Former United States postal worker Jason Delacruz admitted he rented a public storage unit for $49 per month to store mail he couldn't deliver, reports CNN. He pleaded guilty to delay of mail by a postal employee and will be sentenced in February.

From CNN:

Agents from the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General found almost 5,000 pieces of mail in the storage unit in Virginia Beach.

They discovered 97 pieces of first-class mail, which included letters from the Department of Motor Vehicles, the IRS, insurance companies, bank statements and other tax return documents.

Magazines and other publications made up 115 pieces of mail. There was also one undelivered package found in the unit. The bulk of the mail was advertisements, more than 4,700 ads at that.

Photo by sue hughes on Unsplash Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/d-GvwVrnUYI/postal-worker-rented-storage-u.html

As part of the Nepal government's new tourism campaign, officials commissioned more than 100 huge yeti statues designed by Ang Tsherin Sherpa to be painted by various artists and placed around the world to build excitement about visiting the region. A very fun idea but many people in Nepal don't think the statue looks anything like their beloved beast. From the BBC:

"In folk tales, the yeti has been described as a big monkey-like creature," Ram Kumar Pandey (author of several books about the yeti) tells the BBC. "However, the recent logo depicts it as a sumo wrestler. This does not at all match with the mythical character that has been described in many folk tales..."

"I did not make yeti's sketch by reading any book," (yeti statue designer Ang Tsherin Sherpa) explains. "On the basis of stories that I heard in my childhood, and having Lord Buddha at the back of my mind, I made the design."

There was, however, at least one more practical reason behind his choice: Sherpa says he did not make it furry as depicted in yeti-related literature in order "to make it easier to paint".

Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/goZ1iBVJZZc/does-this-yeti-nepals-offic.html

Now that Viagra is available over the counter in some parts of the world or is easily available online with or without a prescription, many young men without erectile dysfunction are using it recreationally. This episode of Vice High Society looks into the trend, hosted by a "healthy 24-year-old man" who takes Viagra. Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/ov8T7Yx1_wc/vice-documentary-about-how-via.html

Sara Morrison is a data privacy reporter for Vox's Recode. She recently wrote a story about how hackers drained her bank account of over $13,000. She says it happened because she used similar passwords across different accounts. She concludes the article with 3 things you should do to protect your online accounts.

Photo by Victoria Heath on Unsplash Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/hBWThS05g5Q/recodes-data-privacy-reporte.html

This video is narrated in Korean and I didn't understand one word, but the artist's calm voice makes it all the more relaxing to watch Sonic the Hedgehog emerge from the tip of a 3D printing pen [YouTube]. The medium allows him to integrate electronics that would be all but impossible with clay. He appears to be using the MYNT3D Professional Printing 3D Pen [Amazon], which has a little display to monitor temperature.

I like it best when Sonic's at the "wicker man" stage, below. Is the material flammable? I have wasps.

Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/tbFX1wiaiNY/sculpting-sonic-the-hedgehog-w.html

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A post shared by Popular Mechanics Magazine (@popularmechanics) on Jan 29, 2020 at 12:14pm PST

Sure, you can count them. I did, and, er, I missed a few. Or you can take one of the approaches suggested by the mathematics professors that Andrew Daniels interviewed in Popular Mechanics:

“I would approach this just like one approaches any mathematical problem: reduce it and find structure,” says Sylvester Eriksson-Bique, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow with the University of California Los Angeles’s math department.

Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/HoR7xInL4CU/how-many-triangles-do-you-see.html

"I'm a builder. I know how to build," said Trump when he promised a "beautiful" border wall. Welp, this is part of what he's built so far: an eyesore between Calexico, CA and Mexicali, Mexico that blew over into Mexico as soon as wind gusts hit. Trees are there to catch it, preventing it from slamming into the ground.

According to The Guardian:

The steel panels, more than 30ft (nine metres) high, began to lean at a sharp angle on the border between the Californian town of Calexico and Mexicali in Mexico amid gusts on Wednesday.

The section of wall was under construction at the time, with concrete anchors being put in place. But the strong winds blew the panels over onto the Mexican side of the border before the concrete had cured, according to reports and photographs.

The panels were being retrieved from the Mexican side and re-erected, Pitones said.

“CBP [Customs and Border Protection] will work with the construction contractor to mitigate the impact of high winds as construction continues,” Pitones said.

And the Internet is having fun with it:

Point and laugh everyone, just point and laugh https://t.co/4SwQNMCzcr

 Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) January 30, 2020

Since this part of the “NEW” wall fell into Mexico-does it now belong to Mexico? Perhaps they’ll make it a big gate! pic.twitter.com/flqF29LGez

 cptnwillie (@cptnwillie) January 30, 2020

Very symbolic of Trump’s impeachment defense. #impeachment #TrumpWall pic.twitter.com/XLowk4mMOl

 james durban (@JimmyDurban) January 30, 2020

Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/0Y5DwYKEbb0/trumps-border-wall-aint-so.html

Sexually abusive clergy vie with celebrities in this week’s tawdry tabloids.

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/fwfkxUBAFHA/predator-priests-game-of-thro.html

Having slippery floors or vertical surfaces is rarely a good thing in the home, especially if you’re trying to lay a large rug or want to install furniture that can withstand its fair share of rowdy kids and pets.

Monkey Grip: Gel Nano Grip Tape Bundle is your go-to gel pad solution that will solve all of your slippery problems, and right now it’s available for over 20% off its usual price.

This super-strong and reliable 16-foot compound gel tape sticks to almost anything and is easy to apply.

With a width of 1.2" and the ability to be cut to any length, this tape is perfect for any job that requires a non-slip or sticky surface in the home.

The tape sticks perfectly to virtually any non-porous surface and stays there, thanks to a 0.12-inch deep core and a unique Monkey Grip gel formula that can stand the test of time.

The material is also completely non-toxic, and when you’re done with it it can be easily recycled.

Add a roll of Monkey Grip to your tool kit while it’s available for just $25—over 20% off its list price today. Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/hzxvIl12zaU/this-tape-is-perfect-for-any-j.html

Anyone who owns a dog knows how difficult it can be to keep them from shedding in the home or getting filthy at the beach. The Shed Defender® Original: The World's First Onesie for Dogs will put an end to both of these woes in a way that’s both safe and comfortable for your canine friend, and you can land one right now for 15% off MSRP.

This vet-approved onesie will control your dog’s shedding, reduce their anxiety, and keep them clean in the great outdoors.

Made from ultra-premium and entirely eco-friendly materials that won’t irritate your dog’s coat, this lightweight onesie allows full mobility for your dog while keeping him or her from shedding excessively around the house.

It’s also great for walks to the beach, woods, or any other environment that can cause your dog to become dirty or weighed down with mud or sand.

Keep your canine comfortable and your house clean with this Shed Defender® Original: The World's First Onesie for Dogs—available for 15% off MSRP at just $33.99. Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/i3qrM_wBlYE/control-your-dogs-shedding-a.html

Behold the turbulent seas of our sun, plasma waves rising and falling under the watchful gaze of the Inouye solar telescope in Hawaii. Science News:

We have now seen the smallest details on the largest object in the solar system,” said Inouye telescope director Thomas Rimmele during a January 24 news teleconference.

Covering an area 36,500 kilometers across — roughly three times the diameter of Earth — the images show familiar bubbles of plasma percolating up from the depths. In the dark lanes between the bubbles, newly resolved clusters of bright points appear at the roots of magnetic fields that stretch out into space.

Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/LGIOM6qGEd0/the-most-detailed-image-of-the.html

On Tuesday, January 28, 2020, the Trump Administration revealed its vision for an Israel-Palestine peace plan. The proposed two-state solution would leave the state of Palestine completely surrounded by Israel, with tunnels connecting different sections.

The "deal" was brokered in part by Jared Kushner. I put "deal" in quotes because no actual Palestinian humans were included in the conversations. This, to me, seems like a poor approach to solving such a famously contentious issue. Of course, I did not have the fortune to luck into a diplomatic position by marrying to the daughter of a con artist president. So what do I know.

Similarly, if you're going to leave half the people involved in the negotiations out of the negotiations, I wouldn't think it wise to go on CNN and make your disdain for them so abundantly clear, as Kushner did here:

Jared Kushner, senior adviser to the President, says the White House's Middle East plan is "a great deal" and if Palestinians reject it, “they’re going to screw up another opportunity, like they’ve screwed up every other opportunity that they’ve ever had in their existence.” pic.twitter.com/ABAI3gKjig

 CNN (@CNN) January 28, 2020

I suppose one could argue that this is not explicitly racist. But it absolutely hints at racist notions of Arabs as inherently savage beasts who can't take care of themselves. In subsequent interviews, Kush basically made it clear that the Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory are going to keep growing and expanding anyway, so the Palestinians may as well take the deal because they're inevitably going to be pushed out anyway. Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/rMa8t8j1zoU/jared-kushner-says-palestinian.html

Valentine’s Day is such a strange holiday. It seems as though we all collectively loath it, yet most of us still end up rushing to the florist and paying through the nose for a bouquet of flowers on February 14th. Perhaps we'd come to enjoy Valentine's Day a bit more if it wasn't so darn hectic to celebrate?

Enter Florists.com, which takes all the hassle of out getting those flowers you're after, and it can even save you a pretty penny in the process, now that you can get $30 of credit for only $15 today as part of their Valentine's Day Special offer.

Florists.com eliminates the hassle we've all come to associate Valentine's Day with by delivering gorgeous arrangements directly to your loved one's door. Plus, it’s also easy to add speciality balloons or chocolates to your order, in case you're really looking to impress this year.

Once you sign up, you’ll be able to redeem your code at the Florists.com online store within 30 days of your purchase, and each order comes with a 100% smile guarantee—meaning that if your recipient isn’t completely satisfied with their gift you get a full refund.

Embrace Valentine’s Day this year without all the hassle. The Florists.com Valentine's Day Special will make your life much easier for just $15. Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/RCmPcnlX9mg/florists-com-is-the-smarter-wa.html

We have three cats. We bought this large heavy duty scratching post in December 2015 and all three cats used it countless times throughout the day. By February 2018 it was pretty thrashed so we bought a replacement. They never get tired of using it. They also like to jump onto the little platform at the top to survey the room. We bought a second one for the upstairs. Highly recommended. Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/FWDV4GSdKGw/good-deal-on-an-excellent-cat.html

A 25-year-old Japanese woman was about to board a flight from Hong Kong to Saipan when a staff member of Hong Kong Express airlines said she would have to take a pregnancy test, reports Oddity Central. The woman had indicated on a check-in questionnaire that she was not pregnant, but the staff member didn't believe her and told her that she couldn't fly without proving she wasn't pregnant. She took the test and was found to be not pregnant.

Saipan is a United States Territory and U.S. officials are concerned about birth tourism. According to U.S. law, babies born in the United States automatically become U.S. citizens.

From Oddity Central:

The island of Saipan has apparently become a popular destination for foreign women to give birth in, since under US law any child born on one of its territories is automatically granted American citizenship. Being admitted into the North Marian Islands commonwealth is much easier than entering the United States, so it’s not very surprising that 2018 saw more tourists giving birth on Saipan than there are residents on the island.

Hong Kong Express Airways specified that Midori Nishida’s pregnancy test was meant “to help ensure US immigration laws were not being undermined”. The airline has since apologized and suspended the practice of forcing women to take pregnancy tests.

[1/29/2020 6:20pm PT] An important correction from Doug Rand:

Dear @Frauenfelder @BoingBoing,

Today you mistakenly propagated an incendiary, uncorroborated, & easily debunked absurdity.

Saipan: population 48k

CDC data suggest <<<10k "birth tourists" per year across the entire US.

Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/J7eFKxNuiWY/airline-forced-woman-to-take-a.html

Michael Bloomberg sure has a funny way of greeting a dog. Obviously he hasn't quite mastered this trick. Watch him shake this doggo's mouth before giving him a nice scratch on the head in this tweet by @chrisjollyhale:

I regret to inform you that Mike Bloomberg attempted to shake a dog’s mouth. pic.twitter.com/hKsagJ4xAf

 Christopher J. Hale (@chrisjollyhale) January 28, 2020

Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/UpqfVnVhX-E/watch-michael-bloomberg-greet.html

Darcin is a pheromone found in the urine of male mice. It's used to mark territory and signal mating availability, and was named after the character Mr. Darcy who appears in Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice. In the new issue of Nature, researchers at Columbia University report on how darcin "takes hold in the brains of female mice, giving cells in the brain's emotion center the power to assess the mouse's sexual readiness and help her select a mate."

From the press release:

Pheromones, such as darcin, are processed somewhat differently. They interact with a second, parallel olfactory system, which exists in animals like mice but not in people.

"Unlike people, mice have essentially two functional noses," said Dr. Demir. "The first nose works like ours: processing scents such as the stinky odor particles found in urine. But a second system, called the vomernasal nose, evolved specifically to perceive pheromones like darcin."

For today's study, the research team, which also included Dr. Hurst, Dr. Beynon and co-senior author Adam Kepecs, PhD, of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, first exposed female mice to darcin-scented urine and monitored their behavior. Nearly all of the female mice showed an immediate attraction to darcin. Then, after about 50 minutes, some females began leaving their own urinary scent markings. They also started to sing, at ultrasonic frequencies too high for the human ear to hear. Both of these behaviors are an indicator of increased sexual drive.

Image by Rama - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.0 Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/Ljjws1dBCt8/sex-pheromone-named-after-a-ch.html

Automated phone spam is a growing plague for anyone with a telephone, landline or cell.

The U.S. Department of Justice today announced that they're trying to get court approval to take enforcement action against various telecommunications companies for their alleged role in facilitating robocalls.

As far as I can tell, this is the first time DOJ has taken *any* enforcement action against telecoms over robocalls.

About time. Go read the announcement.

The filing accuses certain telecoms of “facilitating robocallls across their networks,” and says the losses to robocall scam victims total up to hundreds of millions of dollars.

DOJ is focusing on a set of companies that includes two groups “originating in India, and operating out of residential addresses in New York and Arizona,” said Jody Hunt, Assistant Attorney General for the department’s civil division.

From CNBC's reporting:

The groups were responsible for hundreds of millions of calls per month, Hunt said. The Justice Department is seeking court approval to stop the organizations from making further calls, he said. The companies include two Arizona-based companies and three Long Island, N.Y.-based companies, all of which were operated out of residential addresses in those states, according to the press conference.

The Arizona defendants are TollFreeDeals.com, SIP Retail and their owner-operators, Nicholas Palumbo and Natasha Palumbo of Scottsdale. The New York defendants are Global Voicecom Inc., Global Telecommunication Services Inc., KAT Telecom Inc. and their owner-operator Jon Kahen of Great Neck, N.Y. The defendant companies and individuals could not immediately be reached for comment.

Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/n9uI9zbScMw/robocalls-finally-doj-seeks.html

Last month, Bonhams auctioned off these two parts from "Little Boy," the first atomic bomb that the US dropped on Japan on August 6, 1945. An unidentified buyer paid $100,000 for the red arming and green safety plugs from the bomb. From Bonhams:

ONE OF ONLY THREE SURVIVING SETS OF BOMB PLUGS, THE ONLY SURVIVING RELICS OF "LITTLE BOY," THE FIRST ATOMIC BOMB DETONATED OVER HIROSHIMA..

This set was given by Weapons Test Officer Jeppson to his superior Edward Doll, the day after the flight. Jeppson's own set was sold in Butterfields Auctions in 2002, now privately owned, and there is a further set in the Naval Museum Washington D.C., a set that belonged to Deak Parsons, who also flew on the Enola Gay as Senior Military Technical Observer. This last set is presumed to have been given to Parsons by Jeppson.

(Thanks, Bob Pescovitz!) Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/WBKzGq_1qck/someone-paid-us100000-for-th.html

“If there are no consequences for the [UN] agencies for failures like these … there will be more breaches.”

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/Lf7vhNIlpBE/united-nations-was-hacked-in-j.html