The Guardian · 14 May, 06:00
Nigel Farage has been criticized for supporting a Christian church leader who preaches that homosexuality is an 'abomination' and leads to hell. Farage recorded a video with Stephen Clayden, the leader of Bread of Life church, expressing his full support and offering help from the Free Speech Union.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has been criticized for backing Stephen Clayden, a Christian church leader who preaches that homosexuality is an 'abomination' and leads to hell. Farage recorded a video with Clayden, expressing his full support and offering help from the Free Speech Union after Colchester council applied for a banning order to limit Clayden's street preaching. Clayden's church, Bread of Life, has been preaching on the streets of Colchester for over six years and has also preached at Pride Week events in Essex, where Clayden described homosexuality as 'vile, disgusting and wicked'.
Why it matters: This is significant because Farage's support for Clayden has been seen as promoting homophobic views, which has sparked criticism from Labour and others. The incident highlights the tension between freedom of speech and the protection of vulnerable groups from hate speech. Farage's backing of Clayden has been condemned as supporting division and not standing for working people.
Their home shall be in the lake of fire … we are here telling you what the word of God says.
The Guardian · 14 May, 06:00
British paratroopers from the 16 Air Assault Brigade jumped from 2,500 meters over Tristan da Cunha, a remote British overseas territory in the south Atlantic, to deliver medical supplies and personnel to a resident suspected of having hantavirus.
On Saturday, a team of British paratroopers, consisting of six Pathfinders from the 16 Air Assault Brigade, a doctor, and an intensive care nurse, jumped from an RAF transport plane 2,500 meters over Tristan da Cunha. The team, led by Captain George Lacey, had to navigate through clouds for 2,000 feet of the descent before the ground became visible. Once on the ground, the medical team attended to a resident suspected of having hantavirus, while the soldiers coordinated the delivery of equipment, including oxygen canisters and protective gear.
Why it matters: This parachute jump was significant because Tristan da Cunha is a remote island with limited accessibility, and the jump was deemed the fastest way to deliver medical supplies and personnel to the resident in need of urgent treatment. The successful jump demonstrates the British army's capability to respond to humanitarian emergencies in remote locations.
2,500 meters (jump altitude), 221 (population of Tristan da Cunha), 2,000 miles (distance from Ascension Island to Tristan da Cunha), 5-10 minutes (descent time), 2,000 feet (cloud cover during descent), 6 (number of Pathfinders), 2 (number of medics), 200 (number of jumps by Captain George Lacey)
The parachute can only go forward so quickly. So you have to turn into the wind and basically fly backwards, which is a very weird sensation, as you can imagine.
The Guardian · 14 May, 05:00
Nigel Farage's constituency of Clacton-on-Sea has been identified as the worst 'tree desert' in England, with 98.2% of residents living in neighborhoods with critically low access to trees. This lack of tree cover can lead to increased air pollution, poorer health, and lower life expectancy.
A new report by the Woodland Trust has found that Clacton-on-Sea, the constituency of Nigel Farage, has the highest proportion of urban residents living in neighborhoods with critically low access to trees, making it the worst 'tree desert' in England. The research, which covered the whole of the UK, also found a significant north-south divide, with 15 of the worst-performing towns and cities for tree cover located in the north. The report highlights that over a million people in the UK are living in 'tree deserts', where communities are missing out on the many benefits that trees provide.
Why it matters: The lack of tree cover in urban areas can have severe consequences, including increased air pollution, poorer health, lower life expectancy, and a higher risk of stress, anxiety, and depression. Trees in urban environments play a crucial role in reducing the risk of floods, keeping the air cleaner, and protecting from rising temperatures. Therefore, it is essential to address the issue of 'tree deserts' and ensure that everyone has easy access to the environmental and health benefits of trees.
98.2% (proportion of urban residents in Clacton-on-Sea living in neighborhoods with critically low access to trees), 86.9% (proportion of residents in Hartlepool at risk from a lack of access to trees), 1 million (number of people in the UK living in 'tree deserts')
More than a million people in the UK are living in these 'tree deserts', places of critically low tree equity where communities are missing out on the many benefits trees provide. That can mean hotter homes and streets, dirtier air, higher rates of asthma and heart disease, and poorer physical and mental health. These challenges affect daily life in countless ways and, combined with wider inequities, can even contribute to lower life expectancy. - Caroline Gray, Woodland Trust tree equity programme officer
Ars Technica · 13 May, 21:48
A solar-powered drone with a 236-foot wingspan, comparable to a Boeing 747 jumbo jet, broke a flight record by flying for eight days before crashing at sea. The drone, originally the Solar Impulse 2, was being used for test flights by Skydweller Aero for maritime patrol mission scenarios with the US military.
A solar-powered drone, originally known as Solar Impulse 2, has crashed at sea after completing a record-breaking eight-day flight. The drone, modified by Skydweller Aero, had a 236-foot wingspan covered with over 17,000 solar cells, allowing it to fly solely on renewable energy and batteries. The aircraft was being used for test flights with the US military for maritime patrol mission scenarios. The flight began on April 26 and ended in early May.
Why it matters: This is significant because the drone demonstrated the capability of performing long-duration flights using only solar power, which could be useful for various military and surveillance applications. The drone's ability to carry up to 800 pounds of payload also makes it a valuable asset for such missions. The crash, however, marks the end of the pioneering aircraft's life.
236-foot wingspan, 17,000 solar cells, 8 days of flight, 800 pounds payload capacity, April 26 - early May flight dates
Ars Technica · 13 May, 19:05
Scientists studied the 'whip' of Olympic weightlifting barbells, a phenomenon where the barbell bends and recoils in response to loaded weight and applied force. Researchers conducted a modal analysis to quantify the whip and understand its mechanics.
A graduate student, Joshua Langlois, from Pennsylvania State University conducted an experiment to study the 'whip' of Olympic weightlifting barbells. He suspended four 20-kg men's barbells with 50 kg loaded on each end from elastic resistance bands and attached accelerometers at each end of the bar. Langlois then tapped set locations across the bar with a small hammer, measuring the acceleration at the endpoints to map out how the bars moved in response. The experiment aimed to quantify the whip and understand the mechanics of the barbell's flexural bending.
Why it matters: Understanding the whip of Olympic weightlifting barbells can provide insights into what makes a good barbell at the elite level. This knowledge can be significant for Olympic weightlifters who seek to exploit every possible advantage in their performance. By understanding how to harness the whip, athletes can potentially improve their lifting capabilities.
20-kg (men's barbells), 15-kg (women's barbells), 50 kg (loaded weight on each end of the barbell)
When they dip down, they can feel when the bar flexes back up and use that to accelerate the movement upward to increase the amount they can lift.
Ars Technica · 13 May, 20:44
The FCC has approved the sale of EchoStar's spectrum licenses to AT&T and SpaceX (Starlink) for a total of $40 billion. The move has angered small carriers who feel it will further entrench the dominance of large telecom companies.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the sale of EchoStar's spectrum licenses to AT&T and SpaceX, the operator of Starlink. The deals are worth $40 billion in total, with AT&T buying licenses for $23 billion and SpaceX for $17 billion. The FCC's decision was not unexpected, given that Chairman Brendan Carr had previously threatened to revoke the licenses if they were not sold. EchoStar's subsidiary Dish Network had obtained a deadline extension for its network deployment obligations, but Carr objected to the agreement.
Why it matters: This move is significant because it will likely further entrench the dominance of large telecom companies like AT&T and SpaceX, potentially harming smaller carriers. The sale of spectrum licenses can impact the competitive landscape of the telecom industry, and small carriers may feel they are being shut out of opportunities. The decision also highlights the FCC's role in shaping the telecom industry through its regulatory decisions.
$40 billion (total value of deals), $23 billion (AT&T's purchase), $17 billion (SpaceX's purchase)
NPR News · 14 May, 05:21
Summary not available.
NPR News · 14 May, 00:59
Summary not available.
NPR News · 14 May, 00:43
Summary not available.