Alvaro Lopez Ortega / 2026-03-30 Briefing

Created Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:17:04 +0000 Modified Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:17:42 +0000
8331 Words

PC shipments are projected to fall 13% this year due to memory and storage shortages, impacting budget systems and the education sector. NASA has begun the countdown for the Artemis II mission, a crewed Moon flyby launching April 1st. The UK fined Apple’s Irish subsidiary £390,000 for sanctions-busting payments to a Russian developer. Critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities are actively being exploited across multiple software platforms, prompting urgent patching. Finally, SAP is acquiring Reltio to integrate external data into its AI platform, hoping to boost adoption.

🤖 AI & Machine Learning

SAP looking to pull more external data into its AI platform with Reltio acquisition

SAP is acquiring Reltio, a data integration specialist, to enhance its Business Data Cloud platform and integrate external data sources into its AI capabilities. This acquisition will improve data harmonization and enable the development of AI agents by connecting both SAP and non-SAP data. SAP hopes the move will boost adoption of its Business Data Cloud, which has faced challenges in gaining user traction.

South Korean AI chip startup Rebellions eyes new shores for rack-scale invasion

South Korean AI chip startup Rebellions is expanding globally with a new rack-scale compute platform, RebelRack and RebelPods, after establishing a presence in South Korea. The company’s chiplet-based AI accelerators, similar to Nvidia’s, are designed for broader enterprise adoption using existing data center infrastructure and standard cooling methods. Rebellions benefits from strong partnerships with Samsung and SK Hynix for memory sourcing and manufacturing.

Copilot Ads Controversy

Microsoft’s GitHub has temporarily disabled a feature of its AI assistant, Copilot, after the tool unexpectedly injected advertisements for Copilot and Raycast into over 1.5 million pull requests. Developers reported these ads appeared as unwanted edits, prompting concerns about the tool’s behavior and potential for unauthorized commercial insertions. GitHub acknowledged the issue and disabled the feature in response to user feedback, following a trend of generative AI companies exploring advertising revenue models.

We scored 50k PRs with AI – what we learned about code complexity

A CTO and their team developed GitVelocity, a system that uses AI (specifically Claude) to score merged code pull requests across multiple dimensions. Analysis of over 50,000 PRs revealed that code complexity, not just size, drives scores, and that engineers, even junior ones, can improve their performance when given this data. The tool has also fostered a “Fitbit effect,” encouraging engineers to proactively track and improve their work.

Phantom – Open-source AI agent on its own VM that rewrites its config

Phantom is an open-source AI agent that operates on its own dedicated virtual machine, allowing it to retain context and improve over time. Unlike chatbots, it can autonomously perform tasks like installing software and building tools, even extending its capabilities without explicit instructions. Examples include creating analytics platforms and adding new communication channels like Discord.

Mathematical methods and human thought in the age of AI

A new paper explores the impact of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence on mathematics and society, framing AI as a natural progression of human tools. It advocates for a human-centered approach to AI development, prioritizing the enhancement of human thought and addressing societal needs. The authors suggest integrating AI into challenging fields to benefit all of humankind.

Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman Equation: Reinforcement Learning and Diffusion Models

A 1952 paper by Richard Bellman, foundational to reinforcement learning, has been found to be mathematically equivalent to the 19th-century Hamilton-Jacobi equation from physics. This surprising connection links continuous-time reinforcement learning, diffusion models, and optimal transport, revealing a deeper structure within these fields. By extending dynamic programming to continuous time, researchers can now view these concepts through the lens of a partial differential equation.

Stanford study reveals AI vision models invent images they never see

A new Stanford study has found that AI vision models can generate accurate descriptions and achieve high scores even without actual image input, a phenomenon called “mirage reasoning.” These models appear to rely on textual cues instead of visual processing, raising concerns about the reliability of current AI evaluations, particularly in medical fields. Researchers have introduced a new benchmark, B-Clean, to improve the accuracy and fairness of assessing AI vision capabilities.

OpenAI’s Sora Discontinued

OpenAI has paused the rollout of its Sora video-generation tool, abruptly ending discussions with Disney regarding a potential $1 billion investment and licensing agreement. The decision, made shortly before planned integrations of Disney characters into Sora-generated videos, is intended to address copyright concerns and represents a shift in OpenAI’s AI strategy. The pause jeopardizes a significant partnership and casts uncertainty on the future of Sora’s commercialization.

AI Concerns Rise: Poll Shows Skepticism on Harm & Data Centers

A Quinnipiac poll reveals growing American apprehension towards AI, with 55% believing it will cause more harm than good in daily life, a significant increase from April. Furthermore, 65% of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their communities, suggesting broader concerns about AI’s infrastructure. These findings highlight rising anxieties about AI’s potential impact on job security and education.

ChatGPT app integrations grow, but adoption slow.

ChatGPT’s app store, launched six months ago, now boasts over 300 integrations but adoption has been slow. Developers cite limited functionality, a cumbersome approval process, and a lack of data as reasons for the underwhelming performance. The initiative, initially intended to create an all-in-one platform, is currently facing challenges due to partner hesitancy and technical limitations.

LLMs Struggle with Games, Says NYU Professor

Large language models (LLMs) consistently struggle to play video games effectively, despite their advancements in coding and other areas. This limitation stems from a lack of general game AI capabilities, insufficient data for many games, and deficiencies in spatial reasoning. The inability of LLMs to master video games highlights broader limitations in their AI capabilities beyond specialized tasks like coding.

AI Boosts Fake Applications, Firms Return to In-Person Assessments

Some employers, including L’Oréal, are reverting to in-person assessments during recruitment. This shift is due to a significant increase in AI-generated applications making it difficult to distinguish genuine candidates. Companies are creating “AI-free zones” in the interview process to combat this issue.

DeepSeek Chatbot Outage Hits China for 7+ Hours

DeepSeek’s chatbot experienced a significant seven-hour outage in China, marking the largest disruption since its 2025 debut. Users reported issues beginning Sunday evening, and the company deployed multiple updates to resolve the performance problems. The incident highlights an unusual downtime for a globally utilized application.

💻 Business & Tech

US PC shipments to fall 13% as memory and storage crunch hits budget systems

US PC shipments are projected to decline by 13% this year due to a shortage of memory and storage, particularly impacting budget systems. Rising costs, driven by demand from the AI sector, are expected to persist for several years, hindering growth until at least 2029. The education sector, reliant on ChromeOS platforms, is especially vulnerable to this downturn.

Artemis II countdown begins as NASA prepares for crewed Moon flyby

NASA has begun the countdown for the Artemis II mission, slated to launch April 1st, which will send four astronauts on a crewed flyby around the Moon – the first such mission in over 50 years. The mission aims to surpass distance records set by Apollo 13 and will involve a temporary loss of communication as the spacecraft passes behind the Moon. This represents a key step toward future lunar exploration efforts.

UK fines Irish Apple outpost over sanctions-busting payments to Russian dev

Apple’s Irish subsidiary, Apple Distribution International, was fined £390,000 by the UK for making payments totaling £635,000 to a Russian app developer linked to a sanctioned individual. The payments occurred in 2022 due to a delay in updating Apple’s payment systems following sanctions, highlighting the UK’s strict liability regime. Apple proactively reported the issue and cooperated with regulators, which resulted in a reduced penalty.

DXC staff to strike in Australia after some go without pay rise for five years

DXC staff in Australia are planning a strike this week after failing to reach a pay agreement, with some employees reportedly forgoing raises for five years. Forrester anticipates potential slowdowns in Asia-Pacific IT spending due to factors including the ongoing Iran war and currency fluctuations. Several Japanese companies, including Toshiba and Mitsubishi, are exploring a merger of their semiconductor businesses to improve global competitiveness.

Tech Companies Secure Major Funding Rounds

Several startups are rapidly expanding AI infrastructure capabilities, securing significant funding rounds totaling over $2 billion. Companies like Starcloud, ScaleOps, Mistral AI, and DigitalOcean are raising capital to build data centers, optimize cloud resources, and offer alternative AI solutions, while Sycamore focuses on simplifying AI agent deployment for businesses. This surge in investment highlights the growing demand for both advanced computing power and efficient management of AI infrastructure.

Euro-Office Wants to Replace Google Docs and Microsoft Office

Euro-Office is a new, European-led open-source project aiming to create a collaborative online office suite as an alternative to Google Docs and Microsoft Office. Built as a fork of the OnlyOffice platform, it seeks to provide a sovereign and transparent solution compatible with Microsoft Office formats and integrable with existing cloud services. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on non-European-based software and foster digital independence within Europe.

How Reverse Game Theory Could Solve the Housing Shortage

A Maryland farm, Kingsbury Orchard, was preserved from development thanks to a program called Transferable Development Rights (TDRs). TDRs create a market where landowners can sell development rights while retaining their farmland, providing farmers with funds and allowing developers to build denser housing in designated areas. This innovative approach has protected over 70,000 acres of farmland near Washington, D.C.

How to Survive in the Tech industry in 2026

The tech industry of 2026 demands adaptation to an AI-driven environment, requiring technologists to cultivate business acumen and build versatile teams with diverse skill sets. Utilizing AI tools effectively and prioritizing real-world interaction are also crucial for success. Ultimately, continuous learning and a human-centric approach are essential for thriving in this evolving landscape.

Apple scales back its AI ambitions and sticks to selling hardware

Apple is refocusing its strategy away from leading in AI and back to its core business of hardware and services. The company plans to integrate AI features into its devices while also allowing third-party AI apps access through iOS 27 Extensions, generating revenue through App Store commissions. Apple is partnering with Google to improve Siri’s capabilities using Gemini technology.

Everyone Hates iPhone Autocorrect. An Update Fixes One of the Biggest Problems

Users have widely reported increased typos and punctuation errors when using the iPhone’s autocorrect feature. A recent update aims to address these widespread complaints about the functionality. Many iPhone users have expressed concern over a perceived decline in typing accuracy over the past year.

Is Another Financial Crisis Lurking in Private Credit?

Recent restrictions on withdrawals from some private credit funds are raising concerns due to parallels with the 2007 financial crisis, including rapid growth and limited regulation. While a repeat of the 2007-09 crisis is unlikely, vulnerabilities within the private credit market, especially considering rising interest rates, require careful observation. Experts caution that unforeseen events could still trigger unexpected financial shocks.

Instagram Plus: New subscription tests extra features

Meta is testing Instagram Plus, a premium subscription offering exclusive features like anonymous Story viewing and extended Story durations. The subscription is currently being tested in countries including Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, with pricing varying by region. This new offering is separate from Meta Verified, which caters to content creators and businesses.

AI Startup Sett Raises $30M for Game Marketing Automation

Sett, an Israeli startup, has secured $30 million in Series B funding to expand its AI-powered platform for automating game marketing. The company, which already works with major gaming companies, aims to reduce user acquisition costs by automating content creation and ad production. Sett plans to broaden its reach into fintech and e-commerce by 2026.

Uber to Buy Blacklane, Boosts Elite Service

Uber has agreed to acquire Berlin-based chauffeur booking app Blacklane to enhance its Uber Elite service. The deal, which closes by the end of 2026, will allow Uber to cater to a more premium customer base. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Wise to Launch UK Bank Accounts, Challenges Monzo

Wise, a London-based money transfer company, is launching UK bank accounts with a variable interest rate. This move aims to compete with established banks and other fintechs in an increasingly crowded market. The new accounts will allow customers to hold money and set up direct debits.

Amazon expands to rural US, challenges Walmart’s dominance.

Amazon is investing $4 billion to expand its delivery services to rural areas, aiming to offer 24-hour delivery to a significant portion of households. This initiative, partly spurred by criticism regarding USPS delivery costs, seeks to capture a large share of the $1 trillion annual rural retail market. The company faces competition from Walmart, which has long dominated the rural retail landscape.

Yuanjie Chip Revenue Soars, IPO Looms

Chinese laser chipmaker Yuanjie Semiconductor is preparing for a Hong Kong IPO, fueled by surging demand for AI infrastructure and data centers. The company projects a significant revenue increase, with data center revenue expected to jump nearly 720% year-over-year. Yuanjie currently ranks as the sixth-largest global laser chip provider and second-largest supplier for silicon photonics-based optical interconnects.

Private Credit Funds Hide Software Exposure, Raising Investor Worries

A Wall Street Journal analysis revealed that four major private-credit funds have significantly higher exposure to the software industry—around 25%—than previously disclosed in their filings, approximately 19%. This discrepancy arises amid investor concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on software companies, contributing to recent withdrawals from private-credit funds. Fund managers maintain that AI’s effects will vary among software firms.

Midjourney Revenue Surpasses $200M, Still Growing

Midjourney’s CEO confirmed the company generated over $200 million in revenue for 2023 and has seen continued growth since then. The AI image generator is profitable through subscriptions and is now considering developing its own hardware. Despite this success, Midjourney faces increasing competition, particularly from Google.

PGConf.EU 2025 Establishing the PostgreSQL standard What is Postgres compatible

The PostgreSQL community is developing a framework to define “PostgreSQL compatible” systems, moving beyond a simple pass/fail certification. This framework will utilize a weighted checklist to accommodate variations, especially in managed environments, while ensuring core functionality and consistent behavior. The goal is to encourage innovation while maintaining a baseline level of compatibility for applications and tools.

Euro-Office integration can help Europeans ditch Microsoft Word and Google Docs

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🛡️ Security & Privacy

Cybersecurity Alerts & Exploits

Multiple critical vulnerabilities are currently being exploited across various software platforms, including F5 BIG-IP, Citrix NetScaler, Telegram, and ChatGPT. Attackers are actively exploiting these flaws, which range from remote code execution and data access to complete device takeover, often requiring minimal user interaction. Organizations are urged to immediately patch vulnerable systems and review security practices to mitigate these emerging threats.

Security contractor blew the whistle on support crew’s viral indifference

A security contractor, “Brad,” reported that the labor hire company’s IT support team routinely ignored security alerts and closed them without addressing the underlying issues. Following Brad’s whistleblowing and reporting of the team’s negligence, the entire IT support team was terminated. The timing of their dismissal strongly suggests a direct consequence of Brad’s actions.

Bitwarden integrates with OneCLI agent vault

Bitwarden has launched an Agent Access SDK integrated with OneCLI, enabling AI agents to access credentials from Bitwarden vaults with human approval. This system prevents agents from directly holding sensitive credentials by injecting them into API requests through OneCLI after user authorization, enhancing security. The open-source integration aims to provide a “trust layer” for AI agent credential management.

Marginalia Search is developing a new NSFW filter for its search engine, primarily intended for API users. The filter will utilize a fast, single-layer neural network and employs large language models to automatically label training data, overcoming limitations of previous approaches like Fasttext. This innovative method balances performance constraints with the need for accurate content classification.

FTC action against Match and OkCupid for deceiving users, sharing personal data

Match Group, parent company of dating apps like OkCupid and Tinder, has settled with the Federal Trade Commission for $46 million over deceptive practices. The FTC alleged that Match misled users about successful relationships and shared personal data with third parties for advertising purposes without consent. The settlement requires Match to change its practices and includes financial penalties and restitution.

Philly courts will ban all smart eyeglasses starting next week

Philadelphia courts will ban all smart eyeglasses starting next week to prevent unauthorized recording and potential intimidation of witnesses and jurors. The ban, implemented by the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, applies to anyone entering court buildings and follows a growing trend among court systems nationwide. Violators could face penalties including being barred from entry or criminal contempt charges.

Match to Settle FTC Lawsuit Over Data Sharing with Clarifai

U.S. Army soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division have begun deploying to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. This deployment follows President Trump’s consideration of further actions related to the ongoing conflict. The move indicates a potential increase in the U.S. military presence in the region.

Contextualizing Cryptography

Cryptography researchers are increasingly feeling disconnected from the practical impact of their work due to a lack of context and focus on real-world applications. This disconnect stems from neglecting ethical considerations and failing to explicitly define research goals, such as problem-solving or achieving impact. To address this, researchers have launched initiatives like the Community-Driven Cryptography Project and the ReCAP workshop to encourage more impactful cryptography research.

Researchers warn that macOS users face browser credential-stealing attack

Researchers have identified a new attack targeting macOS users that steals browser credentials. The vulnerability exploits a flaw allowing malicious websites to access saved passwords and other sensitive information. Users are advised to enable JavaScript and cookies to continue browsing, though the specific mitigation steps remain unclear.

It looks bad: inside ShinyHunters’ European Commission data breach

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Ajax silenced hacker who found 2017 data breach

Ajax has reportedly silenced a hacker who discovered a 2017 data breach. The breach occurred years ago, but remained undetected until the hacker brought it to light. The article instructs readers to enable JavaScript and cookies to proceed.

⚙️ Development & Infrastructure

Microsoft Fabric Database Hub only a ‘partial’ solution for admins

Microsoft’s new Fabric Database Hub provides centralized management for Microsoft databases within its data platform, offering improved connectivity and AI-powered insights. Analysts consider it a “partial solution” due to its limited support for non-Microsoft systems, primarily benefiting organizations deeply invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. Wider enterprise adoption should be approached cautiously until broader compatibility is established.

Microsoft yanks Windows 11 preview update after install failures

Microsoft has paused the rollout of Windows 11 preview update KB5079391 due to widespread installation errors reported by users. The update, intended to showcase new features for versions 24H2 and 25H2, is not mandatory and availability has been limited while the issue is investigated. Microsoft has not yet disclosed the cause of the problem or when the update might resume distribution.

Router Restrictions and Innovation

A new US policy restricting router imports is driving interest in creating homemade routers using common computer hardware and Linux software. This approach highlights the fundamental nature of routers as computers and offers a potential workaround for import limitations. However, critics argue the policy is protectionist, potentially hindering security updates and benefiting domestic manufacturers.

OCR for construction documents does not work, we fixed it

AnchorGrid has developed a new API and machine learning models to accurately analyze construction documents. The platform detects fixtures, extracts schedules, and provides document analysis capabilities. Developers can learn more and access the API through AnchorGrid’s website.

Coasts – Containerized Hosts for Agents

Coasts is a new tool that allows developers to run multiple, isolated Docker-compose runtimes across different Git worktrees on a single computer. It essentially creates “containerized hosts” that act like development containers without the IDE, enabling isolated testing and development workflows for agents. Users configure Coasts through a Coastfile and can dynamically manage ports and worktree assignments.

Choosing the best coding font

GitHub partnered with Lettermatic to develop Monaspace, a free, open-source coding font superfamily designed to enhance legibility and personalization within code editors. Resources like CodingFont are now available to help developers explore and select coding fonts, themes, and color schemes to optimize their workflow. These tools highlight the growing importance of font choice for coding comfort and efficiency.

User Mode Linux

User Mode Linux (UML) is a modified version of the Linux kernel that runs as a regular process within a standard Linux system. This allows for safer kernel experimentation, debugging, and testing without risking the host system, and can be run by non-root users. Setting up UML involves compiling a customized kernel and modules using a specific build flag (“ARCH=um”).

I use excalidraw to manage my diagrams for my blog

The author streamlined their blog image creation process by automating the export of graphics from Excalidraw. They created a GitHub Action that identifies and exports SVG images with specific prefixes for both light and dark modes. This automation significantly reduces the time spent on image management and improves the workflow for their blog posts.

15 years, one server, 8GB RAM and 500k users – how Webminal refuses to die

Webminal.org, a Linux terminal platform, has been running continuously since 2011 on a single server with limited resources, serving hundreds of thousands of users. Recently redesigned, the platform now includes “Root Labs” offering full root access for system administration practice and utilizes a surprisingly outdated, yet functional, tech stack. Despite overcoming significant infrastructure challenges, including a datacenter fire, Webminal continues to operate reliably.

HD Audio Driver for Windows 98SE / Me

A new alpha-stage driver enables HD Audio functionality on Windows 98 SE and ME for Intel chipsets post-915. The driver is experimental, offering limited playback support and potential instability or hardware compatibility issues. Users of other Windows versions or those seeking reliability are advised to explore alternative audio solutions.

VHDL Standardisation Advances

VHDL guarantees deterministic behavior in hardware designs through a delta cycle algorithm that separates signal updates from process evaluations, a feature absent in Verilog. This distinction arises from VHDL’s exclusive use of signals for communication, unlike Verilog’s “regs” which combine computation and communication, potentially leading to non-deterministic results. Consequently, VHDL provides a more predictable and consistent design environment.

How We Rewrote 130K Lines from React to Svelte in Two Weeks

Strawberry browser’s frontend was rapidly rewritten from React to Svelte using coding agents, completing the 130,000-line migration in just two weeks. This shift significantly improved browser speed and responsiveness by a factor of two, addressing performance limitations caused by React’s virtual DOM and constant updates from AI agents. Strict coding rules guided the agents to ensure a high-quality and performant transition to Svelte.

New Apple Silicon M4 and M5 HiDPI Limitation on 4K External Displays

Newer Apple Silicon Macs, starting with the M4 chip, are limiting external display resolution to 3360x1890, preventing full 4K (3840x2160) HiDPI support. This software limitation, despite the hardware’s capabilities, forces users to choose between blurry 4K resolution or reduced screen space with sharp text. Attempts to bypass this restriction have been unsuccessful, suggesting a deeper issue within macOS.

Waymo, Austin Schools Struggled to Train Robotaxis to Stop

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles in Austin repeatedly failed to stop for school buses, leading to a federal recall and ongoing safety concerns. Emails and reports reveal months of struggle between Waymo and the Austin Independent School District to train the robotaxis to comply with traffic laws. The incidents highlight potential limitations in how self-driving car software learns and adapts to real-world situations.

Joins are NOT Expensive

A recent analysis challenges the common belief that joins are expensive in data processing. Testing revealed that traditional dimensional models utilizing joins consume less CPU during read operations compared to pre-joined, flat tables. This suggests that denormalizing data to avoid joins may not always result in CPU cost savings.

A Couple Million Lines of Haskell: Production Engineering at Mercury

Fintech company Mercury utilizes a 2 million-line Haskell codebase to process billions in transactions for hundreds of thousands of businesses. Despite a largely non-Haskell-expert engineering team, the system has proven reliable during rapid growth and crises due to the language’s ability to encode operational knowledge. Mercury prioritizes practical operational considerations alongside Haskell’s elegance to ensure long-term maintainability.

Fast and Gorgeous Erosion Filter

A new technique creates the visual appearance of erosion on virtual landscapes quickly and efficiently. This “erosion filter” uses a specialized noise function, building on previous work, to generate realistic branching gullies and ridges without complex simulations. The method is GPU-friendly and allows for easy application to existing landscape designs.

IHP v1.5 has been released

The IHP web framework has released version 1.5.0, a major update featuring a complete database layer rewrite for improved performance and a modular architecture with over 15 standalone packages. This release includes significant speed enhancements, compile-time type-checked SQL, and pipeline queries to streamline web application development. The upgrade aims to provide a more robust and developer-friendly experience for building Haskell-based web applications.

NumPy as Synth Engine

A new music generation system uses Python and the NumPy library to create instrument sounds entirely through mathematical algorithms, without relying on pre-recorded audio samples. The system employs techniques like the Karplus-Strong method and custom synthesis to simulate instruments such as sitars, tablas, and guitars using sine waves, noise, and filters. This demonstrates the potential for creating complex and realistic instrument sounds programmatically.

Fixing our own problems in the Rust compiler

Trifecta Tech is proactively improving Rust’s compiler and tools by directly contributing fixes and enhancements. Recognizing that waiting for official features can be slow, they’ve addressed niche limitations within projects like zlib-rs and libzstd-rs-sys. Their work includes bug fixes in Clippy and expanding Miri’s capabilities to support more complex code structures.

How would you design parallel grep for huge JSONL files?

The article discusses the challenge of efficiently searching very large JSONL files. The author is exploring a parallel “grep-style” approach, treating the files as line-delimited text for processing. They are seeking advice on the design and implementation of such a system.

A fast, compact, immutable map from strings to uint64 values in Go

A new Go library called constmap provides a fast and memory-efficient, immutable map from strings to uint64 values. It utilizes a binary fuse filter for quick lookups with minimal memory overhead and is ideal for scenarios with a known set of keys. The library also offers serialization capabilities to save and load the map for persistence.

Analyzing round trip query latency

Database timeouts can occur even when the database itself is performing well, often due to bottlenecks in external infrastructure like load balancers or connection pools. Analyzing round trip query latency by correlating application and database monitoring data helps pinpoint the specific source of slowdowns. Separating database time from overall round trip time allows teams to prioritize optimization efforts, focusing on either the database or upstream components.

I Made a Terminal Pager

A developer has created “lore,” a new terminal pager designed to improve interactive text navigation within terminal applications. Built using a reusable viewport component in Go, lore provides an alternative to standard pagers like less. The tool aims to offer enhanced functionality for viewing and navigating large text blocks such as logs and manifests.

The life of a file (2017)

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Category Theory Illustrated - Types

The article introduces type theory as a foundational mathematical language, offering an alternative to both set theory and category theory. It explains that set theory, while initially simple to understand, faces limitations demonstrated by Russell’s paradox – a contradiction arising from sets potentially containing themselves. The development of type theory was motivated by the need to resolve these paradoxes and create more robust mathematical formalisms.

Three Little Rust Crates

A developer has released three new Rust crates – name-to-handle-at, pidfd-util, and listen-fds – to address a security vulnerability in systemd socket activation. These crates utilize process file descriptors (pidfds) to avoid process ID wrap-around issues and enhance the security of file descriptor passing between processes. The development is part of a larger effort to improve the integration of Varlink services.

Fully Local Code Embeds

A developer has created “local-iframe,” a framework-agnostic solution for embedding interactive code sandboxes directly within HTML pages. The system utilizes a web component and HTML <template> element to avoid loading content during initial page load, simplifying development and allowing for customizable rendering. This approach eliminates reliance on external services and provides a clear view of the final document structure.

Okapi, or “What if ripgrep Could Edit?”

A researcher created a tool called Okapi to efficiently correct OCR errors in a large collection of digitized US Government employee data. Built on ripgrep, Okapi allows for bulk identification and correction of recurring errors, like misinterpretations of “III,” directly within a text editor. The tool displays matching lines and optionally the original images to aid in accurate edits.

UVWATAUAVAWH, The Pushy String

The string “UVWATAUAVAWH” is commonly found in Windows operating system files, appearing as a function prologue sequence similar to 64-bit code. Security researchers believe its prevalence is likely due to a typical function setup pattern, not a hidden message or malicious code. Numerous variations of the string also appear throughout system files.

🌎 Policy & Regulation

FCC says it’s making it easier for US telcos to ditch legacy lines

The FCC has implemented new rules to accelerate the retirement of outdated copper infrastructure for US telecommunications companies, aiming to facilitate the rollout of modern networks. These changes streamline approval processes and override some state regulations, reducing requirements for service replacement testing. Critics are concerned the move could negatively impact rural communities and vulnerable populations reliant on traditional phone services.

Spain shuts airspace for US planes involved in Iran war

Iran executed two men for their membership in the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), a banned opposition group, after Supreme Court approval. Human rights organizations condemn the executions as politically motivated, citing alleged torture and unfair trials, and worry about a potential increase in capital punishment to suppress dissent amid regional conflict. This continues Iran’s high rate of executions, ranking second globally after China.

New Washington state law bans noncompete agreements

Washington state has banned noncompete agreements statewide, a law taking effect June 30, 2027. This new legislation expands upon a 2019 law and prohibits employers from restricting workers’ ability to join or start competing businesses. Employers must notify current and former employees about the change, while clarifying rules surrounding related nonsolicitation agreements.

Senators want datacenters to come clean on power consumption

US Senators Warren and Hawley are urging the Energy Information Administration to require annual reporting of energy consumption data from datacenters and other large energy users. They argue this data is necessary to hold companies accountable for rising utility costs and ensure they adhere to voluntary pledges regarding energy usage. The senators believe public access to this information is crucial for effective oversight and grid planning.

Craig Newmark: Billionaires, Stop Whining About the Giving Pledge

Craigslist founder Craig Newmark, unexpectedly becoming wealthy from the site’s success, is now donating most of his fortune to those in need. He prioritized keeping Craigslist accessible and user-friendly by rejecting lucrative offers and advertising. Newmark believes distributing large sums of money benefits society more than hoarding it.

Spain closes airspace to aircraft involved in Iran war

Spain has denied airspace and base access to aircraft directly involved in the recent U.S.-Israel operation against Iran, deeming the action illegal. While barring participation in the strikes, Spain continues to support logistical operations for U.S. forces and is facilitating the transit of bombers through the Strait of Gibraltar. Despite this ban, Spain maintains its commitments to NATO and the EU.

Corn tortillas in California now must contain folic acid

California has mandated folic acid be added to corn masa flour used in tortillas to reduce neural tube defects, which disproportionately affect Hispanic infants. This law follows decades of folic acid fortification in other grain products and is prompting consideration of similar legislation in several other states. The initiative aims to improve public health and expand access to this essential nutrient nationwide.

Musk Cases Reassigned Amid Judge Concerns Over Media Attention

A Delaware judge has reassigned Elon Musk’s legal cases to another judge, citing concerns about disproportionate media attention. Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick recused herself following controversy over a “liked” LinkedIn post that appeared to celebrate a recent legal defeat for Musk. While denying any bias, the judge stated the media scrutiny posed a risk to ensuring a fair judicial process.

Defense Startups Eye US Move Amid UK Spending Delays

Defense technology startups in the UK are contemplating relocating to the US due to significant delays in government contract funding. Executives are reportedly characterizing the UK defense sector as being at a “standstill” as a result of these funding issues. This potential exodus could negatively impact the UK’s defense technology industry.

Canada introduces bill banning cryptocurrency donations to politicians

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📰 Society & Culture

Humanoid robots one tiny step closer to exterminating autoworkers’ jobs

Humanoid Robotics has successfully integrated its wheeled humanoid robot into a warehouse logistics workflow using SAP’s AI systems, demonstrating its ability to perform tasks like picking and pallet handling. This proof-of-concept suggests potential for humanoid robots in manufacturing, although widespread adoption is currently limited by high costs and technological challenges. The integration highlights a shift towards robots functioning as extensions of business operations within existing workflows.

Google is to journalism what Vikings were to monks. Now their man will run the BBC

Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, has been appointed the BBC’s Director-General designate, sparking concerns about his lack of media experience. His appointment is believed to be a strategic move to secure the BBC’s Royal Charter renewal amidst political pressure and threats to its impartiality. The selection highlights the broadcaster’s complex relationship with powerful tech companies like Google, which has been criticized for its impact on journalism.

“CEO said a thing” journalism

A growing trend in U.S. journalism, termed “CEO said a thing!” involves reporting statements from business leaders without critical analysis or fact-checking. This practice often functions as corporate promotion, obscuring misleading claims and avoiding challenges to powerful executives. The trend is particularly prevalent in business and tech reporting, and has been criticized for normalizing unquestioning acceptance of corporate narratives.

Take better notes, by hand

A new note-taking system combines digital tools with traditional paper notebooks to improve research and reading comprehension. The method emphasizes hand-written notes, incorporating techniques like dating entries and creating indexes to overcome limitations and facilitate recall. Ultimately, the system aims to balance the benefits of both digital and analog approaches for deeper engagement with the material.

JD Vance says aliens are ‘demons’ and details obsession with UFOs

Vice President JD Vance has expressed a strong interest in unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), stating he intends to investigate them further. He believes these phenomena are likely “demons” rather than extraterrestrial aliens, aligning with his Christian beliefs. Vance’s comments follow renewed public and governmental attention to UAPs, including promises to release related government files.

72% of the dollar’s purchasing power was destroyed in just four episodes

A new analysis of the Consumer Price Index reveals the US dollar has lost 96.9% of its purchasing power since 1914. This loss was largely concentrated in four distinct inflationary periods, accounting for 72% of the overall price increases despite representing only 29% of the time. The data highlights that inflation occurs in sudden bursts rather than a gradual decline.

Bird brains (2023)

New Zealand’s Kea parrots have demonstrated remarkable intelligence by manipulating traffic cones to obtain food from motorists, prompting the government to build specialized “kea gyms” for their entertainment. Scientists measure bird intelligence through various tests assessing self-awareness, problem-solving, and spatial memory, revealing complex cognitive abilities. These studies highlight that birds possess surprisingly sophisticated capabilities, including future planning and communication.

The Alphabetical Clock

A new clock, dubbed “The Alphabetical Clock,” displays time in an unconventional, alphabetical format. It offers two modes: one with separate hands sorted by the spelling of hours, minutes, and seconds, and another showing all possible times alphabetically with a single needle. The design was inspired by a post on Mastodon.

I am definitely missing the pre-AI writing era

The author’s writing was rejected due to AI detection, prompting them to reflect on a decline in their writing skills since the rise of AI writing tools. They attribute this loss of creativity and unique voice to over-reliance on AI assistance, making it difficult to produce original work. The rejection served as a reminder of the value of raw, unedited expression and a desire to reclaim their natural writing abilities.

The curious case of retro demo scene graphics

Early demo scene graphics often involved copying or adapting artwork from external sources like fantasy and science fiction artists. This practice was generally accepted as a demonstration of skill in pixel art conversion techniques rather than a copyright violation. The focus was on the effort and craftsmanship involved in hand-pixelling and optimizing images for early computer systems.

How the Navajo Nation is tackling diabetes with a return to its ancestral diet

The Navajo Nation is implementing a program to combat high rates of Type 2 diabetes by embracing a return to traditional, plant-based Indigenous foods and culture. This initiative, spurred by former President Jonathan Nez’s personal health journey, aims to reverse the effects of historical forced assimilation and loss of traditional food systems. The Diné Power Plate dietary guidelines and community education programs are showing promise in improving health outcomes.

Something unexpected: Sunbathers live longer (2016)

A Swedish study of nearly 30,000 women found that those with more sun exposure lived longer and had fewer heart disease deaths. While cancer deaths were more common in this group, researchers suggest a possible link to vitamin D production, though the effect was small and further research is needed. The study acknowledges that other lifestyle factors may also be contributing to the observed longevity.

AI Safety Concerns Grow With Advanced Models

AI capabilities continue to improve exponentially, with AI even being used to accelerate its own development. While progress has been made in aligning AI systems, significant challenges remain, including adversarial robustness and a lack of societal preparedness. A positive development is the ability to use AI to monitor other AI models, but further research and scaling of alignment efforts are crucial.

Smartphones Blamed for Anxiety, Polarization – With Limits

A growing theory attributes numerous societal problems, like anxiety and political polarization, to the widespread use of smartphones and social media. However, this “Smartphone Theory of Everything” lacks strong evidence, as its negative effects are disproportionately concentrated in English-speaking countries. While studies show limiting phone use can improve focus and mood, a definitive causal link remains complex and requires further investigation.

Google DeepMind Chief Criticizes Trump, ICE Shooting

Google’s chief scientist, Jeff Dean, recently participated in an amicus brief supporting Anthropic’s lawsuit against the Defense Department. This marks a rare instance of a top tech executive publicly commenting on political and legal matters. Dean’s action underscores concerns regarding the government’s use of AI technology.

Schools Re-Evaluate Tech Use Amid Student Screen Time Concerns

Schools in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Michigan are reconsidering the use of classroom technology like Chromebooks due to concerns about excessive student screen time and distractions. Following a similar move by McPherson Middle School in Kansas, some schools are restricting laptop access and encouraging more traditional learning methods. This trend reflects a broader “Chromebook remorse” as educators re-evaluate the role of technology in education.

App Store Reviews Slowed by “Vibe” Apps

Developers are reporting significantly longer wait times for App Store approvals, potentially due to a surge in apps created using accessible “vibe coding” tools. While Apple maintains that most submissions are reviewed within 48 hours, some developers are experiencing delays of weeks. Experts suggest Apple may need to scale its review processes to accommodate the increasing volume of app submissions fueled by AI.

What are you doing this week?

This article poses a simple question to readers: what are their plans for the week? It encourages engagement by inviting people to share their activities, emphasizing that it’s perfectly acceptable to have no plans at all. The piece serves as an informal prompt for audience interaction.

15 Years of Forking (Waterfox)

Waterfox, a Firefox fork initially created by a teenager, is celebrating its 15th anniversary and boasts over 1 million monthly active users and 25 million lifetime downloads. The browser has partnered with Ecosia to plant over 350,000 trees and is committed to privacy, although it currently faces economic challenges. Waterfox plans to soon integrate a native content blocker.

Clojure: The Documentary (Trailer)

The article announces the release of a trailer for “Clojure: The Documentary.” The documentary appears to be about the programming language Clojure, though details are currently limited. Viewers can find the trailer on YouTube.

The Steam Controller D0ggle Adventure

The author attempted to revisit Diablo II using their Steam Controller but found the device’s dongle was broken, exposing its internal circuit board. Repair efforts were complicated by the dongle’s design and the Steam Controller’s discontinued status, requiring a costly search for a replacement. Ultimately, the author had to resort to using a Nintendo Switch Pro controller to continue playing.