The Guardian · 24 Sept, 05:59
A former National Gallery of Victoria employee has been accused of funneling $8 million into a mobile phone scheme, while Australia's interest rates are still predicted to rise despite a surprise increase in unemployment. In other news, Rugby league tsar Peter V'landys has been appointed executive chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission.
A former senior National Gallery of Victoria employee is alleged to have funnelled $8m from the gallery over six years by buying and selling mobile phones for personal financial gain. The state's corruption watchdog has charged the former employee with eight offences. Meanwhile, despite a surprise rise in unemployment to 4.6% in August, money markets still predict a 90% chance of the Reserve Bank raising interest rates next Tuesday. Peter V'landys has been appointed executive chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, adding to his existing duties as ARLC chair.
Why it matters: The alleged corruption at the National Gallery of Victoria is significant as it involves a large sum of money and a senior employee. The potential interest rate hike will affect many Australians with mortgages, adding approximately $119 to their monthly repayments for an average-sized new mortgage of $731,000. Peter V'landys' appointment as executive chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission may have implications for the governance of rugby league in Australia.
8 million, 4.6%, 4.35%, 4.6%, 14 years, $731,000, 6.2%, $4,477, $119, 2012, 2024, 2025, 1861, 624,624, 8,679.6, 4%, 8.1%, 11.6%, 18.5%, 2.7%, 43,124, 42, 32km, 23-hectare, 40
Australia remembers the death of Zomi Frankcom and her six World Central Kitchen colleagues, killed by an IDF strike in 2024. And we will not stop – I will not stop – pressing for transparency, accountability, and justice for the Frankcom family.
The Guardian · 24 Sept, 05:00
Israel is facing weeks of water shortages due to an algae bloom caused by the destruction of Gaza's wastewater treatment plants, which has led to a massive discharge of untreated sewage into the Mediterranean Sea.
Israel is experiencing water shortages due to an exceptional algae bloom that has crippled much of its desalination capacity. The crisis was triggered by the destruction of Gaza's wastewater infrastructure, causing a massive discharge of untreated sewage into the Mediterranean Sea. This has led to the shutdown of five of Israel's six main desalination plants, which have since been operating at a reduced level. The situation in Gaza remains severe, with 90% of its water and sanitation infrastructure destroyed since 7 October 2023.
Why it matters: The destruction of Gaza's wastewater treatment plants has significant environmental and public health consequences, not only for Gaza but also for Israel. The discharge of untreated sewage into the Mediterranean Sea poses risks to Israel's water production infrastructure and increases the risk of waterborne diseases. The situation is expected to worsen with the onset of winter, and experts are calling for urgent action to restore Gaza's sewage system and prevent a catastrophe.
90% of Gaza's water and sanitation infrastructure destroyed since 7 October 2023; 45,000 cubic metres of untreated sewage flowing into the Mediterranean every day; 15,000 cubic metres of untreated waste seeping into groundwater daily; 80% of Gaza's water supply previously came from a contaminated aquifer
Pollution does not recognise political borders. The discharge of untreated sewage from the Gaza Strip into the sea is contributing to the worsening crisis affecting the Israeli desalination facilities.
The Guardian · 24 Sept, 06:00
The UK government has introduced a new levy on developers to build 15,780 homes in the Norfolk Broads, a protected wetland area, with critics arguing that the £2,675 per house fee is too low to offset the environmental damage.
The UK government has published an environmental delivery plan (EDP) that allows 15,780 homes to be built in the Norfolk Broads, a protected wetland area. The plan requires developers to pay a levy of £2,675 per house, totaling £42m, into a nature restoration fund. The fund will be used for conservation actions such as fenland creation and restoration, and catch-dyke restoration. However, critics argue that the levy is too low and does not address the root cause of the environmental harm, which is the increased nutrient pollution from the development.
Why it matters: The Norfolk Broads are a biodiversity hotspot, home to many rare species, and the development is expected to cause significant environmental harm, including increased nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. The critics argue that the levy is too low and that the conservation actions funded by the levy do not address the root cause of the pollution, making it a 'pay to pollute' system.
£2,675 per house, £42m in total, 15,780 houses, 7,695kg a year of nitrogen, 435kg a year of phosphorus
Developers will be paying a levy that green-lights more pollution rather than solves the problem – quite literally the definition of ‘pay to pollute’ or ‘cash to trash’
Ars Technica · 23 Sept, 21:06
Bentley has unveiled its first fully electric vehicle, the Torcal, which is smaller than the Bentayga and expected to be priced lower. The car is available in two versions, with the standard model offering 810 hp and the Torcal S offering 875 hp.
Bentley has formally unveiled its first battery electric vehicle, the Torcal. The car is named after a Spanish rock formation and is smaller than the Bentayga. It shares technology with Porsche, which is also part of the Volkswagen Group. The Torcal is available in two versions, with the standard model offering 810 hp and 880 lb-ft of torque, and the Torcal S offering 875 hp and 995 lb-ft of torque.
Why it matters: The Torcal marks a significant milestone for Bentley as it transitions to electric vehicles. The car's performance and design are notable, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds for the standard model and 2.8 seconds for the Torcal S. The Torcal is expected to slot beneath the Bentayga in pricing, although Bentley has not yet announced the exact price for US buyers.
810 hp, 880 lb-ft, 3.3-second 0–60 mph, 875 hp, 995 lb-ft, 2.8 seconds 0–60 mph, 155 mph, 162 mph
Ars Technica · 23 Sept, 22:17
The CDC has unexpectedly delayed distribution of COVID-19 shots to a key federal program and some states, impacting access to vaccines for over half of US children. This delay affects states' ability to order vaccines through the Vaccine for Children program and universal vaccine purchase programs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has delayed the distribution of COVID-19 shots to a key federal program and some states. This delay affects the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program, which provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children. As a result, more than half of US children are facing uncertainty over access to this year's COVID-19 shot. The VFC program covers children who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, or Indigenous people in the US.
Why it matters: This delay is significant because it impacts access to COVID-19 vaccines for a substantial portion of US children, particularly those who rely on the VFC program for vaccination. The delay may hinder states' ability to provide vaccines to children through universal vaccine purchase programs, which cover all children regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.
52 percent, 11 states, 1 US territory
Ars Technica · 23 Sept, 21:46
The FBI is investigating claims by the hacker group ShinyHunters that they stole personal data from thousands of current and former employees by exploiting a previously unknown bug on the FBI's jobs website.
The hacker group ShinyHunters claims to have exploited a previously unknown bug on the FBI's jobs website, FBIJobs.gov, and stolen personal data from thousands of current and former employees. The group allegedly took down the site and posted a banner claiming they had seized it. According to ShinyHunters, the stolen data includes names, home addresses, phone numbers, and medical information of current and former agents, applicants, and their spouses. The group claims to have obtained 2-3 terabytes of data.
Why it matters: This incident is significant because it potentially compromises sensitive information of FBI employees, which could be used for retaliation. The stolen data may include information on employees' work focus, such as counter-intelligence work on China, Russia, and Iran, as well as work against street gangs.
2-3 terabytes
NPR News · 24 Sept, 05:40
Summary not available.
NPR News · 24 Sept, 05:14
Summary not available.
NPR News · 24 Sept, 04:23
Summary not available.