Dillon Reeves, a seventh grader who recently stopped a school bus from crashing in Michigan after the driver lost consciousness was able to perform the heroic task because he was the only passenger who was not distracted by an electronic device.

Dillon Reeves, a seventh grader who recently stopped a school bus from crashing in Michigan after the driver lost consciousness was able to perform the heroic task because he was the only passenger who was not distracted by an electronic device. According to Dillon’s father, Steve, the parents had decided to not provide him with a cell phone - a decision that paid off in a big way during the crisis. “What else are you going to do when you don’t have a phone? You’re going to look at people, you’re going to notice stuff. You’re going to look out the window. It’s a very powerful lesson, maybe a change-the-world kind of lesson," Steve was quoted as saying by CBS. Steve added that when the police called him regarding his son, he was anticipating the call to go in another direction. "'Are you the parent of Dillon Reeves?'" Steve Reeves recalled the police asking him. "And I said, 'Yes.' And I go 'What'd he do?' And he goes 'No, this is a good phone call. Your son is a hero. He stopped the bus.'" While Dillon was busy accessing the situation and saving the day, other students were seemingly engrossed in their smartphones, blissfully unaware of the tragedy waiting to unfold. “I had my AirPods in,” said one student, while another added: “I was looking on my phone.” “I was on my phone playing a little game," added the third student. WATCH | Twitter's new CEO Linda Yaccarino to oversee business operations × Incident caught on camera The incident was caught on the bus security camera and quickly went viral across social media platforms. In the video, Dillon can be seen calmly approaching the driver who had passed out due to a medical emergency. He takes control of the steering wheel and pilots the bus away from traffic, eventually bringing the vehicle to a sweet stop as he did not break too abruptly. “Someone call 911! Now!” Dillon yelled as the bus came to a halt. VIDEO: Seventh-grade student brings moving bus under control after driver faints, hailed After the incident, Superintendent Robert Livernois said it was the first time he had witnessed such an act of courage. "In my 35-plus years of education, this was an extraordinary act of courage and maturity on his part. He ran to the front of the bus, grabbed the steering wheel and brought the bus to a stop in the middle of the road," said Livernois. "And he had the wherewithal to push the brake down slowly - likely in anticipation that the bus was full of passengers." Quizzed about his parent's decision to withhold the cell phone from him for an even longer period, Dillion replied in the typical teenage way, “Whatever. My parents are old school." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US boy could avert bus crash because his parents didn't give him a cell phone

It has been 50 years since cell phones were invented. Today's smartphones pack more tech than initial NASA's Voyager I, Apollo 11 computers, Orion spaceship, etc. Are cell phones the greatest invention since the wheel? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Cellphone creator Martin Cooper regrets invention?

Concerned about the slow pace of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccinations</a>, Pakistani authorities have decided to take drastic measures, including blocking people’s cellphone service in two provinces and suspending the salaries of some government employees who have not been vaccinated.

They say the measures are needed to address deep skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines, and about inoculations more broadly.

Pakistan has long struggled with disinformation about vaccines that have been proven safe and effective, particularly for polio. Parents commonly refuse polio immunization for their children, falsely believing that the vaccine is harmful and part of a US plot to sterilize the children.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-asiatic-bear-cubs-orphaned-near-india-pakistan-border-get-new-home-391617" hreflang="en">Two Asiatic bear cubs orphaned near India-Pakistan border get new home</a>

That refusal has made Pakistan the last refuge for the polio virus in the world, besides neighboring Afghanistan.

And now conspiracy theories about the side effects of the coronavirus vaccine have become widespread in Pakistan.

“I have heard that people, after getting the coronavirus jab, will die within the two years,” said Ehsan Ahmed, a truck driver in Karachi. “It is the reason that in our extended family of at least 25 people, no one is willing to vaccinate themselves.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-police-arrest-19-employees-of-fast-food-restaurant-for-not-giving-free-burgers-391541" hreflang="en">Pakistan police arrest 19 employees of fast food restaurant for not giving free burgers</a>

The government has set a goal of vaccinating between 45 million and 65 million people by the end of this year, and it recently announced plans to spend $1.1 billion to procure doses.

However, as of Tuesday, Pakistan had fully vaccinated roughly 3 million people — less than 2 per cent of its population — since the vaccination drive started on Feb. 3, according to government data.

The country has recorded nearly 22,000 deaths from COVID-19 and nearly 1 million people have tested positive for the virus since the start of the pandemic.

In an effort to compel people to get shots, the local authorities in two provinces — Punjab and Sindh — have announced plans to block the cellphone service of residents who refuse.

“The government is trying its best to facilitate people in getting the vaccine,” the information minister in Sindh, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, said. He called the decision to not get a shot “unacceptable.”

Authorities have not announced when the order will take effect or how it will be enforced.

At the same time, the government in Sindh has directed its finance ministry to stop paying government employees who have not been vaccinated, starting in July.

Since the measures were announced, reports of fake vaccination certificates have soared.

This week, police in the port city of Karachi arrested a person involved in selling forged vaccination certificates at the city’s largest vaccination center.

They cost around $12.

Concerned about the slow pace of coronavirus vaccinations, Pakistani authorities have decided to take drastic measures, including blocking people’s cellphone service in two provinces and suspending the salaries of some government employees who have not been vaccinated.

Concerned about the slow pace of coronavirus vaccinations, Pakistani authorities have decided to take drastic measures, including blocking people’s cellphone service in two provinces and suspending the salaries of some government employees who have not been vaccinated. They say the measures are needed to address deep skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines, and about inoculations more broadly. Pakistan has long struggled with disinformation about vaccines that have been proven safe and effective, particularly for polio. Parents commonly refuse polio immunization for their children, falsely believing that the vaccine is harmful and part of a US plot to sterilize the children. Also read | Two Asiatic bear cubs orphaned near India-Pakistan border get new home That refusal has made Pakistan the last refuge for the polio virus in the world, besides neighboring Afghanistan. And now conspiracy theories about the side effects of the coronavirus vaccine have become widespread in Pakistan. “I have heard that people, after getting the coronavirus jab, will die within the two years,” said Ehsan Ahmed, a truck driver in Karachi. “It is the reason that in our extended family of at least 25 people, no one is willing to vaccinate themselves.” Also read | Pakistan police arrest 19 employees of fast food restaurant for not giving free burgers The government has set a goal of vaccinating between 45 million and 65 million people by the end of this year, and it recently announced plans to spend $1.1 billion to procure doses. However, as of Tuesday, Pakistan had fully vaccinated roughly 3 million people — less than 2 per cent of its population — since the vaccination drive started on Feb. 3, according to government data. The country has recorded nearly 22,000 deaths from COVID-19 and nearly 1 million people have tested positive for the virus since the start of the pandemic. In an effort to compel people to get shots, the local authorities in two provinces — Punjab and Sindh — have announced plans to block the cellphone service of residents who refuse. “The government is trying its best to facilitate people in getting the vaccine,” the information minister in Sindh, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, said. He called the decision to not get a shot “unacceptable.” Authorities have not announced when the order will take effect or how it will be enforced. At the same time, the government in Sindh has directed its finance ministry to stop paying government employees who have not been vaccinated, starting in July. Since the measures were announced, reports of fake vaccination certificates have soared. This week, police in the port city of Karachi arrested a person involved in selling forged vaccination certificates at the city’s largest vaccination center. They cost around $12.

Unvaccinated in Pakistan? You might lose your cellphone service

The devil got his due on Monday as a week-long course on exorcism - including by cellphone - got under way at a Catholic university amid signs that the number of demonic possessions is on the rise.

About 200 aspiring exorcists or others just curious about the snare of the devil gathered with experts for lectures and lessons on topics such as discerning between possession and mental illness, witchcraft in Africa, and the ABC's of casting out the demon.

Cardinal Ernest Simoni, 89, of Albania, quickly piqued the interest of participants in first session at when he said that he had performed exorcisms via cellphone.

"They call me and we speak and like this," Simoni said after his mentioning the cellphone technique in his formal address.

Speaking in a calm, grandfatherly, what's-the-big-deal tone of voice, he said he read the prayers of exorcism in Latin over the phone, just as he would if he were performing the detailed rite in person.

Although no official figures are available, Church officials say the number of demonic possessions is on the rise.

Professor Giuseppe Ferrari, one of the organisers of the "Course on Exorcism and the Prayer of Liberation", held at the Vatican-approved Pontifical Regina Apostolorum University said the number of exorcisms was definitely increasing over the years.

Apart from sessions with practising exorcists, the some 35 lessons and lectures include sessions with theologians, psychologists, criminologists, and Church historians.

Most of the participants in the course were priests. Only priests can perform exorcisms and only after their bishops give them permission.

Those who take the course are given a certificate but Ferrari stressed that does not entitle them to perform exorcism.

Lay Catholics, including women, can be what a course entry called "auxiliary exorcists," meaning they can be present at the rite, pray and give moral support to the priest casting out the demon.

Most of the participants in the course were priests.

The devil got his due on Monday as a week-long course on exorcism - including by cellphone - got under way at a Catholic university amid signs that the number of demonic possessions is on the rise. About 200 aspiring exorcists or others just curious about the snare of the devil gathered with experts for lectures and lessons on topics such as discerning between possession and mental illness, witchcraft in Africa, and the ABC's of casting out the demon. Cardinal Ernest Simoni, 89, of Albania, quickly piqued the interest of participants in first session at when he said that he had performed exorcisms via cellphone. "They call me and we speak and like this," Simoni said after his mentioning the cellphone technique in his formal address. Speaking in a calm, grandfatherly, what's-the-big-deal tone of voice, he said he read the prayers of exorcism in Latin over the phone, just as he would if he were performing the detailed rite in person. Although no official figures are available, Church officials say the number of demonic possessions is on the rise. Professor Giuseppe Ferrari, one of the organisers of the "Course on Exorcism and the Prayer of Liberation", held at the Vatican-approved Pontifical Regina Apostolorum University said the number of exorcisms was definitely increasing over the years. Apart from sessions with practising exorcists, the some 35 lessons and lectures include sessions with theologians, psychologists, criminologists, and Church historians. Most of the participants in the course were priests. Only priests can perform exorcisms and only after their bishops give them permission. Those who take the course are given a certificate but Ferrari stressed that does not entitle them to perform exorcism. Lay Catholics, including women, can be what a course entry called "auxiliary exorcists," meaning they can be present at the rite, pray and give moral support to the priest casting out the demon.

Exorcism by cellphone: Beating the devil in 21st century

cellphone

Cellphone, News on Cellphone, stories on Cellphone, articles on Cellphone, Cellphone stories at Wion, Cellphone news, Cellphone latest news