The Guardian · 2 Oct, 05:55
ANZ has ended its 57-year relationship with auditor KPMG due to a whistleblower scandal and will begin a competitive tender process to select a new auditor. A union leader has also called for the prime minister's salary to be increased, stating that their office is 'vastly underpaid'.
ANZ has ended its relationship with KPMG, its auditor of nearly six decades, due to a whistleblower scandal. The bank will begin a competitive tender process to select a new auditor starting from the 2028/29 financial year. KPMG earned $21.4 million for auditing and reviewing ANZ's accounts in 2024/25. A union leader, Jeff Lapidos, has stated that the prime minister's office is 'vastly underpaid', with a base wage of $622,000 compared to some public servants earning over $1 million.
Why it matters: The decision by ANZ to end its relationship with KPMG highlights the consequences of corporate scandals and the importance of maintaining auditor independence. The call for a higher prime minister's salary raises questions about public servant pay and the value of their work.
57 years, $21.4 million, $29.6 million, 2024/25, 2028/29, $622,000, 9.55%, 13 years, 1.5 million, 1 million, 11
The prime minister's office is vastly underpaid.
The Guardian · 2 Oct, 05:45
A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a cockpit stabbing and a sudden 17,000ft descent before passengers and crew intervened to overpower the attacker and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
On Wednesday, flight FZ 1073, a flydubai Boeing 737 Max, experienced a sudden and dramatic incident mid-air. The co-pilot, an Omani national, attacked and stabbed the captain, Smit Machchhar, in an apparent attempt to crash the plane. Despite bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds, Machchhar managed to release the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and overpower the attacker. The crew was able to stabilize the flight, and the plane made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia at around 11am local time. All 174 passengers on board escaped serious injury.
Why it matters: The incident is significant due to its potential implications for regional security and the sensitive geopolitical context in which it occurred. The incident has sparked speculation about possible Iranian involvement and has been described as a 'terror attack' by some Israeli officials. The incident also highlights the challenges of reporting on rapidly unfolding events in a region prone to misinformation and disinformation.
174, 34,000ft, 17,000ft, 2 minutes
It was very, very tricky to untangle what was happening
The Guardian · 2 Oct, 05:00
A UK-led study found that increased air pollution is associated with more night-time coughing, leading to disturbed sleep. The research analyzed data from a sleep app used by an average of 98,000 people per night across 32 cities in 12 countries.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge led a study that collected anonymised data from a sleep app for 18 months, covering an average of 98,000 people per night across 32 cities in 12 countries. The app tracked sleep patterns and counted night-time coughs. The study found that high daily particle pollution was consistently associated with increased night-time coughing, even at lower concentrations below the World Health Organization's air pollution guidelines. The greatest frequency of coughing was recorded in Milan and Monza, both cities in Italy's Po Valley, one of the most polluted areas in western Europe.
Why it matters: This study highlights the impact of air pollution on day-to-day symptoms, which can be overlooked in favor of more severe symptoms that require medical attention. The findings suggest that continued reduction of air pollution is necessary, even in cities with relatively low levels of pollution, to mitigate potential chronic health effects.
98,000 people per night, 18 months, 32 cities, 12 countries, 37%, 40%, 1%, 10, 13%, 2025
These findings underscore the global health relevance of air pollution and suggest that the potential chronic health effects of long-term exposure to low concentrations of particle pollution warrant attention, even in comparatively less polluted cities.
Ars Technica · 1 Oct, 22:27
The mysterious yellowish haze at the bottom of Venus' atmosphere, discovered in the 1970s, has been found to be caused by cosmic dust particles from meteorites that burn up in the atmosphere.
The yellowish 'lower haze' at the bottom of Venus' atmosphere was discovered by the Venera and Pioneer Venus probes in the 1970s. Researchers at Tohoku University in Japan have now determined that this haze is formed from particles left behind by meteorites that burn up in the atmosphere. The particles interact with sulfuric acid to form the haze. This was done using a microphysical model that simulates the formation of clouds and precipitation.
Why it matters: This discovery explains a long-standing mystery about Venus' atmosphere and sheds light on the planet's atmospheric processes. It also shows that cosmic dust particles can act as condensation nuclei, promoting cloud formation in the planet's main cloud deck.
The continuous influx of cosmic dust is sufficient to sustain this lower haze layer with the particle size distribution observed by the entry probes.
Ars Technica · 1 Oct, 20:28
The Pentagon has informed over 2 million current and former military members that their personnel records were stolen in a network breach that lasted over a month. This is the second major breach in recent months to expose sensitive US government personnel records.
Hackers gained access to a system operated by the Defense Manpower Data Center, which stores Department of Defense personnel records, starting last October. The breach compromised the records of 2.8 million living individuals, including Social Security numbers, names, addresses, sex, race, and occupational specialty. This is the second major breach in recent months, following a hack of FBI systems by the ransomware group ShinyHunters last month.
Why it matters: The breach could be valuable to foreign adversaries as it could help their intelligence agencies identify high-value military personnel. The stolen records could also be used by criminal groups. The incident highlights the vulnerability of sensitive government information to cyber attacks.
2.8 million, 2 million
Ars Technica · 1 Oct, 19:19
The rise of robotaxis has led to reports of passengers engaging in sexual activities inside the vehicles, prompting designers to consider how to prevent such behavior through design.
There have been reports of people having sex in robotaxis, including those from General Motors' Cruise. The lack of a human driver and social obligation can lead riders to assume more privacy than is actually provided. This issue was discussed at a recent workshop, 'Love in Traffic,' which brought together researchers to consider how design can help address the problem.
Why it matters: The issue is significant because it highlights the need for designers to consider the potential consequences of riders' behavior in robotaxis. By designing vehicles with safety and rider behavior in mind, companies may be able to prevent problematic behavior and create a more comfortable and secure experience for all riders.
The interiors of vehicles has been sexualized and appropriated for sex since forever in popular culture. You can see it in movies, you can see it in lyrics, you can see it in photography.
NPR News · 1 Oct, 20:15
The family of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent during a raid in Minneapolis, has filed lawsuits against the U.S. government and several immigration officials. The incident occurred in January and sparked widespread protests across the U.S.
Renee Good was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent during a raid in Minneapolis last January. The incident sparked protests around the U.S. The family of Renee Good has now filed lawsuits against the U.S. government and several immigration officials. The family spoke out for the first time about the incident at a news conference.
Why it matters: The incident highlights the controversy surrounding immigration raids and the use of force by law enforcement. The lawsuits filed by Good's family seek accountability and justice for her death. The case has garnered significant attention and sparked a national conversation about immigration and policing.
NPR News · 1 Oct, 19:49
Starting October 1, many legally present immigrants in the US will lose their Medicaid coverage due to a Republican budget bill passed last year.
A new policy will take effect on October 1, resulting in the loss of Medicaid coverage for many immigrants who are legally present in the United States. This change is a consequence of a Republican budget bill that was passed last year. The policy shift will impact numerous individuals who have been relying on Medicaid for their healthcare needs.
Why it matters: This policy change is significant because it will affect vulnerable populations, including immigrants who have been legally residing in the US and have been dependent on Medicaid for healthcare. The loss of coverage could exacerbate health disparities and create barriers to accessing necessary medical care.
October 1
NPR News · 1 Oct, 19:44
California has banned child marriage, following efforts to end the practice globally.
The governor of California has signed a law banning child marriage. This move is part of a larger effort to end the practice globally. The article questions the status of other efforts to ban child marriage and the effectiveness of bans.
Why it matters: This is significant because child marriage is a widespread issue affecting many countries. Bans on child marriage aim to protect children's rights and well-being. The effectiveness of such bans in ending the practice is a crucial aspect of this issue.