The Guardian · 23 May, 05:18
The Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, has announced a plan to offer 2,000 electrical apprenticeships over four years through a government-owned electricity body, SEC, to address workforce shortages and job insecurity. The plan aims to provide young people with training and a career path in the energy sector.
The Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, announced a plan at Labor's state conference to offer 2,000 electrical apprenticeships over four years through the State Electricity Commission (SEC), a government-owned electricity body. The apprenticeships will be offered across two training facilities in Melbourne and regional Victoria, with the first intake in January 2027. The apprentices will work on SEC projects or be sent out to work on private projects such as windfarms or datacentres. This plan aims to address significant workforce shortages and job insecurity in the energy sector.
Why it matters: This plan is significant because it addresses the declining numbers of apprenticeships nationally, particularly in the electrical trade, and the projected shortfall of up to 42,000 electricians by 2030. It also provides young people with training and a career path in the energy sector, which is undergoing a transition to clean energy.
2,000: number of electrical apprenticeships to be offered over four years, $50m: funding for the plan, 2027: year of the first apprenticeship intake, 2030: projected year of a shortfall of up to 42,000 electricians, 30: years since the SEC was privatised
You joined young, got trained, got qualified and built a career for life. And you were part of a community that looked out for your family. That bond that kept people together,” - Jacinta Allan
The Guardian · 23 May, 05:00
Stephen Hawking's father, Frank Hawking, expressed concerns about his son's lack of initiative and studying habits in his diaries, which have been made available to a biographer. These diaries provide a unique insight into Hawking's life and his relationship with his family.
Previously unknown diaries of Stephen Hawking's father, Frank Hawking, have been made available to biographer Graham Farmelo. The diaries reveal that Frank Hawking was concerned about his son's lack of initiative and studying habits during his student years. In 1961, Frank Hawking wrote in his diary that Stephen 'hangs round the house with little initiative and does not study much.' The diaries also show that Frank Hawking struggled to come to terms with his son's failing health after Hawking was diagnosed with a fatal degenerative disease in 1963.
Why it matters: The diaries provide a unique insight into Hawking's life and his relationship with his family, particularly his father. They also offer a 'raw and honest insight' into Hawking's upbringing and his struggles with his diagnosis. The biography, which will be published on September 24, aims to provide a definitive portrait of Hawking's life and intellect.
13m (copies of Hawking's book 'A Brief History of Time' sold), 1961 (year Frank Hawking expressed concerns about Stephen's studying habits), 1963 (year Hawking was diagnosed with a fatal degenerative disease), 2018 (year Hawking died), 24 (September, publication date of the biography), 60 (years Frank Hawking kept a diary), 200,000 (words of Frank Hawking's diary that Farmelo has translated)
'Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny,' as Hawking put it. 'My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.'
The Guardian · 23 May, 05:00
Five children's toys on sale in Britain have been found to contain asbestos, a substance that can cause cancer and respiratory problems if inhaled. The discovery raises concerns about the UK's safety regime and regulatory gaps between European countries.
A Guardian investigation found that five children's toys on sale in Britain contain asbestos. The toys, which include sand-based products, were tested by scientists at Brunel University's experimental techniques centre. The affected products were sold by various retailers, including Amazon, Curious Minds, and Glowtopia. Some retailers have since removed the products from sale and issued recalls.
Why it matters: The discovery is significant because asbestos can cause cancer and respiratory problems if inhaled, and it is illegal to sell products containing asbestos in the UK. The finding also raises concerns about the UK's safety regime, which relies on self-reporting by manufacturers and importers, and highlights regulatory gaps between European countries.
5 (number of toys found to contain asbestos), 30 (number of toys withdrawn from sale since January), 6 (number of toys tested in the investigation)
Although the risk to health is small because the quantities of asbestos are small, there is still a risk. The younger the child exposed the more chance they have of developing symptoms. - Ashley Howkins, Brunel's lead scientific officer
Ars Technica · 22 May, 21:42
Some first-generation Google Chromecast devices suddenly stopped working, causing concern that Google had intentionally disabled them, but Google says it did not cause the issue.
The first-generation Google Chromecast, released many years ago, suddenly stopped working for some users this week. The devices, which had been supported by Google until 2023, stopped casting from popular apps like Chrome, YouTube, and Paramount+. Many users reported the issue on Reddit and suspected that Google had intentionally disabled the devices to force upgrades. However, Google's senior product manager for Google Home, Sahana Mysore, told Ars Technica that Google did not cause the issue.
Why it matters: This is significant because the first-generation Chromecast was a popular device that many people still use today, despite Google ending support for it in 2023. The sudden failure of the devices has caused concern among users who rely on them for streaming content to their TVs.
10 million (units sold in 2014), $35 (device price), 2023 (year Google ended support), 2014 (year 10 million units sold)
Sahana Mysore, senior product manager for Google Home, stated that Google didn't kill the devices, but the article does not provide a direct quote.
Ars Technica · 22 May, 17:48
Cox Media Group (CMG) Local Solutions, a marketing firm, has agreed to pay an $880,000 settlement over claims it could use 'voice data' from devices to target ads, which was found to be dubious and alarming. The company had claimed it could tap devices for ad targeting through a service called Active Listening.
Cox Media Group (CMG) Local Solutions, a marketing firm, advertised a service called Active Listening, claiming it could use 'voice data' from devices such as smartphones and smart TVs to help advertisers target ads to specific people. The company's claims, which included the statement 'It’s true. Your devices are listening to you,' raised alarms and panic when they were discovered in November 2023. CMG has since removed the webpage and blog post related to Active Listening. The company has agreed to pay an $880,000 settlement over these claims.
Why it matters: This is significant because the idea of a marketing firm tapping into people's devices to collect voice data for ad targeting raises serious concerns about privacy and surveillance. The settlement suggests that the claims made by CMG were not legitimate, and the company has been held accountable for potentially misleading consumers.
$880,000 - the settlement amount, November 2023 - the time when the claims were reported
Ars Technica · 22 May, 22:50
Four Russian military satellites have changed their orbits to match that of a Finnish-American radar surveillance satellite, raising questions about Russia's intentions. The maneuver was detected through open source orbital tracking data.
At least four Russian military satellites, designated Kosmos 2610 through 2613, launched together on April 16 on a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. Over the last week, these satellites adjusted their inclinations—the angles of their orbits to the equator—by less than a degree to match the orbit of a Finnish-American radar surveillance satellite, ICEYE. The maneuvers were identified through open source orbital tracking data.
Why it matters: This development raises questions about Russia's intentions amid an ever-expanding standoff high above Earth. The actions of the Russian satellites suggest a potential threat to the Finnish-American radar surveillance satellite, which could have implications for space security and surveillance capabilities.
4 (number of Russian satellites), April 16 (launch date), less than 1 degree (change in inclination)
NPR News · 23 May, 05:28
SpaceX launched its largest and most powerful Starship rocket yet on a test flight from Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX launched its largest and most powerful Starship rocket on a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on May 22, 2026. The mega rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he's taking the company public. This test flight marks a significant milestone for the Starship program.
Why it matters: This test flight is significant because it brings Starship one step closer to achieving its goals, including potentially taking humans to the moon. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman noted the progress made by Starship. The successful test flight demonstrates the capabilities of the new and improved Starship rocket.
May 22, 2026
NPR News · 23 May, 05:11
Summary not available.
NPR News · 23 May, 04:31
Summary not available.