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Ballet World in Mourning: The death of Sierra Leonean-American ballet dancer, Michaela Mabinty DePrince has left fans and the ballet world in shock. No official cause of death has yet been given. DePrince was just 29.
UK Leads in Child Poverty: Research reveals ‘The poorest fifth of households in the UK are poorer than the poorest fifth in most of Eastern Europe.’ British children are getting shorter, hungrier, and with more dying each year as a result of ongoing austerity.
Why Sparks Fly: Greek philosopher, Thales of Miletus, was the first to report friction-induced static electricity in 600 B.C. by rubbing amber with fur and noticing that it attracted dust. Now scientists can explain the mystery of why rubbing produces a static current. It’s all down to the back-and-forth sliding. When this happens, an object’s front and back parts (such as your hand stroking a cat) experience different forces. The difference in forces causes different electrical charges to form on the object’s front and back parts. The difference in charges ultimately creates a current, leading to that well-known zap! effect.
‘Capitol-Efficient Content’ or the End of Quality? The AI startup Runway signed a deal with Lionsgate (the company behind John Wick and the Hunger Games) giving Runway access to a vast portfolio of films and TV series. Lionsgate hopes to create a ‘new customised video generation model’ to help filmmakers, directors and other creatives augment their work.
The Cost of Financing Climate Control: The World Bank Group said it delivered $42.6 billion in climate finance during 2024, a 10 per cent rise from $38.6 billion the previous year.
How the Mighty Fall: Once a household name in the world of music, Sean Love Combs, a.k.a. Puff Daddy or P. Diddy, has been arrested and is facing extensive prison time for a long list of alleged charges, including sex trafficking and violent crimes against women. Combs is not the first high-profile musician to lose his reputation. R. Kelly has recently lost an appeal to overturn a 20-year sentence for child sex abuse.
Will Labour’s Green Plans Plunge Britain into the Dark Ages? As Labour pushes for renewables, British energy companies send out leaflets asking us to sign up for their Priority Services Register in case of prolonged power cuts. Growing widespread scepticism counters the idea that net-zero is the way forward in a country where imported electricity needs are expected to see a 46 per cent rise in 2024.