The Guardian · 25 Jun, 05:47
The European Union held talks with the Taliban in Brussels to discuss deporting Afghan migrants, sparking outrage among Afghan women who face severe restrictions under the Taliban regime. The talks have been criticized for legitimizing a repressive regime and potentially putting lives in danger.
The European Union held a meeting with Taliban officials in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the deportation of Afghan migrants who 'pose a security threat' to the EU. The talks have sparked widespread outrage among Afghan women, who face severe restrictions on their rights and freedoms under the Taliban regime. The European Commission confirmed the meeting was arranged after 20 member states called for concrete pathways to deport Afghans without legal residence permits. The talks focused on those who 'pose a security threat' to the EU, but the invitation letter to Taliban officials referenced Afghans with no legal right to be in the EU.
Why it matters: The talks have been criticized for legitimizing a repressive regime that affords women and girls limited rights and freedoms. Afghan women face severe restrictions, including no schooling beyond the age of 11, exclusion from the job market and public spaces, and a brutal new marriage law that perpetuates domestic violence and child abuse. The EU's actions have been accused of allowing the far right's anti-immigration rhetoric to set its policy agenda, putting lives in danger and legitimizing a repressive regime.
1 million: The number of asylum applications from Afghans received by EU member states between 2013 and 2024. 40%: The proportion of the Afghan population affected by hunger. 32: The number of people killed in two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela.
This is something that the EU has been very vocal in condemning... Women's lives have shrunk incredibly and it's been horrific to watch from the outside.
The Guardian · 25 Jun, 05:42
Victorian Liberal MP Matthew Guy has denied allegations of assaulting colleague Moira Deeming at a community event, with police investigating the incident. The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, has declined to comment while the matter is under investigation.
Moira Deeming, a Victorian Liberal MP, has accused her colleague Matthew Guy of assaulting her at a Macedonian community event in Sunshine on 23 May. CCTV footage of the incident exists, and Victoria police are investigating reports of a man assaulting a woman at the function. Deeming first approached the party with the allegation before taking the matter to police. Guy's representatives say he denies the allegation and may consider a defamation legal action against Deeming.
Why it matters: The allegation has thrown the Victorian Liberal party into turmoil just five months out from the state election, and may heap pressure on the opposition leader, Jess Wilson. The incident also raises questions about the party's leadership and its ability to manage internal conflicts.
23 (May, date of alleged incident), 16 (June, date incident reported to police), 2024 (year Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission established), 5 (months until state election), 88 (number of electorates in Victoria)
Like every other Victorian, the parties involved deserve due process, the presumption of innocence and their privacy respected while this is investigated. I remain focused on issues that matter to Victorians and earning their trust so our state can have a fresh start in November. - Jess Wilson
The Guardian · 25 Jun, 05:00
Many young people in Cornwall are living in vans due to the lack of affordable housing, leading to a challenging lifestyle with limited facilities and isolation. Despite the difficulties, some have grown accustomed to the freedom that van life provides.
In Cornwall, a significant number of young people are resorting to living in vans as they struggle to find affordable housing. The area's popularity with tourists and high demand for short-term rentals have driven up housing costs, making it difficult for locals to secure long-term rentals. As a result, some young individuals, like Skye and Louella, have turned to van life as a means of having a place to live. They face various challenges, including harsh winter conditions, limited facilities, and feelings of isolation.
Why it matters: This situation highlights the issue of housing affordability in Cornwall and the impact it has on young people. The reliance on van life as a solution underscores the need for more affordable housing options and support services for those struggling to cope with the current housing market. The challenges faced by van dwellers, such as isolation and limited access to basic facilities, also emphasize the importance of addressing these issues.
4 million tourists visit Cornwall annually, 24,000 Airbnbs and holiday lets are available, 13,000 visitors own second homes, and Skye has a £2,000 repair bill for her van.
“It can flip quickly from being idyllic,” says Caroline Dann, who hosts a weekly drop-in support session for van dwellers.
Ars Technica · 24 Jun, 22:47
The highly anticipated game Grand Theft Auto VI will be priced at $80, higher than many other AAA games. The physical release will not include a game disc, but a download code instead.
Preorders for Grand Theft Auto VI have begun, and the game will be priced at $80, which is higher than the standard $70 price for many AAA games. The physical release of the game will not include a physical disc, but will instead contain a download code. This marks a shift in game distribution, as gamers become accustomed to digital releases.
Why it matters: The pricing of Grand Theft Auto VI is significant because it sets a new standard for AAA game pricing. The game's high price and lack of a physical disc may influence how other game developers and publishers approach game distribution and pricing in the future.
$80, $70, $60
Ars Technica · 24 Jun, 22:28
OpenAI and Broadcom have announced a new chip called Jalapeño, designed for large language model inference at scale in data centers. This is the first generation of a long-term project aimed at refining chips for this purpose.
OpenAI and Broadcom have collaborated on a new chip, named Jalapeño, which is specifically designed for large language model (LLM) inference in data centers. The companies claim this is the first generation of a long-term project, with plans to refine the chips over time. The chip is intended for deployment in large data centers.
Why it matters: This announcement is significant because it highlights the growing importance of specialized hardware for large language model inference. The development of custom chips like Jalapeño can improve the efficiency and scalability of LLM deployments in data centers.
Ars Technica · 24 Jun, 21:41
NASA canceled two exploration programs, a lunar-orbit space station and an upper stage for its Space Launch System rocket, due to cost overruns and delays. The programs were deemed non-essential for landing humans on the Moon.
NASA recently canceled two exploration programs: a space station in lunar orbit and a new upper stage for its Space Launch System rocket. The decision was made by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who stated that these programs were not essential for landing humans on the Moon. The programs had experienced significant cost overruns and delays, and were still not ready. The cancellation followed an 'Ignition' event where NASA announced a major pivot from building a space station in lunar orbit to a base on the Moon's surface.
Why it matters: The cancellation of these programs is significant because it reflects NASA's prioritization of its Artemis Program, which aims to land humans on the Moon. The decision also highlights the challenges of managing large-scale space exploration projects, which are often plagued by cost overruns and delays.
13 years, $500 million
NPR News · 25 Jun, 04:00
Summary not available.
NPR News · 25 Jun, 03:11
Summary not available.
NPR News · 24 Jun, 18:02
Summary not available.