Latest news with #PaulWilliams
Scotsman
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025 New Shows: Here are 12 last-minute additions to the programme
2 . An Hour Of Class Another Edinburgh Comedy Award winner of the past, Rose Matafeo is teaming up with Paul Williams (who is the assistant in the New Zealand version of Taskmaster) for a late night comedy show at the Monkey Barrel. Entitled 'An Hour of Class', it'll feature the duo and some of their pals. Weirdly, it actually lasts 90 minutes, so who knows what that other half hour will be like. It's on at the Monkey Barrel at 11.20pm and is on every Tuesday. | Contributed
ITV News
3 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
More than 1,000 Greater Manchester Police officers signed off with mental health issues
More than 1,000 Greater Manchester Police officers were signed off work last year due to mental health issues, a Freedom of Information request has revealed. Officers were signed off for a number of reasons including stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. The figure at Greater Manchester Police has increased by 2% on last year, and has jumped by 22% nationally in the financial year 2024-25. 33 of the 45 forces that provided figures both this year and last year reported an increased number of officers being signed off for mental ill health. Mike Peake, Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: 'Policing is a vocation like no other – police officers see some horrific sights and deal with more violent, stressful and traumatic incidents than ever before. 'As such, it comes as no surprise that 1,050 Greater Manchester Police officers were signed off work in the past year due to mental health issues, but what is particularly concerning is that figure has risen once more.' Paul Williams, Wellbeing Lead of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said that the national figures were 'very worrying'. He said: 'Behind each mental health condition, you've got an individual who's going through incredible trauma, which has a significant impact not just on them, but on their family, marriage and career. It can be devastating.' Paul said it was 'a demonstration of the complexities of policing, a demonstration of the budget cuts over the past 15 years, and the lack of increase in pay for police officers. All this has contributed to an extreme rise in mental ill health within the police, and it's only going to keep rising if there's no intervention'. To try to help officers who are struggling with mental health issues, a new 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line on 0300 131 2789 has been launched by The National Police Wellbeing Service, Oscar Kilo. It is staffed by expert counsellors to support those working in policing who are experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. It is confidential and completely independent – no information will be shared with the force, Occupational Health departments or line management. Mike said: 'Much more needs to be done to acknowledge the constant difficulties that police officers face every day, and I welcome the launch of the new Mental Health Crisis Line for police officers and staff. Suicide among police officers is alarmingly on the increase, and it is my hope that the crisis line will go some way to address this.' The Home Office and Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Nine from Gujarat indicted in US for illegal gambling operation
Ahmedabad: In a high-profile federal crackdown in the United States, nine men of Gujarati origin were indicted in a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling operation spread across six Missouri locations. The accused, all Indian nationals originally from Gujarat, allegedly operated skill game arcades as a front to run unlawful electronic gambling businesses, grossing over $9.5 million between 2022 and 2025. The nine people, four from Georgia, two from New York, one each from Washington, Arkansas and Colorado, were charged in a 72-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on May 14, according to a statement from the US attorney in the western district of Missouri. The superseding indictment replaces an indictment returned against one of them on Dec 10, 2024, and includes additional charges and defendants. The superseding indictment was unsealed and made public following the arrest of several defendants and in advance of certain defendants' arraignments on July 23 and 24, the statement added. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad US attorney Jeff Ray emphasised the broader implications: "Illegal gambling operations affect the citizens of the neighbourhoods and communities where they are located as well as the local economy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cargo Ship Meets Pirates - Watch What the Captain Does Next! Tips and Tricks Undo We worked closely with our law enforcement partners to shut down this criminal conspiracy and bring those responsible to justice." "What began as a local investigation quickly expanded into a large, multi-jurisdictional case resulting in numerous indictments and a significant positive impact across our community," Springfield police chief Paul Williams said. The defendants allegedly ran businesses with names such as Big Win Arcade, Spin Hitters and Vegas City Arcade, masking them as legitimate entertainment centres in cities including Springfield, Joplin and Branson West. "This wasn't some low-level gambling scheme. It was an organised, multi-million-dollar criminal network that operated brazenly and believed it could stay one step ahead of law enforcement," said Mark Zito, special agent in charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Kansas City. The indictment, unsealed just before arraignments on July 23-24, charges all nine with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, operating illegal gambling businesses and conspiracy to launder money. Some are also accused of depositing or transferring over $10,000 in illegal funds in single transactions. "The federal indictment charges all nine defendants with one count each of participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and operating illegal gambling businesses from July 1, 2022, to May 13, 2025. In addition to the conspiracy counts, all nine defendants were charged with at least one count of wire fraud, and eight defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering," the document states. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) led the probe, working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security, Missouri State Patrol and local police departments. Modus operandi According to the indictment, the defendants ran illegal gambling businesses under the guise of internet amusement arcade games, skill game arcades and adult arcades. "Between April 24 and Aug 28, 2023, one of the defendants registered six businesses online with the Missouri Secretary of State: Big Win Arcade, LLC; Big Win Arcade 2023, LLC; Spin Hitters 1, LLC; Spin Hitters, LLC; Vegas City Arcade, LLC; and Vegas Arcade, LLC. The indictment alleges that the defendants then used these businesses to fraudulently apply for business licence applications filed with the cities of Springfield, Joplin, and Branson West, and to obtain utilities contracts, lease agreements and business incorporation documents filed with the State of Missouri," reads the document from the US Attorney's office. The defendants hired local employees to work in their businesses, which operated contests of chance, gambling devices and slot machines in violation of Missouri and federal law. Five of the defendants participated in WhatsApp group chats where they communicated about the operation of the illegal gambling arcades from May 31, 2023, to March 11, 2024. The indictment alleges that the defendants transported the proceeds from the illegal gambling locations to several states to promote the ongoing illegal activity. They hid the proceeds of their gambling ring by depositing them in various personal bank accounts within the US and India. Over $9.5 million in US currency was laundered by this organisation in a little over three years, the document states. What is Operation Take Back America This gambling bust was part of Operation Take Back America, a sweeping DOJ initiative to disrupt transnational criminal organisations. It unifies the resources of the OCDETF, Project 'Safe Neighbourhoods' and immigration enforcement bodies. Aimed at dismantling drug cartels, fraud networks and illegal enterprises, the operation combines aggressive prosecution with intelligence-led policing. "Today's charges reflect the dedication of law enforcement, especially in Springfield, Joplin and across Southwest Missouri — to hold those who violate the law accountable," said FBI special agent in charge Stephen Cyrus. The Gujarat-origin gambling ring was one of the largest arcade-based frauds discovered under this national effort. Details of the case - Suspected illegal immigration status among the nine accused - Fraudulent business licences obtained in Missouri cities - WhatsApp used for communication; cash moved between US and India - Charged with wire fraud, illegal gambling, money laundering, racketeering - Federal case under OCDETF & Operation Take Back America - US attorney's office, FBI, ICE, IRS and local police departments involved in crackdown
BBC News
4 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Turbulence is increasing. Here's how the aviation industry is trying to smooth things out
Climate change is creating stronger turbulence. Aircraft designers hope innovative new techniques will reduce its effects. "We saw blood on the ceiling… It was just complete havoc." This was one passenger's description of the scene after a Singapore Airlines flight was hit by severe turbulence while passing over the south of Myanmar in 2024. A lot of people were on the floor." Early this spring, a United Airlines Boeing 787 also hit severe turbulence while cruising above the Philippines. A flight attendant was thrown against the ceiling, resulting in a concussion and a broken arm. Turbulence incidents like these are increasing as a result of human-caused climate change. Severe clear-air turbulence (Cat), meaning very rough air that is invisible to satellites, radar and the human eye, has increased 55% since 1979 – when reliable meteorological records began, according to research by Paul Williams, professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading. Turbulence is expected to treble worldwide by the 2050s and will likely have a major impact on routes across East Asia and the North Atlantic. It could affect people's willingness to fly at all. Among the most common reasons people give when justifying a fear of flying are loss of control and a past experience with turbulence. But turbulence, besides being potentially dangerous, also costs the aviation industry money, causing wear and tear to vehicles and lengthening some flights as pilots try to evade it. Such manoeuvres mean using up more fuel and increasing emissions. Although turbulence is usually a matter of discomfort rather than injury or death, the rising volume of chaotic motions in the atmosphere means airlines, scientists and engineers are faced with coming up with ways of mitigating the problem. Turbulence Solutions based in Baden, Austria, has developed small "flaplets" that may be added to larger flaps (or ailerons) on aircraft wings. The flaplets adjust their angle slightly in order to counteract changes in airflow based on pressure readings taken immediately in front of them on the wing's leading edge. It helps to stabilise the plane, a bit like how birds use tiny adjustments of their feathers while flying. The company says its technology can reduce turbulence loads felt by passengers by more than 80%. So far it has only tested the technology on small aircraft – though CEO Andras Galffy, himself an aerobatics pilot, feels confident that it will scale to support far larger planes. "The common view is you can either avoid or accept turbulence and deal with it by buckling up and reinforcing the wing," he tells me. "But we say you don't need to accept it. You just need the right counter-signal. For light aircraft there was always this pain but even for commercial aviation it's getting more serious because turbulence is increasing." Flying directly through eddies, vortices and updrafts with minimal disturbance requires not only precision engineering but a lot of advanced mathematics and an analysis of fluid dynamics. (Air, like water, is a fluid). The picture will always be complicated because the fundamental nature of turbulence is that it is chaotic. Small perturbations, from how wind deflects off a building to the wake of another aircraft, can change the behaviour of currents in the air. It's hard for humans to comprehend, but it might be easier for AI. "Machine learning is very good at finding patterns within high dimensional data," says Ricardo Vinuesa, a researcher in fluid mechanics, engineering and AI at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. "Turbulence might just be the perfect application for AI." In a recent experiment, Vinuesa and colleagues from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and TU Delft tested an AI system that controlled "synthetic jets" of air on a simulated aircraft wing. The AI itself was trained using deep reinforcement learning, a process whereby the model learns using trial-and-error, a little like when a toddler learns to walk. "Rather than measuring upstream, we can use AI to create very accurate numerical simulations of what airflow is doing based on measurements taken directly at the wing," he says. "And where neural networks are usually considered black boxes, we use explainable AI, which allows us to determine which measurements are most important to the predictions generated by the model." Vinuesa and his colleagues are working with tech companies to develop the technology further. Last year, a team from Caltech and Nvidia deployed extreme turbulence inside a wind tunnel to test an AI-powered sensing and prediction system for drones with promising results. Researchers at Nasa's Langley Research Center tested a purpose-built microphone capable of detecting ultra-low infrasound frequencies created by whorls of clear-air turbulence up to 300 miles (480km) away. Another approach that has been in active development since at least 2010 involves the use of Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) to create a 3D map of the air around a plane, much as self-driving cars create a point cloud of nearby objects and vehicles, in order to navigate their environment. A 2023 Chinese study proposed a "dual-wavelength" Lidar system, which they claim can observe light-to-moderate Cat between seven and 10km (4.3 to 6.2 miles) ahead of the aircraft. Unfortunately, the lower density of air molecules at high altitude means the instruments become too large, heavy and energy-hungry to be of use in existing commercial aircraft. The convergence of manufacturing, AI and new sensors could transform aviation in the second half of the 21st Century. But what happens today? Before take-off, pilots check weather briefings and study jet stream charts. They consult flight planning software and check forecasts such as the Graphical Turbulence Guidance (GTG) to which Paul Williams contributed. "About 20 years ago we could forecast around 60% of turbulence," he says, "today it's more like 75% and I suppose it's my career goal to push that number up and up." When I ask what holds back progress, Williams says it is access to turbulence data measured by aircraft. "Research scientists have to buy the data, and it's not cheap." More like this:• Aircraft turbulence is worsening with climate change• The aircraft that may fly like a flock of geese• How long-haul travel may change With advanced computation, AI and ever-more satellites, weather forecasting is improving, but there is a general lack of wind measurements above the Earth's surface. What we do know comes from around 1,300 weather balloon sites around the planet and the accelerometers on roughly 100,000 commercial flights that take to the skies each day. Turbulence Aware from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) anonymises and shares real-time turbulence data and is now used by airlines including Air France, EasyJet and Aer Lingus. For passengers, there are a growing number of apps that provide access to data seen only by pilots and dispatchers up to now, one of which is Turbli. "I use Turbli," says Williams. "I've found it to be reasonably accurate given the proviso that they don't know your exact route so can't be 100% accurate. But it's a little like a hypochondriac googling their symptoms," he adds. "I'm not sure it always helps." -- For more science, technology, environment and health stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
The Star
20-07-2025
- The Star
Laos beams with pride as national park gains world heritage status
Hin Nam No National Park in Khammouane Province, Laos, becomes the fourth Unesco World Heritage Site of the country. - Photo: GIZ ProFEB/Paul Williams VIENTIANE: Laos' Hin Nam No National Protected Area was officially inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, sparking excitement across Lao society, with many seeing it as a major milestone in showcasing Laos' rich natural heritage and commitment to protect valuable natural resources. The national park became the country's fourth world heritage site, holding special significance as it forms part of a transboundary extension of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a world heritage site in Vietnam, the first transboundary natural world heritage site shared between Laos and Vietnam. Jenchila, an office worker in the Lao capital Vientiane, expressed deep pride and joy over the announcement. She also praised the efforts of all relevant sectors and officials who made the achievement possible. "For a small country like ours, this is a huge moment. It shows the world that Laos has something truly special to offer, not just in culture, but also in natural beauty and biodiversity. I think every Lao person should feel proud of this achievement," Jenchila told Xinhua on Saturday (July 19). Jenchila also expressed hope that this success would inspire greater efforts to protect other significant natural and cultural sites in Laos, and encourage more global recognition of the country's rich heritage. Khamsavanh, a 27-year-old resident of southern Laos' Savannakhet province, called on the Lao government to promote this achievement more widely, so that people across the country, as well as Lao communities abroad, can recognise its significance. "I hope this recognition becomes a turning point for environmental awareness in Laos," he said. "When I was in school, we learned that Laos has rich natural resources, and I've always hoped that every Lao person keeps that in mind. But to preserve this richness for the long term, we all need to join hands and take responsibility to protect what we have," he added. "I'm truly proud of this achievement and want to thank everyone who worked hard to make it happen," said Nidthida, a resident of Vientiane. She added that officials at all levels and local communities should continue working closely to protect the park through strong conservation measures, education, and active involvement of local people to keep the area safe and healthy. After the park was officially inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the news quickly went viral on social media in Laos. Many people shared articles about the achievement and expressed their happiness, pride, and excitement over the recognition. Hin Nam No National Protected Area is a natural marvel that spans an area of 94,121 hectares in southeastern Laos. This biodiverse and stunningly beautiful protected zone shelters some of the planet's most spectacular and mysterious biodiversity, and harbours an array of ecosystems, including pristine forests, majestic waterfalls, and intricate cave systems. The park is home to an incredible range of species, including rare and exotic birds, mammals, reptiles, and plants, and is home to several ethnic minority groups, with their unique traditions, customs, and ways of life. - Xinhua
