A glimpse into the next era of air warfare.

Our writer travels to the eastern Andes in search of one of Ecuador’s most elusive birdsI’m out of breath – and not just because I’m desperate to see one of Ecuador’s most elusive birds, the rufous... Read more Our writer travels to the eastern Andes in search of one of Ecuador’s most elusive birdsI’m out of breath – and not just because I’m desperate to see one of Ecuador’s most elusive birds, the rufous-bellied seedsnipe. To have any chance of success, I’ve come to Cayambe Coca national park in the eastern Andes. At 4,400 metres (14,400 feet), this is the highest altitude I have ever experienced.Fortunately the skies are clear, the sun is shining, and my guide, Juan Carlos, is optimistic. I don’t tell him I have a track record of missing nailed-on certainties. Continue reading... Show less

If the president’s first term didn’t inoculate the American body politic against tyranny, there is no guarantee that a second dose will workDonald Trump is a despot and the US is a democracy. These... Read more If the president’s first term didn’t inoculate the American body politic against tyranny, there is no guarantee that a second dose will workDonald Trump is a despot and the US is a democracy. These things can be true simultaneously but not indefinitely. There is now deadlock in the struggle between a president who would be king and a constitution drafted in repudiation of monarchy. But it is a battle to the death. Tyranny will either break the spirit of the republic or be quelled by it.Since the US is the world’s paramount power, the outcome of this contest has epic consequences for countries, such as the UK, that depend on Washington for security.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading... Show less

Dads-to-be now have the right to paternity leave from the first day in a new job, rather than having to wait six months to be eligible. The change means that from 6 April, new dads can take tw... Read more Dads-to-be now have the right to paternity leave from the first day in a new job, rather than having to wait six months to be eligible. The change means that from 6 April, new dads can take two weeks of paternity leave from day one of a new job – however, this will not be paid leave unless they’ve worked for their employer for more than 26 weeks.Dads can receive £194 per week or 90% of pay (whichever is lower).But campaigners are saying the change “doesn’t go far enough” to improve the UK’s measly paternity leave offering, which has been slammed as the worst in Europe. Ultimately, many want to see dads’ leave extended from the current offering of two weeks, to six weeks, as default. Elliott Rae, founder of Parenting Out Loud and Equal Parenting Week, said the latest changes to paternity leave are “much needed”, but dads “should have been entitled” to it already. “Paternity leave in the UK is dire and fixing something that should never have been an issue in the first place doesn’t go far enough,” he said. “We need to start changing the way we think about families and valuing the roles of dads and partners more. Dads want to step up, and it’s high time we let them.”Elliott (left) and Oliver (right)Prior to the new changes, some dads were forced to take annual leave rather than paternity leave because their partners became pregnant shortly after they started a new role.  Oliver, from Gloucester, was one of them. He began a new role while his wife was pregnant. “Paternity leave entitlement should always have been in place from day one, regardless of whether you’ve switched roles,” he said.“During the early days of parenting, having annual leave to use for illness or child care is vital, so using up a big chunk of your entitlement, or not being able to take time off at all, isn’t fair.  “We now need to use this momentum to drive forward more change and more rights for dads. We need to stop policy getting in the way of parenting.”Hundreds of dads and partners plan to join a ‘Push for Paternity’ pram march on Saturday 2 May, in London, Leeds and Manchester, calling for a fairer paternity leave system. Joeli Brearley, founder of Growth Spurt, added: “We should be embarrassed by how far behind the rest of Europe we are on parental support. We offer the worst paternity leave in Europe, one of the weakest maternity pay systems, virtually no meaningful support for parents of children with SEND, and a childcare system that quietly forces parents out of work and back to the kitchen sink.“These changes are a step in the right direction. But let’s be honest, we are still at the foothills of a very steep climb if we want to properly support working families.”Related...UK’s ‘Devastating’ Paternity Leave Is Failing Mums In Their Moment Of Need'I Was A Shadow Of A Man': Self-Employed Dads On The Fight For Paternity PayMajority Of Fathers Can't Afford To Take Their Full Paternity Leave In The UK, Shows Dire New Report Show less

Senior climate figures warn North Sea drilling would encourage fossil fuel exploitation by developing countriesOpening new oil and gas fields in the North Sea would “send a shock wave around the wo... Read more Senior climate figures warn North Sea drilling would encourage fossil fuel exploitation by developing countriesOpening new oil and gas fields in the North Sea would “send a shock wave around the world”, imperilling international climate targets, undermining the UK’s climate leadership and encouraging developing countries to exploit their own fossil fuel reserves, experts have warned.The UK government is under stiff pressure from the oil industry, the Conservatives, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, some trade unions and parts of the Treasury to give the green light to new oil and gas fields, despite clear evidence that doing so would not cut prices and would have almost no effect on imports. Continue reading... Show less

Beloved characters reinvented in graphic novel coming later this year – just as interest rockets in all things spaceSufferin’ satellites! The quintessential British space hero Dan Dare is back, 76 ... Read more Beloved characters reinvented in graphic novel coming later this year – just as interest rockets in all things spaceSufferin’ satellites! The quintessential British space hero Dan Dare is back, 76 years after he first appeared in iconic comic magazine the Eagle.With all eyes on Nasa’s Artemis II moon mission, and with the big-screen adaptation of Andy Weir’s science fiction novel Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, going stratospheric at the box office, our love affair with space has been reignited. Continue reading... Show less

Mariam Sabbah, 10, to get specialist care in Britain instead of US, after Trump halted visitor visas for PalestiniansA Palestinian child who lost her arm during Israel’s bombardment of Gaza arrived... Read more Mariam Sabbah, 10, to get specialist care in Britain instead of US, after Trump halted visitor visas for PalestiniansA Palestinian child who lost her arm during Israel’s bombardment of Gaza arrived in the UK for specialist treatment on Tuesday, amid ongoing pressure on the British government to step up efforts to help evacuate critically ill and injured children from the territory.Mariam Sabbah arrived at Heathrow airport with her mother, Fatma Salman, and two brothers. They were met by a small crowd bearing gifts, balloons and bouquets. Continue reading... Show less

Charlie Taylor, inspector of prisons for England and Wales, says dealers should be isolated and ‘assertively managed’Jailed criminals who are flooding prisons with drugs should be isolated like rad... Read more Charlie Taylor, inspector of prisons for England and Wales, says dealers should be isolated and ‘assertively managed’Jailed criminals who are flooding prisons with drugs should be isolated like radical extremists and “assertively managed”, the England and Wales prisons watchdog has said.Charlie Taylor, HM inspector of prisons, said major dealers were living “consequence-free” in jail when they should be separated from the majority of inmates, subjected to regular searches for phones, and punished and rewarded according to their behaviour. Continue reading... Show less

Fresh Persona news sparks a rumor that may signal remasters or remakes of the original games on modern-day gaming hardware. ... Read more Fresh Persona news sparks a rumor that may signal remasters or remakes of the original games on modern-day gaming hardware. Show less

The Apple Watch has established itself as a leader in wearable technology, seamlessly combining fitness tracking, communication tools and everyday conveniences. However, beyond its widely marketed ... Read more The Apple Watch has established itself as a leader in wearable technology, seamlessly combining fitness tracking, communication tools and everyday conveniences. However, beyond its widely marketed capabilities, this device is packed with hidden features that can enhance your experience. Whether you’re a long-time user or new to the Apple Watch, uncovering these lesser-known functionalities can […] The post Master Your Apple Watch: The Best Features Apple Didnt Tell You About appeared first on Geeky Gadgets. Show less