The Guardian · 26 Sept, 06:00
As winter approaches, Kyiv is bracing for another challenging season with ongoing Russian attacks and potential shortages of power, water, and food. Residents are preparing with alternative heating sources, supplies of food and water, and some are even planning to leave the city.
Since late August, Russian attacks on Kyiv have increased, occurring during daylight hours and disrupting daily life. The attacks have targeted warehouses and petrol stations, causing acrid smoke to blur the city's autumn mornings. Residents are preparing for the coming winter, which was particularly harsh last year, with temperatures dropping to minus 20s and lasting well into February.
Why it matters: The situation in Kyiv is significant because the ongoing attacks and potential shortages of power, water, and food could make life in the city unbearable for its residents. The city's infrastructure has been targeted, and residents are worried about their safety and ability to cope with the challenges of winter.
160,000 UAH (£2,700), 20 minutes, minus 20s, 3C, 50ml, 10 minutes, 6 months
At least for 10 minutes afterwards you felt a like normal person, and you could just wear a T-shirt
The Guardian · 26 Sept, 05:00
Andy Burnham faces several challenges after the Labour conference, including a difficult budget, navigating the impact of the Iran war, and addressing domestic issues such as welfare spending and public control of services.
Andy Burnham is set to face several tests after the Labour conference, including a challenging budget on 28 October, a byelection in Holborn and St Pancras on 8 October, and decisions on welfare spending, public control of services, and migration. The budget will be particularly difficult due to the global economic landscape and rising energy prices. Burnham's government will also have to navigate issues such as oil and gas drilling, disability benefits, and the UK's commitment to meeting its net zero target.
Why it matters: These challenges are significant because they will test Burnham's leadership and the Labour party's policies. The budget and welfare spending decisions will have a direct impact on the public, while the byelection and migration issues will be closely watched for signs of the party's performance. The UK's commitment to meeting its net zero target and addressing the climate emergency will also be under scrutiny.
28 October (budget), 8 October (Holborn and St Pancras byelection), 25 November (energy regulator price cap announcement), £20bn (Thames Water debts), £35bn (disability benefit cuts)
The Guardian · 26 Sept, 04:59
Lonnie Bunch, the outgoing secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, defended the organization against political interference, emphasizing the importance of telling the truth about US history, including slavery. He received a standing ovation at the National Museum of African American History and Culture's 10th anniversary celebration.
Lonnie Bunch, the outgoing secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, spoke at the National Museum of African American History and Culture's 10th anniversary celebration, where he defended the institution against claims of being unpatriotic and emphasized the importance of telling the truth about US history, including slavery. Bunch received a standing ovation from the audience. He argued that understanding the complexities of US history, including slavery, is essential to understanding the country's greatness. Bunch's remarks come amid escalating hostility from Donald Trump's administration, which has accused Smithsonian leaders of being radical activists and ordered a review of museum content.
Why it matters: This is significant because it highlights the ongoing debate about how US history is presented in museums and cultural institutions, and the tension between telling an accurate and complex story versus a more sanitized or patriotic one. Bunch's defense of the Smithsonian's approach and his emphasis on the importance of telling the truth about US history is seen as a rebuke to Trump's administration, which has sought to politicize the presentation of history.
10 (years since the National Museum of African American History and Culture was established), 1978 (year Lonnie Bunch began his career at the Smithsonian), 2019 (year Lonnie Bunch became the first Black secretary of the Smithsonian), 2024 (year Lonnie Bunch will step down), $3.5m (anonymous donation to the legacy fund), $1m (pledged by Shonda Rhimes to the legacy fund), $10m (minimum goal for the legacy fund), 250 (US's anniversary year mentioned)
“You cannot understand the greatness of a country without understanding the totality of a country,”
Ars Technica · 25 Sept, 23:00
Heidi Overton, President Trump's nominee to lead the FDA, faced questioning from the Senate health committee but refused to express disagreement with Trump's false claims, including one about vaccines.
Heidi Overton, Trump's nominee to lead the FDA, was questioned by the Senate health committee about her stances on various issues, including vaccines, flavored vapes, birth control, and abortion. Overton, a physician and current deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy, spent nearly two hours stonewalling senators. She has taken a clear stance opposing abortion, which raises questions about her objectivity, particularly given the FDA's current review of the safety of the abortion pill, mifepristone.
Why it matters: This is significant because Overton's nomination and her responses to questioning raise concerns about the potential politicization of the FDA and its decision-making processes, particularly on issues like abortion and vaccine safety. The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products, and its decisions should be based on scientific evidence, not political ideology.
NPR News · 26 Sept, 05:43
A nor'easter is bringing flooding to coastal New Jersey communities and power outages to thousands on the U.S. East Coast.
A nor'easter is starting to impact the U.S. East Coast, causing flooding in some coastal New Jersey communities and power outages for thousands. Roads in New Jersey have flooded, inundating some homes. The flooding is one of the first major signs of the nor'easter.
Why it matters: The flooding and power outages are significant as they indicate the potential severity of the nor'easter, which could bring further disruptions and hazards to the affected areas.
NPR News · 26 Sept, 04:42
The White House has announced that CNN will not be allowed on Air Force One for President Trump's upcoming trip, escalating a media restriction dispute with First Amendment implications.
The White House has signaled that CNN will be excluded from Air Force One for President Donald Trump's trip on Saturday. This move is seen as the latest media restriction in an ongoing dispute. The exclusion of CNN from Air Force One has raised concerns about First Amendment implications.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it highlights the strained relationship between the White House and certain media outlets, particularly CNN. The exclusion of a major news organization from covering the President's trip raises concerns about press freedom and access to information.
Ars Technica · 25 Sept, 21:36
A US appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration can blacklist Anthropic technology for withholding certain AI features, even if there was no malicious intent.
A US appeals court approved the Trump administration's blacklisting of Anthropic technology. The court decided that the US had the authority to blacklist Anthropic for withholding certain AI features. The ruling was issued by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in a 2-1 decision. The court considered the potential risks of overly constrained or unconstrained AI models in military operations.
Why it matters: This ruling is significant because it gives the US government authority to blacklist AI technology companies that refuse to enable certain features, citing national security concerns. The decision highlights the challenges of balancing the risks of AI models in military operations.
Ars Technica · 25 Sept, 21:10
Tesla is facing challenges in its development of the Optimus humanoid robot, including complex robot hands and resistance from employees who are being asked to train their robotic replacements.
Tesla has shifted focus from making electric cars to developing humanoid robots, specifically the Optimus robot. The company has stopped production of the Model S sedan and Model X SUV at its Fremont factory in California as of May 2026, redirecting both line workers and engineers to work on Optimus. However, the development process is facing complications, including complex robot hands and employee pushback against training their robotic replacements.
Why it matters: The development of the Optimus robot is significant because Tesla CEO Elon Musk has bet the company's future on AI and robotics, describing the Optimus robot as potentially 'the biggest product ever'. The success or failure of this project could have major implications for Tesla's future.
NPR News · 25 Sept, 22:06
Summary not available.