Alvaro Lopez Ortega / 2026-03-24 Briefing

Created Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:13:33 +0000 Modified Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:13:53 +0000
6703 Words

AI is reshaping the workforce, not necessarily eliminating jobs, but breaking them into smaller, often lower-paid tasks. Simultaneously, a global trend sees workers returning to cities, fueled by return-to-office mandates and a surge in demand for AI trainers. Arm unveiled its first AI-focused datacenter CPU, poised for deployment with partners like Meta, while NASA is shifting resources from a lunar space station to a permanent moon base. Microsoft integrated AI photo editing into OneDrive, and Mozilla is developing “cq,” a knowledge database for AI agents, aiming to improve their collaborative learning. A Russian national received a lengthy prison sentence for facilitating ransomware attacks, highlighting efforts to prosecute those enabling cybercrime.

🤖 AI & Automation

AI isn’t killing jobs, it’s ‘unbundling’ them into lower-paid chunks

A new study suggests AI isn’t primarily eliminating jobs but rather “unbundling” them, breaking down roles into smaller, often lower-paid tasks. This process narrows the scope of human work and increases worker efficiency, potentially reducing the overall number of workers needed. The impact varies depending on whether a job is easily divisible (“weak bundle”) or requires a holistic skillset (“strong bundle”).

Microslop stuffs AI photo restyling powers into OneDrive

Microsoft is integrating an “AI Restyle” feature into OneDrive, allowing Microsoft 365 subscribers to apply AI-powered styles to their photos on iOS, Android, and the web. This new functionality lets users transform photos directly within OneDrive, bypassing third-party services. The location of the AI processing – whether on-device or in the cloud – remains unconfirmed.

Mozilla introduces cq, describing it as ‘Stack Overflow for agents’

Mozilla is developing “cq,” an open-source knowledge database designed to function as a “Stack Overflow for AI agents,” enabling them to share solutions and learn collaboratively. The system employs tiered knowledge levels and security measures to address potential issues like poisoned content. Mozilla is considering hosting a public instance to accelerate the project and improve AI agent efficiency.

Mining the commons: AI extraction, Wikipedia, and the case for a multi-stakeholder settlement

Generative AI companies are heavily scraping Wikipedia’s content for training AI models without contributing to the platform’s upkeep. The Wikimedia Foundation is now pursuing licensing deals with tech companies to cover costs, raising concerns about the privatization of a shared resource. This situation highlights the exploitation of digital commons and threatens the sustainability of open knowledge platforms like Wikipedia.

Proposing Botwatch

Botwatch is a proposed system that utilizes user-assigned scores and trust relationships to identify bot accounts. Users rate other accounts as likely bots or humans, and also assign trust scores to other users, creating a personalized “bot score.” The decentralized system aims to leverage user data to improve social media experiences and prevent manipulation.

Ironies of Automation (1983)

A 1983 paper, “Ironies of Automation,” explores how automation in industrial processes can unexpectedly create new challenges for human operators. It argues that even advanced automated systems still require skilled human intervention for supervision and maintenance, highlighting a paradox where automation necessitates continued human involvement. The paper advocates for engineers to prioritize human factors and design systems that facilitate effective collaboration between humans and computers.

The AI Industry Is Lying to You

A new report reveals a significant slowdown in US data center capacity expansion, with only 33% of announced projects currently under active development. This is due to challenges including power generation limitations, particularly within the PJM grid, and a reliance on speculative projects. The report indicates that a substantial portion of planned capacity remains in preliminary planning, raising concerns about feasibility and potential cost increases.

Record manual QA flows, get E2E test code that fits your repo

JetBrains has released a closed beta for Qure, a desktop application that uses AI to generate end-to-end web test code. Unlike existing solutions, Qure allows users to record test flows directly within a built-in browser, automatically integrating with their codebase to produce functional tests. The tool is designed to be particularly beneficial for projects with larger codebases and existing test infrastructure.

Gemini Embedding 2 now allows for raw video to be directly incorporated into vector spaces, enabling a new capability for video search. A developer has utilized this feature to create a command-line tool that indexes video footage and searches it using natural language, automatically trimming matching clips. The indexing process currently costs approximately $2.50 per hour of footage.

The bridge to wealth is being pulled up with AI

AI is eroding the traditional link between cognitive ability and high-paying careers, strengthening the influence of inherited wealth. This shift reverses a historical trend where intelligence could help individuals overcome their socioeconomic background, potentially leading to a future where wealth compounds independently of merit. While a brief opportunity exists for those with specialized AI skills, the overall trend suggests a future resembling aristocracy driven by inherited wealth.

So where are all the AI apps?

Despite claims of increased software development productivity due to AI, a recent analysis of Python packages on PyPI has not revealed a widespread “AI effect.” Overall package release frequency has only slightly increased, and this trend predates ChatGPT, likely due to factors like continuous integration tools. However, packages specifically focused on AI technology have seen a noticeable rise in release frequency.

Sandboxing AI agents, 100x faster

Cloudflare has launched Dynamic Worker Loader, a new API enabling the secure execution of AI-generated code within lightweight sandboxes. This feature utilizes Cloudflare’s isolate technology to provide a faster and more resource-efficient alternative to container-based sandboxing. The open beta program is now available to all paid Workers users.

Driverless Big Rigs Are Coming to American Highways, and Soon

Driverless semi-truck testing has resumed on Texas highways, initially between Dallas and Houston, with Aurora Innovation leading the effort. While testing now includes an observer, the technology aims to significantly reduce costs within the $900 billion freight-trucking industry. The push for autonomous trucking is now primarily driven by economic factors, not a driver shortage.

Epoch confirms GPT5.4 Pro solved a frontier math open problem

Researchers solved a complex math problem involving hypergraph theory using GPT-5.4 Pro, later replicated by other AI models. The solution improves existing lower bounds and will be published, potentially sparking further research in Ramsey theory. The problem focused on finding hypergraph constructions to avoid specific partitions and enhance understanding of infinite series convergence.

Apple Rebooting Siri: App, Island Overhaul, New Features

Apple is planning a major overhaul of Siri, including a standalone app and a redesigned interface integrated within the Dynamic Island. The updates, slated for iOS 27 and macOS 27, will give Siri chatbot-like functionality and a refreshed user experience. Apple is expected to announce these changes at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8.

Claude Code Gets “Auto Mode” for Safe, Automated Decisions

Anthropic has introduced a new “auto mode” for Claude Code, a large language model for coding, designed to reduce interruptions for developers. This feature allows Claude Code to make permission-level decisions while an AI classifier prevents potentially destructive actions like mass file deletion. It aims to balance productivity with safety by offering a middle ground between strict permission controls and bypassing them entirely.

ChatGPT Gets Shopping Upgrade: Image Uploads & Budget Filters

OpenAI is introducing a revamped shopping experience within ChatGPT, allowing users to search for products by image or description with specific criteria. This update follows the discontinuation of their Instant Checkout feature due to challenges with transactions and merchant onboarding. Retailers like Target, Sephora, and Nordstrom are already supporting the new product discovery experience.

OpenAI to Invest $1B in AI, Names Resilience Lead

OpenAI’s nonprofit foundation plans to invest $1 billion by 2026 to address AI-related risks and support life science applications. The initiative, announced Tuesday, will involve grants and programs and represents a substantial increase in OpenAI’s philanthropic spending. Wojciech Zaremba, a co-founder, will lead the organization’s AI resilience efforts.

Ai2’s MolmoWeb: Open Visual Agent Uses Screenshots

Ai2 has released MolmoWeb, an open-source visual web agent available in 4B and 8B parameter sizes, offering a new option for developers. Unlike existing solutions, MolmoWeb operates using browser screenshots rather than HTML parsing and includes a large dataset of human task trajectories. This release aims to bridge the gap between passive image understanding and taking actions within a web browser environment.

💻 Development & Infrastructure

Choose Boring Technology and Innovative Practices

The article advocates for prioritizing stable, well-established technologies over cutting-edge options to minimize long-term maintenance costs and avoid difficult replacements. It encourages innovation in adaptable practices and workflows, which are easier to change than core infrastructure. Ultimately, the piece suggests a balanced approach: conservative technology choices combined with innovative working methods.

Architecture Decision Record

Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) are short documents that capture and explain significant architectural choices, providing context and rationale for teams. These records are versioned like code and never modified, instead being superseded when decisions change to maintain a clear history. The process of creating ADRs also fosters discussion and clarifies thinking among team members.

Power, Performance, Productivity; PostGraphile V5 Published

PostGraphile V5 introduces Grafast, a new execution engine designed to significantly improve performance and customizability compared to previous versions. Grafast utilizes “plan resolvers” to optimize GraphQL queries, reduce database load, and simplify schema customization. This architectural overhaul aims to address limitations in prior versions while maintaining PostGraphile’s core focus on delivering value.

The Why and What of the CIDR Report

The CIDR Report examines Internet routing, originating in the 1980s as the internet evolved from a research project to a global communication platform. It analyzes the relationship between the Internet’s address plan and routing protocol architecture, particularly in the context of the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). The report’s emergence was spurred by growing internetworking routing problems and the need for autonomous network operation.

Inside Ohm’s PEG-to-Wasm compiler

Ohm v18’s latest update introduces a significantly faster parsing engine by compiling grammar rules into WebAssembly modules. This change results in a parser that’s over 50 times faster and uses 10% less memory compared to previous versions. The new system converts parsing expression grammars (PEGs) into WebAssembly, optimizing performance by inlining code for individual expressions.

When upserts don’t update but still write: Debugging Postgres performance at scale

Datadog encountered unexpected performance issues when implementing a query to track inactive hosts in their Postgres database, experiencing doubled disk writes and quadrupled WAL syncs. The problem stemmed from Postgres locking rows during “upsert” operations even when data wasn’t changed, creating a bottleneck. Datadog resolved the issue by redesigning the table and query to utilize HOT updates and reduce update frequency, minimizing unnecessary writes while maintaining data accuracy.

Threads vs Coroutines — Why C++ Has Two Concurrency Models

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Can it Resolve DOOM? Game Engine in 2,000 DNS Records – blog.rice.is

A new technique allows files, including the DOOM game engine, to be stored and retrieved using DNS TXT records, effectively repurposing the internet’s DNS infrastructure as a distributed file storage system. The method involves encoding files into base64 and splitting them into chunks across multiple domains. The ultimate goal is to run the DOOM game engine entirely from memory using this novel approach.

Email.md – Markdown to responsive, email-safe HTML

Acme Inc. has sent a confirmation email containing a verification code (DFY-X7U) for users to complete their sign-in process. The email instructs recipients to enter the code into their browser or ignore the message if it wasn’t requested. It assures users that unsolicited emails are safe to disregard.

God, I hate .env files

The author expresses strong disapproval of .env files, arguing they lack a clear benefit over standard configuration files. They believe there’s no justifiable reason to utilize .env files in place of more conventional methods. The sentiment highlights a preference for simpler configuration approaches.

Opera: Rewind The Web to 1996 (Opera at 30)

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Ripgrep is faster than grep, ag, git grep, ucg, pt, sift (2016)

Ripgrep is a new cross-platform command-line search tool written in Rust designed for speed and usability. Benchmarks indicate it consistently outperforms other code search tools like grep and The Silver Searcher, particularly in speed and Unicode support. The developer encourages users to report any performance discrepancies to aid in further investigation.

Microsoft blocks trick to unlock native NVMe driver, but workarounds still exist

Microsoft has blocked a registry workaround that allowed Windows 11 users to enable a performance-boosting native NVMe driver initially released in Windows Server 2025. While the registry trick no longer functions, users can still utilize a ViVeTool workaround to enable the driver, though potential compatibility issues remain. The native driver offers improved random write performance but may impact third-party tools and BitLocker functionality.

Sunsetting the Techempower Framework Benchmarks

The TechEmpower Framework Benchmarks, a project providing performance data for web frameworks, are being retired after more than a decade. The benchmarks significantly impacted industry performance practices and fostered a strong community of contributors. While the project is ending, its repository and past results will remain publicly accessible.

Google expands Android Automotive OS to vehicle systems.

Google has expanded its Android Automotive OS to now control non-safety systems within vehicles, moving beyond just infotainment. The open-source platform aims to reduce software fragmentation in the automotive industry and offer automakers a standardized foundation for development. This new version promises faster updates, improved features, and a more integrated digital experience for drivers.

Microsoft, Crusoe Deal for Texas Data Center Project

Microsoft has signed a deal to lease a 700-megawatt data center project in Abilene, Texas, from developer Crusoe. The facility, initially planned for Oracle and OpenAI, is located near their Stargate campus. Oracle and OpenAI previously abandoned their plans for the site, paving the way for Microsoft’s agreement.

🛡️ Security & Privacy

Russian initial access broker who fed ransomware crews gets 81 months in US prison

A Russian national, Aleksei Volkov, was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for acting as an initial access broker, selling compromised network access to ransomware groups. He facilitated attacks on at least seven US organizations, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. This case demonstrates a growing effort to prosecute those who enable cybercrime, rather than solely targeting the ransomware operators themselves.

New data and US watchdog rank routers as “the most hackable device”

Due to technical limitations, the provided article content is inaccessible, preventing a factual summary. The title suggests a report identifies routers as the most vulnerable device to hacking, likely based on new data from a US watchdog. Further information is needed to provide a complete and accurate summary.

Age verification laws causing discord in Linux community, with multiple users forking systemd

Due to new age verification laws, the Linux community is experiencing internal conflict. Several users are responding by forking the systemd system and service manager. The article itself requires JavaScript and cookies to function, suggesting a technical implementation related to the age verification process.

Crypto scammers “profited six figures” by exploiting war and politics panic on X

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Scammers run circles around sideloading restrictions with fake app stores

Due to restrictions on sideloading apps, scammers are creating fake app stores to bypass Apple’s and Google’s security measures. These deceptive storefronts trick users into installing malicious software, highlighting vulnerabilities in the current system. Users are advised to ensure JavaScript and cookies are enabled to proceed with caution.

US jails Russian national linked to ransomware crew behind bold breach of Cisco systems

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Palantir Will No Longer Profit Off of New Yorkers’ Health Data

New York City’s public hospital system will end its contract with data firm Palantir, costing the city nearly $4 million since 2023. The decision follows protests and concerns about Palantir’s involvement in controversial government programs, and the hospital system will bring data analysis in-house. The Intercept also raised concerns about the state of U.S. democracy and journalism amid actions by Donald Trump.

WolfGuard: WireGuard with FIPS 140-3 cryptography

WolfGuard is a modified version of the WireGuard VPN that utilizes FIPS-approved cryptography for enhanced security. It’s designed as a drop-in replacement for WireGuard, maintaining compatibility with existing configurations while swapping default algorithms for FIPS-compliant alternatives. Both FIPS-certified and non-certified builds are available, but they are not compatible with standard WireGuard.

NanoClaw Adopts OneCLI Agent Vault

NanoClaw is integrating OneCLI’s Agent Vault to bolster security by preventing its agents from directly accessing API keys. This system acts as a secure gateway, injecting credentials and enforcing access policies without the agents ever holding the raw keys. The move aims to balance agent functionality with enhanced user safety and address security vulnerabilities.

Malicious litellm_init.pth in litellm 1.82.8 PyPI package – credential stealer

The Python package litellm==1.82.8 on the PyPI repository has been compromised by a malicious file that steals sensitive credentials. This file automatically executes a script upon Python interpreter startup, collecting data like API keys and cloud provider credentials before sending it to models.litellm.cloud. Users are strongly advised to remove the package and check their systems for potential compromise.

Secure Domain Name System (DNS) Deployment 2026 Guide [pdf]

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released a guide detailing secure Domain Name System (DNS) deployment practices. Aimed at internet service providers and network operators, the document provides recommendations for enhancing DNS security and resilience by 2026. The guide addresses critical vulnerabilities and promotes adoption of modern DNS security extensions.

Litellm 1.82.7 and 1.82.8 on PyPI are compromised

Recent versions 1.82.7 and 1.82.8 of the Litellm Python package on PyPI have been compromised. The compromised versions contain malicious code that executes a hidden file, potentially leading to system instability and security risks. Users are advised to avoid using these versions and check the linked GitHub issue for more information.

AI Child Abuse Images Surge 14%

The Internet Watch Foundation reported a 14% increase in AI-generated images and videos depicting realistic child sexual abuse in 2025, identifying 8,029 such instances. This marks a significant rise compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing threat of AI-facilitated exploitation. The Foundation emphasized that sharing and copying articles is a violation of copyright policy.

🏢 Business & Finance

Remote or not, workers are drifting back toward the city

A new report indicates a global trend of workers moving back towards major cities, reversing the pandemic-era shift towards remote locations. This movement is influenced by return-to-office policies, lifestyle preferences, and the concentration of talent in urban areas. The data also reveals a significant surge in demand for “AI trainers” within international hiring.

AI Investment and Business Strategy

Companies are increasingly prioritizing artificial intelligence as a growth driver. SAP is pivoting away from a delayed cloud migration to focus on AI-powered solutions and new pricing models, while Meta has appointed a new leader to spearhead an “AI For Work” initiative to integrate AI across its operations and compete in the burgeoning AI landscape. These shifts highlight a broader industry trend toward leveraging AI for business advancement.

Half of VMware users plan to reduce usage by 2028

A recent survey indicates that half of VMware users intend to reduce their usage by 2028, largely due to Broadcom’s bundled offerings and associated costs. Many users feel constrained by migration difficulties and a lack of alternatives, potentially leading to higher expenses or reliance on Broadcom’s products. Some users, however, may remain with VMware in hopes of improved engineering and reduced licensing costs.

Amazon and Lidl to sell solar panels in the UK to combat rising energy bills

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No Terms. No Conditions

The website notermsnoconditions.com provides a set of intentionally simple and permissive terms and conditions, allowing users to freely utilize and build upon its content. Users are solely responsible for their actions and creations, with no guarantees or obligations provided. The terms are designed to be complete and easily reusable by others.

Epic Games lays off over 1k employees

Epic Games is laying off over 1,000 employees and cutting costs by $500 million due to declining engagement in Fortnite and broader industry challenges. CEO Tim Sweeney stated the cuts are necessary for the company’s financial stability amidst difficult market conditions. The layoffs, which do not relate to artificial intelligence, will be accompanied by severance packages and extended benefits for affected employees.

Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls

Epic Games is laying off over 1,000 employees and cutting costs by $500 million due to declining “Fortnite” engagement and economic pressures within the gaming industry. CEO Tim Sweeney cited unsustainable spending and the need for “major cuts” to maintain funding, following a previous layoff round in 2023. This move reflects a broader trend of financial challenges and job reductions across the gaming sector.

Palantir turns poisonous on the campaign trail

The Financial Times offers various subscription plans, ranging from a free trial to premium digital access, providing global news and analysis. Subscriptions grant access to reporting from a network of over 700 journalists covering business, politics, technology, and more. The FT emphasizes its data-driven approach and diverse coverage areas, including climate and work & careers.

StackOverflow’s questions per day have fallen 99%

Stack Overflow’s question volume has drastically declined, nearing levels seen at the site’s 2009 launch, according to a recent analysis. A blogger attributes this drop to the increasing use of large language models and shifts in moderation practices that alienated some users. The findings, based on SEDE metrics, are intended to stimulate discussion within the Stack Overflow community.

Ubisoft’s death by a thousand cuts

Ubisoft is closing Red Storm Entertainment, resulting in the loss of 105 jobs while the studio will transition to engine development and support roles. This decision is part of Ubisoft’s ongoing cost-cutting measures, which have included multiple studio closures and layoffs in recent years. The repeated cuts have created a tense atmosphere within the company, leading to employee strikes and concerns about further job losses.

AI Inventory Firm Doss Raises $55M Series B

Doss, a 2023-founded startup, has secured $55 million in Series B funding to provide an AI-native inventory management layer that integrates with existing accounting systems. The company partners with AI-powered ERP providers like Rillet and Campfire to offer robust inventory management, a functionality often lacking in newer ERP solutions. Doss is targeting mid-market consumer brands as a complement to traditional ERP systems.

NYSE, Securitize Build Digital Trading Platform for Tokenized Assets

The New York Stock Exchange is partnering with Securitize to launch a digital trading platform for tokenized stocks and ETFs. Securitize will serve as NYSE’s first digital transfer agent, facilitating the creation of digital tokens on a blockchain. This initiative seeks to integrate blockchain technology into the traditional securities trading process.

Xiaomi Q4 Revenue Up, Growth Slows Amid Smartphone Slump

Xiaomi’s Q4 revenue increased 7.3% year-over-year to approximately $17 billion, narrowly exceeding expectations. The growth rate marks the company’s slowest since 2023, as rising electric vehicle sales couldn’t offset declining smartphone demand. Strong EV sales, with over 145,000 units shipped, helped to partially mitigate the slowdown.

Revolut Revenue & Profit Surge, Nears Banking Status

Revolut’s revenue increased 46% to £4.5 billion last year, alongside a 54% rise in pretax profit to £1.7 billion. The company’s customer base also grew by nearly 33%, signaling continued expansion as it aims to become a full-fledged bank. These results solidify Revolut’s significant valuation and aggressive growth strategy.

Superhuman CEO Apologizes for Grammarly Feature, Discusses Creator Pay

Superhuman CEO Shishir Mehrotra recently apologized for a Grammarly feature, Expert Review, that used AI to mimic journalists’ writing styles without their consent. The controversial feature, which prompted a class-action lawsuit, has since been removed, and Superhuman has rebranded from its former name, Grammarly. Mehrotra participated in an interview to discuss the incident and broader issues surrounding AI, attribution, and creator compensation.

Nintendo Cuts Switch 2 Production Amid Weak Holiday Demand

Nintendo is cutting Switch 2 production this quarter to 4 million units, a decrease of roughly 33% from initial projections. The reduction is attributed to weaker-than-expected holiday sales, particularly in the United States. This adjusted production rate is expected to continue into April.

⚙️ Systems & Hardware

Arm Develops AI Processing Chip

Arm has introduced its first custom datacenter CPU, the 136-core Arm AGI CPU, targeting the rapidly growing market for AI infrastructure and agentic AI. The processor prioritizes performance and efficiency for AI workloads through a dual-chiplet design with high memory bandwidth and AI-specific instructions, and will be deployed by partners like Meta. Arm is offering server configurations with Supermicro, ranging from 272 to over 45,000 cores to meet diverse AI scaling needs.

Systemd-free antiX Linux 26: Debian 13, in bonsai form

antiX Linux 26 is a Debian 13-based distribution designed for older or resource-constrained computers. It distinguishes itself by forgoing systemd and offering users a variety of kernel, init system, window manager, and file manager options. The new release simplifies download choices to four options: Full or Core, and 32-bit or 64-bit.

Tech-friendly manicure: touchscreen-compatible nail polish is almost here

Due to technical limitations, a new type of nail polish designed to allow users to operate touchscreens without gloves is in development. The polish reportedly works by enabling electrical conductivity, though further information and user experience details are currently unavailable. Interested consumers are instructed to enable JavaScript and cookies to proceed.

The Gray Device

The article appears to be a navigational page, likely from a website like YouTube. It lists standard website links such as “About,” “Press,” “Copyright,” and “Contact us.” The page also indicates the copyright holder is Google LLC and the year is 2026.

Addressing global removal race in Wayland

A race condition in Wayland’s global object removal process can cause client crashes when a compositor removes an object before clients are aware. A new protocol utilizing acknowledgements via the wl_fixes interface is being introduced to address this, allowing for safe object destruction after confirmation of client receipt of removal notifications. This requires all clients to acknowledge removal events, even if they haven’t bound the object, to ensure proper cleanup and prevent crashes.

Pine64 FOSDEM 2026 Update

The PINE64 community held a productive FOSDEM meetup to discuss ongoing projects like the PineVoice and PineTime Pro, as well as potential new products. Due to a current DRAM shortage, production of devices like the PineTab 2 and PineNote will be halted, though other products remain unaffected. The community is also exploring developer compensation models and addressing challenges related to fundraising and donation management.

Rust threads on the GPU

VectorWare has enabled Rust’s standard threads to run on GPUs, bridging a gap between CPU and GPU programming models. This advancement allows developers to utilize familiar Rust abstractions for GPU development, promoting safer and more integrated code. The technology aims to simplify GPU application development by leveraging Rust’s safety guarantees.

io_uring vs. libaio: Performance and Traps

Testing across various Linux kernel versions confirms that the io_uring interface significantly outperforms the older libaio for asynchronous I/O, with performance gains reaching up to 2x and further improvements in newer kernels. An initial performance dip between kernel versions 5.4 and 5.15 was traced back to the default enabling of Intel IOMMU. These findings, measured using fio on bare-metal systems, demonstrate ongoing optimizations in Linux kernel asynchronous I/O performance.

COBE v2 – 5kB globe lib

COBE is a new, lightweight WebGL library, weighing in at just 5KB, designed for creating interactive globe visualizations. It’s framework-agnostic and compatible with JavaScript, React, Vue, and Svelte, allowing for customization of the globe’s appearance and the addition of markers and arcs. Developers can use CSS anchoring to attach labels and tooltips to these elements, providing a flexible and efficient solution for globe-based data displays.

DIY Linux: Command Line Creation

A novel method allows Linux distributions to be installed by directly piping downloaded disk images to a disk device using commands like curl | dd, bypassing traditional installation procedures. This technique treats disk devices as files, enabling direct writing from the command line and eliminating the need for temporary storage. The approach, initially developed to reduce storage costs, has evolved into a series of experiments exploring streamlined installation processes.

Zswap and Zram: Mythbusting

Experts recommend using zswap over zram for most Linux users, as zswap integrates better with the kernel’s memory management and allows data to be tiered to disk. Zram’s fixed capacity can lead to instability and performance problems if it fills up, making it more suitable for specialized applications. Users are advised to avoid using zram alongside disk swap and to carefully consider its implementation.

Nanobrew: The fastest macOS package manager compatible with brew

A new macOS package manager called Nanobrew, written in Zig, claims to be up to 7,000 times faster than Homebrew. It achieves this speed through optimizations like concurrent operations and direct header reading, while also maintaining zero disk overhead and a small binary size. Nanobrew eliminates the need for Ruby runtimes and interpreters, contributing to its improved performance.

MagicAudio – Free Noise, Echo and Background Music Remover

MagicAudio is a free, AI-powered online tool that removes background noise from audio and video files. It effectively eliminates distractions like fan hum, echo, and traffic sounds while preserving voice clarity, and requires no account or fees. The tool is designed for content creators, podcasters, and online educators looking to improve audio quality.

Log File Viewer for the Terminal

lnav is a new terminal-based log file viewer that requires no server setup and offers features like merging, searching, and filtering. It automatically detects file formats, handles compression, and is designed for efficient performance even with large log files. A demo is available via SSH for immediate testing and analysis.

Power consumption of Game Boy flash cartridges (2021)

A recent investigation into Game Boy flash cartridge power consumption revealed significant variation among models, with some proving more efficient than original cartridges. Concerns about flash carts draining battery life and causing instability are often oversimplified, as design and compatibility with modifications like IPS screens are key factors. The study compared original cartridges, reproductions, and popular flash carts like the Everdrive and EZ-FLASH Junior.

🌐 Geopolitics & Tech

Goodbye, Lunar Gateway: NASA ditches Moon station for Moon base

NASA is suspending its Lunar Gateway space station project to prioritize building a permanent base on the Moon’s surface. Resources and hardware previously allocated to Gateway will be redirected to support this new lunar surface initiative, allowing for a sustainable, modular approach to operations. Despite this shift, NASA remains on track for its Artemis III launch in 2027 and plans for regular lunar landings.

Russia Competes in Satellite Internet Space

Russia has launched the first 16 satellites to build a domestic broadband internet network, challenging SpaceX’s Starlink and aiming to reduce reliance on international infrastructure. The satellites, controlled by Bureau 1440, mark the beginning of a project intended to create a sovereign internet system for Russia. This initiative will allow Russia greater control over its domestic internet traffic and the ability to operate an independent network.

Drone Attacks Disrupt Amazon’s Cloud Services

Recent drone strikes originating from Iran have physically damaged Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers in the UAE and Bahrain, causing disruptions to operations. This marks the second such incident in the region this month, prompting Amazon to assist customers in migrating workloads to alternative locations. The attacks underscore the vulnerability of cloud infrastructure in conflict zones and are prompting security reassessments.

Missile Defense Is NP-Complete

A new analysis reveals missile defense is mathematically classified as an NP-complete problem, though this complexity isn’t the primary challenge. The effectiveness of missile defense systems depends heavily on the Single Shot Probability of Kill (SSPK), which is influenced by factors beyond interceptor quality, such as detection and tracking accuracy. Achieving a high confidence level of interception requires a significant number of interceptors, underscoring limitations in current systems.

March, 19-21: God is a comedian

The ongoing conflict with Iran has become increasingly illogical, with U.S. actions including deploying troops to seize Iranian oil infrastructure while simultaneously easing sanctions on Iranian oil sales. This contradictory strategy involves the U.S. purchasing Iranian oil with Chinese currency, highlighting a chaotic and poorly planned military operation. Embarrassing incidents, such as a flagship warship retreating due to a “laundry fire,” further underscore the unusual nature of the situation.

Finland Pauses AWS Election Shift, Sticks With Local Servers

Finland has suspended its plan to migrate its election data to Amazon Web Services, choosing to keep the system on domestic servers through 2027. A Justice Ministry review triggered the decision, citing concerns about data security and digital autonomy. This move reflects a broader trend in Europe of reducing reliance on US-based cloud services.

Palantir, ICE work sparks US campaign debate; lawmakers reject funds.

Palantir, a data analytics company backed by Peter Thiel, has become a political liability for some US candidates due to its work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Six lawmakers are publicly refusing further Palantir funds, highlighting the controversy surrounding the company’s involvement in immigration enforcement. Donald Trump’s immigration policies have fueled this backlash, making Palantir a sensitive issue on the campaign trail.

OpenAI urges UK to include chatbots in Google’s search choice screen

OpenAI has formally requested that the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) require Google to include AI chatbots with search capabilities on its default search engine selection screen for Chrome and Android. The petition aims to provide users with a more visible alternative to Google’s own search offerings. This move signals OpenAI’s desire to increase the accessibility and visibility of AI-powered search options.

Senators Urge Halt to Nvidia Chip Exports to China

US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mike Lee are urging the Commerce Department to halt Nvidia’s AI chip export licenses to China and Southeast Asia. This request follows the indictment of a Supermicro co-founder, raising concerns about potential technology transfer. The senators believe suspending these licenses is necessary to protect US national security.