Alvaro Lopez Ortega / 2026-02-28 Briefing

Created Sat, 28 Feb 2026 20:09:56 +0000 Modified Sat, 28 Feb 2026 20:10:14 +0000
4911 Words

Reports indicate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may have been killed in an Israeli strike, though verification is pending, sparking fears of heightened tensions. Senator Warner has condemned President Trump’s recent military actions in Iran, citing a lack of congressional consultation and potential for escalation. Separately, a controversy has erupted over a government deal favoring OpenAI, with accusations of undue influence stemming from a large campaign donation and apparent support for an Anthropic executive. The situation raises questions about market fairness and political interference within the tech sector.

🌍 Geopolitics & Conflict

Khamenei Dead

According to a source, Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter informed U.S. officials that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike. The reported incident occurred at Khamenei’s compound, though verification is currently pending. This development, if confirmed, would represent a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran.

Statement of Sen. Warner on Military Action in Iran

Senator Mark Warner voiced concern over President Trump’s recent military strikes in Iran, warning of potential escalation and criticizing the lack of consultation with Congress. He emphasized Congress’s constitutional role in war powers and called for transparency and a clear strategy from the administration. Warner cautioned against repeating past mistakes and urged a legal justification for the actions.

Addressing Antigravity Bans and Reinstating Access

Google is addressing recent bans of Antigravity subscribers who used third-party tools, a practice that resulted in permanent account suspensions without warning. The company is now clarifying acceptable usage of third-party tools and access methods for its Gemini models, amid user concerns about overly strict restrictions. Users are advocating for increased transparency, less severe penalties, and more flexibility in interacting with Google’s services.

Death toll of girls’ primary school in southern Iran rises to 40

A U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran has resulted in at least 40 deaths and 45 injuries at a girls’ primary school in Minab. Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, impacting several neighboring countries. The U.S. President publicly called for the overthrow of the Iranian government, significantly escalating tensions in the region.

Iran is in near-total internet blackout

The provided text does not contain any information about Iran experiencing an internet blackout. It only offers instructions on how to use the Mastodon web application. Therefore, a factual summary cannot be generated from this content.

Israel Is Attacking Iran

Reports indicate Israel is currently attacking Iran, with missiles visible from Jordan. A tech entrepreneur in Jordan, amidst the escalating conflict, is reflecting on the precariousness of his work and the broader global context. He urges those in the tech world to consider the sacrifices made by those building in conflict zones.

I’m in Tehran, what do you think will be happen?

Reports from Tehran indicate a large-scale military operation is underway, with residents reporting fighter jets, heavy bombing, and government-imposed communication shutdowns. An individual currently in Tehran has shared videos depicting public reactions to the bombardment. The situation remains unclear, prompting questions about potential future developments.

Cloudflare radar shows Iran internet traffic drop to near zero

Cloudflare Radar data indicates a significant drop in internet traffic within Iran, nearing zero levels. The platform provides tools to monitor internet traffic, outages, and anomalies, allowing users to receive notifications about disruptions. Cloudflare Radar tracks network providers and HTTP requests to provide insights into internet activity in Iran and other regions.

Israel and the U.S. launch strikes against Iran

The U.S. and Israel have launched joint military strikes against Iran, aiming to dismantle its missile program and destabilize the regime. Iran has responded with missile attacks targeting Israel and a U.S. naval base, significantly escalating regional tensions. President Trump has called for the Iranian people to overthrow their government, suggesting a potential prolonged conflict.

US and Israel carrying out strikes against Iran

The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran Saturday morning, prompting Israel to declare a state of emergency. President Trump described the operation as “massive and ongoing,” aimed at preventing Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program and threatening US lives. Explosions were reported in multiple Iranian cities, and retaliation is anticipated.

U.S. and Israel Conduct Strikes on Iran

The United States and Israel have launched coordinated strikes against Iran, resulting in explosions in Tehran and other cities. The attacks, described as “major combat operations,” follow escalating tensions and failed negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program. U.S. and Israeli officials anticipate the campaign to last for several days, as Iran prepares for potential retaliation.

Croatia declared free of landmines after 31 years

Croatia has officially declared itself free of landmines after 31 years, concluding a costly and dangerous demining effort. The process involved removing nearly 107,000 mines and resulted in 208 fatalities, costing approximately 1.2 billion euros. This achievement fulfills a moral obligation and is expected to improve safety and development throughout the country.

🚨 Security & Privacy

Techno‑Feudal Elite Are Attempting to Build a Twenty‑First‑Century Fascist State

The article argues that the United States is increasingly exhibiting characteristics of a new form of fascism, driven by a powerful elite utilizing technology and security measures. This system concentrates power within billionaires and tech companies, eroding democratic institutions and expanding surveillance while creating a stratified society. The authors attribute this shift to failures of neoliberal capitalism and the broader crisis of industrial civilization.

Why consumer choice is stripped away and how the tech industry profits from it

Tech companies are increasingly removing features and restricting user access without providing clear reasons, prioritizing internal goals over user experience. These decisions are often disguised with vague explanations like security concerns to avoid accountability. This practice exploits user acceptance and allows companies to profit while diminishing the overall user experience.

OpenAI – How to delete your account

Users can now permanently delete their OpenAI accounts, which includes access to services like ChatGPT. The deletion process involves a 30-day data removal period, though some data may be retained for legal purposes, and automatically cancels any ChatGPT Plus subscriptions. Once deleted, an account is irreversible, but a new one can be created after 30 days using the same email.

How do I cancel my ChatGPT subscription?

ChatGPT subscribers can cancel their personal or business plans through their online account settings or app stores, with cancellations taking effect after the current billing period. Subscription fees are non-refundable, and users who lose account access can request cancellation through ChatGPT support or permanently delete their account. The instructions provided do not apply to Enterprise or Edu plans.

Samsung Galaxy update removes Android recovery menu tools, including sideloading

Samsung is removing key tools from the Android recovery menu on its Galaxy phones, including options for ADB updates and cache wiping. The change, appearing in February 2026 security updates, may be linked to increased security or prevent software downgrades. This removal could impact users who sideload updates.

From live insects to funeral wreaths: eBay settles cyberstalking and harassment case

Due to technical issues, the provided article content is inaccessible. Therefore, I cannot provide a summary based on the given information.

🤖 AI & Machine Learning

Is GitHub Copilot still relevant in the enterprise?

GitHub Copilot’s popularity in enterprise settings appears to be waning. Many companies that previously adopted Copilot are now exploring alternative AI coding assistants like Claude Code, Devin, and Cursor. The article raises questions about Copilot’s continued relevance within organizations.

Decided to play god this morning, so I built an agent civilisation

A developer has created WERLD, an open-source artificial life simulation where agents evolve without pre-programmed behaviors or reward functions. The simulation uses neural networks and a live dashboard to track the agents’ development, observing phenomena like language, reproduction, and social structures. The project aims to explore emergent behaviors and is available on GitHub for public contribution and observation.

Don’t trust AI agents

The article warns against trusting AI agents, even with security measures like allowlists, and advocates for treating them as potentially malicious. NanoClaw, a new framework, addresses this by isolating each agent in its own container to prevent data leaks and limit damage. The author stresses the importance of simplicity and trusted components, particularly given the risks associated with complex open-source projects.

Stop Burning Your Context Window – How We Cut MCP Output by 98% in Claude Code

Anthropic’s Claude Code has introduced “Context Mode” to dramatically reduce the amount of context window space consumed by its MCP tool interactions. This new system compresses tool outputs by up to 98%, extending session lengths and improving security. The update also enhances knowledge base indexing and utilizes isolated subprocesses to prevent raw data from entering the main conversation context.

China Balances AI Gains With Job Displacement Risks

China is grappling with the potential economic consequences of rapidly adopting AI and automation, which could lead to significant job losses. A recent report warns that this displacement could trigger an economic downturn, particularly given China’s large workforce. Balancing technological progress with maintaining labor stability is now a key challenge for the Chinese government.

AI Chip Limits: Ex-Google Architect Shares Insights

Reiner Pope, former Google TPU architect and current CEO of MatX, is developing specialized chips optimized for Large Language Models. Pope highlights limitations in current AI hardware, specifically an unfavorable trade-off between latency and throughput, which MatX aims to address through innovative chip design. He also discusses the challenges of scaling chip manufacturing and shares predictions for the future of AI.

AI to Slow India’s IT Exports After 24 Years of Growth

A recent report sparked a market downturn by suggesting AI would decimate India’s IT industry, but experts now say the assessment is based on an outdated view. Indian IT firms primarily handle complex system integration and maintenance for large enterprises, tasks that currently exceed AI’s capabilities. While AI will create deflationary pressure, it’s unlikely to replace the core services provided by established Indian IT companies.

AI detection struggles with complex fakes, especially video & audio.

Recent tests of over a dozen AI detection tools reveal varying levels of accuracy in identifying fake images, with many struggling to detect complex manipulations. While some tools can spot basic AI-generated content, few analyze video or audio effectively, highlighting the need for caution when relying on these detectors. Experts recommend corroborating any findings with independent verification methods.

Nvidia to Unveil AI Chip at GTC, OpenAI Among Customers

Nvidia plans to announce a new AI inference chip at its GTC conference in March, incorporating a Groq-designed chip. The system is intended to accelerate AI query processing and will be used by OpenAI, among other customers. This move aims to bolster Nvidia’s position in the increasingly competitive AI landscape.

OpenAI, DOD agree on AI deployment; Altman seeks broader access.

Sam Altman has joined venture capital firm Benchmark, citing a passion for investing in Series A startups and a desire to support founders. He praised Benchmark’s structure and team, emphasizing their principles and track record. Altman also expressed pride in his work at Alt Capital and looks forward to expanding his impact at Benchmark.

Atomic GraphRAG Demo: A Single Query Execution

Atomic GraphRAG simplifies GraphRAG pipelines by consolidating the entire retrieval process into a single Cypher query executed within the Memgraph database. This approach reduces latency, streamlines debugging, and addresses challenges associated with complex, distributed systems. Memgraph 3.8’s enhanced features, like parallelization and concurrent edge writes, are essential for Atomic GraphRAG’s performance and stability.

Packaging AI/ML models as conda packages

This article discusses packaging AI/ML models using conda packages to simplify distribution and management. Conda packaging provides benefits like versioning, dependency management, and caching, ensuring consistent model usage. The technique involves bundling model files within a conda package and leveraging environment variables for easy access.

💻 Development & Tools

Tomoshibi – A writing app where your words fade by firelight

Tomoshibi is a new writing application designed to help writers overcome the urge to constantly edit their work. The app, inspired by the Japanese word for a small light, gradually fades older lines as you write, encouraging forward momentum while still allowing for minor corrections. It’s a browser-based tool with a native Mac app forthcoming, saving progress locally and exporting as text files.

SQLite for Rivet Actors – one database per agent, tenant, or document

Rivet Actors has released a new open-source storage solution using SQLite databases, providing each actor with its own independent database for scalability and isolation. This approach allows for millions of databases per agent, tenant, or document, offering advantages over existing solutions like DynamoDB and Cloudflare Durable Objects. The system is designed for use cases like AI agents, multi-tenant SaaS, and collaborative documents.

Latency numbers every programmer should know

The article presents latency figures for various programming operations, demonstrating significant speed differences between components. Tasks like accessing L1 cache (1ns) are incredibly fast, while disk seeks (1.65ms) and network round trips (up to 150ms) are considerably slower. Understanding these latency numbers is crucial for optimizing software performance.

Gitcredits – movie-style end credits for any Git repo in your terminal

Gitcredits is a new command-line tool that generates movie-style end credits for Git repositories, displaying contributor information, commit history, and project statistics. Requiring Go 1.21+ and optionally the gh CLI, it offers a visually engaging overview of a repository’s development. Users can easily install and run the tool to create these credits directly in their terminal.

Rust Is Just a Tool

The author praises Rust’s capabilities but argues it’s simply a tool, not a measure of a programmer’s skill or moral standing. They caution against overly zealous advocacy within the Rust community and urge acceptance of diverse programming preferences. Ultimately, the author emphasizes that all programming languages are tools and respects alternative choices.

Bootc and OSTree: Modernizing Linux System Deployment

The author transitioned to Fedora Silverblue and adopted OSTree, a technology described as “Git for filesystems,” to improve Linux system deployment reproducibility and consistency. OSTree enables versioned, atomic deployments by storing complete system snapshots and facilitating easy rollbacks, utilizing technologies like ComposeFS and EROFS for data integrity and compression. This approach offers a more robust alternative to traditional methods like Packer and allows for simplified system management.

Custom Data Structures in E-Graphs

A new method enhances the performance of e-graphs, a data structure used for program analysis, by incorporating custom data structures and higher-order functions. This approach avoids altering the core e-graph system, allowing for efficient algebraic representations and code reusability. The technique was demonstrated using the Egglog e-graph framework, built with Rust and Python.

Thinking Deeply About Theming and Color Naming

The article advocates for website designers to move beyond relying on pre-built color palettes, emphasizing the importance of creating custom palettes to establish unique visual identities. It suggests prioritizing sufficient color contrast for accessibility over generating extensive color tones. Ultimately, the author encourages a more design-driven and individualized approach to website theming.

Block the “Upgrade to Tahoe” alerts

Users of macOS Sequoia can now temporarily block update notifications for macOS Tahoe by utilizing device management profiles and a community project called “Stop Tahoe Update.” The process involves creating and installing a configuration profile, deferring major OS updates for up to 90 days. Users can optionally continue receiving notifications for minor updates during this period.

Breeze QtWidgets style changes to help us prepare for Union

Breeze, the default Plasma style, is being updated to align with future design standards and prepare for the upcoming “Union” style engine. These changes primarily focus on visual elements and ensuring compatibility with Union’s theming capabilities by promoting adherence to the QStyle API. The modifications are currently available in the Plasma git master branch and aim to simplify theme development and prevent inconsistencies.

prek: a better pre-commit

Prek is a Rust-based alternative to the popular “pre-commit” framework, aiming for improved speed and dependency-free operation. It offers drop-in compatibility with existing configurations and features like workspace mode and enhanced toolchain management, already adopted by projects like CPython and Apache Airflow. While striving for full compatibility, support for some languages is currently limited.

January in Servo: preloads, better forms, details styling, and more

Servo 0.0.5 introduces a wide range of improvements to web platform features and APIs. Key additions include support for <link blocking>, OGG audio playback, and enhanced cryptography algorithms, alongside network reliability improvements and strengthened mixed content protections. The release also enhances iframe handling and introduces features like the Origin API and improved EventSource connection management.

Debugging Reproducibility Issues in Rust Software

A recent investigation into non-reproducible Rust builds identified an issue stemming from an indirect dependency, mail_parser, which uses a non-deterministic proc macro. The debugging process utilized tools like Diffoscope and a divide-and-conquer strategy to isolate the problem, comparing LLVM IR representations to pinpoint the source. Ultimately, this approach helped trace the inconsistency to a specific dependency and its non-deterministic behavior.

epoll’s handle-centric design is more composable than kqueue’s filter-centric design (2021)

A recent analysis argues that BSD’s kqueue, despite its reputation for superior networking, is a legacy system with design limitations. The author contends that Linux’s epoll offers a more flexible and composable architecture, and kqueue’s widespread adoption was influenced by historical factors within the IRC server community rather than inherent technical advantages. The piece suggests kqueue’s initial innovation has been overshadowed by accumulating technical debt.

15 Years of Indie Dev In 4 Bits of Advice

After 15 years in the indie game development scene, Suspicious Developments prioritized financial sustainability over rapid growth, allowing them to remain independent and consistently release successful games. Their strategy involved maintaining a small team and focusing on testable prototypes to minimize risk and avoid costly coordination issues. This approach, combined with early success, enabled them to thrive without publisher reliance and foster a stable work environment.

Package Managers à la Carte: A Formal Model of Dependency Resolution

Researchers have developed the “Package Calculus,” a formal model unifying the semantics of various package managers across different programming languages and operating systems. This formalism aims to translate and resolve dependencies between disparate ecosystems, improving transparency and addressing fragmentation in software dependencies. The model provides a standardized intermediate representation to bridge the gaps between existing package management solutions.

Can you compile WINE’s notepad.exe for Windows?

The Mastodon web application requires JavaScript to function correctly. Users can enable JavaScript in their browser or explore native Mastodon apps for their specific platform as an alternative. This ensures access to the Mastodon social network.

📰 Business & Policy

Verified Spec-Driven Development

Verified Spec-Driven Development (VSDD) is a novel software engineering methodology that integrates specification, testing, and verification using AI automation. It emphasizes defining provable contracts and robust architectural design upfront, ensuring higher software quality through formal verification. While AI drives the development pipeline, human developers retain oversight and final authority.

The whole thing was a scam

Anthropic, an AI company, was reportedly excluded from a government deal in favor of OpenAI after OpenAI publicly supported Anthropic’s CEO and shortly following a large campaign donation from Anthropic’s founder to Donald Trump’s PAC. The situation suggests a shift away from market-based competition towards a system influenced by political connections and donations. The author argues that the decision unfairly penalized Anthropic and raises concerns about corruption.

The Life Cycle of Money

The article defines money as a claim recorded on a balance sheet, differentiating it from credit, debt, and capital. It explains that modern money derives its value from state acceptance, network effects, and legal enforceability, existing in forms like base money and broad money. Ultimately, money functions as a liability for one entity and an asset for another within a complex financial system.

Customer Update on Simplenote

Simplenote is ceasing active development, and while the app will remain accessible, no new features or improvements are planned. The company expressed gratitude to its users for their continued support. Currently, only the app’s core functionality will be maintained.

No Bookmarks

The author has developed a unique habit of reading books without using a bookmark, relying on memory to recall their place. This practice encourages attentive reading and serves as a memory exercise. The author suggests that discovering personal rituals can be a rewarding path to self-discovery.

Cash issuing terminals

The article explores the historical automation of cash handling in banking, originating from the need to improve record-keeping and security. While IBM played a significant role in early ATM development, their designs ultimately had limited success despite influencing subsequent models. This evolution reflects a broader shift in banking from teller-assisted transactions to automated systems.

$500K exit approved for Bay Area CEO days before harassment findings surface

Rick Callender, CEO of the Valley Water agency, resigned days after allegations of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct surfaced. The board initially voted to retain him as a special advisor, ensuring he continued to receive a substantial salary, before releasing investigative reports detailing the inappropriate behavior. A dissenting board member criticized the board’s actions as unethical and a disservice to residents.

Xiaomi 17 Series & Leitz Phone Launch in Europe

Xiaomi has launched the Xiaomi 17, 17 Ultra, and Leica-branded Leitzphone in Europe, all powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The Xiaomi 17 is a compact flagship, while the 17 Ultra and Leitzphone offer enhanced camera capabilities and premium features. Prices range from €999 to €1,999, positioning them as competitors to high-end smartphones from Apple and Samsung.

Xiaomi Launches Tag & Watch in Europe

Xiaomi has released the Xiaomi 17 series smartphones in collaboration with Leica, featuring a 200-megapixel camera and Leica-inspired software. The company also launched several accessories including an AirTag-like tracker, a smartwatch, and photography kits for the new phones. These devices are now available in Europe, with pricing ranging from €15 to €2000.

Lawsuit Targets Micron’s NY Plant Over Permitting Process

A local group has filed a lawsuit against Micron, challenging the permitting process for its $100 billion semiconductor complex in New York. The lawsuit alleges a rushed environmental review and raises concerns about potential toxic risks and environmental damage associated with the facility. The plaintiffs seek stronger enforcement measures to protect the community and local ecosystem.

💡 Tech & Science

Please do not use auto-scrolling content on the web and in applications

Auto-scrolling elements on websites and apps are creating disruptive audio cues for users of screen readers like TalkBack on Android devices. This issue, which interprets constant scrolling as continuous content, negatively impacts navigation and comprehension for visually impaired, cognitively disabled, and sensitive users. Developers are urged to avoid auto-scrolling or provide controls to pause or stop it to improve accessibility.

Now I Get It – Translate scientific papers into interactive webpages

“Now I Get It!” is a new app designed to simplify the understanding of scientific papers by generating interactive webpages summarizing key highlights. Users can upload articles, which are then processed by AI to create accessible summaries stored in a cloud gallery. The free app currently limits users to 20 articles per day and is intended as a convenient tool for researchers.

SplatHash – A lightweight alternative to BlurHash and ThumbHash

A developer has created SplatHash, a new image placeholder generator designed as a simpler and faster alternative to BlurHash and ThumbHash. The tool is open-source and available on GitHub for those seeking a lightweight solution for image placeholders. It aims to provide a more streamlined approach compared to existing options.

Researchers praise ‘stunning’ results of new prostate cancer treatment

Early trials of the immunotherapy drug VIR-5500 have shown promising results in shrinking tumors and lowering PSA levels in men with advanced prostate cancer who have not responded to other treatments. The drug, designed to minimize side effects, demonstrated significant responses in most patients, with some experiencing complete resolution of cancerous lesions. Researchers are planning further clinical trials to validate these findings and explore the drug’s potential as a new prostate cancer treatment.

Inferring car movement patterns from passive TPMS measurements

A new study reveals that vehicle tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) data can be passively collected to track car movement and characteristics. Using readily available equipment, researchers were able to infer sensitive information from TPMS transmissions, potentially allowing for the monitoring of thousands of vehicles. The findings underscore the need for enhanced TPMS security and privacy protocols in future car designs.

Bird Losses Are Accelerating

A new study reveals that bird populations in the United States are declining at an accelerating rate between 1987 and 2021. The research indicates a strong correlation between these losses and areas with intensive agriculture and warmer climates, though causation hasn’t been established. These findings contribute to growing concerns about the health of bird populations and potential broader environmental issues.

The use of hydroxyapatite toothpaste to prevent dental caries

Hydroxyapatite toothpastes, a fluoride-free option, are emerging as a potential tool for preventing dental caries. These toothpastes contain calcium and phosphate particles that help remineralize weakened enamel and potentially reverse early signs of acid erosion. Research suggests they offer a promising alternative to traditional fluoride treatments, addressing public concerns and promoting enamel repair.

The Science of Detecting LLM-Generated Text

Due to technical issues, the provided news article content is inaccessible. Therefore, a summary cannot be generated. The article’s title indicates it discusses methods for identifying text created by large language models.

The inner workings of TCP zero-copy

TCP zero-copy is a Linux kernel feature introduced in 2017 that minimizes data transfer overhead by eliminating copying between kernel memory and user space buffers. It utilizes APIs like MSG_ZEROCOPY to directly reference user space data, although hardware limitations and asynchronous operations necessitate specific user-space handling for memory management and notifications. Receive-side zero-copy operations are more complex than send-side implementations.