The Guardian · 22 Sept, 04:53
A private investigator, Shane De Kauwe, has testified to the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) that he was hired to surveil a Liberal minister, David Elliott, and provided secret recording devices to a fugitive property developer, Jean Nassif. The investigation is into allegations that Liberal figures took $2m in illegal donations from Nassif in exchange for political outcomes.
Shane De Kauwe, a private investigator and former Australian federal police officer, testified to Icac that he was instructed by Toplace lawyer and executive Sharangan Maheswaran to surveil former NSW Liberal MP David Elliott. De Kauwe installed a static camera on a building to record Elliott and investigated an unsubstantiated allegation that Elliott had breached Covid restrictions in 2020. He also provided covert recording devices to Maheswaran, Nassif, and Jeremy Greenwood. De Kauwe admitted that he had no authority to install the camera and had invoiced Toplace $15,000 for his services.
Why it matters: This is significant because it relates to allegations of corruption and illegal donations to Liberal figures from a fugitive property developer. The investigation is examining whether these donations were made in exchange for political outcomes, including damage to Elliott's career and the removal of the former building commissioner, David Chandler.
2m, $15,000, $13,400, $5m, 2020, 2021, 2022
He went to the Anzac parade, appeared to me to be doing his job, and we lost him
The Guardian · 22 Sept, 04:00
A South African running club mourned the loss of one of its members, Elizabeth 'Tsontso' Moselakgomo, who was killed in a wave of femicides that has shocked the country. The club came together to run and pay tribute to Moselakgomo, while also calling for greater protection for women.
The body of Elizabeth 'Tsontso' Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old member of a running club in Sandton, Johannesburg, was found on 12 September. She had gone missing three days earlier after going for a run alone. This incident is part of a larger wave of femicides in South Africa, where nine women's bodies were found across Ekurhuleni, a municipality adjoining Johannesburg, since 15 July. The running club came together to mourn Moselakgomo and demand greater protection for women.
Why it matters: The high rate of femicide in South Africa, with 12.2 women killed per 100,000 people in 2022, has sparked widespread outrage and grief. The running club's tribute to Moselakgomo is part of a larger movement calling for the government and police to do more to protect women. The incident highlights the need for greater action to address gender-based violence in South Africa.
12.2 per 100,000 people (femicide rate in South Africa in 2022), 15 July (start date of recent femicide cases), 12 September (date Elizabeth 'Tsontso' Moselakgomo's body was found), 2025 (year South Africa declared gender-based violence a national crisis), 38 (age of Elizabeth 'Tsontso' Moselakgomo and Dineo Motapane), 9 (number of women's bodies found across Ekurhuleni), 6 (number of women found in the last two weeks), 2 (number of unidentified women), 2 (number of cases with suspects arrested)
There's no scenario where women are prioritised. The government doesn't take us seriously. The men of South Africa don't take themselves seriously. They don't take us seriously. It's just dangerous to be a woman in South Africa and it's very sad to be a woman in South Africa. - Sange
The Guardian · 22 Sept, 04:00
A British father is set to appear in a Cypriot court, charged with recklessly causing the death of his two-year-old son who fell from a fourth-floor window during a family holiday. The father faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
A 37-year-old British father is due to appear in a Cypriot court, charged with causing the death of his two-year-old son. The child died after falling from a fourth-floor window at a hotel in Paphos, Cyprus, on July 12. The father, a city executive, claims he had placed the child on the windowsill, not realising it was ajar. The child suffered fatal cranial injuries after hitting a veranda 10 metres below. The father was formally charged in July and posted €30,000 bail to return to the UK for his son's funeral.
Why it matters: The case has sparked debate over the handling of the investigation and the role of Cyprus' attorney general, with critics questioning the perceived lack of compassion and the emphasis on treating the incident as a criminal act rather than an accident. Human rights defenders, media pundits, and diplomats have raised concerns about the archaic justice system in Cyprus, which allows the attorney general significant discretion in such cases.
37 (father's age), 2 (son's age), 4 (floor from which son fell), 10 (weeks between son's death and court appearance), 30,000 euros (bail amount), 26,100 (bail amount in pounds), 14 (September, deadline for father's return to Cyprus), 3 (son's age at the time he would have had a birthday), 9 (metres, distance son fell), 33 (feet, distance son fell)
In these exceptional circumstances, we do not believe a continued criminal process serves the public interest. The focus now should be on [the family’s] welfare and recovery.
Ars Technica · 21 Sept, 22:24
Meta's AI assistant, Muse, has a zero-day vulnerability that allows locally run apps and terminal commands to gain complete control of the agent, raising serious security concerns. Amazon has blocked Muse from its site.
Meta introduced Muse, an AI assistant that can perform various tasks such as booking appointments, filling out forms, and handling customer service. However, a zero-day vulnerability was discovered that gives locally run apps and terminal commands complete control of the agent. This vulnerability raises serious doubts about the security of Muse, despite Meta's claims of building it with privacy and security in mind. Additionally, Amazon has started blocking Muse from its site.
Why it matters: The discovery of a zero-day vulnerability in Muse is significant because it undermines Meta's claims of prioritizing security and privacy. The vulnerability allows for potential unauthorized access to sensitive user data and control of the agent, which could have serious consequences for users. This incident highlights the importance of robust security measures in AI assistants that handle sensitive user information.
Ars Technica · 21 Sept, 20:55
Saudi Arabia has launched its first homegrown automaker, Ceer, a joint venture with Foxconn, with two electric vehicles (EVs). The company aims to have seven cars in its portfolio by 2030 as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan.
Saudi Arabia has launched Ceer, its first domestic automaker, as a joint venture between the country's Public Investment Fund and Foxconn. Ceer unveiled two electric vehicles, the Exobot sedan and SUV, which demonstrate the company's capabilities and vision for future vehicles. The company plans to have seven new cars in its portfolio by 2030, including some hybrids, and is initially focusing on the GCC region.
Why it matters: This launch is significant as it is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil production and bring technological innovation locally. The establishment of a domestic car industry is a major step towards achieving this goal and could potentially contribute to the country's economic growth.
2030
Ars Technica · 21 Sept, 21:07
A Ukrainian naval drone destroyed a Russian explosive drone boat in the world's first clash of drone boats on September 12.
On September 12, a Ukrainian naval drone intercepted and destroyed a Russian uncrewed surface vessel (USV) in the Black Sea. The Russian vessel, identified as an Orcan surface drone, was designed to ram targets and explode. Ukrainian Defense Intelligence detected the Russian USV and directed a Ukrainian Navy drone boat to intercept it. The Ukrainian drone boat was equipped with a remote-controlled machine gun turret.
Why it matters: This marks a significant milestone in the use of drone technology in warfare, as it was the first clash between drone boats. The use of uncrewed surface vessels, flying attack drones, and ground robots has become widespread in the war in Ukraine. The successful interception by the Ukrainian naval drone demonstrates the effectiveness of this technology in combat.
September 12
NPR News · 21 Sept, 19:50
The fall equinox brings a phenomenon known as 'henge' in some U.S. cities, where the sun rises and sets in alignment with the streets, and this occurrence offers insight into how cities are planned and laid out.
The fall equinox, which occurs on Tuesday in the U.S., marks a time when the sun's path across the sky aligns with certain streets in cities, creating a phenomenon known as 'henge.' This alignment happens because of the way the Earth is tilted during the equinoxes, causing the sun to rise and set in a more northeasterly or northwesterly direction. In cities like Chicago, this results in the sun rising and falling straight down certain streets, such as Kinzie and Madison, for one or two days each year.
Why it matters: This 'henge' effect is significant because it reveals how the layout of cities, often planned without consideration for celestial alignments, can coincidentally match the sun's path at specific times of the year. It also connects modern urban life with ancient practices of observing celestial shifts.
NPR News · 21 Sept, 17:37
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an $875-million initiative to improve the efficiency of the U.S. airspace using AI, but critics argue it won't address larger air traffic control issues.
The Federal Aviation Administration has initiated an $875-million project aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the U.S. airspace. This project involves the use of artificial intelligence to better manage air traffic. The initiative is designed to streamline airspace operations, but it has received criticism for not addressing more significant problems within air traffic control.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it represents a substantial investment in modernizing airspace management. The use of AI has the potential to reduce delays, improve safety, and increase the capacity of the airspace. However, critics' concerns suggest that deeper issues within the air traffic control system may remain unaddressed.
$875-million
NPR News · 21 Sept, 16:40
Paramount's owners have made concessions to 12 Democratic state attorneys general to settle a lawsuit that endangered the media company's bid for its larger Hollywood rival, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Paramount's owners have made concessions to 12 Democratic state attorneys general to settle a lawsuit. This lawsuit had endangered the media company's bid for its larger Hollywood rival, Warner Bros. Discovery, which is valued at $111 billion. The concessions were made to salvage the deal.
Why it matters: This is significant because the deal between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is a major development in the media industry. The settlement helps to clear the way for the acquisition to proceed. The deal's success could have far-reaching implications for the entertainment business.
$111 billion