Navy, Marines Ban Nude Photo-Sharing After Scandal

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The Department of the Navy has issued new regulations outlawing service members from spreading nude images in the wake of last month’s photo scandal involving the Marine Corps. 

The revised regulations, which apply to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, were dated Monday and made public on Tuesday, reported Navy Times. The change “amounts to a lawful order, which can be enforced with the full weight of the justice system, from non-judicial punishment to general court martial,” the paper noted.

The revised rules prohibit the “wrongful distribution or broadcasting of an intimate image” and broadly defines what constitutes such an image, including those distributed “with reckless disregard as to whether the depicted person would be humiliated, harmed, intimidated, threatened, or coerced.”

The new regulations from the Department of the Navy, which includes the Navy and the Marine Corps, come more than a month after Marine veteran Thomas Brennan, who runs the nonprofit news organization The War Horse, first reported a Marines nude photo-sharing group to Marine Corps officials and wrote about the scandal for The Center for Investigative Reporting.

Brennan’s story blew the lid off a 30,000-member private Facebook group called Marines United, used by service members to share nude photos of female colleagues. Subsequent reports found that similar groups involving other branches of the military were operating on other private message boards. 

The revision signed by Acting Navy Secretary Sean Stackley is considered an interim change until a new copy of Navy regulations is printed. 

The Marine Corps last month updated social media rules to explicitly ban online sexual harassment and encourage victims to report misconduct. 

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9 Things You've Probably Wondered About Being A Twin

When you’re a twin, everyone and their mother seems to wonder what it’s like to have a look-alike sibling. Is the “twin sixth sense” real? How did your family tell you apart growing up? 

Below, fraternal and identical twins break down those and other common questions people have about the twin experience. 

1. We’re used to people mixing us up (even our parents do it). 

“We get it, it can be a little confusing at first. It’s rare but even our parents or brother will mistake one of us for the other, but we just laugh it off. We understand that it’s a mistake and it can take time to pick up on differences.” ― Allie Byers, a 24-year-old identical twin from Austin, Texas

2. Identical twins don’t always look completely identical.

“While some pairs of twins look exactly alike, some don’t ― especially when they grow up! There are two types of twins: monozygotic (or identical twins) develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two embryos. Dizygotic (or fraternal twins) means that they develop from two different eggs. In fraternal twins, each twin is fertilized by its own sperm cell. In our case, we are identical twins, but we definitely have different features and facial structures.” ― Gabby Byers, a 24-year-old identical twin from Austin, Texas

3. Yes, we often finish each other’s sentences. 

“Not to overgeneralize, but many pairs of twins are very close and can easily pick up and infer what the other is about to say. It’s not an act or scripted thing or meant to confuse anyone, it just happens! Think about your relationship with your best friend ― it’s just like that.” ― Allie Byers 

4. No, opposite-sex twins are definitely not identical.

“You’d be surprised how many people ask if my brother and I are identical. I guess it’s the first question most people think of when they think of twins. But it’s not biologically possible. He’s male, I’m female. Need we say more?” ― Lisa Gordon, a 34-year-old fraternal twin from Boston, Massachusetts

5. Contrary to popular belief, twins aren’t always trying to outdo each other. 

“While I think we are both competitive in nature, my sister Jennifer and I have never competed against each other. In fact, being the older twin I always felt I had to take care of Jennifer. We are territorial about birthdays, though. I was born 30 minutes before my sister. I distinctly remember when we turned six that I was crying because I thought I only got to celebrate my birthday the first 30 minutes and Jennifer got the rest of the day to celebrate!” ― Beth “Biz” Velatini, a 49-year-old identical twin from the Chicago suburbs 

6. We don’t like the same things. 

“Growing up, I was a cheerleader and my sister Biz was the athlete, but we didn’t start getting different gifts from family until we were well into our 20s. We always had to find the exact shaped gift with the same wrapping paper to open them up at the same time.” ― Jennifer von Ebers, a 49-year-old identical twin from the Chicago suburbs 

7. Twin telepathy feels very real. 

“In high school, my sister and I had a few classes together. Anytime a teacher or a student said something that we knew would strike the other one as odd or funny, without missing a beat, we would turn and look each other at the same time and probably try not to laugh out loud. The same goes for gatherings with extended family we may not see so much. Anytime someone says something sort of bizarre or off color, we immediately make eye contact. We could even be across the room from one another. There’s not really anyone else I have that kind of connection with.” ― Truman Ports, a 21-year-old fraternal twin who lives in New York 

8. We’re not less close just because we’re a boy-girl twin set. 

“I consider my sister my best friend in the entire universe, and honestly, I relate to her more than I probably have to anyone ever. There seems to be a misconception that different gender twins can grow older and become more aloof from one another, but I think our differences ― especially our gender ― have made our relationship stronger and actually brings us closer. We complement each other well in how we differ. We’re comfortable with one another for what and who we are, as well as our experiences.” ― Truman Ports

9. Being asked what it’s like to be a twin is a very strange question. 

“An an identical twin with no other siblings besides the two of us, I don’t know what it’s like to not be a twin. I can’t imagine not having a person who always has my back, who is close enough to give me raw honesty, but who never, ever has made me feel judged. I wish everyone in life could experience this kind of sibling love. I’m grateful to have been born an identical twin.” ― Jennifer S. White, a 37-year-old identical twin and author of The Best Day of Your Life, The Art of Parenting: Love Letters from a Mother

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Exxon Reportedly Seeking Waiver From Russia Sanctions

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Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) on Wednesday declined to comment on a media report that it is seeking permission from the U.S. government to drill in several areas of the Black Sea banned by U.S. sanctions on Russia.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Exxon had in recent months applied to the U.S. Treasury Department for a waiver to drill with Russian oil producer Rosneft (ROSN.MM). Any such request is likely to draw attention because Exxon’s former chief executive, Rex Tillerson, is now U.S. secretary of state.

Exxon spokesman Alan Jeffers said the company does not comment on ongoing discussions with regulators. But he pointed out that it has in the past been granted permission from Treasury to keep intact Exxon’s joint venture with Rosneft, despite the sanctions.

During at least three occasions in 2015 and 2016, Exxon was granted licenses allowing “limited administrative actions” in Russia, according to annual shareholder disclosures.

The United States and European Union imposed economic sanctions on Russia over its annexation of the Crimea region in 2014 and role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Texas-based Exxon, the world’s largest publicly traded oil producer, wound down drilling in Russia’s Arctic in 2014 after those sanctions were imposed. Exxon was allowed to finish some drilling projects as the sanctions took effect.

Exxon and Rosneft in 2012 had unveiled an offshore exploration partnership with plans to invest as much as $500 billion in developing Russia’s vast energy reserves in the Arctic and Black seas.

Any request from Exxon to expand its business in Russia is bound to draw scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers investigating possible ties between some campaign aides of U.S. President Donald Trump and Moscow.

Some Republicans in Congress, as well as some European allies, are also anxious about any sign that the Trump administration might ease some of the sanctions imposed on Russia.

Tillerson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of State in February, and has promised to recuse himself from matters related to Exxon for a year.

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At Denver’s Newest Church, Marijuana Is The Holy Sacrament

The International Church of Cannabis will open its doors in Denver on April 20, a day marijuana enthusiasts everywhere have memorialized as a sort of “high” holy day.

The church is not your average house of worship, for obvious reasons. But the religion it preaches, members say, is no joke.

Members of the church are known as Elevationists. Their faith holds that “an individual’s spiritual journey, and search for meaning, is one of self-discovery that can be accelerated and deepened with ritual cannabis use,” according to the church’s website.

“We do not believe in authoritarian structures, nor do we profess the arrogance of knowing God’s mind,” Elevationist Lee Molloy told The Huffington Post. “There are no Grand Poobah’s or High Priests ― well, we are all ‘high’ priests ― rather, we are all on our own quest to be the best self we can be, and to give back to the community with our talents and labor.”

Church members refer to cannabis as “the sacred flower,” which Molloy described as “a gift from the Universal Creative Force.”

Ritual use of cannabis has a long, well-documented history dating back over 3,000 years, according to Mark S. Ferrara, an associate professor of English at the State University of New York and author of Sacred Bliss: A Spiritual History of Cannabis.

“In low dosages, such as those achieved by inhalation and through tinctures, cannabis produces a mild euphoric effect employed by shamans and herbal healers across time and culture,” Ferrara writes.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of cannabis comes from The Vedas, a set of ancient Hindu texts. To this day, many people in India enjoy a drink called bhang, made from the leaves of the female cannabis plant. Adherents of Rastafari, an Africa-centred religion that formed in Jamaica in the 1930s, also use marijuana to aid in meditation and community bonding.

As Molloy puts it: “When we ritually take cannabis our mind is elevated and we become a better version of self.”

Marijuana is legal in Colorado, with some caveats. Residents cannot smoke or consume the plant in public ― including at “social clubs” ― which has posed some challenges for the church’s organizers.

“We are being forced to jump hoops by the City,” said Molloy in an email to HuffPost. For now, all programming and ritual cannabis use will be by invitation only. Programming will include guest speakers, comedians, artists, musicians and film screenings. Visitors can come to the church between 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. daily to see the space, but no burning will be allowed in the building during those hours, Molloy said.

When we ritually take cannabis our mind is elevated and we become a better version of self.”

Other cannabis churches in the country have faced similar roadblocks in recent years. Possession of marijuana is illegal in Indiana ― the home of the First Church of Cannabis. The act of “visiting a place where marijuana is used” is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony.

Indiana’s First Church of Cannabis, a religion that also embraces marijuana as a holy sacrament, came into being under the state’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act. That church sued the state and the city of Indianapolis in 2015, claiming the laws infringed on its religious beliefs.

The International Church of Cannabis, which is not affiliated to the Indiana church, will comply with state regulations by enforcing a strict, invitation-only policy for events where cannabis will be used, Molloy said. The church also will not sell marijuana or accessories.  

The congregation is currently raising money to fund repairs on the building, which itself has a long history. The structure, located in Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood, is 113 years old and was most recently inhabited by a Lutheran congregation. Spanish muralist Okuda San Miguel has since painted the vaulted ceilings with colorful, geometric designs.

The campaign has raised over $30,000 so far. To see what the church looks like on the inside, watch the church’s IndieGoGo campaign video:

Some local residents have expressed concerns about the church, but members insist their intentions are good.

“This is not just a bunch of lazy stoners getting together to get high,” Steve Burke, the church’s landlord and one its founding members, told the local KUSA station. “We really want to positively impact Washington Park West neighborhood. We want to do great things for the community.”

Molloy echoed these sentiments, saying the church will represent the best of what houses of worship have to offer ― “safety and sanctuary.”

“Our church is a community,” he said. “Once we open we will continue to push for volunteering efforts in the community, and we will be offering many of the similar services you may find in any other traditional church.” 

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WSJ: Google will build an ad-blocker into Chrome

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Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook Announced

Since not many people relish the idea of carrying multiple gadgets with them on the go as it can get pretty heavy, device manufacturers have since come up with hybrids in which one device can do the job of multiple devices, like being able to work as a laptop and as a tablet at the same time. This is what Lenovo has done with the announcement of the Lenovo Flex 11.

The Lenovo Flex 11 is not a Windows-based laptop, but rather it is a Chromebook that runs Google’s Chrome OS platform. However as its name suggests, this is a laptop that features a 360-degree hinge that allows the display to be flipped around, thus transforming it into a tablet in the process with an 11.6-inch touchscreen display.

Under the hood, we’re looking at the use of a quad-core ARM processor clocked at 2.1GHz, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. Lenovo is also claiming how the device has been designed with Android apps in mind, so despite it being a laptop, running Android apps on it should not be an issue.

Lenovo is also boasting how the Flex 11 has a drop-resistant design, a 10 hour battery life, and a mixture of USB-C and regular USB ports. It’s definitely not the most stylish laptop or Chromebook we’ve seen, but with a price tag of $279, it’s hard to complain when it should be good enough to get the basics done.

Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook Announced , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Newly Leaked iPhone 8 Schematic Shows Rear-Facing Touch ID

If you really dislike the idea of Apple moving Touch ID to the back of the phone, you’re not going to like this. In a recent tweet by Sonny Dickson, he has posted an image of an alleged schematic of the iPhone 8 which appears to “confirm” the reports that Touch ID on the iPhone 8 could be moved to the back.

It should be noted that the previous leaked hinted that the phone could be in its engineering validation test stage, meaning that it is one of the prototypes Apple is testing. However this schematic seems to suggest that Apple could be getting pretty serious about the idea of moving Touch ID to the back of the phone.

Assuming this is true, it means that the iPhone 8 could indeed be dropping its home button, and that Apple might not have been able to embed Touch ID underneath its display as was previously rumored. Android users have gotten used to Touch ID placed on the back of the phone as there are quite a few Android handsets out there with a similar design, but for iPhone users it will definitely take some getting used to.

Take it with a grain of salt for now, but Dickson has in the past been very accurate with his Apple-related leaks, so this schematic could be the real deal, although we guess whether or not it’s just a drawing of a prototype or the final design is a different story.

Newly Leaked iPhone 8 Schematic Shows Rear-Facing Touch ID , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.