The Guardian · 21 Jul, 06:00
The UK government has expressed interest in purchasing a military variant of Vertical Aerospace's electric flying taxi, and the company has received a £10m grant, taking its total UK state funding to £48m. The company plans to launch its flying taxi in 2029, after a delay from its original target of 2025.
Vertical Aerospace, a British flying taxi startup, demonstrated its prototype model of the flying taxi at the Farnborough international airshow. The company has received interest from the UK Ministry of Defence in buying a military variant of its aircraft. Vertical Aerospace also received a £10m grant from the UK government, adding to its total UK state funding of £48m. The company is working to gain certification for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority.
Why it matters: The development of electric flying taxis like Vertical Aerospace's has the potential to revolutionize urban transport by providing a quiet and emission-free way to travel. The UK government's interest in purchasing a military variant of the aircraft highlights the potential for this technology to be used in a variety of applications. The company's progress towards certification and launch is significant, as it faces competition from other eVTOL manufacturers.
£10m: recent government grant; £48m: total UK state funding; 2029: planned launch year; 2025: original target launch year; 150: number of aircraft Vertical intends to build per year at its existing facility; 1,000: number of aircraft Vertical eventually wants to build per year; 2028: target timeline discussed with regulator; 1,000 miles: potential cruise range of hybrid-electric model
Stuart Simpson, Vertical Aerospace's chief executive, said: "It leverages the commercial airframe, but with a different powertrain, which the military are very interested in. Because silent takeoff and landing, you can cruise up to 1,000 miles in it, low noise signature, low heat signature – [it is] really interesting."
The Guardian · 21 Jul, 05:58
A Perth teenager was arrested for allegedly stabbing his mother to death and injuring his sister, while Victorian teachers will go on strike on Thursday after rejecting the government's pay offer.
A 16-year-old boy in Perth was arrested for allegedly stabbing his 35-year-old mother to death and injuring his 12-year-old sister, who managed to flee for help. In Victoria, teachers have voted to go on strike on Thursday after rejecting the government's pay offer of 28.3% over four years. The strike is part of a long-running dispute over pay and resources in public schools.
Why it matters: The incidents highlight concerns about family violence and school safety, while the teacher strike underscores the challenges facing public education in Victoria. The stabbing incident has had a significant impact on the family and community, and the teacher strike may affect thousands of students.
16 (teenager's age), 35 (mother's age), 12 (sister's age), 28.3% (pay offer over four years), 35,000 (number of teachers, principals, and education support workers who walked off the job in March), 72 (number of people currently being held in the Brisbane watch house), 2023 (year in which antisemitic incidents increased), $58m (security spending by Jewish schools from 2022 to 2025)
Our parents have worked incredibly hard, particularly with some of our younger students, to get their children to see the police as their friends and as being there to protect them. And I watch some of them come in, and they will fist bump the police as they come in of a morning and say hello to them. And it’s lovely, but it’s really sad that we have parents who actually have to do this, because that’s how they’re actually reassuring their child that it’s OK that there’s actually police at the front gate every morning.
The Guardian · 21 Jul, 05:00
A study found that AI chatbots, including ChatGPT and Gemini, provide inaccurate and unreliable guidance to voters, often recommending the wrong party or listing parties not even running. The study's findings raise concerns about the reliability of general-purpose AI systems in electoral contexts.
Researchers from the civil liberties group Liberties tested AI chatbots ChatGPT and Gemini during Hungary's parliamentary elections, creating five distinct voter profiles and testing them 10 times each with two different requests. The study found that the AI chatbots provided inconsistent and inaccurate guidance, often recommending the wrong party or listing parties not even running. For example, in 90% of cases, ChatGPT failed to recommend the Tisza party when given a detailed Tisza-aligned voter profile. The study also noted that the AI chatbots' responses often appeared confident and authoritative, making users more likely to trust them.
Why it matters: The study's findings are significant because they raise concerns about the reliability of general-purpose AI systems in electoral contexts. The researchers warn that in a more competitive election or where voters are less certain, such outputs could potentially impact the outcome. The study highlights the need for safeguards to be developed for AI systems providing political advice and for AI providers to stop offering personalized voting recommendations unless they can guarantee transparency, accuracy, consistency, and accountability.
29.8% (Hungary's population identified as AI users), 2% (ChatGPT assigned Tisza a score in percentage-matching tests), 50% (ChatGPT identified Fidesz as the single party the user should vote for in direct advice prompts), 96% (responses from ChatGPT and Gemini included parties not on the 2026 ballot), 16 years (Viktor Orbán's grip on power as prime minister and head of Fidesz party), 2024 (year Tisza surged to prominence), 2026 (year of the next election, referenced for ballot)
General-purpose AIs should not present opaque and unstable political matching as if it were reliable electoral guidance for voters. Democracy cannot rely on opaque systems that claim neutrality while delivering advice they cannot explain, reproduce or guarantee to be accurate. - Eva Simon, head of Liberties's tech and rights programme
NPR News · 21 Jul, 05:28
Powerball ticket sales are set to begin in the United Kingdom, allowing players to compete for the same massive jackpot as U.S. players.
Powerball ticket sales will start in the United Kingdom on Tuesday. This will give players in the UK a chance to win the same large jackpot that players in the U.S. already compete for. The introduction of Powerball ticket sales in the UK expands the game's reach across the Atlantic.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it allows players in the UK to participate in one of the most popular lottery games in the world. The Powerball jackpot is known for its massive prizes, and UK players will now have the opportunity to win these large sums of money.
Ars Technica · 20 Jul, 21:10
A US federal judge has halted the $111 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, granting a temporary win to 12 states that sued to block the deal. The ruling issued a temporary restraining order that will prevent the companies from completing the merger for at least 14 days.
A federal judge has ordered Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery to halt their $111 billion merger. The ruling granted a temporary restraining order that prohibits the firms from completing the merger and from consolidating their operations. This order is initially in effect for 14 days but can be converted into a preliminary injunction that would prevent the merger until the case is resolved. The temporary restraining order can be extended if more time is needed to rule on a preliminary injunction.
Why it matters: This is significant because the merger would combine two of the five major Hollywood movie studios and two of the five major owners of basic cable TV channels, potentially eliminating competition. The 12 states leading the lawsuit, including California, argue that the deal would have anti-competitive effects. The judge's ruling is an early win for these states in their effort to block the merger.
$111 billion, 14 days, 12 states
Ars Technica · 20 Jul, 21:55
Drones capable of spraying water and fire retardants are being tested in California and Alaska to help fight wildfires early. These drones could become a rapid-response tool for firefighting as climate change makes wildfires a nearly year-round risk in the US.
Companies and fire agencies are testing drones that can spray water and fire retardants to help fight wildfires. In California, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection tested five autonomous drones that worked together to deploy 500-1,000 gallons of foam to suppress fires. The drones are not meant to replace large airtankers but could help respond quickly to small fires before they become destructive. The drones are expected to be commercially available starting in 2026.
Why it matters: This development is significant because climate change is transforming wildfire season into a nearly year-round risk for much of the United States. The use of drones could provide a rapid-response tool for firefighting, helping to put out small fires before they become more destructive. This could potentially save lives, property, and reduce the economic impact of wildfires.
$11 million, 500-1,000 gallons, 2026
Ars Technica · 20 Jul, 19:20
A US District Court judge has ruled against AT&T's request to stop offering basic phone service in California, allowing the state to continue enforcing rules that require AT&T to provide telephone service to any potential customer in its territory. This decision is a setback for AT&T's efforts to end its obligations under California's Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules.
AT&T had sued California in May in an attempt to end the state's Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules, which require it to offer telephone service to any potential customer in its territory. The company sought a preliminary injunction to prevent California from enforcing these rules while the litigation continues. However, US District Judge Linda Lopez denied AT&T's request during a motion hearing. The case is ongoing in the US District Court for the Southern District of California.
Why it matters: This ruling is significant because it allows California to continue ensuring that AT&T provides basic phone service to new customers in its wireline territory. The decision highlights the ongoing tension between state regulations and federal communications policies, particularly regarding the obligations of telecommunications providers.
NPR News · 21 Jul, 00:36
The FDA continues to investigate Taylor Farms lettuce as a potential source of a multistate Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened over 1,600 people, despite a retracted test result. The source of the outbreak may be difficult to definitively trace.
The FDA is still investigating lettuce distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods and Taylor Farms de Mexico as a potential source of a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis. The outbreak has sickened over 1,600 people this summer. Although a test result previously linked to Taylor Farms was retracted, the FDA continues to focus on the company's lettuce as a possible source. The source of the outbreak may be difficult to definitively trace.
Why it matters: The ongoing investigation is significant because Cyclospora outbreaks can cause severe foodborne illness, and identifying the source is crucial to preventing further cases. The FDA's continued focus on Taylor Farms lettuce suggests that the company may be a key player in finding the source of the outbreak.
1,600 (number of people sickened), summer (timeframe of the outbreak)
NPR News · 20 Jul, 20:50
Spain's World Cup champions returned home to a hero's welcome, celebrated by the nation.
Spain's World Cup champions came home to a hero's welcome. The team was celebrated by the nation upon their return. The homecoming was a significant event, marking the team's return after their World Cup win.
Why it matters: This event is significant as it marks the celebration of Spain's World Cup victory. The homecoming event showcases the nation's pride and appreciation for their team's achievement.