Facebook to rename Instagram and WhatsApp because it DGAF

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Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp, and Mark Zuckerberg is apparently goddamn sick of having to remind people of that fact.

According to The Information, Facebook is set to change the names of Instagram and WhatsApp to better reflect their second-tier status and better credit Facebook for the apps’ growth. And just what, exactly, will the new names be?

Say hello to “Instagram from Facebook,” and “WhatsApp from Facebook.” 

Which: LOL. 

We reached out to Facebook to confirm the change, but have received no response as of press time. Facebook did confirm the news to The Information, however. 

“We want to be clearer about the products and services that are part of Facebook,” a Facebook spokesperson told the publication.  Read more…

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Hey, internet companies: Pay attention to the FBI’s new take on conspiracy theories

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Conspiracy theories have been radicalizing believers across the country, and finally, the FBI is connecting the dots between conspiracy theorists and real-world violence. According to a new report from Yahoo! News, the FBI has published a document warning that conspiracy theories constitute a domestic terrorism threat.

“The FBI assesses these conspiracy theories very likely will emerge, spread, and evolve in the modern information marketplace, occasionally driving both groups and individual extremists to carry out criminal or violent acts,” the document states. 

The FBI also specifically calls out internet companies’ role in proliferating the QAnon and Pizzagate theories, which led to violence.  Read more…

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Forget Area 51, over a hundred kids just stormed Lollapalooza

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A crowd of determined festival goers just stormed Lollapalooza, jumping the fence en masse to get in. 

Photographer Jeremy Cohen, who’s shooting the event, caught the phenomenon on video. In a Twitter DM to Mashable, he said he saw the mob “casually walk down the street.” 

“When they saw a spot with not many cops around, they stormed the gate all at once,” Cohen said. “It was def planned … [It] was very strategic.”

He’s photographed many music festivals, but added that he’s “never before” seen anything like this.

In the video he posted, which is quickly going viral on Twitter, police were only able to stop one kid, who has a prosthetic leg.  Read more…

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Domain registry moves to ban cryptocurrency names

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Sorry, crypto companies, you can’t register a .bank domain name.

fTLD Registry Services, which operates the new top-level domain (TLD) extensions .bank and .insurance, is looking to ban cryptocurrency services from registering a domain name.

The registry, which is run by “a coalition of banks, insurance companies and financial services trade associations from around the world,” announced its proposed amendments to its registrant eligibility policies late last month. fTLD concurrently opened a public comment period on the changes; it will run until August 24.

While anyone can register most top-level domain extensions, some registries do apply restrictions to who qualifies for its names. The .bank TLD, which costs around $1,000 per year, is among those with the most restrictive policies. To qualify for a .bank domain name, the registrant must be a government-regulated retail bank, savings association, national bank, or bank holding or parent company. There are exceptions listed in the policy, however — one such entity that can also currently apply for a .bank domain are financial service providers. Read more…

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Oh great, the U.S. military launched giant balloons to spy on the Midwest

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It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s one of up to 25 giant surveillance balloons currently floating over the Midwest and spying on everything in their path. 

According to documents obtained by The Guardian, the U.S. military is currently in the process of testing a large-scale surveillance system made up of floating radar designed to monitor everything from individual cars to entire cities. 

“Conduct high altitude MESH networking tests over South Dakota to provide a persistent surveillance system to locate and deter narcotic trafficking and homeland security threats,” reads an FCC document authorizing elements of the test.  Read more…

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16 of the best curling irons and hair wands, according to online reviews

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Looking for the right curling iron can be overwhelming — there are literally hundreds you could choose from. You have to consider your hair type, the kind of curl you want, ease of use, price, material, and more just to find a product to style your hair.

First let’s talk size — because size actually does matter when it comes to styling your hair. Curling irons range to create tiny spirals or big, loose curlsLiana Le, a celebrity stylist at Marie Robinson Salon in New York, New York, told us via email that she prefers one-inch tools to achieve a beachy, undone look, and a 1.25-inch size for a softer, pulled out wave look. For tighter curls you should opt for a three-quarter-inch iron or smaller. If you’re unsure of what size you want, a one-inch curling iron is a safe bet for most hair types and lengths. Read more…

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST FOR THE HAIR-CHALLENGED

Beachwaver S1

A self-rotating curling iron that creates waves with minimal effort.

  • Size: 1 inch
  • Heat range: 290 degrees to 410 degrees
  • Barrel material: Ceramic

$129 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST FOR A PROFESSIONAL LOOK

Hot Tools Professional Marcel Iron/Wand

Many professional hair stylists use Hot Tools as their go-to curling iron.

  • Size: 1, 1.25, or 1.5 inch
  • Heat range: 280 degrees to 430 degrees
  • Barrel material: 24 karat gold

$49.99 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Walmart



BEST FOR BEACHY WAVES

Revlon Ball Wand

Like two devices in one, use this wand to create tight spirals and loose waves.

  • Heat range: Up to 420 degrees
  • Barrel material: Tourmaline ceramic

$23.99 from Walmart

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IMAGE: Nordstrom



BEST FOR SHINY CURLS

T3 Whirl Trio Styling Wand

Includes three interchangeable barrels to create different looks.

  • Size: 1, 1.5, or 1.25 to 0.75 inch
  • Heat range: Up to 410 degrees
  • Barrel material: Tourmaline ceramic

$250 from Nordstrom

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IMAGE: Best Buy



BEST FOR THE LAZY STYLER

CHI Air Spin N Curl

Style your hair with the push of a button — no skill required.

  • Size: 1 inch
  • Heat range: 370 degrees to 410 degrees
  • Barrel material: Ceramic

$99.99 from Best Buy

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST FOR ERGONOMIC COMFORT

Paul Mitchell Neuro Angle Rod Curling Iron

Bends to different angles to make styling more comfortable.

  • Size: 1 inch
  • Heat range: Up to 450 degrees
  • Barrel material: Titanium

$134.99 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST FOR TEXTURED WAVES

Bed Head A Wave We Go Adjustable Waver

A moveable barrel helps create a variety of wave styles.

  • Heat range: Up to 400 degrees
  • Barrel material: Tourmaline ceramic

$35.82 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST FOR BIG CURLS

ghd Curve Soft Curling Iron

Creates voluminous locks with a soft curl, like you just got a blowout.

  • Size: 1.25 inch
  • Heat range: 365 degrees
  • Barrel material: Ceramic

$199.99 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Nordstrom Rack



BEST FOR PROTECTING HAIR

The 3-Day Bender from Drybar

Create curls while preventing your hair from damage.

  • Size: 1 inch
  • Heat range: Up to 440 degrees
  • Barrel material: Ceramic

$135 from Nordstrom Rack

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST FOR THICK HAIR

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

It reaches high temperatures and has a rotating barrel.

  • Size: 1, 1.25, or 1.5 inch
  • Heat range: Up to 450 degrees
  • Barrel material: Nano titanium

$49.95 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST FOR AFFORDABLE VERSATILITY

Revlon 2-in-1 Barrel Wand

Get multiple styling options at a relatively low price.

  • Size: 1 inch or tapered cone
  • Heat range: Up to 420 degrees
  • Barrel material: Tourmaline ceramic

$28.96 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Mashable



BEST FOR TAMING FRIZZY HAIR

InStyler MAX

The rotating barrel tames frizz while boosting shine and can double as a straightener.

  • Size: 0.75 or 1.25 inch
  • Heat range: 285 degrees to 425 degrees
  • Barrel material: Tourmaline ceramic
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IMAGE: Amazon



MOST INNOVATIVE HAIR TOOL

Dyson Airwrap Complete

This tool uses hot air to wrap and style hair without damaging it.

  • Size: 1.2 or 1.6 inch
  • Heat range: Up to 302 degrees

$549 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

InfinitiPro by Conair

At only $25, this curling iron is a decent competitor to some of the top dogs.

  • Size: 0.75, 1, 1.25, or 1.5 inch
  • Heat range: 285 degrees to 400 degrees
  • Barrel material: Tourmaline ceramic

$24.99 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST FOR ENHANCING NATURALLY CURLY HAIR

Bed Head Curlipops skinny iron

This skinny wand adds texture and defines existing curls.

  • Size: 0.5 inch
  • Heat range: Up to 400 degrees
  • Barrel material: Tourmaline ceramic

$29.99 from Amazon

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IMAGE: Amazon



BEST FOR CURLING AND STRAIGHTENING

Tyme Iron Pro

This all-in-one tool will have you creating tons of styles.

  • Heat range: 300 degrees to 400 degrees
  • Plate material: Titanium

$169.99 from Amazon

Desperate farmer destroys rare Lion King toy on live TV to make a point about online bullying

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On Friday morning, Australian time, a farmer went on live TV and took a pair of kitchen scissors to a tiny plastic Disney figurine potentially worth thousands of dollars, and everyone lost their minds.

When struggling farmers Stephen Black and Melissa Portingale found themselves in possession of the #001 furry Simba Ooshie — a wildly popular and rare collectible created by an Aussie supermarket chain — they saw a way to get themselves a bit of relief. They initially listed the little lion for A$5,000 ($3,400), which is, incredibly, the going rate for such things, on a farming buy/swap/sell page on Facebook.  Read more…

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