Uber boat to launch UK's first hybrid passenger ferry
Thames Clipper and transportation firm Uber are creating the country’s first hybrid high-speed passenger boat in the United Kingdom. The two new warships will be launched in fall 2022 and spring 2023, respectively, at Wight Shipyard on the Isle of Wight. The boats will have a hybrid architecture that will allow them to run entirely on battery power while transporting commuters and tourists in central London, and then recharge using bio-fuelled electricity outside of the city. The new boats will utilise extra power from the bio-fuelled engines to replenish their batteries, eliminating the need for shore-based charging.
These will be the company’s quietest vessels, as well as the city’s most environmentally efficient passenger boats, according to Uber Boat. Simultaneously, the business expects the vessels to break new ground in its catamaran design, resulting in a future-friendly choice that can be made further greener as technology advances.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers said: “This development in technology has enabled us to take the first major steps to meet our future environmental vision. As a business, we are continuing to embrace the emerging technological advances that will see us continue to develop our fleet and infrastructure, thereby supporting a sustainable future in our industry”. Furthermore, by 2025, the firm plans to achieve net-zero for all new constructions, and by 2040, it plans to achieve net-zero for its entire fleet, infrastructure, and environmental impact.
The business is working on three green marine feasibility projects that are being financed by the Department of Transportation. The project’s results are due in April 2022, and they should help the company continue its path to net zero. It’s also supported by findings from the EU Horizon 2020 TrAM project to develop fully electric, zero-emission, high-speed passenger ferries, a project in which Uber Boat by the Thames is involved and has influenced the specification of the new vessels for London.
Sources: Intelligent Transport, Standard.
The country with the most expensive Big Mac in the world
The price of a Big Mac may fluctuate more than the price of Bitcoin throughout the world, but it’s now known which country has the most costly one. Jim Delligati, a Pennsylvania McDonald’s franchise owner, invented the Big Mac in 1967. The next year, it was made available throughout the United States, and you can in more than 70 nations. However, the price of the Big Mac will vary depending on where you are.
Switzerland is the country that has requested the most money for a Big Mac and it costs £5.21. And that’s just the burger, no fries or drink. It may not come as a huge surprise, given its place among the countries with the highest cost of living. Despite the increased employment rates and greater earnings, this statistic appears to be reasonably proportional.
According to statistics compiled by Merchant Cash Advance, Norway is in second place, with a Big Mac costing £4.66. Sweden is third at £4.59, followed by the Big Mac’s native country, the United States, in fourth place at £4.18, and Canada in fifth place at £3.93. A Big Mac now costs £3.19 in the United Kingdom. By comparison, the cheapest Big Mac in the globe can be purchased in India for £1.20, followed by Lebanon for £1.31, and Russia for £1.34.
McDonald’s is one of the world’s largest corporations, and the Big Mac is widely available worldwide, therefore the iconic burger may be used to compare fundamental commodities in most nations. It also has the benefit of using the same inputs and distribution system as before, with a few small changes (like chicken patties in India instead of beef). Following shortages caused by exceptional demand, the burger giant had to discontinue the Chicken Big Mac from its UK menu last week. It plans to reintroduce the new Big Mac soon.
UK and Japan to work together on world-leading fighter jet sensor
The United Kingdom and Japan have signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) to collaborate on a world-leading fighter aircraft sensor. The ‘JAGUAR’ global radio frequency sensor technology might help the Armed Forces better identify future threats from the air, land, and sea, rapidly and precisely pinpointing targets and denying adversary monitoring technologies. JAGUAR is projected to generate 75 jobs throughout the UK, including 40 highly skilled engineering posts at Leonardo’s Edinburgh plant, with joint work on the project set to begin in April.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin said: “We are proud to work ever closer with our partners in Japan to ensure both our Armed Forces remain at the forefront of military innovation. “This crucial relationship will see us acquire truly advanced technology to protect our nations for decades to come whilst creating significant investment and highly-skilled jobs in the UK and Japan”
The JAGUAR system will take about five years to design, develop, and evaluate, with help from Leonardo UK and the Japanese industry. Within the project, two demonstrators will be developed, one in each country, with work and learning, shared to maximise national competence. This collaborative study follows the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the UK and Japan in December of last year, allowing the two countries to develop joint technology. As part of their relationship, the two nations also revealed their plan to construct a future fighter jet engine demonstration in December.
As stated in the Combat Air Strategy issued in 2018, international collaboration remains at the core of the UK’s approach to combat air. The UK is investing more than £2 billion over the next four years in a massive national and multinational effort to create a world-leading Future Combat Air System. The collaboration with Japan is going place in combination with the UK’s developing relationship with European countries. Furthermore, any partnership involving Japan’s superior defence technology might boost the country’s ties with the United Kingdom.
Sources: Gov.UK, Eurasian Times.
Brits Pick US As ‘Dream Destination’ 2022
The year 2022 will be remembered as the year of the once-in-a-lifetime vacation. According to a recent poll by EasyJet, a third of us aim to spend £1,000 more on travel this year than normal, and nearly half of us are looking forward to the “vacation of a lifetime.”
According to research done by price comparison and financial advising platforms, the United States of America is the British public’s ‘dream holiday’ for 2022. Brits were asked about their travel intentions for the next 12-18 months in research commissioned by Forbes Advisor, which included their ideal locations, expected cost, and how they plan to pay for their trip. Forbes Advisor focused on long-haul travel locations to identify ‘dream destinations,’ rather than more usual European vacations because two-thirds of respondents (67%) said a ‘once in a lifetime break would be a medium or long-haul excursion (3-6+ flight hours).
The United States is now allowing fully vaccinated UK newcomers to enter the nation without having to go through quarantine. Previously, everyone entering the nation was compelled to self-isolate, even if they had got both vaccines. Anyone above the age of 16 who is properly vaccinated can now enter the United States without needing to isolate. Quarantine is waived for anyone who has proof of recovery, or a negative PCR test obtained within 72 hours of arrival. While the government advises all visitors to do a PCR or lateral flow test before entering the country, it is not required.
Kevin Pratt, travel and finance expert at Forbes Advisor, said: “There is huge pent-up demand for once-in-a-lifetime overseas dream holidays, with so many Brits not having seen the inside of an airport for two years.” He advised consumers that travel insurance is a “no-brainer”, adding: “It’s important to get a policy designed to cater for potential problems arising from Covid-19, such as having to cancel because you fall ill with the virus before departure.”
Sources: Forbes, Daily Advent.