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Gives you space, doesn’t use voicemail, is liked by dogs: our guide to the telltale signs that a relationship is the real deal by Justin Myers Sat 28 Jan 2023 10.00 GMT 864 Just as it’s much easier to fire off cutting snark than offer constructive criticism, advice on dating and relationships tends to focus on the negative. So many warnings on what not to say or do, the ones to avoid, the dangers. But what about the good stuff? Wouldn’t it be nice to hear we’re getting something right, receive a little encouragement or, even better, a handy guide to best practice. We know all about the red flags, but their more positive, cheerleading green cousins are just as important. We’ve scorched the earth, here come the green shoots. I’ve trawled expert advice, the soothsayers of social media, idiots with broadband, and even delved into my own experiences for the ultimate list of romantic five-star ratings that say, hey, maybe this is going somewhere. Never accept any less than the absolute best in show. First-date behaviour Dating profile The biggest green flag on someone’s dating profile is variety: plenty of pictures with friends, family – maybe even pets – so you can get a handle on who they are and how you could fit into their life (and also whether they have any good-looking friends who might suit you better). Images should be super-fresh – no decades-old selfies snapped in smeared bathroom mirrors, and no photos with exes. An open mind is good, too: according to dating app Bumble, a third of its users are more open to travel and start a relationship with people from different places – a sign its criteria aren’t ridiculously prescriptive. Just think: long-distance lovers might bring you something interesting from the big Robert Dyas in their town. Pleased to see you This always applies, actually – whether first laying eyes on you sauntering into the bar, or 10 years later, in the car park, in sideways rain, with 10 carrier bags, your face longer than the queues for the toilets at Latitude. They compliment you And I don’t mean “nice arse”. They’re keen to impress Playing it cool is so boring, so over, such a cliche. We’re not teenagers any more. Play it hot. Wow one another. They should dress for the date as if they mean business. Personality should be fully electrified. Humour should be on its A-game. Good breath Pleasant, non-honking breath that shows they’re intimate with their toothbrush and that they care about how they’re perceived, not just the faux minty tang from a hastily sucked Polo seconds before arrival. Smoking should only be done glamorously, at will readings or during multimillion-dollar jewellery heists, or wretchedly, in Paris, lamenting an extramarital bunk-up – so let’s have none of that. Anyone can nod while their date unloads a forensic rundown of every grievance they’ve had since graduation, but are they listening? You both share Jokes, traumas, saliva. Sharing is caring. Unless it’s food of course. Refuses the menu with calories on it Or at least doesn’t read it out like they’re announcing the lottery numbers. Asks for extra gravy You need someone who’ll brave the truth: there’s never enough gravy. You need a warrior to go into battle and ask (politely) for more of it, or indeed anything. Mild-mannered types happy to simper, “Oh yes, it’s delicious, thank you,” as they miserably chew stony, desiccated roast potatoes, or a yorkshire pudding with the texture of a duvet, need not apply. See also: is willing to request a nicer table when the maitre d’ plonks you by the toilets in a restaurant that’s also hosting a private party for people who eat only half-defrosted seafood. Doesn’t flinch when you order something no sane person would eat on a first date If they can’t handle your “orders a tripe and kidney tempura platter for three”, they don’t deserve your “offers up three-quarters of a tarte tatin – no strings, lots of custard”. The conversation flows BUT you shouldn’t necessarily be afraid of a comfortable silence. (If silence is mortifying to you, a tip from me: talk about how you find silence uncomfortable! Make a joke about it! The best way to talk your way out of a wordless lull is … to talk about talking. Try it.) Illustration of a man in a black suit, against blue background carrying a bouquet of red flags Arrives late, pours your wine and eats onions – 56 dating red flags that should send you running Read more They’re not afraid to look silly A first date is all about embarrassing childhood stories and gigantic screw-ups at work. Yes, we want to hear about the time you wet yourself in the middle of Waitrose, aged 26. Or accidentally sexted your boss. The self-deprecating little failures we’re prepared to reveal say a lot about how we handle difficult situations in the day-to-day. They’re not afraid to talk about the future Yes, even on a first date. Let go of the mindset that it’s somehow “crazy” or “stalkerish” to talk about long-term hopes – they don’t have to relate to the person in front of you. Want to get married one day? Tell them! Excited about finally getting to change a baby’s cataclysmic nappy on the hard shoulder of the M6? Be open! You’re not asking them to sign a contract, it’s part of you, it’s conversation; you know where you are with someone who can tell you this on a first date. And if your aspirations don’t align, you know not to bother with a second date. (Please consider the alternative: deranged couples who daren’t have the “talk” and so casually mention at their youngest’s christening that they never really wanted to get married or have kids.) They’re interested in you They ask you questions about you, get you to elaborate, and stay awake. There should also be eye contact (and some subtle checking you out across the table when they think you’re not looking). Not just a good listener, but an active one Anyone can sit and nod and keep stumm for 10 minutes while their date unloads a forensic rundown of every trivial grievance they’ve experienced since graduation, but are they listening? Do they check back in, recall names and places? Can they cross-reference your ding-dong with Rita from accounts in 2017 with Simon from HR being snappy with you at the last work barbecue before Covid? Keeper! A man will often act as if he’s the standup comedian and the woman is his audience, but laughter should be an exchange, not a broadcast You laugh a lot together In man/woman dates, often a man will act as if he’s the standup comedian and the woman is his receptive audience, but laughter should be an exchange, not a broadcast. Jokes drying up? Drop a banana skin on the restaurant floor and see what happens. Laughter must be genuine, too – no polite tittering at gags that land harder than your Uncle Steve after 10 pints of IPA. (LGBTQ+ people: don’t worry, we’re always funny.) They stay off their phone That thing should be on silent, in a pocket, or a bag. Not face down on the table. Untouched. Ignored. Even if there’s a fire. Time flies We’ve all been on that date that drags harder than the middle of Titus Andronicus, but when you feel as if you have only just arrived – indeed, maybe your arm is still in one sleeve of your coat – and waiting staff are mopping over your Grensons and switching the lights off, this is green for go. They verbalise what they’re feeling Verbalise. (I feel I should be wearing loose-fitting hessian when I use that word.) Anyway, this is a fancy way of saying that they tell you they’ve had a good time, you’re great, and they’d like to see you again. Obviously if the date has felt like 90 minutes circling a hell-mouth with someone who has the personality of a bottle of antibiotics, and their verbalisations are delusional claptrap, this flag turns from green to red. You don’t want the date to end You try desperately to keep the conversation going. What’s your favourite colour M&M? What does outer space taste like?! Have you ever toasted a bagel with a pair of straighteners? Are you the Kelly, Michelle or Beyoncé of your family? Alternatively, you prolong the night by bar-hopping between increasingly insalubrious places, until you find yourself in a pub by a market, downing shots next to a man who just delivered 200 animal carcasses from Jutland. Personality Open and honest So many of us hesitate to express our feelings; it can be hard to break the habit. When someone first starts being open and confessional, you might be nervously peeking around for hidden cameras in case it’s a TikTok stunt, or dismiss it as vapid psychobabble. But it’s good to tune in, say how you feel – so long as it’s constructive and not just repetitive moaning about your ingrown toenail. Not afraid to disagree Surrounding yourself with yes men and women is an extremely dangerous habit to get into. So long as they’re respectful of your point of view – assuming it isn’t a horrible one – then why not duke it out and try to win each other round or, better still, agree to disagree. (Note: some things are not up for debate, like basic human rights, and which was the best Sugababes lineup.) Has a decent relationship with their ex … … or at least manages to mention them without frothing at the mouth. Obviously beware if they over-eulogise their ex, or still take them on surprise trips to Sorrento, but residual loathing or anger from past loves will end up tainting your relationship. The cleaner the slate, the greener the flag. (Maybe put your foot down if the ex seems to be staying over a lot, until one day your partner says: “Imagine if you two … kissed?”) You’re on a similar wavelength Dating people just like yourself is boring – just hump a mirror and have done with it. But avoiding conflict means sharing similar values at least; it may help if you’re also on a common footing when it comes to finances, the demands your job exerts on your free time, and how many hours you’re prepared to binge on Netflix. (Three episodes of 45 minutes in one day is enough for anyone! Go outside! Touch the bark of a tree! It smells weird in here!) Talks positively about friends and family Only if they’re in their lives, of course. If they aren’t in touch with family, they should feel able to talk about it. You can be yourself with them The joy of being able to tell someone anything, without judgment. Yes! Vengaboys’ We Like to Party! was top five in my Spotify Unwrapped! I’m not sorry! They’re kind to others The biggest tell of how we might act inside a romantic relationship is the way we treat others outside of one – even tiny interactions with baristas, shop assistants, and the man who sings through a traffic cone outside the big Boots at Piccadilly Circus. Never listens to voicemail? This person is smart, aware that only sociopaths (and helicopter parents) leave voicemails They have good morals “Not a murderer” probably isn’t enough. Good argument etiquette Look, we all have barneys every now and again, but does your partner give you enough space to vent? Or do they constantly interrupt, get defensive, storm off or, worse, order you to calm down? Nobody’s perfect, of course, so if they lose their cool or have difficulty expressing themselves, they should be willing to work on it. Pro tip: telling someone to calm down during an argument is like cheerfully chucking phosphorus on to a bonfire and expecting to retain your eyebrows. Is witty without being mean And I say this as a gay man whose personal pH levels make lemons seem positively sickly. Twenty-four-hour bitching is exhausting – you want isolated incidents of sharp snark that won’t draw blood. Doesn’t run for trains Instant tick. Wait for the next one! Sniffs the milk before pouring it into your tea An age-old defence mechanism since cave-dwelling times, this means they truly care about your wellbeing. Never tags you in pics without permission And understands that you’re happy in your delusion that you always look exactly like your filtered front-facing camera selfies, and not the reality: a Crimewatch photofit of 10 Habsburgs. Asks before they send nudes And, should you say yes, sends good nudes. Lighting! Composition! Context! Anything but a slightly out-of-focus strolghino or two sad trifles snapped in a bathroom lit like a cup final. Thanks people for birthday messages on Facebook Yes, Facebook is moribund and only his grandmother actually does this, but we should definitely ride for someone with such good manners. Sign up to Inside Saturday Can keep houseplants alive Not just your average succulent that anyone can cultivate with an old Gü-pot’s worth of water once a week. I’m talking orchids, fiddle-leaf figs, azaleas. Pick someone who can rear a Boston fern to maturity and you’ll definitely have a terrific nurse when it comes to flu season. Dogs like them But please check their pockets for sausages. Culture and style Never listens to voicemail This person is smart, aware that only sociopaths (and helicopter parents) leave voicemails and should not be indulged. Is willing to try stuff Curiosity is hot. Try everything. Awful pop-ups with bewildering “fusion menus”. White-water rafting. Acupressure pilates. Kimchi-flavoured Fanta. A Jane McDonald festive spectacular. The three most romantic words are not “I love you”, they’re “let’s do it!” Doesn’t mock the (terrible) things you love However, if they use the term “guilty pleasure” – jail. Life in jail. Pleasure is pleasure. We don’t have to pretend to be cool. We’re 38. (I am not 38.) Owns decent utensils Must include a set of tongs for flipping bacon/burgers/whatever. Truly the sign of an evolved person who has their shit together is that they’ve graduated beyond using a fish slice for everything (which they erroneously call a spatula). Folds up their T-shirt sleeve (once) It’s sexy! Looks as if they’ve made an effort! A lover who’s consistent, reliable and tells the truth is a bigger mental health and energy boost than any wheatgrass smoothie or reiki session Refuses to dress sexily in the gym You’re not meant to look good in the gym, it’s not fair on the rest of us. You’re supposed to appear moments from spontaneous combustion, wearing faded Bermuda shorts and a free beer-festival T-shirt that says Real Ale Con 2018 – Beauty and the Yeast. Believes the greatest duet of all time was when Beyoncé sang with Alexandra Burke in the 2008 X Factor final Marry them! Acknowledges how lame their social media presence is I’m sorry, we cannot be in denial about this; it doesn’t matter how many followers you have, our behaviour on these platforms is not normal and we must stop taking it seriously. Is not on LinkedIn Self-explanatory. Knows the difference between Debbie Harry and Blondie And again. Early days Doesn’t mess you about Is there when they say they’ll be there, doesn’t play games, texts back within acceptable parameters, doesn’t go off-grid unexpectedly, and when they’re not with you, you don’t feel anxious. You trust them, basically. A lover who’s consistent, reliable and tells the truth is a bigger mental health and energy boost than any wheatgrass smoothie or reiki session. The little things They don’t wait until they’re in the doghouse before doing something nice for you. It’s not about being showy or realising your dreams (a giant Ferrero Rocher and a cat that will finally love you back). It’s helping you out, or showing they’re thinking of you. A good luck text before a work presentation, a voice note saying they had a great time last night, taking one annoying errand off your to-do list. Tiny gestures make a big impression. They give you space The obsessive honeymoon period is great when you’re in it, but they should know when to back off so you don’t have to entirely abandon the life you had going on before they showed up. Your friends still exist. They have their own stuff going on As appealing as the idea of being adored sounds, we’re not Agnetha and Frida from Abba. Someone with a well-rounded social life, or at least commitments that regularly take them away from your loved-up bubble, is much healthier than making you their sole focus, stuck to your side 24/7. They should have a fair and/or equal approach to life admin, or if they don’t yet, be willing to learn. Quickly They make you feel good about yourself When you’re with them, things they say, how they treat you, and their general vibe should make you feel elevated, appreciated and strong. If you go home from a date feeling like you just did three rounds of Squid Game, it might be time to look elsewhere. The sex works Chemistry’s a thing. Being in tune between the sheets is a big tick. Even if you don’t share exactly the same desires or fantasies straight off, as your relationship evolves, you will likely grow together if you have a strong foundation. They include you in their life, and want to be in yours Taking someone on means you take on everybody around them. They don’t have to love everyone, but must be willing to get involved. Yes, that includes listening to your dad explain, in minute detail, while dinner rapidly congeals, the state of traffic on the Edinburgh bypass – especially by Dreghorn Barracks, pheweeee, pal – and pretending your best friend doesn’t have the most annoying laugh this side of a pack of delinquent hyenas watching reruns of The Young Ones. You accept it’s all a work-in-progress We’re flesh and bone, not marble and stone. We’re obsessed by instant sparks and thunderbolts, but a big green flag is acknowledging that you won’t get everything right first time, but by listening, and being patient, you’ll soon learn that taking the last Jaffa Cake is indeed a crime worthy of the death penalty. Going the distance Shoulders the burden Paying bills, cleaning and going to the shop because you forgot milk are common triggers for resentment if one of you is doing more than the other. They should have a fair and/or equal approach to life admin, or if they don’t yet, be willing to learn. Quickly. They call you out on your bullshit It’s your party, you can cry if you want to, but don’t expect everyone else to stick around. At first the idea of your every whim being indulged can be appealing, and we’ve all acted like a spoilt toddler at times. Anyone who really cares about you – and stands a chance of not wanting to dump you in the queue for a Cronut at a local artisan bakery – will give you the odd reality check. Go for a partner who reminds you that, no sweetie, it’s not all about you. (If my boyfriend is reading: this does not apply to me, thank you for your understanding.) They admit when they’re wrong Still, by a country mile, the sexiest thing anyone can do – other than a fan dance to Gala’s Freed From Desire – is to say, “I got this wrong.” We’re humans, we’re fallible, there is no medal for being right all the time; admitting we ballsed it up is not a weakness, it’s a superpower. That said, no excuse for getting things wrong all the time. Like, learn from the mistakes, don’t just make them over and over. Being willing to work on issues is important. It’s just good manners to put the lid on the toothpaste. And if they don’t? Put the flat up for sale, call your brief and destroy everything they love There’s a distinct lack of drama There are too many couples who thrive on drama, constantly scrapping and reuniting, or mooning over exes who barely know they’re alive. It’s not sustainable to live like Burton and Taylor (by which I mean Richard and Elizabeth, not Menswear and Swift). Your worth as a couple is not down to how passionate your rucks are – I said rucks – and how frantic the making-up sex is. Life should, on the whole, be drama free, with the odd dip and leap, rather than constantly rocketing between Everest and the Mariana Trench. There’s an old saying that you need to graft to make a relationship work, and, frankly, it’s bollocks. If you wake up every day feeling like you’re about to do a double shift in the salt mines then … maybe you’re in the wrong relationship. There’ll be the odd moment of mid-stakes conflict and drama while you figure each other out, but if external forces out of your control allow, the rest of it should come easily. They talk you up When good things happen to you, it’s as if they have happened to them. They’re proud of you, encourage you to be independent and successful, and shine a light on you when you’re being too modest. Everyone needs a hype man, someone sending positive chat about you into the universe and, yes, annoying their friends by mentioning you constantly. What? Have a partner who doesn’t strive to make their social circle convulse with envy whenever your name comes up? Couldn’t be me. Others talk them up Engineer an evening with their friends as soon as you can and observe how they talk about them. Obviously you get the odd coterie powered by the depressing renewable energy that is banter, a deep, throbbing magenta flag in itself, but nobody normal would slate a friend to a new partner. You can get an idea of what someone’s like just by the tone close pals or family use when talking about them. (Do listen out for casual references to multiple previous partners who went mysteriously missing, or died in freak accidents.) Puts the lid back on the toothpaste It’s just good manners. And if they don’t? Put the flat up for sale, call your brief and destroy everything they love. Will never make you go on a picnic Oh yay, let’s eat some ludicrously tiny carbs outdoors. No. It’s wasp Glastonbury. Let’s not pretend this is fun. Justin Myers, also known as The Guyliner, is a freelance writer and the author of three novels, including The Fake-Up. link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/28/62-dating-green-flags-that-shout-this-ones-a-keeper

Is this the week when the war dramatically turned in Ukraine's favour? It was certainly a decisive moment, with a coalition of Western nations confirming they were finally willing to supply modern-made main battle tanks. Germany said it would send Leopard 2 tanks and the US said it would send M1 Abrams tanks. Both the UK and Poland have already made concrete pledges, and other nations are expected to follow. Some commentators have described the move as a potential "gamechanger". But is it really enough to win the war? Ben Barry, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (ISS), tells the BBC that Western tanks will make a difference. But the former British Army Brigadier also warns that the pledges made so far are unlikely to prove decisive. In modern warfare, tanks have been a key element for offensive operations - to punch through enemy lines and retake territory. Used effectively, they provide mobile firepower, protection, shock and surprise. Concentrated in numbers, they can dislocate an enemy's defences. But they also need the support of artillery to first weaken those defences and then the support of infantry to hold retaken ground. History shows tanks alone don't win battles. The British first used hundreds of tanks at the battle of Cambrai in November 1917 - to end the deadlock of static trench warfare. Initially they made significant advances, but many tanks soon broke down and a German counter offensive turned British gains into losses. Tanks can also be used in defence. In 1940 they were used by the retreating British and French armies at Arras to stall the Nazi invasion, allowing the subsequent evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk. But Ukraine has made clear that it wants weapons not just to stall any potential Russian spring offensive, but to retake its own territory - to go on the attack. How Ukraine might use tanks as attack spearheads It would make little sense for Ukraine to disperse its additional tanks across a frontline of more than 1,000km (621 miles). To break through Russian defences, Ukraine will need to concentrate its forces - possibly over an area of between five and 20km (between three and 12 miles). Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former colonel in the British Army's Royal Tank Regiment, says numbers do matter for a breakthrough. An armoured brigade for a significant offensive operation would normally include at least 70 tanks. So more than 100 Western battle tanks could make a big difference, he says. If Ukraine had more it could try to conduct simultaneous offensive operations in different places, as it did last year in the north and the south. Germany confirms it will send tanks to Ukraine Leopard 2 tanks: Why Germany delayed sending themg Then there's the additional support required for what the military call "combined arms manoeuvre". The UK is not just sending Ukraine 14 Challenger tanks, but also 30 artillery self-propelled guns and armoured vehicles to carry and protect troops. That new package of military support also includes mine breaching and bridge-laying vehicles. In other words, the essential elements needed for any offensive operation. The US is also providing Ukraine with more than 100 Bradley and Stryker armoured vehicles, and Germany 40 of its Marder infantry fighting vehicle - as well as tanks. Tanks are the tip of the spear, designed to move quickly over open ground. The Challenger 2, Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams are faster than most Russian-made tanks with speeds of more than 25mph (40km per hour) on rough terrain. To take ground quickly, with any element of surprise, they would likely avoid urban areas where they would be more vulnerable to attack. Russia showed early on in this war, in its failed attempt to surround Kyiv, that a long column of armour on a road is an easy target. Mr Barry, of ISS, says any spearhead attack would look for an enemy's weak points. But he also warns that Russia has spent the last few months reinforcing defensive positions with trenches and tank traps. Western tanks are also about 20 tonnes heavier than their Russian counterparts. The additional armour gives better protection but it also means the tanks may be too heavy to cross some makeshift bridges. Russia and Ukraine have both blown bridges to slow down advances. Surprise attacks at night Mr de Bretton Gordon, who commanded a squadron of British Challenger tanks, says one of the big advantages of Western-made tanks is their ability to fight at night. Night sights and thermal imaging camera are standard. Only Russia's more advanced tanks - like the T-90 - are fitted to fight at night. Attacks under the cover of darkness also add to the element of shock and surprise. The greatest challenge for Ukraine will be logistics - maintaining the flow of fuel, ammunition and spare parts. Ukraine is not just having to maintain its old Soviet-era arsenal, it is also having to worry about an increasingly complex inventory of Western supplied weapons. Ukraine weapons: what equipment is the world giving? Britain's Challenger 2 tanks, for instance, do not use the same Nato standard ammunition as the Leopard and Abrams. The Challenger 2 is no longer in production and even the British Army has had to cannibalise some spare parts from its existing fleet. Mr Barry says Ukrainian engineers may be familiar with repairing diesel engines - like those in the Leopard and Challenger. But he says the US-made Abrams runs on a more complicated gas turbine engine. It also consumes about twice the amount of fuel as a German-made Leopard. If Western pledges are firmed, Ukraine's armed forces could be boosted by more than 100 tanks. That would still fall well short of what Ukraine's overall military commander asked for. Last October, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi said Ukraine needed an additional 300 tanks, 700 infantry fighting vehicles and 500 howitzers for his planned offensive this year. It might end up with just half of that. The training required on the weapons will take time too - weeks if not months. And it's still not clear when all this equipment will arrive. The US has indicated that its 31 M1 Abrams tanks might not be ready for months. Ukraine is also waiting for the West to respond to its repeated request for modern warplanes. An army attacking on the ground will need protection from the air. Western officials had hoped that Ukraine may be able to mount an offensive as soon as this spring. They believe there is now a window of opportunity while Russia struggles to recruit and rebuild its battered forces, and to replenish its dwindling supplies of ammunition. Ukraine has managed to prove the doubters wrong in the past - but it will still need more Western support if it is to achieve its goal of expelling Russian forces. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64422568

Passengers are left frustrated and stranded in airports with no information about their situation following the system crash. Rabat - A crash in the system of Spanish carrier Iberia has disrupted several international and domestic flights, leaving passengers stranded in Spanish airports. In a statement on its official Twitter account, Iberia said that the system crash compromised its booking and boarding system. The problem led to five flights being canceled. The flights in question were heading for London, Lisbon, Vigo, Barcelona, and Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain, Iberia’s spokeswoman said in a statement reported by Reuters. “At 11.30 a.m. the delays have been up to an hour in flights in Spain and Europe. It has affected dozens (of services),” the spokeswoman explained. “It is centered on Madrid but also affects other airports. We have volunteers working to solve the problem as soon as possible.” In its tweet, Iberia said that “due to a system failure, booking and boarding services have been stopped at several airports.” The Spanish carrier added that “the entire Iberia team is working to solve” the issue. “We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience that the situation is causing,” the tweet concluded. No further information concerning the exact nature of the system failure was mentioned. Debido a una caída de nuestros sistemas, se ha detenido el servicio de facturación y embarque en varios aeropuertos. Todo el equipo de Iberia trabaja para solucionarlo. Pedimos disculpas a nuestros clientes por los inconvenientes que la situación les está ocasionando. Gracias! — Iberia (@Iberia) January 28, 2023 Meanwhile, passengers left stranded in Spanish airports complain about the lack of clear information about the situation as no one can answer their questions on how long it would take to restore the system. “No one is telling us anything, airport officials keep sending us to other officials who have little more information to offer us. We are stuck here,” one passenger in Casablanca’s international airport heading for Madrid told Morocco World News. link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/01/353753/iberia-system-crash-causes-chaos-in-moroccan-international-airports

Nick Movie: Detective Knight: Independence Time: January 20, 2023 Netflix / Amazon / HBO?: ? Duration of the movie: 1h 31min Trailer:

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• Name: @BirSaNN • Time & Date: 05:00 /27/01/2023 •Screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/ca6ED1c

There are no penalties for "innocent" tax errors, the boss of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has said. Jim Harra's comments to MPs come amid pressure on Nadhim Zahawi after it emerged he paid a penalty to the tax authority. The Tory chairman faces an inquiry into his conduct by the PM's ethics adviser. Mr Harra stressed he could not comment on individual cases, but said penalties were not applied when someone had taken "reasonable care". Mr Zahawi has said the tax authority accepted the error over previously unpaid tax was "careless and not deliberate". He has given permission to HMRC to share details of his taxes with the investigation into his conduct, with his allies saying he believes this will back up his version of events. Individuals must give permission for such details to be disclosed, because of taxpayer confidentiality. Key questions about Zahawi's tax affairs Who is Nadhim Zahawi? Earlier, Mr Harra, the chief executive of HMRC, gave evidence to the Commons Public Accounts Committee about managing tax compliance following the pandemic. The MPs also quizzed him about Mr Zahawi's tax arrangements. He said he would not comment on specific individuals, but added: "There are no penalties for innocent errors in your tax affairs. So if you take reasonable care, but nevertheless make a mistake, whilst you will be liable for the tax and for interest if it's paid late, you would not be liable for a penalty. "But if your error was as a result of carelessness, then legislation says that a penalty could apply in those circumstances." The BBC understands Mr Zahawi resolved a multi-million pound dispute with HMRC last year, when he was chancellor. According to the Guardian, he paid the tax he had owed, as well as a 30% penalty, with the total settlement amounting to £4.8m. The tax was related to a shareholding in YouGov, the polling company he co-founded in 2000 before he became an MP. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asked his independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to look into whether Mr Zahawi broke ministerial rules over the issue. Downing Street said it wanted the investigation to be completed "as quickly as possible" but that the timeline was a matter for the independent adviser. Mr Sunak said he would wait for the investigation to report back before making a decision on Mr Zahawi's future. Mr Zahawi has insisted he has "acted properly throughout". The prime minister said: "I'm not going to pre-judge the outcome of the investigation, it is important that the independent adviser is able to do his work." Earlier, Mr Harra said that if HMRC was asked by Sir Laurie to help with the inquiry "we will do so in any way we possibly can". However, he said it would not normally publicly comment on someone's tax affairs, even if the individual had given their consent. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64410490

What happens to wild horses that don't have shoes? Horses have been central to human transportation and agriculture for centuries. These symbols of power and speed require hoof care and new shoes every four to six weeks to stay on the job. But why? Horses (Equus caballus) that are domesticated for human use and selectively bred for performance wear shoes because their feet are delicate and therefore need protection, said Dr. Fernanda Camargo(opens in new tab), a veterinarian and equine extension agent at the University of Kentucky. "Shoes provide protection to some areas of the foot of the horse," Camargo told Live Science in an email. "They prevent the hooves from wearing out too much, and thus becoming sensitive." The exterior of the hoof, known as the wall, is made of a horn-like material that grows continuously and has to be trimmed, just like a person's fingernails, according to University of Missouri Extension(opens in new tab). "Shoes also help the foot maintain its proper shape," Camargo said. However, rough terrain, such as sand and rocks, can cause the exterior to wear away, exposing the sensitive inner hoof. Then, the horse experiences pain and may be unable to walk. Historically, such impairments would have prevented horses from being used on the battlefields or during the harvest, so shoes were added to reinforce the hoof wall, Camargo said. It's estimated that horses have been wearing shoes of some kind since they were domesticated about 6,000 years ago(opens in new tab), Camargo said. Related: Why do we still measure things in horsepower? Originally, horseshoes were made of leather or plant material. Metal shoes nailed to horses feet were first used around A.D. 500 and became commonplace over the next 500 years, Camargo said. While aluminum and steel shoes nailed to the hoof are still the most common, she said, a variety of other materials — such as rubber, resin and plastic — can also be nailed or glued to the hoof as a shoe. While many horses need shoes, not all do; it depends on the type of riding, the terrain and how frequently the horse is ridden. Those ridden on rocky terrain or concrete are more likely to need shoes. Even horses that aren't ridden may require shoes to protect them from the terrain or therapeutic shoes to help manage a foot condition. But "a lot of horses that are just ridden here and there, and are kept on grassy/not hard terrain will do just fine without shoes, with regular farrier visits," Camargo said. Meanwhile, wild mustangs don't wear shoes and manage to travel over rough terrain because they have very strong feet, Camargo said. But their hooves can still wear down and cause lameness. If this happens it will cost a mustang its life, she said. Some people wonder whether nailing shoes on the horse's hoof hurts them. There are no blood vessels or nerves in the wall of the hoof, according to University of Missouri Extension, so if the shoe is nailed on properly, it isn't painful. "But improper shoeing can absolutely hurt," Camargo said. If the shoes or nails are placed wrong, the shoes are the wrong shape or size, or if the farrier applies pressure in the wrong areas, they can hurt the horse. And if the hooves are badly trimmed beforehand, it can lead to pain or lameness with or without shoes, she said. link: https://www.livescience.com/why-horses-wear-shoes

The concept has sleek bodywork and a minimalist interior that trades traditional infotainment for immersive augmented reality. The Audi Activesphere is the latest in a series of "Sphere" concepts, and takes the shape of an off-road-oriented crossover with a coupe-like roofline. The highlight is the cabin, which uses augmented reality for all of the vehicle controls—like navigation, climate, and entertainment—instead of a screen. Another cool feature on the Activesphere is the split tailgate, which sees the rear glass slide upwards to turn the cargo area into an exposed bed for hauling bikes and other gear. The Audi Activesphere concept blurs the lines between automotive segments, combining a sloping, carlike roofline with a decidedly SUV-esque stance and ride height. The fourth in Audi's series of "Sphere" concepts—after the Skysphere roadster, Grandsphere sedan, and Urbansphere minivan—the Activesphere imagines a smoothly styled crossover that supports an outdoorsy lifestyle and shows off new technologies that Audi hopes to implement in the coming decades. Like its conceptual companions, the Activesphere is electric, riding on the PPE platform that will underpin the upcoming A6 e-tron as well as Porsche's electric Macan. A 100.0-kWh battery provides over 370 miles of range, and electric motors on the front and rear axles combine for 436 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. PPE also brings 800-volt electrical architecture, allowing the battery to add around 186 miles of range in 10 minutes at 270 kW. Audi also claims the battery can go from 5 to 80 percent in under 25 minutes. The Activesphere stretches nearly as long as a gas-powered Audi Q8, but it's 3.0 inches wider, stands about 4.0 inches less tall, and has a 1.0-inch shorter wheelbase. The concept rides on an air suspension with adaptive dampers and 22-inch wheels wrapped in 285/55 tires designed to tackle a variety of terrains. The wheels feature active aero—opening up when off-roading for cooling and closing when on pavement to improve efficiency. Cameras replace traditional sideview mirrors to decrease drag, boosting range. The focus on off-road exploration led to a see-through interpretation of the "Singleframe" grille that has adorned Audis over the past two decades, so the driver can better spot obstacles in front of the vehicle. The lower portions of the doors are also glass. The 8.2 inch ride height can be raised by 1.6 inches when leaving the asphalt, and Audi quotes the approach angle at a decent 18.9 degrees while the departure angle is a more versatile 28.1 degrees. One of the Activesphere's niftiest features is the "active back." Essentially a split tailgate, the lower section folds down like on a pickup truck while the rear glass slides upwards, turning the cargo area into a small bed which can hold a pair of bicycles. A motorized bulkhead behind the rear seats keeps the cabin enclosed, and a ski rack is integrated into the roof. The Activesphere is the first Audi designed with a split tailgate, but the brand was coy about production feasibility. Audi gets really experimental inside the Activesphere's cabin. There is still a steering wheel and pedals, but the physical controls fold away when autonomous driving is activated. Straight lines dominate the simple dashboard, which includes a full-width sound bar and air vent. Red trim pops against the black background, and the center console has heated and cooled beverage storage. You may have noticed that the Activesphere bucks the trend of giant touchscreens. That's because the entire interior is the screen, thanks to the extensive use of augmented reality. Four headsets—stowed in a console in the roof—allow occupants to engage with what the automaker calls the "Audi dimensions." The system basically layers information and controls over what you can see and physically interact with in the real world—similar to what Iron Man uses to work on his suits in the Marvel films, although you will need to don special glasses and probably aren't as effortlessly charismatic as Robert Downey Jr. Vehicle status, navigation, and entertainment are all included in the augmented reality interface, and the system tracks the user's eyes, calling up more detailed information if the user focuses on a certain menu or display. Gesture control allows the user to interact with the virtual controls they are seeing like they would with a physical control, rotating to adjust a dial or tapping to click a button. link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a42661341/audi-activesphere-concept-augmented-reality-details/

Getting dumped right before a solo overland journey from Barcelona to Beijing derailed my bid to rebrand myself as a woman of the world It was meant to be a voyage of self-discovery. But two days before I left, my boyfriend dumped me. The self I discovered was a total buzzkill. “It’s not you, it’s me,” he swore, but I was crying my 21-year-old heart out in the front seat of an Uber as we wove through East Fremantle – a panic attack playing peekaboo in my gut. My driver’s name was Ricky and he wore an Akubura with hanging corks. Ricky said I was better off without the ex. He was right – unequivocally so. But at that moment, my glass was half empty. Backpacker hostels may be cheap – but there’s so much else to love about them Lamorna Ash Read more A year earlier, when I planned my solo overland journey from Barcelona to Beijing, I was certain if I looked wistfully out enough train windows and sipped enough home-brewed eastern European spirits, I could officially begin a rebrand. Forget the awkward girl hiding behind a thick fringe and meet the new me, a woman of the world. I had dropped out of university and worked two jobs to make it possible – including a stint squeezing maggots from a dishcloth at an ice-cream parlour – so I am usually hesitant to describe those four-and-a-half months as anything but perfect. But in reality, I was emotionally unhinged. I mostly travelled alone and was excited to get to know myself away from my usual crowd. Disappointingly, I found I was a person who would cry in a 14-bed dorm room, set off by a text from my ex about cheese and crackers. A person who would go clubbing in Mykonos with a bad cough to avoid being alone and who would unload my emotional baggage on to anyone who would listen. I’d love to say I eventually had a thrilling love affair with a Bolshoi theatre ballerina I got bed bugs, pneumonia and fleas. I missed an expensive flight. I got in several fights with men who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. I blew through my budget. I had a credit card for emergencies – but the word emergency quickly widened well beyond its dictionary definition. However, without question, the biggest enemy to my backpacking bliss was myself. My self-pity was tangible. It was syrup and I bathed in it. I’d love to say I eventually had a thrilling love affair with a Bolshoi theatre ballerina or that the Gobi Desert single-handedly rebuilt my self-worth with its vastness. But in reality, I was still a mess on my flight home from China, cry-watching The Fault in Our Stars from the back of an economy-class seat link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/26/my-bad-trip-i-took-a-voyage-of-self-discovery-but-the-self-i-discovered-was-a-total-buzzkill

Russia launched a wave of missiles at Ukraine on Thursday, a day after Germany and the US pledged tanks to aid Kyiv's fight against the invasion. Eleven people died and 11 others were injured after 35 buildings were struck across several regions, the state's emergency service said. It added the worst damage to residential buildings was in the Kyiv region. Officials also reported strikes on two energy facilities in the Odesa region. The barrage came as Russia said it perceived the new offer of military support, which followed a UK pledge to send Challenger 2 battle tanks, as "direct" Western involvement in the conflict. In what was a sustained and wide-ranging attack, the head of the Ukrainian army said Moscow launched 55 air and sea-based missiles on Thursday. Valery Zaluzhny added that 47 of them were shot down, including 20 around Kyiv. Earlier, Ukraine's air force said it had downed a cluster of Iranian-made attack drones launched by Russian forces from the Sea of Azov in the south of the country. A 55-year-old man was killed and two others wounded when non-residential buildings in the south of the capital were struck, officials reported. The offensive was a continuation of Russia's months-long tactic of targeting Ukraine's infrastructure. The freezing winter has seen power stations destroyed and millions plunged into darkness. After Thursday's strikes, emergency power cuts were enforced in Kyiv and several other regions to relieve pressure on the electricity grid, said DTEK, Ukraine's largest private power producer. A day earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to provide Ukraine with 14 Leopard 2 tanks, following weeks of international pressure. They are widely seen as some of the most effective battle tanks available. The heavy weaponry is expected to arrive in late March or early April. President Joe Biden later announced the US would send 31 M1 Abrams battle tanks, marking a reversal of longstanding Pentagon arguments that they are a poor fit for the Ukrainian battlefield. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the move but urged the speedy delivery of the tanks. He also appealed to the West to send long-range missiles and fighter jets. But for tanks to be "game-changer", 300 to 400 of them would be needed, an adviser to Ukraine's defence minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Why Germany delayed sending tanks to Ukraine "The sooner we defeat Russia on the battlefield using Western weapons, the sooner we will be able to stop this missile terror and restore peace," Yuriy Sak said. Speaking on the same programme, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said sending tanks to Ukraine would make a big difference to the country's ability to win the war. He also warned that Russia was planning a fresh offensive, just as reports began emerging from Ukraine of missile strikes following drone attacks overnight. On Thursday, the US designated Russia's Wagner group, which is believed to have thousands of mercenaries in Ukraine, a transnational criminal organisation. It also imposed fresh sanctions on the group and their associates to "further impede [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's ability to arm and equip his war machine", Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in the statement. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64411259

EasyJet will double its seat capacity to Morocco from 800,000 to 1.6 million seats by early 2028. Rabat - Morocco’s National Tourism Office (ONMT) has signed a five-year partnership agreement with British multinational low-cost airline group EasyJet. The agreement was signed by ONMT’s general director Abdel El Fakir, and Chief Executive Officer of EasyJet Johan Lundgren on Wednesday 25 January in London, according to ONMT’s press release. The five-year agreement starts from summer 2023 until winter 2027-2028. As part of the agreement, EasyJet will double its seat capacity to Morocco from 800,000 to 1.6 million seats by early 2028. Seven markets are targeted by the campaign—markets where the airline has air bases—including the UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Under this agreement, EasyJet and the ONMT have committed to expand air connectivity to existing destinations such as Marrakech, Agadir, Essaouira, and Tangier, as well as to program new destinations such as Rabat, Fez, and Ouarzazate. Describing the agreement as “historic,” for Morocco, ONMT director said, “The airline [Easyjet] has a real expertise on the European market, our first source of tourists. This reinforces our proactive strategy on our target markets.” EasyJet’s CEO said, “ EasyJet has doubled its activity to Morocco as its po[CENSORED]rity continues to grow among our customers.” Through this strengthened partnership with EasyJet Group, the ONMT hopes to continue its commercial campaign on the European markets by positioning Morocco among the most attractive destinations, concluded the office’s press statement. The news comes as Morocco maintains its appeal among worldwide traveler enthusiasts as one of the world's top places to visit. link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/01/353731/onmt-easyjet-join-forces-to-promote-morocco-as-a-tourism-destination

Nick Movie: Legion of Super-Heroes Time: February 7, 2023 Netflix / Amazon / HBO?: ? Duration of the movie: 22min Trailer:

Live Performance Title: Ceca Konzert Bec 2019 Signer Name: Ceca Live Performance Location: - Official YouTube Link: Your Opinion About the Track (Music Video): 10/10

Music Title: Music Mix 2023 🎧 Remixes Of Po[CENSORED]r Songs 🎧 EDM Dance Music Playlist Signer: = Release Date: 26/01/2023 Official Youtube Link: Informations About The Signer: - Your Opinion About The Track (Music Video): 10/6

• Name: @BirSaNN • Time & Date: 0025 /26/01/2023 •Screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/BhXCnko

Partygate played a key part in Boris Johnson's ousting from Downing Street, and hasn't finished with him yet. The former prime minister still faces an inquiry by the Commons Privileges Committee over whether he misled MPs over the scandal. The probe, commissioned by the Commons in April last year, has largely dropped out of the headlines since Mr Johnson left office. But it is about to come roaring back onto the political agenda, with reports that hearings could begin in the coming weeks. Here's what we know about the investigation that will prove crucial for Mr Johnson - and for his successor Rishi Sunak. Recap: why is he being investigated? Opposition parties have accused Mr Johnson of misleading MPs about what he knew about gatherings in government buildings during Covid lockdowns. On several occasions after the Partygate scandal emerged in late 2021, he told the Commons that pandemic rules had been followed. But an investigation by senior official Sue Gray later found widespread rule-breaking had in fact taken place. And a police inquiry led to fines for 83 people, including Mr Johnson himself, for attending law-breaking events. The ex-prime minister has admitted his original statements to MPs have since proved incorrect - but has said he believed them to be true at the time. He has denied deliberately misleading Parliament, and said he has "absolutely nothing, frankly, to hide". What will the committee decide? The seven MPs on the committee will examine whether Mr Johnson committed a "contempt of Parliament" - described by the parliamentary rulebook as anything that prevents Parliament from functioning properly. In July last year, they decided they would not have to prove Mr Johnson deliberately misled MPs to show he committed this offence. That provoked an outcry among allies of the former prime minister - who said it showed the inquiry was biased against him. A legal opinion commissioned by the government on behalf of Mr Johnson, published in September last year, also took issue with the committee's approach, calling it "fundamentally flawed". But the committee has rejected accusations of bias, saying its decisions were based on advice from impartial officials. It will be sticking to its original interpretation of the rules - and has hit back with a paper of its own, saying the government's legal opinion was based on "misplaced analogies" with the criminal law. Tories told not to criticise MP probe into Johnson MPs reject claim Johnson Partygate probe is unfair Who sits on the committee? The Conservative-majority committee is chaired by senior Labour MP Harriet Harman, a former cabinet and shadow cabinet minister. She took on the role in June last year from party colleague Sir Chris Bryant, who stepped back because he had criticised the PM in media interviews before the inquiry was launched. The other members are Labour's Yvonne Fovargue, the SNP's Allan Dorans, and Tories Andy Carter, Sir Bernard Jenkin, Alberto Costa, and Sir Charles Walker. A former appeal court judge, Sir Ernest Ryder, has been appointed to advise them during the probe. What evidence will they gather? The committee has contacted witnesses to submit written evidence by 7 February. They will be able to submit evidence anonymously, with committee staff verifying their identity. The submissions will be shared with Mr Johnson, with the committee reserving the right to conceal their identity where "appropriate". The committee has requested a trove of documents, including Mr Johnson's diaries and briefing notes given to him before appearances in the Commons. It has also asked for entry logs into government buildings, emails and WhatsApp messages about resignations, and pictures taken by Downing Street's official photographer. It's understood that security measures have been taken to keep the evidence under wraps whilst the inquiry is ongoing. At some point, Mr Johnson himself will be asked to undergo a public grilling by the committee, which is expected to be televised live. Although it's not a legal process, he will be able to bring a lawyer with him and take advice. However, the former prime minister will have to answer MPs' questions himself. The committee has also asked for access to 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, to inspect areas where gatherings mentioned by Mr Johnson in the Commons were held. It is not clear if this has yet taken place. What could happen to him? The committee will recommend whether Mr Johnson committed a contempt, and if so how he should be punished, to the whole House of Commons for a final decision. Possible punishments range from ordering him to apologise to suspending him from the Commons for a period of time. If they decide to suspend Mr Johnson for more than 10 days, it would trigger a "recall petition" in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency, a process that could potentially lead to a by-election. Suspensions of this length, however, have been rare in recent years. The outcome of the inquiry will be pivotal for Mr Johnson's political future. Any finding that he misled Parliament could sink his hopes - never ruled out - of one day returning to high office. A finding of contempt, however, would also be a major headache for Rishi Sunak - forcing him to decide whether to tell his MPs how to vote. That would open up dormant divisions among the Tory party, particularly if Mr Johnson's supporters cry foul over the outcome. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-62009458

Rangers in Australia stumbled upon a giant cane toad resembling a "football with legs" A jumbo-size cane toad (Rhinella marina) captured in Queensland, Australia, has tipped the scales at a whopping 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms), earning it the nickname "Toadzilla" and likely making it the largest example of the species on record. Rangers stumbled upon the hefty amphibian on Jan. 19 in Conway National Park while they were conducting track work. They announced their discovery via a tweet, writing that they were "shocked to find a monster cane toad" that weighed as much as a rooster. "I just couldn't believe it to be honest — I've never seen anything so big," Kylee Gray, a ranger for the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)(opens in new tab). "It flinched when I walked up to it and I yelled out to my supervisor to show him. [It looked] almost like a football with legs." Related: What's the difference between a frog and a toad? Gray described the find as "a big warty, brown, ugly cane toad just sitting in the dirt," and she and her colleagues think it was a female, "due to the size, and female cane toads do grow bigger than males." The official largest known toad on record is a cane toad (also called a marine toad) found in 1991, also in Australia, that weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces (2.65 kg), according to Guinness World Records. After weighing the portly toad found at the national park, rangers euthanized it "due to the environmental damage they cause," they wrote in the tweet. "A cane toad that size will eat anything it can fit into its mouth," Gray told ABC, "and that includes insects, reptiles and small mammals." CNN(opens in new tab) reported that the toad's remains have been sent to the Queensland Museum for further analysis. link: https://www.livescience.com/toadzilla-cane-toad-queensland-australia

Nevada's governor has said Tesla is planning to bring a new facility into the state where its electric semi-truck will be built. In his inaugural State of the State address on January 23, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo brought up a new investment from Tesla to be announced this week. The next day, Tesla confirmed Lombardo's statement that the Tesla Semi is set to be produced at the new facility, along with a new 100.0-GWh 4680 battery. Lombardo also said the manufacturing plant will be built in northern Nevada and cost an estimated $3.5 billion. Tesla is expected to build a new manufacturing facility in Nevada that will produce its electric semi-truck. While Tesla didn't officially announce the plans until Tuesday evening, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo mentioned the deal Monday night, January 23, during his State of the State address. Lombardo said the new facility is planned to be built in northern Nevada. He also said it'll cost an estimated $3.5 billion. The advanced manufacturing facility is said to be the production site for the Tesla Semi, the first units of which were delivered to Pepsi last month. Tesla confirmed it is investing $3.6 billion to its Giga Nevada operations and plans to build two new factories on the site. The first will be a 100.0-GWh 4680 cell factory with the capacity to produce batteries for 1.5 million vehicles each year. The second factory is confirmed to be Tesla's first high-production factory for the Tesla Semi. The investment will result in four million additional square feet of manufacturing and 3000 additional jobs for Tesla's Giga Nevada facility. link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a42638701/tesla-announces-dollar35-billion-manufacturing-plant-nevada/

The famously loud sports car is going battery-powered. And the makers are determined that it will keep its trademark roar Name: Ferrari. Age: Took to the road in 1947. Appearance: Shiny, low-slung, probably red, with a small horse on the front. I don’t get sports cars. If I wanted something ruinously expensive and unpleasantly loud, I’d have a child. You can’t teach a Ferrari to make a cup of tea. If only. But about the “loud” bit: that’s what Ferrari has been puzzling over recently. If it is making them quieter, about time. They must have read that research about how traffic noise can affect children’s memory. No, they’re launching a fully electric car in 2025 and that means tackling the question of what happens to Ferrari’s signature roar, “an expression of pure joy borne [sic] from world-class engineering”, according to one excitable dealer’s website. Well, if the new car is electric, presumably they get rid of the roar. Cutting out noise and air pollution together, brava Ferrari! Mamma mia, no. And actually, the lack of engine noise from electric cars has been demonstrated to be a serious safety hazard. How so? Well, you can barely hear them when they’re travelling under 20mph and that means they pose a serious danger to pedestrians and cyclists. Blind and partially sighted people are particularly at risk. That’s why since 2021, electric car manufacturers have been required to produce sounds at low speeds, called Avas (acoustic vehicle alerting system). It’s usually a sort of whirring or electronic kind of noise. Right, so Ferrari adds a nice regulation-compliant hum or beep – job done. But the punters need their precious car to sound like a Ferrari. How else will people know they’re driving one? By looking at them, in the Ferrari, driving? The noise is “an important element of driving pleasure”, according to the Carbuzz website, which uncovered a patent filed by Ferrari to tackle this puzzle. So, what’s the proposed solution to this non-problem? Judging by the patent, Ferrari may be planning to install an external speaker system, which means that when you turn the electric car on, or press the accelerator, it will broadcast authentic engine noise. Authentic how? Apparently, the system will extract and play back real electric engine sounds, amplified and deepened. That means that instead of just being a boring recording, the noise will change as you speed up and slow down. I’ll tell you how that sounds: expensive. An entry-level Ferrari is currently around the £200,000 mark and there’s speculation that the electric version could be nearer £400,000. £400,000? That would get you 50 Citroën Amis. Or a five-bedroom house in Swansea with “gorgeous original features”. But are they fast, loud and sexy? No. Well then. Do say: “VROOM VROOM.” Don’t say: “Attention: this midlife crisis is reversing.” link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/25/whats-red-and-sounds-like-400000-an-electric-ferrari-once-you-add-fake-engine-noises