themindunleashed--2020-05-15--Brilliant Green ‘Comet of the Year’ With 10 Million Mile Long Tail Will Be Visible All Week

( TMU ) – A brilliant bright-green comet with an incredible 11-million-mile long tail will be visible from Earth all week as it makes its once-in-11,597 years trip through the inner solar system .
The massive comet , named Comet Swan or C/2020 F8 , is comprised of space dust , ice , and gas and will be flying past our own planet before getting close to the sun and making its way back through the solar system .
But what makes this one more special than most is the fact that the super bright green comet can be seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a “ faintly visible ” way , according to the European Space Agency ( ESA ) .
However , stargazers who hope to see the magnificent display will be able to get a much better glimpse using only binoculars .
While those in the southern hemisphere will get the best view , those of us in the northern hemisphere will still be able to get a good , if faint , view of it low on the horizon just before dawn .
Comet Swan was discovered in April by Michael Mattiazo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rock ’ s bright green tinge comes from the water vapor released into by its icy core as it ’ s heated by the Sun , forming a hydrogen cloud that surrounds it and gives off its bright light .
As the European Space Agency said : “ The comet ’ s vigor could be significant for observers on Earth .
The more material ejected from the comet , the more sunlight it reflects and the more visible it becomes .
Currently moving from the southern to the northern skies , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but current estimates suggest that , by the end of May , it could be significantly brighter – if it survives that long.
” Swan is currently about 53 million miles away from our own planet at the moment , and the snowball is predicted to come closest to Earth on May 27 .
However , comets are such fragile bodies that they tend to fall apart as they come closer to the Sun – a phenomenon common in our solar system , which also occurred last month and foiled expectations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Current estimates suggest that it could start becoming much brighter if it manages to survive until the end of May , making its way from southern to northern skies .
This is because the comet will be ejecting material as it warms up en route toward the Sun , reflecting sunlight and increasing in its visibility .
However , amateur astronomer David Blanchflower said that the comet won ’ t be as easy to see as simply gazing up into the night sky .
He told the Express : “ From the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern horizon before sunrise .
Won ’ t be easy to spot .
Binoculars rather than naked eye would give someone the best chance of seeing it .
“ Into next month it will have a better elevation but not predicted to be very bright so again binoculars or a small telescope would be needed.
” The more material ejected from the comet as it warms up on its way towards the sun , the more sunlight it reflects and the more visible it becomes .
Actually seeing the comet in the twilight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult by the fact that the sky is currently lit-up by a bright moon .
Comet Swan will also be difficult to see for those living in the mid-latitudes of the north , with the best views being seen low in the northeastern sky .
Rick Fienberg , a spokesman for the American Astronomical Society , told New York Times : “ By ‘ low ’ they mean ‘ really low ’ unless you ’ re far south like Hawaii or southern Florida .
The comet gets higher as dawn breaks , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dark sky for mid-northern observers .
Boo hoo !
” With the comet last appearing near the Earth perhaps around the same time when woolly mammoths were rendered extinct , nearly 12 millenia ago , this will be “ almost certainly the only time the comet will be visible in our lifetimes , ” according to the ESA .
It bears repeating that while comets have long been subject to misperceptions borne of superstitious beliefs , these distant snowballs pose absolutely zero danger to terrestrial life .


themindunleashed--2020-05-18--Sister Of Ahmaud Arbery’s Killer Posted Photo Of His Body To Snapchat

( TMU ) – New reports have revealed that the sister and daughter of the men charged with killing Ahmaud Arbery posted photos of his dead body to Snapchat after the shooting .
When questioned about why she posted the photos she said that she ’ s “ a true-crime fan.
” 30-year-old Lindsay McMichael admitted to sharing the graphic photos which showed Arbery lying on the street , but says that she didn ’ t mean any harm or realize that it would be seen to be in poor taste .
“ I had no nefarious or malicious intent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing is I ’ m a huge fan of true crime — I listen to four or five podcasts a week — I ’ m constantly watching that sort of thing , ” McMichael told The Sun .
“ It was more of a , ‘ Holy s–t , I can ’ t believe this has happened .
It was absolutely poor judgment , ” she added .
However , S. Lee Merritt , one of the attorneys for the Arbery family , has suggested that the posting of this photo is evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the family .
“ The picture Lindsay McMichael posted was very disturbing and very disturbing to the family .
It actually fits the pattern of the McMichael family engaging in a weird , violent form of voyeurism , ” Merritt said .
“ First you have ( Gregory ) McMichael sharing with a news station a video of the murder , then you have his daughter sharing an image of Ahmaud ’ s bullet-ridden body on Snapchat .
It ’ s deeply disturbing behavior , ” Merritt added .
Lindsay McMichael said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” when she saw him , and denied that he took any joy in hunting the young man down .
“ I ’ ve seen my brother in his happiest moments — I was there when his child was born and I ’ ve seen him in distress and I know that look .
It wasn ’ t like some glory thing , like , ‘ I stalked and then got the kill that I was hoping form , ” she said .
She also claimed that her brother and father never “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there was any racism in the family .
“ We ’ re not the ones on trial here — my dad and my brother are and yes , I don ’ t think that they were beating the hood of the truck and saying , ‘ Let ’ s go get this person.
’ I think that things just really escalated.I just want people to realize we ’ re not monsters , ” she said .
The McMichaels hunted 25-year-old Arbery for about 5 minutes after they saw him walking through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arbery who was likely scared and trying to get away .
In the following struggle , Arbery was shot twice with a shotgun at close range .
The murder took place back in February but the McMichaels were not charged in the case until earlier this month when a video of the incident went viral and sparked global outrage .
Gregory McMichael is a former police officer , with deep ties to local judges and the district attorney , who initially allowed the case to slip through the cracks without any arrests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , protesters have called for the current DA to be fired .

(TMU) – New reports have revealed that the sister and daughter of the men charged with killing Ahmaud Arbery posted photos of his dead body to Snapchat after the shooting. When questioned about why she posted the photos she said that she’s “a true-crime fan.”
30-year-old Lindsay McMichael admitted to sharing the graphic photos which showed Arbery lying on the street, but says that she didn’t mean any harm or realize that it would be seen to be in poor taste.
“I had no nefarious or malicious intent when I posted that picture. The thing is I’m a huge fan of true crime — I listen to four or five podcasts a week — I’m constantly watching that sort of thing,” McMichael told The Sun.
“It was more of a, ‘Holy s–t, I can’t believe this has happened. It was absolutely poor judgment,” she added.
However, S. Lee Merritt, one of the attorneys for the Arbery family, has suggested that the posting of this photo is evidence of a deeper trend of disturbing behavior in the family.
“The picture Lindsay McMichael posted was very disturbing and very disturbing to the family. It actually fits the pattern of the McMichael family engaging in a weird, violent form of voyeurism,” Merritt said.
“First you have (Gregory) McMichael sharing with a news station a video of the murder, then you have his daughter sharing an image of Ahmaud’s bullet-ridden body on Snapchat. It’s deeply disturbing behavior,” Merritt added.
Lindsay McMichael said that her brother “was looking desperate” when she saw him, and denied that he took any joy in hunting the young man down.
“I’ve seen my brother in his happiest moments — I was there when his child was born and I’ve seen him in distress and I know that look. It wasn’t like some glory thing, like, ‘I stalked and then got the kill that I was hoping form,” she said.
She also claimed that her brother and father never “meant to kill anybody” and denied that there was any racism in the family.
“We’re not the ones on trial here — my dad and my brother are and yes, I don’t think that they were beating the hood of the truck and saying, ‘Let’s go get this person.’ I think that things just really escalated.I just want people to realize we’re not monsters,” she said.
The McMichaels hunted 25-year-old Arbery for about 5 minutes after they saw him walking through a construction site. Eventually, they confronted Arbery who was likely scared and trying to get away. In the following struggle, Arbery was shot twice with a shotgun at close range.
The murder took place back in February but the McMichaels were not charged in the case until earlier this month when a video of the incident went viral and sparked global outrage.
Gregory McMichael is a former police officer, with deep ties to local judges and the district attorney, who initially allowed the case to slip through the cracks without any arrests.
As news of the case has surfaced, protesters have called for the current DA to be fired.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-18--Brilliant Green ‘Comet of the Year’ With a 10 Million Mile Tail Could Be With Us Until June

( TMU ) – Last week , The Mind Unleashed reported that Comet SWAN , a stunning bright-green comet with an 10-million-mile long tail , would be visible all week while it makes its 11,597-year trip through the center of our solar system .
All this week , the massive Comet SWAN – which is likely to be the showcase comet of the year – will be visible throughout the northern hemisphere , lying low in the northeast .
With any luck , the comet – a “ snowball ” comprised of huge amounts of frozen gas , water , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dazzling views which will only be faintly visible to the naked eye , meaning that it ’ s recommended that sky-watchers bring a pair of binoculars or even a telescope .
SWAN – an acronym for the Solar Wind Anisotropies camera on NASA ’ s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory ( SOHO ) – was discovered in April by Michael Mattiazo , an amateur astronomer from Australia who noticed the intense green color emanating from the comet .
The space rock ’ s bright green tinge comes from the water vapor released into surrounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heated by the Sun , forming a hydrogen cloud that surrounds it and gives off its bright light .
Comet SWAN arrived shortly after the much-anticipated Comet C/2019 Y4 ATLAS fizzled out .
Astronomers had hoped that ATLAS , which significantly brightened at a rapid pace toward the end of last year , would be the most significant naked-eye comet in a decade .
However , the comet unceremoniously crumbled apart , depriving us of any spectacle whatsoever .
When it comes to Comet SWAN , the jury is out as to whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week or if it ’ s going to eventually be the same sorry dud ATLAS turned out to be .
In a news release last week , the European Space Agency wrote : “ The comet ’ s vigor could be significant for observers on Earth .
The more material ejected from the comet , the more sunlight it reflects and the more visible it becomes .
Currently moving from the southern to the northern skies , it is just faintly visible to the naked eye , but current estimates suggest that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be significantly brighter – if it survives that long.
” However , astrophysicist Jackie Faherty at the American Museum of Natural History told Forbes : “ I ’ m feeling a little less excited about Comet SWAN .
“ It swept in just after Comet Atlas fizzled , something comets are notorious for .
They tease you into thinking they ’ re going to put on a beautiful , bright spectacular show , then they fizzle out before they become visible to the naked eye.
” Indeed , while images of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most of those images required cameras using long exposures and even telescopes , resulting in imagery our eyes alone could never see .
But this week still remains the best chance for us to catch a glimpse of SWAN , even if it ’ s not going to be a simple matter of peeking upwards through the blinds .
Instead , you ’ re going to have to get up very early – or stay up very late – and bring a pair of binoculars .
You ’ ll also need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good knowledge of the stars .
Today , before sunrise , Comet SWAN may have reached its brightest and most visible point , lying low in the northeast about 10º above the horizon right at the start of nautical dawn .
On Wednesday , May 20 , Comet SWAN will be extremely close to the star Algol in Perseus , in the predawn twilight sky .
Next Tuesday , May 26 , is when Comet SWAN will come closest to the Sun and will disappear in its glare .
At that point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the morning to before dawn to being visible after sunset during the evening .
And with any luck , after sunset on Wednesday , June 3 , SWAN will be passing close to Capella in Auriga .
Remember : a comet is a purely natural phenomenon and not a foreboding doomsday omen or sign of good luck – it ’ s simply a ball of gas , dust , and ice .

(TMU) – Last week, The Mind Unleashed reported that Comet SWAN, a stunning bright-green comet with an 10-million-mile long tail, would be visible all week while it makes its 11,597-year trip through the center of our solar system.
All this week, the massive Comet SWAN – which is likely to be the showcase comet of the year – will be visible throughout the northern hemisphere, lying low in the northeast.
With any luck, the comet – a “snowball” comprised of huge amounts of frozen gas, water, rock and dust – will offer some dazzling views which will only be faintly visible to the naked eye, meaning that it’s recommended that sky-watchers bring a pair of binoculars or even a telescope.
Always brilliant images from Fritz Helmut Hemmerich, and no different this time. Comet Swan from the Canary Islands on the 10th. pic.twitter.com/UJZFrKG4Xy — Con Stoitsis (@vivstoitsis) May 10, 2020
SWAN – an acronym for the Solar Wind Anisotropies camera on NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) – was discovered in April by Michael Mattiazo, an amateur astronomer from Australia who noticed the intense green color emanating from the comet.
The space rock’s bright green tinge comes from the water vapor released into surrounding its icy core as it’s heated by the Sun, forming a hydrogen cloud that surrounds it and gives off its bright light.
Comet C/2020 F8 Swan at 4 degs elevation this morning Image Fritz Helmut Hemmerich. pic.twitter.com/P9jwqnv42t — Con Stoitsis (@vivstoitsis) May 16, 2020
Comet SWAN arrived shortly after the much-anticipated Comet C/2019 Y4 ATLAS fizzled out. Astronomers had hoped that ATLAS, which significantly brightened at a rapid pace toward the end of last year, would be the most significant naked-eye comet in a decade. However, the comet unceremoniously crumbled apart, depriving us of any spectacle whatsoever.
When it comes to Comet SWAN, the jury is out as to whether stargazers will have a great treat this week or if it’s going to eventually be the same sorry dud ATLAS turned out to be.
The excited wagging of Comet SWAN's ion tail. Photos by Gerald Rhemann, taken over the first 5 days in May. https://t.co/sCvcXsGIdf pic.twitter.com/bf8D3yRwa1 — Corey S. Powell (@coreyspowell) May 9, 2020
In a news release last week, the European Space Agency wrote:
“The comet’s vigor could be significant for observers on Earth. The more material ejected from the comet, the more sunlight it reflects and the more visible it becomes. Currently moving from the southern to the northern skies, it is just faintly visible to the naked eye, but current estimates suggest that, by the end of May, it could be significantly brighter – if it survives that long.”
However, astrophysicist Jackie Faherty at the American Museum of Natural History told Forbes:
“I’m feeling a little less excited about Comet SWAN.
“It swept in just after Comet Atlas fizzled, something comets are notorious for. They tease you into thinking they’re going to put on a beautiful, bright spectacular show, then they fizzle out before they become visible to the naked eye.”
Indeed, while images of the comet shared online suggest a brilliant display, most of those images required cameras using long exposures and even telescopes, resulting in imagery our eyes alone could never see.
Comet SWAN has gotten a bit higher for my location in southwest Alabama. So here it is through trees!
SWAN revealed some of the tail. Image Richard Pickard. pic.twitter.com/hUHcDWoPqF — Con Stoitsis (@vivstoitsis) May 13, 2020
But this week still remains the best chance for us to catch a glimpse of SWAN, even if it’s not going to be a simple matter of peeking upwards through the blinds.
Instead, you’re going to have to get up very early – or stay up very late – and bring a pair of binoculars. You’ll also need to be very patient, and have a good knowledge of the stars.
Today, before sunrise, Comet SWAN may have reached its brightest and most visible point, lying low in the northeast about 10º above the horizon right at the start of nautical dawn.
On Wednesday, May 20, Comet SWAN will be extremely close to the star Algol in Perseus, in the predawn twilight sky.
Next Tuesday, May 26, is when Comet SWAN will come closest to the Sun and will disappear in its glare. At that point, the comet will switch from being visible in the morning to before dawn to being visible after sunset during the evening.
And with any luck, after sunset on Wednesday, June 3, SWAN will be passing close to Capella in Auriga.
Remember: a comet is a purely natural phenomenon and not a foreboding doomsday omen or sign of good luck – it’s simply a ball of gas, dust, and ice.
Either way, happy hunting!
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themindunleashed--2020-05-18--Get Ready Because There Will Be Both A Solar and Lunar Eclipse In June

( TMU ) – Thus far , 2020 has been filled with notable astronomical events , and there ’ s plenty still to come .
We had three Super Moons in a row , starting with March ’ s Full Worm Moon , April ’ s Full Pink Moon and , and as we reported , May ’ s peak of the ‘ Eta Aquarids ’ Meteor Shower just days before the Full Flower Moon .
We ’ re not even halfway through the year and there ’ s plenty more in store for all sky watchers , starting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5th and 6th and an Annular Solar Eclipse on June 21st .
This year we ’ ll have a total of six eclipses , four Lunar and two Solar .
The Lunar Eclipses will all be partial and the Solar Eclipses will be an Annular Eclipse on June 21st and a Total Eclipse on December 14th .
When the light from one celestial body ( such as our Sun or Moon ) is blocked by another ( Earth or our Moon ) , an eclipse occurs as the body in between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We only experience two types of eclipses created by the different alignments of the Sun , the Earth and the Moon .
When the light of the Sun is obstructed by the Moon we observe a solar eclipse on Earth , and when Earth is aligned between the Sun and the Moon , it casts a shadow on the Moon , creating a lunar eclipse .
When the Moon lies in the penumbral , or outer shadow , of the Earth , we have a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse , such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This occurs when the three celestial bodies are not perfectly aligned .
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse are quite subtle as the moon might have be only slightly darker where Earth ’ s shadow falls .
June ’ s Penumbral Lunar Eclipse will visible , weather permitting , from much of Asia and Europe , Australia , Africa , Antarctica and South America ’ s south west .
The eclipse will begin on the 5th of June at UTC 17:45:51 , reach its peak at 19:24:55 and end at 19:24:55 .
Check the date and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Moon will be perfectly aligned between the Sun and Earth for the Annular Solar Eclipse on the 21st of June and as a result will leave the outer ring of the sun visible , also known as the ‘ ring of fire ’ .
Annulus ( Latin ) , means ring , the name given to this celestial event .
Always protect your eyes when watching a Solar Eclipse which should be a special and memorable event , without harming your eyesight .
Never look directly at the sun , even during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solar filters .
These solar filters are used in “ eclipse glasses ” or in hand-held solar viewers which have to meet a very specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2 .
Sunglasses , no matter how dark , will not protect your eyes !
With clear skies , the full Solar eclipse , including the ring of fire , will be visible from parts of Africa including Central Africa Republic , Congo , and Ethiopia , as well as most of North India , South of Pakistan and China .
Partial views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South/East Europe , much of Asia and Africa , North in Australia and the Pacific and Indian Oceans .
The eclipse will peak at UTC 12:10am on June 21st .
The total duration of the eclipse is 3 hours , 18 minutes .
Check the time for your city or area .

(TMU) – Thus far, 2020 has been filled with notable astronomical events, and there’s plenty still to come. We had three Super Moons in a row, starting with March’s Full Worm Moon, April’s Full Pink Moon, and, as we reported, May’s peak of the ‘Eta Aquarids’ Meteor Shower just days before the Full Flower Moon.
We’re not even halfway through the year and there’s plenty more in store for all sky watchers, starting with a partial Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on June 5th and 6th and an Annular Solar Eclipse on June 21st.
This year we’ll have a total of six eclipses, four Lunar and two Solar. The Lunar Eclipses will all be partial and the Solar Eclipses will be an Annular Eclipse on June 21st and a Total Eclipse on December 14th.
When the light from one celestial body (such as our Sun or Moon) is blocked by another (Earth or our Moon), an eclipse occurs as the body in between the two casts a shadow on the third body. We only experience two types of eclipses created by the different alignments of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon. When the light of the Sun is obstructed by the Moon we observe a solar eclipse on Earth, and when Earth is aligned between the Sun and the Moon, it casts a shadow on the Moon, creating a lunar eclipse.
When the Moon lies in the penumbral, or outer shadow, of the Earth, we have a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, such as the one on June 5th and 6th. This occurs when the three celestial bodies are not perfectly aligned. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse are quite subtle as the moon might have be only slightly darker where Earth’s shadow falls.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse:
June’s Penumbral Lunar Eclipse will visible, weather permitting, from much of Asia and Europe, Australia, Africa, Antarctica and South America’s south west. The eclipse will begin on the 5th of June at UTC 17:45:51, reach its peak at 19:24:55 and end at 19:24:55.
Check the date and time for your city or area.
Un eclipse lunar penumbral, el último espectáculo astronómico de 2016 http://ow.ly/IUJv304f15K Posted by El Territorio on Thursday, September 15, 2016
Annular Solar Eclipse:
The Moon will be perfectly aligned between the Sun and Earth for the Annular Solar Eclipse on the 21st of June and as a result will leave the outer ring of the sun visible, also known as the ‘ring of fire’. Annulus (Latin), means ring, the name given to this celestial event.
Always protect your eyes when watching a Solar Eclipse, which should be a special and memorable event, without harming your eyesight. Never look directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, without protective, special-purpose solar filters. These solar filters are used in “eclipse glasses” or in hand-held solar viewers which have to meet a very specific worldwide standard known as ‘ISO 12312-2’. Sunglasses, no matter how dark, will not protect your eyes!
With clear skies, the full Solar eclipse, including the ring of fire, will be visible from parts of Africa including Central Africa Republic, Congo, and Ethiopia, as well as most of North India, South of Pakistan and China.
Partial views of the eclipse will be visible in South/East Europe, much of Asia and Africa, North in Australia and the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The eclipse will peak at UTC 12:10am on June 21st. The total duration of the eclipse is 3 hours, 18 minutes.
Check the time for your city or area.
Watch the annular solar eclipse today!…………. in South America and Angola! Details here:… Posted by DavaoBase.com on Sunday, February 26, 2017
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themindunleashed--2020-05-17--Elite Dog Unit Trained To Protect Wildlife Has Saved 45 Rhinos From Poachers During Lockdown

( TMU ) – With countries across the world facing lockdown measures , a massive swathe of legal economic activities have ground to a halt – and this is true just as much in South Africa as in other countries .
Poachers have exploited the absence of humans on South Africa ’ s game reserves and the virtual stoppage of the safari business to stalk the area and continue hunting down wilderness .
According to ITV , at least nine rhinos have been killed since lockdown measures were introduced in mid-March .
However , a team of elite trained dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain hard at work , and have saved 45 rhinos from poachers , reports the Daily Mail .
The pack of dogs is drawn from numerous breeds , ranging from beagles to bloodhounds , but each dog has been able to make a major contribution to protecting the endangered species from the poachers .
The dogs are trained from birth and conditioned to tolerate the pressures of actual operations before they are released in the field , which usually takes place when they reach 18 months old .
Photos of the elite team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African Wildlife College ( SAWC ) in Greater Kruger National Park were recently shared by Sean Viljoen , a 29-year-old filmmaker based in Cape Town .
Viljoen owns a production company called Conservation Film Company , which works with filmmakers across the globe to depict the work of conservationists through cinematic storytelling .
Johan van Straaten , the dog master at the SAWC ’ s 9 unit , explained : “ The data we collect for this applied learning project , aimed at informing best practice , shows we have prevented approximately 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dogs became operational in February 2018 .
“ In the areas where the Southern African Wildlife College patrol , the success rate of the dogs is around 68 percent using both on and off leash free tracking dogs , compared to between three to five percent with no canine capacity.
” With roughly 80 percent of the world ’ s 29,000 rhinos left in the world being located in South Africa , poachers consider the region to be a target-rich environment , where poachers can pursue their dreams of getting rich quick by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains to the highest bidder .
And with the rhino ’ s prized horn fetching up to $ 100,000 per kilogram ( 2.2 lbs ) , poachers are able to make between $ 100,000 to $ 350,000 from just a single horn .
Many of the buyers come from Asia , where the horns are typically ground into a powder and used in traditional medicine in countries like China and Vietnam .
In the local black market , however , prices hover at around $ 3,000 per pound .
And with the Greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open habitat , the rapid mobility of dogs make them perfectly suited for cracking down on the grisly trade .
“ The game changer has been the free tracking dogs who are able to track at speeds much faster than a human can , in terrain where the best human trackers would lose spoor .
“ As such , the project is helping ensure the survival of southern Africa ’ s rich biodiversity and its wildlife including its rhino which have been severely impacted by wildlife crime … Over the past decade over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making it the country hardest hit by this poaching onslaught.
” The team of dogs include Belgian Malinois , Blue Ticks , Foxhounds , and Texan Black-and-Tan Coonhounds .
The pups are trained in various counter-poaching tactics such as detection , free tracking , incursion , patrol and apprehension .
Prior to the college acquiring the dogs , anti-poaching enforcement teams only managed to catch 3 to 5 percent of known poachers , according to National Geographic .
The new K9 unit allowed the rate to improve tenfold to an estimated 54 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dogs on task , rhino conservationists have been able to minimize the harm criminals do to the massive park ’ s wildlife – while keeping poachers on the run .

(TMU) – With countries across the world facing lockdown measures, a massive swathe of legal economic activities have ground to a halt – and this is true just as much in South Africa as in other countries.
Poachers have exploited the absence of humans on South Africa’s game reserves and the virtual stoppage of the safari business to stalk the area and continue hunting down wilderness. According to ITV, at least nine rhinos have been killed since lockdown measures were introduced in mid-March.
However, a team of elite trained dogs trained to protect wildlife in the region remain hard at work, and have saved 45 rhinos from poachers, reports the Daily Mail.
The pack of dogs is drawn from numerous breeds, ranging from beagles to bloodhounds, but each dog has been able to make a major contribution to protecting the endangered species from the poachers.
Support the SAWC K9 unit Rhino populations are in critical danger. The Southern African Wildlife College has introduced specially trained tracking dogs to their anti-poaching efforts. Posted by ORIJEN South Africa on Wednesday, August 21, 2019
The dogs are trained from birth and conditioned to tolerate the pressures of actual operations before they are released in the field, which usually takes place when they reach 18 months old.
Photos of the elite team of dogs in action at the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) in Greater Kruger National Park were recently shared by Sean Viljoen, a 29-year-old filmmaker based in Cape Town.
Viljoen owns a production company called Conservation Film Company, which works with filmmakers across the globe to depict the work of conservationists through cinematic storytelling.
Johan van Straaten, the dog master at the SAWC’s 9 unit, explained:
“The data we collect for this applied learning project, aimed at informing best practice, shows we have prevented approximately 45 rhinos being killed since the free tracking dogs became operational in February 2018.
“In the areas where the Southern African Wildlife College patrol, the success rate of the dogs is around 68 percent using both on and off leash free tracking dogs, compared to between three to five percent with no canine capacity.”
Want to know more about #RhinoDogs? Read our interview with Johan van Straaten, Dog Master: K9 Protected Area Integrity, Southern African Wildlife College, and Elise Serfontein, Founder, Stop Rhino https://t.co/eCkhDt0VuI: https://t.co/shg1d71SbW pic.twitter.com/kFGjDvtmga — IntlRhinoFoundation ? (@RhinosIRF) December 8, 2018
With roughly 80 percent of the world’s 29,000 rhinos left in the world being located in South Africa, poachers consider the region to be a target-rich environment, where poachers can pursue their dreams of getting rich quick by murdering the helpless creatures and selling their remains to the highest bidder.
And with the rhino’s prized horn fetching up to $100,000 per kilogram (2.2 lbs), poachers are able to make between $100,000 to $350,000 from just a single horn. Many of the buyers come from Asia, where the horns are typically ground into a powder and used in traditional medicine in countries like China and Vietnam. In the local black market, however, prices hover at around $3,000 per pound.
And with the Greater Kruger National Park Area being a vast open habitat, the rapid mobility of dogs make them perfectly suited for cracking down on the grisly trade.
Van Straaten continued:
“The game changer has been the free tracking dogs who are able to track at speeds much faster than a human can, in terrain where the best human trackers would lose spoor.
“As such, the project is helping ensure the survival of southern Africa’s rich biodiversity and its wildlife including its rhino which have been severely impacted by wildlife crime … Over the past decade over 8,000 rhinos have been lost to poaching, making it the country hardest hit by this poaching onslaught.”
The team of dogs include Belgian Malinois, Blue Ticks, Foxhounds, and Texan Black-and-Tan Coonhounds. The pups are trained in various counter-poaching tactics such as detection, free tracking, incursion, patrol and apprehension.
Prior to the college acquiring the dogs, anti-poaching enforcement teams only managed to catch 3 to 5 percent of known poachers, according to National Geographic. The new K9 unit allowed the rate to improve tenfold to an estimated 54 percent.
With this crack team of dogs on task, rhino conservationists have been able to minimize the harm criminals do to the massive park’s wildlife – while keeping poachers on the run.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-17--Stunning Video Shows When TWENTY MILLION Rare Baby Turtles Crawl To Sea for First Time

( TMU ) – Stunning video from India has emerged that shows the “ magical ” moment when massive amounts of rare baby sea turtles crawled out to sea for the very first time after about 20 million eggs hatched .
In a spectacular clip showing the event , masses of olive ridley sea turtles hatchlings can be seen making their way across a deserted beach along the coast of the eastern state of Odisha .
The video was shared to Twitter by an Indian Forest Officer , Susanta Nanda , who wrote : “ A sight that casts magical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crore plus [ 20 million ] olive ridley hatchlings have emerged & made their way to sea from half of about 4 lakh [ 400,000 ] nesting at Nasi-2 islands , Gahirmatha rookery Odisha .
The spectacle continues .
Early morning video.
” Despite being the most abundant of all sea turtles , the global Olive Ridley population remains vulnerable worldwide .
This is mainly due to the fact that they are only able to nest in a very small number of locations .
As a result , any disturbance to even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it through direct human intervention , the presence of non-native species , or global events such as rising sea levels – could have massive repercussions for the entire species , according to the World Wildlife Fund .
The conservationist group wrote : “ Sea turtles are the living representatives of a group of reptiles that has existed on Earth and travelled our seas for the last 100 million years .
They are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems and help maintain the health of coral reefs and sea grass beds.
” In March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came ashore to a roughly 3.75-mile ( 6-km ) Rushikulya beach to dig nests and lay eggs .
During one week alone , over 250,000 mother turtles nested during daylight hours .
“ The last time we saw day time nesting of olive ridleys along this site was in 2013 .
“ Usually , they come on to the beach for nesting only during the night .
This March was special for us as we saw the species visiting the site at night and even during the day , in equally good numbers.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated that about 60 million eggs would be laid this year in total .
Typically , the mass nesting attracted hordes of visitors eager to watch the miraculous event , with thronging crowds often jostling with forest officers who struggled to keep them at bay .
However , the coronavirus lockdown has prevented any such disturbance of this year ’ s mass nesting , reported the Hindu , allowing the 25 forest guards and researchers to focus on guarding the turtles .
Yet in the absence of humans , crows and jackals also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S.N .
Patro , the president of Orissa Environment Society , disputes whether the lockdown had any impact on the nesting activities of the Olive Ridley sea turtles .
Patro said : “ What the lockdown can do is that it can reduce the casualties of the sea turtles or the damages their eggs undergo in normal days .
However , in the absence of human movements , pest attacks and attacks from other animals can increase as well.
” “ They [ turtles ] are quite confident .
The village communities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish word for ‘ arrival ’ that refers to the mass nesting events ] of olive ridley turtles since time immemorial.
” Regrettably , hundreds of baby turtles in Odisha perished during their first crawl out to sea after they were caught in fishing nets strewn along the coastline , reports Times of India .
Meanwhile , about 1,000 miles away on the southwestern coast of India in the state of Goa , thousands of other Olive Ridley hatchlings could be seen emerging from their nests in video shared last week by local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonders of nature !
Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings emerging out from the last nest at Morjim .
Along with Morjim , Mandrem , Agonda , and Galgibagh are important beaches in Goa which attracts turtle for nesting .
”

(TMU) – Stunning video from India has emerged that shows the “magical” moment when massive amounts of rare baby sea turtles crawled out to sea for the very first time after about 20 million eggs hatched.
In a spectacular clip showing the event, masses of olive ridley sea turtles hatchlings can be seen making their way across a deserted beach along the coast of the eastern state of Odisha.
The video was shared to Twitter by an Indian Forest Officer, Susanta Nanda, who wrote:
“A sight that casts magical spell year after year. Nearly 2 crore plus [20 million] olive ridley hatchlings have emerged & made their way to sea from half of about 4 lakh [400,000] nesting at Nasi-2 islands, Gahirmatha rookery Odisha. The spectacle continues. Early morning video.”
A sight that casts magical spell year after year? Nearly 2 crore plus olive Ridley hatchlings have emerged & made their way to sea from half of about 4 lakh nesting at Nasi-2 islands, Gahirmatha rookery Odisha. The spectacle continues. Early morning video. pic.twitter.com/C0IKTWNCko — Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) May 8, 2020
Despite being the most abundant of all sea turtles, the global Olive Ridley population remains vulnerable worldwide. This is mainly due to the fact that they are only able to nest in a very small number of locations. As a result, any disturbance to even a single beach where they nest – be it through direct human intervention, the presence of non-native species, or global events such as rising sea levels – could have massive repercussions for the entire species, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The conservationist group wrote:
“Sea turtles are the living representatives of a group of reptiles that has existed on Earth and travelled our seas for the last 100 million years. They are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems and help maintain the health of coral reefs and sea grass beds.”
In March, roughly 475,000 Olive Ridley sea turtles came ashore to a roughly 3.75-mile (6-km) Rushikulya beach to dig nests and lay eggs. During one week alone, over 250,000 mother turtles nested during daylight hours.
Local district forest officer Amlan Nayak told Mongabay-India:
“The last time we saw day time nesting of olive ridleys along this site was in 2013.
“Usually, they come on to the beach for nesting only during the night. This March was special for us as we saw the species visiting the site at night and even during the day, in equally good numbers.”
At the time, local authorities estimated that about 60 million eggs would be laid this year in total.
Typically, the mass nesting attracted hordes of visitors eager to watch the miraculous event, with thronging crowds often jostling with forest officers who struggled to keep them at bay. However, the coronavirus lockdown has prevented any such disturbance of this year’s mass nesting, reported the Hindu, allowing the 25 forest guards and researchers to focus on guarding the turtles.
Yet in the absence of humans, crows and jackals also swoop in to attack the turtles.
S.N. Patro, the president of Orissa Environment Society, disputes whether the lockdown had any impact on the nesting activities of the Olive Ridley sea turtles. Patro said:
“What the lockdown can do is that it can reduce the casualties of the sea turtles or the damages their eggs undergo in normal days. However, in the absence of human movements, pest attacks and attacks from other animals can increase as well.”
“They [turtles] are quite confident. The village communities in Rushikulya have known of arribadas [the Spanish word for ‘arrival’ that refers to the mass nesting events] of olive ridley turtles since time immemorial.”
Mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles in Odisha coast while nation is at 21 day lockdown. #Nature #21daylockdown #pandemia pic.twitter.com/z7ihzOYu0E — Harikrishnan S (@_harikrishnan_s) March 26, 2020
Regrettably, hundreds of baby turtles in Odisha perished during their first crawl out to sea after they were caught in fishing nets strewn along the coastline, reports Times of India.
Meanwhile, about 1,000 miles away on the southwestern coast of India in the state of Goa, thousands of other Olive Ridley hatchlings could be seen emerging from their nests in video shared last week by local Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The Goa chief minister wrote:
“Amazing wonders of nature! Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings emerging out from the last nest at Morjim. Along with Morjim, Mandrem, Agonda, and Galgibagh are important beaches in Goa which attracts turtle for nesting.”
Amazing wonders of nature! Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings emerging out from the last nest at Morjim. Along with Morjim, Mandrem, Agonda and Galgibagh are important beaches in Goa which attracts turtle for nesting. pic.twitter.com/UjuoIC9hP4 — Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) May 12, 2020
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themindunleashed--2020-05-17--Trump Unveils Space Force Flag And Promises “Super Duper” Missile

( TMU ) – United States President Donald Trump promised the nation a “ super duper ” missile as he unveiled the new flag for the U.S. Space Force during a ceremony on Friday .
The flag features a black background with stars and the official seal for the Space Force .
At the ceremony , Trump said that “ space is going to be the future ” and spoke of a “ super duper missile ” which he claims will be 17 times faster than nuclear weapons made by both Russia or China .
It is likely that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more military missions than explorations .
During the signing ceremony back in December , Trump defended the new government agency against criticism , saying that “ space is the world ’ s newest war-fighting domain.
” The Space Force is also officially a branch of the US Armed Forces .
More specifically , the new agency is connected with the Air Force , Coast Guard , the Army , and the Marine Corps .
The agency is replacing an existing military space program called Air Force Space Command , which was founded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ a military service that organizes , trains , and equips space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space.
” At the ceremony , Gen. Jay Raymond , the head of the US Space Force , explained the symbolism depicted in the agency ’ s seal .
“ The delta in the middle , that ’ s the symbol that space communities use for years and years and years .
The North Start signifies out core value , our guiding light , if you will .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cape colors that fuel our American way of life , ” Raymond explained .
As The Mind Unleashed reported earlier this year , Raymond was sworn in as the chief of Space Operations for the agency back in January , just after it was officially formed .
The Space Force will be comprised of roughly 16,000 officers and other personnel from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Command .
In fact , Raymond is himself a commander of both the Air Force Space Command and the U.S. Space Command , possibly signaling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely and consisting of many of the same members .
In addition to the personnel from other agencies , the Space Force was granted $ 40 million through the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) .
The Trump administration is also planning on sending a legislative proposal to Congress for the fiscal year of 2021 which would create National Guard and Reserve units for the Space Force .
The proposal also seeks to consolidate other space-related organizations in the government under the Space Force banner including the Space Development Agency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Space Force began recruiting with its first advertisement .
The ad features a young man staring up at the stars with a narration that says , “ Some people look to the stars and ask , ‘ What if ?
’ Our job is to have an answer.
” “ We would have to imagine what will be imagined , plan for what ’ s possible while there ’ s still impossible .
Maybe you weren ’ t put here just to ask the questions .
Maybe you were put here to be @ @ @ @

(TMU) – United States President Donald Trump promised the nation a “super duper” missile as he unveiled the new flag for the U.S. Space Force during a ceremony on Friday. The flag features a black background with stars and the official seal for the Space Force. At the ceremony, Trump said that “space is going to be the future” and spoke of a “super duper missile” which he claims will be 17 times faster than nuclear weapons made by both Russia or China.
It is likely that the Space Force will be dealing with far more military missions than explorations. During the signing ceremony back in December, Trump defended the new government agency against criticism, saying that “space is the world’s newest war-fighting domain.”
The Space Force is also officially a branch of the US Armed Forces. More specifically, the new agency is connected with the Air Force, Coast Guard, the Army, and the Marine Corps. The agency is replacing an existing military space program called Air Force Space Command, which was founded in 1982.
The Space Force describes itself as “a military service that organizes, trains, and equips space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space.”
At the ceremony, Gen. Jay Raymond, the head of the US Space Force, explained the symbolism depicted in the agency’s seal.
“The delta in the middle, that’s the symbol that space communities use for years and years and years. The North Start signifies out core value, our guiding light, if you will. And the orbit around the globe signifies the space cape colors that fuel our American way of life,” Raymond explained.
As The Mind Unleashed reported earlier this year, Raymond was sworn in as the chief of Space Operations for the agency back in January, just after it was officially formed.
The Space Force will be comprised of roughly 16,000 officers and other personnel from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Command. In fact, Raymond is himself a commander of both the Air Force Space Command and the U.S. Space Command, possibly signaling that these agencies will be working very closely and consisting of many of the same members.
In addition to the personnel from other agencies, the Space Force was granted $40 million through the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The Trump administration is also planning on sending a legislative proposal to Congress for the fiscal year of 2021 which would create National Guard and Reserve units for the Space Force. The proposal also seeks to consolidate other space-related organizations in the government under the Space Force banner including the Space Development Agency.
Last week, we reported that the Space Force began recruiting with its first advertisement.
The ad features a young man staring up at the stars with a narration that says, “Some people look to the stars and ask, ‘What if?’ Our job is to have an answer.”
“We would have to imagine what will be imagined, plan for what’s possible while there’s still impossible. Maybe you weren’t put here just to ask the questions. Maybe you were put here to be the answer.”
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themindunleashed--2020-05-17--These New Plant-Based Bottles Degrade in Only a Year – And Could Herald the End of Plastic

( TMU ) – As awareness increases about the growing problem of pollution , single-use plastics have come under for their massive contribution to rampant litter all around the world .
But soon , we may be drinking soft drinks and beer from “ all-plant ” bottles , if new plans from major beverage makers come to fruition .
Under a new plan being spearheaded by Danish beer manufacturer Carlsberg and multinational food and beverage titans Coca-Cola and Danone , a new plant-based plastic created from sugars extracted from sustainably-grown plants would replace fossil fuel-based plastics , reports The Guardian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to kick off the pioneering project in hopes that it can permanently reshape the manner in which beverages are packaged .
According to Avantium CEO Tom van Aken , the company is trying to kick-start investment in a revolutionary new bioplastic plant in the Netherlands that would open by year ’ s end .
The company has already made a significant step toward reaching the goal with the early endorsement of the brewery giant Carlsberg Group , which plans to soon sell its pilsner in cardboard bottles lined on the inside with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s bio-refinery would break down sustainable plant sugars sourced from corn , wheat , or beets into basic chemical structures that would then be rearranged to form the new plant-based plastic .
The company hopes to eventually move away from the use of raw food materials and eventually shift to using plant sugars derived from sustainably sourced bio-waste , ensuring that global food supply chains aren ’ t negatively impacted by the increased adoption of plant plastic .
According to Avantium , its plant plastic is strong enough to contain carbonated drinks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one year using a composter and a few years longer if it is left outdoors , according to trials .
However , Van Aken notes that it should be recycled .
The chief executive added : “ This plastic has very attractive sustainability credentials because it uses no fossil fuels , and can be recycled – but would also degrade in nature much faster than normal plastics do.
” Over the past decade , there have been increasing worries on a global scale about the growing problem of plastics and microplastics , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and water supplies , leaching carcinogenic toxins and chemicals into the marine environment , with plastic drink containers trapping and confining – and ultimately killing – marine wildlife .
The pollution has reached such massive proportions that an estimated 100 million tons of plastic can now be found in the oceans , according to the UN .
Between 80 and 90 per cent of it comes from land-based sources .
According to a report prepared for the 2016 World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland , by 2050 it is estimated that plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish .
Coca-Cola and Danone , which have come under fire for their contribution to the roughly 300 million tons of fossil fuel-based plastic produced every year , are also backing Avantium ’ s plant plastic project , which could land in supermarket shelves as soon as 2023 .
The use of plastic is key to the workings of the global economy , and while most global and local authorities acknowledge the huge harm it causes to the environment , its usage has also paved the way to spectacular advances in modern society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preservation , water transportation , hygiene , high technology , and a range of other applications .
However , while petroleum-based plastics have many benefits , they ’ ve also created a major burden on future generations by instilling consumers with a “ throwaway ” culture that has seen and single-use disposables largely displace durable , reusable , and washable products , contributing to the vicious cycle of increased plastic waste and pollution .

(TMU) – As awareness increases about the growing problem of pollution, single-use plastics have come under for their massive contribution to rampant litter all around the world.
But soon, we may be drinking soft drinks and beer from “all-plant” bottles, if new plans from major beverage makers come to fruition.
Under a new plan being spearheaded by Danish beer manufacturer Carlsberg and multinational food and beverage titans Coca-Cola and Danone, a new plant-based plastic created from sugars extracted from sustainably-grown plants would replace fossil fuel-based plastics, reports The Guardian.
Danish biochemical company Avantium has devised plans to kick off the pioneering project in hopes that it can permanently reshape the manner in which beverages are packaged.
According to Avantium CEO Tom van Aken, the company is trying to kick-start investment in a revolutionary new bioplastic plant in the Netherlands that would open by year’s end.
The company has already made a significant step toward reaching the goal with the early endorsement of the brewery giant Carlsberg Group, which plans to soon sell its pilsner in cardboard bottles lined on the inside with the plant plastic.
The world's first 'paper bottle' for beer?!? Carlsberg has unveiled two new prototypes of a green fibre bottle, which they say is fully recyclable and 100% bio-based ? It's not currently on sale, but what are your thoughts? ? ?: Carlsberg pic.twitter.com/KHMCnLtMP2 — Money Saving Expert (@MoneySavingExp) October 15, 2019
The company’s bio-refinery would break down sustainable plant sugars sourced from corn, wheat, or beets into basic chemical structures that would then be rearranged to form the new plant-based plastic.
The company hopes to eventually move away from the use of raw food materials and eventually shift to using plant sugars derived from sustainably sourced bio-waste, ensuring that global food supply chains aren’t negatively impacted by the increased adoption of plant plastic.
According to Avantium, its plant plastic is strong enough to contain carbonated drinks. The plant plastic would decompose in only one year using a composter and a few years longer if it is left outdoors, according to trials. However, Van Aken notes that it should be recycled. The chief executive added:
“This plastic has very attractive sustainability credentials because it uses no fossil fuels, and can be recycled – but would also degrade in nature much faster than normal plastics do.”
Our PEF is a 100% plant-based, 100% recyclable plastic with superior performance properties compared to today’s widely used petroleum-based packaging materials. #circulareconomy https://t.co/9XmrAaceBT — Avantium (@Avantium) April 30, 2020
Over the past decade, there have been increasing worries on a global scale about the growing problem of plastics and microplastics, which have inundated the world’s oceans and water supplies, leaching carcinogenic toxins and chemicals into the marine environment, with plastic drink containers trapping and confining – and ultimately killing – marine wildlife.
The pollution has reached such massive proportions that an estimated 100 million tons of plastic can now be found in the oceans, according to the UN. Between 80 and 90 per cent of it comes from land-based sources.
According to a report prepared for the 2016 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, by 2050 it is estimated that plastic waste in the ocean will outweigh all fish.
Coca-Cola and Danone, which have come under fire for their contribution to the roughly 300 million tons of fossil fuel-based plastic produced every year, are also backing Avantium’s plant plastic project, which could land in supermarket shelves as soon as 2023.
The use of plastic is key to the workings of the global economy, and while most global and local authorities acknowledge the huge harm it causes to the environment, its usage has also paved the way to spectacular advances in modern society in the fields of medicine, food preservation, water transportation, hygiene, high technology, and a range of other applications.
However, while petroleum-based plastics have many benefits, they’ve also created a major burden on future generations by instilling consumers with a “throwaway” culture that has seen and single-use disposables largely displace durable, reusable, and washable products, contributing to the vicious cycle of increased plastic waste and pollution.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-19--Two Guys Caught Shoplifting From Convenience Store With Watermelons Over Their Heads

( TMU ) – In the annals of criminal history , the disguises of thieves have come in multiple varieties , spanning the creative to the mundane : there was the “ Geezer Bandit ” of Los Angeles , the bank-robbers of Chicago who donned nun masks , and then the “ Florida Man ” who wore a simple plastic bag with eye cut-outs .
And now we have the “ MELON-HEADS ” of Virginia – two men who are in a sticky situation after they were caught on camera stealing from a convenience store while wearing the seedy disguise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On May 6 , the men in Louisa , Virginia , went to a local Sheetz convenience store to shoplift alcohol .
And while their disguise for the heist was anything but traditional , one can only respect the unorthodox and creative spirit with which they approached their shoplifting mission .
On Saturday , suspect Justin Rogers , 20 , was apprehended for his role in the robbery .
Rogers was arrested on felony charges of wearing a mask in public while committing larceny and larceny of alcohol .
Because he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he also faces misdemeanor charges of underage possession of alcohol .
Rogers ’ attorneys have declined to comment on the case , reports Law & Crime .
In a post to Facebook that went viral but has since been deleted , the Louisa Police Department uploaded images of the incident along with a caption explaining the bizarre case .
In a statement , the police agency wrote : “ The Town of Louisa Police Department is conducting a larceny investigation and is requesting the public ’ s assistance with identifying and locating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this request .
“ On May 6 , 2020 , at 2135 hours , two subjects arrived at the Sheetz in a lifted 2006 Black Toyota Tacoma wearing hollowed-out watermelon rinds with holes cut out for the eyes into the store where they proceeded to commit a larceny.
” With the strange sense of humor characteristic of small local police departments , the Louisa police have named the case “ MELON-HEADS.
” It didn ’ t take long for locals to snitch on the young scofflaw Rogers .
However , his partner in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be identified .
The two have been mocked by online users for their inconspicuous approach to the crime .
One man sarcastically commented on the department ’ s Facebook post : “ Smart to take your very distinct vehicle to the crime scene.
” “ OMG I was literally in the store at the cash register when they walked in.
” This being 2020 , the suspects also documented their crime in a series of clips posted to video-sharing social media platform Tik Tok .
The videos show the two carving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before walking around local shops .
In other recent news involving watermelons , a video from Bogotá , Colombia , has gone viral that depicts a transit agent discovering hollowed-out watermelons that were filled with the low-grade strain of cannabis known in the region as “ Creepy.
” In the video which began circulating earlier this month , the traffic officers can be seen cutting open a watermelon with a knife only to find that it was entirely filled with plastic bags stuffed with the plant , which remains illegal in the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ecuador shared the video along with the cheeky caption : “ Friends , the delivery of fruit salads for Mother ’ s Day has been cancelled due to a small problem… ”

(TMU) – In the annals of criminal history, the disguises of thieves have come in multiple varieties, spanning the creative to the mundane: there was the “Geezer Bandit” of Los Angeles, the bank-robbers of Chicago who donned nun masks, and then the “Florida Man” who wore a simple plastic bag with eye cut-outs.
And now we have the “MELON-HEADS” of Virginia – two men who are in a sticky situation after they were caught on camera stealing from a convenience store while wearing the seedy disguise of whole watermelons placed over their heads.
On May 6, the men in Louisa, Virginia, went to a local Sheetz convenience store to shoplift alcohol.
And while their disguise for the heist was anything but traditional, one can only respect the unorthodox and creative spirit with which they approached their shoplifting mission.
On Saturday, suspect Justin Rogers, 20, was apprehended for his role in the robbery.
SEE: ‘Melon-head’ mask not fruitful in shoplifting incident, police say This was a seedy way to shoplift, but in the end, at least one Virginia man was not fruitful in his attempt https://bit.ly/2WELu5o Posted by CMG National News on Monday, May 18, 2020
Rogers was arrested on felony charges of wearing a mask in public while committing larceny and larceny of alcohol. Because he was under the legal drinking age of 21, he also faces misdemeanor charges of underage possession of alcohol.
Rogers’ attorneys have declined to comment on the case, reports Law & Crime.
In a post to Facebook that went viral but has since been deleted, the Louisa Police Department uploaded images of the incident along with a caption explaining the bizarre case. In a statement, the police agency wrote:
“The Town of Louisa Police Department is conducting a larceny investigation and is requesting the public’s assistance with identifying and locating the subjects of the photos attached to this request.
“On May 6, 2020, at 2135 hours, two subjects arrived at the Sheetz in a lifted 2006 Black Toyota Tacoma wearing hollowed-out watermelon rinds with holes cut out for the eyes into the store where they proceeded to commit a larceny.”
With the strange sense of humor characteristic of small local police departments, the Louisa police have named the case “MELON-HEADS.”
It didn’t take long for locals to snitch on the young scofflaw Rogers. However, his partner in petty crime is still at-large and yet to be identified.
Two suspects stole from Sheetz with watermelons on their heads Two people are in a sticky situation after allegedly stealing from a Louisa Sheetz with carved-out watermelons on their heads. ? Seedless to say, customers told us they’re perplexed. Posted by Ben Dennis on Sunday, May 17, 2020
The two have been mocked by online users for their inconspicuous approach to the crime.
One man sarcastically commented on the department’s Facebook post:
“Smart to take your very distinct vehicle to the crime scene.”
While another user commented:
“OMG I was literally in the store at the cash register when they walked in.”
This being 2020, the suspects also documented their crime in a series of clips posted to video-sharing social media platform Tik Tok. The videos show the two carving the watermelon out and cutting holes for eyes before walking around local shops.
In other recent news involving watermelons, a video from Bogotá, Colombia, has gone viral that depicts a transit agent discovering hollowed-out watermelons that were filled with the low-grade strain of cannabis known in the region as “Creepy.”
In the video which began circulating earlier this month, the traffic officers can be seen cutting open a watermelon with a knife only to find that it was entirely filled with plastic bags stuffed with the plant, which remains illegal in the South American nation.
One Facebook user based in Ecuador shared the video along with the cheeky caption:
“Friends, the delivery of fruit salads for Mother’s Day has been cancelled due to a small problem…”
https://www.facebook.com/bubueivar/videos/3835649316505458/
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themindunleashed--2020-05-20--Scientists Discover Evidence of Parallel Universe Where Time Flows Backward

( TMU ) – The existence of parallel universes sounds like science fiction , but a number of prominent physicists have over the years came to believe the idea is not only compatible with conventional physics but that it may explain some of the anomalies in quantum theory .
A new discovery in Antarctica has caused a stir in scientific circles as possibly representing the first tangible physical evidence of a parallel universe .
Scientists working for NASA ’ s Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna ( ANITA ) have been conducting a cosmic ray detection experiment .
Antarctica is the ideal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persistent wind of high-energy particles rains down from outer space unperturbed by radio noise .
ANITA is a stratospheric balloon that ferries complicated instruments high into the air surveying over a million square kilometers in search of heavier tau neutrinos trapped by solid-state matter .
But while these high-energy particles do not pass through the Earth , like their lighter low-energy cousins , they should be originating from out in space and moving “ down ” toward us .
However , ANITA scientists discovered something surprising : tau neutrino particles that seem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth , implying that they ’ re moving backward in time .
Principal ANITA investigator Peter Gorham , an experimental particle physicist at the University of Hawaii , says he was surprised by this and checked for computational or equipment glitches to explain the finding .
“ What we saw is something that looked just like a cosmic ray , as seen in reflection off the ice sheet , but it wasn ’ t reflected , ” said Gorham .
“ It was as if the cosmic ray had come out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So we published a paper on that , we just suggested that this was in pretty strong tension with the standard model of physics.
” Gorham says these “ impossible events ” are controversial but “ could indicate that we ’ re actually seeing a new class of sub-atomic particle that ’ s very penetrating .
Even more penetrating than a neutrino , which is pretty hard to do .
This particle would be passing through almost the entire earth .
So this could be an indication of some new type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard model of physics.
” Surprisingly enough , one of the simplest explanations for such a finding is that when the Big Bang occurred 13.8 billion years ago , it formed both our universe and a mirror universe where time flows in reverse .
Inhabitants of that universe would likely not experience time going backward but would rather perceive us as the reverse universe .
“ Not everyone was comfortable with the hypothesis , ” Gorham told New Scientist .
Another possibility is that the Earth was inundated from cosmic rays from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scientists have increasingly come to accept the possibility of multiple universes .
A few years ago astronomers considered evidence of a “ bruise ” on our universe , an anomalous “ cold spot ” that could represent an ancient collision with another universe in the multiverse .

Update: The original title inaccurately suggested that definitive evidence of a parallel universe has been found. The author and TMU have updated it to reflect that the finding in Antarctica merely suggests this as one of the more remote possibilities out there in the multiverse.
(TMU) Opinion – The existence of parallel universes sounds like science fiction, but over the years a number of prominent physicists have come to believe the idea is not only compatible with conventional physics but that it may explain some of the anomalies in quantum theory.
A new discovery in Antarctica has caused a stir in some circles–both scientific and conspiratorial–as possibly representing the first tangible physical evidence of a parallel universe.
Scientists working for NASA’s Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) have been conducting a cosmic ray detection experiment. Antarctica is the ideal environment for such an endeavor because a persistent wind of high-energy particles rains down from outer space unperturbed by radio noise.
ANITA is a stratospheric balloon that ferries complicated instruments high into the air over Antarctica, surveying over a million square kilometers. Its instruments search for heavier tau neutrinos trapped by solid-state matter. But while these high-energy particles do not pass through the Earth, like their lighter low-energy cousins, they should be originating from out in space and moving “down” toward us.
However, ANITA scientists discovered something surprising: tau neutrino particles that seem to be arising “up” from the Earth, implying that they’re moving backward in time.
Principal ANITA investigator Peter Gorham, an experimental particle physicist at the University of Hawaii, says he was surprised by this and checked for computational or equipment glitches to explain the finding.
“What we saw is something that looked just like a cosmic ray, as seen in reflection off the ice sheet, but it wasn’t reflected,” said Gorham. “It was as if the cosmic ray had come out of the ice itself. A very strange thing. So we published a paper on that, we just suggested that this was in pretty strong tension with the standard model of physics.”
Gorham says these “impossible events” are controversial but “could indicate that we’re actually seeing a new class of sub-atomic particle that’s very penetrating. Even more penetrating than a neutrino, which is pretty hard to do. This particle would be passing through almost the entire earth. So this could be an indication of some new type of physics, what we call beyond the standard model of physics.”
Surprisingly enough, one of the simplest explanations for such a finding is that when the Big Bang occurred 13.8 billion years ago, it formed both our universe and a mirror universe where time flows in reverse. Inhabitants of that universe would likely not experience time going backward but would rather perceive us as the reverse universe.
“Not everyone was comfortable with the hypothesis,” Gorham told New Scientist.
The finding in Antarctica, while not proof of a parallel universe, suggests particle physics may be more exotic than previously believed. Another possibility is that the Earth was inundated from cosmic rays from a supernova blast that penetrated our planet.
While definitive evidence of a multiverse or parallel universes still eludes us (and is perhaps impossible to ever validate), many top scientists have increasingly come to accept the possibility of multiple universes. A few years ago astronomers considered evidence of a “bruise” on our universe, an anomalous “cold spot” that could represent an ancient collision with another universe in the multiverse.
Stephen Hawking’s final paper, released posthumously, proposed a theory for explaining alternate universes.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-19--Good Samaritans Install Portable Hand-Washing Sinks for Homeless People in Cities Across the US

( TMU ) – As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the United States , skyrocketing unemployment has threatened millions of Americans while food banks and other social service providers struggle to contend with growing poverty .
And while the idea of sheltering at home seems simple enough , the heartbreaking fact is that millions across the country don ’ t have the luxury of enjoying a roof over their head during this crisis – let alone clean running water .
However , a Georgia-based nonprofit has been quietly installing portable sinks in city streets across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to wash their hands – a simple yet important task that most of us take for granted .
Over the course of the last two months , Love Beyond Walls has been setting up hand-washing stations in areas where unhoused populations congregate and pass through .
It ’ s important work , especially with a pandemic currently raging and health authorities urging Americans to comprehensively wash their hands with soap and water to prevent the virus from spreading .
On the Love Beyond Walls website , the group describes its vision as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor by providing a voice , visibility , shelter , community , and grooming and support services to achieve self-sufficiency.
” The group ’ s founder , Terence Lester , was himself homeless as a teen .
In an appearance on Katie Couric ’ s new YouTube series , The Bright Side , Lester explained that his “ Love Sinks In ” campaign was begun in hopes to support a commonly neglected population during the pandemic , which could be their most dire time of need .
In recent years , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viruses once believed to be under control .
However , rising poverty levels and a growth in mass homelessness have ensured the spread of diseases commonly believed to belong to the last century , or much less developed countries in the global South .
Several outbreaks of Hepatitis A , a vaccine-preventable illness , have occurred in states like California , Kentucky , Louisiana , Utah , and other states .
Public health officials say that the virus spread due to a huge increase in homelessness and an accompanying failure by local governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hygiene tools like clean water or public bathrooms .
“ People would say things like ‘ I ’ m fearing I ’ ll contract the coronavirus because I have nowhere to wash my hands.
’ ” And with the help of allies like hip hop artist Lecrae , a friend of Lester ’ s , the group has been able to expand their operations .
Ever since the Grammy award-winning musician began supporting the group ’ s efforts in March , several dozen sinks have been installed across the Atlanta , Georgia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three times daily .
Love Beyond Walls is also teaming up with homeless charities in poverty hot-spots across the U.S. Cities like Austin , Baltimore , Birmingham , Columbus , New Orleans , New York City , and San Bernardino could soon see sinks dotting their streets thanks to Love Beyond Walls .
During her interview with Lester , Katie Couric surprised the nonprofit leader by making a $ 10,000 donation to the cause , ensuring that 50 more portable sinks would be built – ensuring that in addition to receiving a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the basic hygiene needed to weather the storm of COVID-19 ’ s spread .

(TMU) – As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the United States, skyrocketing unemployment has threatened millions of Americans while food banks and other social service providers struggle to contend with growing poverty.
And while the idea of sheltering at home seems simple enough, the heartbreaking fact is that millions across the country don’t have the luxury of enjoying a roof over their head during this crisis – let alone clean running water.
However, a Georgia-based nonprofit has been quietly installing portable sinks in city streets across the country in hopes that homeless people will be able to wash their hands – a simple yet important task that most of us take for granted.
Over the course of the last two months, Love Beyond Walls has been setting up hand-washing stations in areas where unhoused populations congregate and pass through.
Love Sinks In It’s great partnering with Redeemer Lutheran in Midtown ATL to ensure sanitation is present as they walk with people experiencing homelessness..#lovebeyondwalls #LoveSinksIn Posted by Love Beyond Walls on Monday, May 18, 2020
It’s important work, especially with a pandemic currently raging and health authorities urging Americans to comprehensively wash their hands with soap and water to prevent the virus from spreading.
On the Love Beyond Walls website, the group describes its vision as bringing “dignity to the homeless and poor by providing a voice, visibility, shelter, community, and grooming and support services to achieve self-sufficiency.”
The group’s founder, Terence Lester, was himself homeless as a teen. In an appearance on Katie Couric’s new YouTube series, The Bright Side, Lester explained that his “Love Sinks In” campaign was begun in hopes to support a commonly neglected population during the pandemic, which could be their most dire time of need.
In recent years, the United States has experienced the startling return of viruses once believed to be under control. However, rising poverty levels and a growth in mass homelessness have ensured the spread of diseases commonly believed to belong to the last century, or much less developed countries in the global South.
Several outbreaks of Hepatitis A, a vaccine-preventable illness, have occurred in states like California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Utah, and other states.
Public health officials say that the virus spread due to a huge increase in homelessness and an accompanying failure by local governments to provide them with basic amenities and hygiene tools like clean water or public bathrooms.
Lester explained:
“People would say things like ‘I’m fearing I’ll contract the coronavirus because I have nowhere to wash my hands.’”
And with the help of allies like hip hop artist Lecrae, a friend of Lester’s, the group has been able to expand their operations. Ever since the Grammy award-winning musician began supporting the group’s efforts in March, several dozen sinks have been installed across the Atlanta, Georgia.
The sinks are also sanitized at least three times daily.
Love Beyond Walls is also teaming up with homeless charities in poverty hot-spots across the U.S. Cities like Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Columbus, New Orleans, New York City, and San Bernardino could soon see sinks dotting their streets thanks to Love Beyond Walls.
During her interview with Lester, Katie Couric surprised the nonprofit leader by making a $10,000 donation to the cause, ensuring that 50 more portable sinks would be built – ensuring that in addition to receiving a bit of dignity, unhoused people could also have the basic hygiene needed to weather the storm of COVID-19’s spread.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-19--One Of Epstein’s Victims Painted His Co-Conspirator As An FBI-Protected Lizard Person

( TMU ) Opinion – Artist Maria Farmer is believed to be the first of Epstein ’ s victims to attempt to report the wealthy pedophile and his friends to police , and now she is working on a series of paintings “ all about the elites ” and their crimes .
Her most recent painting , “ FBI diagram , ” depicts a dead Jeffrey Epstein in a flying saucer , with his still-free co-conspirators playing out various scenes in other parts of the painting , including Ghislaine Maxwell as a reptile inside of a giant plastic bubble , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tag hanging off of it , likely symbolizing the lack of action from the FBI and other authorities .
The painting also shows Alan Dershowitz without pants on , putting his finger over his mouth to shush the victims .
The depiction of Dershowitz is symbolic of the lengths that he went through to cover up Epstein ’ s crimes and discredit the victims .
He likely isn ’ t wearing any pants in the painting because he has been implicated in Epstein ’ s crimes as well , and has admitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has also been called a “ pervert ” by his former neighbors and admitted to skinny dipping at Martha ’ s Vinyard , which resulted in numerous complaints from people in the area that day .
Describing her new painting , Farmer said , “ I wanted to do it from a child ’ s viewpoint .
What I ’ m really doing is saying : FBI , if you can ’ t follow this , you can ’ t follow what a child would draw .
This is about corruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was just one of the pawns , ” Farmer added .
The drawing emphasizes “ the absurdity of the fact that they let him go for so long.
” According to Farmer , she was assaulted by Epstein and Maxwell at the Ohio estate of Lex Wexner when she was staying there in the summer of 1996 to work on an art project .
She then learned that her younger sister had a similar encounter with the pair , and she was underage at the time .
Farmer says that after she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Maxwell used her connections to destroy her reputation in the New York art scene before it even began .
Farmer says that she became terrified of them , and even moved around several times trying to get away from them .
She was never able to fully pursue her art because she was so worried about staying under the radar , but now with Epstein apparently dead and many of his accomplices laying low , she feels safe to begin to create her art again .
Sadly , in the midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was also diagnosed with cancer , which she attributes to the constant stress resulting from the trauma inflicted by Epstein and his friends .
She also blames them for taking away the life that she should have lived .
“ When I first found out that I have a brain tumor , I saw all the things I didn ’ t get to do because I ’ ve been in hiding .
When I got the diagnosis , I started seeing a wedding , a baby , a group of friends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deprived of .
All the paintings , the gallery openings , the things that never happened , ” Farmer said .

(TMU) Opinion – Artist Maria Farmer is believed to be the first of Epstein’s victims to attempt to report the wealthy pedophile and his friends to police, and now she is working on a series of paintings “all about the elites” and their crimes.
Her most recent painting, “FBI diagram,” depicts a dead Jeffrey Epstein in a flying saucer, with his still-free co-conspirators playing out various scenes in other parts of the painting, including Ghislaine Maxwell as a reptile inside of a giant plastic bubble, with a “property of FBI” tag hanging off of it, likely symbolizing the lack of action from the FBI and other authorities.
The painting also shows Alan Dershowitz without pants on, putting his finger over his mouth to shush the victims.
The depiction of Dershowitz is symbolic of the lengths that he went through to cover up Epstein’s crimes and discredit the victims.
He likely isn’t wearing any pants in the painting because he has been implicated in Epstein’s crimes as well, and has admitted to receiving massages at Epstein’s estate.
He has also been called a “pervert” by his former neighbors and admitted to skinny dipping at Martha’s Vinyard, which resulted in numerous complaints from people in the area that day.
Describing her new painting, Farmer said, “I wanted to do it from a child’s viewpoint. What I’m really doing is saying: FBI, if you can’t follow this, you can’t follow what a child would draw. This is about corruption at a much higher level, and he was just one of the pawns,” Farmer added. The drawing emphasizes “the absurdity of the fact that they let him go for so long.”
According to Farmer, she was assaulted by Epstein and Maxwell at the Ohio estate of Lex Wexner when she was staying there in the summer of 1996 to work on an art project. She then learned that her younger sister had a similar encounter with the pair, and she was underage at the time.
Farmer says that after she made the accusations about Epstein and Maxwell, Maxwell used her connections to destroy her reputation in the New York art scene before it even began.
Farmer says that she became terrified of them, and even moved around several times trying to get away from them.
She was never able to fully pursue her art because she was so worried about staying under the radar, but now with Epstein apparently dead and many of his accomplices laying low, she feels safe to begin to create her art again.
Sadly, in the midst of this new chapter in her life, she was also diagnosed with cancer, which she attributes to the constant stress resulting from the trauma inflicted by Epstein and his friends. She also blames them for taking away the life that she should have lived.
“When I first found out that I have a brain tumor, I saw all the things I didn’t get to do because I’ve been in hiding. When I got the diagnosis, I started seeing a wedding, a baby, a group of friends, all the things I’ve been deprived of. All the paintings, the gallery openings, the things that never happened,” Farmer said.
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themindunleashed--2020-05-19--Deer Enjoy Cherry Blossoms In An Empty Park In Nara, Japan

( TMU ) – Famous for its temples and free roaming Sika Deer , Nara Park , established in 1880 , is one of the oldest parks in Japan .
Located in the city of Nara , at the foot of Mount Wakakusa , Nara Park is one of the ‘ Places of Scenic Beauty ’ , as designated by the Ministry of Education , Culture , Sports , Science and Technology ( MEXT ) .
The more than 1,200 wild , free roaming Sika deer in the park are classified as natural treasures and also under designation of MEXT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered sacred after , according to local folklore , a visit from Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto , one of the four gods of Kasuga Shrine , who appeared on Mount Wakakusa riding a white deer .
Killing one of these sacred deer was a capital offense punishable by death until 1637 .
The deer where officially stripped from their sacred status after World War II , and designated as national treasures and are protected as such .
Visitors to the park can buy specially made ‘ deer crackers ’ to feed the deer in the park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nara Park covers 660 acres and visitors flock to the park , not only for the deer but also for the historic temples , and in April , particularly for its beautiful cherry blossoms , which , with over 1700 cherry trees in the park , is quite a sight to behold and a particular favorite spot for photographs .
While now is not the time for travel due to the global pandemic , the number of tourists who would usually buy deer crackers to feed the deer dropped drastically at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and observed social distancing .
The deer , used to being fed the biscuit treats , starting leaving the park and roamed the streets looking for food .
But in April , with spring in the air , more people went to visit the park and the deer returned to their natural home , in full bloom .
Japanese photographer , Kazuki Ikeda , shared video footage of the Sika deer enjoying the peace and beauty of the cherry trees in bloom on social media and people all over the world absolutely loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park that day for a photo shoot to take beautiful photographs of a couple before their wedding and took a video of the deer enjoying the peace and quiet under the cherry blossoms .
In spite of the stunning pictures he took of the couple , for the internet users , the deer definitely stole the show .
By sharing his videos and photographs of his beautiful city and the park ’ s amazing scenery on his social media accounts , Ikeda hopes to encourage people to visit Nara as soon as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they can enjoy being in nature again .

(TMU) – Famous for its temples and free roaming Sika Deer, Nara Park, established in 1880, is one of the oldest parks in Japan. Located in the city of Nara, at the foot of Mount Wakakusa, Nara Park is one of the ‘Places of Scenic Beauty’, as designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The more than 1,200 wild, free roaming Sika deer in the park are classified as natural treasures and also under designation of MEXT.
Sika deer from the area were considered sacred after, according to local folklore, a visit from Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, one of the four gods of Kasuga Shrine, who appeared on Mount Wakakusa riding a white deer. Killing one of these sacred deer was a capital offense punishable by death until 1637.
The deer where officially stripped from their sacred status after World War II, and designated as national treasures and are protected as such. Visitors to the park can buy specially made ‘deer crackers’ to feed the deer in the park, which they do in large numbers.
Nara Park covers 660 acres and visitors flock to the park, not only for the deer but also for the historic temples, and in April, particularly for its beautiful cherry blossoms, which, with over 1700 cherry trees in the park, is quite a sight to behold and a particular favorite spot for photographs.
While now is not the time for travel due to the global pandemic, the number of tourists who would usually buy deer crackers to feed the deer dropped drastically at the beginning of March and locals stayed home and observed social distancing. The deer, used to being fed the biscuit treats, starting leaving the park and roamed the streets looking for food. But in April, with spring in the air, more people went to visit the park and the deer returned to their natural home, in full bloom.
Japanese photographer, Kazuki Ikeda, shared video footage of the Sika deer enjoying the peace and beauty of the cherry trees in bloom on social media and people all over the world absolutely loved it.
Ikeda was actually in the park that day for a photo shoot to take beautiful photographs of a couple before their wedding and took a video of the deer enjoying the peace and quiet under the cherry blossoms. In spite of the stunning pictures he took of the couple, for the internet users, the deer definitely stole the show.
By sharing his videos and photographs of his beautiful city and the park’s amazing scenery on his social media accounts, Ikeda hopes to encourage people to visit Nara as soon as possible once the coronavirus threat has passed, so they can enjoy being in nature again.
More info: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
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themindunleashed--2020-05-19--Couple Builds Amazing Shipping Container Home For Debt-Free Living

( TMU ) – No matter the size or location , home is where the heart should be .
Whether it ’ s a mansion in the suburbs , a city apartment with a view or a cottage by the sea , it won ’ t be home unless you love living in it .
However , because the current pandemic situation is resulting in economies tanking and millions of people losing their jobs , and perhaps even their homes in the process , downsizing and off grid living is becoming a viable option for many .
The tiny house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , and now it makes more sense than ever.. Jaimie and Dave , a couple from Cowlitz County , made the decision to get out of the debt and mortgage trap before the current situation changed the world we know and decided to create a new home with shipping containers .
Using two containers , one of 20ft and a 40ft one , they created a beautiful home and filled it with everything they need , including love and joy .
Jaimie said , “ …We thought , how hard is it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
It ’ s like Legos , right ?
” The couple found and bought a small piece of land in an ideal setting and went about transforming the two metal boxes into a beautiful home , and they did it all themselves .
From top to bottom , the structure , plumbing , electrical wiring , welding , and all the construction work and fittings cost around $ 80k .
It ’ s DIY at its best – and they saved a fortune on labor costs .
Of course , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at metal work .
The couple ’ s home is not off-grid , which meant they needed all the usual permits and they got them all with the support of the county , even though their home ’ s design and the building materials were not the usual run of the mill variety .
Once the plans for the house got approved , everything was processed in record time .
Once they estimated the cost to build their home , they reserved Friday to Sunday for building and Monday to Thursday for working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move in after just ten months , even with a medical emergency in between , when Dave suffered a spontaneous intra-cranial hemorrhage .
When Jaimie arrived home , she saw Dave halfway up the driveway , ‘ ’ I could tell by the way his face was that he ’ d had a stroke or a seizure or something , ” she explained .
It took a while for Dave to be ready to continue on with the build but they didn ’ t give up , and after a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dave was ready to finish the job .
Turns out , getting back into the process of the build was an important part of Dave ’ s mental and physical recovery .
The finished result is simply stunning .
The home has a beautiful upstairs bedroom opening onto a patio with a view to live for !
The downstairs area has a spacious lounge , a kitchen with all the bells and whistles , a pantry and a bathroom .
All this framed by tall forest trees and their landscaped garden , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Jaimie the whole process was a valuable lesson : “ I think what this has taught us about ourselves is that we can do things that are really , really hard that , if we do them together , we can definitely accomplish it , ” she said .
After they had moved into their home , they landscaped the garden and also built a workshop… and they ’ re not done .
They ’ d like to link the house and workshop with a suspension bridge and also build a @ @ @

(TMU) – No matter the size or location, home is where the heart should be. Whether it’s a mansion in the suburbs, a city apartment with a view or a cottage by the sea, it won’t be home unless you love living in it.
However, because the current pandemic situation is resulting in economies tanking and millions of people losing their jobs, and perhaps even their homes in the process, downsizing and off grid living is becoming a viable option for many.
The tiny house movement has grown in popularity over recent years, and now it makes more sense than ever..
Jaimie and Dave, a couple from Cowlitz County, made the decision to get out of the debt and mortgage trap before the current situation changed the world we know and decided to create a new home with shipping containers.
Using two containers, one of 20ft and a 40ft one, they created a beautiful home and filled it with everything they need, including love and joy.
Jaimie said, “…We thought, how hard is it to stick a couple of containers together? It’s like Legos, right?”
The couple found and bought a small piece of land in an ideal setting and went about transforming the two metal boxes into a beautiful home, and they did it all themselves. From top to bottom, the structure, plumbing, electrical wiring, welding, and all the construction work and fittings cost around $80k. It’s DIY at its best – and they saved a fortune on labor costs. Of course, it was a big help that Dave was proficient at metal work.
The couple’s home is not off-grid, which meant they needed all the usual permits and they got them all with the support of the county, even though their home’s design and the building materials were not the usual run of the mill variety. Once the plans for the house got approved, everything was processed in record time.
Once they estimated the cost to build their home, they reserved Friday to Sunday for building and Monday to Thursday for working at their jobs. They were able to move in after just ten months, even with a medical emergency in between, when Dave suffered a spontaneous intra-cranial hemorrhage.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2lfKJggyL/
When Jaimie arrived home, she saw Dave halfway up the driveway, ‘’I could tell by the way his face was that he’d had a stroke or a seizure or something,” she explained.
It took a while for Dave to be ready to continue on with the build but they didn’t give up, and after a lot of therapy and Jaimie’s support, Dave was ready to finish the job. Turns out, getting back into the process of the build was an important part of Dave’s mental and physical recovery.
The finished result is simply stunning. The home has a beautiful upstairs bedroom opening onto a patio with a view to live for! The downstairs area has a spacious lounge, a kitchen with all the bells and whistles, a pantry and a bathroom. All this framed by tall forest trees and their landscaped garden, their own little Eden in the making.
According to Jaimie the whole process was a valuable lesson:
“I think what this has taught us about ourselves is that we can do things that are really, really hard that, if we do them together, we can definitely accomplish it,” she said.
After they had moved into their home, they landscaped the garden and also built a workshop… and they’re not done. They’d like to link the house and workshop with a suspension bridge and also build a zip line!
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