World’s Largest All-Electric Airplane To Fly In 2025

Dec 2 2024

Swedish startup Heart Aerospace is preparing for the first flight of its X1 electric demonstrator aircraft, scheduled for early 2025

The X1 is a full-scale test version of the ES-30, a 30-seater hybrid-electric commercial plane.

The company, founded in 2019, has raised $145 million to advance regional aviation with sustainable technology.

The X1, unveiled in September, has a wingspan of 32 meters (105 feet) and will take off from Plattsburgh International Airport in New York, chosen for its low air traffic and tech-friendly environment.

This flight will validate Heart’s innovative electric propulsion system. While the X1’s zero-emissions range hasn’t been confirmed, the ES-30 is designed to cover 124 miles (200 km) on electric power, extendable to 250 miles (400 km) with a hybrid system.

Heart’s focus is on connecting small regional airports, particularly underserved areas, rather than competing with major airlines. The ES-30 can take off from short runways of 1,100 meters (3,609 feet) and accommodate the needs of regional aviation.

Heart aims to launch the X2 demonstrator in 2026 and commercially debut the ES-30 in 2028.

Meanwhile, other companies like ZeroAvia and Elysian are also working on emission-free aircraft solutions, exploring technologies like hydrogen-electric and battery-powered designs. Enthusiasts can virtually fly the ES-30 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

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Photo Source: Heart Aerospace

‘Brain Rot’ Named 2024 Word Of The Year By Oxford University Press

Dec 2 2024

Oxford University Press has named “brain rot” as its Word of the Year, reflecting concerns about the impact of excessive consumption of trivial online content, particularly on social media.

The term saw a 230% rise in usage between 2023 and 2024, signifying its relevance in discussions about internet culture and its effects.

Defined as the supposed deterioration of mental or intellectual abilities due to exposure to low-quality material, “brain rot” originally appeared in Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 book Walden.

Thoreau used it to critique society’s decline in valuing complex ideas, famously asking if efforts to cure “potato rot” might extend to curing “brain-rot.” While once confined to social media slang among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the term has gained mainstream traction.

Professor Andrew Przybylski of Oxford University describes the term as a reflection of societal unease with the digital world rather than a scientifically supported condition.

Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, notes the term underscores growing anxieties about virtual life and its role in shaping modern language, much like last year’s winner, “rizz.”

“Brain rot” outpaced contenders like “demure,” “Romantasy,” and “dynamic pricing” for the title, highlighting the intersection of internet culture and evolving social discourse.

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You May Soon Be Able To Visit A Minecraft Theme Park

Dec 2 2024

Minecraft, the world’s bestselling video game, is venturing into real-world experiences through a global partnership with Merlin Entertainments, Europe’s largest theme park operator.

This collaboration, called “Adventures Made Real,” will introduce Minecraft-themed rides, attractions, hotel rooms, and retail outlets, with the first attractions opening in the UK and US in 2026 and 2027.

Merlin, known for operating iconic locations like Legoland and Alton Towers, plans to invest over £85 million ($110 million) in the initial phase.

The partnership aims to expand globally, leveraging Minecraft’s massive digital presence of 140 million monthly players and Merlin’s physical footprint in 23 countries.

This move aligns with Merlin’s strategy of partnering with major intellectual property brands, following successful collaborations with Lego, Peppa Pig, and Jumanji.

Minecraft, which passed 300 million sales in 2022, continues to expand its brand with a film starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black set for release in 2025 and an upcoming Netflix series.

Merlin CEO Scott O’Neil highlighted Minecraft’s universal appeal, calling it one of the world’s biggest brands.

For Microsoft, which acquired Minecraft developer Mojang in 2014, this partnership is an opportunity to extend the game beyond its digital roots, combining their expertise with Merlin’s location-based innovations.

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Over 355,000 Tourists Visited Malta In October 2024

Dec 2 2024

In October 2024, Malta welcomed 355,561 inbound tourists, a 13.2% increase compared to October 2023. Most visitors (329,388) came for holidays, while 19,118 arrived for business.

Tourists aged 45-64 (35.6%) and 25-44 (35.5%) formed the largest groups, with British, Italian, and German visitors comprising 43.5% of arrivals.

Tourists spent over 2.2 million nights, a 7.3% rise from October 2023, with 87.1% staying in rented accommodations. The average stay was 6.2 nights.

Total tourist expenditure reached €356.5 million, up 18.4% from the previous year, with an average spend of €160.8 per night. Visits to Gozo and Comino accounted for 57.4% of all tourists, totaling 203,950.

For January-October 2024, inbound tourists increased by 19.4% to 3.1 million, with total nights spent rising 12.1% to nearly 20 million.

Expenditure during this period grew by 22.3% to €2.9 billion, with per capita spending increasing from €914 to €936.

Gozo and Comino attracted 1.83 million tourists over the year to date, representing 58.9% of total visitors. The data highlights Malta’s growing appeal as a travel destination, marked by significant increases in both visitor numbers and economic impact.

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