News Digest: The Most Entertaining News from the Human World, and a Tiny Bit of Hedgehogs

In this article, we’ve gathered the most entertaining news of February for you, so read, enjoy, and prepare to be surprised.

1. Saving the hedgehogs

In the UK, all idle hedgehogs can now relax in a pub for hedgehogs. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), together with Camden Town Brewery, came up with an idea of mini-pubs for hedgehogs and actually created them. These “drinking establishments” will help save the population of hedgehogs in the country. The hedgehogs have pretty hard times because of climate change. Getting food is more complicated for them now, and there’s no place for them to hibernate. Now, everyone who wants to help hedgehogs can buy a small pub for them and place it in the yard. All money from the selling of the tiny houses will go to hedgehogs’ protection.

2. Buying the DNA of Donald Trump, Angela Merkel, and other influential people. Get three for the price of two (but this may not be accurate)

Members of the Earnest Project are quite quick-witted because they collected DNA samples of influential people back in 2018 after the World Economic Forum in Davos. After they gained access to left cigarette ends, used paper tissues, dishes, and lost hair, they gathered all this stuff, made a catalog, and decided to organize an auction with a VIP entrance by invitation. In this catalog, you can find the estimated cost of the given items: cigarette ends cost from $1,500 to $2,000; hair cost up to $5,000; the price of a used fork is $30,000.

However, the list does not contain information about who owns what.

This auction is not a banal rip-off or pampering. To be more precise, though, it’s exactly what it is only sprinkled with common sense. In such a way, the organization wants to show that we actually live in the era of “supervision-capitalism.” All these Facebooks and Googles collect a truckload of our personal information on a day-to-day basis. And when you see how easy it is to get access to garbage and collect DNA samples of any person, it gets scary. Perhaps it’s going to be just another art project, but the message is loud and clear – be vigilant about both online and offline cookies.

3. The battle of pathogens: a game about fighting viruses

The Chinese casual gaming studio Ohayoo has released a mobile game designed to make local residents think about coronavirus prevention. The concept of the game is very similar to Fruit Ninja, except here you cut viruses, not fruits. In the game, viruses constantly mutate, which means that the difficulty level continually rises. Also, the game has wonderful detailing. For instance, the closer the virus is to the main character, the higher her body temperature. But if the character puts on a mask, a protective field is formed, and it gets difficult for the enemies to get close. For now, the game is only available to WeChat users, but soon it may be added to Google Play or Apple Store.

4. In India, Shiva may become your neighbor in a train: the trip promises fun

In a private Indian train Kashi Mahakaal Express, passengers noticed an unusual detail: a berth in a coach that serves as a mini temple denoted to Lord Shiva. The top bunk is adorned with idols of Lord Shiva and flowers, the incense sticks are smoldering, and everything looks quite particolored.

On the train, travelers can enjoy religious songs and tasty vegetarian dishes. Before the first departure of the “special passenger,” the train conductors broke down a coconut, which is a good sign. Sailors do something similar with a bottle of sparkling wine when launching a new ship. Social network users take an active interest in when there will be places for other deities. The Indian Railways company has promised to evict Shiva. Blasphemy as it is.

5. Medical masks with you face or forget about Face ID problems

Designer Danielle Baskin introduced a service that improves people’s lives. With the help of the service, you can print the image of your own face on a medical mask. It will protect you from viruses, makes it possible to recognize you, and simplifies unlocking your phone.

For now, there are no examples of such masks, and the designer doesn’t know for sure whether it will be possible to unlock the phone while wearing them. If everything works out, you will be able to buy a mask for $40. Also, when wearing this mask, misleading surveillance cameras may be easy, which can significantly complicate the work of law enforcement agencies. Baskin clarified that she definitely will not launch the service until there’s a shortage of medical masks in the world amid the coronavirus outbreak.