The Guardian · 7 Sept, 06:00
Green party leader Zack Polanski is campaigning in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, which was triggered by Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister. Polanski is confident he can win the seat despite being an underdog.
Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green party, is campaigning in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection in north London. The seat was vacated by Keir Starmer, who resigned as prime minister in June and announced his intention to leave parliament last Tuesday. Polanski, who is likely to be formally selected as the Green candidate, is door-knocking in the constituency and speaking to local voters. He is confident about his chances of winning, despite the Greens being considered underdogs in the race.
Why it matters: The byelection will test the electoral strength of the Green party and Labour, led by Andy Burnham, who became prime minister six weeks ago. The result may indicate how well the Greens can capitalize on their recent successes and whether they can win over Labour voters. The contest is also significant as it will be Labour's first electoral challenge since Burnham took office.
11,572 (Labour majority in 2024), 7,312 (votes for Andrew Feinstein in 2024), 4,030 (Green votes in 2024), 2024 (year of general election), June (month of Starmer's resignation as prime minister)
We know we can win here
The Guardian · 7 Sept, 05:27
Ashlyn Nassif, daughter of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif, has avoided jail after pleading guilty to providing false information to obtain a $150m loan from Westpac. She received a six-month community corrections order.
Ashlyn Nassif, the 32-year-old daughter of Jean Nassif, a fugitive property developer, pleaded guilty to providing false or misleading information to obtain a $150m construction loan from Westpac in 2021. The loan was used to construct three apartment towers in Sydney's north-west. Ashlyn's lawyer argued that she was pressured by her father to falsify documents and that she had a major depressive disorder at the time of the offending. Judge Christopher Halburd sentenced Ashlyn to a six-month community corrections order without supervision.
Why it matters: This case is significant because it involves a high-profile property developer, Jean Nassif, who is currently a fugitive and the subject of a NSW police investigation into fraud. The case also raises questions about the influence and control that Jean Nassif may have had over his daughter, Ashlyn, and the extent to which she was coerced into committing the offence.
$150m, 2021, 2022, 58, 32, 6 months
How any person could leave their child to face charges like this for his company’s benefit – to make her fend for herself, to sell per property for her legal fees … what does that say about who he is
The Guardian · 7 Sept, 05:21
Liberal operatives discussed buying luxury cars with payments received from a developer, Jean Nassif, for approving his projects through a fast-track development process in New South Wales.
Liberal operatives Jeremy Greenwood, Charles Perrottet, and Christian Ellis are alleged to have received $2m in illegal political donations from developer Jean Nassif. An exchange between Greenwood and Ellis showed they discussed buying a Porsche or Ferrari with the payments. The payments were allegedly used to fund political outcomes, including the removal of the Hills Shire council and attempts to remove the building commissioner David Chandler.
Why it matters: This is significant because it suggests that Liberal operatives may have used payments from a developer to influence political outcomes, potentially compromising their integrity and the development process. The alleged use of payments to fund luxury items raises questions about the accountability of those involved.
$2m, $1m, $280,000, $30,000, 189, 24
That Ferrari is very nice, very very nice.
NPR News · 6 Sept, 19:54
A cargo plane operated by Amazon crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday, killing all five people on board. The Boeing 767 plane overran the runway while landing.
A cargo plane operated by Amazon, identified as Prime Air Flight 7598, crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday. The Boeing 767 plane overran the runway while landing around 2 p.m. ET after departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The crash resulted in the deaths of all five people on board. Video footage showed thick smoke rising from the wreckage.
Why it matters: The crash is significant as it resulted in the loss of five lives and highlights the risks associated with air travel and cargo transportation. The incident will likely be investigated by aviation authorities to determine the cause of the crash.
NPR News · 6 Sept, 16:36
Exit polls suggest Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is leading in a regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, but it is unclear if they can form the country's first far-right state government since World War II.
Exit polls from the regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, indicate that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is taking a commanding lead. However, it remains uncertain whether the AfD can form the country's first state government since World War II. The outcome of the election will be crucial in determining the political landscape of the region.
Why it matters: This election is significant because it could mark a shift in Germany's political landscape, potentially leading to the formation of the country's first far-right state government since World War II. The rise of the AfD reflects broader trends in European politics, where far-right parties have been gaining popularity. The outcome will have implications for Germany's domestic and international policies.
Ars Technica · 6 Sept, 11:55
Isar Aerospace successfully launched a privately-developed rocket, Spectrum, into low-Earth orbit from a Norwegian spaceport, becoming the first fully commercial launch vehicle in Europe to reach orbit.
Isar Aerospace, a German company founded in 2018 by three students, launched a two-stage rocket named Spectrum into low-Earth orbit from Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway. The rocket, which is 92 feet tall, lifted off at 4:12 pm EST and reached orbit seven minutes later. This launch marks a significant milestone for Isar Aerospace and the European space industry.
Why it matters: This launch is significant because it brings competition to Europe's stagnant launch market and marks a major achievement for Isar Aerospace, which is leading the pack among European launch startups. The success of privately-developed launch vehicles like Spectrum could pave the way for more commercial launches in the future.
2018, 4:12 pm EST, 20:12 UTC, 10:12 pm, 7 minutes, 28-meter, 92-foot
Ars Technica · 6 Sept, 10:00
New research suggests that the nutritional value of farmed salmon may have decreased, potentially making dietary recommendations outdated. The study, led by USDA scientists, found that levels of heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids in farmed salmon have dropped considerably.
According to new research led by USDA scientists, the levels of heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids in farmed salmon have decreased significantly. This change may impact dietary recommendations, such as the US Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which suggest eating at least 8 ounces of fish, specifically salmon, per week. Currently, nearly 70 percent of the salmon consumed globally is farmed.
Why it matters: This decrease in nutritional value is significant because it may make current dietary recommendations, such as those from the US Department of Agriculture and the American Heart Association, outdated and insufficient. As a result, consumers may need to adjust their expectations and choices regarding farmed salmon as a source of heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.
70 percent, 8 ounces
NPR News · 6 Sept, 10:00
Muslim pitmasters in Texas are adapting the state's iconic barbecue tradition to make it halal, winning over diners despite rising anti-Muslim rhetoric.
In Texas, Muslim pitmasters are making barbecue halal, which involves using permissible ingredients and methods according to Islamic law. This is part of a larger trend of Muslim chefs and restaurateurs adapting traditional cuisines to make them more inclusive. Muslim pitmasters are working at barbecue joints, including Goldee's BBQ in Fort Worth, Texas. They are using halal meat and adapting their methods to ensure that the food is permissible for Muslims to eat.
Why it matters: This is significant because it shows how Muslim pitmasters are reshaping a Texas culinary tradition and making it more inclusive. It also highlights the resilience of Muslim chefs and restaurateurs in the face of rising anti-Muslim rhetoric. The adaptation of barbecue to make it halal also reflects the diversity of Texas' culinary scene.