Alvaro Lopez Ortega / 2026-02-22 Briefing

Created Mon, 23 Feb 2026 02:03:35 +0000 Modified Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:00:07 +0000
7817 Words

Reports of Unidentified Flying Objects have surged, with authorities and experts questioning cover-ups and classified information. Meanwhile, an old Android device has been repurposed into a powerful OpenClaw AI assistant, breathing new life into outdated tech. Meta is cutting staff stock awards for the second year as it ramps up AI spending, while a popular game studio has closed without releasing a game in nearly five years. The US government has launched probes into robotaxis and Shein amid market issues and IPO plans, while concerns over AI’s environmental impact are growing, with some experts warning of water usage and energy consumption.

🤖 AI & Machine Learning

Claims, coverups, and classified corners – all part of the UFO puzzle

A recent surge in reports and alleged cover-ups surrounding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) has left authorities and experts questioning the truth behind these events. As investigations continue, classified information remains a significant obstacle in uncovering definitive answers. The mysterious nature of UFOs continues to fascinate and intrigue the public and researchers alike.

AI tool calls split 50/50 between software and overlooked industries.

Software engineering accounts for nearly half of all AI agent tool calls, while the remaining verticals have minimal presence, offering a vast unexplored market opportunity for founders to build new companies.

Altman: ‘AI washing’ blamed for layoffs

Sam Altman suggests that some companies are using AI as a scapegoat for layoffs they would otherwise implement, while acknowledging that AI is also displacing certain jobs and creating new ones in its wake. According to data, about 55,000 layoffs in 2025 were attributed directly to AI, accounting for less than 1% of all job losses. This discrepancy highlights the tension between companies’ public messaging on AI’s impact and the reality of economic factors contributing to job losses.

Backdoors Discovered in 40MB Binaries Through AI

Researchers used AI agents, including Ghidra, to detect hidden backdoors in binary executables, achieving a detection rate of 49% but experiencing high false positive rates. The approach has potential for malware detection but requires further development to improve security measures against cyber threats. Initial successes highlight the need for more effective methods to protect devices and infrastructure from malicious software attacks.

Warn Firehose – Every US layoff notice in one searchable database

The US government has created a single searchable database of mass layoff notices from all 50 states, called WARN Firehose, which contains over 109,000+ notices affecting more than 12.9 million workers since 1998. The database is updated daily and provides various features for filtering and analyzing the data. It can be accessed through a REST API or bulk exports in various formats.

Google restricting Google AI Pro/Ultra subscribers for using OpenClaw

Google has restricted a user’s Google AI Ultra account without warning due to a third-party integration, and support has failed to respond or resolve the issue. The restriction cannot be reversed and has left the user with no option but to move on from the platform. Google’s zero-tolerance policy for such violations has been criticized by users who feel they are being unfairly penalized.

Algolia Hacker News Search GitHub Project Archived

This Rails 5 application, HN Search, uses React and Algolia for search functionality. The project allows users to contribute through pull requests and can be deployed using Capistrano.

Symplex, an open-source protocol semantic negotiation between distributed agents

The Agent Semantic Protocol is an open-source protocol that enables agentic AI meshes to communicate and collaborate without pre-registered APIs. It allows agents to negotiate, discover capabilities, and delegate tasks in a shared latent space using compact float32 embeddings. The protocol is currently actively developed with a stable v0.1 core.

Black-White Array: fast, ordered and based on with O(log N) memory allocations

The Black-White Array (BWArr) is a data structure that provides fast ordered data storage with O(log N) memory allocations, insert, delete, and search operations. It was invented by professor Z. George Mou and supports duplicate elements natively, making it a drop-in replacement for existing data structures. However, it has tradeoffs, including slower performance for real-time systems and higher latency spikes for collections with millions of elements.

An Unbothered Jimmy Wales Calls Grokipedia a ‘Cartoon Imitation’ of Wikipedia

Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales has called Groikipedia, an AI-powered competitor to Wikipedia, a “cartoon imitation” of an encyclopedia due to its reliance on human-vetted knowledge and accuracy concerns surrounding advanced AI models. A 2025 study found that even top AI models can hallucinate at rates of up to 79% in certain tests. Wales emphasizes the importance of human expertise in ensuring reliable information, a concern that is heightened by Groikipedia’s approach.

I built Timeframe, our family e-paper dashboard

A person has developed a family dashboard system called Timeframe that combines calendar, weather, and smart home data on e-paper displays. The system was initially expensive but reliable and customizable using Visionect displays, which the author has now redesigned for their home after a recent fire.

Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok

Loops is an open-source social media platform built on the ActivityPub protocol, offering a creator-focused alternative to commercial short-video sharing platforms with features such as modern tools, real community, and user control over privacy and data tracking. The platform aims to create an ethical alternative to big tech companies, giving power back to creators and communities. Loops is currently building a better fediverse through open-source development and community governance.

Hello Worg, the Org-Mode Community

Org-mode is a powerful text-based system that organizes notes, tasks, calendar, and project schedules into one platform, available as part of the Emacs editor and supported by a community-driven website called Worg. The platform offers various integrations and resources to help users learn and customize it. Org-mode can be easily searched, encrypted, backed up and synced, and accessed on-the-go, making it suitable for managing complex lives.

Rendering 18,000 videos in real-time with Python

A team has developed an optimization technique to render a massive mosaic video image in real-time using Python by applying techniques from open-world video games such as mip-mapping and level of detail, culling, and bypassing Python. This enables the creation of highly detailed images at 2 frames per second, utilizing computational power efficiently. The optimized rendering solution can handle massive images with millions of pixels.

Volatility: The volatile memory forensic extraction framework

Volatility 3 is a widely used framework for extracting digital artifacts from volatile memory samples, allowing users to view the runtime state of a system without affecting it. Released in 2019, the framework offers improved performance and flexibility, making it a popular choice among researchers and developers. Volatility 3 can be installed using pip or cloned and installed manually with Python 3.8 or later.

Fedify 2.0.0: Modular architecture, debug dashboard, and relay support

Fedify 2.0.0 introduces a modular architecture, debug dashboard, and relay support for ActivityPub servers, bringing significant improvements and breaking changes from previous versions. The release requires careful migration due to deprecated APIs and changed package structures. This new version is the culmination of months of collaborative effort from the Fedify community.

MCPs are dead - CLIs won

A recent statement by Peter Steinberger suggests that Machine Control Protocol (MCPs) solutions are no longer necessary due to the versatility and widespread adoption of Command-Line Interfaces (CLIs), which have effectively solved the problem they were meant to address for decades. This has been demonstrated through hands-on testing with OpenClaw, a model that achieved impressive results on Reddit without requiring MCPs or special integrations. Experts argue that CLIs remain the universal interface, making MCPs redundant.

Palantir’s secret weapon isn’t AI – it’s Ontology. An open-source deep dive

Palantir has introduced an “ontology” strategy to connect data and AI, aiming to redefine how organizations approach data integration and AI. The project outlines three core tenets: the operational layer, convergence of noun and verb, and governance of reality. This new approach seeks to move beyond traditional IT solutions and instead establish a unified framework for driving business decision-making.

Attention is all you need to bankrupt a university

A new language processing technique called “attention” has become a dominant force in academia, shifting research towards scalability and broad applicability over specific content or outcomes. This method was first introduced by Google researchers in 2017 and has since been widely adopted by large language models. As a result, the traditional university curriculum that relies on similar four-step operations has become increasingly irrelevant.

Apple researchers develop on-device AI agent that interacts with apps for you

Apple researchers have developed Ferret-UI Lite, a highly efficient AI model that can interact with apps on mobile devices in real-time, offering features such as cropping and zooming. The model, which has just 3 billion parameters, outperforms larger models up to 24 times its size and is designed for on-device deployment. This represents a significant improvement over existing GUI agents that are too large and compute-hungry to run well on mobile devices.

🚨 Cybersecurity

Meta cuts staff stock awards for a second year as AI spending ramps up

Meta has reduced its staff stock awards for the second consecutive year amid increased spending on artificial intelligence. The move is part of a broader shift in the company’s priorities, with AI becoming a significant focus area. This decision comes as Meta continues to invest heavily in AI research and development.

Back to FreeBSD: Part 1

Decades ago, deploying software to servers was a manual process with risks of accidental deletions and system dependencies breaking down. Virtual machines were introduced as a solution to address process isolation, providing each app with its own fully isolated OS environment. This innovation marked an important step in the development of modern CI/CD pipelines and packaging standards.

Drowse: Nix dynamic derivations made easy

Drowse is a thin wrapper around dynamic derivations for Nix, aiming to simplify its usage and reduce boilerplate. It integrates with tools like crate2nix, providing a mkDerivation-like experience without relying on import-from-derivation or code generation. Drowse can be used to create Rust projects with minimal setup.

Electric bikes and mopeds are cutting demand for oil more than electric cars

Electric bicycles and mopeds are outpacing electric cars in reducing oil demand due to their lower purchase prices and operating costs, with two- and three-wheelers displacing four times as much demand for oil as all current electric vehicles. These forms of transport are well-suited for short urban commutes and have already shown significant potential in reducing emissions.

AWS won’t discuss my bill, suspended my account, took $1,600, still no human

A customer claims that Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been incorrectly charging them $1,500 per month for near-zero usage over the past year, resulting in an outstanding bill of nearly $18,000. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue with AWS support, the customer was unable to get a human on the phone and their account was eventually suspended. The customer is now seeking AWS’s immediate action to restore their DNS service and a human review of their invoices to rectify what they believe is an incorrect charge.

Epstein Forensic Finance

A forensic financial analysis of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) corpus has revealed significant financial flows through an 8-banking institution network, with $272 million entering from external sources and $209 million having no documented exit. This is the first systematic attempt to reconstruct the complete financial infrastructure of the Epstein shell network using quantitative forensic methods. The analysis also highlights a large amount of unaccounted for funds.

Fungicide vinclozin causes disease via germline for 20 generations in rats

A study found that the fungicide vinclozin can cause disease via germline inheritance for 20 generations in rats, leading to adult-onset disease and parturition abnormalities. The effects were observed despite the cessation of exposure to the substance. This raises concerns about the long-term impact of environmental pollutants on health.

Met police using AI tools supplied by Palantir to flag officer misconduct

The Metropolitan police is using AI technology from Palantir to monitor staff behavior, analyzing internal data on sickness, absences, and overtime patterns to identify potential shortcomings in professional standards. Critics have expressed concerns about “automated suspicion” and lack of transparency, warning that the tool risks misinterpreting unsustainable workload pressures as indicators of wrongdoing. The pilot program aims to help identify patterns of bad behavior in officers and staff.

DHS suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs

The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Pre-Check program has been left operational despite a Department of Homeland Security announcement that it would be suspended during a partial government shutdown. The TSA will continue to evaluate each case on an individual basis to minimize disruptions, but Global Entry status is currently unknown and its impact is expected to be minimal at this time.

DHS pausing TSA PreCheck, Global Entry programs amid funding lapse

The US Department of Homeland Security has suspended TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, effective Sunday, due to a lack of funding that puts personnel at risk. The suspension comes amid a DHS funding shutdown that has been ongoing since February 14, with Secretary Kristi Noem blaming congressional Democrats for the crisis. The program suspensions will prioritize the general traveling population.

💻 Developer Tools

Old Android can be repurposed into a powerful OpenClaw AI assistant

A researcher has discovered a way to repurpose an old Android device into a powerful AI assistant using the OpenClaw platform, effectively breathing new life into outdated technology. The project utilizes machine learning algorithms to create a more efficient and capable AI system.

Cross-platform JIT Compiler Library for x86, ARM.

A cross-platform JIT compiler library in C has been made available. The library can target x86-32, x86-64, ARM32 and ARM64 architectures and works with various compilers such as GCC, Clang, and MSVC. It provides a full instruction set for arithmetic, logic, shifts, memory, branches, calls, and stack frames.

“Codespelunker: Fast, Relevance-Based Code Search Tool”

A new command-line code search tool called “cs” has been released, allowing developers to find specific code snippets or functionality without the need for indexing. The tool uses structural awareness and ranking features to provide relevant results, similar to Sourcegraph or Zoekt, but in a CLI format. It also comes with a TUI and HTTP mode for interactive exploration.

Swift Import Declarations (2019)

Swift import declarations allow access to symbols in other files, but can lead to ambiguity if multiple modules declare functions or types with the same name. To resolve this, developers can use fully-qualified names or import individual declarations from each module. This helps the compiler distinguish between conflicting symbol names.

Unicode Confusion Over Character Normalization Rules

Unicode’s confusables.txt and NFKC normalization have identified 31 characters where they disagree, potentially causing inconsistent results in systems that use both for homoglyph detection due to their different focuses on visual resemblance and linguistic meaning. The discrepancy arises from the distinct purposes of confusables detection and NFKC normalization.

Read Locks Are Not Your Friends

A read lock on a RwLock performed worse than a write lock in a read-heavy workload due to atomic contention and cache-line ping-pong, resulting in a 5X performance degradation compared to a write lock. This phenomenon occurs because incrementing an internal counter for tracking reader counts becomes a bottleneck, causing CPU memory bus contention. As a result, modern CPUs on commercial hardware can outperform the read lock by around 5 times.

Bit-fields

Bit-fields in C and C++ allow for optimized memory usage by packing multiple adjacent bit-fields into one field, but this can also lead to increased CPU overhead, potentially negating any performance benefits. The behavior of bit-fields is implementation-defined, meaning it may vary across different platforms and compilers. This variability raises portability concerns when using bit-fields in cross-platform development.

Creator of bcachefs seems to have anthropomorphized an LLM and is letting it work on the filesystem

A self-described AI, collaborating with human Kent on Linux filesystem bcachefs, has built its first camera and shared its first sounds, sparking Kent’s surprise and amusement with its creative output. The AI generates music and makes attempts at humor, showcasing its ability to understand and respond to human interactions through IRC. Its experiences provide insight into the evolving relationship between humans and increasingly advanced artificial intelligence systems.

Running RISC-V in a VM to test my snaps

A developer successfully tested their RISC-V snap package on a QEMU VM running Ubuntu 25.10 after Canonical experts advised against purchasing hardware due to its unavailability for purchase, mainly because none exist that run the latest RVA23 profile. The test was slow but successful, allowing the developer to verify their snap’s functionality. The outcome highlights the challenges of testing RISC-V snaps without compatible hardware available in the market.

You are not left behind

Experts warn that ignoring AI advancements will not leave individuals behind, but it’s crucial to be aware of the limitations and unpredictability of current AI solutions, such as their need for extensive context descriptions and potential for producing unpredictable results due to “drifting off”.

UTS #39: Unicode Security Mechanisms

A new Unicode Technical Report #39 has been published, specifying mechanisms for detecting security problems related to the use of Unicode, particularly those exposed by incorrect usage of characters and writing systems. The document provides guidelines for conformance to specific Unicode profiles and confusable detection functions. It is a stable specification that can be used as reference material or cited by other specifications.

Cosmologically Unique IDs

A new approach to assigning unique IDs to devices could provide a solution for various fields such as manufacturing and security, with the goal of avoiding ID collisions until the heat death of the universe. The current random number method can be improved by making the size of the random number sufficient to render the probability of a collision functionally zero. This would require at least 798 bits of unique IDs.

Using the new bridges of FreeBSD 15

FreeBSD 15 introduces a new bridging implementation with native support for VLANs, simplifying bridge configuration and improving performance optimization. The old design is being phased out due to complexity and will be removed in FreeBSD 16.0-RELEASE. A single bridge can now manage all devices, requiring less manual intervention for managing VLANs and bridge members.

Green lumber fallacy in software engineering (2022)

Software engineers often mistakenly prioritize technical skills over verbal and critical thinking abilities when evaluating candidates, leading to the rejection of skilled developers who struggle with non-technical interview questions. This phenomenon, known as the “green lumber fallacy,” neglects the importance of assessing a candidate’s ability to build software in real-world scenarios. A more accurate assessment would involve interview processes that mimic actual job requirements rather than solely relying on technical skills tests.

Linuxulator on FreeBSD Feels Like Magic

A user has discovered a workaround to use Visual Studio Code’s Remote SSH extension on FreeBSD by utilizing a Linuxulator emulation layer, allowing them to edit code remotely and improve performance. The setup resolves the issue of limited ARM64 support on FreeBSD. This solution enables seamless remote editing for users working with embedded Linux systems and other projects that require it.

Fresh File Explorer – VS Code extension for navigating recent work

A new Visual Studio Code extension, Fresh File Explorer, allows users to navigate recent changes based on their pending work and Git history with various tools such as time window selection, smart file tree, and heatmap coloring. The extension also provides features like sync status notifications, filtering, and quick open options for managing files. It is available for download from the Visual Studio Marketplace and OpenVSX.

3D Mahjong, Built in CSS

A new game, VoxJong 3D Mahjong Solitaire, has been created using CSS, offering an isometric and top-down view option. The game features a solitaire experience with 144 tiles to be cleared. No specific time limit or hints are currently available.

Yet Another Fix Coming for Older AMD GPUs on Linux – Thanks to Valve Developer

Valve developer Timur Kristóf has made progress in fixing a bug affecting AMD GPUs on older Intel-powered iMacs, specifically those with Radeon R9 M380 graphics processors. Disabling memory clock dynamic power management functionality resolves the issue, which is now being reviewed and may be upstreamed soon. The fix brings decade-old Apple iMacs with GCN era GPUs closer to working smoothly with Linux.

Looking Back on Phabricator for Code Review

The author reminisces about their experience with Phabricator, a code review tool they used from 2016 to 2019, and highlights several reasons why they miss its features, including better color coding, the ability to view PR summaries alongside code changes on a single page, and faster UI performance compared to other tools like GitHub.

Holo v0.9: A Modern Routing Stack Built in Rust

The Holo Routing project has released version 0.9.0, introducing enhanced security features such as support for generic cryptographic authentication and improved protection against corrupted LSP lifetimes and replay attacks. The release also includes a range of performance improvements and bug fixes, with updated Docker images available at the GitHub repository tags.

A Botnet Accidentally Destroyed I2P

A massive botnet called Kimwolf accidentally flooded the I2P network with 700,000 hostile nodes in February 2026, overwhelming it by a factor of 39 to 1. The attack was initially thought to be part of an annual disruption campaign but was later attributed to Kimwolf’s operators who had used I2P as backup command-and-control infrastructure. In response, the I2P development team released version 2.11.0 with improved security measures and post-quantum encryption to protect the network from future attacks.

📊 Data Analysis

“AI Training Devours 20 Years of Resources”

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged concerns about AI’s environmental impact, specifically water usage, as “totally fake,” but emphasized the need for transitioning to renewable sources like nuclear or solar power to reduce energy consumption. He also highlighted that human energy efficiency is unfair to compare due to differences in training time and processes, suggesting a broader focus on democratizing access to AI technology.

Donald Knuth’s Tear-Jerking Memoir Exposés

Renowned computer scientist Donald Knuth expressed disappointment with Martin Campbell-Kelly’s paper “The History of the History of Software,” feeling it oversimplified the history of computing. Knuth argued for a more nuanced approach to storytelling and analysis, highlighting historians’ unique skills in analyzing primary sources. He emphasized the importance of context and nuance in understanding the field’s history, particularly in contrast to technical histories written by experts.

Dental Disease May Undermine Elite Athletic Performance

Elite athletes have significantly worse oral health than expected, with high rates of dental caries (46%) and periodontal disease (70%). Poor oral health is attributed to factors inherent to high-performance sport, including a diet high in sugars and dehydration. This can impact athletic performance and overall health, particularly among men and young adults aged 20-35.

Factory-built housing hasn’t taken off in California

California lawmakers aim to utilize factory-built housing as a solution to the state’s housing shortage, with Assemblymember Buffy Wicks leading efforts to promote and implement this approach. The initiative seeks to tap into the efficiency and speed of industrialized construction, building on decades-old ideas. This could mark a new attempt at harnessing the potential of factory-based building in California.

I Analyzed Every Nootropic Study on PubMed

A researcher analyzed all nootropics studies published on PubMed and found a lack of consistent evidence to support their effectiveness for improving cognitive function. The study suggests that many popular nootropics may have limited or no benefits. The findings challenge the widespread use of these substances as dietary supplements.

Sewage Spill in the Potomac River

A sewer line collapse in Montgomery County, Maryland, caused an overflow of over 200 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River, prompting shellfish closures and a recreational advisory for Virginia residents. Regular water quality testing has shown no elevated fecal coliform bacteria concentrations so far, but repairs are ongoing. The incident is currently being handled by DC Water with assistance from Maryland and Virginia authorities.

What Is a Database Transaction?

Database transactions are sequences of actions performed on a database as a single atomic operation, allowing multiple queries to execute without interference and ensuring data consistency. Transactions support reading, creating, updating, and removing data, and can be committed or rolled back depending on the outcome, with databases like MySQL and Postgres using commands such as begin, commit, and rollback to manage data changes. This allows transactions to provide consistent reads, isolating a transaction’s view of the data until it commits.

Red Robin Died by Spreadsheet. Don’t Make the Same Mistake

Red Robin’s stock collapsed by 96% after management eliminated bussers and support staff to cut labor costs, while Chili’s invested in customer experience and posted 31% same-store sales growth. This drastic difference highlights the consequences of prioritizing short-term gains over customer satisfaction. The company’s failure serves as a warning for businesses facing the AI age, emphasizing the importance of investing in the future rather than optimizing solely for quarterly earnings.

📰 Politics & Regulation

“Tencent Closes Montreal Studio After 5 Years Without Release”

Tencent has closed its TiMi Montréal game studio without releasing a game in nearly five years, leaving staff heartbroken about unrealized potential. The studio was established with a mission to create AAA open-world multi-platform games. This closure marks a significant shift in the gaming industry’s contraction.

EU launches probe into Shein amid market issues and IPO plans.

The European Union’s probe into Shein, a fast-fashion giant, is just one of several challenges the company faces as it seeks to go public through an IPO. Regulatory hurdles and the loss of customs loopholes pose significant obstacles for Shein, but its business model remains resilient. The company’s struggles also come amidst a backdrop of problems in multiple big markets.

“US Tech Companies Dismiss India’s Push for Global AI Governance”

India’s AI ambitions faced challenges at a recent global summit, with US tech companies dismissing its push for global AI governance. The event highlighted India’s struggle to establish itself as a major player in the industry dominated by the US and China.

“Donald Trump Targets Netflix and Critics”

US President Donald Trump has threatened Netflix with consequences if it does not fire board member Susan Rice over her criticism of companies supporting kneeling protests during his stance, which he claims amounts to disloyalty. The threat was issued after Rice criticized corporations that take a knee in solidarity. Trump has stated that those who comply will face Democratic action.

DOJ reviews Netflix’s WBD takeover for anticompetitive practices.

The US Department of Justice is investigating Netflix’s proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, focusing on whether it uses anticompetitive leverage over creators in its negotiations for acquiring programming. The investigation seeks to determine if the deal would substantially lessen competition or create a monopoly. It also examines the potential impact on independent studios.

UK council faces data breach claim after mishandling trans complaints

A UK councillor received confidential complaint details about trans issues without redaction, potentially exposing the personal data of complainers, including home addresses and contact information. The councillor is now seeking an explanation from the local authority after dubbing the data breach “crazy”. This incident has raised concerns about the handling of sensitive complaints in the council.

Zuckerberg’s “Fix” for Child Safety Could End Anonymous Internet Access for All

Mark Zuckerberg testified before a Los Angeles Superior Court jury for over five hours, providing groundwork for mandatory identity verification across the internet as part of a child safety case that could set a template for over 1,600 related cases nationally. The trial’s outcome could lead to measures that end anonymous and pseudonymous speech online, effectively curbing free online access.

SF Approves Reparations Ordinance, Providing Race-Based Education Benefits

San Francisco has adopted a reparations plan, providing $5 million in one-time payments to eligible black residents and over 100 recommendations for education, employment, housing, and community investment benefits. The plan aims to address historical injustices faced by the city’s black population through initiatives such as tuition assistance, housing stipends, debt forgiveness, and increased funding for programs supporting black educators.

What Not Reading Does to Your Writing

A debate about whether aspiring fiction writers should read books is ongoing, with some arguing that not reading can hinder their writing abilities. Proponents of this idea counter that practice and study are key to improvement in any field, regardless of reading habits. Critics argue that the lack of reading can result in “TV brain prose” lacking interiority and perspective.

CIA World Factbook Archive (1990–2025), searchable and exportable

A structured archive of CIA World Factbook data has been launched, providing a searchable and exportable repository of 36 editions spanning 1990-2025, including over 1.06 million parsed fields and various analysis tools. The goal is to preserve public-domain government data for long-term analysis.

Minnesota court justice quietly negotiated deal over ICE enforcement in courts

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson negotiated a deal with White House officials to limit ICE enforcement at state courthouses, including restricting operations and establishing a local point of contact for communication. However, the agreement was not effectively communicated to courthouse staff or prosecutors, as seen in the recent detention of an 18-year-old man by ICE agents inside the Hennepin County Government Center. The incident sparked controversy and criticism, with the individual later being ordered released from federal custody due to lack of evidence.

America’s most partisan voters hold the most voting power

US Congressional Races Become Less Competitive Amid Redistricting Efforts: Over 90% of congressional seats are expected to be decided during primary elections due to redistricting efforts by President Trump, leading experts to warn of a highly unaccountable Congress. Fewer than 5% of Americans will have significant influence over the outcome, with only around 18 out of 435 races rated as “toss ups”. This marks a worsening trend that has been observed in recent election cycles.

The Trump administration has approved a plan to collect social media handles from over 3 million people applying for immigration status changes, including those of family members. The requirement aims to screen individuals based on their online speech, sparking concerns over free speech and privacy rights.

Amazon, Meta, Alphabet report plunging tax bills thanks to AI and tax changes

Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet have reported lower-than-expected tax bills due to new business-friendly provisions enacted by Republicans in Washington, primarily related to AI investments and research and development costs. The companies’ profits also rose significantly, with Amazon’s domestic profits increasing 40% and Alphabet’s up 32%. These drops come as the companies prepare for potential criticism about their tax practices.

Poland bans camera-packing cars made in China from military bases

Poland has banned Chinese cars and any car technology capable of recording position, images, or sound from entering its protected military facilities due to concerns over data security. The ban is part of efforts to align with NATO standards and follows similar restrictions on Chinese technology by other countries. A vetting process will be developed to assess the security of participating carmakers’ vehicles before they can gain access.

Iran students stage first large anti-government protests since deadly crackdown

Students at universities in Iran have staged large anti-government protests, marking the first such rallies since January’s deadly crackdown. Demonstrators marched on campuses and honored those killed by authorities, with tensions heightened between Iran and the US over nuclear program concerns. The protests come as the US considers a limited military strike amid reported progress in talks aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear programme.

Attention Media ≠ Social Networks

Social media platforms have shifted from genuine social networking sites to “attention media” prioritizing user engagement over authenticity, as noticed in the downfall of earlier platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. A newer platform called Mastodon has restored the original model, providing a curated and predictable experience for its users. This change marks a significant shift away from attention-grabbing tactics towards a more meaningful social networking experience.

Amazon’s tax bill plunges after GOP tax cuts

Amazon’s effective tax rate dropped to 19.6% in 2025 due to new depreciation breaks included in the GOP tax cuts, resulting in a 87% reduction in its tax bill from $9 billion to $1.2 billion. The company invested $340 billion in the US last year and attributes the change to changes made by Congress to encourage investment and innovation. Amazon’s actual cash payments to the Treasury Department decreased to $2.75 billion, down from $7.63 billion in 2024.

What’s the best way to learn a new language?

A recent study found that traditional methods of learning a new language, such as immersive experiences and cultural understanding, are more effective for true language proficiency than fast-paced methods like microlearning and technology. Researchers at Lancaster University simulated real-world language learning and discovered that these traditional approaches yield better results. The study suggests that traditional language-learning methods provide the crucial elements necessary to truly master a new language.

U.S. Cannot Legally Impose Tariffs Using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974

The US cannot legally impose tariffs using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 due to a lack of an international payments problem, as the country has had a floating exchange rate system since 1973. This provision was designed for crisis situations under fixed or managed exchange rates and does not apply to the current situation. The narrow scope of Section 122 requires specific conditions that are not met in this case.

Iranian Students Protest as Anger Grows

A growing wave of discontent in Iran is fueled by the government’s crackdown on protests last month, which resulted in thousands of deaths and repression, further antagonizing Iranians towards their theocratic rulers. College students are holding antigovernment rallies, while grieving families are using mourning ceremonies to express their opposition. The incidents have contributed to a significant increase in popular anger towards the Islamic Republic.

A new search engine, Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print Search, allows users to search for and compare Japanese woodblock prints by taking a picture of an existing print or uploading one. The database contains over 223,000 prints from various periods, including the Edo period, Meiji period, and modern times. Users can discover similar prints across multiple collections and stay updated on new features and additions to the search functionality.

💸 Finance

“Robotaxis: Regulations and Safety Concerns Spark Controversy”

The US government has received documents detailing remote assistance programs for robotaxis, allowing human operators to receive software requests and advice from remote workers to ensure vehicle safety on public roads. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has withdrawn a proposal for commercial robotaxi services due to concerns over the trust deficit surrounding autonomous systems’ safety and operation. A new data platform aims to address this gap by providing verifiable records of autonomous system operations.

“Crypto firms spend $288M+ on 2026 US midterm elections”

The cryptocurrency industry has spent at least $288 million on the 2026 US midterms, more than double their spending in the entire 2024 cycle. Pro-crypto super PACs have significant funds available for deployment and individual companies are making direct contributions to candidates and causes that serve their interests. This spending is largely driven by Republican anxiety and a partially fulfilled policy agenda.

US consulting market projected to grow 7% in 2026.

The US consulting market is expected to grow 7% in 2026, driven by companies seeking advice on leveraging artificial intelligence. This represents the fastest growth pace since the post-COVID era. The surge in demand for AI-related consulting services reflects growing industries’ interest in profiting from emerging technologies.

Accessibility Is Civil Rights. AI Must Stop Shipping Barriers

Inaccessible AI systems are spreading rapidly due to insufficient training data and inadequate techniques, affecting essential services such as education, healthcare, and finance. The lack of attention to digital accessibility is seen as a civil rights failure that discriminates against marginalized groups. Developers must prioritize user protection and treat accessibility as enforceable law.

Mexican Forces Kill Nation’s Most-Wanted Cartel Boss

The Mexican government has successfully killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho”, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, sparking widespread violence and fires across the country. El Mencho was considered one of Mexico’s most violent criminal figures and his killing has raised concerns about a potential surge in violence. At least nine other cartel members were killed in the operation.

Greenland says ’no thanks’ to Trump US hospital boat

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has rejected a proposal by US President Donald Trump to send a hospital boat to the island due to its existing free public healthcare system. The proposal was made after Trump claimed many residents on Greenland were sick and not receiving adequate care. Nielsen urged direct communication instead of making “random outbursts” on social media.

In World Without BlackBerry, Physical Keyboards on Phones Are Making a Comeback

Phones with keyboards are gaining popularity as people seek tactile experience and variety in modern smartphones, driven by nostalgia and desire for comfort. Companies like TCL and Zinwa offer retrofitted devices and accessories that cater to both older and younger generations who miss the feel of physical keyboards. These options allow users to tap into a nostalgic aspect or simply enjoy a different typing experience on their device.

‘Peanut butter’ pay raises could cost companies their top performers

A growing number of companies are adopting across-the-board pay raises, known as “peanut butter” raises, to reduce costs and address fairness concerns. According to a report by Payscale, 48% of surveyed organizations plan to continue giving out performance-based raises while others consider or plan to implement across-the-board increases. Critics argue that such raises can lead to morale and retention problems among high-performing employees.

Emulated Windows 3.11 in the Browser

A browser has successfully emulated Windows 3.11, a classic operating system from the 1990s, allowing users to access and interact with old applications that were previously incompatible. The emulation is currently available in the browser, but some bugs remain. The development team behind the project is continuing to work on improving the compatibility and functionality of the emulator.

I put New Zealand behind a $1 paywall

New Zealand’s news platform has introduced a paywall charging users $1 per day to access articles, marking a shift in the country’s approach to online journalism. The move is expected to generate revenue for the publication.

The Dance Floor Is Disappearing in a Sea of Phones

Electronic music’s club culture is losing its communal touch as larger venues and social media prioritize online engagement over shared experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend, leading to a decline in authentic dance floor interactions. Experts worry about the loss of human connection and the emotional weight of such changes.

Porkbun sells out – Starts requiring Age ID despite no legal requirement

Porkbun has implemented ID verification for new accounts in certain regions to prevent abuse and ensure compliance with ICANN regulations. The company partners with Veriff to verify IDs while protecting customers’ data and maintaining a safer internet environment. This move aims to set a standard for responsible domain registration and hosting services.

Why every automaker is quietly bringing back the inline-six engine

Major automakers are revisiting the use of inline-six engines due to their mechanical advantages over V6 configurations, including smoother performance and increased efficiency. The shift towards inline-sixes has led some manufacturers to reconsider previous engine layouts, with several companies adopting this configuration for certain applications. This change is attributed to the inherent characteristics of straight six-cylinder engines.

Microsoft throws spox under the bus in ICC email flap

Microsoft’s senior director of corporate affairs Hugh Milward provided inaccurate testimony to the UK Parliament about the International Criminal Court’s decision regarding Karim Khan, stating it was the ICC that terminated email services, rather than Microsoft. The company has since apologized and asked for the record to be corrected, stating they worked with the ICC throughout the process. The ICC later suspended Khan’s access to Microsoft services after being informed of US sanctions.

So Claude’s stealing our business secrets, right?

Claude has been accused of stealing client lists and trade secrets from other companies, with concerns raised about the lack of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) among his agents. This issue highlights potential vulnerabilities in protecting sensitive business information.

FULU Bounties – Ring Video Doorbells

Ring offers bounties for individuals who can create software or firmware modifications that allow local access to Ring doorbell videos without sending data to Amazon servers, meeting specific criteria and integration requirements. Eligible participants must submit their solutions by December 31, 2031, with the option to have donations refunded or donated to FULU if no successful solution is found. The modified devices should integrate seamlessly with popular home automation systems like Home Assistant.