Magical face mask

A Harry Potter fan has created a face covering which magically changes as you wear it — and the good news is they’ll be on sale soon.

Artist Stefanie Hook uploaded a video on a social networking site as she put on what appeared to be a plain black mask. But after just a few seconds, the material changes to reveal the Marauder’s Map — and the magical effect looks like one straight from the movies. The design change is activated when the masks reach about 27C, triggered by the heat of the wearer’s breath.

The clip racked up 2.2 million views, with plenty of people desperate to get their hands on one of their own.

Although Stefanie revealed she would be making the masks available online, they would be in ‘very limited quantities’ as she is the only person who sews for the business. She states that the masks are not medical grade, but were created using the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention sewing instructions for face coverings.

Rainbow house

Jane Gottlieb spent two months transforming her dull sea-view home in Santa Barbara, California, into a ‘piece of art’, featuring nine different colours on its exterior alone and dozens more inside.

But the house needs a paint job once a year to stop the colours from fading in the harsh sunlight — resulting in the house becoming even bolder each time a new lick of paint is added.

Jane is a renowned artist, who has showcased her work all over the world, said her four-bedroom home leaves visitors stunned and smiling, with passers-by dubbing it the “rainbow house”.

But she claims her neighbours don’t like it because it doesn’t fit in with the rest of the ‘beige’ Mediterranean houses.

First flight by world’s largest electric plane

The world’s largest all-electric aircraft took off from a Washington state airstrip for its first flight, staying in the air for 28 minutes, the plane’s makers said.

The eCaravan plane, a modified Cessna Caravan 208B, was created by collaboration between engine company magniX and aerospace firm AeroTEC. It took its first flight in an event that was livestreamed on Facebook.

The electric plane is more environment-friendly and costs less to operate than its fossil fuel-powered counterparts.

“As the world’s largest all-electric aircraft, this first flight is a significant milestone in disrupting the transportation industry and accelerating the electric aviation revolution,” magniX said. A smaller plane with a magniX electric engine took its first 15-minute flight in December 2019.

Surfer survives shark attack

A French surfer has survived being bitten by a shark in Australia. Dylan Nacass punched the shark twice when it attacked him at Bells Beach, Victoria. The 23-year-old escaped with minor injuries to his legs and required stitches for a few puncture wounds.

“I punched him one time, he stayed in my legs. Two times after, he go,” he told.

A second surfer nearby, Matt Sedunary, said: “He started screaming. I honestly thought he was mucking around with his friends.”

He then realised the Frenchman wasn’t joking and rushed to help. Video footage shows the pair shouting and paddling frantically to get away from the shark as it swims up behind them. Graham Blade, who was on a cliff nearby filming, started recording the incident as he heard screams.

“I actually saw it pop up behind him and knew it was real,” he said.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 6th, 2020