The Guardian · 10 Sept, 05:58
The Victorian parliament's vote on a bill guaranteeing employees the right to work from home two days a week has been stalled until after the November state election due to the opposition and crossbench members teaming up to refer the bill to an inquiry.
The Victorian parliament was set to vote on a bill that would guarantee employees the right to work from home for up to two days a week. However, the opposition and crossbench members teamed up to refer the bill to an inquiry, effectively stalling it until after the November state election. The bill's proponents had hoped it would pass parliament on Thursday, but the inquiry will now report back by October, missing the parliament's final sitting day before the election on September 24.
Why it matters: The bill's stalling is significant as it represents a major shift in work arrangements in Victoria, with potential implications for employees, employers, and the state's economy. The bill's fate is now uncertain, and its potential impact on Victoria's economy and workforce remains to be seen.
On the basis of the legal advice we have received, the Victorian public is being sold a very costly lemon.
The Guardian · 10 Sept, 05:47
The Bayeux tapestry, an embroidery depicting the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, has gone on display in the UK. The exhibition has broken records for ticket sales, with some lucky individuals, including King Charles and Peter Thiel, getting early previews.
The Bayeux tapestry exhibition opened in the UK, featuring an embroidery that tells the story of the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The exhibition has broken the British Museum's record for the number of tickets sold in a single day. The tapestry, which is 68.3 meters long, was supposedly commissioned by Bishop Odo, William the Conquerer's half-brother, for his cathedral in Bayeux in 1077. It features 623 men, 190 horses, 35 dogs, 37 buildings, and 41 ships.
Why it matters: The Bayeux tapestry is a significant historical artifact that provides insight into the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Its display in the UK is a major cultural event, and its popularity has broken records for ticket sales. The tapestry's preservation and display are important for understanding medieval history and culture.
68, 68.3, 1066, 1077, 1476, 1792, 1794, 1803, 1872, 1885, 1953, 1966, 2013, 2020, 623, 190, 35, 37, 41
The Guardian · 10 Sept, 05:26
Donald Trump promised to pay every US adult citizen $5,000 if Republicans win the midterm elections during a speech at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. The proposal, which would cost over $1tn, raised ethical concerns and highlighted the Republicans' concern about their prospects in the November elections.
During a nearly two-hour speech at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Donald Trump pledged to pay every adult US citizen $5,000 if Republicans retain the House and Senate in the midterm elections. The proposal immediately raised ethical concerns due to its high cost of over $1tn. Trump also defended his unpopular war in Iran and assailed Democrats as 'radical'. The speech was part of a two-day Republican midterm convention, which was held to boost the party's prospects in the November elections.
Why it matters: The proposal and Trump's speech highlight the Republicans' concern about their prospects in the midterm elections, as they are predicted to lose control of the House. Trump's deep unpopularity among Americans, with an approval rating of 38%, was also evident, as many Republican candidates running in competitive races skipped the event. The speech and the convention are part of the Republicans' efforts to change the traditional midterm election trend, where the party holding the White House struggles.
$5,000, over $1tn, 38%, 2 years, 4-day, 2-day, 12 hours, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 80 years old
If the Republicans win, you win with us, and you get $5,000
Ars Technica · 9 Sept, 20:55
At least four hacking groups, some with ties to the Chinese government, are using a common exploit kit called BlueMoon to target vulnerabilities in Chromium-based browsers and older Windows versions.
Researchers from Proofpoint discovered that multiple hacking groups are using a nearly identical exploit kit, dubbed BlueMoon, which targets critical vulnerabilities in Chromium-based browsers and older Windows versions. The kit chains three vulnerabilities together to install malware. The vulnerabilities have already received patches. The attacks were notable for their lack of stealth and rapid deployment.
Why it matters: This is significant because it highlights the rapid adoption of exploit kits by multiple threat actors, potentially taking advantage of the 'patch gap' in the Chromium supply chain. The use of AI in vulnerability discovery may also be a contributing factor. The exploitation of patched vulnerabilities can lead to widespread attacks if not properly mitigated.
Ars Technica · 9 Sept, 19:42
Apple has unveiled its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, starting at $1,999. The device has a wider, shorter chassis and aims to address issues with previous foldable designs.
Apple has introduced its long-rumored foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, at a hardware event. The device starts at $1,999 and features a wider, shorter chassis. This design aims to improve upon previous foldable phones, particularly those with a square aspect ratio that can make single apps appear stretched and videos have large black bars. The iPhone Duo is Apple's most capable and expensive iPhone to date.
Why it matters: The iPhone Duo marks Apple's entry into the foldable phone market, a segment that has been led by companies like Samsung and Google for nearly a decade. The device's pricing is competitive with other foldables on the market, and its design addresses some of the usability issues seen in earlier foldable phones. This launch is significant as it brings a major player into the foldable market, potentially increasing competition and innovation in the space.
$1,999
Ars Technica · 9 Sept, 20:06
The US has accused six Chinese AI firms of copying US frontier AI models, potentially saving China billions in development costs. The firms allegedly acted with Chinese government awareness.
The US National Security Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Federal Bureau of Investigation jointly released a statement alleging that six Chinese AI firms - DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, Alibaba, MiniMax, StepFun, and Z.AI - have been attacking US AI models since at least late 2024. The firms allegedly extracted capabilities from US models, including variants of Claude, GPT, Gemini, and Grok. The agencies believe that the firms likely acted with Chinese government awareness.
Why it matters: This is significant because the alleged actions of the Chinese AI firms could give them a competitive advantage in AI development, potentially saving them billions of dollars in costs. The US government is highlighting the issue to raise awareness and potentially take action against these firms.
China-based AI companies that conduct industrial-scale distillation against US AI models see significantly shorter AI development timelines and reduced financial expenditures in training a frontier model.
NPR News · 10 Sept, 05:45
Summary not available.
NPR News · 10 Sept, 01:17
Summary not available.
NPR News · 9 Sept, 20:42
Summary not available.