Latest news with #O'Connor's
Observer
2 days ago
- General
- Observer
This Dinosaur Had Feathers and Probably Flew Like a Chicken
In 1861, scientists discovered Archaeopteryx, a dinosaur with feathers, in 150 million-year-old limestones in Solnhofen, Germany. They didn't know it at the time, but that fossilized skeleton — and the several that followed — provided a key piece of evidence for the theory of evolution, as well as for the fact that birds were actually dinosaurs. Since then, researchers have pored over every detail of available specimens, trying to puzzle out how birds came to fly. So you might expect that such a well-studied fossil species wouldn't be capable of surprises. But in a new paper, a team led by Jingmai O'Connor, a paleontologist at the Field Museum in Chicago, revealed previously unrecorded soft tissues and skeletal details from a new specimen, known as the Chicago Archaeopteryx. What they found also helps explain why some feathered dinosaurs got off the ground, if only for short-haul flights. Many Archaeopteryx specimens are too flattened by geology to discern important skeletal details. The latest specimen, acquired by the Field Museum in 2022, let O'Connor's team address some of the anatomical uncertainties. Unlike other specimens, the bones of the Chicago Archaeopteryx were preserved in three dimensions, allowing the researchers to better evaluate the skull's palate. That showed the earliest signs of an evolutionary trajectory toward the skulls of modern birds. In another accident of fossilization, the carcass's wings were separated from the body, leaving them 'pristinely preserved.' The team confirmed that rather than having two layers of wing feathers, Archaeopteryx actually had three. In modern birds, that third layer helps link the shorter forearm to the body to create a continuous lift surface, which allows for sustained flight. — ASHER ELBEIN / NYT
Irish Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
New Sinead O'Connor wax figure plans scrapped after backlash to 'hideous' statue
Plans for a new Sinead O'Connor wax statue have been officially scrapped after last year's failed attempt, the Irish Mirror can reveal. Last July, The National Wax Museum came under fire after they unveiled a waxwork of the late 56-year-old singer, who died in July 2023, to coincide with the first anniversary of her death. At the time, the National Wax Museum said they were 'committed' to making a new wax statue after significant public backlash. But we can reveal that those plans have been officially scrapped. A spokesman for the museum said no wax work had been commissioned after the backlash. 'Not sure if that was something said in the moment or something misquoted in the media," the spokesman said. Among those who criticised the original figure was O'Connor's brother, John. He said he was shocked when he first saw the waxwork online and said it was "inappropriate". "It looked nothing like her and I thought it was hideous," he told RTÉ's Liveline at the time. He added that the figure looked "between a mannequin and something out of the Thunderbirds". A statement from The National Wax Museum at the time read: "In response to the public's feedback regarding the wax figure, we acknowledge that the current representation did not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinéad's devoted fans. "We have listened closely to the reactions and agree that the figure does not fully capture Sinéad's unique presence and essence as we intended." The museum said O'Connor's impact on music is "immeasurable" and its goal was to honour the late singer in the "most fitting and respectful manner". "With this in mind, we are committed to creating a new wax figure that better reflects Sinéad O'Connor's true spirit and iconic image," the statement added. "Our team of skilled artists will begin this project immediately, ensuring that every detail is meticulously crafted to celebrate her legacy appropriately." It said the museum looks forward to unveiling a new figure that "truly honours" O'Connor and her "extraordinary impact". But those plans have now been officially scrapped. An insider told us: 'It would be great if there was something in memory of Sinead, perhaps a publicly-funded sculpture. 'Although, I'd say artists will be wary of creating anything representational given the backlash to the wax figure. A park named after her would be nice.' In July 2024, artisans from the Vale of Avoca and Bray Men's Sheds unveiled a bench in memory of O'Connor in her hometown in the Wicklow town.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Public safety, economic development at top of agenda for Democratic primary winner
Democratic nominee for Pittsburgh mayor Corey O'Connor made a number of promises on the campaign trail. One focused on the police bureau and improving public safety, and another focused on development and growth in the city. O'Connor has said he was concerned about crime and the declining number of police officers. He has vowed to increase the number of officers. He has also said he was troubled by the lack of economic development and the reluctance of the current administration to work with developers. Earle spoke with a local developer to get his take on O'Connor's commitment to growth. 'You have to have that leadership and vision and I think for the last four years, we've not had the leadership,' said Todd Reidbord, the President of Walnut Capital Management, responsible for projects such as Bakery Square in East Liberty. Reidbord expressed frustration about the past four years, but said he's now looking forward after a Corey O'Connor win. Reidbord said he's confident O'Connor's commitment to development will spur growth, economic development and jobs. 'We have this beautiful AI avenue here with over 26 AI companies creating technology for the world, whether it's national security, medical technology, our current administration never embraced that. Corey has that vision. He knows that those are the kinds of things that create prosperity for everybody in Pittsburgh,' Reidbord said. 'We will make our city government deliver, deliver a police force that is large enough to support our residents and have a chief of police,' O'Connor said during his victory speech at Nova Place Tuesday night. In addition to working with developers, the democratic nominee also promised to bolster the dwindling number of police officers to tackle crime. The force that had more than a thousand officers under the previous administration has now been reduced to 750. And during the past four years, the bureau has had five police chiefs. 'It's not adequately staffed and it's not adequately supervised and not adequately led,' said Beth Pittinger, the Executive Director of the Citizen Police Review Board. Pittinger said she welcomes both O'Connor's and Republican nominee and retired Pittsburgh police officer Tony Moreno's commitment to public safety. 'From now to November, we should have some serious discussions about public safety, and what do the people of the city of Pittsburgh need and what do they want, how they want it provided,' said Pittinger. O'Connor has said hiring a police chief would be one of his top priorities. He said he will not conduct a national search like the Gainey administration did, but look at those already in the ranks or who have recently left the department. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Dublin gets a western showdown in Amongst the Wolves
When it comes to the evolution of the Irish crime movie as a genre in its own right - seemingly unthinkable as recently as the early oughts - Dubliner Mark O'Connor has done the state/slate some service. He's the writer-director of Between the Canals, Cardboard Gangsters, the TV series Darklands, and now Amongst the Wolves, another gritty-as-you'll-get look at the lives behind the headlines. Here, O'Connor's co-writer Luke McQuillan plays Danny, a former British Army soldier whose life has crumbled since his return to Dublin. Suffering from PTSD and now homeless, Danny befriends Will (Daniel Fee), a teenager who is sleeping rough after falling foul of local drugs boss Power (Aidan Gillen). With Power's gang closing in and Danny trying to keep his own violence in check, the stage is set for an urban western showdown. With its man-comes-back-to-town storyline, Amongst the Wolves keeps one eye on the door and another on Ireland's ills as it drives towards its bloody conclusion. Using the loss of empathy as his central theme, O'Connor's depiction of misfortune, menace, and mayhem is frighteningly realistic and pushes the viewer into acknowledging how desensitised we've become to much of the world outside the cinema. No easy answers - and no easy watch. Made for €16,000 and filmed in 15 days, Amongst the Wolves is a good mix of established talents and up-and-comers. McQuillan is strong in the lead role of the walking timebomb and is also double jobbing as mentor because co-star Fee is making his feature debut as the bewildered foil. Such a heavy story is a lot to ask of someone so young, especially with time and money so tight, but the teenager shows he has potential. In supporting roles, there's fine work from Louise Bourke as outreach volunteer Kate and Jade Jordan as Danny's estranged wife Gill. A special mention goes to Dane Whyte O'Hara who gets everything he can out of his scenes as henchman Joyce. No small parts indeed. O'Connor's next film will be a change of both pace and climate - a comedy-drama set in the south of France. In terms of creed and can-do, he leaves the mean streets with nothing to prove, but you get the feeling he'll be back before too long.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Veteran runner's face mapped in London Marathon tribute
A running club has paid tribute to one of its presidents - who has taken part in every London Marathon - with a Strava running route O'Connor, of the Queens Park Harriers in Willesden, north-west London, was 35 when he took part in the capital's first marathon in 1981 and will be 79 when he takes part in Sunday's 26.2-mile if running the marathon had got harder with the passage of time, the North Finchley resident told BBC London: "It got slower."After the 15th marathon in 1995, Mr O'Connor and 41 others who had completed every marathon up to that point were granted a lifetime place – six of those people are still competing. "It's amazing to think the course is basically still the same we started out with in 1981," said Mr O'Connor, who moved to London from New Zealand in the the route remains the same, he said the landscape had changed, with the east London of the 1980s being "derelict land you could've bought for a couple of quid".The Queens Park Harriers decided to mark Mr O'Connor's feat by running a route that results in artwork loosely resembling their club president's member Roma Denetto, who will run her first London Marathon on Sunday, said Mr O'Connor was a "huge inspiration". "Training for one marathon is hard enough; I can't imagine what it's like to do that every year for 45 years," she O'Sullivan said Mr O'Connor had been a key figure in the Queens Park Harriers."It's through people like Bill that clubs like ours can continue," he O'Connor said he would like to make it to his 50th London Marathon, but as he approached 80 he needed to "take it year by year"."[The London Marathon] has an atmosphere of its own," he added. "The friendliness, the friendship, and you know it's going to be a great day regardless of the weather."
