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Chelsea football club has submitted a planning application for the development and expansion of Stamford Bridge.
By: James Temperton,
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Monthly Archives: December 2015
#UK How to beat radiation, simulate gravity and survive in space
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In December, Kevin Fong will deliver Britain’s most prestigious public science lectures, but he would much rather be up in space
By: Rowland Manthorpe,
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#UK London Bridge area evacuated after reports of suspicious object
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A large evacuation has taken place in the London Bridge area of central London.
Specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police are investigating reports of a suspicious object.
Several images have been posted on Twitter showing people gathering outside following the evacuation.
Yannick Roux tweeted: “Lots of buildings being evacuated near London Bridge. Police not allowed to comment.”
Gary Haines said: “Just been evacuated from @ProstateUK HQ after a bomb scare at London Bridge. Police carrying out thorough investigation.”
Lots of buildings being evacuated near London Bridge. Police not allowed to comment. http://pic.twitter.com/FnV8tXEf1p
— Yannick Roux (@yanroux) December 1, 2015
What’s going on? Hays Lane london bridge cordoned off by police http://pic.twitter.com/jTA4G25WqZ
— Jack Waterman (@JackAWaterman5) December 1, 2015
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NOW WATCH: This woman got a prime seat at a Trump rally, and spent the whole time reading a book about racism
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#UK Pistorius appeal verdict due Thursday
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Johannesburg (AFP) – South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal will announce Thursday its verdict on an attempt by state prosecutors to have Oscar Pistorius convicted of murder for shooting dead his girlfriend, the court registrar said.
The Paralympic sprinter was found guilty last year of the lesser crime of culpable homicide — the equivalent to manslaughter — for killing Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day, 2013.
Pistorius, who said he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he opened fire, was released from jail on parole in October after serving one year of his five-year sentence.
“The judgement will be delivered at 09:45 on 3 December,” the registrar said in a brief emailed statement.
At the crux of the appeal case was how trial judge Thokozile Masipa interpreted the principle of “dolus eventualis” — awareness of the likely outcome of an action — under which she acquitted Pistorius of murder.
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel argued that Pistorius should be convicted of murder as he intended to kill whoever was behind the toilet door through which he fired four bullets.
“Firing through the door at torso level into a small cubicle… the foresight must be that someone would die,” Nel told the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein at the hearing in November.
Pistorius’ lawyer Barry Roux argued that the original trial verdict could not be challenged on its factual findings.
The appeal judges could alter the original trial verdict and send the case back to the high court for a new sentence.
If Pistorius was found guilty of murder, he would face a minimum of 15 years in prison.
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#UK Obama says he hopes shooting at Colorado clinic spurs action
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PARIS (AP) — President Barack Obama says he hopes the shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado spurs conversation and action on deterring gun violence.
Obama, speaking at a global warming conference Tuesday, says it will ultimately be up to Congress, states and local governments to act in ways that prevent people intent on committing violence from getting weapons.
He says the United States spends enormous resources to prevent terrorist attacks and the country has the power to do much more to prevent regular occurrence of gun homicides.
Last week’s attack in Colorado killed three people. Nine others were wounded.
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#UK The most insane Christmas windows from department stores around the world
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Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s officially appropriate to “ooh” and “ahh” over decorations that celebrate December holidays.
And the hands-down best holiday decorations can always be seen in department store windows, whether they’re in New York, Berlin, London or beyond.
We’ve assembled some of the best holiday store window photos so far. Keep reading to see them.
The tradition of holiday windows began at Macy’s Herald Square in the 1870s. This year, Macy’s has a Charlie Brown-themed display.
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Day and night, visitors can check out the display on 34th Street.
You can see Charlie Brown and the gang from all the way across the street.
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#UK Int’l NY Times’ Thai printer refuses to run front-page story
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BANGKOK (AP) — The printer of the International New York Times in Thailand refused to print an article portraying a gloomy outlook for the country, leaving in its place a large blank space at the center of Tuesday’s front page.
The printing company called the story too “sensitive” but declined to specify the offending material.
The article, titled “Thai spirits sagging with the economy” in the paper’s other Asian editions, described a moribund economy, pessimism after years of political turmoil and concern about the royal succession. The military took power in a May 2014 coup, and elections that were promised have been put off until at least 2017.
Discussion of the monarchy has always been a delicate matter in Thailand, where strict laws limit frank discussion of the royal family. But freedom of speech has been constricted even further under the military government, prompting many publications and reporters to self-censor to avoid offending the junta.
There was no indication that the government was involved in the decision not to print the story.
An official at Eastern Printing Co. overseeing the paper’s account said the printer decided not to publish the article because it was “inappropriate,” without elaborating.
In place of the article was a two-line note that said: “The article in this space was removed by our printer in Thailand. The International New York Times and its editorial staff had no role in its removal.”
“It’s sensitive,” said the official, who declined to give her name for that reason. “The printing company has the right to deny printing articles that touch upon inappropriate issues, according to the contract.”
Beyond highlighting a general sour mood among Thais, the article touches on the eventual succession of the ailing 87-year-old king. Insulting the monarchy is punishable by three to 15 years in prison.
Another blank space appeared on page 6, where the rest of the article was to run. However, the article was still available online to readers in Thailand.
This is the second time in three months that the newspaper’s local printer has blocked publication of a piece about Thailand. The printer decided not to publish the entire Sept. 22 edition because it contained an article about the future of the Thai monarchy that it also called “too sensitive to print.”
Eileen Murphy, a spokeswoman for The New York Times, said it was notified about the printer’s decision, but that the newspaper played no role in it.
Murphy said there have been rare instances in other countries where printers have chosen not to publish stories because they were deemed too sensitive. “We understand the pressures local publishers sometimes face, but we regret any censorship of our journalism,” she wrote in an email.
The newspaper, known until 2013 as the International Herald Tribune, announced recently that it was ceasing printing and distributing its print edition in Thailand as of year-end. In a letter to subscribers, it attributed the decision to rising operating costs.
The junta, which has curbed dissent through intimidation and detentions, also has said that defense of the monarchy is its priority, and has vigorously pursued prosecutions under the law. Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in convictions.
In a 41-page report on Thailand issued last month, the Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders noted that due to censorship, threats and harassment of the media and increasing use of repressive laws, the country “is now seen as one of the region’s most authoritarian regimes as regards journalists and freedom of information.”
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#UK The 12 most impressive car innovations we’ve seen this year
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It’s not enough to design functional, standard cars that can perform all of the traditional automobile tasks anymore.
They have to be smart, comfortable, easy to use, and just cool.
That’s why automakers and tech companies have been designing innovative car features from holographic dashboards to rotating chairs.
These innovations can improve the driving experience, whether its you or the car driving, and highlight what we can expect to see in the near future.
Here are the 12 most innovative technologies unveiled this year, ranked from least to most impressive.
12. Nissan unveiled a steering wheel that transforms into a tablet.
What it is: Nissan unveiled its self-driving, IDS concept car in October, which comes with an animated steering wheel that transforms into a tablet.
What it means: There are no current plans to bring the car, and its technology, into production. But the car highlights how car interiors can alter based on whether they’re in autopilot mode or not. The steering-wheel-turned-tablet hints at what’s to come when we start seeing driverless cars around the year 2020.
11. This concept car comes with advanced touchscreen display that allows you to play video games or chat with friends.
What it is: The Nissan concept car is a bit far fetched — its basically a giant driveable tablet that lets you play with the seats the same way you would an iPad. The touch screens accommodate video chats and video game playing, and provides information about the car itself like the distance to your destination.
What it means: Cars will become more intuitive going forward. We’ve already made cars easier to use with the advent of some touchscreen and Bluetooth technology, but soon touchscreens with highly advanced features won’t be seen as a perk, but as an expected necessity. Apple CEO Tim Cook even said “software becomes an increasingly important part of the car of the future.”
10. This high-tech car seat will give you a massage when it detects you’re stressed.
What it is: Automotive parts manufacturer Faurecia and Stanford University’s Center for Design Research developed the car seat, dubbed the Active Wellness seat, that can measure your heart and breathing rate to ensure you’re alert and comfortable.
If it detects you’re becoming stressed, it’ll recommend a back massage. The driver can then choose whether or not to accept the pampering.
What it means: One of the issues with semi-autonomous systems is you can become so relaxed you forget to remain alert. But even if a highly-intelligent system is driving your car for you, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aware of what’s going on in case you need to intervene.
This innovation shows how automakers will continue to focus on ways to keep drivers alert and comfortable when driving is no longer preoccupying their mind.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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#UK There’s a reason men are dressing better
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You’ve probably noticed men are dressing better. They’re worried about how their shirts fit, and they’re buying cool glasses. They’re joining “shave clubs” and matching their belts to their shoes. Yes, people, men are accessorizing.
“Gone is the era of metro sexual, and the idea that normal dudes can’t dress well,” said Mark Bollman, founder of Boston-based men’s retailer Ball and Buck. “As I always tell our customers, you can’t be afraid to look good.”
But they once were. What changed? The internet. It has changed the experience of shopping for men. There are no lines; there’s no waiting. That’s why, according to researcher IBISWorld, menswear has seen more growth in e-commerce than any other category — about 16.7% annualized over the past five years. And the same report projects it will grow an additional 15% annualized over the next five years.
Brick-and-mortar shops, like Bollman’s Ball and Buck, have responded to this trend by improving the men’s shopping experience generally.
“Shopping is every guy’s worst nightmare, unless you’re shopping at a serious man cave like Ball and Buck where you can kickback on a leather couch and get a hot towel shave,” Bollman said. “For all other things the best answer is turning to the inter webs where free shipping and generous return/exchange policy’s mean that if it doesn’t fit how you expected, you can easily swap it out. For the holidays many stores run extended return policy’s online to accommodate gifting.”
This is news to a lot of men.
Who needs a brick?
The internet has changed the game for retailers, lowering costs now that brick-and-mortars aren’t necessary for sales. Warby Parker was one of the first brands to take advantage of this trend in menswear, but others have followed, selling a wider array of products than just glasses. Selection has exploded.
Leading the e-commerce high-end shoe space you have brands like Paul Evans and Jack Erwin promising high quality at a lower price. In suits you have brands like Indochino and Suit Supply in the $300-to-$900 range. But prices can go lower. Men who want a lower-priced suit ($200) but want to look better than a JoS. A Bank commercial are heading to Combatant Gentlemen for everything from a bag to a dozen white oxford shirts.
Founded in 2010, the company has had the distinction of becoming the most shipped menswear package at Goldman Sachs, according to cofounder Vishaal Melwani.
Melwani is a third-generation Versace tailor. He grew up watching celebrities go in and out of the secret door in the Versace store in his hometown of Las Vegas and cut his teeth making selvage denim. After selling one jean company, he decided he wanted to do something bigger. Something that used technology to make it easier for men to dress.
“I like the age-old saying ‘Keep it simple, stupid,'” Melwani told Business Insider. “A lot of people think it has to cost a lot of money to look great, but that’s not true. The basics are all you need to set your wardrobe off on the right foot, whether that be a few pairs of tailored slacks, a great cotton blazer that works with everything, or a pair of desert boots.”
“These things don’t have to cost a fortune, and once you find the right fit, all it takes are simple, versatile, and essential pieces to dress smarter,” he added.
Part of the reason they don’t cost a fortune at Combat Gent is that Melwani vertically integrated his company — owning everything down to the sheep that provide wool for suits. He leveraged his family connections to get his fabric produced at the same Italian mills that Versace used.
Combat Gent went as far as making a video to introduce its customers to the owners of the mills making their suits. If you can’t learn anything about the spirit of dressing well from these fresh Italian dudes, you can’t learn it.
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#UK 3 technologies that Bill Gates thinks could help save the world
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On Monday Bill Gates announced the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, a group of 28 investors including Mark Zuckerberg, George Soros, and Richard Branson.
A Gates representative tells Tech Insider that the coalition “represents many billions of dollars in willing capital.”
The goal: fund companies on the way to producing energy tech that could solve the energy crisis and mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
In an essay called “Energy Innovation: Why We Need It And How To Get It,” Gates described three technologies that “show how ingenious researchers throughout the United States and around the world are developing ideas that could solve the energy problem.”
These technologies are risky and a decade away from being ready — but they could change the world.
Solar chemical: Turning sunlight into fuel.
We can all agree that solar panels are pretty awesome. It’s hard to beat turning sunlight into electricity.
Unless you’re talking turning sunlight into stored chemical fuel.
“Solar chemical” takes the logic of photosynthesis and applies it to fuel.
Gates has previously praised the research of California Institute of Technology professor Nathan Lewis, who is researching artificial photosynthesis. As with photosynthesis in leaves, artificial photosynthesis could lead to devices that harness sunlight to split water molecules into hydrogen fuel. That fuel could be used for any number of purposes.
“Solar chemical would put us on a path to decarbonizing both the electricity and transportation sectors,” Gates writes.
The National Science Foundation’s Center for Chemical Innovation in Solar Fuels says that it’s one of the “holy grails” of 21st century chemistry.
Flow battery: Building a better battery.
The energy crisis isn’t just a matter of collecting energy. We also have to store it. Wind power and solar power are by definition intermittent, so it’s crucial to have a way to store that energy when the sun stops shining or the wind stops blowing.
Thus the promise of the “flow battery.”
They’re massive, industrial sized batteries, somewhere in scale between a fish tank and swimming pool. They can reportedly last longer at peak power than even the best in-class lithium ion battery —like those found in Tesla cars.
They’re called “flow” batteries because a charged electrolyte goes back and forth between holding tanks, releasing energy.
Gates is also stoked about the fact that a flow battery could last for decades — even longer than lithium-ion batteries, which according to Gates, last for 1,500 charges (or two to three years).
A team at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is working on making flow batteries cheap and environmentally safe.
Solar paint: Turning any surface into a solar panel.
File under: Why didn’t I think of that?
Solar paint. It’s exactly what it sounds like.
“The idea behind solar paint is to make solar power much cheaper and easier to install,” Gates writes. “Almost any surface could be transformed into a cheap solar panel.”
Roofs. Cars. Cell phones. Walls.
All it takes is a few coats of technologically advanced paint with a light-sensitive dye on top, and voila, you’ve got electricity-generating paint, as developed by the UK’s University of Sheffield, the University of California-San Diego, and Lucelo Technologies in Texas.
“In theory, anyone could do this; it would be almost as straightforward as painting a wall in a house,” Gates says.
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