The Know Daily - Monday 8 April 2024

_{Read in 5m 36s ∙ Listening to Charli XCX ∙}

Wolves have been spotted in Nevada for the first time in eight years, as the endangered species shows signs of a similar rebound in the neighbouring states of California and Oregon. A spokesperson from the Center for Biological Diversity described wolves as a “vital part of healthy mountain ecosystems”, adding: “there’s plenty of room for them to thrive in Nevada”.

😎 Solar spectacle

A total solar eclipse will be visible across much of North America today. 

Go on…
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon entirely blocks the face of the Sun, causing the sky to temporarily darken. Today’s spectacle will begin on the Pacific coast of Mexico just after 11am local time, before heading up and east: from Texas to New England before disappearing into Canada, explained The Independent.

How big a deal is it?
Solar eclipses aren’t uncommon - there are typically several each year - but a total eclipse is rarer. But what makes today’s event especially exciting is the sheer amount of people who will be able to catch it. 

While eclipses normally unfold in “remote corners of the globe”, this one will pass over major cities in North America. An estimated 44 million people live inside the 115-mile-wide path which will see a total eclipse (known as the ‘path of totality’) with darkness expected to last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds, reported Associated Press.

Almost everyone in North America will be able to see at least a partial eclipse - just make sure you wear suitable eye protection!

Will we see it from the UK?
That’s TBC! While people in northern and western parts of the UK and Ireland might just be able to catch a partial eclipse, this isn’t guaranteed, given that it will take place near sunset. And considering that the UK won’t see a full solar eclipse until 2090 (!), you might prefer to watch a livestream of today’s one instead.

📲 Social media measures

Last month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that would restrict social media use for under 16s in the state. Now, UK campaigners are calling on MPs to follow suit. 

First things first - what’s happening in Florida?
From next year, the US state will have one of the country’s most restrictive social media bans for minors, reported Associated Press. Under 14s are to be banned from joining social media - with companies who fail to delete their accounts facing fines - while 14 and 15-year-olds will need parental consent to join platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the tech industry is expected to challenge the legislation.

Got it. So what do UK campaigners want?
In September 2023, the much-debated Online Safety Bill finally became UK law. The legislation requires social media platforms to shield children from harmful content or else face hefty fines - but campaigners have long argued that the government should be doing more to protect minors from online harm. 

Such as…?
Writing in The Telegraph, Conservative MP Miriam Cates called on the government to follow Florida’s lead and amend the Online Safety Act to introduce stricter restrictions. This would include raising the minimum age for social media accounts to 16, imposing stricter penalties on tech companies that “knowingly allow” underage users and restricting the sale and use of smartphones for children. 

Is that likely?
In December, it was widely reported that PM Rishi Sunak was considering limiting social media access for under 16s - something which a government spokesperson later played down. So, in short, it remains to be seen.

💰 Pension plans: The UK state pension is increasing by 8.5% from today - here’s how much you could be entitled to. 

📲 Meta moves: In May, Facebook and Instagram will start applying “Made with AI” labels to AI-generated videos, images and audio. 

🚇 Rail walkouts: Passengers on key commuter lines can expect more disruption today, as train drivers stage the last day of strike action. 

🌎 Climate protests: Activist Greta Thunberg was detained over the weekend for taking part in what police said was a banned protest in The Hague. 

🙏 Flying visit: A priest has blessed planes at Dublin Airport for the past 76 years, but the tradition is now up in the air…

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Trivia answer: C) 2023 saw record-breaking sales of horror fiction - here’s why.

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