Category: UK

Europe, History, Politics, UKLeave a comment

The emancipated Empire

Fernando Kaskais

The British Empire was first built on slavery and then on the moral and economic self-confidence of antislavery by Padraic Scanlan is an assistant professor at the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto, cross-appointed to the Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies. He is also a research associate at the Center for History and Economics at Harvard University and the University of Cambridge. He is the author of Freedom’s Debtors (2017) and Slave Empire (2020) Britain ended its slave trade in 1807, and abolished slavery in much of its colonial empire in 1834. Four years later, Queen Victoria … Continue reading The emancipated Empire

Curiositys, Eco, Future, Health, Planet, UKLeave a comment

Why is the Gulf Stream slowing down and what does it mean for the future of the UK’s climate?

Fernando Kaskais

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation ocean current plays a key role in the climate of the UK, and it’s shifting. By Jason Goodyer What exactly is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)? The simplest idea of it is just these very large-scale ocean currents in the top thousand metres of the Atlantic. That’s kind of a system of currents that transports warm, salty water northwards throughout the Atlantic and then at high latitude, in the subpolar North Atlantic, the water gets cold, becomes dense and it sinks down to below a thousand metres and it flows back southwards. It’s a loop … Continue reading Why is the Gulf Stream slowing down and what does it mean for the future of the UK’s climate?

Curiositys, History, Media&Culture, UKLeave a comment

Meet Mary Pearcey, The 19th-Century Murderess Who May Have Actually Been ‘Jack The Ripper’

Fernando Kaskais

Public Domain/RedditMurderess Mary Pearcey was one of the only female suspects considered by London police to be the notorious “Jack the Ripper” serial killer. By Genevieve Carlton | Checked By Leah Silverman Two years after Jack the Ripper murdered and mutilated five women in London, Mary Pearcey was found guilty of an eerily similar slaying. In 1888, the streets of London’s East End were stalked by a grisly killer known only as “Jack the Ripper.” Though that murderer was never caught, over 100 suspects were identified — including a murderess named Mary Pearcey. Indeed, some historians have long suspected that the vicious butcher might have been … Continue reading Meet Mary Pearcey, The 19th-Century Murderess Who May Have Actually Been ‘Jack The Ripper’

Hypocrisy, Money, Music, Politics, UKLeave a comment

Instead of begging for government handouts, how about millionaire musicians bail out the industry themselves?

Fernando Kaskais

by Damian Wilson With festivals and concerts canceled, the live-music industry says it needs government assistance to survive. But shouldn’t mega-rich musicians be dipping into their own pockets to help, rather than taking aid from the state? The coronavirus pandemic has lured many millionaires and billionaires out of their hidey-holes looking to build on their fortunes, and the latest are our friends from the music industry, bemoaning their inability to spend summer in luxuriously detailed Airstream trailers while fans roll around in the mud at live-music events across the UK. In a letter to the British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, … Continue reading Instead of begging for government handouts, how about millionaire musicians bail out the industry themselves?

Health, Living, Science, Technology, UKLeave a comment

Shocking coronavirus simulation shows how infected shopper can cough cloud of deadly droplets across TWO supermarket aisles – with bug hanging in the air for ‘several minutes’

Fernando Kaskais

Scientists in Finland all run computer tests to see how coronavirus spreads Experts from three different bodies show disease can spread across two aisles Even in a ventilated store, Covid-19 germs can linger for minutes, experts say  Another horrifying simulation shows danger of jogging during global pandemic By LUKE MAY FOR MAILONLINE https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8203189/Coronavirus-simulation-shows-single-cough-spread-germans-two-supermarket-aisles.html#v-3984506623527373791 Scientists have put together a shocking video that shows how deadly coronavirus droplets can spread across two supermarket aisles and infect shoppers, with the bug hanging in the air for ‘several minutes. Experts from Aalto University in Finland have put together an animation so shoppers can be aware of the dangers of … Continue reading Shocking coronavirus simulation shows how infected shopper can cough cloud of deadly droplets across TWO supermarket aisles – with bug hanging in the air for ‘several minutes’

Curiositys, Health, Living, Politics, Science, UKLeave a comment

Coronavirus and social distancing: is it risky to go to the pub or gym?

Fernando Kaskais

Many people may plan to attend a sports event or visit elderly relatives this weekend. Is this a bad idea? by Hannah Devlin Science correspondent  The UK government has not placed any restrictions on social gatherings or travel within the UK and has not advised people without symptoms to isolate themselves to curb the coronavirus outbreak. However, some experts say that “social distancing” can play a role. So which weekend activities are most risky? Visiting elderly relatives Elderly people and those with conditions that affect the immune and respiratory systems are by far the most vulnerable to Covid-19. In Italy, the … Continue reading Coronavirus and social distancing: is it risky to go to the pub or gym?

Curiositys, Europe, Technology, UK, Unbelievable1 Comment

Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge: doable, just “eye-wateringly expensive”

Fernando Kaskais

The government is apparently looking into the possibility of building a bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland. One of the UK’s leading civil engineers explains how it could be done. By Jason Goodyer The prime minister’s official spokesperson raised a few eyebrows recently when they declared that a “proper piece of work” was being carried looking into the possibility of linking Scotland to Northern Ireland via a bridge spanning the Irish Sea. At the moment the leading candidate for the locations of the route are Portpatrick on the Scottish coast and Larne on the Northern Irish coast – a span of around … Continue reading Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge: doable, just “eye-wateringly expensive”

Drugs, Freak Religion, Islam, Psychology, UKLeave a comment

DROPPING ACID FOR ALLAH WITH THE MUSLIM PSYCHONAUTS

Fernando Kaskais

Was a tab of LSD all I needed to see my faith more clearly? by Hussein Kesvani  It’s late on a recent Wednesday night when I find the gates of heaven. They’re not at all like I was told they would be at madrassa. For starters, they’re more like a fantastical, multicolor elevator than a classic gate of any kind. Moreover, instead of Jerusalem, I find them inside a concrete block apartment in Brixton, South London. In fairness, I am tripping balls. For a night at least, I’ve become a “psychonaut.” Other, more experienced psychonauts surround me as we embark upon … Continue reading DROPPING ACID FOR ALLAH WITH THE MUSLIM PSYCHONAUTS

Brain, Curiositys, Health, Living, Money, Psychology, UKLeave a comment

The Psychological Impacts Of Poverty, Digested

Fernando Kaskais

By Emma Young For a “rich” country, by global standards, the UK has an awful lot of people who are not. Fourteen million people — one fifth of the population — live in poverty. Of these, four million are more than 50% below the poverty line, and 1.5 million are classed as destitute, unable to afford even basic life essentials. For children who grow up in poverty, there are impacts that go way beyond the fact of material shortages. “Children experience poverty as an environment that is damaging to their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual development,” notes UNICEF. Clearly, there’s a … Continue reading The Psychological Impacts Of Poverty, Digested

Curiositys, Health, Living, Media&Culture, Photography, UKLeave a comment

How a national cancer campaign was created with an old camera and no photography experience

Fernando Kaskais

by Nigel Atherton Lorraine Milligan had just taken up photography when her partner was diagnosed with male breast cancer. With little experience and only the most basic gear she created a national awareness campaign. She tells Nigel Atherton the inspirational story In March 2018, Lorraine Milligan’s father gave her his old Nikon D40 for her birthday, with its kit lens and a 70-300mm zoom, after people had commented about what a good eye for composition she had, taking pictures on her iPhone. Although Lorraine had spent 16 years as a hair and make-up artist in the music, fashion, film and … Continue reading How a national cancer campaign was created with an old camera and no photography experience