The Guardian · 15 Sept, 05:24
Karl Stefanovic is seeking to buy out his business partner Keshnee Ibrahim from their podcast company, 123 Podcast, due to an 'irreconcilable breakdown' in their relationship. The New South Wales supreme court will determine the valuation of the company and the terms of the buyout.
Karl Stefanovic and Keshnee Ibrahim, joint owners of podcast company 123 Podcast, have had an 'irreconcilable breakdown' in their relationship, leading Stefanovic to seek a buyout of Ibrahim's 45% stake in the company. The two own equal shares in the podcast enterprise that oversees The Karl Stefanovic Show. Ibrahim had filed an urgent application to defer a meeting scheduled for 18 September, fearing she would be removed as a director of the company. The court is now considering two options: winding up the company on an equal basis or allowing Stefanovic to buy out Ibrahim's shares.
Why it matters: The breakdown of the business partnership and the subsequent court proceedings may have implications for the future of The Karl Stefanovic Show and the podcast company 123 Podcast. The case highlights the challenges of business partnerships and the importance of clear agreements and dispute resolution mechanisms. The valuation of the company and the terms of the buyout will have a significant impact on both parties involved.
45%, 52, 36, 7 August, 18 September, 13 October, 23m
The Guardian · 15 Sept, 05:05
Two leading experts have withdrawn from Lucy Letby's defence team due to concerns about the scientific credibility of some of the evidence. A public inquiry into the murders will publish its findings on Tuesday.
Two experts, Helen Shannon and Geoff Chase, have withdrawn from Lucy Letby's defence team over concerns about the scientific credibility of some of the evidence. They had previously produced a report casting doubt on Letby's convictions for poisoning two babies with insulin. The experts stated that while they stood by their assessment, they could not support other evidence used by Letby's defence team relating to the insulin cases. A public inquiry into the murders, led by Lady Justice Kathryn Thirlwall, will publish its findings on Tuesday.
Why it matters: This development is significant as it raises further questions about the strength of the evidence against Lucy Letby, who is challenging her convictions for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others. The public inquiry's findings are expected to highlight missed opportunities for bosses to intervene after doctors raised the alarm about a spate of unexplained deaths at the Countess of Chester hospital.
We cannot, with integrity, support arguments which are inconsistent with the available evidence, science and established physiology … After disclosing these concerns, continued association with arguments we believe are demonstrably inaccurate creates a serious ethical issue under the professional engineering codes governing us in New Zealand and the UK, and exposes us to professional sanction.
The Guardian · 15 Sept, 05:00
A newly published Register of British Slave Traders reveals that the UK's slave trade was a state-backed operation supported by both major political parties at the time, the Tories and Whigs. Many MPs from both parties invested in the slave trade and owned plantations.
The Register of British Slave Traders has been published, revealing the involvement of thousands of investors in Britain's nearly 250-year trafficking of over 3 million enslaved African people. The register shows that many Tory and Whig MPs were investors in the slave trade and owned plantations. The Tory party, in government almost continuously from 1783-1833, continually delayed abolition, while the Whigs generally moved towards supporting abolition. The slave trade was eventually abolished in 1807, but enslavement itself was not abolished until 1833.
Why it matters: This history is significant because it highlights the role of major British political parties in the slave trade and challenges the country's traditional narrative of abolition. Understanding this history is crucial for acknowledging the full extent of Britain's involvement in the slave trade and its ongoing impact.
3 million, 50, £20m, £2.7bn, 800,000, 150,000, 4,800, 648,000
In dealing with the negro, sir, we must remember that we are dealing with a being possessing the form and strength of a man, but the intellect only of a child.
Ars Technica · 15 Sept, 03:47
The US military has confirmed that it has deployed weapons in orbit for the first time, according to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink. The weapons are intended to defend against hostile actions by adversaries.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink publicly declared that the United States has placed 'space control weapons' in orbit. This announcement was made at the Air and Space Forces Association's annual Air, Space & Cyber Conference near Washington, DC. The deployment of these weapons is aimed at defending the joint force against hostile adversary action. This move had been anticipated as Space Force officials have previously expressed interest in acquiring space-based weapons.
Why it matters: This development is significant as it marks a new phase in space warfare capabilities and is likely to have implications for geopolitical relations, particularly with major powers like China and Russia. The confirmation of space-based defense capabilities highlights the increasing importance of space in military strategy.
Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats, wherever they exist. This is why the United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action.
Ars Technica · 14 Sept, 22:06
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will deliver a keynote address at an anti-vaccine conference in Washington, DC, alongside Andrew Wakefield, a disgraced former doctor who falsely claimed a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US Health Secretary, will be the keynote speaker at an anti-vaccine conference hosted by Children's Health Defense (CHD), an organization he once led. The conference, which is sold out, will also feature Andrew Wakefield, a former doctor who was stripped of his medical license due to a fraudulent study claiming a link between autism and the MMR vaccine. Wakefield's study has been retracted and he has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct. Despite this, Wakefield remains a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine community.
Why it matters: This event is significant because it highlights the ongoing influence of anti-vaccine activists, despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The presence of Kennedy and Wakefield at the conference may further amplify misinformation about vaccines, potentially harming public health.
Ars Technica · 14 Sept, 19:38
Unitree Robotics, led by founder Wang Xingxing, has become a leader in affordable humanoid robots and four-legged robot dogs, largely due to Wang's extreme cost-cutting and micromanagement approach.
Unitree Robotics, a Chinese company, has gained a significant lead in producing affordable humanoid robots and four-legged robot dogs. The company's success is attributed to its founder, Wang Xingxing, who has an extreme micromanagement leadership style, personally deciding on nearly every aspect of corporate strategy and product design. Wang's approach has driven the company's growth, but it may be more suited to a small startup than a fast-growing robotics company. Unitree launched an initial public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market on August 19.
Why it matters: Unitree's success in producing affordable humanoid robots and four-legged robot dogs is significant because China now leads the world in churning out these products. The company's approach may have implications for the robotics industry, and Wang's leadership style may be a key factor in Unitree's growth and future success.
NPR News · 14 Sept, 23:55
Summary not available.
NPR News · 14 Sept, 22:36
Summary not available.
NPR News · 14 Sept, 23:38
Summary not available.