Readingology 24

Live updates on the UK election In the United States, election night is followed by a monthslong transition period before the new administration takes office. In Britain, by contrast, new leaders endure a sleepless, 24-hour maelstrom that takes them straight from the campaign trail to No. 10 Downing St., the Prime minister’s official residence and office. With the election result increasingly clear, Prime Minister-elect Keir Starmer must travel to Buckingham Palace to be formally appointed by King Charles III, a ceremonial ritual in Britain’s constitutional democracy. It will be the king’s first post-election appointment, but he has some way to go before he equals the 15 prime ministers who served under his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. The new prime minister then travels to Downing Street, which will have been swiftly vacated by his predecessor. There he will address the nation outside its famous black door, then be applauded inside by civil servants. Then come the security b...

  Could Gliders Revolutionize Air Cargo?  A Look at Aerolane's "Flying Piano" Taking a Page from Geese:  Inspired by how birds fly in formation, a Texas startup named Aerolane is exploring a radical concept for air cargo: using unmanned gliders towed by airplanes. The "Flying Piano":  Their current test aircraft, nicknamed the "flying piano" due to its poor gliding ability, uses its engines minimally to conserve fuel while being towed by another plane. Sensors track air currents created by the leading aircraft, allowing the glider to "surf" these currents and stay aloft for extended periods. Fuel Savings and Environmental Benefits:  The goal is to significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Imagine a single plane towing multiple gliders, with only the towing plane using fuel. This method could be a game-changer for the air cargo industry, which faces rising fuel costs, pilot shortages, and environmental c...