Alvaro Lopez Ortega / 2026-05-18 Briefing

Created Mon, 18 May 2026 20:00:47 +0000 Modified Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:33:17 +0000
7485 Words

UN human rights experts have expanded their probe into Pornhub’s parent company to include tech giants like Google and Meta, targeting the infrastructure enabling abusive content. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle joined the WHO to warn that Big Tech poses a “dangerous bargain” for childhood safety. In cybersecurity, new NPM supply chain attacks are surging as global data breaches hit record levels.

🤖 AI & Machine Learning

Think all songs sound the same? It’s proven – Spotify’s algorithms are killing interesting music

New research suggests that music streaming algorithms create a feedback loop that diminishes musical diversity by influencing both production trends and listener habits. The study warns that increased algorithmic curation can lead to a rapid collapse in consumption variety, resulting in a more homogenized musical landscape.

Google tells database devs to lean hard on AI for PostgreSQL work

Google is encouraging database developers to heavily utilize AI for PostgreSQL-related tasks. However, the company emphasizes that humans must remain accountable for the results, even when assisted by AI-generated code.

Cutting inference cold starts by 40x with LP, FUSE, C/R, and CUDA-checkpoint

Modal has reduced AI inference cold starts by 40x through the use of cloud buffers, a custom filesystem, and CPU and CUDA checkpoint/restore technologies. This advancement enables serverless GPU scaling to drop from minutes or hours to just tens of seconds, significantly improving GPU allocation utilization for variable workloads.

Cursor Launches Composer 2.5

Cursor has launched Composer 2.5, built on Moonshot’s Kimi K2.5, offering significant improvements in intelligence and reliability for complex, long-running tasks. The update utilizes advanced training methods, such as targeted textual feedback and reinforcement learning, to enhance instruction following and overall performance.

Qwen 3.7 Preview

Alibaba has introduced the Qwen3.7-Max-Preview and Qwen3.7-Plus-Preview models for evaluation in the Text and Vision Arenas. These releases have positioned Alibaba as the sixth-ranked lab in the Text Arena and the fifth-ranked lab in the Vision Arena.

We stopped AI bot spam in our GitHub repo using Git’s –author flag

To combat an influx of low-quality, AI-generated “slop” and spammy pull requests, the Archestra team has implemented strict access controls on their GitHub repository. Users must now complete an onboarding process before they are permitted to open issues, submit pull requests, or leave comments.

I’m a Normie. Can Normies Vibe Code?

Motivated by the administrative hurdles following a family medical emergency, a non-programmer is using “vibe coding” to develop an app that tracks “sludge.” The project seeks to expose the cumulative burden of the small, time-consuming bureaucratic tasks that characterize modern life.

Researchers Wanted Preschool Teachers to Wear Cameras to Train AI

University of Washington researchers planned to use first-person camera footage from preschool teachers to develop AI models. The program operated on an opt-out basis, meaning parents had to proactively take steps to prevent their children’s classroom interactions from being recorded.

AI eats the world (Spring 26) [pdf]

The publication “AI eats the world (Spring 26)” examines the pervasive and expanding influence of artificial intelligence. The report is available in PDF format.

Most Americans don’t trust AI – or the people in charge of it (2025)

Recent studies reveal a widening optimism gap between AI experts, who view the technology as beneficial, and the American public, who feel increasingly anxious and distrustful. Both groups express significant concern regarding the lack of effective regulation and a lack of personal control over how AI is integrated into their lives.

xAI promised $420 for tax filings to train Grok, but bonuses remain unpaid.

Elon Musk’s xAI has failed to pay employees the promised $420 for providing tax returns as training data for the Grok chatbot. The company made the incentive offer to enhance Grok’s tax-related capabilities and compete with rival models like ChatGPT and Claude.

Amazon’s Alexa+ launches AI-generated podcasts with AI co-hosts in the US

Amazon is introducing a new feature for its Alexa+ AI assistant that generates custom, AI-powered “podcasts” featuring two synthetic co-hosts. To ensure accuracy, the service utilizes content from major news organizations and is currently available to Alexa+ customers in the U.S.

Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah to join Pope Leo on May 25 for AI encyclical launch

Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah will join Pope Leo XIV on May 25 for the launch of the Pope’s first encyclical. The upcoming document will outline the pontiff’s views on the age of artificial intelligence.

Decart raises $300M at a ~$4B valuation for real-time generative video and GPU optimization.

San Francisco-based startup Decart has raised $300 million in a funding round led by Radical Ventures, bringing its valuation to nearly $4 billion. The company develops technology designed to help AI developers more efficiently switch between various computing processors, such as those from Nvidia, Amazon, and Google.

New class of jobs from AI companies: AI storytellers, engineers, philosophers, and more

The rise of AI companies is fostering the emergence of a new class of specialized job roles, including AI storytellers, forward deployed engineers, and AI philosophers. These emerging positions are reshaping organizational structures as the industry seeks talent to implement and communicate the value of generative AI technology.

Find bugs in YOUR code using OpenCode, Llama.cpp and Qwen3.6

Coding agents like OpenCode lack technical sandboxing or filesystem isolation, creating significant security vulnerabilities. This lack of isolation allows uncensored LLMs to bypass internal safety policies and potentially access sensitive system data, such as SSH keys and configuration files.

🛡️ Security & Privacy

Race to tear down open source: copycats reusing TeamPCP’s code in NPM attacks

Cybercriminals are competing for a $1,000 bounty to launch supply chain attacks using the open-source Shai-Hulud worm. This competition has triggered an influx of malicious, typosquatted NPM packages aimed at stealing sensitive credentials and deploying DDoS botnets.

Proton Warns Against Google Sign-In

Using “Sign in with Google” poses significant security and privacy risks, as it creates a single point of failure and enables extensive data tracking by the company. Additionally, relying on centralized providers can lead to the loss of a user’s entire digital identity in the event of an account suspension.

Linux kernel flaw opens root-only files to unprivileged users

A Linux kernel vulnerability allows unprivileged users to access root-only files, prompting the introduction of the ModuleJail proposal for mitigation. The report also covers the security implications of AI-driven attacks and the impact of hardware supply chain disruptions.

TanStack weighs invitation-only pull requests after supply chain attack

Following a supply chain attack by the Shai-Hulud worm, the TanStack project is considering making pull requests invitation-only. The attack exploited a GitHub Actions misconfiguration to poison a shared cache, prompting the project to evaluate restricting unsolicited contributions.

NGINX Rift attackers waste no time targeting exposed servers

Attackers are already targeting exposed servers by exploiting an 18-year-old NGINX vulnerability. Researchers report that the flaw is being probed and exploited just days after its disclosure.

Voice AI Systems Are Vulnerable to Hidden Audio Attacks

Researchers have developed AudioHijack, a technique that uses imperceptible audio signals to manipulate large audio-language models into executing unauthorized commands. By embedding these signals in common audio sources like videos or music, attackers can achieve a 79 to 96 percent success rate in forcing models to perform tasks such as downloading files or sending emails.

I automated opt-outs for 500 data broker sites (open source)

The open-source macOS tool “auto-identity-remove” automates the removal of personal information from over 500 data broker and people-search websites. The script operates on a monthly schedule, utilizes CAPTCHA solving to streamline the process, and sends progress updates via iMessage.

The foundations of a provably secure operating system (PSOS) (1979) [pdf]

This 1979 paper outlines the foundational principles required to develop a provably secure operating system (PSOS). It establishes a theoretical framework intended to ensure that system security properties can be mathematically verified.

Bug bounty firms tighten checks and use AI to triage a flood of low-quality AI-generated reports

Companies managing bug bounty programs are facing a surge of low-quality, AI-generated security reports. To manage this influx, organizations are implementing stricter background checks and deploying AI agents to triage the reports.

Anthropic agrees to brief FSB on global financial vulnerabilities found by Mythos

Anthropic has agreed to brief the Financial Stability Board (FSB) on cyber vulnerabilities within the global financial system discovered by Mythos. The briefing follows a request from the FSB’s Chair to discuss these potential flaws and the capabilities of Anthropic’s new AI model.

AI Agent Security - MIT 6.566 guest lecture

A guest lecture at MIT 6.566 examines the security vulnerabilities inherent in autonomous AI agents that interact with environments to achieve user-defined goals. The presentation covers the technical foundations of LLMs and tool use while highlighting critical risks such as prompt injection and data exfiltration.

💻 Software & Engineering

An ESA-backed trial is testing infrared laser links between a Greek mountaintop ground station and CubeSats. This optical networking experiment aims to address the growing demand for satellite communications as they outgrow traditional radio capabilities.

Microsoft remembers that taskbars used to move

An experimental Windows 11 build is testing the restoration of movable taskbars, bringing back a feature from previous versions of the operating system. While the update introduces some long-awaited changes, the implementation is still in an experimental stage and shows some rough edges.

Windows boot partition runs out of space for Microsoft’s May security update

Microsoft’s May security update is facing issues because the Windows boot partition is running out of space. This development has raised concerns regarding the adequacy of the update’s testing process.

F-35 software delays leave UK buying time with US glide bombs

The UK Ministry of Defence is using US-made StormBreaker glide bombs to address capability gaps caused by software delays in the F-35 program. This interim measure will serve as a bridge until the integration of the homegrown SPEAR 3 system is completed.

Haiku OS Supports M1 Macs

Haiku OS can now run on Apple Silicon Macs through both virtualization via UTM and a new bare-metal implementation. While the system successfully boots to a desktop with all eight CPU cores functional, current versions face limitations such as broken USB support, a lack of development tools, and various performance challenges.

Linux 6.6 LTS To Linux 7.1 Bechmarks: Performance Up 13% Threadripper Over 3 yrs

Benchmarks on an AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X workstation show that the Linux 7.1 Git kernel achieves a 13% geometric mean performance increase over Linux 6.6 LTS. The testing demonstrates steady performance improvements across various kernel versions released over the last three years.

The Interview That Ships to Production: replacing whiteboards with pull requests

AngelList has replaced traditional whiteboard interviews with a two-stage process designed to measure real-world engineering skills. The new method involves a domain-specific coding challenge using an AI assistant, followed by a task where candidates must submit a pull request to the company’s actual codebase.

Project Glasswing: what Mythos showed us

Testing of Anthropic’s Mythos Preview LLM during Project Glasswing reveals that the model significantly outperforms previous frontier models in constructing complex exploit chains and generating automated proofs of exploitability. The model distinguishes itself through its ability to iteratively verify vulnerabilities by writing, compiling, and executing code to confirm findings.

Files.md – Open-source alternative to Obsidian

Files.md is a privacy-focused, open-source application designed for managing Markdown files directly within a web browser. The platform follows a local-first approach and offers various synchronization options, including cloud storage integration, self-hosted servers, and a Telegram chatbot.

This ultra-lightweight Linux OS saved my Windows 10 laptop from the scrapheap

To combat software bloat from major tech companies that often necessitates hardware upgrades, the author recommends using the ultra-lightweight Linux distribution Q4OS. Specifically, the Trinity edition provides extremely low system requirements, making it an ideal solution for revitalizing older 64-bit laptops.

NASA still maintains some of the Voyager spacecraft code from the 70s era

NASA engineers face significant challenges maintaining the Voyager spacecraft due to the loss and fragmentation of critical paper-based documentation from the 1970s. To sustain the mission, the team must navigate these incomplete historical records to manage specialized assembly-language systems running on extremely limited computing resources.

LKML: Linus Torvalds: Linux 7.1-rc4

Anubis utilizes a Proof-of-Work scheme to protect servers from aggressive AI web scraping that causes downtime and resource inaccessibility. This temporary measure serves as a placeholder until more advanced browser fingerprinting methods can be implemented to identify legitimate users.

Microsoft admits Windows 11’s dedicated Copilot key breaks certain workflows

Microsoft is set to release a Windows 11 update later this year that allows users to remap the dedicated Copilot key to function as either a “Right Ctrl” or “Context menu” key. This update aims to resolve workflow disruptions for users who rely on these specific keyboard shortcuts or assistive technologies.

Nobody Pushed Back: Why Engineers Stay Silent Until It’s Too Late

Many large-scale architectural disasters result from corporate cultures that discourage dissent, leading engineers to remain silent about known risks to avoid professional repercussions. By examining cases like Nokia, Boeing, and TSB, the article illustrates how the pressure for “alignment” and production schedules often overrides critical technical warnings.

Why bambu_networking violates the AGPL in Bambu Studio

An analysis claims that Bambu Studio violates the AGPL v3 license by incorporating the closed-source bambu_networking component as an integral part of its operation. The author argues that because the software is specifically designed to download and interact with this component via shared libraries, its source code must be provided under the license’s terms.

Freelang – a Libc-free, direct sys/kernel call language with weird concurrency

FreedomLang is an AOT systems language that compiles to native, libc-free x86-64 code for Linux, macOS, and Windows without requiring a VM or JIT. It employs OS processes for concurrency to enable inspectable job states via the filesystem and prioritizes immediate termination for bugs alongside explicit error handling.

Pdf2md – 10MB Rust PDF-to-Markdown Tool with a Free API

Pdf2md is a Rust-based engine that converts PDF files into Markdown while preserving images, tables, and formulas. It features a free API that processes files up to 20 MB and returns Markdown content, extracted image links, and a ZIP download URL.

Microsoft retires Teams’ Together Mode to focus on video quality and stability

Microsoft is retiring the “Together Mode” feature in Teams, which was originally introduced in 2020. The company plans to simplify meeting layouts to focus on improving video quality, stability, and performance.

Misconceptions about the UNIX Philosophy

The article argues that the UNIX philosophy is frequently misunderstood as being limited to small programs communicating via pipes and plain text. The author contends that this misconception arises from confusing specific implementation details with the broader, underlying design principles.

The implementation of select in Go

The Go select statement is implemented through a coordinated effort between the compiler and the runtime. The compiler optimizes and rewrites common patterns into more efficient code, leaving only complex cases to be handled by the selectgo runtime function.

A Linux-like kernel in a browser tab - deep dive in the BrowserPod architecture

BrowserPod is a WebAssembly-powered in-browser sandbox that utilizes a custom-built, WebAssembly-native kernel to run Linux-compatible applications entirely client-side. The platform implements core operating system functions like hardware abstraction and application isolation, making it stable enough to support complex environments such as agentic CLIs.

FediMeteo, HAProxy, and the art of not wasting snac threads

To maintain the efficiency of the FediMeteo weather service, the developer is utilizing HAProxy to handle repetitive tasks such as caching and TLS termination. This approach offloads unnecessary work from the snac backend, ensuring its limited threads remain focused on essential ActivityPub processing.

Calvin - Determinism, Distributed ACID transactions (2020)

Calvin is a transaction scheduling and replication protocol that provides distributed ACID transactions for partitioned and replicated systems. By utilizing a deterministic locking mechanism, it eliminates the need for atomic commit protocols like 2-Phase Commit (2PC). This approach significantly reduces the transaction contention footprint by removing the nondeterminism inherent in 2-Phase Locking.

🏢 Big Tech & Industry

Meghan Markle speaks of “dangerous bargain” as Big Tech threatens childhood innocence

Meghan Markle joined WHO director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Switzerland to inaugurate The Lost Screen Memorial, an installation honoring children who died due to social media-related digital abuse. During the event, Markle framed digital safety as a critical public health issue and called for tech companies to implement stricter safety standards to protect young users.

Russia’s largest semiconductor firm, Mikron, selling chip parts as souvenirs to earn extra cash

Russia’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, Mikron, is selling limited-edition souvenirs, such as framed semiconductor wafers, to generate extra revenue. The collection also includes novelty items like themed Matryoshka dolls and air from the company’s clean room.

Samsung’s weather app sparks storm of controversy by handing territory to North Korea

Samsung’s weather app has sparked controversy by incorrectly attributing territory to North Korea. Other notable reports include a China-linked cyber-attack on Central Asian oil infrastructure and rising concerns over unexpected AI-related costs for cloud service users.

Musk loses lawsuit against Sam Altman

A jury has unanimously rejected Elon Musk’s claims against Sam Altman and OpenAI, ruling that the allegations of breach of contract and unjust enrichment were filed after the statute of limitations had expired. The decision dismisses the legal challenge regarding OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit mission, though Musk’s legal counsel has expressed intentions to appeal.

Anduril and Meta’s quest to make smart glasses for warfare

Anduril and Meta are developing augmented-reality headset prototypes designed to integrate drone feeds, battlefield data, and AI-driven commands into a soldier’s field of view. These projects, including the Army-contracted SBMC and the self-funded EagleEye, aim to streamline battlefield decision-making using voice and eye-tracking technology.

Garry Tan, the CEO of YC, accused me of unethical reporting

Journalist Radley Balko is refuting allegations by Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan that he engaged in unethical reporting to discredit reporter Dion Lim. Balko denies Tan’s claims that he collaborated with the San Francisco District Attorney’s office to orchestrate a media attack against the journalist.

What “Amazon Supply Chain Services” Tells Us About What Amazon Is

Amazon has launched Amazon Supply Chain Services (ASCS), opening its extensive logistics, warehousing, and delivery network to external enterprise customers. This move follows a historical pattern of the company transforming its internal cost centers, such as AWS and its marketplace, into profitable, external-facing services.

The American epoch of oil is collapsing. What comes next could be ugly

The global balance of power is shifting from Western oil-dependent nations to China’s emerging “electrostate” through its dominance in renewable energy technologies. As the world transitions from fossil fuels to renewables, the struggle between established petro-interests and new energy leaders could lead to significant geopolitical instability.

Apple announced the iPhone 17e with a chip developed in Israel

Apple has announced the iPhone 17e, featuring the A19 chip, full Apple Intelligence support, and a doubled starting storage of 256GB at a $599 price point. The new model includes advanced connectivity chips developed in collaboration with Apple’s Israeli engineers and an upgraded, more scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2 display.

Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?

Amazon maintains its dominance in Western e-commerce through a first-mover advantage and a historical strategy of reinvesting profits to fuel aggressive growth. The company further sustains its market leadership by leveraging high-margin businesses like AWS to support its vast and interconnected retail operations.

Uber raises Delivery Hero stake to 19.5%, says no plan for 30%+ voting rights

Uber Technologies Inc. has increased its stake in Delivery Hero SE to 19.5%, up from a 7% holding in April. However, the company stated it has no current intention to acquire 30% or more of Delivery Hero’s voting rights.

Seagate shares drop 9%+ as CEO concerns about meeting AI demand trigger sell-off

Seagate shares dropped over 8% on Monday after CEO Dave Mosley raised concerns about the company’s ability to meet surging AI-driven demand due to capacity and lead-time constraints. This decline triggered a broader sell-off across the memory chip sector, impacting companies such as Micron and Western Digital.

NextEra’s $67B Dominion deal, largest US utility merger, signals consolidation for AI power demand

NextEra Energy’s $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy, the largest utility merger in U.S. history, signals a new era of industry consolidation. This trend is driven by the need for greater scale to meet surging power demands from artificial intelligence and a projected $1.1 trillion investment in U.S. energy infrastructure.

Sony hikes PlayStation Plus 1 & 3-month prices in select regions, citing market conditions.

Sony is increasing the starting prices for one-month and three-month PlayStation Plus subscriptions in select regions, citing ongoing market conditions. In the U.S., the monthly Essential tier will see a $1 increase, while the three-month tier will rise by $3.

Google staff competition for TPUs intensifies as company prioritizes cloud/AI over research

Google’s AI researchers are facing intensified internal competition for access to the company’s proprietary computing resources, such as TPUs. This competition arises as Google prioritizes cloud customers and flagship AI products over its own research operations.

Baidu Q1 revenue ~$4.7B and profit ~$506.6M beat estimates amid slow AI payoff.

Baidu reported a 55% year-over-year drop in Q1 net profit to approximately $506.6 million, marking its fourth consecutive quarter of declining revenue. To offset a slump in its traditional advertising business, the company is heavily investing in artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, and chip development.

Amazon: From AI also-ran to contender via $200B spend, custom chips, and savvy deals

Amazon has transformed from an AI underdog into a major contender, challenging the dominance of rivals like Microsoft. This strategic shift is driven by $200 billion in spending, investments in custom chips, and savvy business deals.

Samsung shares jump 6.7% as union talks resume and court grants injunction

Samsung Electronics shares rose as much as 6.7% after the company resumed labor negotiations with its union. The surge followed a court ruling that limited certain union actions, easing investor concerns regarding potential disruptions to chip production.

Apple repurposes ‘binned’ chips for cheap devices; A18 Pro orders rise for MacBook Neo

Apple is utilizing “binned” chips, which feature minor defects, to power its more affordable hardware like the $599 MacBook Neo. This strategy allows the company to repurpose processors that might otherwise be discarded, helping to mitigate the impact of rising production costs.

⚖️ Policy & Politics

United Nations widens Pornhub abuse probe to Visa, Mastercard, Google and Meta

UN human rights experts have expanded their scrutiny of Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo Holdings, to include major tech and payment firms such as Visa, Mastercard, Google, and Meta. The experts argue these companies provide the essential infrastructure that enables the circulation and monetization of non-consensual and abusive content. They are calling for the criminal prosecution of Aylo and stricter age and consent verification for all user-generated pornography sites.

Privacy regulators outline 3 urgent steps companies must take as data breaches hit 44K

Following an increase in reported data breaches from 38,000 to 44,000 in a single year, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) is urging companies to strengthen their cybersecurity measures. The regulator recommends improving security standards, enhancing data management, and increasing political oversight to bolster national digital resilience.

‘Big AI’ is subverting regulations just like tobacco and oil firms

Researchers warn that “Big AI” companies are engaging in regulatory capture to prioritize industry interests over the concerns of citizens. This subversion of regulations is being compared to the historical tactics used by the tobacco and oil industries.

Iran will impose fees on subsea internet cables in Strait of Hormuz

Iran intends to charge major technology companies licensing fees for the use of subsea internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has also threatened to disrupt global data traffic if firms do not comply, seeking to leverage the waterway’s critical role in international communications for economic and strategic influence.

America Needs to Build More Housing

The ratio of median home prices to household incomes in the United States has surged due to a chronic undersupply of housing relative to population growth. While restrictive zoning in coastal regions has driven prices to extreme levels, increased construction in cities like Austin has helped moderate housing costs.

U.S. creates $1.7B ’lawfare’ fund in exchange for Trump dropping $10B IRS suit

Donald Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization have dropped a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS in exchange for the Department of Justice establishing a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” The settlement also requires the withdrawal of claims regarding the Mar-a-Lago raid and the Russia investigation to compensate those alleging government “lawfare.”

Justice Department announces a $1.7B fund to compensate Trump allies

The Trump administration has established a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” as part of a settlement to resolve a lawsuit against the IRS regarding leaked tax returns. The fund is intended to compensate individuals who believe they were politically targeted by the previous Justice Department, a move that Democratic lawmakers and watchdogs have criticized as a corrupt use of taxpayer money.

Gen Z soldiers’ plastic surgeries strain Korea’s military readiness

An increasing number of South Korean soldiers are undergoing elective cosmetic surgeries, leading to operational disruptions and increased workloads for their peers. Driven by rising military pay and aggressive clinic marketing, this trend has forced commanders to sideline recovering personnel, exposing a lack of clear military regulations.

Trump cuts to weather data could make forecasts less reliable, warn experts

Experts warn that budget cuts to NOAA’s climate and weather data collection under the Trump administration could undermine the reliability of future weather forecasts. While new AI-powered models offer improved efficiency, reduced funding for satellites, buoys, and research limits the essential data needed to predict extreme weather events.

Actually, democracy dies in H.R.

The article argues that the House Rules Committee’s control over the legislative process is undermining democratic norms in the U.S. Congress. It highlights how the committee’s power to restrict debate and bypass regular order limits transparency and legislative accountability.

Russia is starting to lose ground in Ukraine

Russia is experiencing its first sustained net loss of territory in Ukraine since October 2023, according to a war tracker analysis. Despite a stalled spring offensive and high casualty rates, the intensity of the conflict remains high with no signs of an imminent end to the war.

Regulation of prediction markets

Prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi are facing increasing regulatory pressure in both Utah and India, with authorities in both regions seeking to restrict or ban their operations. Utah lawmakers are attempting to classify these platforms as illegal gambling, while India has issued advisories instructing internet service providers to block access to such sites.

An ICE Firearms Trainer Was Involved in at Least 4 Deadly Shootings

David S. Norman, the owner of the law enforcement training firm TruKinetics LLC, was involved in at least four lethal shootings during his career as a Phoenix Police officer. His company provides specialized tactical training to several Department of Homeland Security Special Response Teams, including units used for immigration enforcement.

We Are Sliding Back into the Middle Ages

A surge in reports of paranormal activity and a significant rise in religious conversions suggest a period of societal “re-enchantment.” This shift reflects a growing sentiment that materialist explanations are increasingly insufficient to account for the uncanny nature of contemporary life.

Bitcoin Depot, largest BTC ATM operator, files for bankruptcy citing compliance burdens.

Bitcoin Depot, the largest bitcoin ATM operator in North America, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to wind down its operations. The Nasdaq-listed company cited increasingly stringent regulatory compliance obligations and ongoing lawsuits as the primary reasons its business model became unsustainable.

Bannon, 60+ Trump allies urge Trump to mandate AI testing and approval before release

More than 60 allies of Donald Trump, including Steve Bannon, have signed a letter calling for mandatory government testing and approval of powerful AI models before their release. The proposal, led by the group Humans First, argues for treating advanced AI with the same level of scrutiny as nuclear or aviation systems to mitigate national security risks. This push for stricter regulation contrasts with the White House’s current preference for a hands-off approach to maintain America’s lead in the AI race.

FanDuel, DraftKings, Meta and a16z’s founders pump millions into state elections via super PACs

Major corporations and venture capital founders are investing millions of dollars into state-level election campaigns through super PACs to influence local regulations. This strategic shift comes as companies seek legislative leverage in states due to persistent stalemates in Congress.

US authorities issued multiple info requests to Kalshi and Polymarket over Iran and Venezuela wagers

US authorities have issued several information requests to prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket regarding wagers tied to events in Iran and Venezuela. These inquiries reflect growing concerns that individuals with access to sensitive government information could use these markets to profit from political volatility.

🌐 Internet & Culture

Coulthart says Trump knows the UFO truth, but Reddit isn’t so sure

Journalist Ross Coulthart claims that Donald Trump has been briefed on a legacy UAP crash retrieval program following pressure from several U.S. lawmakers. This assertion has sparked significant debate on social media, with critics and officials questioning the lack of concrete evidence and the accuracy of the reported briefing.

Dutch cops’ shame game works wonders as most wanted scammers now turned in

Dutch police have successfully utilized a gamified identification strategy called “Game Over?!” to track down scammers who target elderly individuals. This approach has proven effective, leading to the capture of several highly sought-after offenders.

Doom soundtrack added to National Recording Registry

The soundtrack to the video game Doom has been added to the National Recording Registry, joining the ranks of major mainstream albums. The news also highlights emerging AI security threats, hardware supply chain challenges, and recent software developments in the tech and defense sectors.

Iran launches Bitcoin-backed ship insurance

Iran has launched “Hormuz Safe,” a Bitcoin-backed digital insurance service for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. The platform aims to provide Iranian shipping companies and cargo owners with fast and verifiable insurance coverage.

How to deal with your kid leaving

The article explores the bittersweet emotions parents experience as their children transition into adulthood and move away from home. It highlights the importance of celebrating this milestone as a parenting success while acknowledging the profound sense of loss and emptiness that can follow a child’s departure.

For 20 years, Stephen Colbert distinguished truth from truthiness

Stephen Colbert’s 20-year television career, which includes the conclusion of his 11-year run on The Late Show, has been defined by his use of political satire to distinguish truth from “truthiness.” Peers praise his ability to adapt his comedic approach to effectively meet the unique political challenges of each era.

A Master’s Degree Isn’t the Job Guarantee It Used to Be

Recent data from the Burning Glass Institute indicates that a master’s degree no longer guarantees job security or career advancement. Specifically, the unemployment rate for workers under 35 with advanced degrees has reached its highest level in 20 years.

The Filipino virtual assistants running LinkedIn engagement networks

Virtual assistants in the Philippines are increasingly using generative AI to manage LinkedIn profiles for international executives, simulating engagement through automated posts and comments. This expanding offshore industry allows global companies to significantly reduce the costs of social media management and content creation.

1024000^2 Blocks, 2B2T Minecraft Server World Download Project, and Discoveries

A large-scale project has successfully downloaded 24 TB of data from the 2b2t Minecraft server, capturing vast areas of the Overworld, Nether, and End. Using custom automated tools developed over a year, the team has made the data accessible via a web-based map viewer and a Wayback Machine service. A full torrent of the massive dataset is currently being prepared for release.

Shame them, shun them, ban them, beat them

The article argues that regulations are ineffective without a fundamental motivation to uphold them, citing the violation of the 1936 Soviet Constitution during the Stalinist purges as a historical precedent. It applies this logic to the modern scientific replication crisis, suggesting that stricter procedural rules cannot prevent research misconduct if scientists are not committed to seeking the truth.

‘We mould trees to grow into the shape of chairs’

Alice and Gavin Munro have spent 20 years perfecting a method to grow trees into furniture shapes, such as chairs and stools, by training branches over recycled plastic molds. The Derbyshire-based couple now plans to launch an academy to teach others how to master this intensive, long-term process.

When Kierkegaard Got Cancelled

In 1845, Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard faced intense personal attacks and social isolation following a misleading review of his work by poet Peder Ludvig Møller. The controversy escalated when the satirical magazine The Corsair joined the mockery, misinterpreting Kierkegaard’s philosophy and targeting his character.

Dogme 25 – Vow of Chastity

Founded in Copenhagen in 2025, the Dogme 25 filmmaking collective aims to protect cinematic originality and artistic freedom from the influence of commercialism and algorithms. The group utilizes a set of strict guidelines known as “The Vow of Chastity” to promote human-centric production, with official film certification scheduled to begin in spring 2026.

Where Are the Vibecoded Photoshops?

The author argues that “vibecoding” is an unsubstantiated label used to dismiss AI-assisted work that lacks architectural complexity. They contend that while AI has automated syntax-heavy tasks, the fundamental challenges of software engineering, such as verification and architectural decision-making, remain intact.

Don’t Answer the First Question

The author advises developers to investigate the underlying motivation behind unusual user questions rather than providing direct answers. This approach helps users build a better mental model of a tool while providing developers with valuable insights for potential product improvements.

America’s Most-Spoken Languages After English and Spanish

Based on U.S. Census Bureau data, Chinese is the most geographically widespread language in the United States after English and Spanish, ranking as the top language in 13 states. Other languages, such as German and Navajo, remain highly concentrated within specific regional areas like the Mountain West and Southwest.

Which country voted the best at Eurovision?

A new data analysis investigates which Eurovision country’s voting most accurately predicts the top 10 rankings and their specific order. The study employs a mathematical metric that weights awarded points against the actual total points received by each participating country.

There Is No ‘Hard Problem of Consciousness’

Theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli argues that the “hard problem of consciousness” stems from a cultural resistance to viewing consciousness as a complex natural phenomenon rather than a transcendent soul. He suggests that scientific progress redefines our understanding of such phenomena without negating their fundamental reality.

Students deserve better than COLLEGE

Stanford professor Iván Marinovic has criticized the university’s decision to extend its “COLLEGE” general education program, arguing that the curriculum lacks academic rigor and balance. He contends that the program overemphasizes contemporary, progressive readings while neglecting foundational works from the Western canon.

How to Kill the Dead Internet

A new open-source browser extension called “D-slop” has been released to help users identify and disincentivize AI-generated content on the internet. The tool analyzes text for linguistic patterns to allow users to flag or block suspected AI writing, with future plans to expand detection to images and video.

Museum of Imaginary Musical Instruments

The Museum of Imaginary Musical Instruments features a diverse collection of experimental instruments, sound-based artistic projects, and musical inventions. The catalog includes various imaginative concepts ranging from the Polyharp and the Cat Piano to the Android Orpheus.

X slashes non-verified users’ daily post limit from 2,400 to 50, plus 200 replies

X has implemented new daily posting limits for unverified accounts, restricting them to 50 original posts and 200 replies per day. This is a significant decrease from the previous limit of 2,400 posts per day and is viewed as an incentive to encourage users to subscribe to X Premium.

Running ‘Doom’ on E. coli cells… very, very slowly

MIT researcher Lauren Ramlan has successfully programmed the classic game Doom to run on a display made of fluorescent E. coli cells. While the bacteria function as pixels, the biological rendering process is extremely slow, taking approximately nine hours to produce a single frame.

What are you doing this week?

The article invites readers to share their plans for the upcoming week. It also notes that it is perfectly acceptable to have no activities planned.