The Guardian · 24 Jul, 05:57
Australian MP Julian Leeser has called for an audit of university courses teaching about Israel and Palestine, citing concerns about antisemitism. He also shared his personal experience of his son feeling unsafe at Jewish events after a terror attack in Bondi.
Julian Leeser, the shadow minister for education, has told the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion that universities should undertake an audit of classes which teach about Israel and Palestine. He expressed concern about university antisemitism and criticized the responses of vice chancellors to address the issue. Leeser also shared his personal experience of his son feeling unsafe at Jewish events after a terror attack in Bondi on December 14, where his son asked if they would be safe.
Why it matters: This is significant because it highlights the concerns about antisemitism in Australian universities and the impact of such incidents on the Jewish community. Leeser's call for an audit of university courses and his personal experience emphasize the need for a safer and more inclusive environment for Jewish Australians.
7 (Leeser's son's age at the time of the Bondi terror attack), 3 (Leeser's daughter's age at the time of the Bondi terror attack), 50 (number of shots allegedly fired at Bondi), 109 km/h (speed at which Cristian Volpato was allegedly clocked speeding)
What sort of Australia are we setting up that a seven-year-old child doesn’t feel safe going to a place of worship? That’s not the Australia I know and love and it’s not the Australia I want for my children or anyone’s children. - Julian Leeser
The Guardian · 24 Jul, 05:45
The article discusses how disabled creators are challenging an ableist world through design and activism, highlighting the importance of accessibility and inclusivity. An exhibition in Dundee, 'Design and Disability', showcases innovations that challenge daily exclusions.
The article explores the 'Design and Disability' exhibition at V&A Dundee, which celebrates the contributions of disabled, deaf, and neurodivergent people to contemporary design and culture. The exhibition features various innovative designs, such as adaptive clothing, assistive technology, and accessible infrastructure. Disabled activists and creators are pushing for greater inclusivity and accessibility in society, challenging the ableist norms that often exclude them from everyday life.
Why it matters: This is significant because it highlights the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in design and society. The exhibition and the activism surrounding it demonstrate that disabled people are not problems to be solved, but rather agents of change who can drive innovation and progress. By challenging ableist norms, disabled creators are working towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
£20k: the cost of building an accessible bathroom for Frances Ryan; £1.8k: the cost of a smart curtain rod; 2024: the year in which some parts of the UK released the McGonagle Reader, an audio-assisted tactile voting device; 2013: the year in which the coalition government introduced Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and phased out indefinite awards for people with permanent conditions; 80s and 90s: the decades during which the Campaign for Accessible Transport took place; 2026: the year by which Frances Ryan hopes to see a new safety net for disabled people
As someone born with a disability that means I use a wheelchair, I soon realised it was completely normal for me to be blocked off from every day parts of life, from the changing room in a clothes shop, a bar for a friend’s birthday, to the tube to get to the Guardian offices. But that isn’t ‘normal’, of course. It’s a choice society makes and can address if there is the political will. - Frances Ryan
The Guardian · 24 Jul, 04:00
A rare black-crowned night heron has been spotted at the Holnicote Estate in Somerset, England, where conservation efforts have restored a river to its natural course, creating a haven for birdlife. The sighting is a significant indicator of the success of the estate's innovative 'river reset' project.
A black-crowned night heron was spotted on camera at the Holnicote Estate in Somerset, England, over three consecutive days. The estate has been undergoing a landscape restoration project, where a river has been allowed to return to its natural course, creating a diverse and thriving ecosystem. The heron is a rare species in the UK, and its presence is a significant indicator of the success of the conservation efforts. The estate is also home to other charismatic birds, including white-tailed eagles, white storks, and cranes.
Why it matters: The sighting of the black-crowned night heron is significant because it indicates that the conservation efforts at the Holnicote Estate are successfully creating a haven for birdlife. The estate's innovative 'river reset' project, which allows the river to flow naturally, has transformed the area into an oasis for wildlife, providing a home for a variety of species, including birds, water voles, otters, and fish. This is particularly important given that England has lost approximately 90% of its wetlands over the past 500 years.
66cm (26in): the length of the black-crowned night heron; 90%: the percentage of England's wetlands lost over the past 500 years; 2017: the year the first confirmed night heron breeding in the UK was recorded in Somerset.
“It's rare to see this wetland species in the UK and so exciting that we observed one on our estate cameras on three consecutive days,” said Ben Eardley, restore nature project manager for Somerset coast and countryside.
Ars Technica · 23 Jul, 20:47
LG's monitor software, LG Monitor App Installer, has been installing McAfee ads on Windows systems without users' consent. Microsoft has responded to the controversy, but the details of their response are not specified in the article.
LG's monitor software, LG Monitor App Installer, was installed on Windows systems through a Windows Update alongside monitor driver updates. The software then displayed pop-up ads for a 30-day free trial of McAfee, as well as other software. This behavior was reported by multiple users and highlighted in a video by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus. The issue drew negative attention on Reddit and other online platforms.
Why it matters: This issue is significant because it highlights the potential for software installed through Windows Update to engage in unwanted behavior, such as displaying ads. It also raises concerns about the level of control users have over software installed on their systems.
NPR News · 24 Jul, 05:56
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike that helped galvanize a youth movement, but demonstrators vowed to continue protesting until the education minister resigns.
Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent Indian activist, concluded a 26-day hunger strike on Friday. His protest was in support of a movement led by the 'Cockroach Janta Party'. Wangchuk was forcefully transferred to a hospital by the police during his hunger strike. Despite his conclusion of the hunger strike, demonstrators have vowed to continue their protests. They are demanding the resignation of the education minister.
Why it matters: This is significant because the youth movement led by Wangchuk has become one of India's largest protests in recent years. The protests highlight the growing discontent among Indian youth with the current education system and the government's handling of it. The movement's persistence indicates a deep-seated demand for change.
26 (days of Wangchuk's hunger strike), 2026 (year in which the events took place, mentioned in image description)
None
Ars Technica · 23 Jul, 19:22
The FDA has announced a new outbreak of Cyclospora, a unicellular foodborne parasite that causes explosive watery diarrhea, with 72 cases identified. This is the sixth Cyclospora outbreak investigation the FDA has opened this year, amid a nationwide surge in cases.
The FDA is investigating a new outbreak of Cyclospora, a foodborne parasite that causes diarrhea. 72 cases have been identified in this outbreak. This is the sixth Cyclospora outbreak investigation the FDA has opened this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received reports of over 11,500 cases from 41 states, including 4,173 confirmed and over 7,400 probable cases.
Why it matters: This outbreak is significant because it contributes to a nationwide surge in Cyclospora cases, which has already exceeded the normal number of cases seen in a whole year. The US typically reports between 2,000 and 5,000 cases per year, but this year's tally has already surpassed that.
72 cases in the new outbreak, over 11,500 total cases reported, 4,173 confirmed cases, 7,400 probable cases, 308 hospitalizations, 41 states affected
"under control" - Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health Secretary
Ars Technica · 23 Jul, 19:14
Google has introduced a new feature that allows users to regain access to their accounts using a selfie, in addition to existing recovery methods.
Google has introduced a new feature that allows users to sign into their accounts using a selfie. To use this feature, users must set it up ahead of time by recording a video of their face, which will be stored on Google's servers. This feature is not available for Workspace accounts, child accounts, or accounts enrolled in Google's Advanced Protection Program.
Why it matters: This feature provides users with an additional method to regain access to their accounts if they forget their password or lose an authenticator. It offers more convenience and flexibility in account recovery.
NPR News · 24 Jul, 05:45
Summary not available.
NPR News · 24 Jul, 03:31
Summary not available.