What Happens When a 10-Year-Old Is Convicted of a Sex Crime?
New Yorker staff writer Sarah Stillman follows several young people in Texas who are now in their 20s and still grappling with the effects of being placed on the sex offender registry as children, for crimes like pulling down another kid’s pants on the playground or “play-acting sex” in elementary school. The sprawling piece looks at the ramifications of technology and teens’ tendency to use it when exploring their sexuality, several instances of young people providing confessions to police without understanding the consequences, and the “vigilantism” that terrorizes kids as young as 13 and 14 years old. [New Yorker]
Honey, North Korea Shrunk the Nuclear Warheads
North Korea claims it now can top ballistic missiles with miniaturized nuclear warheads, meaning it can shoot off nuclear weaponry very, very far. It remains unclear if what the country is saying is true, so let’s hope this falls under scary-but-not-real propaganda. [Reuters]
Six NASA Volunteers Are Sort of Reenacting 'The Martian'
NASA Volunteers are running a test to see what kind of emotional intelligence and qualities are needed to endure life on Mars. They’re simulating the experience by living in a volcanic quarry in Hawaii for a year. “Not everyone can endure the darkness, can endure the isolation,” one crew member explains in a video created by Quartz that you’ll want to watch if you enjoyed “The Martian.” [Quartz]
Four-Year-Old Shoots Mother After She Brags About His Gun-Handling Skills
It could be the NRA’s worst nightmare. A 4-year-old Florida boy whose pro-gun mother bragged about his shooting skills on Facebook accidentally shot his mother in the back through the seat of her car on Tuesday, according to reports. The boy fired a .45 caliber handgun into the back of the driver's seat, piercing through the cushion and pegging his mother, who was in stable condition after the shooting. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office called the shooting accidental and said it was “definitely not a criminal event.” [Daily News]
SeaWorld’s Famous Killer Whale May Be Close to Dying
SeaWorld announced that its famous killer whale, Tilikum, is suffering from a bacterial infection in his lungs that is resistant to treatment. Many people remember the orca — who is linked to the death of his SeaWorld trainer and two others — from the documentary “Blackfish.” The killer whale has become “increasingly lethargic,” according to his caretakers, who are concerned that his health “is beginning to deteriorate.” [NPR]
Even 50 Cent's Insta Life Isn't Real
Bankruptcy and owing millions of dollars to creditors have not stopped 50 Cent from posing for Instagram photos next to piles of cash and in fancy cars. But according to the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, the cash is fake and the cars aren’t his. Jackson told a judge that there’s a difference between the persona 50 Cent and the man Curtis Jackson, and that Fitty’s Instagram doesn't always reflect that. [NYT]
Women Who Make the First Move in Online Dating Get All the Perks
A study conducted by the dating website and app, OkCupid, said that women who make the first move in online dating are rewarded with higher response rates and more desirable men. The study found that out of 70,000 random users that had logged in at least three times within the same month, women who sent a message first were 2.5 times more likely to receive a response than men who did the same. [NYT]
'Weird Al' Opens Up About the Most Sensitive Aspect of his Career — 'Star Wars'
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, “Weird Al” Yankovic finally answered one of the questions that has been haunting fans: why he hasn’t come out with a new “Star Wars” song, especially after the new movie was released. Yankovic justified the decision by saying he already has two “Star Wars” songs that he basically has to play at his concerts “because of fan demand,” and that if he added a third one, “it just sort of becomes the ‘Star Wars’ show.” So it looks like “Yoda” and “The Saga Begins” will have to suffice for the time being. [Rolling Stone]
Here’s What Happens When You Try to Eat Like a Celebrity For a Month
From Karlie Kloss’ pumpkin bread to fresh pasta by Gwyneth Paltrow, Refinery29 took on the home cooking challenge by perusing more than a dozen celebrities’ Instagram feeds. [Refinery 29]
Bagels Might Increase Your Risk of Lung Cancer
Sad news for all New Yorkers: our sacred breakfast food — along with other starchy carbs, like white rice and potatoes — may up our risk of lung cancer, according a new study. Maybe switching to whole wheat everything will help? [Mic]
This column was compiled by DNAinfo reporters Carolina Pichardo, Irene Plagianos, Camille Bautista, Eddie Small, Nikhita Venugopal, Danielle Tcholakian, Emily Frost, Gwynne Hogan, Noah Hurowitz and Jeanmarie Evelly.
