The Guardian · 6 Apr, 05:46
The Artemis II mission crew will experience 41 minutes of radio silence as they pass behind the moon, marking a significant milestone in their journey to prepare for a lunar landing by 2028. The mission aims to advance understanding of space travel and the challenges of deep space exploration.
The Artemis II mission, launched on April 1, is a crucial stage in NASA's plan to build a base on the moon with a continuous human presence. The four-person crew, consisting of astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, will not land on the moon this time but will instead document parts of the moon that have not been seen by humans since the Apollo missions over 50 years ago. The mission involves various scientific experiments, including collecting saliva samples to monitor immune system responses to radiation exposure and isolation, and testing 'organ-on-a-chip technology' to better understand the effects of space travel on the human body. The crew has already encountered some earthly problems, such as a malfunctioning toilet, which was fixed with the help of the crew back on Earth.
Why it matters: The Artemis II mission is significant because it marks a major step towards establishing a human presence on the moon and advancing our understanding of space travel. The mission's findings will help inform future missions and improve the safety and health of astronauts. Despite controversy over the mission's cost, which is expected to be almost $100 billion, the mission has garnered bipartisan support and is seen as a remarkable achievement in human space exploration.
Almost $100 billion (expected cost of the Artemis program), 2028 (target year for a lunar landing), 50 years (time since the Apollo missions last visited the moon), 10 days (duration of the Artemis II mission), 1,650C (temperature the spacecraft must withstand when re-entering Earth's atmosphere), 41 minutes (duration of radio silence during the mission)
'Humanity has once again shown what we are capable of.' - Jeremy Hansen, astronaut
The Guardian · 6 Apr, 05:00
Campaigners are calling for the UK government to lift a 30-year freeze on compensation for victims of crime, citing that the current maximum of £500,000 is insufficient for lifetime care and support. The cap, set in 1996, has not kept pace with inflation and is now less than half of what it would be if it had risen with inflation.
The current maximum compensation for victims of severe life-changing injuries in England, Scotland, and Wales is £500,000, set by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) in April 1996. This amount is intended to cover the victim's care and long-term future, but campaigners argue it is inadequate. If the maximum had risen with inflation, it would now be £1,015,000. Victims and their families have expressed concerns that the current amount will not last a lifetime, particularly given the increasing costs of living and care.
Why it matters: The issue matters because victims of crime who suffer severe injuries often require lifelong care and support, which can be expensive. The current compensation cap may leave them without sufficient financial support, affecting their quality of life. Campaigners argue that the 30-year freeze on the compensation cap is outdated and does not reflect the true costs of care and support.
£500,000 (current maximum compensation), £1,015,000 (what the maximum would be if it had risen with inflation), 30 years (length of time since the cap was set), 1996 (year the cap was set), 2024-25 (£164m paid out by the taxpayer-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme)
“For adults and children who suffer catastrophic brain injury, are confined to a wheelchair or whose lives have been ruined by abuse, the fact that they have to manage with this amount for life through no fault of their own is an insult.” - Neil Sugarman, a lawyer and former president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (Apil)
The Guardian · 6 Apr, 04:57
A Tokyo dating agency organized a matchmaking event for people with the same surname, specifically targeting those with common Japanese surnames like Suzuki, Ito, Tanaka, and Sato. The event aims to highlight Japan's controversial ban on married couples having separate surnames.
A dating agency in Tokyo hosted a matchmaking event for individuals with the same surname, starting with those with the surname Suzuki. The event brought together three men and three women who share the same surname, giving them 15 minutes to get to know each other. The agency plans to host similar events for people with other common Japanese surnames. The events aim to skirt Japan's ban on married couples having separate surnames by matching people who already share the same surname.
Why it matters: Japan's civil code requires married couples to have the same family name, which often results in women taking their husband's surname. This has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it reflects Japan's male-dominated society. The issue has been raised by the UN committee on the elimination of discrimination against women, and businesses are also urging change, citing obstacles for women in the workplace.
95% (percentage of cases where the woman takes the husband's surname), 82% (percentage of female executives supporting allowing married couples to use separate surnames), 36.6% and 46.6% (percentages of women and men, respectively, who feel reluctant about changing their surname), 7% (percentage of people who said they would break up if neither partner wanted to change their surname)
We launched the project to highlight a growing issue in Japan, as many people hesitate to marry because of the requirement to change their surname. We wanted to present a simple and slightly humorous idea – matching people who already share the same surname – in order to make this issue more visible and easier to understand. - Yuka Maruyama, creative planner and project initiator at Asuniwa
NPR News · 6 Apr, 05:09
NASA's Artemis II crew is preparing for a lunar flyby on Monday, where they will loop around the moon and venture farther into space than any previous human mission.
The crew of Artemis II is set to conduct a lunar flyby on Monday. At its closest point, they will loop about 4,000 miles from the lunar surface. This mission will also mark the farthest distance any humans have ventured into space before. The crew consists of four astronauts.
Why it matters: This mission is significant as it marks a major step towards NASA's goal of returning humans to the lunar surface. The lunar flyby will test the spacecraft's capabilities and provide valuable experience for the astronauts. It also paves the way for future missions to the moon and beyond.
4,000 miles (closest approach to lunar surface)
NPR News · 6 Apr, 01:25
UCLA won its first NCAA women's basketball national championship by defeating South Carolina. This achievement comes after the team lost in the first Final Four last season.
UCLA secured its first NCAA women's basketball national championship in school history. The team achieved this goal after losing in the first Final Four last season. They defeated South Carolina in the championship game.
Why it matters: This victory is significant for UCLA as it marks the team's first NCAA women's basketball national championship. It shows the team's growth and determination after a previous loss in the Final Four.
NPR News · 6 Apr, 01:20
The Wireless Festival in London booked Kanye West, now known as Ye, as its headliner, but subsequently lost major sponsors due to his controversial reputation.
The Wireless Festival in London announced Ye, also known as Kanye West, as its headliner. Ye has been known for making antisemitic comments and engaging in activities that glorify Nazis. Following the announcement, the festival lost several major sponsors. The loss of sponsorship is likely due to Ye's controversial statements and actions.
Why it matters: This is significant because it highlights the impact that an artist's controversial behavior can have on events and their sponsors. The loss of major sponsors can have financial implications for festivals and may influence future booking decisions.
Ars Technica · 5 Apr, 11:07
A Quizlet user created a public flashcard set in February that exposed confidential information about US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities around Kingsville, Texas. The set was made private on March 20 after being reported by WIRED.
A user on Quizlet created a public flashcard set titled 'USBP Review' in February, which appeared to expose highly confidential information about security procedures in US Customs and Border Protection facilities around Kingsville, Texas. The set was available to the public until March 20, when it was made private less than half an hour after WIRED messaged a phone number potentially linked to the Quizlet user. The CBP spokesperson stated that the incident is being reviewed by CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility.
Why it matters: This incident is significant because it potentially exposed sensitive information about CBP facilities and security procedures. The leak could compromise the security of CBP facilities and operations. The incident is under review by CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility.
A review should not be taken as an indication of wrongdoing.