Today’s physics news: Thursday, 17 June

Scottish Education Secretary in danger of losing confidence of teachers and parents
A radical overhaul of teaching in Scottish schools is descending into a “curriculum for confusion”, it was claimed yesterday.
 
Times 
 
Icy new world measured in star pass
Astronomers say they have observed, for the first time, a distant icy world orbiting beyond Neptune as it passed briefly in front of a bright star.

BBC 
 
‘Dark pulse laser’ could improve telecoms
A new type of laser that emits “dark” pulses could provide better signals for telecommunications, according to physicists in the US

Physics World

Less red tape, more euros, research alliance tells EU
European Union funding for pure scientific research should be at least doubled in the next budget cycle, according to the League of European Research Universities (Leru).
 
THE