Sweden has “gay sailor” defense system in the Baltic Sea. Underwater dancing gay sailor neon sign sends a Morse code saying “Come here if you’re gay”, targeted to Russian submarines detected regularly in the area.
Desperate-Sounding Officials Are Using Pizza to Help People Understand Russian Election Interference
Let’s be honest: hearing a story (or, in this case, daily stories) about how Russia used bots and trolls and other vague, internet tactics in order to influence an American presidential election can be kind of hard to wrap one’s mind around.
I mean, this isn’t Cold War tactics like nuclear weapons that we can hide from under our school desks to (pretend we can) survive. Without a concrete thing to point to, officials have found it difficult to really present how big of a deal – and how much of a threat – these actions have been and continue to be to our democracy.
In a last-ditch seeming attempt to meet the masses where they live, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is relying on pizza to get the message apart.
With pineapple or without? Which way is the right way to have your pizza? #waronpineapple https://t.co/LXdPagOLPx pic.twitter.com/dFhKBoYAfD
— Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (@CISAgov) July 25, 2019
Because if Americans live anywhere, it’s in a pizza parlor.
The agency created an infographic that they shared in a July 25 tweet that puts the Russian interference in the 2016 election in terms of an ongoing, widespread, and passionate disagreement about whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza.
In a nutshell, we’re to imagine that, instead of using clever tactics to pit Americans against each other when it comes to issues of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc., a foreign power wants to encourage a battle to the death over pineapple.
Image Credit: DHS.gov
“To date, we have no evidence of Russia (or any nation) actively carrying out information operations against pizza toppings. This infographic is an ILLUSTRATION of how information operations have been carried out in the past to exploit divisions in the United States.”
The illustration takes people on a fairly thrilling ride examining how foreign powers like Russia can turn ordinary people against their friends, family, and neighbors.
“Foreign influencers are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to inflame hot button issues in the United States. They don’t do this to win arguments; they want to see us divided.”
Méchante propagande à Bruxelles city. 
#pizza #pineapple #pineappleonpizza #sweetpizza #sweettaste #yesonpineappleonpizza #sweetlover #sectivism #pizzasectivisme #pineapplebelongsonpizza @pizza_sectivismSome examples of how they use social media to push further division are given as “Being anti-pineapple is un-American! Millennials are ruining pizza! Keep your pineapple off my pizza! What’s wrong with plain old cheese?”
Basically, the lesson is that you should consume all of your media – especially online media – with a hefty dose of skepticism, and if someone is intent on stirring the pot, make sure to ask yourself what’s in it for them.
Oh, and as for pineapple on pizza? To each her own.
The post Desperate-Sounding Officials Are Using Pizza to Help People Understand Russian Election Interference appeared first on UberFacts.
Social Media Influencers Have Been Taking Pics with a Toxic Lake in Russia
So is “social media influencer” like, a job?
It is, unfortunately. And apparently finding the perfect background is an important part of being the best in your field.
Which is why so many influencers have taken a liking to the picturesque lake in the city of Novosibirsk, in Russia.
Работяги, плавать там не опасно
На следующее утро мои ноги слегка покраснели и чесались дня два, потом все прошло 
Но что не сделаешь ради таких снимков
Вода на вкус немного кисловата, похожа на мел 
It,s not dangerous to swim here. The next morning, my legs turned slightly red and itched for two days, but then everything went. But what wouldn’t you do for the sake of such pictures? The water tastes a little sour 
#новосибирскиемальдивы #золоотвалтэц5 #золоотвал #золоотвалнск #тэц5The waters are as turquoise as a tropical sea, and contrasted against the surrounding Siberian forest, well…there’s really no arguing that the scenery is Instagram-worthy.
Except for one this: It’s not actually a lake, but the containment pond a power plant uses as an ash dump. The Siberian Generating Company, who runs the plant, has put out a warning against swimming in the lake, which gets its beautiful color from calcium salts and other metal oxides being pumped into the fairly shallow (3-6 feet deep) body of water.
Новосибирские Мальдивы 
Now, the lake isn’t radioactive or deadly – at least according to the power plant – but the cocktail of substances definitely certainly isn’t something you’d want in your bath water. It could lead to allergic reactions, among other unknown outcomes.
Not only that, but the bottom of the lake is muddy with ash deposits, meaning anyone walking in it could get stuck and require professional help to get out.
#russia #novosibirsk #novosibirskmaldives #lake #instagram #summer #blog #factory #trend #blogger #influencer #photo #blue #waterJust something to think about before you go wading into random bodies of water, pretty or not.
The post Social Media Influencers Have Been Taking Pics with a Toxic Lake in Russia appeared first on UberFacts.
Social Media Influencers Have Been Taking Pics with a Toxic Lake in Russia
So is “social media influencer” like, a job?
It is, unfortunately. And apparently finding the perfect background is an important part of being the best in your field.
Which is why so many influencers have taken a liking to the picturesque lake in the city of Novosibirsk, in Russia.
The waters are as turquoise as a tropical sea, and contrasted against the surrounding Siberian forest, well…there’s really no arguing that the scenery is Instagram-worthy.
Except for one this: It’s not actually a lake, but the containment pond a power plant uses as an ash dump. The Siberian Generating Company, who runs the plant, has put out a warning against swimming in the lake, which gets its beautiful color from calcium salts and other metal oxides being pumped into the fairly shallow (3-6 feet deep) body of water.
Now, the lake isn’t radioactive or deadly – at least according to the power plant – but the cocktail of substances definitely certainly isn’t something you’d want in your bath water. It could lead to allergic reactions, among other unknown outcomes.
Not only that, but the bottom of the lake is muddy with ash deposits, meaning anyone walking in it could get stuck and require professional help to get out.
Just something to think about before you go wading into random bodies of water, pretty or not.
The post Social Media Influencers Have Been Taking Pics with a Toxic Lake in Russia appeared first on UberFacts.
10 Facts About Chernobyl That Will Give You the Creeps
A devastating nuclear disaster took place at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union on April 26, 1986. The incident is back in the public consciousness right now due to the success of the HBO show Chernobyl that dramatizes the events surrounding the accident.
Much of what happened before, during, and after the 1986 event is still the cause of much debate due to the secrecy of the Soviet Union. But one thing is for sure: the Chernobyl accident is considered the worst nuclear power plant disaster in history.
Here are 10 facts about the terrifying Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath.
1. Casualty rate: Unknown
The number of victims that can be blamed on the accident ranges anywhere from 4,000 to 90,000. Two people died in the initial blast, 29 people died from radiation sickness in the months after the accident, and there are literally thousands that may die from radiation-related causes in the future.
2. A gruesome death
The first message about the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant appeared in the Soviet media on April 27, 36 hours after the disaster. ⠀ 
CHERNOBYL INSIDEROne of the first firefighters who responded to the accident scene was Vasily Ignatenko. He suffered a terrible two-week death from his exposure to radiation, including excreting blood and mucus 25 times a day and coughing up pieces of his own internal organs.
3. Other ailments
People in neighboring areas had to flee their homes and complained of such symptoms as “black spots,” bodies getting “fat, like a barrel,” and turning “black, like coal, and shrinking.”
4. Radiophobia
Because women were terrified of possible radiation poisoning, there were an estimated 100,000-200,000 abortions in Europe after the Chernobyl disaster.
5. Dead trees everywhere
Such spectacular views can be seen on our tours. ⠀ 
The area around the nuclear power plant became known as The Red Forest because the trees died and turned a ginger color after the accident.
6. Lingerers
Although it’s illegal to live in the area around the plant known as the Zone of Alienation, or the Exclusion Zone, it’s estimated that 130-150 people still live there, many of them older women taking care of their family’s land.
7. Poor animals
If you’ve seen the show, you know that people were not allowed to evacuate with their pets. This actually happened and units were sent in to put the animals down.
8. But…there are still hundreds of dogs there
Descendants of the dogs who survived the aftermath of the disaster still live in the Exclusion Zone. There are an estimated 300 stray dogs here. You can help them out by donating HERE.
9. Tourist spot
. . . . . #chernobyl #visitkyiv #ukraine #travelinspiration #pripyat #solotravellers #wanderrach #easterneurope #travelgirls #travellergramTourists can visit the Exclusion Zone, and it’s actually become pretty trendy after the success of the HBO show about the disaster.
10. Ghost town
There is an abandoned amusement park in nearby Pripyat that looks like something out of a horror film.
While it’s truly terrifying what happened at Chernobyl, the strength that the people of Russia have shown in the face of unimaginable devastation should be commended.
The post 10 Facts About Chernobyl That Will Give You the Creeps appeared first on UberFacts.
From the 1960s to the 1970s…
From the 1960s to the 1970s, Russian cosmonauts were issued alcohol rations to drink in space. While it is still officially banned, it is widely believed that cosmonauts still smuggle some into space.
People Are Flocking to the Site of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster to Post Pics on Social Media
Due to the success of the hit HBO show Chernobyl, naturally now Instagram “influencers” are descending on the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster in Ukraine (and risking their health) to have their photos taken. Seems like kind of a disrespectful place to showcase your fabulous lifestyle, doesn’t it?
The show’s creator even tweeted this message out.
It's wonderful that #ChernobylHBO has inspired a wave of tourism to the Zone of Exclusion. But yes, I've seen the photos going around.
If you visit, please remember that a terrible tragedy occurred there. Comport yourselves with respect for all who suffered and sacrificed.
— Craig Mazin (@clmazin) June 11, 2019
It kind of reminds me of this story about people taking “playful” photos at the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Get a load of these photos. Very bizarre…
1. Okay, that’s weird
2. Very stylish
3. Nuclear tourism
ALTERNATIVE JEWELRY4. Exploring the grounds
5. Radiation levels
6. Hmmmm
7. All decked out
Diesen Ort zu betreten, die Geschichten und Handlungen, die sich vor 33 Jahren dort abgespielt haben, in Gedanken vor sich zu sehen und zu wissen wie sehr sie ganze Welt beeinflusst haben, ist etwas das man nicht in Worte fassen kann… Ein Ort, der an Faszination aber auch an tiefer Betroffenheit kaum zu übertreffen ist 8. A good place to work out
9. Artsy shot
10. Wow
Повреждение атомов клеток. Процесс воздействия радиации на организм называется облучением. Это крайне разрушительная сила, которая трансформирует клетки, деформирует их ДНК, приводит к мутациям и генетическим повреждениям. Деструктивный процесс может запустить всего одна частица радиации. Действие ионизирующего излучения специалисты сравнивают со снежным комом. Начинается все с малого, затем процесс нарастает до тех пор, пока не наступят необратимые изменения. На атомарном уровне это происходит так. Радиоактивные частицы летят с огромной скоростью, выбивая при этом электроны из атомов. В результате последние приобретают положительный заряд. «Черное» дело радиации заключается только в этом. Но последствия таких преобразований бывают катастрофическими. Свободный электрон и ионизированный атом вступают в сложные реакции, в результате которых образуются свободные радикалы. Например, вода (H2O), составляющая 80 % массы человека, под воздействием радиации распадается на два радикала – H и OH. Эти патологически активные частицы вступают в реакции с важными биологическими соединениями – молекулами ДНК, белков, ферментов, жиров. В результате в организме растет число поврежденных молекул и токсинов, страдает клеточный обмен. Через некоторое время пораженные клетки погибают или их функции серьезно нарушаются. Что происходит с облученным организмом. Из-за повреждения ДНК и мутации генов клетка не может нормально делиться. Это самое опасное последствие радиационного облучения. При получении большой дозы количество пострадавших клеток настолько велико, что могут отказывать органы и системы. Тяжелее всего воспринимают радиацию ткани, в которых происходит активное деление клеток: * костный мозг; * легкие, * слизистая желудка, * кишечник, * половые органы. Причем даже слаборадиоактивный предмет при длительном контакте наносит вред организму человека. Или когда убегаешь от чужого мужа.. 
11. True love
12. He looks satisfied
13. So odd…
14. Top of the world
15. She’s having a blast
What do you think about this phenomenon? Share your thoughts in the comments, por favor.
The post People Are Flocking to the Site of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster to Post Pics on Social Media appeared first on UberFacts.
Chess Grand Master Ossip Bernstein…
Chess Grand Master Ossip Bernstein was arrested by the Bolshevik secret police and ordered to be shot. As the firing squad lined up, an officer asked if he was really the famous chess master. The officer made Bernstein play a game for his life against him. Bernstein won easily and was released.
During the siege of Leningrad…
During the siege of Leningrad, a Russian girl named Tanya Savicheva cronicled in her diary the deaths of all her family members during the siege of Leningrad, ending with “Everyone is dead. Only Tanya is left”.
Sergei Preminin, a Russian sailor…
Sergei Preminin, a Russian sailor, sacrificed his life to prevent a reactor meltdown aboard the Soviet submarine K-219. The submarine was off the coast of Bermuda and a reactor meltdown would have spread radiation across the entire North American Atlantic coast.