The Guardian · 15 Jul, 06:00
England is at risk of building new 'death traps' due to inadequate standards to prevent overheating in buildings, experts warn. Unless the government tightens regulations, vulnerable people may face fatal consequences during heatwaves.
Experts from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) have raised concerns that England may construct new buildings that can fatally overheat unless the government prioritizes climate safeguards. Research suggests 2,700 people died in England and Wales during the May and June heatwaves. Only about half of local plans require new buildings to have a cooling or ventilation strategy to prevent overheating. The RTPI report analyzed local plans from English councils and found that while nearly all intend to include green infrastructure, only about a quarter use a recognized tool to ensure this.
Why it matters: This is significant because inadequate standards can lead to fatal consequences for vulnerable people during heatwaves. The experts stress that it is a matter of life and death, and the government needs to take action to prevent building 'death traps.' The issue is particularly pressing given England's low tree canopy levels and the projected impacts of climate change.
2,700 (deaths in England and Wales during May and June heatwaves), 50% (local plans requiring new buildings to have a cooling or ventilation strategy), 27% (local plans using a 'green space factor' tool), 11 million (people in the UK living in areas with less than 10% tree cover), 17.5% (England's average tree cover), 120,000 (number of homes converted from offices in London), 14% (such homes with no windows that can be opened), 2028 (year when the 'future homes standard' will apply)
This is a matter of life and death. We need to avoid building death traps. - Celia Davis, interim director of operations at the TCPA
The Guardian · 15 Jul, 06:00
Several electric vehicle (EV) drivers in the UK have received parking fines after charging their cars at public charging points, often due to unclear signage and terms and conditions. The issue highlights a gap in the rollout of EV chargers on private land, where car park rules have not evolved to accommodate vehicles that stop solely to charge.
Multiple electric vehicle drivers have reported receiving parking fines after charging their cars at public charging points in the UK. The fines were issued due to unclear signage and terms and conditions at car parks, which often do not clearly state that EV charging is subject to parking tariffs or store opening times. Some drivers reported being directed to charging points by apps, only to find that the car park's terms and conditions prohibited parking outside of store hours. The issue has led to complaints and, in some cases, the cancellation of parking charge notices (PCNs).
Why it matters: This issue is significant because it highlights a gap in the rollout of EV chargers on private land, where car park rules have not evolved to accommodate vehicles that stop solely to charge. Clear signage and terms and conditions are crucial to avoid confusion and unfair fines for EV drivers. The problem may hinder the adoption of electric vehicles, which are seen as a key part of the UK's efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
£70, £100, null
Signage needs to be clearer, so drivers realise straight away whether they need to pay for parking, how long they can stay to charge and the hours of operation. Equally, charge point operators should add a warning to their devices and apps to make drivers aware. - Simon Williams, RAC head of policy
The Guardian · 15 Jul, 05:56
The US and Iran have continued retaliatory strikes for a fourth day, with the US targeting Iranian military sites and Iran attacking US allies in the region. US President Donald Trump has threatened to target Iran's power plants and bridges if a deal is not reached. , The conflict escalated despite an interim agreement intended to provide space for negotiations.
The US and Iran have engaged in a fourth day of retaliatory strikes, with the US Central Command (Centcom) striking dozens of Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran's coast. Iran has responded by attacking US allies in the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. The US strikes were aimed at 'degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews.' Iranian state media reported explosions near the port city of Bandar Abbas, on the island of Qeshm, and on Bandar Imam Khomeini.
Why it matters: The conflict is significant because it risks escalating into an all-out war between the US and Iran, with potential consequences for global oil supplies and regional stability. The US Senate Democrats have blocked the advancement of a must-pass defense bill in protest of Trump's resumption of hostilities with Iran. The conflict has also amplified frustration among Democrats that the US remains involved in the conflict despite the passage of a war powers resolution intended to force a ceasefire.
28: The number of people killed in renewed US attacks in Iran since last week, according to a tally based on Iranian media and official announcements. 20%: The fee that US President Donald Trump initially said would be imposed on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which he later dropped.
We're going to knock out all their power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate. - US President Donald Trump
Ars Technica · 14 Jul, 17:31
Scientists at Pennsylvania State University have developed a conductive ink that can be painted onto the skin to create functional electrodes for biomonitoring. This novel approach could enable the creation of wearable biosensors that are more adaptable and easier to use.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have created a conductive ink that can be painted directly onto the skin in custom designs. After drying, the ink forms a functional electrode for biomonitoring. This development builds on previous work with epidermal electronics, also known as e-tattoos, which have been used for over a decade to take electrical measurements and other readings from the skin. However, existing e-tattoos have limitations, such as not functioning well on curved or hairy surfaces.
Why it matters: This new technology could enable the creation of wearable biosensors that are more adaptable and easier to use than existing e-tattoos. The ability to paint electrodes directly onto the skin could allow for more flexible and customizable biomonitoring, potentially enabling new applications such as mobile EEG monitoring.
Ars Technica · 14 Jul, 22:09
The Trump administration has barred US citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo from returning home due to an ongoing Ebola outbreak, placing them on a 'do-not-board' list. They are required to spend 21 days in a third country before they can travel back to the US.
The Trump administration has issued a 'do-not-board' list for US citizens currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or those who have recently traveled to the Ebola-stricken country. This list prevents them from traveling back to the US until they have spent 21 days in a third country. The order, taken under a transportation authority known as Title 49, has already blocked around two dozen Americans who were set to board flights home. The rule's application to government workers, including CDC employees, is unclear.
Why it matters: This decision is significant as it affects US citizens who are currently in the DRC, including aid workers and government employees, who are now unable to return home immediately due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. The outbreak continues to outpace response efforts, and the US government's move aims to prevent potential spread of the disease.
21 days (mandatory waiting period in a third country), 2 dozen (Americans blocked from boarding flights home), 2 dozen (CDC employees working in the DRC)
Ars Technica · 14 Jul, 22:20
Microsoft's Secure Boot, a security feature designed to protect Windows and Linux devices from firmware infections, has been vulnerable to a simple bypass for 13 of its 14 years of existence. Researchers at ESET discovered that old, forgotten shims used to extend Secure Boot to Linux devices and utility software can be used to circumvent the protection.
Researchers at ESET discovered that Microsoft's Secure Boot has been trivial to bypass for most of its existence. The issue lies in old, forgotten shims used to extend Secure Boot to Linux devices and utility software, which were not revoked by Microsoft even after vulnerabilities were found. These shims can be used to install malicious firmware that loads early in the boot process and persists even after the OS is reinstalled or a hard drive is replaced. The vulnerability affects both Windows and Linux users.
Why it matters: This vulnerability is significant because it allows attackers to install malicious firmware that can persist even after the operating system is reinstalled or a hard drive is replaced. This can lead to a range of serious security threats, including the installation of malware that can evade detection by traditional security software.
13 years (duration of the vulnerability), 14 years (total existence of Secure Boot), 2013 (year of one of the defective firmware images), 11 (number of firmware images identified as defective)
NPR News · 15 Jul, 05:39
Summary not available.
NPR News · 15 Jul, 03:19
Summary not available.
NPR News · 14 Jul, 20:59
Summary not available.