The Guardian · 31 Aug, 05:44
Catastrophic flash floods in Nepal and Tibet have killed at least 903 people and left over 4,000 missing. The disaster highlights the increasing threat of climate change and the need for better early warning systems.
On Wednesday morning, a chunk of ice from a glacier in the Himalayas broke off and caused a massive avalanche of ice and rock, which surged downstream into the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, submerging villages and sweeping roads away. The floods have devastated entire villages, with many survivors marooned on top of buildings or trapped in tunnels beneath the ground. Rescue efforts are underway, with the Nepali army organising the operation and helicopters evacuating survivors.
Why it matters: The floods exemplify a wider threat of climate change, which is causing glaciers to melt and increasing the risk of such disasters. The disaster highlights the need for better early warning systems and the challenges of rebuilding in a region prone to natural disasters. The floods will have a significant impact on Nepal's economy, with estimated costs of $4bn-$5bn.
Death toll: 903, Missing: 4,000+, Cost of rebuilding: $4bn-$5bn, 592 foreigners missing (including 43 Australians and 48 from the UK), 933 workers missing from hydroelectric power projects
People have lost everything. I saw one woman clutching a bottle of cooking oil, because it’s the only thing she had left.
The Guardian · 31 Aug, 05:31
At least 43 Australians are missing after flash floods and landslides hit the Nepal-Tibet border, with many of them pilgrims trekking to a holy site. More than 3,000 people have been reported missing and at least 810 confirmed dead across Nepal and Tibet.
Flash floods and landslides occurred on the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, resulting in the disappearance of at least 43 Australians, mostly pilgrims trekking to Mount Kailash. The Australians were travelling with various tour groups, including Himalayan Glacier Adventures, Kailash Journeys, and the Isha Foundation. The disaster has resulted in over 3,000 people missing and at least 810 confirmed dead across Nepal and Tibet. One Australian, Cara Severino, 25, was initially reported missing but has since made contact with her parents.
Why it matters: The large number of Australians missing in the disaster highlights the risks associated with trekking and pilgrimage in remote areas. The incident has also sparked concern among families and authorities, with many searching for information about the whereabouts of their loved ones. The scale of the disaster, with over 3,000 people missing and 810 confirmed dead, underscores the severity of the situation.
43, 810, 3000, 25
“We are still hoping. We are still searching. We are still praying for Narayan to come home safely.” - Amrit Bhusal
The Guardian · 31 Aug, 05:08
Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, has called for the construction of two nuclear reactors on Australia's east coast, as well as the continued operation of coal-fired power stations, as part of a push for a diverse power supply. This comes amid a war of words with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has described One Nation as 'dangerous, divisive and downright dishonest'.
Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, has proposed the construction of two nuclear reactors on Australia's east coast, in addition to the continued operation of coal-fired power stations, including the Loy Yang power station outside Traralgon. This is an expansion of One Nation's published policy, which calls for the construction of one reactor at a site supported by community consultation, at a cost of $6.8bn. Hanson's comments come as One Nation is campaigning in Victoria ahead of the November state election. The proposal is in contrast to the Coalition's plan to build seven taxpayer-funded nuclear plants, which was previously proposed but fell flat with voters.
Why it matters: This is significant because it highlights the ongoing debate about Australia's energy policy, with different parties proposing different solutions. One Nation's proposal for nuclear reactors and continued coal-fired power is at odds with Labor's opposition to lifting the moratorium on civil nuclear power. The war of words between Hanson and Albanese also underscores the increasingly heated tone of Australian politics.
$6.8bn, 1, 2, 7, 2025, November
The reactors need to happen. But we need that diversity of power. Keep your coal-fired power stations going.
Ars Technica · 30 Aug, 21:40
A massive 12TB data leak from Steam's old 'Steam2' server architecture has released more than a decade of lost PC gaming history, including previously unseen versions of popular titles.
A large collection of data, referred to as a 'terarelease', has been leaked from Steam's old 'Steam2' server architecture. The 12TB collection includes thousands of 'depots' representing every version of every game uploaded to the old servers between 2003 and 2013. This includes public release builds, as well as previously unseen pre-release, prototype, and playtest versions of popular titles. The leak is significant because it covers a period of time when Steam was still in its early stages, and many of the games and versions included are no longer available or have been lost to time.
Why it matters: This leak is significant because it provides a unique glimpse into the history of PC gaming on Steam, including many lost or forgotten titles and versions. It also highlights the evolution of Steam's content distribution system, which was updated from 'Steam2' to 'SteamPipe' in 2013. The leak could be of interest to gamers, historians, and researchers looking to study the development of PC gaming over the past two decades.
12TB, 2003, 2013
NPR News · 31 Aug, 04:01
The US government has introduced new rules for managing the Colorado River, which will result in Arizona receiving less water. While no one will run out of water, the reduction will lead to increased water bills.
The federal government has introduced new rules for managing the Colorado River, which will reduce Arizona's water supply. The state has been preparing for this scenario and city leaders claim that no one will run out of water. However, maintaining the water supply will come at a higher cost, leading to increased water bills. The Central Arizona Project canal, which pumps water from the Colorado River to the Phoenix and Tucson areas, will be affected by the water supply cuts.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it highlights the challenges of managing water resources in the face of changing environmental conditions. The reduction in water supply will have financial implications for Arizona residents, who can expect to see their water bills increase. The situation underscores the need for sustainable water management practices in the region.
NPR News · 31 Aug, 02:27
Argentina's youth soccer system has produced some of the world's greatest players, and the US can learn from its approach.
Argentina has a successful youth soccer system that has produced renowned players like Lionel Messi. The country's approach to youth soccer may offer valuable lessons for the United States. Argentina's system focuses on developing young players in a more holistic and supportive environment. This allows players to develop their skills and potentially become world-class athletes.
Why it matters: The US can learn from Argentina's successful approach to youth soccer, potentially improving its own development of young players. Argentina's system has produced a high number of skilled players, indicating that its approach may be effective. By studying Argentina's methods, the US may be able to identify areas for improvement in its own youth soccer system.
NPR News · 30 Aug, 23:32
Four days after floods hit the Nepal-China border, thousands remain missing and families are desperate for news. The disaster has left many without information about their loved ones.
Catastrophic floods occurred along the Nepal-China border four days ago, resulting in thousands of people still being missing. The disaster has caused significant disruption, with families of pilgrims caught in the floods desperately seeking news about their loved ones. The situation remains uncertain, with many families yet to receive any information about the status of their relatives.
Why it matters: This event is significant because it highlights the devastating impact of natural disasters on communities, particularly in regions with limited access to communication and rescue services. The uncertainty and lack of information for families are exacerbating their distress and anxiety.
Ars Technica · 30 Aug, 17:40
President Trump unexpectedly dialed into a NASA news conference for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope mission, interrupting the proceedings.
During a standard NASA post-launch news conference for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope mission at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman briefly left the room, then returned with his phone and announced that President Trump wanted to address and congratulate everyone on the mission. This was not part of the standard procedure and interrupted NASA's chief of science, Nicky Fox, as she was speaking about the mission.
Why it matters: This event is significant because it was an unusual interruption of a standard NASA procedure, and it highlights the interest of the President in the space agency's missions. The unexpected participation of President Trump in the news conference may draw attention to the mission and NASA's activities.
The President of the United States of America would like to address and congratulate everyone on this mission.
Ars Technica · 30 Aug, 11:03
Meta is testing robots to perform tasks in its data centers, such as plugging in cables and resetting servers, in an effort to reduce labor costs as it expands its AI infrastructure.
Meta is testing robots from various vendors, including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB, to perform tasks in its data centers. The robots are being used for tasks such as power cycling servers, cutting off electricity to servers, and swapping networking cables. According to a Meta data center worker, if the robots are successful, they could replace up to 80 percent of some people's workloads.
Why it matters: This effort is significant because it may allow Meta to operate its rapidly expanding data center footprint with fewer humans, keeping labor costs in check as its spending on AI infrastructure increases. The use of robots in data centers could also have implications for the future of work in the tech industry.
80 percent
"We thought those of us performing the physical tasks were safe for a while, but not anymore. It’s coming for us all, unfortunately."