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Queen Elizabeth II Has Finally Unloaded All Real Fur

Well, it seems Queen Elizabeth, Queen of England, has decided to drop using real fur and adopting faux fur in its place.

The Queen’s dressmaker has revealed that after 67-years of reigning, the Queen has dropped all real fur for fake fur.

She will be attending an engagement during cold weather in Britain as of right now, fake fur will be used to make sure she stays warm as reported by Angela Kelly author of her new book “The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, The Dresser, and the Wardrobe.”

Buckingham Palace has also confirmed the news.

Why Now?

Although it’s not clear what the reason behind her decision is, she has received criticism from many animal welfare groups for using real fur in the past.

Claire Bass, Executive Director of Human Society International told Insider that they are thrilled with Her Majesty officially going fur-free. Queen Elizabeth’s decision to “Go Faux” is the perfect reflection of the British public as the majority of people detest real fur and want absolutely nothing to do with it.

The majority of people in the UK believe the Queen’s decision to go fur-free is a very powerful message that is, without a doubt, out of fashion and does not belong in Britain. The UK banned fur farming almost 20 years ago because it’s considered cruel and also believes it’s time for them to wrap it up by banning the sale of real fur.

Bass also stated that she believes that the British government should follow suit of the Queen’s decision and make the United Kingdom should be the first country in the world to ban the sale of animal fur.”

It’s also worth mentioning, the no-fur ruling only applies to outfits worn by Her Majesty. Therefore, the entire palace is not fur-free.

Animal welfare groups have been protesting the royal family’s wearing fur for many years now. In 2006, activists from The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, staged a naked protest outside Buckingham Palace trying to get the palace guards to give up wearing bearskin hats.

There are more and more people, worldwide, that are fighting back about killing animals for their fur. Many international designers have moved away from fashion that incorporates real fur. Animal advocates in the United States have also been very vocal about real fur. Only time will tell so all we can do is wait and see if animals will get the much-needed recognition they deserve.

Well, it seems Queen Elizabeth, Queen of England, has decided to drop using real fur and adopting faux fur in its place.
The Queen’s dressmaker has revealed that after 67-years of reigning, the Queen has dropped all real fur for fake fur.
She...

Galleries

Surprising Scientific Differences Between Men & Women

TooCool

For as long as we have records, culture has tried to resolve a confounding issue: Why do men and women seem so irreconcilably different?
She Blinded Me With Science
“Women need to feel loved and men need to feel needed” and “Men are...

City Life • Vacation

9 of the World’s Oldest Buildings

Emily Smith

Old buildings are a fascinating way to look back at the development of human civilization and appreciate just how far architecture has come since man’s earliest attempts to build in stone and wood. Some of the oldest buildings are now ruins, while others have stood the test of time, here are 9 of the oldest still in existence today:

Knap of Howar, Scotland

Dating back to around 3700-3500 BCE the Knap of Howar is one of the oldest stone houses in the world. Not only that, but it also has a hidden passage and joint walls that link two stone houses together.

Monks would likely have been the first residents here and they probably built the houses. There are 50 other abandoned homes nearby and while these would probably make better candidates for renovation, the fact that these ancient homes are still standing is impressive, to say the least.

Ġgantija Temples, Malta

The Ġgantija Temples are also known as the Megalithic Temples and have been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Dating back to 3200 BCE and 3600 BCE respectively, these two temples represent some of the oldest free-standing temples in the world. They were possibly used for the ritual sacrifice of animals according to the archaeological evidence found at the site.

Tarxien Temples, Malta

These temples are slightly younger than the Ġgantija Temples. The oldest of the temples were constructed in 3600 BCE – 2500 BCE and has almost disappeared, but the other three have been lovingly reconstructed. In 2012 the local people constructed a walkway to allow visitors to appreciate the beautiful blocks, screens, and altars that remain in place there.

Shunet el-Zebib, Abydos, Egypt

Shunet el-Zebib is one of the oldest buildings in existence with much of it in ruins but parts of it do still stand which is impressive for a mud and brick building that was constructed back in 2750 BCE. Alongside the above-ground structures, there is also an underground tomb here and it is said that this is a precursor to the pyramids.

Cairn de Barnenez, Brittany

The Cairn de Barnenez is a megalithic structure located in Brittany, France, and overlooks the English Channel. The monument was built around 4850 BCE and is sometimes known as the “Prehistoric Parthenon”.

It is not what you could call a building but as a structure, it is one of the oldest still intact and contains 2 burial chambers and 11 passage tombs. It remains a fascinating place for anyone interested in architecture or archaeology to visit.

West Kennet Long Barrow, Wiltshire, England

The West Kennet Long Barrow is an old tomb that forms part of the Avebury Neolithic complex. It is believed that people built these barrows in 3600 BCE and when archaeologists excavated the site they found many artifacts like pottery, tools, and jewelry alongside the remains of around 46 people.

The site is one of the largest burial sites in Britain and has many visitors from all around the world.

Newgrange Neolithic Historical Site, Ireland

Newgrange is located in the Boyne Valley, Ireland. Constructed around 2300 BCE this passage tomb has a chamber with 3 alcoves. The entire structure is circular and spreads across an acre of land. It is a popular location with visitors especially during the winter solstice when they come to see the illuminated passageway.

Tomb of Cyrus, Iran

This is one of Iran’s major UNESCO World Heritage sites and is said to be one of the first structures that was protected against earthquakes. The base is constructed in such a way that the main structure cannot move away from the foundation which is even more impressive when you consider that it was built in 530 BCE.

Old buildings are a fascinating way to look back at the development of human civilization and appreciate just how far architecture has come since man’s earliest attempts to build in stone and wood. Some of the oldest buildings are now ruins...

Galleries

Black Friday Horror Stories Hall of Fame

Jude Abraham

Ah, Black Friday. The day we’ve been waiting for all year round is almost upon us again!
The fourth Thursday of November has practically become a religious holiday celebrating the American sacrament of shopping since it all started in 1952...

Earth • Nature & Tech • Tech News

US Scientists Develop Sunflower That Can Collect Solar Energy

Nir Keinan

A new artificial sunflower has been created by US Scientists.

The tiny flower is under 0.04” wide and their ability to turn towards the light source makes them 400% more effective than their stationary counterparts. This is a development that shows much promise in the sphere of solar power, potentially being used to power spaceships.

Researchers based in the University of California, Los Angeles, led the research which was aiming to raise the amount of energy that could be collected using a similar movement as that used by plants that move towards the sun. This phenomenon, known as phototropism, enables the plant to optimize the amount of solar energy it gets.

Flower Power

The study has been published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, and indicated that the team had encountered significant challenges trying to replicate the behavior artificially which they overcame by developing a special type of polymer.

This material is responsive to light and the system has been called the SunBOT, a slightly catchier abbreviation of the full technical name: sunflower-like bio-mimetic omnidirectional tracker. The SunBOT works in multiple temperature ranges and does not need a power supply or human intervention.

The ‘stem’ of the plant was created using the polymer and topped with the ‘flower’ which is comprised of solar cells. As the light shone at the SunBOT, the polymer stem got hotter and shrank. This is what makes the flower turn towards the light.

These tiny sunflowers were then tested for efficiency and it was found that, compared with materials that remained stationary (non-phototropic materials), they were up to 400% more efficient.

There are likely to be numerous ways that the SunBOTs can be used, however, for it to make commercial sense the technology still has a way to go. Once it does move forward, the research team are confident that it could be of use across multiple industries.Things like smart windows, solar sails, and intelligent energy generation have been highlighted and the study does show that the concept is sound. We will likely see a lot more of these tiny flowers in the future.

A new artificial sunflower has been created by US Scientists.

The tiny flower is under 0.04” wide and their ability to turn towards the light source makes them 400% more effective than their stationary counterparts. This is a development that...

Galleries

The Powerful Women Of Hollywood

Emily Smith

When it comes to women in Hollywood, we have made leaps and bounds. From a time where actresses were viewed solely as love interests, singers were marketed solely as sex-symbols and woman filmmakers were practically non-existent, we have entered...

Cool Stories • Earth

Rare Photos of Atmospheric Gravity Waves

Jon Dungol

Life is often full of amazing little treats that, to the untrained eye, would go entirely unseen. Phenomena are commonly found in all walks of life, and this can give us some of the most truly life-changing sights and scenes. However, one phenomenon that has so far been invisible to humans is known as atmospheric gravity waves.

These are ripples that you would not be able to see in the sky, but definitely have taken place. Such waves can take place in various locations but are often most commonly found during thunderstorms.

Indeed, it’s apparently not too dissimilar to what happens when you throw a rock across the water – you see that little ripple, that change. That is also a gravity wave; what is happening in the sky is similar.

Our Atmosphere is Liquid

Any disturbance to fluid can make these waves take place. Given that our atmosphere is a liquid, too, though, it can contribute to the development of similar wave effects later on in time. It’s a big reason why this kind of atmospheric wave has long been sought after by scientists looking to see it happen in real-time.

The person behind making this happen was Adam Morgan, a meteorologist at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Speaking to ABC News, Morgan said: “Essentially gravity waves are disturbances in any sort of fluid, so we see them often in water, but the atmosphere is a fluid as well, so any sort of disturbance in there can generate waves.”

Asked why this has taken place to begin with, Morgan said: “There was a big thunderstorm over the northwest of Western Australia and the disturbance, in this case, was the cold air falling out of the thunderstorm and into the warmer air near the surface,” Morgan said.

“The difference in density there causes the disturbance and then the gravity wave can travel out as the cold air spreads out,”

Indeed, he also noted that such waves can travel exceptionally large distances before they begin to dissipate and return to normal. Speaking further about the experience, Morgan said: “The disturbance will exist until everything rebalances itself, that’s why they can travel a long way,

“If you’ve ever been to the swimming pool and someone jumps in and does a dive bomb at one end of the pool, you might get the wave right at the other end of the pool after a bit of time.”

The main reason why we cannot normally see these, though, is due to the fact that they must produce some kind of cloud. Otherwise, there is not enough moisture in the air to try and give us an insight into what is going on in the background.

Still, we can now finally say that we have visual proof of an atmospheric gravity wave taking place. For many in the science community, this will be seen as a hugely impressive level of progress.

Life is often full of amazing little treats that, to the untrained eye, would go entirely unseen. Phenomena are commonly found in all walks of life, and this can give us some of the most truly life-changing sights and scenes. However, one phenomenon...

City Life • Tech News

Alphabet’s Wing Begins First Commercial Drone Delivery

guy Haikov

For some time now, the talk of drone delivery services has been a growing phenomenon. Seen as the future of automation as well as the beginning of the end for working people, there’s a massive amount of disparity on this topic.

Many people simply don’t know where such technology will eventually stop. if automation keeps coming, what will the already struggling populace do for a living?

With that in mind, it’s important to note that Alphabet, the company behind Google, has released its first commercial drone delivery service. This is known as Wing, and it’s going to become the leading name in the industry.

Having beaten the likes of Uber to the release of such a project, this is going to become a major part of the process for delivery in the near future. Indeed, it’s already been out delivering packages to people around the United States.

Wing has managed to beat the competition by being able to get access to Federal Aviation Authority approval. This means that they could be using their drones to fly door-to-door, dropping off deliveries in the same way that a normal delivery driver would.

It’s already beat the major competitor, Amazon Prime Air, to the punch. Prime Air is expected to start on December 7^th, but it’s already a service that Alphabet has put into practice.

The aim is to use these drones instead of having to use delivery drivers in dense living areas. If you are trying to make deliveries in an urban area, you can find it hard to make the speedy delivery necessary. These drones would put an end to that, making sure that people can get items dropped off to them in ways and in places that was simply not possible pre-drone.

The Ideal Solution to Delivery

Wing will be able to see their drones fly out from North Christiansburg, and then start delivering parcels given to them by local retailers. While it can’t exactly chap on the door and ask the recipient how their day is going, it will allow for much faster, simpler delivery. It will improve the speed of delivery, too, and will most likely change the future of delivery for customers.

Deliveries are rapid, too, with some companies seeing deliveries to local buyers in as little as eight minutes – you’d be lucky to get ‘fast food’ delivered in that kind of timeframe. Therefore, it’s very much become the go-to option already for local firms looking to try and speed up and streamline their own delivery process.

While some people worry that such technology could one day become problematic for society, today we can appreciate having our goods dropped off to us by our friendly neighborhood drone.

For some time now, the talk of drone delivery services has been a growing phenomenon. Seen as the future of automation as well as the beginning of the end for working people, there’s a massive amount of disparity on this topic.

Many people simply...

Fashion • Lifestyle

Your Hairstylists & Colorists Want You to Know…

Sabrina Gonzalez

I’m sure you know the basics for your next salon appointment including being there on time, leaving a 20% tip, do not make annoying phone calls, etc. What you might not know, what your stylists really wants you to do before, during, and after your appointment.

We spoke with a few professional stylists to find out their biggest pet peeves and offer some advice you should take advantage of.

Do Not Show Up With Filthy Hair:

Many professionals could not express strongly enough, there are clients who show up with hair that hasn’t been washed for at least a week and expect the stylist to do it for them.

What many clients do not seem to understand, having tons of chemicals and products building up on their hair makes it very difficult for a color to go on evenly. You do not have to have perfectly clean hair just at a level that is passable.

A professional colorist from New York City, Raisa Cabrera, said you should never scrub your scalp just before having color applied because it can cause your skin to become overly sensitive to the dye.

One valuable hint – if you know your hair is really dirty and it grosses you out, wash your hair the night before your appointment because the chances are, your stylist is going to disgusted as well. Washing your hair the night before will please your stylist and you will get so much more out of your color.

Show Patience With Your Color:

Sheenon Olson, celebrity hairstylist and creative director of ATMA salon in Miami, said when you are getting ready for a major color change, be realistic what can be achieved in a single appointment. You cannot show up with black hair and expect to walk out as a platinum blonde in one day.

You must be patient and take the needed steps, gradually, to protect your hair. He recommends you ask your stylist what you can expect to achieve in one day. If you know it’s going to take longer than the time you have set aside, reschedule when you have more time.

Be Upfront And Honest About Your Hair’s Color:

You must be honest with your colorist about your hair’s history. Was your hair a gloss, toner, Brazilian blowout, box color, etc. This can make all the difference when treating your hair, according to Miguel Angarita, master colorist at Mizu salon in NYC.

He strongly suggests you talk with your stylist about the upkeep and your budget before getting in over your head. There are certain colors and cuts that require more attention and trips to the salon for something that will look great when your hair grows out.

You Must Have an Open Mind:

Always come to your appointment with an open mind and take professional advice. What you have in mind might not work with your skin color or the style won’t work for your type of hair. Your stylist will work with your skin tone, the shape of your face, eye color, or other features. You will get the best cut or color that is customized for you and you will look great.

Provide A Picture:

If you have a style in mind, bring a picture with you to show your stylist. Better yet, bring several examples from different angles and in different lighting. Also, be specific about what you want done. Cutting dead ends or trim are two very different lengths.

Choose A Time For Your Appointment That Works:

Avoid taking the last appointment on a Saturday. If you are a new client and want a major change to your hair or your hair needs a lot of work, you should book an appointment earlier in the day or, if possible, in the middle of the week.

If you can book in the middle of the week, it’s easier to get and your stylist will have more time to spend on your hair. If you are not sure how long your appointment will take, call your stylist beforehand and get a consultation first so you can explain what you are looking for. They will be able to block the proper amount of time you will need.

Take Good Care Of Your Color:

Choosing a high-quality color will make all the difference. Some clients think a stylist is simply trying to sell a product to make money but that’s just not true. You want products that will make your color last longer, allowing for a longer period of time before returning to the salon.

Products that are not designed for color-treated hair will strip the color out your strands, leaving your hair looking dull and lifeless.

You are a walking advertisement for a stylist’s or colorist’s work, so they want the very best for you. Listen to them and take their professional advice. You will look so much better in the long run.

I’m sure you know the basics for your next salon appointment including being there on time, leaving a 20% tip, do not make annoying phone calls, etc. What you might not know, what your stylists really wants you to do before, during, and...

City Life • Lifestyle • Tech News

Hidden Online Shopping Threats: e-skimming & ‘Magecart Attacks’

Nir Keinan

The internet is obviously a great place, giving us all the opportunity to learn, to invest, and to buy like we never could in our own communities. That being said, if there is one issue with the online industry, it’s just how easy it is for hidden threats to your personal data, and even your income, through hidden online shopping attacks.

This has become a sadly common practice, so much so that the FBI in Portland has already stepped out to raise awareness. With October being National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s important that you do a bit of reading into what you could be running into when trying to buy items online.

Indeed, a common issue for many people when shopping online comes from “e-skimming”. This technique has become very commonplace in the online e-commerce industry and has seen many people impacted.

This hacking technique is used by criminals to try and get in line with third-party vendors who provide credit card payments online. However, even government agencies have been impacted in the past.

The main issue, though, is cost. The big companies and agencies often have the funds to put in place solid preventative measures to stop this problem from getting any worse. They can also then work together with others to try and reinforce their own security. But what about the small and independent companies that you might choose to buy from?

Beware of Magecart attacks

Another common problem that has become a major blight on online shopping is known as ‘Magecart’ attacks. These are part of the wider e-skimming industry, but they are used to attack everyone from the little to the large. While some warning signs on a Magecart attack, it’s often something that could slip through the net.

From a new company domain name appearing to edited JavaScript codes, there are many telltale signs of a potential e-skimming attack. The most common FBI tips included updating all of your systems and software, segregate your network systems and avoid running them all on one platform and make sure that all of your login credentials are advanced as well as regularly changed.

Of course, it’s also essential that any staff who are working with an e-shopping facility are trained and educated on the challenge of cybersecurity. This is becoming a major issue across the internet; the more that can be done to tackle the problem and minimize the risk, the better.

The internet is obviously a great place, giving us all the opportunity to learn, to invest, and to buy like we never could in our own communities. That being said, if there is one issue with the online industry, it’s just how easy it is for hidden...

Galleries

The Best ’70s One-Hit Wonders: See Them Today

Jude Abraham

They had their 15 minutes of fame, but for some reason, it ended. But before it ended, we danced, ran, went crazy and were full of joy every time we heard these songs. You’d be surprised to see these one hit wonder singers now.
Play That...

Galleries

Celebrities Who Are Accomplished Athletes

TooCool

Actors are more than just a pretty face. Many of them are talented to no end and have more abilities than remembering their lines. This is a list of actors who also have the hidden talents of being superstar athletes! Although it’s not hard...

Queen Elizabeth II Has Finally Unloaded All Real Fur

Why Now?

Surprising Scientific Differences Between Men & Women

She Blinded Me With Science

Let’s begin, ladies and gentlemen.

9 of the World’s Oldest Buildings

Knap of Howar, Scotland

Ġgantija Temples, Malta

Tarxien Temples, Malta

Shunet el-Zebib, Abydos, Egypt

Cairn de Barnenez, Brittany

West Kennet Long Barrow, Wiltshire, England

Newgrange Neolithic Historical Site, Ireland

Tomb of Cyrus, Iran

Black Friday Horror Stories Hall of Fame

Black Friday Death Count?

Let’s take a closer look before it’s too late:

US Scientists Develop Sunflower That Can Collect Solar Energy

Flower Power

The Powerful Women Of Hollywood

Charlize Theron

See who else makes the list:

Rare Photos of Atmospheric Gravity Waves

Our Atmosphere is Liquid

Alphabet’s Wing Begins First Commercial Drone Delivery

The Ideal Solution to Delivery

Your Hairstylists & Colorists Want You to Know…

Show Patience With Your Color:

Choose A Time For Your Appointment That Works:

Hidden Online Shopping Threats: e-skimming & ‘Magecart Attacks’

Beware of Magecart attacks

The Best ’70s One-Hit Wonders: See Them Today

Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry

Keep on to see more one-hit wonders:

Celebrities Who Are Accomplished Athletes

Matthew Perry

See which other Hollywood hotshots stood out in sports: