Australia’s Sydney Receives First Int’l Flight in Nearly 600 Days, Airline Says

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The first international flight arrived at the Sydney airport after almost 600 days of COVID-19 related restrictions, the Australian airlines Qantas reported on Monday.

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Sweden Arrests 15 Eco-Activists For Gluing Themselves to Runways and Rattling Air Traffic – Photo

While the environmental group Extinction Rebellion denied engaging in domestic terrorism and argued that purpose of the campaign was to draw attention to their message and emphasise the need for more radical measures to tackle climate change, experts said these actions were problematic and fraught with risk for all involved.

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COP26: BoJo To Warn 'World Has Run Down the Clock on Climate Change’, Urge Tough New Commitments

As the G20 agreed to push towards limiting global warming with "meaningful and effective actions" after talks held in Rome over the weekend ahead of the climate summit in Glasgow, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had warned that there were “no compelling excuses for procrastination.

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US Navy Sixth Fleet's USS Mount Whitney En Route to Black Sea for 'Operations With NATO Allies'

Earlier, the US Navy reported that the headquarters of the US Navy's Sixth Fleet and NATO's naval strike and support forces were starting operations in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

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Norway’s Oil Fund In for Inevitable Fall Amid Turbulent Times to Come, Its Chief Exec Says

Norway's Oil Fund, the largest of its kind, manages revenues from Norway’s oil and gas resources to maximise the benefits for the living and future generations. To achieve this, investments are spread across markets, countries and currencies to guarantee broad exposure to global growth and value creation, and ensure risk diversification.

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Unrecognizable: Steve Buscemi Dresses as His Own 'Fellow Kids' Meme for Halloween

Sure, Buscemi has had an illustrious career spanning decades. He appeared in the movies Reservoir Dogs, Armageddon, and The Big Lebowski, and many TV shows such as The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire. But among the younger generation, he is better known as that big-eyed man in a cap who greets schoolkids in a very old-fashioned way.

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Standoff: Watch NASCAR's Hamlin Rage About Being Robbed of Victory After Bowman Knocks Him Out

Bowman, 28, who had already been knocked out of the playoffs, lost his grip while attempting to get through on the inside line and accidently collided with Hamlin, spinning him out.

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'Brought to Jesus': Marylin Manson Spotted at Kanye's Sunday Prayer

Marilyn Manson earlier appeared in Kanye West’s new album "DONDA," released on August 29. The rocker's voice can be heard on the track "Jail pt 2", which also featured rapper Da Baby.

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Revaccinated People Report No Concerning Side Effects From Russia’s Sputnik V

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - There have been no complaints about side effects from the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 even among people who have been revaccinated, Alexander Gintsburg, the head of the Russian Gamaleya research center, told Sputnik.

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Biden Apologizes for Coming Late to His Own Presser at G20 Because He Was 'Playing With Elevators'

Biden attended the annual G20 summit held in Rome, Italy this weekend. At a press conference, the president discussed issues such as climate change, global challenges, and international politics.

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Back to 1692: the Last Convicted Salem ’Witch’ to Be Exonerated From 300-Year-Old Trials

Massachusetts Democratic Senator Diana DiZoglio previously introduced a bill to exonerate the last "Salem witch," Elizabeth Johnson, convicted in the 17th century. Students from the state’s North Andover Middle School helped to find evidence for the pardon.

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Renowned Author Urges Strict Control Over AI as Big Tech Algorithms 'Tell Us What to Do'

The writer claimed in an interview that the pandemic has aided corporations in gathering our medical data, raising concerns about "biometric data" such as facial photos, fingerprints, and even DNA.

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Signal if You Need Help: Melania Trump's Smile Caught Fading on Camera in Husband's Presence Again

Melania Trump's fast-changing expressions have been noted on several occasions before, most notably at her husband's 2017 inauguration, when, just before taking the oath of office, her countenance shifted to one of seriousness after Melania had smiled heartily at her husband just seconds earlier.

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Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Hits South Sandwich Islands Region, USGS Reports

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake was reported in South Sandwich Islands Region, according to data from United States Geological Survey (USGS).

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Khartoum Values Moscow’s Stance in Regard to Recent Events in Sudan, Army Chief Says

KHARTOUM (Sputnik) - Khartoum values Moscow’s balanced stance in regard to recent events in Sudan, the commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, told Sputnik, adding that Russia’s position differs from the unilateral approach of some other countries.

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Bernie Sanders Is Determined to Add Prices For Prescribed Drugs in Biden’s Spending Bill

Senator Bernie Sanders, a long-standing opponent of American pharmaceutical giants, has previously criticized them for their huge profits earned from overcharging prices for medication. According to him, “the business model of the pharmaceutical industry is fraud.”

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India’s Main Opposition Slams Modi Government Over Continuous Increase in Fuel Prices

The prices of petrol and diesel have been continuously rising. Petrol prices have soared above INR 100 ($1.33) per litre in almost every state in the country, while diesel prices have crossed that level in most of the states and Union Territories.

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China Accuses US of Politicization of COVID-19 Origin After Report of Intelligence Service

BEIJING (Sputnik) - The report made by the US intelligence community on the origins of COVID-19 is politicized, unscientific, and unreliable, and Washington is obsessed with political manipulations that can damage the global efforts in fighting the pandemic, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Sunday.

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Will Smith Reveals When Was 'The Only Time' in His Life He 'Considered Suicide'

During the trailer to “The Best Shape of My Life”, an unscripted series published on Hollywood star Will Smith's YouTube channel, he speaks about how he was "mentally [...] was somewhere else" during the filming.

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From Hollywood Celebs to Billionaire Tycoons, ‘Virtual Heist’ on Jewellery Firm Plunders A-List Data

The cyber-criminals are believed to have already leaked around 69,000 documents containing sensitive personal information linked to names like Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey and David Beckham onto the so-called “dark web” last month, and are cited as claiming it represents just one per cent of the files they plundered.

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First-Ever Jewish Dating Site Launched in The Gulf to Cater to The Needs of a Growing Community

Before the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain, the number of Jews residing in the area did not exceed several thousand. But a year after the historic pacts, their presence is growing and a local rabbi says his organisation is there to cater to their needs.

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General Election Kicks Off in Japan

TOKYO (Sputnik) - Polling stations have opened in Japan where elections to the lower house of parliament are taking place on Sunday.

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Black Friday Cricut deals have arrived: Save up to $150 on cutting machines and presses

The best early Black Friday deals on Cricut machines and presses as of Oct. 31: 

• BEST FOR PRO-LEVEL CRAFTERS: The Cricut Maker — $249 (save $150)

• BEST FOR BEGINNERS: The Cricut Explore Air 2 — $169 (save $80)

• BEST FOR PORTABILITY: The Cricut Joy — $129 (save $50)

• BEST FOR MAKING T-SHIRTS: The Cricut EasyPress 2 9x9 or 12x10 — $119 or $169 ($70 off)

• BEST FOR MUG CUSTOMIZING: The Cricut Mug Press — $179 ($20 off)

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Cricut is a crafter's dream brand. And for the non-crafters of the world, it's basically witchcraft. These tech-forward tools make DIY projects fun and easy for anyone, even those without a creative bone in their body.

Cricut's array of machine and presses allows users to make everything from personalized mugs and T-shirts to handmade greeting cards and custom decor. Not only do these gadgets make great presents for friends and family, but they also help you make great presents for your friends and family. Custom coffee mugs and graphic tees for all!

As of Oct. 31, early Black Friday deals on Cricut machines and presses are live at Amazon. You can save up to $150 on some of the brand’s best-selling products.

BEST FOR PRO-LEVEL CRAFTERS: The Cricut Maker — $249 (save $150)

If you fancy yourself a DIY expert or know someone who is, the Cricut Maker is basically the Mercedes-Benz of Cricut products. It allows you to precision cut over 300 materials, from delicate fabric and paper to matboard and leather. It works with 13 tools to cut, score, write, deboss, engrave, and more, including a rotary blade (included) for fabrics, a knife blade for thicker materials, a foil transfer tool for pro-level embellishments, and more. You can make virtually any project you set your mind to, from 3D art and jewelry to home decor and iron-on projects. It’s certainly not the cheapest machine from Cricut, but its versatility and advanced tools make it worth the money. 

Credit: Cricut

Cricut Maker

$249 at Amazon

BEST FOR BEGINNERS: The Cricut Explore Air 2 — $169 (save $80)

While it’s not as versatile and powerful as the Maker, the Explore Air 2 is still a great pick. Newbies in the crafting world will find this Cricut machine a bit more user-friendly. It can cut through over 100 different types of material, like premium vinyl, iron-on and HTV vinyl, faux leather, specialty paper and poster board, and cardstock. It’s compatible with six different tools for cutting, writing, and scoring, and even features built-in storage. For anyone starting their crafting journey, the Explore Air 2 delivers plenty.

Credit: Cricut

Cricut Explore Air 2

$129 at Amazon

BEST FOR PORTABILITY: The Cricut Joy — $129 (save $50)

The most portable and affordable cutting machine Cricut makes, the Joy is ideal for creators who don’t have a ton of space to spare. It’s small enough (under four pounds) to fit in a cubby, pack away easily, and set up fast. But its size doesn’t limit its abilities — it can cut over 50 materials, like iron-on, cardstock, vinyl, and Smart Materials, can draw any shape and write in a variety of styles, and cut individual shapes up to four feet long. While it’s Bluetooth compatible, it doesn’t offer USB connectivity like the above devices. It also doesn’t work with your home printer.

Credit: Cricut

Cricut Joy

$129 at Amazon

BEST FOR MAKING T-SHIRTS: The Cricut EasyPress 2 9x9 or 12x10 — $119 or $169 ($70 off)

If the sheer versatility of the cutting machines is too overwhelming for you, the EasyPress 2 might be more your speed, as it focuses specifically on iron-on heat transfers. You can make custom-design T-shirts, totes, pillows, sweatshirts, banners, blankets, and beyond with one of these machines. It comes in two different sizes: The 12x10 press is ideal for larger T-shirts, sweatshirts, banners, blankets, and other jumbo projects, while the 9x9 press is great for basic T-shirts, tote bags, pillows, aprons, and other everyday projects.

Credit: Cricut

Cricut EasyPress 2 9x9

$119 at Amazon

Credit: Cricut

Cricut EasyPress 2 12x10

$169 at Amazon

BEST FOR MUG CUSTOMIZING: The Cricut Mug Press — $179 ($20 off)

The Cricut Mug Press, like its name suggests, allows you to make professional-looking customized mugs in minutes by touching a single button. You get a custom mug! You get a custom mug!

There is a catch, though. You’ll need a Cricut cutting machine to cut out the transfers on Cricut Infusible Ink sheets (you can’t just use any old vinyl). You’ll also need 11- to 16-ounce Infusible Ink compatible mugs. So there are some hoops to jump through. But once you cut out your sheet, you can wrap it around a mug, put it in the Mug Press, press a single button, and voila! 

Credit: Cricut

Cricut Mug Press

$179 at Amazon

Where else are these deals available?

Cricut Black Friday deals are available as of Oct. 31 at retailers nationwide, including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Michael’s, JOANN’s, Staples (in store only), and of course, Cricut.com. Get a head start on gift getting or gift making for the holidays by snagging these deals while they’re available. With supply chain issues at hand, Cricut offers a way to avoid shortages and delays by simply crafting personalized gifts right at home.

Explore related content:

• The best Black Friday deals for 2021, all in one place

• The best early Black Friday toy deals to make you and your kiddo smile

• Traveling for the holidays? Invest in a security camera — a few from Blink are on sale.

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‘Number of Things I Lacked’: Merkel Is Looking Forward to Her Future Leisure Activities

On Tuesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier asked Angela Merkel to continue serving as chancellor until her successor would be appointed. The leader of the Social Democratic Party, Olaf Scholz, whose party won the September elections, is the most likely candidate for the post.

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Trump Weighs in on Biden Administration's Performance Ahead of Virginia Gubernatorial Election

Since leaving office in January of this year, Trump has been regularly commenting on the latest political developments and gathering thousands of supporters in rallies across the country. This time he spoke as the gubernatorial election in Virginia draws near, with the candidates running neck and neck.

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How to block those incredibly annoying robotexts

As if robocalls weren't annoying enough, now we have to deal with robotexts.

Besides being a royal pain in the ass, robotexts can be a means of identifying potential scam targets and getting people to click on dangerous links that infect phones with malware.

SEE ALSO: Best antivirus software

There are a couple ways you can try to block robotexts. We can't guarantee you'll never receive one again, but each method should at the very least lessen the amount you receive. And if we can't completely delete robotexts from our lives, we'll take the next best thing.

Block numbers

One means of blocking robotexts is blocking the numbers that send them. This method can be hit-or-miss; scammers can usually get around this by switching the number the text comes from. Nevertheless, blocking numbers is a good thing to know how to do, and who's to say it won't stop a bunch of annoying and potentially dangerous robotexts? Here's how you do it.

1. Go to the robotext in your message.

***Do not respond to the message, as it just lets the scammer know they have a real target on the other end.***

2. Tap the little arrow to the right of the contact's phone number at the top, then tap "info."

Tap "info" under the contact. Credit: screenSHOT: apple

3. On the next screen, tap "info" again.

Tap "info" again on the next screen. Credit: SCREENSHOT: APPLE

4. At the bottom, tap "Block this Caller."

On the next screen, tap "Block this Caller." Credit: SCREENSHOT: APPLE

5. Read the pop-up message and when you're done, tap "Block Contact."

As the message says, "You will not receive phone calls, messages, or FaceTime from people on the block list." That number won't be able to contact you. Yay! Begone, scammer. On to the other method.

Download a robocall/robotext-blocking app.

Maybe your solution to robotexts is in the App Store. You can try downloading a robocall/robotext-blocking app and let the app do the work for you. Some apps, like Hiya, don't do anything to block robotexts but are effective at blocking robocalls. Nomorobo, however, does block robotexts, filtering them into a spam folder in your messages. You won't get alerts for incoming robotexts, but you can go through them in your spam folder if you want, according to PCMag.

Plans run from $1.99/month to $19.99/year, but you can do a 14-day free trial to see if you like it before paying.

To get it working on your phone, download it from the App Store. Then, as PCMag instructs, go to your settings. Tap "Messages," then tap "Unknown & Spam." You should see a section for "SMS Filtering" where you can tap a switch to turn on Nomorobo.

For dealing with the insufferable headache each robotext and robocall induces, we'd say the price is worth it. You can check out our other favorite robocall/robotext-blocking apps and tools (both free and paid) here. May you and your phone be safe from the robo-scammers of the world.

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Leaked Docs Reveal Facebook Targeted Children as Young as 6 for Profit - Report

The documents, known as the Facebook Papers, were released by the legal team of whistleblower Frances Haugen and provided to Congress and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Jellyfish En Masse Flood Scottish Nuclear Power Plant, Causing Emergency Inactivation

The same incident happened in 2011, when the plant’s staff noticed that incoming water flow was reducing. Lack of water may cause overheating of the reactors, requiring their deactivation.

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Zayn Malik to Fight 'With Every Ounce of His Body' to Keep Daughter Out of Custody Battle - Report

The latest round in this ongoing scandal comes after the model's mother Yolanda claimed the musician "struck" her during a recent fight, prompting reports that the on-and-off pair of Zayn and Gigi had split up. Malik has stated that he did not strike Yolanda, although he reportedly pleaded no contest to the charges.

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UK Could Run Out of Color Books During Winter Holiday Season - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Kingdom could face book supply problems this Christmas amid paper shortages and shipping delays, The Telegraph reports.

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Hackers Allegedly Linked to Iran Threaten to Leak Client Data From Israeli Websites - Reports

Among those breached are reportedly LGBTQ+ dating app "Atraf", Dan bus company and tour booking company Pegasus.

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NYC Fire Stations Shut Down Due to Staff Shortages After Firefighters Miss Vaccination Deadline

New York City municipal employees and other public workers were all required by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s order to receive at least one vaccine dose by October 29. Otherwise, they will be suspended from work without pay.

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US Priests Upset Biden Received Communion Upon Meeting Pope Despite His Stance on Abortion

Biden had an approximately 90-minute private meeting with the Pope on Friday, after which he told reporters that they discussed faith, but abortion wasn't touched upon. The president claimed Pope Francis was just "happy that I was a good Catholic" and told Biden to "keep receiving Communion."

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Shooting at ‘Erotic Exotic Halloween Ball’ in California Leaves Two Dead, Five Injured

The investigators are still searching for the suspect whose identity has not been confirmed yet. The incident took place on Friday night.

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Cuomo Demands Sheriff’s Office “Preserve All Records” Related to Groping Investigation

A sex crime misdemeanor complaint against Cuomo was filed by an Albany County Sheriff's Department investigator on Thursday. The ex-NY governor previously had to resign after an investigation by State Attorney General Letitia James found he harassed nearly a dozen colleagues. Cuomo denies any wrongdoing.

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'One in a Trillion Episode': Alec Baldwin Speaks for First Time Since Fatal Shooting at Movie Set

During a press conference on Wednesday, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department said it was "too early" to comment on potential charges because the investigation is still ongoing. Sheriff Adan Mendoza, though, has described the department's actions as a "criminal investigation."

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Hotel in Egypt’s Hurghada Closed For Two Days After Multiple Poisoning Cases

CAIRO (Sputnik) - A hotel was closed in the Egyptian beach resort town of Hurghada after over two dozen Russian tourists, including children, suffered from poisoning there, Victor Voropayev, the General Consul of the Russian Federation in Hurghada, told Sputnik.

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Facebook finally takes steps against misinformation about COVID vaccines for children

Facebook is stretching the old adage "better late than never" to its limits.

The massive social network that now exists under a brand called Meta published a blog post on Friday detailing some of the steps it would now take to curb COVID vaccine misinformation, specifically as it regards kids getting the vaccine. This came hot on the heels of the FDA finally issuing an emergency use authorizing for the Pfizer vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11.

SEE ALSO: Best headphones for kids

As for specifics, Facebook is going to roll out English and Spanish-language reminders in users' news feeds that the vaccines are now authorized for kids, with information on where and how to get them. Furthermore, false claims about the vaccines being untested, unsafe, or ineffective for kids have been added to the long list of COVID misinformation that Facebook will remove from the site.

Facebook's announcement came after weeks of heightened controversy around the company. Whistleblower Frances Haugen revealed internal documents showcasing the company's seeming disregard for its ability to cause real-world harm. "Fake news" has been a talking point surrounding Facebook for years, and the spotlight has only gotten brighter as time has gone on.

Tackling this brand of misinformation is obviously the correct thing to do, but it's worth asking why Facebook waited until now. We're more than a year and a half into the pandemic in the United States and people have been getting vaccinated for more than a year if you count trial participants. It didn't suddenly become harmful to spread vaccine misinformation about children the second the FDA authorized it for that age group.

Still, unlike a name change, at least this might actually do something to help fix the problem.

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UK University Accused of Fostering Transphobic Culture by Stocking ‘Dead Names’ of Students, Staff

The issue of gender-neutral language has recently sparked controversy, as many activist groups, especially in universities, aim to impose an “inclusive vocabulary.” While proponents claim it is designed to end discrimination, critics believe that the practice infringes on the rights of people who don’t belong to the LGBTQ+ community.

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’New Hidden World’ Discovered in Earth’s Inner Core, Study Finds

In fact, research suggests that the Earth’s insides have certain semi-soft characteristics where liquid metal is stored — with multiple layers of hard metal, liquid metal, and a certain amount of material that’s halfway between the two.

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Malik Pleads Guilty to Verbally Harassing Gigi, Calling Her Mother 'F*cking Dutch Sl*t' - Reports

Media reported that the 28-year-old pop star "struck" Gigi’s mother Yolanda Hadid when she came to his house. Some reports suggested that the couple broke up after the alleged incident.

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Jake Paul Adds Fuel to Fire in Malik-Hadid Scandal, Slamming British Singer Over 2020 Row

Earlier this Friday, media reported that following an alleged altercation in which the model's mother claimed she was "struck," the pair split up. Malik has reportedly pleaded no contest to harassment charges but denied physical contact with Gigi's mother.

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Photos: China’s Carrier-Based Stealth Fighter, Based on FC-31, Makes First Appearance

New photos circulating on social media bear a close resemblance to Shenyang’s FC-31 test aircraft, but a number of clues point to the jet photographed being something new: could it be the long-rumored aircraft carrier adaptation that fans call the J-35?

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US Watchdog Says State, Pentagon Withholding Information From Public About Afghan Collapse

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Biden administration is withholding information from the public that could have predicted the fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban,* US Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko said on Friday.

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Five People Killed in Shootout in Nightclub in Panama City, Police Say

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Five people were killed and six more were injured in a shootout between local gangs at a Panama City nightclub, national police reported.

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Gitmo Detainee Sentenced to 26 Years, Details CIA Torture - Reports

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A US military jury has sentenced Majid Khan, a former resident of the state of Maryland who is held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center, to 26 years in prison for joining al-Qaeda*, ABC News reported.

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Elevated Threat Issued in Northern Virginia on Halloween Weekend Amid Daesh Attack Rumors

Officials with Northern Virginia police departments say they are “aware” of rumors circulating on social media about possible terrorist attacks at malls this Halloween, but noted that details are limited.

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US Supreme Court Agrees to Hear States’ Appeal to Restore Trump Immigration Rule

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from 13 Republican state attorneys-general to overturn a 2020 federal court ruling that struck down a Trump administration immigration restriction, the court’s list of orders granted said on Friday.

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Afghanistan Among World’s Worst Crises, Social Services on 'Brink of Collapse', UNICEF Says

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Afghanistan is currently experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with the health system and social services at a breaking point, UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan Salam Al-Janabi told Sputnik.

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Wall Street up 4th Week in Row on Record Highs as Investors ‘Accept’ High Inflation

NEW YORK (Sputnik) - US stocks hit record highs on Friday before rounding out a fourth straight week of gains, powered by mostly strong corporate earnings for the third quarter and investors’ acceptance that high inflation was likely to be a way of life in the United States.

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‘Purely Political’: 45 GOP Reps Angry Over Reports Biden Wants to Pay Each Separated Migrant Family

Earlier reports claimed that the Biden administration is planning to pay $450,000 to illegal immigrants who have allegedly sustained “psychological trauma” as a result of family separation at the US border. Individual payments may reportedly exceed $1 million.

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Senior Officials of Brazilian Health Regulator Face Threats Over Vaccination of Children

BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - The senior management of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency, Anvisa, has received death threats over the possible approval of COVID-19 vaccination for children, the agency said.

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'Major Loophole' Means US Unlikely to Honor Promise to Treat Assange Humanely, Journalist Says

As the US government's efforts to extradite Wikileaks founder and editor Julian Assange resumed this week, Shadowproof managing editor Kevin Gosztola noted how the apparent CIA plot to assassinate Assange impacts the case, the “major loophole” in US assurances that Assange will receive adequate mental healthcare in an American prison.

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Royal Teeth Secrets: How Did UK Queen Manage to Keep Her Smile Bright at 95 Without Dentures?

Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for 69 years, which makes her the longest-serving monarch in British history. And the fact that the queen's appearance doesn't seem to have changed much over the years has given rise to a stream of memes implying that she has literally existed since before the beginning of time as a constant.

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10 porn set horror stories that double as life lessons

Contrary to its persistent popular reputation as a den of chaos and sin, the modern adult industry is actually shockingly calm and orderly. Most porn producers and crews take pains to follow industry standards of safety and professionalism, and any performer who sticks around for more than a few months puts in serious prep work for scenes. That’s why even the most seemingly wild and free-wheeling scenes often go off without a hitch: They’re really carefully choreographed.

But, as in any industry, things can go off the rails. Sometimes people cut corners, or exploit their colleagues or employees, creating the big, tawdry scandals that tabloids and moral crusaders love to fixate on. However, more often things just go awry in a best laid plans sort of way. And because porn involves writhing bodies, with all their squishy bits and fluids, when a shoot goes awry, things can get real wacky and eye-popping, real fast. Most performers have their fair share of stories of diarrheic anal and vomit-inducing blowjobs, which often sit on the edge of horrific and hilarious.

In the spirit of Spooky Season — and in memory of porn parody and comedy studio Wood Rocket’s short-lived Halloween tradition — Mashable asked 10 performers to share their top on-set horror stories with us. Some of their tales, presented below, are truly terrifying and downright disgusting, while others are just rather ridiculous. But most contain nuggets of wisdom that may help anyone, industry insider or civilian (sex inevitably goes off script for all of us at some point), avoid or navigate similar mishaps.

These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Kate Kennedy: I do standup comedy as well as porn. I got booked for a comedy show at 7 p.m. one evening, but then I also got booked for a short blowjob scene about 35 miles away, with a call time of noon. I was sure I had plenty of time to do the scene, get cleaned up, and make it to the show. But when I got to the set, I found out that the production crew was shooting multiple porn scenes that day and mine wouldn’t begin until 3 p.m. After an hour or so, I started to get antsy. I explained my situation — that I needed to leave by 5 p.m. at the latest — to the cast and crew. Luckily, another girl with an earlier scene was willing to trade spots with me, so I was able to begin my scene early, and it was going swimmingly despite the countdown clock in my head.

Then, when we’d almost finished the scene, something went wrong: I was on my back with my head hanging off a couch while this dude pounded the absolute fuck out of my throat. He pulled out, so I thought I had time to swallow the mouthful of spit I’d accumulated, and that I was now gagging on. But as I had my tongue at the back of my throat, ready to swallow, this dude slammed his cock back into my mouth, hitting my tongue from below. Boom. Blood everywhere.

The force had torn the frenulum that connected my tongue to the bottom of my mouth.

We called cut, and I frantically tried to stop the bleeding, but to no avail. So, I decided to finish the scene with my tongue held down and pressed up against my teeth to keep the blood from spilling out; my scene partner came in my face instead of in my mouth. Then, I cleaned up as fast as I could and drove to the comedy show with an ice cube under my tongue. I did an entire standup set that night with a very noticeable lisp. I mostly remember trying not to spray the audience with my tongue blood. But I still got laughs, and everything ended up being fine.

But that day, I realized I probably needed to keep my porn and comedy lives a bit more separate.

Nathan Bronson: I once did a 16-guy, three girl blowbang scene. During the scene, the three women would get covered with 50-60 bottles of whipped cream, bananas, and strawberries. I guess the idea was to make a giant banana split? So, they covered the floor with plastic. The problem being that whipped cream is oily, so the floor became more like an ice-skating rink than anything else. We had to hold some of the guys upright while the girls were working on them, just so they wouldn’t slip and slide. Thankfully, no one fell over. Until the very end, that is.

At the end, every guy needed to cum on the girls' faces. I was the last one. From the camera's perspective, you could only see their faces and a dick. But at one point, you can see them looking off camera, very worried. That's because, while trying to cum, I slipped and did a flip. The director cut the scene and came to check on me; they were very concerned that they wouldn’t be able to finish the scene. But I got up, said that I could still finish, and went on to seal the deal.

Ela Darling: About halfway through a lesbian strap-on bondage scene, which I was shooting with a partner who was a dear friend, I started getting hot and sweaty — in all the wrong ways. My muscles began to ache, and I felt feverish. I was developing all the symptoms of the flu.

I should have bowed out of the scene then. But I knew the production costs would double if we had to cut and pick things up on a different day. So, I told myself that I was just feeling off because I skipped breakfast and needed water. I hydrated, had a snack, and tried to keep going.

For the next part of the shoot, my scene partner and I got on our knees, facing each other, and had our torsos tied together with intricate rope work. Our hands were above our heads, also tied up so that they could be attached to a hook suspended from the ceiling. But once the rope work was done and we were ready to start shooting, my vision got cloudy and filled with black spots, and I broke out in a cold sweat. I worried that I might pass out. So, I finally told the crew that I was feeling dizzy and sick, and they promptly untied our hands so I could get comfortable and rest before we continued — which I still fully intended to do at that point. But it wasn’t enough.

A production assistant barely made it to me with a trash can before I started vomiting, violently and repeatedly — while my entire torso was still facing and tied up against my scene partner's.

This angel of a woman held my hair back as I leaned as far away from her as I could (which wasn't far) and emptied the contents of my stomach into a bin held by a horrified production assistant. The director had no choice but to end the shoot early and pick up a few days later.

I was absolutely mortified. The lessons I learned: If you ever start to feel unwell during sex — or during anything, really — it's better to listen to your body and call it a day than push yourself to the point of illness. Also, when you're tied against another person and start vomiting, if their reaction is to hold your hair and try to make you feel better, that person is a friend for life.

Brandi Bae: I did a really rough bondage scene once — rougher than I was used to, but I didn’t complain. However, when the shoot was over, one of my breasts looked odd: It was hanging lower than the other, and seemed kind of deformed. So, I went to the doctor’s office and they took an x-ray. The doctor told me that one of my [breast implants] had popped and I needed immediate surgery. That ended up costing me $7,000 in breast reconstruction surgery. I stopped doing that kind of scene.

Kimber Haven: I did a scene where the lead-in had me coming down a spiral staircase, looking glamorous and sexy. I got seven stairs from the bottom — and ate it, rolling down the stairs. Hair sticking up in the air, feet in the air, looking anything but glamorous in front of the whole crew

I learned not to transverse spiral staircases in seven-inch heels.

But don’t avoid accidents, is my advice. They happen. So don’t spend time worrying about it. It’s part of what makes sex compelling and desirable, beyond how good it feels — an element of danger and adventure. Never knowing what’s going to happen makes it fun.

Know your partner’s limits. Discuss them, respect them, and there shouldn’t be any problems.

If you get some bumps and bruises along the way, then you know you had a good time.

Aria Khaide: Early in my career, I’d traveled to a different city for a shoot only to realize that I'd started spotting. I didn't know how women in the industry navigated that time of the month, so I was like, Oh my gosh, do I need to cancel? I can’t cancel. I need to be professional!

However, instead of asking my industry friends what they do in this situation (because I didn’t want to seem unprepared, or to find out they'd just cancel their shoot and then have to do that myself), I asked my vanilla mom friends if they have sex with their partners when they're bleeding and how they do it. They were all like, Oh it's fine, just get one of those Diva Cups, put it in, and have sex. I’d never used one before, but I was like, Sure, okay! So, I went to the pharmacy, got one, and looked like a pubescent boy trying to put a condom on for the first time and smacking himself in the eye while I was trying to put it in, you know? But I got it in. (Editor's note: Diva Cup recommends against using the product during penetrative sex.)

Porn sex is a lot rougher than most everyday partner sex, though — and I was booked for a crazy rough scene. The sex was uncomfortable, because of the cuff, but I took it like a champ while my scene partner was pounding away, thinking that no one would ever know I was bleeding and that w'’d still have a great scene. We got everything we needed, ended the scene, and I went to the bathroom on set to take a shower and get cleaned up. But I didn't think to get into the shower before removing the cup. And because my scene partner had been pounding away, things had gotten pretty messy. So, I pulled it out and… suddenly this bathroom looked like a horror scene.

There were only white towels in the bathroom, so I’m grabbing tissues and paper towels and trying to clean everything up so it doesn't look like I just killed someone. I’m thinking, Oh my gosh, I’m taking too long, they're going to think something's gone wrong. I was mortified.

But I got out of there alright. Later, I told a friend in the industry about this and asked her what she does when she's bleeding. She said, "What the heck are you talking about with these cups? We all just insert a makeup sponge." She also told me that guys in the industry are usually pretty chill and don’t get skeeved out by blood like a non-industry boyfriend might. So, the next time I was bleeding, I used a sponge and told my scene partner. He just said, "Don’t worry, we’ll put you in this position so the cameras won’t see any blood." And it was all totally fine.

Serves me right for not just asking my friends with industry experience from the start.

Lucy Hart: I was cast as Batman in a BDSM scene. Catwoman had me on the floor, flat on my back, bound at my wrists and ankles and gagged. She was supposed to squirt on my face at the end of the scene. So, she stood over me, and I suddenly saw and felt a lot of liquid hit me fast; most of it went up my nose, blocking my breathing. I couldn’t clear it, with the way my head was tilted back. Then, the girl screamed, “Oh my God, did I get it on my costume!?” and ran off set. Whatever came out of her wasn’t the typical squirt. The director chased after her immediately to see if she was okay — leaving me drowning on the floor in whatever came out of her.

After what felt like a couple of minutes of wondering if I'd die dressed like Batman, I decided to just swallow whatever this fluid was, so that I might be able to breathe through the gag. It worked.

Someone came back to untie me eventually. I never asked what came out of her. I'm pretty sure it wasn’t pee. But I don’t think Batman needed to know. I got my money and left. Her costume was fine.

If someone is going to squirt on your face, consider your need to breathe first.

Misha Montana: I had a stroke this April, and was set for heart surgery a couple weeks later. I shot a post-stroke comeback scene in May, with Tommy Pistol, while wearing a heart monitor. At the end of the scene, Tommy accidentally came all over the heart monitor. A little while later, I got a report from my cardiologist that my heart activity was “unusual” on that day.

Tommy Pistol came on my broken heart. 

Carmela Clutch: Once, when I got on set for a boy-girl-girl scene, the other female talent asked if I knew the male talent, who was also the director for the shoot. I admitted that I hadn’t met him, but said that I was a big fan of his work. She said that he was "really freaky" and into some "nasty shit." I didn't realize the gravity of her words, so I laughed and said, "Whatever, I’m down for anything." Then 15 minutes before the scene started, she downed a bag of kettle corn.

The scene started off seamless: I was giving this guy some of the best sloppy-toppy head that I'd ever given at that point in my career. Then, we switched off and the other woman went to work on him. She went deeper and deeper, throating his entire massive dick, until she eventually gagged and up came the entire party-sized bag of kettle corn that she'd pounded down earlier!

The guy, who was holding the camera, panned over to me, smiled, and said, "your turn, unless you want to cut." I was eager to prove my sexual prowess, so I only hesitated for a millisecond before I decided to go for it. I was actually excited, but caught completely off guard.

See Also: Best sex toys for couples looking to switch things up between the sheets

That scene came out great. It’s one of my nastier fetish videos. But it was definitely one of the stand-out uh-oh on set moments of my career. The three of us still laugh about that moment.

Charlotte Stokely: I was filming the final scene of Terror Camp with Aidra Fox. We were both in a tent, and the director told us he’d toss a rock outside to signal us to run out, screaming in panic as a rope attached to the top of the tent flew it up into the air behind us. We practiced the scene, and it all went well. But instead of throwing a rock during the actual shoot, the director told his production assistant to sneak up behind the tent and shake it, Blair Witch-style.

The PA shook the tent and growled and I let out a deafening scream and ran out and away.

Damn, he got me so good. [Laughs.]

Keep reading

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• Can't figure out what kind of porn to consume? This handy infographic can help.

• What can — or should — we learn from porn?

• A beginner's guide to the best porn games: What to play and what you should know

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17 terrifying creepypastas guaranteed to keep you up at night

The classic tradition of telling ghost stories 'round a campfire has undergone a digital upgrade with creepypastas — scary stories or images that spread across message boards, becoming internet lore that creep into discussions, both on and offline.

People around the word share their bizarre and terrifying creepypastas, hoping that the tales will gain popularity and become classics, quoted or cited by horror fans and terrified netizens.

Like with the ghost stories of old, not all creepypastas are particularly scary or very good, even if they are frequently passed around or popular. Reading a long story with an clever title or image is no guarantee of a frightening payoff, and the writers often forget that just having someone meeting a quick and unfortunate fate does not an interesting story make.

When a real gem of a creepypasta is found, it makes all the searching and scavenging worth it (at least until it's time to fall asleep). So grab a friend, turn off the lights, and prepare to be scared to scroll any further — here are 17 of the scariest creepypastas to make your Halloween spoooooky.

Good luck sleeping tonight.

1. The Slender Man

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Before this pale, faceless ghoul had his own movie and video game series, he haunted the forums of the internet with his finely pressed suit and unnaturally long limbs. The Slender Man's story is not a narrative one, but a pseudo-historical look at this monster's history with humanity that is tied into several other creepypastas.

Typically, the Slender Man preys on children and those who become obsessed with his existence, though no one knows exactly what happens to the bodies since no one has ever escaped from an encounter with him. Suggested stories featuring the Slender Man include The Tall Man and the Marble Hornets videos.

In the real world, this creepypasta figure became a key figure during an assault and subsequent criminal case in 2014 involving three 12-year-old girls. Wisconsin teens Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, lured their friend, Payton Leutner, into the woods during a game of hide-and-seek. In an reported attempt to appease Slender Man, the duo stabbed Leutner 19 times and left her at the scene. Leutner managed to drag herself to a nearby road where a cyclist found her, and she was immediately taken to a hospital where she recovered from her injuries.

Soon after the attack, Weier and Geyser were arrested and tried for attempted second-degree murder. In 2017, Weier was sentenced to 25 years in a mental institution, while her accomplice Geyser was sentenced to 40 years in a mental hospital in 2018.

2. Candle Cove

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Everyone has a television show from their childhood that they fondly remember. Like those who nostalgically recall the adventures of Dora the Explorer, Mister Rogers, and Sesame Street, some adults rediscovered their favorite show from the 1970s, Candle Cove, on a television forum in this creepypasta. Slowly, their memories of the show grow darker and more disturbing until one of the adults asks his mother about the true nature of the show.

The forum format of the story adds a spooky realism to the tale, also making it easy to recreate and share on other boards. If you find this story particularly compelling, watch the first season of the Syfy original series Channel Zero, which is based off this creepypasta.

3. Robert the Doll

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Not for the faint of heart, Robert the Doll really exists. The myths surrounding him vary, especially since it became so popular on the internet. The doll was given to artist Robert Eugene Otto in the late 1800s or early 1900s by a servant working in his family home. The doll, which he named after himself, then took on a life of its own and began to terrorize the family.

Otto is said to have kept his doll into adulthood and it subsequently tormented his late wife to insanity. When the doll was found by another family, the girl to whom it was given was terrified of it and refused to have it in her room.

The doll is currently residing in the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida. Visitors must ask Robert politely if they want to take his photo. If they mock him or take his photo without permission, Robert is said to lay a curse on them.

4. Anasi's Goatman Story

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Based on a Native American legend, this creepypasta was originally found on 4Chan's paranormal board /x/, where some of the best creepypastas can be found.

The story follows a teenager who goes down to Alabama to be with his extended family. While he, his cousins, and their friends are camping out in the woods, they see a strange figure — the Goatman — jerking and spouting gibberish as it follows them. They spend the rest of the night in fear as the Goatman slowly infiltrates the group, terrorizing the teens into a frenzied state of paranoia.

This mix of pre-existing lore and new narrative is not rare for creepypastas, but it's the strength of the writing that really makes this particular story worth sharing. There are variations of this story, but most follow a similar formula where a group is stalked by the titular monster with different outcomes.

5. The Russian Sleep Experiment

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A staple of best creepypasta lists everywhere, the title of this story itself carries with it a sense of dread and horror. Shortly after World War II, five political prisoners are subjected to an experiment in which they have to remain awake for 30 days in a tank filled with an experimental gas. As with most science-gone-wrong stories, the test subjects begin to lose their minds among a number of other gruesome symptoms. The horror does not end when the experimenters try to save their subjects — far from it.

Just know that this story may not be appropriate if you are squeamish or dislike gore, as the narrative goes into graphic detail about the physical state of the patients. Thankfully there are no pictures, or this would be the ultimate nightmare fuel.

6. Jeff the Killer

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If you've never laid eyes on the infamous image of Jeff the Killer before, consider yourself lucky. The basic story concerns Jeff, a serial killer who hides in the closet and whispers "go to sleep" to its victim before slaughtering everyone in the household. Even more disturbing than his M.O. is his appearance — his face is smooth and stark white, a huge grin and small lid-less eyes. He is one of the most easily recognizable creepypastas, with his eerie stare posted across forums.

His origin story involves a fight that resulted in a chemical burn on his face and caused him to suffer a mental break. Soon after, he murdered his family and disappeared into the night to make guest appearances in your nightmares.

7. BEN Drowned

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Hacked video games are often found in creepypastas, but none is more infamous than BEN Drowned, the story of Matt, a college-age boy who picks up a hacked cartridge of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask at a garage sale.

As the boy plays, he captures the strange occurrences in the game and real life until it ultimately culminates into a full haunting. The narrator and BEN's fates are left up to the reader's imagination, but the tale implies that a happy ending is not in the realm of possibility.

This creepypasta is one of the few that integrate multiple types of media into the story. There is the text of the story itself — both a formal post version that went up on 4Chan's /x/ forums in real time and a diary included on the final post — and videos of the disturbing gameplay under the YouTube channel Alex Hall (originally Jadusable). The footage includes a warped soundtrack, terrifying glitches, and a creepy statue that is supposed to be BEN following the player around.

While the story is clearly fictional, the level of dedication to creating this eerie story makes it worth the read.

8. Persuaded

Zombies definitely have a place in creepypastas, especially after having taken over the majority of pop culture. However, in the spirit of keeping readers on their toes, these zombies don't need frenzied biting to increase their numbers, which elevates this tale above and beyond other zombie-inspired creepypastas.

After a massive oil spill, all those touched by the substance begin to viciously attack other creatures, causing mass panic across the country. The nameless protagonist holes himself up in his apartment, waiting for the screaming, violent horde to come crashing through his door and tear him limb from limb. If only that had actually happened, instead of the two day-long nightmare that really unfolds.

9. Smile Dog

If there's any story on this list that best captures the message "be careful what you wish for," Smile Dog is it. The creepypasta deals with an image posted on an old bulletin board system back in 1992 called smile.jpg. Those who saw the image either disappeared or died, save for one Mary E., who the narrator goes to interview. What he eventually learns is that some things, even simple pictures, are better left as mysteries than dealing with the horrifying truth.

In case you were wondering, the story does come with an accompanying image, but you may not want to see it after reading the full story. Though, in the end, you may not have a choice.

10. Annora Petrova

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This tale reminds us that it's best not to Google yourself, no matter how tempting it may be. Annora Petrova was one of the most promising figure skaters in the United States, until she discovered a sentient Wikipedia page about her. After trying to selfishly alter her fate by editing the page, her life spirals out of control in the most unexpected ways, until she is a friendless orphan (which isn't even the worst part).

While the Wikipedia page does not actually exist, it's a harrowing tale about messing with the unknown forces of the internet. If you do check this story out, make sure you click on the image at the bottom of the email for an extra layer of spookiness.

11. NoEnd House

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Haunted houses are at the center of many famous scary narratives, and surviving the night in one earned teenagers instant respect. Still, is the potential trauma and death worth the admiration of people who you'll likely never see again after graduation? This creepypasta answers with a firm and decisive "no."

NoEnd House promises $500 to whomever can survive a trip through its nine rooms of torture, a challenge that our narrator David readily accepts. The rooms begin to grow increasingly sinister and evil, pushing the limits of David's psyche and humanity. Are nine rooms really worth such a small monetary compensation that won't even pay for one therapy session?

The Syfy series Channel Zero also covers this creepypasta in its second season if you want to add some visuals to this spooky story.

12. Psychosis

Can you really trust what you see and feel? Is your life all a computer simulation? Do we live in the Matrix? Are we all just people in someone's else dream that is bound to end? Is this the real life, or is this just fantasy?

Existentialism may not be the scariest of philosophies, but Psychosis shows that proving human existence beyond innate fears and paranoia is an inner battle that can never be won.

John soon finds out that he's been cut off from the rest of the world — his only communication with other people is through electronic devices. He quickly becomes paranoid and becomes convinced that everyone around him is lying, trying to get him to come outside his door so an unknown entity can get him. His logic tries to defy his gut feeling, but he falls further into the belief that something has gone horribly wrong outside, and it's coming for him next.

13. Doors

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This creepypasta is popular for its Shyamalan-esque nature. The tale follows a family with a young male narrator who talks about their daily lives together.

One night, the household is attacked by a mysterious figure that our intrepid protagonist tries to chase out. Giving any more of the plot away would ruin the surprise, but this story proves that brevity can be an effective tool when used to properly horrifying and amaze.

14. Gateway of the Mind

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Ever wonder what would happen if you couldn't see, hear, smell, taste, or touch? Well, this creepypasta is here to put that theory to the test in what is honestly the most terrifying science experiment.

The story centers around a group of scientists who wish to make contact with God, and they believe that this could be possible by removing the body of all five senses. After performing a complex sensory surgery on a test subject, the poor person is completely disoriented and begins to hallucinate and "hear" people who have passed away.

What happens at the end is extremely meta, but the grueling details involving the pure mental torture the subject goes through is enough to absolutely creep anyone out.

15. The Rake

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This monster may not be as famous as his cousin, Slender Man, but he sure is just as creepy. The Rake is a humanoid creature that is completely pale, hairless, and has a thirst for human flesh.

According to Know Your Meme, this creature was originally created in 4chan's /b/ board where someone opened a "make your own monster" thread. The description that eventually became a part of The Rake was, "no apparent mouth, pale skin, six feet tall when standing, but usually crouches and walks on all fours, no nose, no mouth," and many other disturbing physical features.

Eventually this creature played a central role in many creepypastas. Most of these stories primarily involve documented encounters with the monster, and more often than not, the person dealing with The Rake never makes it out alive.

16. Lavender Town Syndrome

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A classic video game creepypasta that hits a little too close to home for those of us who grew up playing the original Pokémon Red and Blue during the late '90s. This creepypasta centers around the game Pokémon Green, which was only released in Japan in 1996.

According to the legend, rates of illness and suicide in children in Japan between the ages of 7-12 have reached a fever pitch. The common connection between all of them? They all played Pokémon Green and had reached an area known as Lavender Town whose theme music had extremely high pitches.

After conducting studies on this phenomenon that became known as "Lavender Town Syndrome," scientists realized that there was a certain tone in the town's music that only the ears of young children and teens could hear. This had essentially drove this demographic who played the game to insanity, causing them to have headaches, ear issues, and die from suicide.

While this sparked many theories and creepypastas surrounding Lavender Town and the original Pokémon games, this creepypasta is actually loosely based off a real-life incident involving a Pokémon episode that only aired in Japan in 1997.

During the airing of the 38th episode of the original Pokémon television series titled Electric Soldier Porygon, a scene that made use of extreme flashing images gave hundreds of children epileptic seizures.

17. The Expressionless

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In this creepypasta classic, a woman wearing a white gown that was covered in blood stumbled into a hospital in 1972. According to the nurse who is recounting this event, she said that this woman had the appearance of a mannequin, but was very much human-like in her movement and mannerisms.

After throwing a kitten she had clamped in her jaws on the ground, doctors and nurses rushed the woman into a hospital room for evaluation. Little does the hospital staff know that they have no idea who, or rather what, they're dealing with.

Related Video:

This story was originally published in 2013 and updated in 2018 and 2021.

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