Alvaro Lopez Ortega / 2026-03-02 Briefing

Created Tue, 03 Mar 2026 02:08:15 +0000 Modified Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:02:28 +0000
9435 Words

Significant data exposure vulnerabilities have been found in prescription courier tracking pages, revealing sensitive customer information like addresses and payment details. A security researcher’s attempts to report the flaws were ignored due to a lack of accessible security contacts, preventing remediation. Elsewhere, Python developers are proposing a major upgrade to the type system via PEP 827, aiming to enhance introspection and construction capabilities. A simple type hint in Clojure code unexpectedly resulted in a 13x performance boost for a time synchronization server, highlighting hidden runtime bottlenecks. Finally, a new, dependency-free Swift framework, TUIkit, simplifies Terminal User Interface development.

🚀 Space & Hardware

Plasma Bigscreen - 10-foot interface for KDE plasma

Plasma Bigscreen is a free, open-source Linux interface designed for TVs, HTPCs, and set-top boxes, built on the KDE Plasma platform. It offers a customizable and TV-friendly experience, allowing users to install apps, personalize the interface, and control their system with various input methods. The project aims to provide a privacy-respecting alternative to traditional TV operating systems.

Exploring and Modernizing The VFX Methods of Diablo 3

A Diablo 3 visual effects technique, presented at GDC 2013, uses a formula multiplying textures with alpha channels to create complex, mesmerizing motion. This method randomizes texture positions and scroll speeds to avoid repeating patterns and often incorporates custom noise and mask textures. While effective, implementing this technique in game engines like Unreal Engine can be challenging and requires careful attention to detail.

Linux Headed Back to Space

Linux and readily available commercial hardware are increasingly replacing traditional, custom-built systems in space exploration, driving innovation and lowering costs. Initially introduced in 1996, Linux now powers satellites and equipment on the International Space Station, demonstrating its reliability in harsh environments. This shift marks a transition from expensive “Old Space” technology to a more flexible and economically viable “New Space” approach.

Building a Quake PC

The author undertook a project to build a “Quake PC,” replicating a gaming setup from the late 1990s to experience the evolution of the game and its technologies. The build involved sourcing vintage components like CPUs, graphics cards, and RAM, presenting challenges in compatibility and motherboard selection. The project aims to benchmark various hardware configurations and explore the advancements in gaming technology during that era.

Hardware hotplug events on Linux, the gory details

Linux systems use udev to manage hardware hotplug events, relying on the netlink protocol for communication between the kernel and userspace. Developers can monitor device connection and disconnection events without directly using libudev by leveraging netlink’s multicast capabilities and socket programming. This approach helps avoid race conditions and allows for flexible event handling.

ByteDance’s “Swan” Headset & Pico OS 6 Unveiled

ByteDance’s Pico unveiled “Project Swan,” a high-end XR headset boasting a 4,000 PPI micro-OLED display and a custom chip for enhanced performance, aiming to compete with leading headsets like Apple Vision Pro. The device will run Pico OS 6, a new XR operating system enabling the simultaneous use of 2D and 3D applications. Further details regarding the chipset and form factor remain undisclosed, though a launch is expected later this year.

Apple Updates iPad Air with M4 Chip, Starts at $599

Apple has updated the iPad Air with its new M4 chip, offering a significant performance boost with an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU. The new iPad Air comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, starting at $599 and $799 respectively, and includes enhanced connectivity with a new N1 chip. It also features 12GB of unified memory and support for iPadOS 26.

Nvidia’s $4 Billion Photonics Investment

Nvidia is investing a total of $4 billion, with $2 billion each, in Coherent and Lumentum to secure a supply of silicon photonics components vital for its data center and AI networking businesses. The investments will fund U.S.-based manufacturing and research & development at the suppliers, bolstering Nvidia’s supply chain and supporting domestic production. This strategic move aims to meet growing demand for high-speed AI processing and interconnects.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite powers AI smartwatches

Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon Wear Elite, a new chip for wearables featuring a dedicated neural processing unit for on-device AI capabilities like real-time voice assistance and personalized health coaching. The chip offers significant performance upgrades, including faster CPU and GPU speeds, alongside improved battery life and rapid charging. Major smartwatch manufacturers like Samsung, Google, and Motorola are expected to release devices powered by the new platform in the coming months.

Battery battle: EU bets on local production to take on China

The European Union is aiming to boost its domestic battery production to compete with China’s dominance in the market. This initiative seeks to secure a local supply chain for batteries crucial to electric vehicles and energy storage. The plan involves significant investment and support for European battery manufacturers.

OctaPulse (YC W26) – Robotics and computer vision for fish farming

OctaPulse is a startup using robotics and computer vision to automate fish inspection in hatcheries, addressing a labor-intensive process in the $350 billion aquaculture industry. The company, founded by Rohan and Paul, is currently deployed with the largest trout producer in North America and aims to improve data visibility and genetics in fish farming. Their technology utilizes custom robotics and edge computing to handle the unique challenges of operating in wet, corrosive environments while ensuring the safe handling of live fish.

Geran-3 Drone Disassembly

A detailed breakdown of the Geran-3 drone has revealed 45 individual components and their manufacturers. The UAV’s parts include systems from SADRA and Comet, a Telefly turbojet engine, and components from Bosch and SunnySky. This comprehensive list provides insight into the drone’s technical specifications and global supply chain.

iPhone 17e

Apple is currently offering various incentives to encourage iPhone purchases, including trade-in credits, carrier deals up to $799, and interest-free payment options. Customers can also benefit from personalized setup assistance, flexible delivery options, and live shopping support through the Apple Store app. The company is emphasizing its commitment to privacy and accessibility throughout the shopping experience.

Computer-generated dream world: Virtual reality for a 286 processor

A hobbyist successfully simulated a vintage 286 processor using a Raspberry Pi and custom hardware. The project involved creating an adapter board and utilizing an IO expander to overcome pin limitations of the Raspberry Pi. The goal was to explore the possibility of recreating a computer’s functionality and memory using a basic processor.

Fly me to the Moon: NASA reshuffles the Artemis card deck

NASA has delayed the first crewed lunar landing to Artemis IV, now planned for 2028, and Artemis III will instead focus on a lunar lander checkout in Earth orbit. This revision addresses safety concerns raised by an advisory panel and adjusts commercial lander development timelines. The changes also involve potential replacements for key components of the Space Launch System.

Memory scalpers hunt scarce DRAM with bot blitz

Web scraping bots are aggressively targeting websites to track scarce DRAM inventory, submitting millions of requests to identify sellers. These bots employ techniques like cache busting and potentially AI to circumvent anti-bot measures and secure access to the latest availability data. The goal is to purchase the limited DRAM supply and resell it for profit, worsening the ongoing memory shortage and driving up prices.

💻 Dev & Tech

TUIkit: Terminal UI Framework for Swift

TUIkit is a new, dependency-free Swift framework for creating Terminal User Interfaces (TUIs) with a syntax similar to SwiftUI. It supports macOS and Linux, offers theming options and built-in components, and utilizes modern Swift standards with extensive documentation. The framework aims to simplify TUI development with a familiar and accessible approach.

The 185-Microsecond Type Hint

Adding a simple type hint to a Clojure function unexpectedly boosted the throughput of a secure time synchronization server by a factor of 13. Profiling revealed that a generic function call, involving runtime type checking and reflection, created a significant performance bottleneck. The optimization involved replacing a sequence of method calls with a single, more efficient bytecode instruction.

PEP 827 – Type Manipulation

PEP 827 proposes adding advanced type-level introspection and construction capabilities to Python’s type system, drawing inspiration from TypeScript. The draft aims to bridge the gap between Python’s metaprogramming capabilities and its static type system, addressing limitations identified in a recent developer survey. This would involve introducing new primitives in the typing module and broadening annotation syntax without altering Python’s grammar.

State of Haskell 2025 results

The recently revived State of Haskell 2025 survey revealed increased participation compared to 2022, with over 72% of respondents currently using Haskell. Nearly half of those surveyed began using Haskell within the last six years, though a significant portion (almost 49%) desire to use it professionally but do not. The survey also indicated a high drop-off rate within the first year of use, suggesting potential onboarding challenges.

getopt: Go package for POSIX/GNU-style command line parsing

The getopt package provides a Go implementation for parsing command-line arguments in POSIX and GNU styles. It distinguishes itself by dynamically processing options through a handler function, avoiding the need for upfront definition. This design prioritizes error handling and aligns with common Go programming practices.

You can’t always fix it

A security researcher discovered significant data exposure vulnerabilities in prescription courier tracking pages, including customer addresses, payment information, and delivery routes. Despite multiple attempts to report these issues, the companies lacked accessible security contacts and ignored the researcher’s efforts. The researcher ultimately chose not to publicly disclose the companies’ names to avoid legal repercussions.

Reverse engineering “Hello World” in QuickBASIC 3.0

A reverse engineering project analyzed a “Hello, World!” program compiled in QuickBASIC 3.0, revealing a surprisingly large executable size (8,000 assembly instructions) due to compiler limitations and the need for a runtime module. The analysis aimed to understand QuickBASIC’s technology and potentially apply the findings to analyze other QuickBASIC-compiled games. The undertaking highlights the complexities of early BASIC compilers and their resulting binaries.

What 127.5 million forms can tell you about the state of front-end input validation on the Web

A recent analysis of 127.5 million forms found on the web reveals that roughly 27.8% utilize regular expressions for input validation. Surprisingly, over 40% of these regular expressions are redundant with standard HTML input types. The study underscores the widespread use of basic, often duplicated, regex patterns for front-end validation across websites.

2025 State of Rust Survey Results | Rust Blog

The 2025 State of Rust survey, with over 7,100 responses, reveals continued reliance on the stable Rust compiler and growing adoption of recently stabilized features. Concerns remain regarding resource usage and compile times, while the survey noted an increased use of LLMs for learning Rust. The full report highlights several key trends and areas for future improvement within the Rust ecosystem.

JSON Documents Performance, Storage and Search: MongoDB vs PostgreSQL

The article compares MongoDB, a document database, with PostgreSQL, a relational database, focusing on their performance with JSON documents. While MongoDB was initially optimized for document storage, PostgreSQL has significantly improved its JSON support and now offers a more versatile database solution. The analysis examines the performance of both systems using specific test schemas for accounts and products to determine which excels in handling JSON data.

APT Graph Colouring

A Python script has been developed to solve graph coloring problems by transforming them into Debian package dependency resolution tasks. The script utilizes the APT package manager to find valid color assignments by representing graph nodes as packages and edges as dependency conflicts. Users can generate Debian repositories and solve coloring problems, or simply generate repositories, using the provided script and standard graph instances.

Narwhal v0.5.0 – pub/sub messaging server, now powered by io_uring

Narwhal, a lightweight pub/sub server, has released version 0.5.0 featuring a significant shift to the monoio runtime, enabling io_uring operation on Linux. This update also includes added sequence and timestamp fields for messages and a command for channel deletion. The project remains in alpha, with developers seeking feedback to optimize performance.

Kovan: From Production MVCC Systems to Wait-Free Memory Reclamation

After years of experience with high-performance transactional systems, the author discovered limitations with lock-free memory reclamation that could lead to memory accumulation issues. To address this, they developed Kovan, a new Rust implementation based on the Crystalline paper, offering wait-free memory reclamation for improved performance and memory efficiency. Kovan aims to eliminate the potential problems associated with lock-free approaches by guaranteeing bounded execution time for all operations.

Sabela: A Reactive Haskell Notebook

Sabela is a new reactive notebook environment for Haskell designed to improve upon existing tools like iHaskell. It utilizes a GHCi subprocess for evaluation, prioritizing reactivity and closely mirroring GHCi semantics while simplifying package management. The project aims to address issues of inconsistent results and hidden state often found in traditional Haskell notebooks through automatic cell recomputation.

Hacking Super Mario 64 using covering spaces (+ hyperbolic geometry)

The article explains a topological concept called “covering spaces,” which are used to map one space onto another, illustrated with examples like a doughnut and the video game Super Mario 64. A “universal cover” is a specific type of covering space that offers a foundational structure, unique up to homeomorphism. This concept has been utilized within the Super Mario 64 community to understand and exploit the game’s underlying structure for speedrunning techniques.

Claude AI Errors and Outages

Anthropic’s Claude AI platform is currently experiencing a widespread outage, resulting in elevated error rates, failed requests, and inconsistent responses across all platforms. The company is working to implement a fix, though a resolution timeline remains unknown. To keep users informed, Anthropic is now offering subscription-based real-time update notifications via email and SMS.

Ethereum Overhaul: Buterin Proposes New Execution Layer Plan

Vitalik Buterin has outlined a two-part plan to significantly upgrade Ethereum’s execution layer, focusing on scalability and future development. The plan includes transitioning to a binary state tree (EIP-7864) to improve proving efficiency and, eventually, replacing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V. While the binary tree is actively being developed, the VM transition remains a longer-term goal with ongoing considerations.

Microsoft Creative Writer (1993)

The article details two methods for disabling ad blockers. Users can globally disable ad blockers through their browser extensions or temporarily bypass them on specific websites using a site’s notification. If issues persist, refreshing the page is recommended.

I built a sub-500ms latency voice agent from scratch

A developer has created a voice agent from scratch achieving an average latency of approximately 400 milliseconds. Key to the system’s performance was semantic end-of-turn detection, streaming STT-LLM-TTS pipelines, and minimizing the time-to-first-token (TTFT) using hardware like Groq. The developer emphasizes the importance of co-location to minimize latency and optimize the user experience.

Running Mainline Linux, U-Boot, and Mesa on Rockchip: A Year in Review

A recent presentation at FOSDEM highlighted significant advancements in mainline software support for Rockchip SoCs, including Vulkan 1.4 and RK3576 support. This development eliminates the need for custom device images and offers a cost-effective, long-term software solution, particularly relevant given current economic pressures and a desire for longer-lasting devices. The progress is seen as a stepping stone toward future designs and sustainable consumer electronics.

Notes on Lagrange Interpolating Polynomials

Polynomial interpolation is a technique used to find a polynomial function that passes through a given set of data points. Two common methods include solving a linear system using a Vandermonde matrix or constructing Lagrange basis functions, guaranteeing a unique polynomial of a specific degree. This resulting polynomial can then be used to estimate values between known data points.

A bit of fluid mechanics from scratch not from scratch

The author explores fundamental fluid mechanics principles through thought experiments, initially questioning how pressure gradients exist without causing motion. They found that pressure gradients are counteracted by gravity in static situations and encountered complexities modeling fluid flow from a tank with a spout. The analysis highlights the limitations of simplified velocity assumptions when analyzing fluid acceleration.

Parallel coding agents with tmux and Markdown specs

A developer has created a system using tmux, Markdown files, and custom commands to manage multiple parallel coding agents, each focused on specific development tasks. This setup utilizes detailed “Feature Design” documents to outline problem-solving approaches and implementation plans, allowing for simultaneous work on 4-8 coding roles. The system tracks the lifecycle of these designs with slash commands and links code changes back to their corresponding design documents.

Anthropic Cowork feature creates 10GB VM bundle on macOS without warning

The Claude Desktop app for macOS is experiencing performance issues, including high CPU usage and slowdowns, after using the cowork feature. This is linked to a large, automatically regenerating 10GB virtual machine bundle that isn’t being cleaned up, potentially causing a memory leak. Users are advised to manually delete associated files as a temporary workaround.

OpenClaw surpasses React to become the most-starred software project on GitHub

OpenClaw, a relatively new software project, has surpassed React to become the most-starred non-aggregator project on GitHub. The project achieved this milestone in less than four months, gaining over 250,000 stars and dethroning React, which held the title for years. This marks a remarkable rise for OpenClaw within the GitHub community.

AMD Am386 released March 2, 1991

AMD’s release of the Am386, a 386 clone, was significantly delayed until 1991 due to IBM’s initial rejection of the 386 chip. This rejection prevented Intel from granting AMD manufacturing rights, forcing AMD to reverse engineer the chip and leading to an eight-year legal battle with Intel. The resulting legal disputes drained AMD’s resources and significantly delayed their market entry.

Claude Code LSP

Claude Code currently uses a slow text-based search method, significantly impacting code navigation speed. Enabling the Language Server Protocol (LSP), which is disabled by default, dramatically improves performance, reducing query times from seconds to milliseconds. This enhancement provides code intelligence similar to IDEs, allowing for more accurate and efficient code navigation.

No one wants to read your AI slop

The article discourages sharing AI chatbot conversations, deeming them generally uninteresting and potentially rude to others. It criticizes using AI to generate commentary for strangers, arguing it’s an inappropriate request for unpaid labor and demonstrates a lack of genuine comprehension. Ultimately, relying on AI for intellectual tasks can hinder understanding and disrespect thoughtful work.

Jolla phone – a full-stack European alternative

The Jolla Phone, a community-developed Linux smartphone, is set to launch in September 2026 in select European markets. It will offer a privacy-focused alternative with Sailfish OS 5, 8GB of RAM (upgradable to 12GB), and a design reminiscent of the original 2013 Jolla Phone, with an initial production run limited to 1000 units. The project prioritizes user control, privacy, and long-term software support.

Omni – Open-source workplace search and chat, built on Postgres

Omni is a new open-source, self-hosted workplace search and chat platform designed as an alternative to Glean, built entirely on Postgres. The platform connects to various apps like Google Workspace and Slack, offering both traditional search and an AI-powered chat interface. Developers are seeking feedback on the beta release, particularly regarding scalability and self-hosting experiences.

ConfigClarity – Visualize cron overlaps before they crash your server

A new tool called ConfigClarity helps users visualize and prevent overlapping cron jobs that can exhaust server resources. The client-side application analyzes cron schedules, displaying a 24-hour timeline with overlap detection and server load warnings, all without requiring an account or sharing data. Developers are seeking feedback from users who manage cron jobs in production environments.

DeepSeek to release long-awaited AI model in new challenge to US rivals

DeepSeek is preparing to release a new AI model, aiming to compete with leading US-based AI companies. The launch is generating significant anticipation and could disrupt the current AI market. The Financial Times is offering subscriptions for full article access and analysis.

Timber – Ollama for classical ML models, 336x faster than Python

Timber is a compiler that optimizes tree-based machine learning models like XGBoost and LightGBM into native C code, enabling significantly faster inference speeds—up to 336 times faster than Python. It provides a local HTTP API for serving these compiled models, eliminating the need for a Python runtime and reducing latency to the microsecond range. This tool is designed for performance-critical applications such as fraud detection and edge computing.

If AI writes code, should the session be part of the commit?

git-memento is a Git extension designed to track and document AI assistance during coding sessions. It automatically attaches AI conversation details as Git notes to commits, creating human-readable markdown records for transparency and reproducibility. The tool simplifies sharing and synchronizing these notes with remote repositories, enhancing collaborative development workflows.

Generic methods arrive in Golang, but they weren’t the top dev demand

The Go programming language has approved generic methods, reversing a previous decision and adding a long-requested feature for code organization. However, these methods cannot currently be used to implement interfaces, a key limitation acknowledged by developers. This change reflects broader feedback indicating a desire for other features like enums and exception handling, demonstrating ongoing language evolution.

Windows 11 tops market share as 10 faces extended farewell

Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, now accounting for over 72% of users. However, a significant number of servers still run Windows Server 2016, delaying upgrades due to complex dependencies and Microsoft’s upcoming end-of-life support for these versions. This situation presents challenges for organizations reliant on Extended Security Updates or facing migration barriers.

Firefox 149 beta develops a split personality

The latest beta of Firefox 149 introduces a default split view feature, allowing users to view two web pages side-by-side. This feature has been previously tested but is now enabled by default in the beta version. Users are advised to back up their Firefox profile before installing the beta due to potential compatibility issues.

Server crashes traced to one very literal knee-jerk reaction

A telemarketing company experienced recurring server crashes that baffled IT professionals until the cause was discovered: an employee’s accidental knee strikes on the reset button while standing up. To avoid embarrassment, the team concealed the unusual reason and reported the issue as resolved. The incident highlights the unexpected and often humorous origins of technical problems.

🌐 Business & Finance

Free IP Geolocation Data

Cloud 66 has launched a free, daily-updated IP geolocation database in MMDB format, covering both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. The database, released under a CC BY 4.0 license, provides ASN, country, and continent data without usage restrictions or license keys, and is designed for broad compatibility and use. Users are encouraged to provide feedback to help improve its accuracy.

Rail Settlement Plan Barcode Specs

Documents detailing the specifications for UK railway barcoded tickets have been released following Freedom of Information Act requests. The released materials, including PDFs and Excel files, outline the technical layout of these tickets. This disclosure resulted from appeals made to the General Regulatory Chamber.

MongoDB Revenue Surges, Forecast Weak; Stock Plunges 22%+

MongoDB reported a 27% year-over-year increase in Q4 revenue to $695.1 million, exceeding expectations. However, the company’s forecast for Q1 adjusted earnings per share fell below analysts’ estimates, causing the stock to drop over 22% in after-hours trading. The disappointing guidance overshadowed the positive revenue results.

PayPal IPO: Aims for up to $1.1B, $13.4B valuation.

PayPay, a Japanese payments app backed by SoftBank, is proceeding with a U.S. IPO aiming to raise up to $1.1 billion and achieve a valuation of up to $13.4 billion. The company, which boasts 72 million users, will list on Nasdaq under the symbol “PAYP” and is supported by several cornerstone investors. This IPO could potentially boost confidence in the currently volatile U.S. market.

Cursor Revenue Doubles to $2B, Driven by Corporate Clients

AI coding startup Cursor reportedly reached an annualized revenue of $2 billion in February, doubling its sales in just three months. Approximately 60% of this revenue is attributed to corporate clients, demonstrating strong market adoption. The information comes from a source with access to Cursor’s private financials.

PayPay IPO Delayed Amid Iran Strike Fears

PayPay, a Japanese payments app owned by SoftBank, has delayed its Nasdaq IPO roadshow due to market volatility following attacks on Iran. The postponement prevents meetings with investors and filing of an updated prospectus, impacting the planned listing. This is the second time PayPay has delayed its IPO, previously facing setbacks due to a U.S. government shutdown.

Anduril Startup Soars: $31B Valuation, $6B Contracts

Palmer Luckey’s defense technology startup, Anduril, has secured over $6 billion in contracts and generated roughly $2 billion in revenue last year, valuing the company at approximately $31 billion. The company is developing autonomous weapons systems and gaining significant support from military officials and lawmakers seeking to modernize the U.S. military. Luckey, known for his casual appearance, aims to provide cost-effective and advanced technology to national defense.

X Adds “Paid Partnership” Label for Sponsored Posts

X has introduced a “Paid Partnership” label for creators to clearly identify sponsored posts, replacing the previous reliance on hashtags. The new feature aims to improve content authenticity and comply with advertising regulations requiring disclosures. This move is part of X’s broader efforts to attract creators and combat deceptive practices on the platform.

AWS to Invest €18B More in Spain, Totaling €33.7B

Amazon Web Services will invest an additional €18 billion in Aragon, Spain, bringing its total investment to €33.7 billion. The expansion will include facilities for server manufacturing, assembly, and recycling, creating approximately 1,800 direct jobs. AWS data centers in Aragon have been powered by 100% renewable energy since 2022.

Firmus lands multi-billion deal, building Melbourne data center.

Firmus Technologies, an Australian AI infrastructure company, has secured a multi-billion dollar contract to build a Melbourne data center. The facility will house 18,400 Nvidia GB300 chips and serves a yet-unnamed global technology firm. This deal precedes a potential IPO for Firmus later this year.

Crypto mixers’ share on Ethereum jumps 50%, despite biting sanctions

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Bars close and hundreds lose jobs as US firm buys Brewdog in £33M deal

Brewdog has been acquired by US firm Tilray in a £33 million deal, saving parts of its UK operations but leading to the closure of 38 bars and 484 job losses. The deal excludes Brewdog’s German arm, which will be liquidated, and Equity for Punks investors will not receive a return. Tilray plans to expand the brand internationally while negotiations continue for Brewdog’s assets in the US and Australia.

Judge finalizes order for Greenpeace to pay $345M in ND oil pipeline case

A North Dakota judge has finalized an order requiring Greenpeace to pay $345 million to Energy Transfer, the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, following a jury verdict related to 2016-2017 protests. The original award was reduced from $667 million by the judge, who upheld some claims against Greenpeace. Greenpeace plans to appeal the decision, claiming the lawsuit is an attempt to suppress criticism.

Can Europe break free of Visa and Mastercard? MEPs stall digital euro

Progress on the European digital euro is currently stalled in the European Parliament due to disagreements over its scope, potentially limiting it to offline use only. This deadlock prevents the legislation from advancing, despite broad support and pressure from Germany and the European Commission. The delay risks hindering the EU’s efforts to reduce dependence on US-based payment networks like Visa and Mastercard.

SAP has agreed to pay Teradata $480 million to resolve a lengthy legal dispute concerning intellectual property and antitrust allegations originating from a 2008 joint venture. The settlement, which will result in Teradata receiving approximately $355-$362 million net, ends years of litigation and appeals. Both companies will now request the court to dismiss all related claims.

🛡️ Security & Privacy

How to Use an iPad as a Secure Calling and Messaging Device

This article provides a guide for enhancing the security and privacy of Wi-Fi-only iPads by avoiding cellular networks and utilizing specific device features. It argues that iPads, unlike cell phones, can be configured for more secure communication by eliminating vulnerabilities associated with cellular technology and SIM card registration. The guide cautions against using older iPod Touch devices due to security flaws and emphasizes the importance of strong encryption for protecting communications.

Apple AI, Google, and Privacy

Apple is reportedly transitioning some Siri processing to Google’s servers, utilizing Google’s infrastructure and expertise in large language models. This shift is driven by Apple’s struggles to scale its own AI infrastructure and address low adoption of its Apple Intelligence, leaving its servers underutilized. The arrangement aims to enhance Siri’s capabilities while maintaining Apple’s privacy standards.

This purchase order PDF is fake, malicious, and after your password

A deceptive PDF disguised as a purchase order is circulating online, attempting to steal users’ passwords. The malicious file requires JavaScript and cookies to function, indicating it’s designed to exploit browser vulnerabilities. Users are advised to be extremely cautious about opening unexpected PDFs and to verify the sender’s authenticity.

The workers behind Meta’s smart glasses can see everything

Meta’s new AI smart glasses, despite being marketed as privacy-focused, rely on a workforce of data annotators in Kenya who review sensitive video recordings. These workers have revealed that the glasses often capture private moments, including highly personal activities, without the subjects’ consent. The situation highlights the dependence on low-wage labor in developing countries to train AI technology.

uBlock filter list to blur all Instagram Reels

A new uBlock filter list is available that blurs all Instagram Reels and content from accounts users don’t follow. This filter works on both desktop and mobile devices using uBO Lite. The list effectively removes unwanted video content from the Instagram experience.

Flock license plate readers cost city big, deliver little

A San Diego police report found that over 244,000 searches using the Flock license plate reader system in 2025 led to only 361 cases, resulting in a 99.85% ineffective search rate. The system is projected to cost over $2 million in 2026, raising concerns about the financial burden and effectiveness of mass surveillance. Critics argue that the city is prioritizing surveillance despite its minimal impact on investigations and significant cost to taxpayers.

An Interesting Find: STM32 RDP1 Decryptor

A device has emerged on the Xianyu marketplace that bypasses the RDP1 security on STM32 microcontrollers, enabling users to extract flash memory. The USB dongle, costing around 19 EUR, simplifies a previously complex process and circumvents existing security measures. This ease of use raises security and development concerns within the microcontroller community.

$10K Bounty to Anyone Who Can Hack Ring Cameras to Stop Sharing Data with Amazon

Following backlash against Amazon’s Ring doorbell commercial and privacy concerns, the Fulu Foundation is offering a $10,000+ bounty to anyone who can hack Ring cameras to prevent data sharing with Amazon. The initiative aims to empower users to control their device footage locally and address concerns about connected home technology. Participants must develop a solution that is user-friendly, utilizes readily available tools, and maintains essential device functionality.

/e/OS is a complete “deGoogled”, mobile ecosystem

/e/OS is an open-source mobile operating system designed as a privacy-focused alternative to Android by removing Google services and apps. It maintains compatibility with Android applications while offering features like tracker detection, ad blocking, and a privacy-enhanced online ecosystem including its own search engine. The system is supported by Murena, providing centralized data management and parental control features.

An interactive intro to Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) offers a modern alternative to traditional public-key systems like RSA, achieving comparable security with significantly smaller key sizes. ECC leverages the unique mathematical properties of elliptic curves—equations that create distinctive looping shapes—to encrypt messages and establish secure communication. This method relies on a specific algebraic structure that makes reversing calculations extremely difficult, enhancing security.

Everett shuts down Flock camera network after judge rules footage public record

Following a court ruling classifying Flock license plate reader footage as a public record, the City of Everett, Washington, has temporarily deactivated its 68 cameras due to privacy concerns. The ruling arose from a public records request and raised fears about potential misuse of the data by criminals or stalkers. State lawmakers are currently considering a bill to exempt Flock footage from public records law, which could lead to the cameras being reactivated.

UK government’s Vulnerability Monitoring System is working - fixes flow far faster

A new UK government system, the Vulnerability Monitoring System, has significantly reduced the time to fix DNS vulnerabilities in public sector websites, decreasing remediation time from 50 to 8 days. Firefox 148 introduced a new Sanitizer API to mitigate certain cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, while the US FTC announced it will not enforce COPPA regulations against websites using age verification technology.

📰 Geopolitics & Society

Quantifying the Swiss marriage tax

Swiss voters are considering a proposal to eliminate the practice of married couples filing taxes jointly, a system often called a “marriage tax” that can result in higher tax burdens. The current system involves a complex interplay of federal, cantonal, and municipal taxes, with varying formulas. An analysis aims to quantify the financial impact on couples under the existing joint filing system.

Beloved esports commentator Felix Lindner dies

Felix “FX” Lindner, founder and owner of Recurity Labs, passed away on March 1, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of ethical and people-focused security practices. He was widely recognized within the security community for prioritizing these values and technical excellence. Recurity Labs will continue operations, honoring Lindner’s wishes to maintain his commitment to professionalism and integrity.

Anthropic Bids for $100M Drone Swarm Tech Contest

Anthropic submitted a bid for a $100 million Pentagon competition focused on developing voice-controlled drone swarming technology. The move occurred during negotiations with the Defense Department regarding restrictions on military AI usage. Following the submission, the Pentagon has prohibited its contractors from working with Anthropic due to concerns about commercial activity.

US Agencies Ditch Anthropic, Switching to OpenAI

Several U.S. government agencies, including the Treasury and State Departments, are ending their use of Anthropic’s AI products following a directive from President Trump. The State Department will switch to OpenAI’s GPT4.1 for its chatbot, while the Defense Department will phase out Anthropic products over six months. This move is attributed to concerns about technology safeguards and supply chain risks.

US Caps Nvidia Chip Sales to China

The US government is considering limiting Chinese companies to 75,000 Nvidia H200 AI chips each, impacting Nvidia’s sales in China. This restriction would also apply to similar chips from AMD, effectively capping total purchases of advanced AI accelerators. The move aims to further restrict China’s access to cutting-edge AI technology.

AI Safety and Military Control

Reflecting on personal experiences of loss and birth, the author argues that the American republic is undergoing a slow decline akin to a hospice phase. This perspective informs a broader view of current issues, exemplified by a recent conflict between AI company Anthropic and the Department of Defense regarding control over AI development. The piece suggests a necessary, albeit painful, realistic assessment of national and technological trajectories.

Iran Disrupts Global Shipping and Deliveries

Escalating tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel are significantly disrupting shipping and air cargo routes in the Middle East, leading to delivery delays for major retailers like Amazon, Shein, and Temu. These disruptions are primarily impacting trade between Asia and Europe, increasing costs and extending shipping windows, and pose a potential risk to the global technology market should the conflict worsen. Companies are responding by suspending or rerouting services to mitigate the impact.

Zhao Memoir Reveals Secret Talks, ICE Encounter Before Imprisonment

A draft of Changpeng Zhao’s memoir reveals secret negotiations in 2023 that preceded his guilty plea and imprisonment for violating anti-money-laundering statutes. The memoir details his interactions with federal prosecutors, who sought a $6.8 billion penalty for Binance, and recounts a surprising encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Zhao’s forthcoming book promises a detailed, personal account of the legal proceedings and his time in prison.

White House stalls release of approved US science budgets

The White House is delaying the release of approved federal research funding for agencies like NIH, NSF, and NASA, citing a need for responsible spending and alignment with White House priorities. This delay, enabled by a revised OMB policy, is restricting agency spending and slowing research progress. Congressional Democrats are criticizing the move as an unusual and potentially unlawful departure from established procedure.

I simulated 1200 Iranian missiles attacking air defences in a browser

A developer has created a browser-based simulation, airdefense.dev, capable of modeling various missile attacks and air defense systems. The simulation now includes a scenario replicating recent Iranian attacks in the Middle East. While optimized for performance, the tool functions best on more powerful computers.

Prolonged U.S.-Iran conflict could trigger major energy shock in eurozone

A prolonged U.S.-Iran conflict poses a significant risk to the eurozone economy due to its reliance on imported energy. ING warns that rising energy prices and potential supply disruptions could exacerbate existing economic uncertainties and complicate the European Central Bank’s monetary policy decisions. The severity of the impact will depend on whether the conflict remains localized or escalates.

Civis Romanus Sum

In 70 BC, Roman citizen Publius Gavius was illegally flogged and crucified after denouncing corruption, violating the legal protection afforded to Roman citizens against arbitrary punishment. This principle, enforced by the threat of Roman retribution, was crucial for the Republic’s stability and later protected figures like Paul. The incident highlights parallels to contemporary power dynamics, suggesting a reliance on implicit guarantees and a perception of untouchability.

Three US fighter jets shot down in ‘friendly fire’ in Kuwait

Three U.S. F-15 fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses during combat with Iranian aircraft. All six crew members survived the incident, which occurred amidst escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Kuwait has confirmed the event but has not yet provided a cause for the friendly fire incident.

Mexico Mandates Biometric SIM Registration for All Phone Numbers

Mexico is requiring all active cell phone numbers to be registered with biometric data and a government-issued ID by July 2026, effectively eliminating anonymous SIM card usage. The initiative, enforced through the CURP Biométrica system, aims to reduce fraud but raises concerns about privacy and potential government surveillance. Failure to register will result in service suspension.

Govbase – Follow a bill from source text to news bias to social posts

Govbase is a new free tool that tracks federal legislation and regulations, providing plain-language summaries and analyzing their potential impact on demographic groups. It connects official policy documents to related news coverage and social media posts from politicians across various platforms. Users can now follow a bill’s journey from its original text to its portrayal in the media and political discourse.

Schools weren’t broken until Silicon Valley used lie to convince them they were

Utah’s standardized test scores have declined significantly since 2014, coinciding with increased classroom technology and computer-adaptive testing. Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath argues this trend reflects a global pattern linking increased screen time to lower test scores and diminished cognitive abilities in students. He attributes the decline to the detrimental impact of educational technology, suggesting it has weakened learning environments.

US set to lose measles elimination status after cases soar

The United States is poised to lose its measles elimination status due to a recent surge in cases and outbreaks across multiple states. Experts attribute this to re-established domestic transmission, largely driven by vaccine hesitancy. This would be the first time the US has lost this designation since 2000, with a formal determination expected in April from the Pan American Health Organization.

The Reason So Many Autistic Adults Can’t Stay Employed

Rising unemployment among autistic adults is linked to modern job market demands, not solely individual deficits. Employers increasingly expect employees to handle multiple roles and constantly self-promote, creating unsustainable pressure. This “role-stacking” and relentless focus on productivity disproportionately impacts autistic individuals who often excel in focused, specialized tasks.

U.S. science agency moves to restrict foreign scientists from its labs

Due to security concerns, the U.S. science agency is implementing new restrictions on foreign scientists working in its laboratories. These measures aim to limit access to sensitive research and data. The specific details and implementation process are currently being developed.

Iran attacks RAF base in Cyprus, an EU country

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How to talk to anyone and why you should

A recent reflection on everyday interactions reveals a decline in casual conversations with strangers, potentially due to technology and social pressures. The author highlights positive, brief encounters and suggests many people are hesitant to initiate these connections, missing out on potential benefits. This reluctance, they argue, reflects a broader loss of willingness to take social risks.

Photos show China’s low-cost lifestyle in semiabandoned housing complexes

Following China’s real estate market downturn and Evergrande’s bankruptcy, the “Life in Venice” housing complex near Shanghai has become largely abandoned. Despite the decline, a small number of residents are now attracted to the complex for its affordable housing and slower pace of life. The complex offers inexpensive rentals and basic amenities, providing an escape from China’s competitive urban centers.

US struck Iran with copies of its own drones

The US military recently deployed a new drone squadron, Task Force Scorpion Strike, to strike Iranian targets. These drones, called LUCAS, are based on reverse-engineered Iranian Shahed 136 suicide drones, offering a significantly cheaper alternative to traditional weaponry. This marks the first combat use of this technology and represents a strategic repurposing of Iranian technology against itself.

💡 Innovation & Future

Evolving Typst

Typst, a typesetting system, is considered production-ready despite the delay of a version 1.0 release. Developers are struggling to define “breaking changes” in a way that minimizes disruption to the growing user base and ecosystem. The team prioritizes a stable development process to enable future improvements without negatively impacting existing projects.

New Language Model: Gram Released

Gram 1.0, a new open-source code editor, has been released as a fork of Zed, prioritizing performance, customization, and user control. It distinguishes itself by removing AI and telemetry features while retaining built-in functionalities like debugging, Git integration, and support for numerous programming languages. The editor is available on Codeberg and offers a streamlined, customizable experience without subscription requirements.

What are you doing this week?

This article poses a simple question to readers: what are their plans for the week? It encourages audience participation by inviting them to share their activities, while also acknowledging that doing nothing is a perfectly valid option. The piece serves as a lighthearted prompt for engagement.

Ease Health raises $41M for AI behavioral health platform

Ease Health, a New York-based startup, has emerged from stealth mode with a $41 million Series A funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. The company is developing an AI-native operating system designed to unify admissions, patient records, and billing for behavioral health providers, aiming to streamline operations and reduce administrative burdens. This funding will support expansion of their team and platform to serve providers nationwide.

The Supreme Court declined to hear a case regarding copyright protection for AI-generated art, upholding lower court decisions requiring human authorship for copyright eligibility. The case involved a computer scientist whose AI system created artwork and sought copyright protection, arguing for AI’s role in creative industries. This ruling reinforces the current legal standard that only works created by humans can be copyrighted.

AI boosts wages for experience-driven jobs as textbook skills fade.

Early data suggest that artificial intelligence is simultaneously automating and augmenting tasks in the labor market. Wages are rising in AI-exposed jobs that heavily rely on workers’ experience and tacit knowledge, while employment in these sectors, particularly for younger workers, is declining. This indicates that AI may be substituting for entry-level roles while increasing the value of experienced workers.

What keeps IoT devices running for a decade

Many IoT devices are prematurely discarded due to software maintenance issues, leading to electronic waste and unnecessary costs. Experts recommend companies retain control of core firmware, design for longevity with replaceable parts and extra processing power, and utilize standard communication protocols. These strategies are crucial for ensuring device security, compatibility, and extending their operational lifespan.

“That Shape Had None” – A Horror of Substrate Independence (Short Fiction)

Henry Weikel’s website, henryweikel.net, recently published a short horror fiction piece titled “That Shape Had None” on June 24, 2023. The website also features a collection of other short stories dating back to 2017, including titles like “The Svenoid Conspiracy” and “Inmate Martha.” The site offers an RSS feed for updates on new publications.

AI is unhealthy in a variety of different ways

The increasing use of AI chatbots is contributing to new anxieties and psychological responses, such as “chatbot psychosis” which can worsen existing mental health conditions. While not officially recognized illnesses, these conditions like AI FOMO and AI Anxiety reflect societal concerns about rapid technological change and job security. Experts attribute these responses to natural human reactions to the unprecedented integration of AI into daily life.

First-ever in-utero stem cell therapy for fetal spina bifida repair is safe

A UC Davis Health research team has successfully performed the world’s first in-utero stem cell therapy combined with fetal surgery to treat spina bifida, demonstrating no safety concerns in a Phase 1 clinical trial involving six infants. The treatment uses placenta-derived stem cells to protect the spinal cord and promote tissue regeneration, aiming to improve outcomes beyond fetal surgery alone. Researchers are moving forward with the next phase of the study following promising early results.

19th century silent film that first captured a robot attack

The Library of Congress has rediscovered and restored “Gugusse et l’Automate,” a 45-second silent film from 1897 by Georges Méliès. The film depicts a robot clown attacking a human, and is believed to be the earliest known depiction of a robot in moving images. It was found among a collection of old reels donated from Michigan and identified by a recognizable film company logo.

A plastic made from milk that vanishes in 13 weeks

Researchers at Flinders University have developed a biodegradable film made from milk protein, starch, and nanoclay as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging. The material fully breaks down in soil within 13 weeks and demonstrates low toxicity. This innovation aims to reduce reliance on single-use plastics and combat global pollution.

Microslop Manifesto

Microsoft’s Bing search engine is generating inaccurate and misleading information through its AI-powered summaries. Users are encountering fabricated product reviews, statistics, and nonexistent citations within the search results. This integration of AI is reportedly providing confidently incorrect information instead of reliable sources.

Audio-to-Video with LTX-2

LTX-2 is an open-source AI model that generates video from audio, although its visual quality is currently limited compared to leading models. Combining LTX-2 with Google’s Gemini to create prompts significantly improves the accuracy of the generated video’s correspondence to the audio input. The model has limitations, including generating generic representations of people and occasional inaccuracies regarding gender or voice identification.

How to record and retrieve anything you’ve ever had to look up twice

The author advocates for creating a personal “knowledge base” to document procedures and avoid repeating previously learned tasks. This system involves recording how-to guides for multi-step processes and storing them in an easily searchable location. Ultimately, the goal is to capture and retain knowledge to save time and prevent frustration.

Singapore eyes barge-based hydrogen power for datacenters

Singapore is exploring a barge-based hydrogen power system to supply its expanding data centers, addressing land scarcity by deploying infrastructure offshore. The initiative, a partnership between Bridge Data Centres and Concord New Energy, aims to support AI-heavy data center builds and contribute to Singapore’s clean energy goals. This innovative approach offers flexibility in hydrogen handling and transportation while aligning with Singapore’s hydrogen compatibility requirements for power plants.

Microsoft’s Project Silica promises eternal storage. It can’t get there from here

Microsoft’s Project Silica explores using glass to store data, potentially preserving information for thousands of years with high density. While promising ultra-reliable long-term storage, the technology faces significant hurdles including slow writing speeds and scalability challenges. Currently, the project lacks a clear path to commercialization due to limited economic demand and its unique, single-use nature.