2026 – Page 37 – Manchester Courier

The Fascinating Rise of Speedy Excel Users: Why Thousands Tune in on Social Media

23Aug

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Business

The Fascinating Rise of Speedy Excel Users: Why Thousands Tune in on Social Media

The Misconceptions Surrounding Microsoft Excel There is a common belief among many that Microsoft Excel should be avoided at all costs. Perhaps you exaggerated your skills by stating you had "advanced knowledge" of this spreadsheet software on your CV, and ever since, you've been living in fear of being found out. Alternatively, you may be comfortable with a few basic formulas but find the interface too convoluted to truly master. Regardless of personal sentiment, Excel remains a fundamental tool within the corporate landscape, with Microsoft claiming it has “hundreds of millions” of users globally. Yet, for a thriving community of content creators, Excel's applications extend far beyond mere functionality. These individuals revel in the thrill of achieving ninja-like efficiency in Excel a...

23Aug

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Culture

Top Streaming Films to Watch This Month

Summer Streaming Recommendations Stay Indoors and Enjoy Streaming Delights As summer continues to bring relentless heat, venturing outdoors can feel like a daunting task. With the right sunscreen and perhaps a personal air conditioner, one might brave the elements, but for most, the best course of action is to stay indoors and indulge in some of the finest films available on streaming platforms. This season offers an impressive array of viewing options that cater to diverse tastes. Among the highlights of this month is the much-anticipated return of "Avatar: The Last Airbender." This new chapter reunites the beloved characters from the acclaimed animated series, now as adults facing the burdens of responsibility. Similarly, "Heartstopper Forever" explores the transition from teenage roma...

Megan Lee-Devlin Takes the Helm as Chief Executive of HMCTS

23Aug

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UK News

Megan Lee-Devlin Takes the Helm as Chief Executive of HMCTS

Megan Lee-Devlin Takes the Helm at HM Courts and Tribunals Service Megan Lee-Devlin has been appointed as Chief Executive of HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), transitioning from her previous role as Director General for Justice Services and Transformation at the Ministry of Justice. In her former position, she was instrumental in spearheading the digital transformation of various services within the justice system, encompassing areas such as prisons, probation, and support for victims. Additionally, Megan oversaw the operational delivery of three key justice services: legal aid, lasting powers of attorney, and victim compensation. As HMCTS embarks on its ambitious modernisation programme, aimed at enhancing services for court and tribunal users, Megan is poised to guide the organisa...

The Era of Intuitive Learning Robots: Approaching the Physical “ChatGPT Moment”

23Aug

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Science & Technology

The Era of Intuitive Learning Robots: Approaching the Physical “ChatGPT Moment”

Exploring Robotic Innovation in Cambridge Recently, I ventured a mere fifteen minutes from my home to witness robots performing astonishing tasks, leaving me utterly captivated. My destination was the offices of a startup named Generalist AI, situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There, I observed robotic arms engaged in simple tasks such as stacking cups and placing blocks into containers, demonstrating an impressive ability to learn quickly, reminiscent of human capabilities. Impressive Adaptability of Robotic Arms The robotic arms showcased their proficiency in various tasks after merely watching a brief instructional video—remarkably, without any specific training for each individual task. One particularly striking example involved a robot instructed to sweep a block into a container u...

Whitehall Officials to Join Mayors’ Offices as PM Celebrates First Month of No10 North

23Aug

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UK News

Whitehall Officials to Join Mayors’ Offices as PM Celebrates First Month of No10 North

Strengthening Local Governance through Whitehall Collaboration In a significant move to enhance local governance, the Prime Minister has brought mayors from various regions together for the inaugural virtual meeting of No10 North, just one month after its establishment. This initiative aims to embed local perspectives into national decision-making processes, ensuring that communities across England can harness their potential for growth. As part of this initiative, government departments will deploy civil servants directly into mayoral authorities, marking the largest transfer of Whitehall resources to local leaders to date. This effort responds to the pressing needs articulated by mayors during their initial gathering with the National Economic Council, where they advocated for enhanced l...

Are Earthquakes Really Increasing? Insights from Recent Scientific Findings

22Aug

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Science & Technology

Are Earthquakes Really Increasing? Insights from Recent Scientific Findings

Recent Surge in Earthquake Activity In recent months, a series of significant earthquakes have struck across the globe in quick succession. On June 24, Venezuela experienced two seismic events measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, occurring just 39 seconds apart. Little more than a month later, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook the Kumamoto region of Japan. The focus returned to Latin America on August 10, when a 7.4 magnitude quake hit Colombia, causing extensive damage in several cities and marking the strongest tremor recorded in the country over the past decade. Then, on August 20, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake was registered 35 kilometres north of Coracora in Peru. Viewed in isolation, these occurrences may foster an unsettling perception: are we truly experiencing more earthquakes...

Announcement of Development Consent for Beacon Fen Energy Park

22Aug

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UK News

Announcement of Development Consent for Beacon Fen Energy Park

The proposed project consists of a substantial 400MW photovoltaic solar farm, which will feature a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of up to 600MVA, alongside an on-site substation and necessary electrical connections. Key components of the development include solar PV panels, single stacked BESS units, security perimeter fencing, enhancements to hedgerows, ecological improvements, and electrical cable connections that may be situated both above and below ground at voltages of up to 400kV. Additional associated developments and ancillary works will also be part of this ambitious plan. The application for this extensive project was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by Beacon Fen Energy Park Limited on 8 April 2025, and it was officially accepted for examination on 1...

Latin America Faces COP17: Tackling Drought, El Niño, and the Challenge of Food Production on Degraded Soils

22Aug

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Science & Technology

Latin America Faces COP17: Tackling Drought, El Niño, and the Challenge of Food Production on Degraded Soils

Challenges in Land Degradation in Latin America Latin American countries are grappling with a complex scenario regarding land degradation. The conversion of fertile soils for monoculture or extensive livestock farming is contributing to desertification, while the climate crisis and phenomena such as El Niño exacerbate the effects of soil degradation. These challenges manifest in everyday life through reduced access to water, lower food production, increased fire risks, and the subsequent displacement of individuals and communities. Amidst these challenges, the region has a significant opportunity to address these pressing issues during the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), taking place in Ulaanbaatar, M...

Introducing the New Minister Overseeing Intellectual Property Matters

22Aug

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UK News

Introducing the New Minister Overseeing Intellectual Property Matters

New Leadership in Intellectual Property Chris McDonald MP has officially taken on the role of Minister responsible for intellectual property. This appointment follows his earlier designation in July 2026 as Minister of State overseeing both the Department for Health and Social Care and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, where he also holds the title of Minister for Science, Innovation and Investment. A Vision for Intellectual Property In light of this announcement, Adam Williams, the CEO of the Intellectual Property Office, expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with McDonald in his new capacity. Williams highlighted the crucial role that intellectual property plays in the UK’s landscape of creativity and innovation. He noted that effective management of intell...

Is Expensive Bottled Water Truly Healthier?

22Aug

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Science & Technology

Is Expensive Bottled Water Truly Healthier?

The Evolution of Bottled Water Water is often deemed the simplest of consumables, yet the premium bottled water industry has transformed it into a product steeped in narrative and prestige. Supermarkets now showcase an extensive range of water types including glacial, iceberg, volcanic, spring, mineral, and alkaline varieties. Restaurants have begun to offer dedicated water menus, while specialised water sommeliers assess bottles based on their mineral composition, mouthfeel, and origin. At the apex of this luxury market, Svalbarði Polar Iceberg Water commands prices as high as $116 per bottle for Arctic-sourced water. The remarkable growth of this sector can be attributed to a blend of verifiable differences in water types and carefully crafted associations. While the presence of various ...