Nearly two months after an earthquake-tsunami one-two sent Fukushima Dai-ichi into a nuclear crisis that will haunt it for decades, Japan is telling another aging nuclear plant to close its doors until it can muster stronger defenses against Mother Nature. The decision might seem like it took an eternity to…
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The theory of general relativity is as relevant to us today as it was when it was formulated, as a discovery about space-time reveals After working for half a century and spending £500m, scientists last week revealed that they have detected strange fluctuations in Earth’s orbit. Space-time is bent and then twisted round our planet as it rotates, announced researchers with Nasa’s Gravity Probe B project. The effect is tiny but crucial, they added – and was predicted almost 100 years ago by Albert Einstein in his great theory of gravity, general relativity. According to Einstein, an apple falls to the ground not because it feels the force of Earth’s gravity but because the apple is responding to the curvature of space-time near the Earth’s surface caused by the planet’s huge mass. In the same way, the Sun bends space in a manner that allows Earth to revolve around it. Crucially, the theory raised a host of other predictions that scientists have been confirming for the past century. The findings of Gravity Probe B are the latest in a long list of these many vindications of Einstein’s genius and reveal how his great theory touches our lives in unexpected ways. “We have completed this landmark experiment of testing Einstein’s universe,” said project leader Francis Everitt, of Stanford University. “And Einstein survives.” Everitt began work on Gravity Probe B in 1962 and has worked on nothing else since, although he had many close shaves, with the satellite being cancelled and then revived on seven occasions before it was eventually launched in 2004. Then, after the probe reached orbit, spurious electrical signals were found to be distorting data that it had sent back. It took five years’ study before scientists found how to extract clean data from it. Results of the analyses of this data were revealed last week. They showed that Earth does indeed bend space-time. It was also found that, as our planet rotates, it drags space-time with it – a phenomenon known as frame-dragging. The effect is like spinning a spoon in a cup of tea, causing the liquid to start swirling round inside the cup. These phenomena are tiny, it should be noted. In the case of frame-dragging, space around Earth turns at a rate of 37 one-thousandths of a second every year because our planet pulls it round as it revolves – a rate predicted by Einstein. “The probe’s results are a great achievement, but we should not think of them as a new proof that general relativity is right,” said Graham Farmelo, physicist and author. “Einstein was shown to be correct long ago, only a few years after he came up with the theory. However, we are still testing out all its predictions. The results from Gravity Probe B are just the most recent, successful outcomes.” In fact, the premise of Einstein’s theory of general relativity was proved within three years of its publication in 1916. British astronomer Arthur Eddington was involved in an expedition to Príncipe island in west Africa, where he photographed the total solar eclipse of 1919. The photographs showed that the positions of stars whose light rays passed near the Sun appeared to have been slightly shifted because their light had been curved by the Sun’s huge gravitational field. This was noticeable only during an eclipse because the Sun’s brightness would otherwise obscure the affected stars. “Eddington presented these as a triumph for general relativity, and Einstein, who was known to physicists but not the public, became a star overnight,” said Farmelo. For his part, Einstein never had any doubts that he was right. When asked how he would have reacted if Eddington’s observations had disproved his theory, he replied: “I would have felt sorry for the dear Lord. The theory is correct.” Since then, scientists have produced many other confirmations. One example was provided by US astronomers Russell Hulse and John Taylor, who discovered two dense collapsed stars, known as neutron stars, that were in orbit around each other and that were losing energy that could only be explained through the gravitational radiation, another phenomenon predicted by Einstein. In 1993 Hulse and Taylor were awarded that year’s Nobel prize for physics. “General relativity touches our lives in many unexpected ways,” added physicist Dr Charles Wang, of Aberdeen University. “Another effect that is predicted by general relativity is the phenomenon known as gravitational time dilation. This states that time slows down as gravitational strength increases, a fact that has been confirmed by GPS satellites. These carry atomic clocks that have to run at a different speed to those on the ground because gravity is greater there. If you didn’t, the world’s GPS system would break down.” “Einstein’s theory of general relativity is one of the most beautiful pieces of scientific work in history,” added Farmelo. “But it is not the whole story. It explains how massive objects affect space and time, but it tells us little about how very small sub-atomic particles behave.” This point was acknowledged by Wang. “We still have to test how gravity behaves at a sub-atomic, quantum level,” he said. “We hope to do that with a project called the Space-Time Explorer Quest, which the European Space Agency is now studying.” Together with Wang’s group, scientists at Birmingham, the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory and the National Physical Laboratory, along with German researchers, have proposed building a probe that would use caesium or rubidium atoms, cooled close to absolute zero, to test the effect of gravity at the sub-atomic level and, they hope, provide data that could reconcile relativity and quantum theory. “That won’t be for another 10 years or more,” said Wang. “That means we are going to have a lot of work to do on general relativity for quite some time.” Albert Einstein Space The sun Robin McKie guardian.co.uk
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Nicolas Sarkozy is said to be trying to stop Laurent Blanc from resigning over comments on quotas for black and Arab players The future of French football coach Laurent Blanc, at the centre of a row over quotas of non-white players in the national squad, is hanging in the balance after he was reported to be on the verge of resigning. The former Manchester United and Marseille defender was said to be ready to step down as the manager of Les Bleus after he was secretly taped discussing proposals to reduce the number of black and Arab players in the side. Ouest-France , France’s biggest-selling daily newspaper, claimed Blanc planned to resign at a press conference on Mondaydespite the French football federation pleading for him to stay. It quoted an anonymous government source saying that France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy, was ready to call the 45-year-old and ask him to reconsider the decision. A spokesman for Blanc denied the reports and said he would not be quitting. The ministry of sport and the football federation also rejected the claims. “I had him on the telephone and we spoke of him coming to Paris to be interviewed and of what happens after the inquiry, but at no stage was there any question of that [resignation],” Philippe Tournon, spokesman for the French national team, told the news agency AFP. Separate inquiries have been launched into the claims that emerged a week ago on the investigative website Mediapart . A federation official has been suspended and Blanc has been given until Monday morning to appear before the two inquiries to respond to the allegations. In 1998, when France won the World Cup, the country’s national squad was a potent symbol of the nation’s ethnic makeup and was nicknamed the “black-blanc-beur” (black-white-Arab) team. On the secret tape made of the meeting last November, however, federation officials, including Blanc, are heard discussing a plan to cap the number of 12- and 13-year-old black and Arab hopefuls at sports academies, which feed into the national team, to 30%. Blanc initially denied any knowledge of the quota proposal. When Mediapart published a transcript of the tape, he issued a qualified apology. “I admit some remarks made during a work meeting, taken out of their context, may be misinterpreted. As far as I am concerned, I apologise if I have hurt some feelings. But I, who am against any form of discrimination, do not accept being accused of racism or xenophobia,” he said in a statement. He added that the only point of the meeting was to “discuss the future of French football and deal with the delicate problem of players with dual nationality”. The affair has sparked controversy internationally. France Race issues France Europe Kim Willsher Paul Doyle guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Syrian tanks rolled into the Mediterranean coastal town of Banias today in an escalating crackdown by President Bashar Assad, a day after clashes with anti-government protesters left at least 30 dead nationwide, activists and an eyewitness said. Details of the troop deployment in Banias, for weeks the scene of demonstrations…
Continue reading …Gay rights champion Lady Gaga is now taking on illegal immigration and Arizona’s controversial crackdown in particular: The singer, in Mexico City for two shows, smacked the law yesterday, saying, “I don’t stand by many of those unjust immigration laws in my country.” She said she wrote “Americano” as a…
Continue reading …Among the trove of information pulled from the Abbottabad compound where Osama bin Laden was killed are home videos of the al-Qaeda honcho, reports the AP. The tapes, which show him strolling around the compound, are expected to be released today along with previously unreleased propaganda tapes. Sources tell the…
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Fears mount that regime of Bashar al-Assad is planning to repeat the siege tactics it deployed in Deraa Syrian tanks rolled into the Mediterranean coastal town of Banias on Saturday and opened fire on demonstrators as President Bashar al-Assad continued the violent crackdown on his opponents. A day after clashes with anti-government protesters that left at least 30 dead nationwide according to activists and an eyewitness, fears mounted that the Syrian regime was planning to repeat the siege tactics it deployed in Deraa, another key opposition centre. Those fears were bolstered by reports yesterday that Syrian forces had shot dead three women demonstrating on a coastal road near Banias. Ammar Qurabi of the National Organisation for Human Rights said the women, part of a small all-female gathering, had been protesting against the siege and the cutting of power lines when they were killed by plainclothes security forces or pro-government gunmen. Their bodies were taken to hospital in a Sunni district of the besieged town. “Banias is now surrounded from all directions, not a single person can go in or out,” said a resident, who did not wish to be identified. He added that electricity and phone lines had been cut and residents were charging their mobile phones on car batteries. Activists said gunboats could be seen off the Banias coastline and gunfire was heard after tanks approached from three directions in the early hours. As civilians made human chains to protect neighbourhoods, eyewitnesses added that Sunni rather than Alawite neighbourhoods were being targeted. Banias, which has an oil refinery and is the main point of export for Syrian oil, is a predominantly Sunni city close to the Jebel Ansuriya stronghold of Assad’s minority Alawite sect. It has a potentially explosive mix of religious groups and sects. The latest attacks came in defiance of a US sanctions regime already imposed and despite the expected announcement that the EU will announce sanctions next week against 14 regime officials, although not Assad . The eyewitness said an atmosphere of fear and apprehension had taken over the town, adding that two-thirds of the population had already fled, notably women and children. Activists in touch with residents confirmed his account, saying the town, which has become a leading focus of anti-regime demonstrations, was now besieged. The activists also spoke on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns. The moves came after human rights groups said at least 30 were shot dead in anti-government protests on Friday’s “day of defiance” and rights group Sawasieh raised the total death toll since mid-March to 800. “The use of tanks makes us think they are planning to siege the city like Deraa,” said one analyst in the capital. Banias’s persistent restiveness – like that of the southern stronghold, which was surrounded by tanks on 25 April – has irked the government. And, like Deraa’s Omari mosque imam Ahmed Sayasna, Banias has a prominent cleric, Anas Airout, who has come out in support of the protesters. As news of the tanks’ arrival broke in the capital on Saturday , supporters of the protesters said the international community’s response had been too slow, allowing a brutal crackdown to push to the limit the protesters’ resolve. The international community, like Syrian protesters, has rejected military intervention and has struggled to find ways of putting pressure on the Assad regime. On Saturday some Syrians in the capital expressed frustration at the lack of momentum, claiming that many more people wanted change than the protests numbers suggested. “When a television show gets one complaint, you know there are 100 more who are unhappy but couldn’t be bothered to write,” said one young man who identified himself as Omar. “It’s the same here, but each protester may be worth 200 or 300 people who are too scared to come out.” Katherine Marsh is the pseudonym of a journalist living in Damascus Syria Bashar Al-Assad Arab and Middle East unrest Middle East Human rights Katherine Marsh guardian.co.uk
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The home movies of the al-Qaida leader in Abbottabad were among material seized following the US raid Video footage of Osama bin Laden shot at the terror leader’s hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan, along with propaganda tapes, have been released by the Pentagon. The home videos were among material seized following the raid by US troops last week in which Bin Laden was shot dead. The material suggests he played a strong role in planning and directing attacks by al-Qaida and its associates in Yemen and Somalia, two senior US officials said. It also suggests that Bin Laden was much more involved in directing the terror group’s personnel and operations over the past decade than some analysts had previously thought. However, the US would not confirm reports that the material gave clues about the whereabouts of al-Qaida deputy Ayman al-Zawahri. A senior defence official said that recent protests in Islamabad over the raid would not stop Washington from moving against terrorists that threaten America. There are no plans to scale back US training of the Pakistani frontier corps and army, he added. One of Bin Laden’s wives, Amal Ahmed Abdulfattah, has told Pakistani security officials that he may have lived in the country for more than seven years before his discovery. She told investigators that Bin Laden had stayed in a nearby village before moving to the garrison town of Abbottabad. “Amal told investigators that they lived in a village in Haripur district for nearly two and a half years before moving to Abbottabad at the end of 2005,” a security official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The disclosure may further anger Washington. Pakistani officials have denied sheltering Bin Laden. Osama bin Laden al-Qaida Global terrorism Pakistan United States Amy Fallon guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Seve Ballesteros, a five-time major champion whose passion and gift for imaginative shot-making invigorated European golf and the Ryder Cup, has died from complications of a cancerous brain tumor. He was 54. A statement on Ballesteros’ website early today said the golf great died peacefully at 2:10am local time,…
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• Hit F5 or the auto-refresh button for the latest news • Email rob.smyth@guardian.co.uk • Get all the latest scores from around Europe 33 min An outstanding cross from Bale, spanked low across the face of the goal from the left corner of the area, just evades Van der Vaart and Defoe before zipping away for a goal kick. That’s the sort of cross Gary Lineker fantasised about 25/8. 33 min “Tom Huddlestone is one of a select band of players who’ve played for a club with whom he’s shared his initials,” says Niall Mullen. “Mick Channon and William Wright are the only other ones I know. Anyone else?” If only Fergie had signed Matthew Upson, eh. Eh. 32 min Southern, who is putting himself about with a fair bit of zest, muscles Pavlyuchenko off the ball with disdain to start another Blackpool attack. 30 min “I’m also rooting for Blackpool in this one,” says Jamie. “I spent many a happy year sloping round the Golden Mile, usually handing out casual violence. I remember once, I saw a guy leaning against a wall in a manner which suggested he needed to be punched in a better direction. So I did. Annoyingly, he never thanked me. Hopefully he realises I was only doing it for his own good.” 28 min Spurs aren’t on their game at all. As Chris Waddle says on ESPN, playing Van der Vaart wide right doesn’t really work, and at the moment Blackpool are having much more of the game than we might have expected. 27 min “That Danny Rose goal’s so good it should be on Broadway,” says Dennis Johns, and you know what’s coming here don’t you. “Can you imagine it? Broadway! Danny Rose!” 26 min I’ve just remembered that Van der Vaart is playing in this match. He controls Modric’s excellent reverse pass before sweeping a right-footed shot straight at Gilks from the edge of the box. 24 min Gomes makes an outstanding save from Adam. Kornilenko’s shot was blocked brilliantly by Gallas, and the ball looped across the box to Adam, who hit a beautiful low volley towards the far corner. Gomes plunged to his left to save. From the resulting corner, Kornilenko headed over from eight yards. He should have scored. 23 min “I’m rooting for Blackpool in this one,” says Phil Sawyer, ” despite having spent my teenage years sloping round the Golden Mile, where casual violence was never very far away. I remember once, while leaning against a wall waiting for a taxi, a passing gent punched me in the jaw without even breaking his stride. I was upset at the time, but now I realise that that kindly soul was merely trying to give me a physical demonstration of what life had in store for me.” 21 min Eardley is rightly booked for a cynical foul on Rose. 20 min “If one player – Christopher Samba – played for Blackpool instead of Blackburn, I reckon that Blackpool would be up now and Blackburn down,” says Gary Naylor. “Makes the big guy’s wages look like value.” Yeah, Mark Hughes doesn’t get enough credit for that signing. What was it, £500,000? 18 min Modric’s 25-yard shot takes a deflection off a defender and spins just wide of the far post with Gilks motionless. A goal is coming. 17 min Spurs, though nowhere near their best, are starting to dominate. Bale’s cross finds Defoe in far too much space on the penalty spot, but his first touch is a little heavy and that allows Evatt to charge out and block his shot. 16 min Pavlyuchenko’s dummy allows Defoe to race towards goal from the edge of the centre circle, but Baptiste shows excellent pace and strength to first keep up with him and then usher him away from goal. Excellent defending. 13 min Rose, scorer of that amazing goal against Arsenal last season , wins a corner on the left. It eventually finds its way to Bale on the right wing. He comes infield and drives a low, bobbling 20-yard shot towards the near post that Gilks pushes away with both hands. 12 min Apart from the ever excellent Modric, who is pinging crossfield passes left and right, Spurs have been pretty sluggish thus far. 10 min “Come on, surely the genuine neutral would rather have Spurs win today, and pip Man City’s Evil Empire for fourth, even if does mean Wee Blackpool go down?” says Ryan Dunne.. “The latter are indeed a very entertaining side, but this is in part because they can’t defend, and invariably get rogered by decent strikers. Arguably not much of a credit to the league!” That’s cold, man. They’ve still won as many away games as the league leaders, which is pretty impressive. 8 min Dawson gives away a silly free kick, 25 yards from goal. It’s to the right of centre, which makes it perfect for the left of Charlie Adam. But in fact it’s taken by the right-footed Eardley, who whips it into the wall. 7 min Dawson makes a smooth interception, strides forward and thrashes a 30-yard shot that spins off the sliding Vaughan and just over the bar. That was lovely play. 5 min Spurs finally get some meaningful possession after four minutes of watching Blackpool pass the ball around. Modric drills a beautiful crossfield pass to Kaboul, who spanks his cross out of play for a goal kick. 3 min Blackpool have started nicely, with much more of the ball than Spurs. Adam plays a smart one-two in midfield and then feeds the ball wide to Crainey, whose cross comes to nothing. 2 min “Dear Jesus,” says Kimberley Taylor. “Please don’t let Blackpool go down. The end.” As the kids say, this. 1 min Blackpool, in tangerine, kick off from left to right. Spurs are in white. In fact it’s Danny Rose rather than Gareth Bale who is playing at left-back for them. Team news Tottenham (4-4-2) Gomes; Kaboul, Gallas, Dawson, Rose; Van der Vaart, Modric, Sandro, Bale; Pavlyuchenko, Defoe. Subs: Cudicini, Lennon, Jenas, Crouch, Bassong, Kranjcar, Corluka. Blackpool (4-3-3) Gilks; Eardley, Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey; Southern, Vaughan, Adam; Kornilenko, Campbell, Taylor-Fletcher. Subs: Kingson, Ormerod, Cathcart, Phillips, Puncheon, Reid, Beattie. Referee Lee Probert (Wiltshire) There have been 118 goals in Blackpool’s Premier League matches this season, which puts them top of that particular league . As with the infectious Luton side of 1982-83 , and of course the heroic Foggia team of 1991-92 , they have decided to enjoy their first season in the top flight and sod the consequences. It’s such an admirable approach and most of us will hope that, as with Luton in 1982-83, they find a way to avoid relegation. If they do so by getting a result at Old Trafford on the last day, Ian Holloway’s celebration would surely be a neat companion to David Pleat’s giddy dance around Manchester 28 years ago . Preamble Hello. This is a fixture tinged with a wee bit of sadness. Tottenham and Blackpool are arguably the most fearless, attacking and likeable sides in the Premier League, yet modern football is no country for dreamers, and both teams are struggling to achieve their targets for the season. Spurs need snookers to reach the Champions League, and now find themselves under extreme pressure from Liverpool for a Europa League place, while Blackpool have dropped into the relegation zone after Wigan drew at Aston Villa. Both sides have extremely tough fixtures to come, so they could really do with picking up points today. Spurs play Manchester City and Liverpool away in the next eight days, while Blackpool go to Old Trafford on the last day of the season. They have stopped the rot to some extent with consecutive draws against Newcastle and Stoke, but have still won only one of their last 15 league games. That was a 3-1 victory over Spurs at the end of February, a match that started a dismal run of one victory in 11 for Tottenham. Both teams are desperate for three points today, which, coupled with their nature, means only one thing: a 0-0 draw attack, attack, attack attack attack. Premier League Tottenham Hotspur Blackpool Rob Smyth guardian.co.uk
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