The Guardian · 17 Sept, 06:00
New research reveals that nearly half of all parliamentary constituencies in England have low access to nature, despite a government target to ensure everyone is within a 15-minute walk from a green or blue space. The Wildlife Trusts is calling for the government to take urgent action to improve access to nature and promote biodiversity.
The Wildlife Trusts and Liberal Democrats for Nature and Climate have released research that shows 238 English parliamentary constituencies (44% of the total) have 20% or more local properties situated more than 15 minutes' walk from green or blue space. Seven of the 10 most economically deprived constituencies had low access to nature. The research comes as the charity presents a green paper to ministers in an attempt to speed up Labour's manifesto promise to improve access to nature and promote biodiversity.
Why it matters: The lack of access to nature is significant because it has direct implications for physical and mental health, particularly during extreme heatwaves. The Wildlife Trusts argue that access to nature is essential infrastructure and should be treated as such. The charity is calling for the government to take urgent action to improve access to nature and promote biodiversity.
238 (44% of English parliamentary constituencies with low access to nature), 15 (minutes walk to green or blue space, government target), 5,000 (people who contributed to public consultation), 38 (temperature in Celsius during heatwaves)
This research reveals stark inequalities in access to nature across England, with direct parallels between economic and nature deprivation. Coupled with the extreme heat we’re experiencing in urban areas, this access crisis is on a par with that of Victorian Britain, when filthy air and water led to a programme of public park-building for the benefit of all. In facing today’s challenges, we need to embrace this same level of urgency once more, utilising existing legislation so that real change can be felt quickly in local communities. - Matthew Browne, head of public affairs at the Wildlife Trusts
The Guardian · 17 Sept, 05:45
The conflict in Yemen has escalated with Houthi militants capturing strategic islands and ports along the Red Sea coast, threatening global oil supplies and trade. The situation for civilians in Yemen is dire, with over 100,000 displaced and many in need of humanitarian assistance.
The conflict in Yemen has escalated with Houthi militants capturing strategic islands and ports along the Red Sea coast, including the Bab al-Mandab strait, a critical trade route. The Houthis have also claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. The situation for civilians in Yemen is dire, with over 100,000 displaced and many in need of humanitarian assistance. The conflict has its roots in a civil war that broke out in 2014 between the Yemeni army and the Houthi movement.
Why it matters: The escalation of violence in Yemen threatens global oil supplies and trade, with the Bab al-Mandab strait and the strait of Hormuz being critical chokepoints for energy trade. The situation for civilians in Yemen is a humanitarian crisis, with many in need of assistance and at risk of further harm. The conflict also has regional implications, with the potential to draw in other Muslim nations and test mutual defense pacts.
100,000 displaced; 150,000 killed since 2014; 4.5 million displaced over the past decade; 18.2 million in dire need of humanitarian assistance; 15% of global sea trade passes through Bab al-Mandab strait; a fifth of the world's traded oil and gas transits through the strait of Hormuz
“There is even less willingness to help civilians.” - Farea Al-Muslimi
The Guardian · 17 Sept, 04:00
A comprehensive study by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) found that 2025 was one of the driest years on record for the world's rivers, with 36% of global river basins experiencing below or well below normal flows.
The WMO study assessed the global water cycle and found that the world's water resources experienced a significant depletion in 2025. The amount of freshwater held on or under the ground was 42% below normal across the world. The study used simulations from 13 global hydrological models and observed weather data to analyze river flows, groundwater, evaporation, and transpiration. The results showed that only about a third of rivers had normal flows in 2025, while 36% of global river basins had below or well below normal flows, and 21% had above or much above normal flows.
Why it matters: The study's findings are significant because they highlight the impact of the climate crisis on the world's water resources, with rivers experiencing extreme droughts and flash flooding. The depletion of the world's water savings bank has serious implications for people's lives, wellbeing, and the global economy. The study's authors are calling for increased data collection and sharing to improve understanding and protection of water resources globally.
42%, 36%, 21%, 400 gigatons, 1.1mm, 1991, 2014-2016, 2025
We are depleting that savings account. Global terrestrial water storage has shown a declining trend since 2014–16 – a persistent, decade-long signal.
Ars Technica · 16 Sept, 20:23
Valve is using two new compatibility layers, FEX and another unnamed layer, in addition to Proton, to get more games running on SteamOS. FEX is an emulator that allows x86 processor instructions to run on Arm chipsets.
Valve is expanding its efforts to make Windows games compatible with its Linux-based SteamOS. In addition to the existing Proton compatibility layer, Valve is now using two new compatibility layers. One of these, FEX, is an open-source emulator that allows x86 processor instructions to run on Arm chipsets. FEX has been in development since 2018 and has grown to support modern x86(-64) instruction set extensions.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it will help increase the number of games available on SteamOS, making the Steam Deck and other SteamOS-powered devices more appealing to gamers. By providing more compatibility layers, Valve is working to address one of the major concerns for gamers who want to play Windows games on Linux-based devices.
Ars Technica · 16 Sept, 18:43
A team of researchers has developed a new method for deciphering ancient scrolls, specifically the Herculaneum scrolls, by creating model papyrus scrolls to validate a screening method. This method aims to identify scrolls written in lead-based ink, which are more likely to yield readable text.
The Vesuvius Challenge, an ongoing project, combines digital unwrapping with crowdsourced machine learning to decipher the Herculaneum scrolls, which are 2,000-year-old papyri too fragile to be physically unrolled. A team of researchers created contemporary model papyrus scrolls, charring them like the originals, to validate a screening method. This method aims to identify which of the Herculaneum scrolls were written in lead-based ink and are thus the most promising candidates for further analysis. The researchers published their process in a paper in the journal PLoS ONE.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it brings us closer to unlocking the knowledge contained within the Herculaneum scrolls, which are believed to hold priceless written works from ancient Roman times. The scrolls, which include works by Epicurus and Philodemus, have been excavated but are too fragile to be read without causing damage. The new method offers a way to identify and prioritize scrolls that are more likely to yield readable text, potentially revealing new insights into ancient Roman literature and philosophy.
Ars Technica · 16 Sept, 19:36
California may gut its state net neutrality law to comply with a demand from the Trump administration in order to receive $1.86 billion in federal broadband grant funds.
The Trump administration has told states that they cannot enforce net neutrality rules on any Internet service provider (ISP) that receives funding from the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. California, which has a state net neutrality law, is considering gutting its law to comply with this demand and receive $1.86 billion in federal broadband grant funds. California's law prohibits ISPs from blocking or throttling lawful traffic and requires ISPs not to charge fees to websites or online services to deliver or prioritize their traffic.
Why it matters: This is significant because it could undermine California's net neutrality protections, which were previously upheld in court. If California complies with the Trump administration's demand, it would have to exempt ISPs that receive federal funding from its state net neutrality law, potentially allowing them to block or throttle lawful traffic and charge fees to websites or online services.
$1.86 billion, $42 billion
NPR News · 16 Sept, 23:07
Summary not available.
NPR News · 16 Sept, 21:12
Summary not available.
NPR News · 16 Sept, 22:30
Summary not available.