Today’s physics news: Wednesday, 6 January

Making sense about science (+ backlash)

After Sense About Science released a list of 2009 celebrity science gaffes, prospective MP Zac Goldsmith, who himself incurred some rather negative press last year, has criticised the organisation’s background and questioned their integrity in today’s Guardian.
Celebrity science mistakes featured in The Times
Zac Goldsmith criticism in Guardian

Israel’s science crisis

All 15 members of Israel’s National Council for Research and Development are threatening to walk out if they are not given independent budgetary and administrative standing from the country’s Ministry of Science.
Nature

Pi in 2.7 trillion digits

With 123 billion more digits than the last effort, using only a desktop, US computer scientist Fabrice Bellard has unravelled Pi a little further.
BBC