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An unknown source has been sending radio blasts towards Earth since at least 1988, scientists say. The researchers do not know what object is sending the radio waves towards Earth. The nature of the waves is such that they do not conform with any models that attempt to explain it. For 35 years, the source has been sending out regular 20-minute blasts of energy that vary considerably in their brightness, researchers say. The emissions appear something like the blasts that come out of pulsars or fast radio bursts, which last for milliseconds to several seconds. But the newly discovered source sends radio signals that pulsate on a period of 21 minutes – something previously thought impossible by expected explanations. Pulsars are neutron stars that spin around quickly, throwing out radio blasts as they do. When one crosses Earth, the emissions can be picked up very briefly and brightly, like being in the path of the light from a rotating lighthouse. Scientists believe that process can only work if the magnetic field of the pulsar is strong, and it is rotating quickly enough – if not, there would not be enough energy to see the pulsar from Earth. That has led to the development of the “pulsar death line”, which suggests that sources must be spinning fast and strong enough to be detected. The newly discovered object named GPMJ1839-10, however, is way beyond that death line. If it is a pulsar, then it seems to be operating in ways that scientists thought impossible. It could also be a highly magnetised white dwarf or magnetar, an extra kind of neutron star with incredibly strong magnetic fields. But they do not tend to send out emissions of this kind, researchers believe. The signals have been detected on Earth since at least 1988, scientists found by going through old records, but they had gone unnoticed by those collecting that data. After the source was detected, researchers checked radio archives and found that the source has been repeating for at least 35 years. Yet more discoveries may be made in this way in the future, said Victoria M Kaspi, a professor of physics at McGill University who did not work on the study. “Only time will tell what else lurks in these data, and what observations across many astronomical timescales will reveal,” she wrote in an accompanying article. That might include some explanation of how unusual the newly discovered source is. By examining whether there are is a similar collection of other objects in the data, researchers might be able to understand the mechanisms behind the newly discovered emissions. The findings are reported in a new paper, ‘A long-period radio transient active for three decades’, published in the journal Nature. Read More Scientists invent self-healing solar panels with ‘miracle material’ Powerful solar flare to disrupt communications, Russians warn New technique represents major breakthrough in search for aliens, scientists say

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Starling Bank has launched a feature in its app allowing customers to hide payment references, which could help survivors of economic abuse. The “hide references” feature is designed to help people mute unwelcome or abusive references that can accompany bank transfers. Payment references are generally simply intended to describe the nature of a payment, such as “rent”, “mum’s birthday gift” or “dinner”, for example. But in cases of economic abuse, they can be misused, with the aim of upsetting or trying to manipulate the recipient. An abusive former partner who has been blocked from other forms of contact, may, for example, send messages claiming they miss their ex, or even send insults or threats, Starling Bank said. Using online bank payment references to send intimidating or malicious messages is just one of the ways an abuser can maintain control from afar, leaving victims feeling helpless and highly vulnerable Lauren Garrett, Surviving Economic Abuse These references can be used as a way for an ex-partner to maintain some control and have a triggering impact on the recipient. The bank said multiple messages may even be sent to accompany payments as small as 1p. It has partnered with the charity Surviving Economic Abuse to launch the feature. Economic abuse, which is often accompanied by other forms of abuse, can involve someone taking another person’s wages, stopping them from working, or intentionally putting them into debt. While such abuse can happen within couples, it may sometimes take place within other types of relationships; for example, an adult child may abuse a frail and elderly parent, or a parent may abuse a child. Abusive payment references are a key obstacle for economic abuse survivors to overcome, Starling Bank said. Starling’s personal current account holders can use the feature by swiping up from the app home screen to pull up their transaction fee, tapping on a payment that has been received with an unwanted reference, and tapping the hide icon. This will hide references from past or future payments made from that account. Starling said the new feature will not stop money landing in a customer’s account – the recipient will simply not see any payment references that come from the sending account. Customers can choose to unhide payment references in the app at any time. Starling said one person had told the bank: “The ability to hide these references with a simple tap makes all the difference and I am so pleased that Starling has listened to my experience.” This feature shows just how powerful technology can be in making people’s lives easier Charity Wood, Starling Bank Lauren Garrett, financial services manager at Surviving Economic Abuse, said: “Economic abuse can continue, increase, or even start long after a victim-survivor has separated from an abuser. “Using online bank payment references to send intimidating or malicious messages is just one of the ways an abuser can maintain control from afar, leaving victims feeling helpless and highly vulnerable. “We’re pleased to be working with Starling on this new feature and commend them for sharing what they are doing to give survivors the power to choose what payment references they see without having to relive traumatising experiences to customer services. “This small in-app feature will make a huge difference to survivors’ ability to bank safely, and we’re proud to work alongside financial services who are listening to the voices of victim-survivors and encourage firms to continue closing down gaps in products and services which are being used to inadvertently facilitate abuse.” Starling is a founding signatory in the UK Finance financial abuse code. The hide references feature is part of the bank’s existing work supporting economic abuse survivors, which includes a dedicated vulnerable support team. Charity Wood, head of customer experience at Starling Bank, said: “Anyone can experience economic abuse; they might not realise that it’s happening to them or how their bank can support. “This feature shows just how powerful technology can be in making people’s lives easier, and is testament to Starling’s belief in doing the right thing.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Augmented reality headset Vision Pro is ‘most advanced device ever’ – Apple Revealed: The delivery apps charging you double for your food shop Therapist develops secret app to help abuse victims

By Lewis Jackson SYDNEY Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) said on Thursday it would block some payments to

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AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2023--

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By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in nearly two years in the third