trying to win , ” Floyd answers .
“ I ’ m not a bad guy , man .
I ’ m not a bad guy … I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I don ’ t want to do nothing to them.
” Within minutes , officers Derek Chauvin and Tou Thao arrive .
Chauvin attempted to subdue Floyd by holding his knee down on Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes as Floyd begs for his “ momma ” while his life is sapped away .
“ Tell my kids I love them – I ’ m dead , ” he gasps at one point .
Footage of the incident captured by bystanders sent shockwaves across the country and the world that continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video footage is a part of court records in the murder case against Chauvin , Thao , Lane and Kueng , all of whom were fired the day after Floyd was killed .
They were later charged after worldwide protests demanding justice for Floyd and other victims of police brutality .

(TMU) – Newly-leaked police bodycam footage shows the tragic last moments before George Floyd, casting new light on the killing of the 46-year-old Black man whose May 25 death sparked a long period of unrest and ongoing protests against police brutality and racism.
In video footage obtained by UK tabloid The Daily Mail, rookie police officer Thomas Lane can be seen pointing his firearm at Floyd’s head, provoking an extremely distressed response from Floyd.
Floyd, who had just attempted to use a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes at the Cup Foods convenience store, was largely deferential and referred to the officers as “Mr. Officer” throughout the ordeal while also repeatedly saying that he would likely die in the encounter.
Floyd had been waiting in the car with his ex-girlfriend Shawanda Hill, 45, and friend Maurice Hall for some time before the police arrived. It still remains unclear if Floyd knew that the money he was using was counterfeit.
The footage also depicts the police behaving in a belligerent and physically rough manner despite the clear need for de-escalation when confronted by Floyd’s distraught and anxious state.
When Officer Lane approached the driver side of Floyd’s SUV, he immediately ordered Floyd to show his hands. Floyd did not immediately open the door. Officer Lane abruptly opened the door and Floyd apologized, saying “Hey man, I’m sorry.”
At that point Lane, who was on his first week with the Minneapolis Police Department along with his fellow rookie partner Alex Kueng, responded with extreme belligerence and aimed his gun straight at Floyd’s head.
“Put your f**king hands up right now! Let me see your other hand,” Officer Lane shouts.
Floyd doesn’t immediately place his hands on the wheel, causing Lane to continue cursing and brandishing his weapon at him.
“Put your f**king hand up there! Jesus Christ, keep your f**king hands on the wheel,” he continues to shout.
Floyd, clearly alarmed by the officer’s angry escalation, begins explaining himself.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” he tells the officer. “God dang, man. Man, I got shot the same way, Mr. Officer, before.”
“Okay. Well when I say ‘Let me see your hands,’ you put your f**king hands up,” Lane replies.
“Okay. Mr. Officer, please don’t shoot me, please man,” Floyd begs.
“I’m not going to shoot you,” Lane replies. “Step out and face away.”
“I’ll look at you eye-to-eye. Please don’t shoot me man,” a visibly upset Floyd answers. “I just lost my mom, man.”
Floyd then begins to break down and weep as Kueng and Lane pull him out of his car, explaining that he “didn’t do nothing wrong.”
Lane then begins to speak to the passengers to find out why Floyd responded “all weird like that,” and whether he was under the influence of alcohol or another substance.
“No, he’s got a thing going on … about the police” Hill said, gesturing to her head with a circular motion to suggest Floyd suffered from mental issues.
As the officers attempt to put Floyd in the squad car, Floyd refuses and begins falling down, begging: “Please man. Don’t leave me by myself man, please. I’m just claustrophobic.”
As he pleads with the officers, he explains: “Y’all, I am going to die in here … I’m going to die, man. I just had COVID, man. I don’t want to go back to that.”
As Lane says that he can roll the window down, Floyd continues to beg: “I’m scared as f**k.”
A bystander attempts to calm Floyd down by explaining that he can’t win by behaving the way he was.
“Please, I’m not trying to win,” Floyd answers. “I’m not a bad guy, man. I’m not a bad guy … I’m claustrophobic and I’ve got anxiety. I don’t want to do nothing to them.”
Within minutes, officers Derek Chauvin and Tou Thao arrive. Chauvin attempted to subdue Floyd by holding his knee down on Floyd’s neck for several minutes as Floyd begs for his “momma” while his life is sapped away.
“Tell my kids I love them – I’m dead,” he gasps at one point.
Footage of the incident captured by bystanders sent shockwaves across the country and the world that continue to reverberate to this day.
The video footage is a part of court records in the murder case against Chauvin, Thao, Lane and Kueng, all of whom were fired the day after Floyd was killed. They were later charged after worldwide protests demanding justice for Floyd and other victims of police brutality.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-03--‘Inseperable Couple’ of Elderly Lions Put to Sleep Together So Their Last Days Aren’t Spent Alone

( TMU ) – A pair of elderly African lions , Hubert and Kalisa , were put to sleep together at the Los Angeles Zoo so that they wouldn ’ t be forced to live their last days alone .
The 21-year-old couple was known for their strong bond and “ frequent cuddles ” and has long been beloved by visitors and staff .
“ It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of our African lion pair , ” Los Angeles Zoo officials wrote in a statement posted to their official Instagram account , noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the couple was difficult .
“ Hubert and Kalisa are an iconic part of the L.A .
Zoo experience , and our staff and guests have been touched by their loyal companionship , ” said zoo Director and CEO Denise Verret .
“ Their longevity is truly a testament to the level of expert care our veterinary and animal care teams provide for our elderly animals , ” she continued .
“ These lions will remain a positive part of our history , and they will be greatly missed.
” Hubert was born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln Park Zoo and fathered 10 cubs throughout his lifetime .
Kalisa was born Dec. 26 1998 at the Oklahoma City Zoo .
“ These lions were charismatic both together as partners and separately , but they were hardly ever apart from one another , ” L.A .
Zoo animal programs director Beth Schaefer told the Los Angeles Times .
“ Their undivided attention was always on the other as they rested together , cuddled and nuzzled often.
” While the two never mated , they still managed to form an unbreakable bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the L.A .
Zoo in 2014 .
“ This is a very hard loss for our zoo community , ” mammal curator Alisa Behar said in a statement .
“ In the early mornings , staff would routinely hear Hubert ’ s waking roars , and I will personally miss hearing them on my walks around the grounds , ” she added .
“ You can not think of Hubert without thinking of his companion , Kalisa ; they ’ ve been an inseparable couple for years.
” The pair arrived at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the age of 17 – an old age because the majestic big cats typically only live 10 to 15 years in the wild , and are considered to be quite advanced in age when they are 17 or older .
The African Lion is currently classified as “ Vulnerable ” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) Red List .
While the famed “ king of the beasts ” most likely doesn ’ t face an imminent risk of extinction in the near-term , there are believed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wild throughout Africa , and three quarters of the lions ’ populations are in decline .
Lion populations have increased by 12 percent in the southern African countries Botswana , Namibia , South Africa and Zimbabwe .
However , across West , Central , and East Africa , lion populations have plummeted by 60 percent – meaning that while African lions ’ Red List status is still “ Vulnerable ” on a continent-wide level , the lion meets the criterion for “ Endangered ” across most of its range .

(TMU) – A pair of elderly African lions, Hubert and Kalisa, were put to sleep together at the Los Angeles Zoo so that they wouldn’t be forced to live their last days alone.
The 21-year-old couple was known for their strong bond and “frequent cuddles” and has long been beloved by visitors and staff.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of our African lion pair,” Los Angeles Zoo officials wrote in a statement posted to their official Instagram account, noting that the move to “humanely euthanize” the couple was difficult.
“Hubert and Kalisa are an iconic part of the L.A. Zoo experience, and our staff and guests have been touched by their loyal companionship,” said zoo Director and CEO Denise Verret.
“Their longevity is truly a testament to the level of expert care our veterinary and animal care teams provide for our elderly animals,” she continued. “These lions will remain a positive part of our history, and they will be greatly missed.”
Hubert was born Feb. 7, 1999, at the Lincoln Park Zoo and fathered 10 cubs throughout his lifetime. Kalisa was born Dec. 26 1998 at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
“These lions were charismatic both together as partners and separately, but they were hardly ever apart from one another,” L.A. Zoo animal programs director Beth Schaefer told the Los Angeles Times. “Their undivided attention was always on the other as they rested together, cuddled and nuzzled often.”
While the two never mated, they still managed to form an unbreakable bond after meeting one another after moving to the L.A. Zoo in 2014.
“This is a very hard loss for our zoo community,” mammal curator Alisa Behar said in a statement.
“In the early mornings, staff would routinely hear Hubert’s waking roars, and I will personally miss hearing them on my walks around the grounds,” she added. “You cannot think of Hubert without thinking of his companion, Kalisa; they’ve been an inseparable couple for years.”
The pair arrived at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens at the age of 17 – an old age because the majestic big cats typically only live 10 to 15 years in the wild, and are considered to be quite advanced in age when they are 17 or older.
The African Lion is currently classified as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. While the famed “king of the beasts” most likely doesn’t face an imminent risk of extinction in the near-term, there are believed to be only 25,000 individual lions living in the wild throughout Africa, and three quarters of the lions’ populations are in decline.
Lion populations have increased by 12 percent in the southern African countries Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. However, across West, Central, and East Africa, lion populations have plummeted by 60 percent – meaning that while African lions’ Red List status is still “Vulnerable” on a continent-wide level, the lion meets the criterion for “Endangered” across most of its range.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-03--Photos Of Stephen Hawking on Jeffrey Epstein’s Island Subject Of New Court Order

( TMU ) – The document releases that have been taking place in relation to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are comprised of testimonies and other evidence that was introduced in a previous civil lawsuit that was filed against Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre , one of Epstein ’ s most outspoken victims .
Most of the evidence that was presented during the civil trial was sealed as a part of a protection order and as a condition of the settlement , which is why much of the information revealed during the trial was not made public when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
Some details did leak to the press during the civil case though , including details about events that Epstein hosted with affluent scientists , including Stephen Hawking .
In January of 2015 , a few photos of Stephen Hawking on Epstein ’ s private island surfaced in the media .
The photos are believed to be from the Giuffre vs Maxwell civil case .
One of the photos shows the famous physicist at a barbecue on the island , while another photo shows him on a submarine tour off the coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Telegraph , Epstein paid to have the submarine modified for the professor ’ s wheelchair , because he had never been underwater before .
The photos were reportedly taken in March of 2006 , which is shortly before Epstein was first charged with sex crimes against minors .
Epstein is said to have invited 21 internationally-renowned scientists , including Hawking , to the island for a conference that he funded .
The conference was held at a Ritz-Carlton hotel on the neighboring St. James Island , but the attendees were invited back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Judging from the information that is already publicly available there is no way to know for sure if Hawking was aware of Epstein ’ s crimes or if he participated in them during his time on the island , but as more documents from the civil trial are unsealed , it is possible that more details will come to light .
NewsWeek reported that Stephen Hawking ’ s name appeared in a list of individuals who were seen in photos and videos on the island with Giuffre .
Attorneys recently sent Giuffre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with high profile figures , including Stephen Hawking , Ghislaine Maxwell , Alan Dershowitz , Jeffrey Epstein , Prince Andrew , Ron Eppinger , Bill Clinton , and Al Gore .
After Giuffre went public with her accusations in 2010 , she faced a storm of very public denials and attacks from Epstein ’ s associates which lasted for years .
As a result , Giuffre filed defamation lawsuits against those who attacked her in the media .
The lawsuit against Maxwell was settled in June of 2017 , but a suit against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attorneys have fought to keep the details of the civil trial sealed , but their requests were denied by a judge who determined that a criminal case takes precedent over a civil case and ordered the documents to be unsealed .
Similar revelations are expected to come as the criminal trial approaches .

(TMU) – The document releases that have been taking place in relation to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are comprised of testimonies and other evidence that was introduced in a previous civil lawsuit that was filed against Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most outspoken victims.
Most of the evidence that was presented during the civil trial was sealed as a part of a protection order and as a condition of the settlement, which is why much of the information revealed during the trial was not made public when the case was settled in June of 2017.
Some details did leak to the press during the civil case though, including details about events that Epstein hosted with affluent scientists, including Stephen Hawking. In January of 2015, a few photos of Stephen Hawking on Epstein’s private island surfaced in the media. The photos are believed to be from the Giuffre vs Maxwell civil case.
One of the photos shows the famous physicist at a barbecue on the island, while another photo shows him on a submarine tour off the coast of the island. According to the Telegraph, Epstein paid to have the submarine modified for the professor’s wheelchair, because he had never been underwater before.
The photos were reportedly taken in March of 2006, which is shortly before Epstein was first charged with sex crimes against minors. Epstein is said to have invited 21 internationally-renowned scientists, including Hawking, to the island for a conference that he funded. The conference was held at a Ritz-Carlton hotel on the neighboring St. James Island, but the attendees were invited back to Epstein’s private island as well.
Judging from the information that is already publicly available there is no way to know for sure if Hawking was aware of Epstein’s crimes or if he participated in them during his time on the island, but as more documents from the civil trial are unsealed, it is possible that more details will come to light.
NewsWeek reported that Stephen Hawking’s name appeared in a list of individuals who were seen in photos and videos on the island with Giuffre. Attorneys recently sent Giuffre a request for photo and video evidence with high profile figures, including Stephen Hawking, Ghislaine Maxwell, Alan Dershowitz, Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew, Ron Eppinger, Bill Clinton, and Al Gore.
After Giuffre went public with her accusations in 2010, she faced a storm of very public denials and attacks from Epstein’s associates which lasted for years.
As a result, Giuffre filed defamation lawsuits against those who attacked her in the media. The lawsuit against Maxwell was settled in June of 2017, but a suit against Alan Dershowitz is still ongoing.
Maxwell’s attorneys have fought to keep the details of the civil trial sealed, but their requests were denied by a judge who determined that a criminal case takes precedent over a civil case and ordered the documents to be unsealed. Similar revelations are expected to come as the criminal trial approaches.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-05--Japan’s Ancient Forestry Technique Produces High-Grade Lumber With No Need to Chop Down Trees

( TMU ) – For people who reside in the West , few countries are as fascinating as Japan .
With its unique and striking blend of modernity and ancient culture , natural beauty and urbanism , the country has long beguiled foreigners .
From its storied feudal traditions to its contemporary quirks , Japan is a nation that has been thoroughly romanticized and idealized in the Western imagination .
However , beyond the superficial and orientalist mythology about the so-called “ Land of the Rising Sun , ” Japan is a captivating and multifaceted culture quite unlike others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditions dating back millennia stand strong while fads and trends come and go , and its cutting-edge technological development hasn ’ t stamped out the time-honored customs of the East Asian nation .
One well-known Japanese art form that has fascinated the West is bonsai , which is the technique of producing tiny trees that mimic the attributes of fully-grown trees .
Yet bonsai trees are only the tip of the iceberg of Japanese horticultural and arbor mastery .
Another striking example is daisugi , a technique that shares certain features of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
The forestry technique dates back to the 14th century and focuses on the Kitayama cedar tree or kitayama sugi , which densely populate the verdant and picturesque mountains of Northern Kyoto .
The wood from these immaculate cedars has long been a staple of Japanese architecture , from traditional wood roofs and beams to the famous tea rooms of Kyoto .
What makes the daisugi technique so compelling , however , is the fact that Kitayama cedars stand completely straight and don ’ t have the knots of your typical wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technique , like bonsai , involves the forester heavily pruning the mother tree which allows narrow saplings to shoot upwards .
What results from these striking and ancient trees is a distinct Japanese cedar that is squat and knotted up like a candelabra and is teeming with smaller trees – almost like a forest on top of a large cedar tree .
The method makes exceptional sense due to the absence of flat land in the Kitayama region , which allowed arborists to use this method to grow and harvest a large amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land is extremely scarce .
This also lets local masters of arboriculture harvest the cherished daisugi cedar every twenty years while the base tree lasts centuries .
Over the generations , woodcutters harvested mature lumber from these trees while promoting newer shoots , resulting in gorgeous and strange cedars that look wholly unique .
However , in recent centuries the demand for daisugi cedar has waned as new architectural and building techniques became less reliant on lumber .
Since then , the cedars have grown on their own , creating an amazing display @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover Kyoto ’ s northern hillscape .
The result is an almost otherworldly forest shaped by the economic needs of imperial Japan ’ s thriving ancient capital , which mastered nature in a sustainable manner that was also consistent with the aesthetic brilliance of Japanese culture .

(TMU) – For people who reside in the West, few countries are as fascinating as Japan. With its unique and striking blend of modernity and ancient culture, natural beauty and urbanism, the country has long beguiled foreigners.
From its storied feudal traditions to its contemporary quirks, Japan is a nation that has been thoroughly romanticized and idealized in the Western imagination.
However, beyond the superficial and orientalist mythology about the so-called “Land of the Rising Sun,” Japan is a captivating and multifaceted culture quite unlike others.
It’s a diverse country where traditions dating back millennia stand strong while fads and trends come and go, and its cutting-edge technological development hasn’t stamped out the time-honored customs of the East Asian nation.
One well-known Japanese art form that has fascinated the West is bonsai, which is the technique of producing tiny trees that mimic the attributes of fully-grown trees. Yet bonsai trees are only the tip of the iceberg of Japanese horticultural and arbor mastery.
Another striking example is daisugi, a technique that shares certain features of the art of bonsai but yields vastly different results.
The forestry technique dates back to the 14th century and focuses on the Kitayama cedar tree or kitayama sugi, which densely populate the verdant and picturesque mountains of Northern Kyoto.
The wood from these immaculate cedars has long been a staple of Japanese architecture, from traditional wood roofs and beams to the famous tea rooms of Kyoto.
What makes the daisugi technique so compelling, however, is the fact that Kitayama cedars stand completely straight and don’t have the knots of your typical wild trees.
This is because the daisugi technique, like bonsai, involves the forester heavily pruning the mother tree which allows narrow saplings to shoot upwards.
What results from these striking and ancient trees is a distinct Japanese cedar that is squat and knotted up like a candelabra and is teeming with smaller trees – almost like a forest on top of a large cedar tree.
https://twitter.com/wrathofgnon/status/1250291842156908547
The method makes exceptional sense due to the absence of flat land in the Kitayama region, which allowed arborists to use this method to grow and harvest a large amount of wood in an area where suitable land is extremely scarce.
This also lets local masters of arboriculture harvest the cherished daisugi cedar every twenty years while the base tree lasts centuries.
Sustainable forestry: lumber without cutting down trees. Daisugi is a Japanese forestry technique where specially planted cedar trees are pruned heavily (think of it as giant bonsai) to produce "shoots" that become perfectly uniform, straight and completely knot free lumber. pic.twitter.com/5ULYOmCkLp — Wrath Of Gnon (@wrathofgnon) April 15, 2020
Over the generations, woodcutters harvested mature lumber from these trees while promoting newer shoots, resulting in gorgeous and strange cedars that look wholly unique.
However, in recent centuries the demand for daisugi cedar has waned as new architectural and building techniques became less reliant on lumber.
Since then, the cedars have grown on their own, creating an amazing display of enormous trunks and gnarled limbs that cover Kyoto’s northern hillscape.
The result is an almost otherworldly forest shaped by the economic needs of imperial Japan’s thriving ancient capital, which mastered nature in a sustainable manner that was also consistent with the aesthetic brilliance of Japanese culture.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-04--Beirut in shock after tremendous explosion leaves thousands of casaulties

( TMU ) – The Lebanese capital city of Beirut is reeling after at least one massive explosion followed by a tremendous shockwave left dozens of buildings damaged , at least 3,000 injured and 50 people killed , according to Lebanon ’ s health minister .
Local officials have debunked initial reports that the huge blast late Tuesday afternoon was caused by an accident at a fireworks factory .
The precise cause of the blast remains yet to be determined .
Lebanese internal security chief Abbas Ibrahim has said that the blast came from a section of the port where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nitrate was located .
“ Talking about fireworks is ridiculous , there is no fireworks but high-explosive materials , and I can ’ t preempt the investigations , ” Ibrahim told reporters at the scene .
“ It appears that the explosion took place in a warehouse of high-explosive material confiscated for years.
” Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi confirmed that the explosion was caused by material confiscated from a ship over a year ago that had not yet been disposed of .
Wednesday has been declared a day of mourning throughout Lebanon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone found responsible for the blasts at the warehouse will be held accountable .
Videos of the explosion shared to social media show a number of small explosions and a column of smoke rising in the air before a gigantic fireball bursts upward , followed by a much larger explosion that sent a huge shockwave through the surrounding area as well as a mushroom cloud into the air .
Social media users as far as Cyprus reportedly felt the tremors of the gigantic blast .
City Governor Marwan Abboud has described the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scale of destruction as “ enormous , ” while medical and security sources have confirmed at least 10 people are dead .
Abboud wept before cameras about the fate of first responders who arrived at the fire before the explosion ripped through the port and impacted the surrounding high-rise hotels , apartment complexes , and office buildings .
“ They came to fight the fire , and then they vanished , ” Abboud said .
“ We don ’ t know where they are .
We ’ re here to look for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened in Japan , to Hiroshima and Nagasaki , ” he added .
“ I ’ ve never seen damage of this size and width , and so catastrophic .
This is a national catastrophe .
This is a problem for Lebanon , and we don ’ t know how we ’ re going to get out of it .
“ This is a lot , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a lot all at once for people.
” Health Minister Hamad Hasan has said that there are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the explosion , which scattered destroyed cars across the nearby highway .
An unknown number of people are also trapped under the rubble of buildings that collapsed as a result of the blast .
Hospitals have reportedly been overwhelmed by hundreds of casualties , with at least one hospital being forced to treat patients in an outdoor parking lot .
An AFP correspondent reports that every shop in the Hamra commercial district has sustained damage , with entire shopfronts smashed , windows shattered and cars destroyed .
Footage from the inside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show the offices of the newspaper utterly destroyed , with the ceiling of the complex collapsed in , windows shattered , and debris strewn across the floor .
“ We live 10 KM away from the explosion site and the glass of our [ buildings ] got shattered , ” tweeted Abir Ghattas , a Europe-based activist who shared footage sent to her by her brother in Beirut .
“ All the buildings in my block are destroyed .
Huge explosion in [ Beirut ] .
” Everyone covered in glass and blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Molana-Allen .
“ My apartment in Beirut was just blown apart.
” The explosion in the Mediterranean city comes at an extremely sensitive time , as locals brace themselves for the verdict in the trial of the suspected killers of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005 .
Four members of the Shia Islamist militant group Hezbollah have been accused of carrying out the car bombing of Hariri , an act which the Iran-allied group vociferously denies .
The United Nations tribunal trying the case is due to issue its verdict over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon established the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague in 2007 , which ultimately charged Hezbollah with acts of terrorism , murder and attempted murder .
However , the political party with its own formidable armed militia has dismissed the trial as biased and catering to the will of hostile forces .
Media reports indicate that a possible second explosion is said to have taken place at the Hariri residence in the city .
The deadly explosion also comes after the resistance group was allegedly involved in small clashes with Israeli forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon , which Israeli occupying forces captured during the 1967 war .
Hezbollah officials accuse the Israelis of “ fabricating ” the clashes , however , as a means to kick up tension and cast the group as aggressors .
Israeli officials have denied any role in the explosion .
Sources close to Hezbollah have also denied social media rumors that an Israeli airstrike was the cause of the explosion , which they called groundless and have not been reported by officials in the region or authoritative media sources .
The deadly incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked in a dire economic crisis , with authorities fearing the rekindling of old sectarian and confessional rivalries as well as the prospect of widespread hunger in the streets .
Protesters were already clashing with security forces on Tuesday prior to the deadly explosion .
Some Lebanese citizens have taken to social media to express outrage and are blaming the government for its perceived negligence and corruption , which they see as responsible for the traumatic blast .
The indefinite closure of the Beirut Port is likely to severely impact the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst crisis to engulf the region in decades .

(TMU) – The Lebanese capital city of Beirut is reeling after at least one massive explosion followed by a tremendous shockwave left dozens of buildings damaged, at least 3,000 injured and 50 people killed, according to Lebanon’s health minister.
Local officials have debunked initial reports that the huge blast late Tuesday afternoon was caused by an accident at a fireworks factory. The precise cause of the blast remains yet to be determined.
Lebanese internal security chief Abbas Ibrahim has said that the blast came from a section of the port where a warehouse of high-explosive materials including ammonium nitrate was located.
“Talking about fireworks is ridiculous, there is no fireworks but high-explosive materials, and I can’t preempt the investigations,” Ibrahim told reporters at the scene. “It appears that the explosion took place in a warehouse of high-explosive material confiscated for years.”
Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi confirmed that the explosion was caused by material confiscated from a ship over a year ago that had not yet been disposed of.
Wednesday has been declared a day of mourning throughout Lebanon.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab has vowed that anyone found responsible for the blasts at the warehouse will be held accountable.
Videos of the explosion shared to social media show a number of small explosions and a column of smoke rising in the air before a gigantic fireball bursts upward, followed by a much larger explosion that sent a huge shockwave through the surrounding area as well as a mushroom cloud into the air. Social media users as far as Cyprus reportedly felt the tremors of the gigantic blast.
Huge blast in Beirut just now! pic.twitter.com/hId8JhZMKV — Tobias Schneider (@tobiaschneider) August 4, 2020
Footage of the massive explosion at #Beirut port a short while ago. It's truly frightening. #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/OZ0hZ5SwlC — Nader Itayim | نادر ایتیّم (@ncitayim) August 4, 2020
City Governor Marwan Abboud has described the city as a “disaster area” and the scale of destruction as “enormous,” while medical and security sources have confirmed at least 10 people are dead.
Abboud wept before cameras about the fate of first responders who arrived at the fire before the explosion ripped through the port and impacted the surrounding high-rise hotels, apartment complexes, and office buildings.
“They came to fight the fire, and then they vanished,” Abboud said. “We don’t know where they are. We’re here to look for them.
“This reminds me of what happened in Japan, to Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” he added. “I’ve never seen damage of this size and width, and so catastrophic. This is a national catastrophe. This is a problem for Lebanon, and we don’t know how we’re going to get out of it.
“This is a lot,” he said. “It’s a lot all at once for people.”
Please pray for #Beirut , Lebanon.
Reports are that it felt like a nuclear explosion. pic.twitter.com/4xRoEpQNdj — SECRETARY♠ACE™ (@SecretaryAce) August 4, 2020
Health Minister Hamad Hasan has said that there are a number of injuries and extensive damage resulting from the explosion, which scattered destroyed cars across the nearby highway.
An unknown number of people are also trapped under the rubble of buildings that collapsed as a result of the blast. Hospitals have reportedly been overwhelmed by hundreds of casualties, with at least one hospital being forced to treat patients in an outdoor parking lot.
An AFP correspondent reports that every shop in the Hamra commercial district has sustained damage, with entire shopfronts smashed, windows shattered and cars destroyed.
Hospitals overwhelmed after Beirut explosion. In Geitawi, medical staff treating patients in a parking lot. pic.twitter.com/xwC3eBn49r — Abby Sewell (@sewella) August 4, 2020
Footage from the inside of the Daily Star building in downtown Beirut show the offices of the newspaper utterly destroyed, with the ceiling of the complex collapsed in, windows shattered, and debris strewn across the floor.
BREAKING: Massive explosion in Beirut. Footage from the daily star office now in Lebanon pic.twitter.com/2uBsKP5wCH — Ghada Alsharif | غادة الشريف (@GhadaaSharif) August 4, 2020
“We live 10 KM away from the explosion site and the glass of our [buildings] got shattered,” tweeted Abir Ghattas, a Europe-based activist who shared footage sent to her by her brother in Beirut.
“All the buildings in my block are destroyed. Huge explosion in [Beirut].” Everyone covered in glass and blood,” tweeted France 24 correspondent Leila Molana-Allen. “My apartment in Beirut was just blown apart.”
Looks like lots of minor crackling explosions preceding the big blast. Local media reports fireworks storage. Unclear for now. pic.twitter.com/pzYp34qogG — Tobias Schneider (@tobiaschneider) August 4, 2020
The explosion in the Mediterranean city comes at an extremely sensitive time, as locals brace themselves for the verdict in the trial of the suspected killers of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Four members of the Shia Islamist militant group Hezbollah have been accused of carrying out the car bombing of Hariri, an act which the Iran-allied group vociferously denies.
https://www.facebook.com/brad.sowder/videos/285185389249085/
The United Nations tribunal trying the case is due to issue its verdict over the killing on Friday. The UN and Lebanon established the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague in 2007, which ultimately charged Hezbollah with acts of terrorism, murder and attempted murder.
However, the political party with its own formidable armed militia has dismissed the trial as biased and catering to the will of hostile forces.
Media reports indicate that a possible second explosion is said to have taken place at the Hariri residence in the city.
Moment that the second explosion hit #Beirut Lebanon. Many houses damaged, injuries reported. First was at Port. This is closer to downtown pic.twitter.com/6DdmgQFriD — Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) August 4, 2020
The deadly explosion also comes after the resistance group was allegedly involved in small clashes with Israeli forces near the disputed Shebaa Farms region of Lebanon, which Israeli occupying forces captured during the 1967 war. Hezbollah officials accuse the Israelis of “fabricating” the clashes, however, as a means to kick up tension and cast the group as aggressors.
It IS speculative to suggest Israel may be involved in starting the fire at this warehouse where the gov claims "highly explosive material including ammonium nitrate " is stored at Beirut port. It IS also wrong not to investigate Israel's plausible involvement, given threats. — Ahmed Shihab-Eldin (@ASE) August 4, 2020
Israeli officials have denied any role in the explosion.
Sources close to Hezbollah have also denied social media rumors that an Israeli airstrike was the cause of the explosion, which they called groundless and have not been reported by officials in the region or authoritative media sources.
The deadly incident also comes as the Arab country remains locked in a dire economic crisis, with authorities fearing the rekindling of old sectarian and confessional rivalries as well as the prospect of widespread hunger in the streets. Protesters were already clashing with security forces on Tuesday prior to the deadly explosion.
Some Lebanese citizens have taken to social media to express outrage and are blaming the government for its perceived negligence and corruption, which they see as responsible for the traumatic blast.
The indefinite closure of the Beirut Port is likely to severely impact the country’s finances as it braces itself for the worst crisis to engulf the region in decades.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-04--Jeffrey Epstein Had Secret Ex-Girlfriend Who Writes Children’s Books And Hosts Meditations

( TMU ) – In court documents that were unsealed last week from a civil case that one of Jeffrey Epstein ’ s victims brought against Ghislaine Maxwell , it was revealed that Jeffrey Epstein had a secret girlfriend for a few years .
The ex-girlfriend was identified as a 43-year-old British woman named Shelley Anne Lewis .
Lewis has a publishing company for children ’ s books and has authored a children ’ s book as well .
She also runs a meditation center in New York City called Sacred Space NY , and describes herself as a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ A Key To The Heart , ” was promoted by high profile figures like Laura Bush and Harry Potter author JK Rowling .
Lewis is not yet suspected of being involved with , or knowing about Jeffrey Epstein ’ s crimes , but she was a frequent flyer on his jet and a regular visitor to his island .
She has not responded to requests for comment from journalists and has since deleted all of her social media accounts to avoid dealing with the media fallout from the recent news .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when she was 22 and Epstein was 46 .
They dated for a few years , until 2002 , but remained friends .
Many journalists believe that Lewis was talking about Epstein when she referred to an unidentified “ mentor ” in an old interview .
She described the mentor as being “ so original in all his thought processes that he couldn ’ t even see the box.
” “ My already inquisitive and curious nature evolved .
I supposed it gave me a kind of ‘ anything is possible ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two may have appeared in some photos together , but were never seen as a couple publicly .
The recently released court documents revealed that Ghislaine Maxwell begged Epstein to convince Lewis to announce their relationship publicly , likely to draw negative attention away from herself .
“ I would appreciate it if shelley would come out and say she was your g ’ friend – I think she was from end [ 19 ] 99 to 2002 , ” Maxwell said in an email to Epstein .
Even though Lewis is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s trafficking network , she may be wanted for questioning and could be called as a witness if she has information that could be useful in the criminal or civil trials relating to Epstein .
In a new interview , US President Donald Trump suggested that Epstein may have been killed while he was in prison , and gave his well-wishes to Maxwell once again .
Trump attempted to clarify his previous comments wishing Maxwell the best , by explaining that Epstein died in prison and saying that he hopes she doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details about Epstein ’ s crimes and his associates are expected to be revealed during the upcoming criminal trial against Ghislaine Maxwell .
As The Mind Unleashed reported earlier this week , Epstein had many high profile friends across many professions , including the famous scientist Stephen Hawking .
Prince Andrew was reportedly one of Epstein ’ s most high profile clients , but he continues to deny any knowledge of or participation in Epstein ’ s trafficking network , despite growing evidence against him .

(TMU) – In court documents that were unsealed last week from a civil case that one of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims brought against Ghislaine Maxwell, it was revealed that Jeffrey Epstein had a secret girlfriend for a few years.
The ex-girlfriend was identified as a 43-year-old British woman named Shelley Anne Lewis. Lewis has a publishing company for children’s books and has authored a children’s book as well. She also runs a meditation center in New York City called Sacred Space NY, and describes herself as a “spiritual entrepreneur.”
One of her books, “A Key To The Heart,” was promoted by high profile figures like Laura Bush and Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
Lewis is not yet suspected of being involved with, or knowing about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, but she was a frequent flyer on his jet and a regular visitor to his island.
She has not responded to requests for comment from journalists and has since deleted all of her social media accounts to avoid dealing with the media fallout from the recent news.
The pair reportedly began dating in 1999, when she was 22 and Epstein was 46. They dated for a few years, until 2002, but remained friends. Many journalists believe that Lewis was talking about Epstein when she referred to an unidentified “mentor” in an old interview.
She described the mentor as being “so original in all his thought processes that he couldn’t even see the box.”
“My already inquisitive and curious nature evolved. I supposed it gave me a kind of ‘anything is possible’ mentality,” she said.
The two may have appeared in some photos together, but were never seen as a couple publicly. The recently released court documents revealed that Ghislaine Maxwell begged Epstein to convince Lewis to announce their relationship publicly, likely to draw negative attention away from herself.
“I would appreciate it if shelley would come out and say she was your g’friend – I think she was from end [19]99 to 2002,” Maxwell said in an email to Epstein.
Even though Lewis is not suspected of being involved in Epstein’s trafficking network, she may be wanted for questioning and could be called as a witness if she has information that could be useful in the criminal or civil trials relating to Epstein.
In a new interview, US President Donald Trump suggested that Epstein may have been killed while he was in prison, and gave his well-wishes to Maxwell once again. Trump attempted to clarify his previous comments wishing Maxwell the best, by explaining that Epstein died in prison and saying that he hopes she doesn’t meet the same fate.
New details about Epstein’s crimes and his associates are expected to be revealed during the upcoming criminal trial against Ghislaine Maxwell.
As The Mind Unleashed reported earlier this week, Epstein had many high profile friends across many professions, including the famous scientist Stephen Hawking.
Prince Andrew was reportedly one of Epstein’s most high profile clients, but he continues to deny any knowledge of or participation in Epstein’s trafficking network, despite growing evidence against him.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-04--These Guinea Pigs Have The Strangest Yet Most Majestic Hair & We Want One

( TMU ) – Saddled with an inexplicable name , the so-called guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus ) , does not come from Guinea , nor , as a rodent , is it related to pigs at all .
However , they are related to rabbits , being of the same family , but of different species .
Apart from both being mammals and social and herbivores with furry coats , they are distinctly different in physical appearance .
The humble guinea pig , also called a cavy , was first domesticated around 500BC and bred for food by tribes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( the southern part of what is now Colombia , Ecuador , Peru and Bolivia ) .
The indigenous people used selective breeding from around 1200 AD to the Spanish conquest in 1532 , and developed different varieties of guinea pigs , forming the basis for some of today ’ s popular modern domestic breeds .
Being such an easy animal to domesticate for breeding and feeding their communities , the cavy has remained an important food source throughout the ages .
Ancient traditions , such as offering guinea pigs as gifts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional healing ceremonies continue .
Introduced to Europe in the late 16th century , the guinea pig very quickly rose in status , from food source to being a sought after exotic pet , highly in demand by high society and royalty , including Queen Elizabeth I .
There are no prizes for guessing why humans taking part in medical experiments are referred to as ‘ guinea pigs.
’ The poor guinea pig has had the misfortune of having too many similarities to a human ’ s biology , and thus has ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centuries .
It all started as far back as the late 1700 ’ s when French biologist Antoine Lavoisier used guinea pigs in his study of respiratory physiology , from where it escalated with no end in sight .
Animal rights organisations and activists continue the fight to put an end to experimentation on animals .
Hopefully , people ’ s love for these adorable animals will prevail and flip the ‘ guinea ’ to save the day .
When it comes to pets , these ancient little creatures now come in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centuries ago .
There are many different breeds which include 13 breeds recognized by the American Cavy Breeders Association which include the Abyssinian , American , Coronet , Peruvian , Silkie , Teddy , Texal and White Crested guinea pigs – each being unique in their own way .
They are not only rich in personality , but also sport beautiful coats ranging from short , curly to long tresses even Rapunzel would envy !
Naturally , as any human with gorgeous hair can confirm , it takes time and daily grooming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimately steal the show .

(TMU) – Saddled with an inexplicable name, the so-called guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), does not come from Guinea, nor, as a rodent, is it related to pigs at all.
However, they are related to rabbits, being of the same family, but of different species. Apart from both being mammals and social and herbivores with furry coats, they are distinctly different in physical appearance.
The humble guinea pig, also called a cavy, was first domesticated around 500BC and bred for food by tribes in the Andean region of South America (the southern part of what is now Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia).
The indigenous people used selective breeding from around 1200 AD to the Spanish conquest in 1532, and developed different varieties of guinea pigs, forming the basis for some of today’s popular modern domestic breeds.
Being such an easy animal to domesticate for breeding and feeding their communities, the cavy has remained an important food source throughout the ages. Ancient traditions, such as offering guinea pigs as gifts and their use in social, religious and traditional healing ceremonies continue.
Introduced to Europe in the late 16th century, the guinea pig very quickly rose in status, from food source to being a sought after exotic pet, highly in demand by high society and royalty, including Queen Elizabeth I.
There are no prizes for guessing why humans taking part in medical experiments are referred to as ‘guinea pigs.’ The poor guinea pig has had the misfortune of having too many similarities to a human’s biology, and thus has ended up being used in medical research for centuries.
It all started as far back as the late 1700’s when French biologist Antoine Lavoisier used guinea pigs in his study of respiratory physiology, from where it escalated with no end in sight. Animal rights organisations and activists continue the fight to put an end to experimentation on animals.
Hopefully, people’s love for these adorable animals will prevail and flip the ‘guinea’ to save the day.
When it comes to pets, these ancient little creatures now come in many different breeds, thanks to selective breeding centuries ago.
There are many different breeds which include 13 breeds recognized by the American Cavy Breeders Association which include the Abyssinian, American, Coronet, Peruvian, Silkie, Teddy, Texal and White Crested guinea pigs – each being unique in their own way.
They are not only rich in personality, but also sport beautiful coats ranging from short, curly to long tresses even Rapunzel would envy! Naturally, as any human with gorgeous hair can confirm, it takes time and daily grooming to maintain the beauty and sheen, and ultimately steal the show.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDVoerNpkdg/
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themindunleashed--2020-08-04--Cat escapes maximum security prison after being caught smuggling heroin and SIM cards

( TMU ) – A feline drug-trafficker that was being incarcerated at a major prison in Sri Lanka after being discovered carrying drugs and mobile phone SIM cards has managed to break free , according to local media reports .
While the story may seem strange at first glance , it certainly isn ’ t the first time animals have been used to do the dirty bidding of the criminal underworld .
The cat was caught in the act by intelligence officials at the maximum security Welikada Prison in Colombo , according to police .
The prison is the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the British colonial period , and has the reputation of being hellishly overcrowded and violent .
Upon inspecting the mischievous would-be mule , officials managed to find a small plastic bag attached to the cat ’ s neck that contained almost two grams of heroin , two SIM cards and a memory chip , according to AFP .
By Sunday , however , the cat managed to vanish from the prison cell where it was being held , according to the local Aruna newspaper .
The incident comes amid a rise in attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs , cell phones , and phone chargers over the walls of the 19th-century dungeon .
While the South Asian country has no laws stipulating the arrest of non-human perpetrators , authorities had hoped that the cat could be of some assistance in helping them locate the source of the illicit contraband .
However , the cat made its quick escape when prison guards entered its holding chamber to feed the little perpetrator .
Daily Beast reports that the cat is believed to be tied to the same notorious drug cartel that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smuggle drugs using an eagle in a nearby Colombo suburb .
The group of traffickers were tied to notorious Sri Lankan gangster kingpin Maddumage Lasantha Chandana Perera , known by his alias Angoda Lokka Lokka ’ s recent death was confirmed Sunday after authorities announced that three people were arrested for illegally cremating the crime boss and forging identity documents , reports Newsfirst .
One of the perpetrators was a Sri Lankan woman who lived with Lokka .
The three accomplices allegedly brought Lokka to a hospital while in an unconscious state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forged identity card under the name Pradeep Singh .
Just last week , police raided a farm run by one of Lokka ’ s criminal associates and found an air-rifle , ammunition , and the eagle that had previously been caught delivering drugs .
Authorities in Sri Lanka have been struggling to contain a major problem of drug trafficking with little success , as even anti-narcotics officers have resorted to selling the drugs they confiscate from criminal suspects .
The South Asian nation ’ s government has considered various means to “ fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ranging from deployment of anti-drug death squads similar to those ordered by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to the reinstatement of the death penalty .
The government recently announced the creation of a military-led task force that would help usher in “ a virtuous , disciplined and lawful society.
” However , authorities have confirmed that they have no plan to hold the lost cat to account .

(TMU) – A feline drug-trafficker that was being incarcerated at a major prison in Sri Lanka after being discovered carrying drugs and mobile phone SIM cards has managed to break free, according to local media reports.
While the story may seem strange at first glance, it certainly isn’t the first time animals have been used to do the dirty bidding of the criminal underworld.
The cat was caught in the act by intelligence officials at the maximum security Welikada Prison in Colombo, according to police. The prison is the largest in Sri Lanka and was built during the British colonial period, and has the reputation of being hellishly overcrowded and violent.
Upon inspecting the mischievous would-be mule, officials managed to find a small plastic bag attached to the cat’s neck that contained almost two grams of heroin, two SIM cards and a memory chip, according to AFP.
By Sunday, however, the cat managed to vanish from the prison cell where it was being held, according to the local Aruna newspaper.
The incident comes amid a rise in attempts by prisoners to throw small packets containing drugs, cell phones, and phone chargers over the walls of the 19th-century dungeon.
While the South Asian country has no laws stipulating the arrest of non-human perpetrators, authorities had hoped that the cat could be of some assistance in helping them locate the source of the illicit contraband.
However, the cat made its quick escape when prison guards entered its holding chamber to feed the little perpetrator.
Daily Beast reports that the cat is believed to be tied to the same notorious drug cartel that was recently caught red-handed in an attempt to smuggle drugs using an eagle in a nearby Colombo suburb. The group of traffickers were tied to notorious Sri Lankan gangster kingpin Maddumage Lasantha Chandana Perera, known by his alias Angoda Lokka
Lokka’s recent death was confirmed Sunday after authorities announced that three people were arrested for illegally cremating the crime boss and forging identity documents, reports Newsfirst. One of the perpetrators was a Sri Lankan woman who lived with Lokka. The three accomplices allegedly brought Lokka to a hospital while in an unconscious state and presented the dying gangster along with a forged identity card under the name Pradeep Singh.
Just last week, police raided a farm run by one of Lokka’s criminal associates and found an air-rifle, ammunition, and the eagle that had previously been caught delivering drugs.
Authorities in Sri Lanka have been struggling to contain a major problem of drug trafficking with little success, as even anti-narcotics officers have resorted to selling the drugs they confiscate from criminal suspects.
The South Asian nation’s government has considered various means to “fully eradicate drug trafficking in the country,” ranging from deployment of anti-drug death squads similar to those ordered by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to the reinstatement of the death penalty. The government recently announced the creation of a military-led task force that would help usher in “a virtuous, disciplined and lawful society.”
However, authorities have confirmed that they have no plan to hold the lost cat to account.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-04--Scientists Resurrect 100-Million-Year-Old Life Buried Under Seafloor Since Dinosaur Age

( TMU ) – Researchers studying ancient mud from below the seafloor recently made a stunning discovery .
They found that by simply adding food they were able to revive bacteria life that has laid dormant for 101.5-million-years .
Scientists at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology extracted sediment from 70 meters below the seafloor .
At this depth , the sediment represented about 100 million years of time and could not have contained any modern bacteria .
Researchers plied the mud with sugar and ammonia and soon microbial cells began to feed and grow , activity that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis .
Researchers believe the extraordinary microbes are oxygen-consuming aerobic bacteria , which differentiates them from anaerobic bacteria that flourish in seafloor environments where food is abundant .
In their paper on the discovery , they write : “ Our results suggest that microbial communities widely distributed in organic-poor abyssal sediment consist mainly of aerobes that retain their metabolic potential under extremely low-energy conditions for up to 101.5 [ million years ] .
” The team took precautions to assure that there was no contamination from higher-level sediment and confirm that the bacteria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the mud samples suggested .
They were able to corroborate that the dormant microbes originated when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth .
They also found cyanobacteria , or “ blue-green algae ” that utilizes photosynthetic processing even in the most extreme of conditions .
Given that their growth occurred in the total absence of light , this is yet another mystery in the finding .
“ What we found was that life extends all the way from the seafloor to the underlying rocky basement , ” said oceanographer and study co-author Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what [ lead author Yuki Morono ’ s ] paper now shows is that those organisms are not only alive in the deepest form of sediment , but they ’ re capable of growing and dividing.
” The discovery has profound implications for the perseverance and adaptability of life .
It shows bacteria can slow itself down during an absence of food or energy and hibernate for enormous periods of time .
The research may also have implications for alien microbial and bacterial life , as Earth has now demonstrated that organisms can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boiling-hot hydrothermal vents and in remote areas without access to sunlight or food .
When presented with these unfriendly conditions , life can essentially go into a very long deep sleep without dying .
There is no reason to think microbes on exoplanets aren ’ t just as adaptable and stubborn given the right planetary conditions .

(TMU) – Researchers studying ancient mud from below the seafloor recently made a stunning discovery. They found that by simply adding food they were able to revive bacteria life that has laid dormant for 101.5-million-years.
Scientists at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology extracted sediment from 70 meters below the seafloor. At this depth, the sediment represented about 100 million years of time and could not have contained any modern bacteria. Researchers plied the mud with sugar and ammonia and soon microbial cells began to feed and grow, activity that was confirmed by carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis.
Researchers believe the extraordinary microbes are oxygen-consuming aerobic bacteria, which differentiates them from anaerobic bacteria that flourish in seafloor environments where food is abundant.
In their paper on the discovery, they write:
“Our results suggest that microbial communities widely distributed in organic-poor abyssal sediment consist mainly of aerobes that retain their metabolic potential under extremely low-energy conditions for up to 101.5 [million years].”
The team took precautions to assure that there was no contamination from higher-level sediment and confirm that the bacteria they were looking at was as ancient as the mud samples suggested. They were able to corroborate that the dormant microbes originated when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth.
They also found cyanobacteria, or “blue-green algae” that utilizes photosynthetic processing even in the most extreme of conditions. Given that their growth occurred in the total absence of light, this is yet another mystery in the finding.
“What we found was that life extends all the way from the seafloor to the underlying rocky basement,” said oceanographer and study co-author Steven D’Hondt said. “And what [lead author Yuki Morono’s] paper now shows is that those organisms are not only alive in the deepest form of sediment, but they’re capable of growing and dividing.”
The discovery has profound implications for the perseverance and adaptability of life. It shows bacteria can slow itself down during an absence of food or energy and hibernate for enormous periods of time.
The research may also have implications for alien microbial and bacterial life, as Earth has now demonstrated that organisms can survive in extremely hostile environments – including boiling-hot hydrothermal vents and in remote areas without access to sunlight or food. When presented with these unfriendly conditions, life can essentially go into a very long deep sleep without dying.
There is no reason to think microbes on exoplanets aren’t just as adaptable and stubborn given the right planetary conditions.
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