Teaser 3269
Phil buys a four-figure combination lock where each dial can be set from 0 to 9, and needs to decide what number to set to unlock it. He opts for a number with all different digits and a leading zero so he only has to remember a three-figure number. When the chosen number is set for the lock to open, nine other four-figure numbers are visible. For instance, if he chooses 0123, then 1234, 2345, 3456, 4567, 5678, 6789, 7890, 8901 and 9012 are all visible. As a retired Maths teacher with a natural interest in numbers he examines the other nine numbers that are displayed when the lock is set to open. None of these numbers are prime but two of them
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The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘Deeply concerning': reading for fun in the US has fallen by 40%, new study says
The amount of Americans who read for pleasure has fallen by 40%, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Florida and University College London have found that between 2003 and 2023, daily reading for reasons other than work and study fell by about 3% each year. The number saw a peak in 2004, with 28% of people qualifying, before falling to 16% in 2023. The data was taken from more than 236,000 Americans who participated in the American Time Use Survey and the study was published in the journal iScience. The definition of reading in the survey wasn't limited to books; it also included magazines and newspapers in print, electronic or audio form. Jill Sonke, study co-author, called it 'a sustained, steady decline' and one that is 'deeply concerning'. 'Reading has historically been a low-barrier, high-impact way to engage creatively and improve quality of life,' Sonke said. 'When we lose one of the simplest tools in our public health toolkit, it's a serious loss.' While all groups saw a decline, there were bigger drops among certain groups such as Black Americans, people with lower incomes or education levels, and those in rural areas. More women than men also continue to read for fun. Daisy Fancourt, study co-author, said: 'Potentially the people who could benefit the most for their health – so people from disadvantaged groups – are actually benefiting the least.' The study also showed that those who read for pleasure have tended to spend even more time reading than before and that the number of those who read with their children hasn't changed. 'Our digital culture is certainly part of the story,' Sonke said of explanations to the figures. 'But there are also structural issues – limited access to reading materials, economic insecurity and a national decline in leisure time. If you're working multiple jobs or dealing with transportation barriers in a rural area, a trip to the library may just not be feasible.' Last year in the US, sales of physical books rose slightly after two years of declines. Adult fiction was the main driver, with Kristin Hannah's The Women leading the pack. The literacy level in the US is estimated to be about 79%, which ranks as 36th globally.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Terrifying audio of American Airlines plane declaring 'mayday' over Boston after plane suffered multiple failures
An American Airlines pilot was heard frantically declaring 'mayday' just moments after takeoff in harrowing air traffic control audio. The Philadelphia-bound flight had departed Boston Logan International Airport at 6.45pm on Sunday but was forced to turn around after just 10 minutes as the 2013 Airbus A321-211 suffered multiple failures, flight data shows. In air traffic control audio, the pilot could be heard telling air traffic control back at Boston that he was lowering the plane from 8,000 feet in the air as he declared an emergency. 'Mayday, mayday, mayday, American 2616,' the pilot said quickly. 'We need to return back to Boston,' he continued, explaining: 'We have a loss of the autopilot, loss of auto-thrust and we have a position disagree[ment] between both of our [flight management systems].' He later emphasized: 'We have multiple failures, including navigation and automation as well.' The pilot also informed the air traffic control that there were 200 'souls on board' the commercial plane and it had 237 minutes worth of fuel. The pilot ultimately needed guidance from the ground to land back at Boston Logan International Airport, but was able to do so 53 minutes after its original departure, data from FlightAware shows. It was met by a firetruck at runway 22L, according to the air traffic control audio, though the pilot told emergency crews there did not appear to be any structural issues with the aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration has since confirmed to PEOPLE that the flight 'returned safely' to Boston Logan International Airport at around 7.30pm after crews 'reported a possible flight system issue.' An American Airlines spokesperson also cited 'maintenance issues' on the Airbus for the unexpected U-turn. 'The flight landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power,' the spokesperson said, noting that the aircraft 'has been taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team.' The spokesperson added that the customers onboard the doomed flight would be accommodated. 'We never want to disrupt our customers' travel plans and apologize for the inconvenience.' The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating what may have gone wrong onboard the Airbus. But the American Airlines flight was not the only one departing from Boston that was forced to turn around on Sunday, according to Delta Airlines Flight 464 destined for Salt Lake City also had to return to Logan due to an 'indication related to one of the aircraft's doors,' a spokesperson for the airline said. 'After inspection by maintenance, the aircraft was cleared and continued its journey, landing safely in Salt Lake City.'
Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Telegraph
Kiki the disabled sheep learns to drive ‘lamborghini'
A disabled lamb rejected at birth by its mother has learned to operate a motorised wheelchair using its head. Three-year-old Kiki was born with a rare condition leaving the animal without the use of its legs despite months of therapy and surgery. Her mother refused to feed the lamb after it was born in Nov 2021, and with the farm Kiki was born on unable to meet her needs, she was taken in by the Don't Forget Us, Pet Us sanctuary in Massachusetts. Staff noticed Kiki's competence at playing with children's toys, and claimed it took her just seconds to work out how to drive a motorised wheelchair with a cargo stroller attached to its base by nudging her head against the joystick. 'She's like a crazy teenager; she wants to go very fast,' Deb Devlin, the founder of the sanctuary, told The Washington Post. She added: 'I always knew she'd be able to do it because I knew the minute I would put that joystick near her, she was going to see what it would do.' Pictures of the vehicle, dubbed the 'lamborghini', show a wheelchair base that has a makeshift number plate with 'Kiki' mounted on the front. Kiki operates the vehicle by lying on her side on a cushion, with her head propped up against a red joystick. The lamb was adopted by the sanctuary when just 11 days old, and Ms Devlin recalled it shivering and wrapped up in a blanket when she took it in. The animal – which is unable to move itself but can feel sensations from the neck down – is said to have developed an obstinate side after discovering her new ability to move independently. 'You tell her it's time to stop and she'll look at you and drive away – it's hilarious,' said volunteer Jess Bullock. 'Every single day, she is so full of joy. … She is an absolute ray of sunshine,' she added. 'She loves movement and commotion.' A video posted on social media by the sanctuary showing Kiki driving the 'lamborghini' went viral, drawing thousands of comments. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Don't Forget Us, Pet Us! (@dontforgetuspetus) 'Everybody online finds her so inspirational,' Ms Devlin said. 'The only thing we were really lacking with Kiki was independent mobility, and now she has it.' Kiki has also been kayaking on a nearby river, after being taken out of her 'lamborghini' and equipped with a harness. A short video shows the lamb gazing across the water, looking snug between the legs of a paddler. Kiki also works as an emotional support animal, leaving the sanctuary to meet schoolchildren who have disabilities of their own. 'Kids are so self-conscious about something that might be different in themselves,' said Ebony McGlynn, a social worker and family therapist who volunteers at the sanctuary. '[But] when they see an animal like Kiki who has so much against her physically but yet her personality just shines through, it puts things into perspective.' The Don't Forget Us, Pet Us sanctuary is home to dozens of animals, including cows, pigs, horses and pigeons, many of whom have disabilities. 'A lot of the time when we bring animals in that have been orphaned, she's their mama,' Ms Devlin said of Kiki. 'Kiki is never alone. She's got a wonderful special needs herd.' Photographs released by the sanctuary show the three-year-old nuzzling against the other animals including a chicken called Acorn and a goat, Kahlo. Kiki also enjoys playing with a selection of children's toys, which she is able to operate – like her wheelchair – by knocking it with her head. 'When she got the hang of the toy, she would press through the buttons until she got to her favourite song, 'Twinkle, Twinkle,'' Ms Devlin said. 'She would stop and put her head on it and gaze up, listening to the music.' A video posted by the sanctuary on TikTok shows Kiki 'dancing' to music, nodding her head – which is next to a speaker – while jerking her front legs back and forth. Kiki is said to enjoy the songs of Taylor Swift and likes making music of her own with a set of chimes.
