Sofía Vergara says dating someone with less money than her would be a "nightmare." NBC/Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images 2025-05-23T00:14:02Z d Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Sofía Vergara, 52, knows what she wants in a partner. The "Griselda" star says dating someone with less money than her would be "a nightmare." Income disparity can impact romantic relationships, especially around power dynamics. Sofía Vergara has a list of what she wants in a partner.During an appearance on the May 14 episode of the "Today" show, the "Modern Family" actor reflected on her dating life and got candid about some of the traits she hopes her future partner will have."I want to say the basic stuff, like health and somebody that loves me," Vergara told hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Erin Andrews. "And somebody tall, handsome.""I want somebody that has as much money as me or more, because if not, it's a nightmare. They end up resenting you. And I want somebody fun. I need fun in my life," Vergara added.Vergara has been married twice. In July 2023, after seven years of marriage, Vergara and the actor Joe Manganiello announced they were divorcing. She was previously married to Joe Gonzalez.A representative for Vergara did not respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider.How wealth can affect romantic relationshipsTwo therapists and one wealth psychologist told BI they've heard similar sentiments echoed by many of their affluent clients.Income disparity can impact romantic relationships, particularly around power dynamics.Lami Ronit, a wealth psychologist who runs her own practice from both California and London, told BI she has noticed a difference in how men and women handle being the higher earners in a relationship."Women who are the higher earners often face a double standard; they're expected to succeed, but not so much that it threatens traditional gender roles. Men, on the other hand, are typically socialized to feel more comfortable being the financial provider," Ronit said.When those roles are reversed, both partners can struggle, since the woman may feel she has to downplay her success while the man may wrestle with pride or feelings of inadequacy, she said.The challenge persists even in some progressive circles where gender norms have been disrupted, Matt Lundquist, the founder and clinical director of Tribeca Therapy, a New York-based psychotherapy center, told BI."While it might seem that wealth invites ease — and in many ways it can and should — it also becomes a space where individuals' histories with money and gender expectations play out," he said.For instance, it could be an issue when one person sees their contributions to the relationship as being more valuable than the other because of the amount of money they possess or earn, Dana McNeil, a relationship therapist and the founder of The Relationship Place, a San Diego-based practice, told BI."Many wealthy partners may perceive they are entitled to exert more control and say in the relationship about how money is spent," she said.This can sometimes cause the less wealthy partner or the one more financially dependent to resent having to rely on their partner's permission to make purchases."This feeling of dependence can create a parent/child dynamic that feels like a loss of freedom and autonomy," McNeil said. How couples can navigate financial disparityWhile there is no one-size-fits-all approach, fairness and clarity are key, Ronit said."When appropriate, I often recommend that couples talk about proportional contributions rather than equal ones. For example, each person could contribute a percentage of their income toward shared expenses," she said.The goal is to avoid feelings of imbalance or resentment, Ronit added.When it comes to splitting bills, McNeil says she often suggests her clients have three checking accounts: a personal one for each partner and a joint account for bills and common expenses like going out to dinner or buying groceries.To make expectations clear, it's important for couples to talk"At some point, all couples need to confront the reality that a significant part of the partnership is economic and address both the material and symbolic aspects of this," he said.It's also important for each partner to determine what they want and understand the trade-offs that may accompany that."And on this count, I'll give Sofía Vergara great credit — she clearly knows what she wants," Lundquist added. Recommended video #sofia #vergara #said #dating #someone

Since President Donald Trump excitedly announced that he would be accepting a million plane from the Qatari government to serve as the next Air Force One, even members of his own party have expressed alarm. There’s the price tag of refurbishing the plane with top-secret systems—upward of billion, according to some estimates. Then there are the conflicts of interest from accepting such a large present from a foreign nation—what some say would be the most valuable gift ever given to the U.S. But it would also mark a striking departure from tradition. While they’re often variants of commercial planes, presidential planes have almost always been U.S. military aircraft, flown and maintained by the Air Force. The first White Houses in the sky I’m an aviation historian who once worked in the United States Air Force’s history program for three years, so I’m well acquainted with the history of presidential aircraft. Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to fly while in office. In January 1943, he boarded the Navy-owned, civilian-operated Boeing Dixie Clipper—a seaplane—for a trip to Casablanca to meet with Allied leaders. President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the first presidential flight on a Dixie Clipper, a seaplane built by Boeing.The security measures needed to safely transport the president—especially during wartime—spurred the creation of the first custom-built aircraft for presidential use, a heavily modified VC-54 Skymaster. Though officially named “The Flying White House,” the new presidential aircraft became better known by its nickname, the “Sacred Cow.” President Harry Truman used the Sacred Cow as his presidential aircraft through much of his first term in office. In late 1947, the U.S. Air Force ordered a second custom-built presidential aircraft, a modified DC-6, which Truman named the Independence. While in office, Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman flew on a modified Douglas C-54, nicknamed the “Sacred Cow.”During Dwight D. Eisenhower’s two terms, the president flew on two different planes operated by the Air Force: the Columbine II, which was a customized, military version of Lockheed’s commercial airliner the Constellation, and the Columbine III, which was a Super Constellation. Embracing the jet age In the 1960s, the use of jet engine technology in U.S. commercial aircraft revolutionized air travel, allowing planes to fly higher, farther, and faster. Jet travel became associated with the glamorous and the elegant lifestyles of the “jet set” crowd. So it’s fitting that President John F. Kennedy—who was sometimes called the “the first celebrity president”—was the first White House occupant to fly in a jet, the Boeing 707. Kennedy’s aircraft was also the first painted in the distinctive light-blue-and-white scheme that’s still used today. First lady Jacqueline Kennedy developed it with the help of industrial designer Raymond Loewy. It would go on to serve eight presidents before leaving the presidential fleet in 1990, when Boeing delivered the first of two modified Boeing 747s. These are the aircraft that continue to serve as the president’s primary plane. Boeing signed a contract to provide two new aircraft in 2017, during Trump’s last term. In 2020, the company decided to refurbish two existing aircraft that were originally built for another customer. The refurbishment has been more cumbersome and expensive than building a new aircraft from scratch. But it’s the only option because Boeing closed its 747 assembly line in late 2022. A nickname sticks On a trip to Florida, the crew of Columbine II first used “Air Force One” as the plane’s call sign to clearly distinguish the plane from other air traffic. While the public has associated the name Air Force One with the modified Boeing 707s and 747s and their distinctive colors, any plane with the president aboard will carry that call sign. They include several smaller aircraft, also operated by the Air Force, such as the North American T-39 Sabreliner used to transport Lyndon B. Johnson to his ranch in Texas and the Lockheed VC-140B JetStars, the fleet of backup planes used by several presidents, which Johnson jokingly called “Air Force One Half.” A cultural and political symbol Air Force One has long served as a symbol of the power and prestige of the presidency. It became an indelible part of U.S. history in November 1963, when Johnson took his oath of office from Air Force One’s cabin while Kennedy’s body lay in rest in the back of the aircraft. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as president aboard Air Force One following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.Air Force One carried President Richard M. Nixon to China and the Soviet Union for historic diplomatic missions. But it also famously flew him from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to his home state, California, after he resigned from office. On that day, the plane took off as Air Force One. But it landed as SAM 27000, the plane’s call sign used when the president wasn’t on board. Trump has been compared to Nixon in more ways than one. And Trump’s complaint that Arab leaders have bigger and more impressive airplanes than the current Air Force One is reminiscent of Nixon’s own concerns of being outclassed on the world stage. When president, Nixon strongly advocated for American supersonic transport—a 270-passenger plane designed to be faster than the speed of sound—that he hoped could be modified to serve as a new Air Force One. He feared the failure to develop supersonic transport would relegate the U.S. to second-tier status, as other world leaders—particularly those from England, France, and the USSR—traversed the globe in sleeker, better performing aircraft. Trump’s concerns about Air Force One seem less focused on safety and security and more on size and opulence. His longing for a “palace in the sky” is befitting for a president drawn to soaring skyscrapers, lavish parades, and gold ornamentation. Janet Bednarek is a professor of history at the University of Dayton. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. #trump #wants #air #force #one

Unity is on a mission to empower more learners to become real-time 3D creators. We made our online learning platform, Unity Learn, free for all in 2020 to give everyone the opportunity to access high-quality education and achieve their dream careers.Unity Learn Pathways are intensive online courses designed to take you from complete beginner to career-ready. To demonstrate this better than we ever could, we recently sat down with Pathways graduate Robbie Coey to chat about his experience with starting his own studio and working toward releasing his first game after finishing the Junior Programmer Pathway.Robbie Coeyis a founder and director of HoloMoon Games, an indie game studio based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Robbie, K Andrews, and Michael McArdle founded Holomoon in September 2021 to create weird and wonderful narrative experiences. They’re currently working on Guitar Zeros, a narrative deck-builder about bringing a band from humble beginnings to the world stage.Keep reading to learn more about Robbie and the integral role Unity Learn has played in getting his career and studio off the ground.How did it feel when you completed the Junior Programmer Pathway?In a word, brilliant. It felt as though I finally had something that I was passionate about and could focus on. I could spend hours on various tutorials and building my own projects and it would feel as if no time had passed at all. The only other time I have that feeling is when playing games.How long did it take you to complete the course?It took around a month, and I completed it alongside part-time work. I advise anyone embarking on it to work little and often – you'll burn out if you try to do too much in a short time. It's easier to build the habit if you're able to work consistently over a long period, and if that means only doing half an hour every other day, that's what you do. Find a schedule that works for you and avoid burnout at all costs.What was your career before you started learning Unity?I had worked briefly in film and television in a range of roles on documentaries, dramas, and animations. I’d explored film and television a lot, and while there were things I enjoyed about working in that industry, I always felt a little out of place.What career challenges did you face?I felt as though I lacked hard skills. I was good at communicating and being a team player, but whether it was due to lack of confidence or something else, I always felt uncomfortable putting myself forward to do more technical work.What made you want to switch careers?The COVID-19 pandemic had dried up all opportunities in the industry I worked in previously. It was a move almost out of desperation. To even my older siblings, games were an idle pastime at most. Unity Pathways and the support from Unity really showed me how much of an opportunity there was in the games industry. I have met people and done things that I would never have dreamed of prior, as well as found a huge passion that continues to drive me to push myself further.“Unity Pathways and the support from Unity really showed me how much of an opportunity there was in the games industry.”Has the career change had an impact on your salary?It's a lot more stable, for one. I came from a work-for-hire industry, and immediately before learning Unity I was unemployed due to the pandemic. Having mostly done short contract work in the past, learning Unity has allowed me a lot more financial freedom and opportunities to increase my salary.“Learning Unity has allowed me a lot more financial freedom and opportunities to increase my salary.”Can you tell us about your new career?I’m now a director in my own studio. I was very lucky to receive funding from Northern Ireland Screen after completing my Unity Pathways course. With that initial investment I, along with two others, were able to start our own studio, HoloMoon Games. We want to make games that reflect our culture and make people laugh. We're currently working towards our first official release, Guitar Zeros, which will hopefully be on Steam sometime next year. And, I’ve recently become a BAFTA Connect member, which I never thought I could achieve. I keep wondering when they're going to realize and kick me out.“We're currently working towards our first official release.”Can you tell us how you secured funding for your project?We applied for an incubator scheme with Northern Ireland Screen called MiniGame, which involved written and in-person pitching. My advice for anyone looking to do the same would be to get comfortable talking about your game idea in front of others. One thing that helps is to ask three questions: Can I make this? Should I make this? And, do I want to make this? If I answer yes to all three, then I know I can comfortably pitch that idea. In general, I'd recommend keeping an eye out for funding opportunities, especially those provided by local organizations in your area. Without the support from Northern Ireland Screen, I wouldn't be in the position I am now.Why do you think learning real-time 3D and Unity is so important?For me, it unlocked so many ways in which I could express myself, and also allowed me to understand the digital world we live in. After I started learning Unity, I began to see it and real-time 3D technologies everywhere, from film and TV to the automotive industry. Real-time 3D is really becoming ubiquitous, and understanding how it works means you won't get left behind.“After I started learning Unity, I began to see it and real-time 3D technologies everywhere.”Has learning Unity had an impact on your life and career?It has completely changed the trajectory of my life and career, given me skills I never thought I had, and ignited a passion for games and programming that I didn't know was there. It made it possible for me to access a new industry which, to even my parents’ generation, seemed esoteric and mysterious. My life and career are infinitely more interesting since I completed the Unity Pathway.“My life and career are infinitely more interesting since I completed the Unity Pathway.”What are your plans for the future?I would like to continue running my own company, improve my craft, make interesting games that I can be proud of, and really try to push the storytelling of the medium forward. Games are unique in the way that they tell stories, and I feel there is still a lot to learn about what kind of experiences they are able to create.“Games are unique in the way that they tell stories, and I feel there is still a lot to learn about what kind of experiences they are able to create.”What advice would you give to anyone learning Unity?Rome wasn't built in a day. You won't learn everything about Unity overnight, but you also don't need to learn everything about Unity to get creative. In fact, I find setting yourself limitations can oftentimes make you more creative. You will get the knowledge you want with hard work and dedication, and there's no point rushing it. Also, network – find peers that are at your level and find others that are where you want to be in the future. There's a great community of people out there and they all want to lift each other up.You mentioned finding your peers. How did you go about doing this? Do you have any advice for anyone trying to find a community?The best source for me to find other game developers was through the Northern Ireland Game Developer Network. I would keep an eye out for local developer networks or more specific communities related to what you would like to do. Discord is a great meeting point for many of these groups, including Unity's own Discord server. Partaking in game jams is also a great way of meeting people. Itch.io has a terrific list of upcoming jams that suit all sorts of game developers, most of which will have some kind of forum to meet others who are participating.With Pathways, you can build all of the skills you need to master Unity and join the real-time 3D industry, just like Robbie. These free online courses cover everything from downloading and installing the Unity Editor to coding, VR development, lighting and shading, and more.Junior Programmer is designed for anyone interested in learning to code or obtaining an entry-level Unity role. In this free, fully virtual, self-guided course, you will learn about fundamental programming concepts such as variables, functions, and basic logic through two practical projects. You’ll also join a community of Unity learners enrolled in your Pathway where you can share your progress, get help, and interact with Unity's learning team.Follow HoloMoon Games’ progress on Twitter and don’t forget to wishlist Guitar Zeros on Steam. Did learning Unity help you achieve your dream career? If you’d be interested in sharing your story, please complete the following form for the chance to be featured: Share your Unity journey. #how #achieved #dream #career #with

A male white-faced capuchin monkey carrying a baby howler monkeyBrendan Barrett/Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Capuchin monkeys on a remote Panamanian island are abducting babies from howler monkey families, in a first-of-its-kind trend. The wild population of white-faced capuchinsliving on Jicarón Island has been monitored with 86 motion cameras since 2017 to capture their sophisticated use of stone tools to crack open hard fruits, nuts and shellfish. Five years into recording the footage, in 2022, a researcher noticed one of the young male capuchin monkeys with an infant monkey from another species clinging to its back. This capuchin, nicknamed Joker, picked up at least four baby howler monkeysover four months, sometimes holding onto them for more than a week. Advertisement At first, the researchers thought it was a case of “one individual who maybe is a little weird or a little quirky”, says Zoë Goldsborough from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, who spotted the behaviour. “We didn’t expect to find this.” Then, five months after they saw Joker with an infant, four other young male capuchins were found carrying around howler babies. Over 15 months, the capuchin group took in 11 howler babies younger than four weeks old. The behaviour spread around the population through social learning, like a “primate fad or fashion”, says Andrew Whiten at the University of St Andrews, UK, who wasn’t involved in the study. Unmissable news about our planet delivered straight to your inbox every month. Sign up to newsletter While mature female monkeys sometimes adopt abandoned babies of other species, which may be a way to practise caring for their young, the Jicaròn monkeys doing this are all immature males. And instead of adopting abandoned infants, they seem to be actively taking the howlers from their families. There is no footage of the thefts, but they did document capuchins preventing the howler babies from escaping. Footage also shows howler monkey parents searching and calling for their infants in the canopy as the capuchins get defensive. The abducted infants probably all die from malnourishment, since they are too young to survive without their mother’s milk. Researchers saw at least three howler monkey infants being carried around even when dead. Two white-faced capuchins with a baby howler monkeyBrendan Barrett / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Learning from others can be beneficial, which is why a trend can take off even when the behaviour has no real benefits to the monkeys, says Whiten. Since the Jicarón capuchins have no predators and very little competition, the craze could have arisen as a result of having spare time to try new things, and possibly out of boredom. There might also be something about the conditions of life on a remote island that are conducive to innovative behaviours arising and being spread. It is these same young male monkeys who most use tools on Jicarón, notes Goldsborough. “Maybe if you have a tradition already, you’re more likely to also copy their other behaviours.” Topics: #capuchin #monkeys #are #stealing #howler

In a world saturated with intrusive marketing, Dan Knowlton has pioneered a refreshing approach. As co-founder of video and social media marketing agency Knowlton, Dan has perfected the art of what he calls Advertainment—a creative methodology that's transforming how businesses connect with their audiences. "Advertainment is our unique approach that fuses advertising with entertainment," he explains. "Instead of pushing traditional, sales-heavy content that people tend to scroll past, we create content that audiences actually want to watch. It's about being so engaging that it's impossible to ignore while still weaving in strategic messaging that drives results." Intriguing, right? We caught up with Dan to learn more about his journey, how Advertainment is created in practice, the role that Adobe Express plays in his workflow, and his tips for crafting marketable content yourself. Origin story Knowlton was born of humble origins. In 2017, Dan and his brother Lloyd started their agency from their parents' spare room after becoming "sick of intrusive, over-salesy marketing." They began by producing funny videos to promote their company. Then, gradually, they realised the need to structure these videos strategically to drive business. "For our clients, this approach has been a game-changer," Dan reflects. "It's helped us generate millions in trackable revenue and secure major contracts. Because people are not just seeing the content: they're enjoying it, sharing it, and taking action because of it." Today, their client list includes Wahl, Sunny D, Boston Consulting Group, BBC Storyworks, and Channel 4. And the timing couldn't have been better. After all, the social media marketing landscape has undergone significant shifts in recent years, requiring businesses to adapt their strategies accordingly. "Social media marketing has become way more visual and fast-paced," Dan observes. "It's no longer about just pushing out long-form content or polished ads. People want something that feels more authentic and real. Video is massive, and short, engaging clips are what people are looking for." The right tools Behind every successful creative is a toolkit that enables rapid ideation and execution. For Dan and his team, Adobe Express—the quick and easy content creation app for designers and non-designers alike—has become an indispensable resource for developing their content. "Adobe Express is a really practical tool for us, especially when we're working fast and need high-quality visuals," Dan enthuses. "One specific way I use it is to make quick edits to pitches that our designers have created using other Adobe software. As I'm not a professional designer, it's super-handy because it makes the process straightforward without needing advanced design skills." The team will also use Adobe Express to create social media graphics, video thumbnails and visual elements for campaigns. "It's great for maintaining brand consistency while still being flexible enough to adapt to different campaign needs," says Dan. Standout features The crucial thing is to boost speed and efficiency without sacrificing quality. Dan highlights specific features in Adobe Express that help square that circle. "The huge library of Adobe-quality templates is a lifesaver when we need to create visuals fast," he notes. We can easily tweak them to fit our brand or the specific campaign." He particularly values the Brand Kit feature. "This keeps our branding consistent, especially when we're working on multiple projects at once," he explains. We can store logos, fonts, and colour schemes and apply them with just a few clicks." Adobe Express also excels at quick edits. "Things like background removal and resizing are just really easy to do without any hassle," Dan points out. Finally, he praises the software's collaborative tools. "Since the team often works on projects together, these make it simple to pick up where someone else left off," he explains. In summary, Dan explains that "Adobe Express is not about overcomplicating things—it's a really practical tool that makes us more efficient." Real-world results So, how does this all work in practice? Dan shares a specific example of how Adobe Express transformed a marketing campaign. "We were working on paid creative assets for a large SaaS business we supported during their UK relaunch," he recalls. "The client needed some tweaks to their existing designs to make them more engaging. We used Adobe Express to quickly adjust layouts, update messaging, and test a few different variations." The results speak for themselves. "The refreshed ads we created significantly outperformed the original assets they were using: higher click-through rates and way more engagement," Dan reveals. "It just shows how making a few quick design tweaks can make a massive difference, especially when you're working with a tight turnaround." No surprise, then, that Dan is now an Adobe Express Ambassador: you can find details of the programme, and how you can join it, here. Content tips for small businesses Dan has some valuable insights for small businesses aiming to create engaging video content using tools like Adobe Express. "Tell a story," he urges. "Make your videos about people, stories, or real experiences rather than just products. That's what makes them relatable. But make them short and sweet: People don't have time for long-winded content. Get to the point quickly and make it punchy." Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to create content? Then, step back and take a deep breath. "Don't try to reinvent the wheel every time," Dan stresses. "Some of our best content ideas come from seeing what's already working for other creators, particularly on platforms like TikTok. If you see a format or trend that's performing well, put your own spin on it rather than starting from scratch. Also, you don't need to be everywhere at once. Pick one platform where your audience hangs out and master it before branching out." Furthermore, he emphasises consistency over perfection: "Use tools like Adobe Express to quickly repurpose content. For example, if you make a great video, turn it into a few shorter clips or add some graphics to create a new post." Finally, Dan encourages businesses to: "show your personality. Don't be afraid to be a bit quirky or real; that's what people connect with. But at the same time, stay on-brand. Use consistent colours, fonts and logos to make sure people know it's you." The power of humour The thing Dan's best known for, of course, is his use of humour. And there's no reason you can't follow him down that route, too. "Humour is a game-changer when it's done right," he asserts. "Too many brands play it safe, but being funny is a great way to stand out and make people remember you." For inspiration, Dan suggests looking to the professionals. "Draw inspiration from comedy creators like Imogen Andrews, Al Nash, Jack Joseph, or even shows like Peep Show and Aunty Donna," he urges. "These creators have a knack for making relatable, funny content that people can't help but engage with." When it comes to creating your own content, he adds, "Don't overthink it. Humour is about having fun, and if your content feels too forced, it won't resonate. Experiment, learn from what works, and lean into that." A mission to transform marketing What began as a rebellion against intrusive marketing has evolved into a successful agency with an in-house team of 15 and a pool of over 50 trusted freelancers. Dan's mission is clear: "To rid the world of crap marketing". Through the power of Advertainment and with tools like Adobe Express at his disposal, Knowlton is showing that marketing doesn't have to be an interruption—it can be content that audiences genuinely enjoy. As Dan puts it: "We make audiences enjoy the process of being convinced to buy your products and services." And in today's competitive landscape, that might just be the most valuable skill a marketer can offer. Source: https://www.creativeboom.com/insight/the-art-of-advertainment-dan-knowlton-on-transforming-your-marketing-through-humour/ #dan #knowlton #how #make #content #audiences #genuinely #love

Researchers Discover That Chimps Drum Rhythmically, Suggesting Human Musicality Originated in Our Last Common Ancestor Not only do chimpanzees maintain a rhythm while drumming on tree roots, but two subspecies use distinct tempos and techniques, according to a new study A new study finds chimpanzees drum against tree roots with rhythm, suggesting they share an evolutionary trait with humans passed down by a last common ancestor. DaFranzos via Pixabay Wild chimpanzees often drum their limbs against the large roots of giant trees, sending out loud, booming sounds that resonate through the rainforest. Previous research identified the behavior as a form of communication and demonstrated that the animals have individual drumming styles. Now, a new study published Friday in the journal Current Biology shows chimpanzees also follow distinct, regular and non-random rhythms—traits that are building blocks of human music. This suggests the origin of our own musicality may have originated in a last common ancestor with chimpanzees. “They’re actually drumming often with their feet, so they’re using their hands to hold onto those roots, and then they’re kind of dancing,” Catherine Hobaiter, a co-author of the study and a primatologist at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, tells NPR’s Jon Hamilton. “And sometimes they’re jumping between the roots and getting all of those different beat structures down, throwing a hand in if you want to get a little syncopated.”In the study, Hobaiter and her colleagues analyzed 371 drumming bouts produced by eastern and western chimpanzees in 11 communities across Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda. The drumming “had a predictability to it,” Hobaiter tells the Guardian’s Nicola Davis. “And when you’ve got predictability, you’ve got a really strong indicator that there’s rhythm there.” Though some earlier studies indicate that captive chimps can drum rhythmically, this new paper is the first to truly demonstrate that ability in wild chimpanzees, says Valérie Dufour, an animal cognition biologist at the University of Clermont Auvergne in France who did not participate in the research, to Science’s Rodrigo Pérez Ortega. “Showing that chimpanzees share some of the fundamental properties of human musical rhythm in their drumming is a really exciting step in understanding when and how we evolved this skill,” Hobaiter explains in a statement. “Our findings suggest that our ability to drum rhythmically may have existed long before we were human.” The team’s analyses revealed striking differences in drumming rhythm between the two subspecies: Western chimps used more regular intervals, while their eastern counterparts were more likely to alternate between faster and slower beats. The two groups also integrated the drumming into their vocalizations in different ways: Western chimps drummed more and faster, and they combined it into their vocalizations—known as pant-hoots—earlier than eastern chimps did. These contrasts might be linked to differences in social behaviors between the subspecies, researchers say. Eastern chimpanzees tend to be more aggressive, live in bigger groups and have more hierarchical societies than the more egalitarian western chimpanzees. The variations between their drumming styles might reflect differences in human language, reports National Geographic’s Olivia Ferrari.“This is the kind of science that wakes us up to the fact that every single population of chimpanzees is worth conserving and preserving,” Hobaiter tells National Geographic. “We’re starting to recognize that they might have cultures in their communication, in their rhythm, in their social behavior… if you lose a group, you lose the unique culture that goes with it.” In a similar way, two other recent papers are also shedding light on chimp behaviors that are uncannily close to human ones. A study published May 7 in Biology Letters suggests western chimpanzees often throw previously collected rocks against tree trunks as a form of communication. And other research published May 9 in Science Advances shows the primates communicate complex meaning by combining vocal sounds. Taken together with recent work detailing a headbanging sea lion that can keep a beat and a key linguistic pattern in whale song, the research suggests humans’ rhythm and language abilities might not be as unique as we once thought. “Humans are intrinsically rhythmic creatures,” Hobaiter tells BBC Science Focus’ Hatty Willmoth. “We have rhythm in our music and in our dance and in our song, but also in our conversations—and it’s a human universal, so it might be part of our evolutionary heritage.” Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday. Source: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-discover-that-chimps-drum-rhythmically-suggesting-human-musicality-originated-in-our-last-common-ancestor-180986607/ #researchers #discover #that #chimps #drum #rhythmically #suggesting #human #musicality #originated #our #last #common #ancestor

President Donald Trump is considering using a Qatari Boeing 747-8 given as a gift as Air Force One while the new presidential jet faces delays.The ruling family of Qatar gifted the US president the $400 million luxury jumbo jet, and Trump said he would "never be one to turn down that kind of offer."The potential plane deal faced pushback from critics and even some Trump allies over security concerns and the legal and ethical issues associated with using a foreign-origin aircraft as Air Force One, the president's airborne command center.Besides Air Force One, the presidential fleet includes other fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft depending on the mission. Presidential aircraft fleet A VC-25A aircraft and a VH-3D Sea King helicopter taxi following former President Joe Biden's sendoff ceremony at Joint Base Andrews. US Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman Air Force One is a call sign that refers to any US Air Force aircraft transporting the president, though it is commonly recognized by its blue-and-white livery.The Air Force has two "specially configured" Boeing 747-200B jets that are primarily used as Air Force One. The VC-25A aircraft is uniquely modified to serve as an airborne command-and-control center for the president, staff, and guests with the same level of safety and security as the White House.Other than the number of passengers it can carry, the main differences between the VC-25 and the standard Boeing 747 include more advanced electronic and communications equipment, a self-contained baggage loader, and the capability for in-flight refueling.The VC-25 also has a rest area and mini-galley for the aircrew, six passenger lavatories, and a compartment with medical supplies and equipment for minor in-flight emergencies. Marine One Nighthawk 46 arrives for the 46th president's send-off ceremony at Joint Base Andrews. US Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman For shorter distance trips, especially to and from the White House, the president flies in Marine One, which includes military helicopters like the VH-3D Sea King and the VH-60N White Hawk.In service for nearly five decades, both military helicopters are set to be phased out and fully replaced with modernized rotary-wing aircraft, the VH-92A.The next-generation Marine One is designed to be a militarized variant of the Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot. Other aircraft An 89th Airlift Wing C-40 and C-37 sit near UH-1N Iroquois helicopters and a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Andrews. US Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace/RELEASED The presidential fleet also includes other fixed-wing aircraft besides the modified 747. The C-32A, a modified Boeing 757-200, is better suited for smaller airports or low-profile missions.The C-40, based on the Boeing 737, can be used to fly the president but is more often used for Cabinet members or other VIP individuals.Based on General Dynamics' Gulfstream long-range business jets, the C-37 is used to transport high-ranking government and Defense Department officials for worldwide missions. 'Next Air Force One' An artist rendering of the "Next Air Force One," the VC-25B, which will succeed the current Air Force One, VC-25A. Courtesy rendering/US Air Force The two planes currently being used as Air Force One have been in service for nearly four decades. They are set to be replaced by a modernized variant dubbed the "Next Air Force One."Officially designated the VC-25B, the new presidential aircraft is set to feature "electrical power upgrades, a mission communication system, a medical facility, an executive interior, a self-defense system, and autonomous ground operations capabilities," according to an Air Force release.The two future VC-25B jets were initially scheduled to be fielded in 2024, but supply chain issues and shifting requirements could postpone their delivery to 2029.Facing pressure from the White House to have the new aircraft ready before Trump leaves office in January 2029, the Air Force and Boeing are aiming to have the new aircraft delivered by 2027, according to Darlene Costello, the Air Force's principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics. A 'security nightmare' US President Donald Trump's motorcade is parked next to a Qatari Boeing 747 on the tarmac of Palm Beach International Airport. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images An Air Force official told Air and Space Forces Magazine that the service is coordinating with the White House and Boeing "to further define the requirements and acceleration options while ensuring we provide a safe, secure, and reliable aircraft for the president."Trump has previously expressed his frustration with receiving the next-generation Air Force One, suggesting earlier this year that he may seek "alternatives, because it's taking Boeing too long."Despite the backlash, the president doubled down on his proposal to use the Qatari jet as Air Force One, saying he doesn't plan on using it after his term and would donate it to a future presidential library."I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane,'" Trump told reporters Monday.Though free in cost, there's still a major cost to overhaul and retrofit the plane with the strict security requirements needed to serve as Air Force One."Along with the obvious ethical and legal issues, a $400M gifted luxury jet is not Air Force One," US Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut wrote on X. "Retrofitting a plane from Qatar would create huge costs & a security nightmare that would impede the work underway to deliver the actual AF1 by 2027." Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/air-force-one-aircraft-trump-boeing-747-2025-5 #see #the #us039s #presidential #aircraft #fleet #that #trump #wants #add #with #million #gift