The Guardian · 15 May, 05:00
The UK is holding its first-ever vote to find the nation's favorite butterfly, with 60 species to choose from, and the winner to be announced after the poll closes on June 7.
Butterfly Conservation, a charity, has launched a poll to find Britain's favorite butterfly. The poll, which runs until June 7, allows people to choose from 60 species of butterflies found in the UK. The charity's chief executive, Julie Williams, stated that the poll aims to find out which butterfly takes the nation's top spot. The poll follows similar competitions to find Britain's favorite bird and the Guardian's invertebrate of the year.
Why it matters: The poll is significant as it highlights the nation's love for butterflies, with a recent survey finding that butterflies are the most-loved creatures from people's childhoods. The poll also raises awareness about the various species of butterflies found in the UK, some of which are facing decline due to global heating and other environmental factors.
60 (number of butterfly species to choose from), June 7 (poll closing date)
Julie Williams, chief executive of Butterfly Conservation: 'It's clear Britain is a nation of butterfly lovers. From Sir David Attenborough and the royal family to the hundreds of thousands of people who have taken part in Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count, these incredible insects hold a very special place in our hearts.'
The Guardian · 15 May, 06:00
A privately funded rescue mission attempted to save a stranded humpback whale named Timmy, but the effort ultimately failed, and the whale is presumed dead. The case highlights the tension between animal rights activism and conservation, and the challenges of making difficult choices in wildlife management.
A young humpback whale, nicknamed Timmy, was stranded on the Baltic coast and gained international attention. A privately funded rescue mission costing around €1.5m attempted to save the whale, but the effort failed, and the whale is now presumed dead. The rescue mission was criticized by some experts, who argued that it was cruel to prolong the whale's life and that euthanasia would have been a more humane option. The whale had already been weakened by repeated strandings and weeks in low-salinity water.
Why it matters: The case of Timmy the whale highlights the complex challenges of conservation and wildlife management, particularly in the age of social media. It raises questions about the use of resources and the tension between animal rights activism and conservation. The case also underscores the need for careful consideration and expert advice in making decisions about wildlife management.
€1.5m (cost of the rescue mission), £1.3m (equivalent cost in pounds)
What feels good for the public might not actually be what's best for the animal. The case demonstrates the movement towards more social media-driven wildlife management, which is alarming. There's a huge pressure to move rapidly and that doesn't necessarily give experts the time to carefully consider what the best course of action should be, including things such as euthanasia, which might not be popular with the public but might be the best course of action for the animal's welfare." - Amy Dickham, professor of wildlife conservation at the University of Oxford
The Guardian · 15 May, 06:00
The owner of WH Smith's former high street business, TG Jones, is planning to close up to 150 stores, which could lead to the closure of dozens of Post Office counters within those stores, potentially creating 'postal deserts' in affected communities.
TG Jones, owned by private equity group Modella, is restructuring its business and aims to amend contracts with the Post Office to allow for the closure of outlets with just 56 days' notice. This move could lead to the closure of up to 60 Post Office counters within TG Jones stores. The company is planning to slash rents on dozens of its outlets, which may lead to landlords recalling leases and up to 150 TG Jones stores being shut. Eight stores will definitely close, seven of which house Post Offices.
Why it matters: The potential closure of Post Office counters within TG Jones stores could leave communities without access to essential services, creating 'postal deserts'. This is significant as Post Offices provide important services such as stamps, banking, and other vital functions. The closures could also put thousands of jobs at risk.
Up to 150 TG Jones stores could be shut, 60 Post Office counters could be closed, 56 days' notice period for closure, 450 TG Jones stores, 180 post offices operated by TG Jones, 8 stores to close, 7 Post Offices to close.
“We have been warning governments of all colours for nearly 35 years that outsourcing important social services like the Post Office to companies will put shareholders before communities we serve. All they will do is end up closing down community and crown post offices,” said Mole Meade, a member of the CWU executive council.
Ars Technica · 14 May, 21:02
Twin brothers, Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, were fired from their IT job and subsequently deleted 96 US government databases. They inadvertently recorded their conversation during the deletion spree using Microsoft Teams, which was used as evidence against them.
Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, 34-year-old twin brothers, were fired from their job at federal IT contractor Opexus after the company discovered they had previously been in prison for cyberfraud. In the hour following their termination, they deleted 96 US government databases. Unbeknownst to them, they had forgotten to end a Microsoft Teams recording, which captured their conversation during the deletion spree.
Why it matters: The incident highlights the careless mistakes made by the twin brothers, who seemed to have underestimated the consequences of their actions. The recording of their conversation provided the government with a verbatim transcript of their discussion, which will likely be used as evidence against them.
96 (number of US government databases deleted), 34 (age of the twin brothers)
Ars Technica · 14 May, 21:32
Research by Jeanne Brown, a graduate student at McGill University, found that men use 'vocal fry' more than women, contrary to the popular stereotype that it is more common in young women.
Jeanne Brown, a graduate student at McGill University, presented findings at the Acoustical Society of America's meeting in Philadelphia, suggesting that vocal fry, also known as creaky voice, is more common in men than women. Vocal fry is characterized by a distinctive drop in pitch, usually at the end of sentences, and is caused by slackened vocal cords leading to irregular vibration. This results in an audible cracking or rattling sound as air is released in spurts. Despite the stereotype that vocal fry is more prominent in young women, Brown's research indicates that men actually use it more often.
Why it matters: This discovery is significant because it challenges a widely-held stereotype about vocal fry and its association with young women. Understanding the actual usage of vocal fry across genders can provide insights into speech patterns and how we perceive them. It also highlights the importance of empirical research in debunking common assumptions about language and communication.
70 Hz (the fundamental frequency characterizing vocal fry), 20 Hz (the lowest end of the range of human hearing)
Ars Technica · 14 May, 19:27
Kouri Richins, a Utah real estate agent, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering her husband Eric via fentanyl overdose. Her internet history and cell phone data played a key role in her conviction.
Kouri Richins was found guilty of murdering her husband Eric via fentanyl overdose and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Her internet history, including online searches, and cell phone data were key pieces of evidence in her trial. Police seized her iPhone and compared it with records from her cell phone provider, revealing deleted text messages and establishing her location in the days leading up to Eric's death. Cell phone tower pings also helped place her at certain locations during that time.
Why it matters: This case highlights the importance of digital evidence in criminal investigations and the potential consequences of incriminating oneself through online activities. The use of cell phone data and internet history as evidence in this trial demonstrates the increasing role of technology in solving crimes.
March 2022 (Eric's death), null
NPR News · 15 May, 05:33
Summary not available.
NPR News · 15 May, 05:50
Summary not available.
NPR News · 15 May, 05:11
Summary not available.