The Guardian · 2 Aug, 05:00
An undercover police unit in the UK, the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), was shut down due to severe criticisms of unjustified surveillance and poor management. The unit had been spying on tens of thousands of political activists, mostly from left-wing groups and pro-Palestinian supporters.
The Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), an undercover police unit in the UK, was closed down after a senior police officer, Jon Boutcher, concluded that it was conducting unjustified surveillance and was badly run. The unit had been infiltrating political groups, including left-wing groups and pro-Palestinian supporters, but Boutcher found that most of these groups posed no threat to public order. In contrast, the unit had not been directed to infiltrate terrorist groups, despite the increasing threat of international terrorism at the time.
Why it matters: The shutdown of the SDS unit highlights concerns about police overreach and abuse of power, particularly with regards to the surveillance of peaceful political activists. The unit's actions, including the formation of intimate relationships with women they were spying on without their consent, caused significant harm to individuals and communities. The inquiry into the unit's conduct is examining the actions of 139 undercover officers and their impact on public trust in law enforcement.
At that time, society faced an increasing and enduring threat from international terrorism from which people were losing their lives, while almost no undercover capability existed to infiltrate those dangerous terrorist groups.
The Guardian · 2 Aug, 06:00
The UK government's housebuilding targets are being threatened by a lack of water and crumbling infrastructure in parts of England, with environmental pressures and drought conditions exacerbating the issue. The situation is critical in areas such as Basingstoke, East Hampshire, and Cambridgeshire, where water scarcity and infrastructure failures are hindering growth plans.
The UK government's housebuilding agenda is facing challenges due to a lack of water and crumbling infrastructure in parts of England. Half of the country has been declared to be in serious drought, with the Environment Agency warning of dire consequences for the economy, environment, and wildlife. In areas such as Basingstoke, East Hampshire, and Cambridgeshire, water scarcity and infrastructure failures are hindering growth plans. Some water companies have stated that there is 'insufficient' water for new homes, and the situation is being exacerbated by crumbling infrastructure.
Why it matters: The issue is significant because it highlights the need for sustainable water management and infrastructure investment to support growth plans. The government's housebuilding targets may not be achievable without addressing the water scarcity issue, and the environmental consequences of inaction could be severe. The situation also raises questions about the long-term resilience of water supplies and the need for infrastructure investment.
1.5m (Labour's housebuilding target), 1,150 (new homes required per year in Basingstoke), 98% (increase in homes required per year in East Hampshire), 150,000 (homes planned for Greater Cambridgeshire), 5,726 (residents of Waterbeach), 4,500 (new homes planned for Waterbeach), 89 litres (per person per day water limit in Cambridgeshire), 2042 (year by which 19,000 homes are demanded in Tonbridge and Malling)
We cannot magic up more water. They say 'build, baby, build' but it is something we cannot just wave a wand and do.
The Guardian · 2 Aug, 06:00
The French theme park company Puy du Fou, owned by the de Villiers family, is planning a £600m theme park in Oxfordshire, England. The company has faced scrutiny over its past ties to Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev, who was sanctioned by the EU and US for his role in the annexation of Crimea.
Puy du Fou, a French theme park company, had planned to build a theme park in Crimea in partnership with Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian oligarch, in 2014. Despite EU sanctions imposed on Malofeyev in July 2014, Puy du Fou continued to work with him until August 2015, according to documents seen by the Guardian. The company now plans to build a £600m theme park in Oxfordshire, England, with re-enactments, mock medieval castles, themed villages, hotels, and restaurants.
Why it matters: The company's past ties to Malofeyev and its continued dealings with him despite EU sanctions raise questions about its willingness to work with autocratic regimes and its compliance with sanctions law. The new theme park in Oxfordshire will dramatize over 1,000 years of British history.
£600m, 2014, 2015
When I see the spiral of sanctions and counter-sanctions, I think European leaders are irresponsible. I would gladly swap [French leaders François] Hollande and [Nicolas] Sarkozy for Putin.
NPR News · 1 Aug, 22:23
Famed mountaineer Nirmal Purja and his fellow climbers were killed in an avalanche in Pakistan while attempting to climb one of the tallest peaks on earth.
Nirmal Purja, a renowned mountaineer, and his fellow climbers died in an avalanche in Pakistan. They were part of an international team attempting to climb one of the tallest peaks on earth. The team consisted of climbers from around the world, including the U.S. The incident occurred during their climb.
Why it matters: This incident is significant because Nirmal Purja was a well-known figure in the mountaineering community. His death, along with his fellow climbers, highlights the risks and dangers associated with high-altitude climbing.
NPR News · 1 Aug, 22:32
Vincent Pastore, an actor known for his roles as mobsters and tough guys, has died at the age of 80. He appeared in notable films such as 'Goodfellas' and 'Awakenings'.
Vincent Pastore, an actor known for his roles as mobsters and tough guys, has died at the age of 80. He had a long career appearing in movies dating back to the 1980s. Some of his notable roles include appearances in 'Goodfellas' and 'Awakenings', both released in 1990. Pastore also played a significant role in the popular TV series 'The Sopranos'.
Why it matters: Vincent Pastore's death marks the end of an era for fans of crime dramas and mobster movies. His contributions to films like 'Goodfellas' and 'Awakenings' have left a lasting impact on the film industry. Pastore's portrayal of tough characters has made him a memorable figure in popular culture.
80
Ars Technica · 1 Aug, 18:20
A satellite named Link, built by Katalyst Space Technologies, experienced a malfunction while attempting to rescue NASA's Swift gamma-ray observatory, leaving it spinning out of control and unable to communicate reliably with the ground.
The Link satellite, a refrigerator-size spacecraft, suddenly spun out of control more than 200 miles above the Earth. It was on a mission to rescue NASA's $500 million Swift gamma-ray observatory. The satellite's malfunction included rotation on multiple axes, which hindered its ability to maintain a reliable communications link with the ground. Additionally, two of the satellite's three reaction wheels stopped working, and there was a problem with some of the cold gas thrusters used for finer attitude control.
Why it matters: This malfunction is significant because the Link satellite was crucial for the rescue of NASA's Swift gamma-ray observatory, a $500 million mission. The failure of the Link satellite complicates efforts to save the Swift observatory, which is now at risk due to the loss of the rescue mission.
Ars Technica · 1 Aug, 15:19
Christopher Nolan's film 'The Odyssey' continues to spark controversy and debate among classicists and the general public, despite receiving accolades and financial success. The film offers an intimate take on the epic poem, weaving a captivating cinematic spell.
Christopher Nolan's adaptation of 'The Odyssey' has been a subject of controversy since its initial casting and design reveals. The film has received accolades and achieved significant box office earnings. Despite its success, debates about the film continue between classicists and the general public. The film provides an intimate take on the epic poem, offering a fresh perspective on the central character of Odysseus.
Why it matters: The ongoing debates about Nolan's 'The Odyssey' highlight the challenges of adapting ancient works for modern audiences. The film's success and controversy demonstrate the continued relevance of the epic poem and the complexities of bringing it to life on the big screen. The discussions surrounding the film also underscore the importance of balancing historical accuracy with creative interpretation.
NPR News · 1 Aug, 18:33
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing backlash after around 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Roughly 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. This has led to backlash against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has been a pro-immigration leader. Sánchez had previously been seen as a hero to migrants.
Why it matters: The large influx of migrants has put Sánchez's pro-immigration stance to the test, and he is now facing criticism both at home and abroad. This development presents Sánchez with his biggest challenge yet.
60,000
Ars Technica · 1 Aug, 10:00
Scientists have discovered that fruit flies use a more advanced method than previously thought to track the source of smells, navigating through chaotic airflows to find their target.
Researchers led by neuroscientist Vanessa Ruta at Rockefeller University have found that fruit flies do not use the previously accepted 'surge and cast' model to track smells. Instead, they have discovered that fruit flies are capable of more complex behavior to navigate through turbulent airflows and track the source of a smell. The 'surge and cast' model suggested that insects used hardwired reflexes to follow smells, but this does not explain how they track meandering plumes across long distances.
Why it matters: This discovery is significant because it shows that fruit flies are capable of more complex navigation than previously thought, and it challenges the current understanding of how insects track smells. Understanding how fruit flies navigate through chaotic airflows can provide insights into how they interact with their environment and find food or mates.
"Odors are invisible," Ruta says, "and often they're carried along by turbulent airflow."