53 h. ago Mission to Space with Francis Bourgeois review – did we really need to see him be sick in zero gravity?

Can a social media-famous trainspotter become an astronaut? Erm, no. And it’s far from the best use of this hugely genuine, witty personalityMission to Space with Francis Bourgeois is a tricksy little beast. Unlike, it must be made quite clear, its presenter himself. Bourgeois, for those who have not had the absolute pleasure, is a 25-year-old engineering graduate who came to prominence on social media by making TikTok videos about his great passion: trains. The unforced joy on his face when a locomotive goes by (any locomotive, though his favourite classes are the 37 and 158 and his least favourite the 170), and his ease with his geekiness, quickly made him a star.His other love, we are told, is space. The animating feature of this overgenerously apportioned documentary (two parts of 45 minutes each) is the question: can a trainspotter become an astronaut? Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago BAE Systems wins £450million contract to build advanced radar for RAF fighter jets

Defence chiefs have awarded a near half billion-pound contract to BAE Systems to build new advanced radar systems for the RAF's Typhoon aircraft.

Economics

7 d. ago Ring a Republican: Payphones linking San Francisco and Texas aim to bridge US political divides

A Matter Neuroscience project lets callers in liberal San Francisco and conservative Abilene speak across party linesTwo experimental payphones – one placed in San Francisco and the other in Abilene, Texas – are connecting strangers across party lines, allowing callers to speak directly with Democrats and Republicans in two of the US’s most ideologically opposed cities.The project is the work of Matter Neuroscience, a Boulder, Colorado-based biotech company and is fashioned out of old payphones bought off Facebook. One phone sits outside Black Serum Tattoo parlor in San Francisco’s Mission District – and the other is in downtown Abilene by the bookstore Seven and One Books. Each phone is marked with a sign explaining that callers will be connected to someone from the opposite end of the political spectrum. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Operation Hawkeye Strike: How Donald Trump is taking on ISIS in Syria again

The president has stepped up attacks on ISIS in recent weeks after saying the U.S. should have ‘nothing to do with’ Syria

Events

3 w. ago Mission: Impossible film hailed 'best in franchise' airs on free TV tonight

Fourth film in the popular spy franchise was a huge success upon its release in 2011

Events

3 w. ago RAF Typhoons strike Isis weapons storage site in Syria in joint mission with France

The strike was on an underground facility in Syria which had been occupied by Isis

Events

3 w. ago British and French aircraft attack underground Islamic State weapons store in Syria

Guided bombs used to target tunnels at site near to city of Palmyra in raid intended to ‘eliminate dangerous terrorists’British and French aircraft have carried out a joint strike on an underground facility in Syria that had been occupied by Islamic State, the UK Ministry of Defence has said.Guided bombs were used to target access tunnels down to the site, which is located in the mountainous region near the ancient city of Palmyra in the centre of the country, on Saturday evening. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago UK RAF Typhoons join French jets in major attack on Islamic State in Syria

RAF Typhoons have joined French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground facility in Syria used by Islamic State to store weapons and explosives, the Ministry of Defence said

Events

3 w. ago RAF warplanes join major attack on Islamic State in Syria in dramatic move

Guided bombs have been used to target access tunnels that lead down to the site buried deep in the mountains near the ancient city of Palmyra

Events

3 w. ago 'Legendary' war film based on 'unimaginable' true story is a must

The film, starring Benjamin Bratt and James Franco, tells the true story of the 1945 Cabanatuan rescue mission

Events