UK ATM Faults: Is It Wise To Keep The Money?

Natasha Taylor / / UK

It has been reported that a cash machine in Manchester has been giving away “free money” due to a technical fault.

The news quickly spread on social media sites that the cash machine was giving out double the amount requested, and as a result, many people headed to the supermarket cash point in Fallowfield to take advantage.

It is thought that the error occurred due to a member of staff loading £20 notes into the £10 slots, meaning that the machine would give people £20 every time they requested £10.

Free money

But is there really such a thing as free money or is it classed as stealing? And what should you do if a cash machine gives you more money than requested?

Well, there isn’t a clear cut answer to this.

According to ITV, the Theft Act says that a person is guilty of theft if they take property belonging to another “with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.” Therefore, if the person taking the money was unaware of the malfunction and assumes that it is their money, there was no crime.

In theory, those who returned to the cash point repeatedly or went to the ATM when tipped off by another, may not be as innocent as they think as they’ve visited the cash point with the intention of taking money that isn’t actually theirs.

However, even though there would be evidence enough that the cash was taken, there is no specific law dealing with taking money from a faulty ATM.

Despite this, it isn’t the first time a case like this has been investigated. Earlier this year, the Crown Prosecution Service said that the only way an investigation could be launched is if the bank concerned with the faults made an official complain. In this particular case the bank let their customers keep any extra money that they had received.

However, morally  it is expected that someone should return any extra money that the cash machine has dispensed as there is no specific law dealing with taking money from a faulty ATM.

Speaking to ITV News, Brian Mairs, for the British Bankers’ Association, said: “If an ATM dispenses money to you in error, you should take it into the branch as soon as possible. Taking money that is not yours is a punishable crime.

“Banks have invested heavily in recent years in ensuring the security of customers’ money and the integrity of ATMs. There have been instances where an ATM has malfunctioned and the bank has written off the loss, but it would be wrong to assume that they will do so every time.”

 

Photo by redspotted.

What Will Life Be Like For Astronaut Tim Peake Aboard The ISS?

Rachel Gascoigne / / UK

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Major Tim Peake and the team of astronauts who boarded the International Space Station (ISS) last night will carry out dozens of scientific experiments for researchers on Earth, as he orbits the planet at an altitude of 220 miles, and a speed of 17,900mph.

The space scientist has become the first British astronaut aboard the ISS, where he will live for six months, but what will life be like up there for him and the team?

Well, let’s just say it will be far from comfortable. Day to day, he and his fellow astronauts will work, sleep and exercise, according to a strict and regimented routine.

Bath with a sponge

With no beds aboard the ISS, when the astronauts want to sleep they are forced to wrap themselves inside sleeping bags hooked onto the walls of their cabins – and when they need to wash, it will have to be done with a sponge, as there’s no shower or bath!

Food is freeze dried and vacuum packed and includes nothing liable to produce crumbs, in case some escape and float around. Peanut butter has been described as the best space food.

Space sickness

During his six month mission – named Principia in homage to Sir Isaac Newton’s text on gravity and motion – Major Peake will participate in over 250 experiments, such as growing crystals and blood vessels in space. He will also be engaging with schools around the UK in live video streams, as part of an educational programme in co-operation with the UK Space Agency.

 

Although one of the first challenges he will have to face is overcoming space sickness!

 

Photo by: NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center 

New Zealand’s New Flag

Joshua David Craddock Stoneham / / Asia

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New Zealand’s flag has been a talking point among kiwis for quite a few years. It’s colonial roots are heavily reflected in designand some often complain about its similar style to Australia. Recently a referendum has been proposed, with a new preliminary winner announced for a replacement flag. In March a referendum will be held on whether they should keep the existing flag, or change to a new one. But what is the history behind the flag and is Australia likely to change theirs as well?

New Zealand used to have a different flag, the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, this was adopted in the 1830’s. After the British conolised New Zealand in 1840, the British Union flag was used instead. This later was adapted into the current flag, which was designed for use on colonial ships. It became New Zealand’s national flag in 1902.

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The original, pre-colony New Zealand flag

However the flag has often been a bone of contention amongst kiwis. Some argue it doesn’t reflect the native Maori population. The inlusion of the Union Jack has been ciricisted for not reflecting New Zealand’s independent status, with Canada as an example of a ex-colony who removed the Union Jack ensignia from its flag.

Internationally, the flags similarly to Australia’s flag has been the biggest issue. in 1984, the then Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke was greeted in Ottowa with New Zealand flags. Current New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says that he has frequently been seated under the Australian flag at international meetings.

The Favourite Design For The New Flag
The Favourite Design For The New Flag

These factors have led to a referendum that could see New Zealand’s flag reflect their country more accurately and clearly.

Australia has no current desires to change their flag, although strong campaigns from the 90’s could make a comeback if New Zealanders ditch the Union Jack. A flag that primarily consists of the ‘crux’ of the Austrlian flag (the stars featured on their current flag) is what would likely replace their current design.

Whether Oceania is due for a makeover is something may well be decided this March.

Photos by Greentubing. Other images listed under Public Domain.

Why Will 2016 Be A Scorcher?

Rachel Gascoigne / / Africa, Europe, North America, South America, UK

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A new global temperature forecast from the UK’s Met Office says that 2016 is likely to be even warmer than 2015.

This year has already been provisionally declared the warmest on record all due to a combination of global warming and a particularly strong El Nino.

El Nino is a naturally occurring weather pattern causes extremes such as scorching weather, droughts and flooding around the world. The weather episode sees the warm waters of the central Pacific expand eastwards towards North and South America – pulling colder water from the deep ocean and into the eastern Pacific.

Usually the wind blows strongly from east to west due to rotation of the Earth. This causes water to pile up in the western part of the Pacific.
In an El Nino, the winds that push the water get weaker, causing the warmer water to shift back towards the east. This then causes the east Pacific to get warmer.

Ocean temperature is linked to wind currents, so this change is temperature causes winds to grow weaker, and therefore the oceans grow warmer and warmer, meaning the El Nino grows too.

The phenomenon happens every two to seven years, usually peaking late in the calendar year, although the effects can persist well into the following spring – and it definitely will be in 2016.

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El Nino usually just causes global temperatures to increase more than normal, however this year has seen active hurricanes in the eastern Pacific and in South East Asia, El Nino has been associated with a drought which helped increase wildfires in Indonesia and caused a dense haze in parts of the country. El Niño is also believed to have played a role in reducing the impact of this year’s monsoon in India. 

Enhanced rainfall is expected between October and December in East Africa too.

The Met Office think that 2016 could see temperatures to rise 1.1C above pre-industrial levels, however last week in Paris, countries agreed that the world should pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5C.

 

Photos by: Wikipedia,  NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Beijing Pollution Red Alerts

Natasha Taylor / / Asia, Uncategorized

The authorities in Beijing, China have issued their second red alert warning following heavy smog covering the city.

The city issued it’s first-ever such warning earlier in December and have just issued their second warning for this weekend, and it is expected that the pollution index will probably exceed 500.  At levels higher than 300, residents are encouraged to remain indoors, according to government guidelines.

The red alerts are usually issued after three days of extremely high levels of air pollution. When these alerts are issued vehicles are forced off the roads, factories and construction sites shut down and schools and nurseries advised to close.

But how serious actually is the air pollution in China, and what does it mean for it’s residents?

Recent research has shown that the pollution is the cause of over 1.6 millions deaths in China every year. This equates to around 4,400 people every single day.

According to Time, Researchers from Berkeley Earth, a non-profit climate research organization, published an online study Thursday that finds that pollution causes about 17% of deaths in China. Researchers came to their conclusions after analyzing four months of data taken at 1,500 locations across China, South Korea, and Taiwan.

The study found that the most deadly pollutant, comes in the form of tiny particles derived from places like electric power plants and fossil fuels used in homes and factories for heating. These particles can enter the lungs and bloodstream and cause illnesses ranging from asthma to heart disease.

However, a top economic planner has said that the way to get around this problem, China needs 10 more megacities. The planner has said that all of these new cities must include top schools, hospitals, and corporate headquarters to ease the strain on Beijing.

However, it seems that some businesses are making the most of the red alerts in China. Vanity Air, a Canadian company that sells bottled air, have found a lucrative market and are selling and shipping cans in high quantities over to China to help citizens with the high levels of pollution that they’re facing.

 

Photo by: Getty Images via The Independent