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Eric Schmidt: China Could Dominate the Physical AI Future
5 hours ago
- Chinese humanoid robots showcased at the Spring Festival Gala, performing dances, parkour, and martial arts.
- China's AI capabilities are increasingly physical, integrating into daily life beyond screens.
- China leads in physical AI, with advancements in robotics, drone swarms, and automated factories.
- China dominates the supply chain for robotics, including lidar sensors, harmonic reducers, and robot joints.
- Chinese firms are producing affordable humanoid robots for home use, like Noetix’s Bumi.
- China accounts for over 80% of global humanoid robot installations and half of industrial robots.
- Generative AI is enabling robots to perceive and adapt to dynamic environments.
- China's strategy in physical AI mirrors its success in the EV industry, leveraging state support and competition.
- The U.S. has advantages in software and foundational research but needs to rebuild supply chains and support robotics development.
- The future of AI includes robots performing tasks autonomously, with China currently leading the robotics revolution.
Military AI Policy by Contract: The Limits of Procurement as Governance
9 hours ago
- The U.S. is adopting a flexible but inadequate AI governance model through regulation by contract, bypassing democratic accountability and public deliberation.
- The Pentagon's 'any lawful use' policy requires AI vendors to remove restrictions beyond legal requirements, prioritizing speed over governance.
- Anthropic was designated as a supply chain risk after refusing to drop its red lines, leading to legal challenges against the government's decision.
- OpenAI's agreement with the Pentagon, framed around 'any lawful use,' shifts interpretive authority to the government, raising concerns about enforceability.
- Contractual terms for military AI are being publicly rewritten due to public backlash, highlighting the lack of formal governance review.
- The 'consistent with applicable laws' clause in OpenAI's agreement leaves enforcement dependent on the government's interpretation, not the vendor.
- The 'intentionally' qualifier in OpenAI's prohibition on domestic surveillance may limit its effectiveness by allowing room for interpretation.
- Federal contracts, especially Other Transaction (OT) agreements, lack robust enforcement mechanisms, making it difficult to prevent misuse of AI technologies.
- The Pentagon's reliance on AI like Claude has reached a point where termination of contracts may not be feasible, undermining vendor control.
- The administration's shift toward commercial-first procurement reforms risks removing baseline procedural defaults, placing more weight on bilateral negotiations.
Daniel Ellsberg: The Effect of Top Secret Clearance
10 hours ago
- Daniel Ellsberg shares a story about advising Henry Kissinger on the psychological effects of receiving high-level security clearances.
- Ellsberg describes three stages of reaction to top-secret information: initial exhilaration, feeling foolish for previous ignorance, and eventually dismissing others without such clearances as uninformed.
- He warns that possessing such clearances can lead to isolation, manipulation of others, and a diminished capacity to learn from those without access to the same information.
- Ellsberg likens the effect of secret information to the mythical potion of Circe, which turned men into swine, unable to communicate or find their way home.
- The conversation highlights the corrosive impact of secrecy on decision-making and the potential for such knowledge to distort one's perception of reality and others' expertise.
A 1,300-pound NASA spacecraft to re-enter Earth's atmosphere
8 hours ago
- A 1,300-pound NASA spacecraft, Van Allen Probe A, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere after nearly 14 years in space.
- Re-entry is projected around 19:45 EST on Tuesday, with a 24-hour margin of uncertainty.
- Most of the spacecraft will burn up, but some components may survive, posing a low risk (1 in 4,200 chance of harm).
- The mission, initially planned for two years, lasted almost seven, ending when the probes ran out of fuel.
- The probes studied Earth's Van Allen radiation belts, which shield the planet from harmful cosmic radiation and solar storms.
- Significant discoveries included identifying a transient third radiation belt during intense solar activity.
- Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter before 2030.
Pike: To Exit or Not to Exit
3 days ago
- Pike is an app designed to solve the problem of choosing the right exit during road trips by providing easy-to-view exit cards with options within 5 minutes of driving time.
- Current navigation apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps are not optimized for road trips as they don't effectively show options that are quickly accessible from upcoming exits.
- The app is particularly useful for travelers who want to avoid missing key stops like the last Chick-fil-A for hundreds of miles or need to find dog parks for pets.
- Development involved multiple iterations, starting with flawed approaches like directional POIs and non-directed graphs, before settling on pre-computed exit sequences and driving time searches.
- The final solution used OpenStreetMap data and Open Source Routing Machine to pre-compute driving times from exits to POIs across the continental US, requiring significant cloud computing resources.
- The creator learned valuable lessons about avoiding heuristics in map-based applications and the importance of clean data.
- Future updates may include configurable timing for POI recommendations and additional categories like parks and dog parks.
Standardizing source maps
3 hours ago
- Source maps are crucial for modern web development, allowing developers to map compiled code back to original source code for debugging.
- Initially, there was no official standard for source maps, leading to challenges in adding new features and maintaining consistency across tools.
- Google's Closure Tools in 2009 marked the beginning of complex JavaScript optimization, highlighting the need for source maps.
- A source map is a JSON file containing metadata like version, file names, source content, and encoded mappings.
- The 'mappings' field in source maps uses Base64 VLQ encoding to efficiently represent source-to-generated code relationships.
- Revision 3 of source maps in 2011 introduced significant improvements, reducing file size and improving encoding efficiency.
- Despite the lack of a standard, features like 'ignoreList' were successfully added through collaboration between browsers and tools.
- Bloomberg's 'pasta-sourcemaps' introduced function name mapping in stack traces, addressing a common debugging pain point.
- In 2023, the TC39-TG4 task group was formed to standardize source maps, leading to ECMA-426 in 2024.
- Future work includes proposals like 'Scopes' for better debugging of inlined functions and 'Range Mappings' for improved precision in source mapping.
Create value for others and don’t worry about the returns
2 hours ago
- The text criticizes the fear-mongering around AI on social media, calling it toxic and nonsensical.
- AI is described as a continuation of technological progress, not a magical or game-changing force.
- The author warns against zero-sum games, especially in jobs that create complexity for others without adding value.
- The real driver of layoffs is identified as the consolidation of rent-seeking by larger players, not AI.
- The key advice is to focus on creating value for others rather than engaging in zero-sum competitions.
- The post encourages avoiding comparison traps and emphasizes that creating more value than you consume is sufficient.
Scotland becomes first UK country to legalise water cremations
a day ago
- Scotland is the first UK region to legalise hydrolysis, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation.
- Hydrolysis, also known as water cremation or aquamation, uses an alkaline solution to break down the body, leaving only bones which are then processed into white dust.
- The process is already legal in several countries, including the US, Canada, and South Africa, with Archbishop Desmond Tutu opting for it in 2022.
- The Scottish government highlights that hydrolysis offers a new choice for funerals, aligning with public demand for sustainable options.
- Kindly Earth, the UK's exclusive manufacturer of hydrolysis equipment, notes it may take up to nine months for the first Scottish facility to become operational.
- Hydrolysis produces no toxic emissions and reduces the need for single-use coffins, making it environmentally beneficial.
- Public opinion on new funeral methods evolves over time, as seen with the widespread acceptance of cremation, now accounting for 80% of UK funerals.
MPs give ministers powers to restrict Internet
8 hours ago
- MPs rejected a Lords amendment to ban social media for under 16s, opting instead to grant ministers broader powers to restrict Internet access for under 18s.
- Ministers can now restrict websites, social media, apps, and games without new legislation or proving harm to children, bypassing Ofcom's risk assessments.
- Future governments could use these powers to block content they oppose ideologically, such as requiring ID checks for LGBTQ+ content.
- Ministers can impose digital curfews and limit time on platforms like Minecraft, FIFA, and Fortnite for under 18s.
- MPs rejected a VPN restriction amendment but gave ministers authority to introduce such measures later.
- Critics warn this amendment centralizes power with ministers, risking privacy as adults may need ID checks for full Internet access.
- The age assurance industry is unregulated, raising concerns about data privacy and security for users.
- Open Rights Group and others are urging the government to regulate age verification providers to protect sensitive data.
- Over 400 security and privacy experts call for a pause on age assurance until its benefits, harms, and feasibility are clearer.
Asus Executive Says MacBook Neo Is 'Shock' to PC Industry
5 hours ago
- ASUS executive calls Apple's MacBook Neo a 'shock' to the PC industry due to its affordability.
- MacBook Neo starts at $599 ($499 for students), challenging Apple's premium pricing history.
- ASUS CFO notes limited specs (8GB RAM) but reviews praise performance in demanding tasks.
- Apple may position MacBook Neo for 'content consumption' like a tablet, but it handles productivity apps well.
- PC industry is 'very seriously' discussing how to compete with MacBook Neo in the ecosystem.
- Impact on PC market remains uncertain; ASUS says 'final competition outcome is hard to predict.'
The No World Order: Meir Kahane, Netanyahu, Trump, and the War Beyond Iran
7 hours ago
- Meir Kahane, a controversial rabbi, predicted an apocalyptic world war and promoted extremist ideologies before his assassination in 1990.
- Robert Friedman, a journalist, investigated Kahane and transnational crime syndicates, warning about future threats but died before seeing his predictions come true.
- The Kahanists, followers of Kahane's ideology, have regained political power in Israel, influencing policies towards Palestinians and advocating for a 'Greater Israel'.
- The concept of 'Greater Israel' involves territorial expansion into neighboring countries, a plan that has been pursued by Israeli officials despite public denials.
- The Iran War is framed as part of a broader agenda involving US and Israeli interests, with figures like Netanyahu and Trump playing key roles.
- Christian nationalism and ultra-Zionism are cited as motivations behind the push for war with Iran, though the primary driver appears to be the 'Greater Israel' agenda.
- The involvement of organized crime and espionage in US and Israeli politics is highlighted, with connections to figures like Trump, Netanyahu, and Epstein.
- The potential for nuclear conflict is raised, with concerns about Trump's willingness to use nuclear weapons and Israel's undisclosed nuclear capabilities.
- The article concludes with a call to action, urging awareness and opposition to the destructive policies promoted by Kahanists and their allies.
AEO: What happens when AI answers instead of linking (4-part series)
7 hours ago
- AI agents are becoming key visitors to websites but do not click on links.
- Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is introduced as a new concept.
- AEO differs from traditional SEO in its approach and requirements.
- The article suggests that there is still an opportunity for early adopters in AEO.
Writing my own text editor, and daily-driving it
6 hours ago
- The author expresses dissatisfaction with existing text editors and decides to create their own.
- Key issues with the previous editor (Howl) include lack of development, poor project-wide search, GUI limitations, and no integrated terminal.
- Tried multiple alternatives (Helix, VS Code, Sublime, Vim, etc.) but none met the desired feel or functionality.
- Started development with a minimal scope, focusing only on personal needs and avoiding unnecessary features.
- Adopted practices like replacing 'nano' with the new editor, documenting issues, and fixing annoyances immediately to maintain progress.
- Discusses challenges in cursor manipulation, file browsing, regex implementation, and syntax highlighting.
- Implemented efficient project-wide search with multi-threading and work-stealing for performance.
- Integrated terminal emulator buffers using third-party libraries for better functionality.
- Optimized rendering to minimize bandwidth and improve performance, especially over remote connections.
- Concludes that building a custom editor is rewarding, offering a perfect fit, deep learning, and increased productivity.
Freedesktop Closes Controversial Age Verification API Proposal
9 hours ago
- Linux community debates new U.S. legislation (e.g., California’s AB-1043, Colorado’s SB26-051) requiring stricter age verification for online services.
- A merge request proposed adding a D-Bus interface (org.freedesktop.AgeVerification) to XDG specs, allowing apps to query user age brackets (e.g., Under 13, 13–15, 16–17, 18+).
- User birth year would be stored locally in AccountsService, with only age brackets accessible to apps via methods like GetAgeBracket.
- Proposal faced criticism over privacy, jurisdiction-specific policies in desktop infrastructure, and reputational risks for freedesktop.
- Merge request was closed; future work may shift to portal infrastructure (e.g., Flatpak), but no clear solution exists yet for Linux’s response to age verification.
Zig – Type Resolution Redesign and Language Changes
6 hours ago
- Type resolution redesign in Zig compiler improves lazy analysis of type fields and enhances dependency loop error messages.
- Incremental compilation in Zig sees significant performance improvements and bug fixes.
- New std.Io implementations using io_uring and Grand Central Dispatch (GCD) are introduced, offering experimental support for userspace stack switching.
- Zig package management workflow enhancements include local storage of dependencies in 'zig-pkg' and the introduction of the '--fork' flag for project overrides.
- Zig standard library now prefers Windows Native API (ntdll.dll) over Win32 API (kernel32.dll) for better performance and reliability.
- The 'zig libc' subproject progresses, replacing C source files with Zig standard library wrappers, improving compilation speed and reducing binary size.
Credit Bureaus Are Leaving More Mistakes on Frustrated Consumers' Reports
9 hours ago
- Rebecca Sheppard, a Colorado accountant, has been unable to correct a $240,000 student loan error on her credit report, which she does not owe, causing her credit score to drop by 85 points.
- Despite submitting documentation proving the debt belongs to her ex-husband and confirmation from the loan account manager, credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian, Equifax) refused to remove the error, affecting her ability to buy a home.
- Under the Trump administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was weakened, leading to reduced relief rates for consumer complaints, especially from TransUnion and Experian.
- Equifax maintained better consumer relief rates due to a pre-Trump consent order with the CFPB, committing to reforms and oversight.
- Credit bureaus have lobbied to steer consumers away from the CFPB's transparent complaint system to their internal, less accountable processes.
- Over 2.7 million credit reporting complaints to the CFPB since Trump's inauguration have gone unresolved, leaving consumers vulnerable to loan denials and higher rates.
- Consumers like Kwami Abdul-Bey, an Air Force veteran, faced difficulties refinancing due to credit report errors, highlighting systemic issues in dispute resolution.
- The CFPB's enforcement actions against credit bureaus have dwindled under Trump, with cases against TransUnion and Experian dropped or stalled.
- Industry lobbying has led to changes in the CFPB complaint system, adding barriers for consumers seeking resolution.
- Without a strong CFPB, enforcement may rely on state attorneys general and private lawsuits, leaving consumers with fewer protections.
Cybertruck Tried to Drive 'Straight Off an Overpass' Attorney Claims
8 hours ago
- A Cybertruck owner in Texas is suing Tesla for $1,000,000 in damages following an accident involving the vehicle’s self-driving feature.
- The lawsuit claims Tesla and Elon Musk oversold the truck’s self-driving capabilities, leading to the crash.
- The accident occurred on August 18, 2025, when the Cybertruck, in Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode, attempted to drive off an overpass.
- The driver, Justine Saint Amour, suffered serious injuries to her shoulder, neck, and back.
- Dashcam footage shows the Cybertruck failing to turn and instead crashing into a signpost on the overpass.
- The lawsuit criticizes Musk for making dangerous design choices and over-promising product features.
- Tesla’s FSD feature, which costs $99 a month, is accused of not working as advertised.
- Tesla has faced previous legal issues over misleading advertising of its self-driving features.
- The lawsuit highlights Musk’s decision to use cameras instead of LiDAR for cost-cutting, despite engineers recommending LiDAR for better safety.
- The case underscores broader challenges in fully automated driving, including incidents involving other self-driving car companies like Waymo.
Think Twice Before Buying or Using Meta's Ray-Bans
8 hours ago
- Smart glasses like Meta’s Ray-Ban and Oakley’s Meta Glasses are becoming mainstream.
- Privacy concerns include Meta storing and potentially reviewing recorded footage, including sensitive content.
- Smart glasses are designed to be discreet, making it less obvious when recording, raising privacy issues.
- Constant recording in public can inadvertently capture sensitive information like passwords or bank details.
- Meta has a history of privacy-invasive practices and may introduce facial recognition in smart glasses.
- Users can disable some data-sharing features in the Meta AI app to limit privacy risks.
- Smart glasses should be used responsibly, respecting social norms and business rules regarding recording.
- Consider blurring strangers in uploaded videos, especially in sensitive contexts like protests.
- Facial recognition in smart glasses would significantly harm privacy and should be resisted.
DOGE employee stole Social Security data and put it on a thumb drive
8 hours ago
- A former DOGE employee allegedly stole personal data from the U.S. Social Security Administration and stored it on a thumb drive.
- The stolen databases, 'Numident' and 'Master Death File,' contain sensitive information on over 500 million Americans.
- The whistleblower complaint claims the employee had 'God-level' access to SSA systems and planned to use the data at his new company.
- The Social Security Administration denies the allegations, calling the report 'fake news.'
- This incident is part of a pattern of suspected data breaches linked to DOGE's involvement with the SSA.
- DOGE members have previously been accused of unauthorized access to Social Security numbers and uploading records to a vulnerable cloud server.
- A judge previously blocked DOGE from accessing SSA systems, citing concerns over a 'fishing expedition' for fraud.
- Several DOGE members were placed at the SSA after Trump took office, with their roles unclear to other staff.
Show HN: Modulus – Cross-repository knowledge orchestration for coding agents
13 hours ago
- Run multiple AI agents in parallel with shared context.
- Agents work simultaneously without conflicts, fixing bugs while building features.
- Shared memory allows agents to automatically know API schemas, dependencies, and recent changes.
- Each agent operates in an isolated workspace using git worktrees to prevent conflicts.
- No need for multiple IDE windows or repo cloning; agents run in parallel with isolated worktrees.
- Agents are aware of the latest API schemas, dependencies, and changes without manual input.
- Review all changes from agents in one place and create pull requests directly from Modulus.
- Join the waitlist for Linux and Windows.

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Bilingual

Eric Schmidt: China Could Dominate the Physical AI Future
5 hours ago
- Chinese humanoid robots showcased at the Spring Festival Gala, performing dances, parkour, and martial arts.
- China's AI capabilities are increasingly physical, integrating into daily life beyond screens.
- China leads in physical AI, with advancements in robotics, drone swarms, and automated factories.
- China dominates the supply chain for robotics, including lidar sensors, harmonic reducers, and robot joints.
- Chinese firms are producing affordable humanoid robots for home use, like Noetix’s Bumi.
- China accounts for over 80% of global humanoid robot installations and half of industrial robots.
- Generative AI is enabling robots to perceive and adapt to dynamic environments.
- China's strategy in physical AI mirrors its success in the EV industry, leveraging state support and competition.
- The U.S. has advantages in software and foundational research but needs to rebuild supply chains and support robotics development.
- The future of AI includes robots performing tasks autonomously, with China currently leading the robotics revolution.
Military AI Policy by Contract: The Limits of Procurement as Governance
9 hours ago
- The U.S. is adopting a flexible but inadequate AI governance model through regulation by contract, bypassing democratic accountability and public deliberation.
- The Pentagon's 'any lawful use' policy requires AI vendors to remove restrictions beyond legal requirements, prioritizing speed over governance.
- Anthropic was designated as a supply chain risk after refusing to drop its red lines, leading to legal challenges against the government's decision.
- OpenAI's agreement with the Pentagon, framed around 'any lawful use,' shifts interpretive authority to the government, raising concerns about enforceability.
- Contractual terms for military AI are being publicly rewritten due to public backlash, highlighting the lack of formal governance review.
- The 'consistent with applicable laws' clause in OpenAI's agreement leaves enforcement dependent on the government's interpretation, not the vendor.
- The 'intentionally' qualifier in OpenAI's prohibition on domestic surveillance may limit its effectiveness by allowing room for interpretation.
- Federal contracts, especially Other Transaction (OT) agreements, lack robust enforcement mechanisms, making it difficult to prevent misuse of AI technologies.
- The Pentagon's reliance on AI like Claude has reached a point where termination of contracts may not be feasible, undermining vendor control.
- The administration's shift toward commercial-first procurement reforms risks removing baseline procedural defaults, placing more weight on bilateral negotiations.
Daniel Ellsberg: The Effect of Top Secret Clearance
10 hours ago
- Daniel Ellsberg shares a story about advising Henry Kissinger on the psychological effects of receiving high-level security clearances.
- Ellsberg describes three stages of reaction to top-secret information: initial exhilaration, feeling foolish for previous ignorance, and eventually dismissing others without such clearances as uninformed.
- He warns that possessing such clearances can lead to isolation, manipulation of others, and a diminished capacity to learn from those without access to the same information.
- Ellsberg likens the effect of secret information to the mythical potion of Circe, which turned men into swine, unable to communicate or find their way home.
- The conversation highlights the corrosive impact of secrecy on decision-making and the potential for such knowledge to distort one's perception of reality and others' expertise.
A 1,300-pound NASA spacecraft to re-enter Earth's atmosphere
8 hours ago
- A 1,300-pound NASA spacecraft, Van Allen Probe A, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere after nearly 14 years in space.
- Re-entry is projected around 19:45 EST on Tuesday, with a 24-hour margin of uncertainty.
- Most of the spacecraft will burn up, but some components may survive, posing a low risk (1 in 4,200 chance of harm).
- The mission, initially planned for two years, lasted almost seven, ending when the probes ran out of fuel.
- The probes studied Earth's Van Allen radiation belts, which shield the planet from harmful cosmic radiation and solar storms.
- Significant discoveries included identifying a transient third radiation belt during intense solar activity.
- Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter before 2030.
Pike: To Exit or Not to Exit
3 days ago
- Pike is an app designed to solve the problem of choosing the right exit during road trips by providing easy-to-view exit cards with options within 5 minutes of driving time.
- Current navigation apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps are not optimized for road trips as they don't effectively show options that are quickly accessible from upcoming exits.
- The app is particularly useful for travelers who want to avoid missing key stops like the last Chick-fil-A for hundreds of miles or need to find dog parks for pets.
- Development involved multiple iterations, starting with flawed approaches like directional POIs and non-directed graphs, before settling on pre-computed exit sequences and driving time searches.
- The final solution used OpenStreetMap data and Open Source Routing Machine to pre-compute driving times from exits to POIs across the continental US, requiring significant cloud computing resources.
- The creator learned valuable lessons about avoiding heuristics in map-based applications and the importance of clean data.
- Future updates may include configurable timing for POI recommendations and additional categories like parks and dog parks.
Standardizing source maps
3 hours ago
- Source maps are crucial for modern web development, allowing developers to map compiled code back to original source code for debugging.
- Initially, there was no official standard for source maps, leading to challenges in adding new features and maintaining consistency across tools.
- Google's Closure Tools in 2009 marked the beginning of complex JavaScript optimization, highlighting the need for source maps.
- A source map is a JSON file containing metadata like version, file names, source content, and encoded mappings.
- The 'mappings' field in source maps uses Base64 VLQ encoding to efficiently represent source-to-generated code relationships.
- Revision 3 of source maps in 2011 introduced significant improvements, reducing file size and improving encoding efficiency.
- Despite the lack of a standard, features like 'ignoreList' were successfully added through collaboration between browsers and tools.
- Bloomberg's 'pasta-sourcemaps' introduced function name mapping in stack traces, addressing a common debugging pain point.
- In 2023, the TC39-TG4 task group was formed to standardize source maps, leading to ECMA-426 in 2024.
- Future work includes proposals like 'Scopes' for better debugging of inlined functions and 'Range Mappings' for improved precision in source mapping.
Create value for others and don’t worry about the returns
2 hours ago
- The text criticizes the fear-mongering around AI on social media, calling it toxic and nonsensical.
- AI is described as a continuation of technological progress, not a magical or game-changing force.
- The author warns against zero-sum games, especially in jobs that create complexity for others without adding value.
- The real driver of layoffs is identified as the consolidation of rent-seeking by larger players, not AI.
- The key advice is to focus on creating value for others rather than engaging in zero-sum competitions.
- The post encourages avoiding comparison traps and emphasizes that creating more value than you consume is sufficient.
Scotland becomes first UK country to legalise water cremations
a day ago
- Scotland is the first UK region to legalise hydrolysis, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation.
- Hydrolysis, also known as water cremation or aquamation, uses an alkaline solution to break down the body, leaving only bones which are then processed into white dust.
- The process is already legal in several countries, including the US, Canada, and South Africa, with Archbishop Desmond Tutu opting for it in 2022.
- The Scottish government highlights that hydrolysis offers a new choice for funerals, aligning with public demand for sustainable options.
- Kindly Earth, the UK's exclusive manufacturer of hydrolysis equipment, notes it may take up to nine months for the first Scottish facility to become operational.
- Hydrolysis produces no toxic emissions and reduces the need for single-use coffins, making it environmentally beneficial.
- Public opinion on new funeral methods evolves over time, as seen with the widespread acceptance of cremation, now accounting for 80% of UK funerals.
MPs give ministers powers to restrict Internet
8 hours ago
- MPs rejected a Lords amendment to ban social media for under 16s, opting instead to grant ministers broader powers to restrict Internet access for under 18s.
- Ministers can now restrict websites, social media, apps, and games without new legislation or proving harm to children, bypassing Ofcom's risk assessments.
- Future governments could use these powers to block content they oppose ideologically, such as requiring ID checks for LGBTQ+ content.
- Ministers can impose digital curfews and limit time on platforms like Minecraft, FIFA, and Fortnite for under 18s.
- MPs rejected a VPN restriction amendment but gave ministers authority to introduce such measures later.
- Critics warn this amendment centralizes power with ministers, risking privacy as adults may need ID checks for full Internet access.
- The age assurance industry is unregulated, raising concerns about data privacy and security for users.
- Open Rights Group and others are urging the government to regulate age verification providers to protect sensitive data.
- Over 400 security and privacy experts call for a pause on age assurance until its benefits, harms, and feasibility are clearer.
Asus Executive Says MacBook Neo Is 'Shock' to PC Industry
5 hours ago
- ASUS executive calls Apple's MacBook Neo a 'shock' to the PC industry due to its affordability.
- MacBook Neo starts at $599 ($499 for students), challenging Apple's premium pricing history.
- ASUS CFO notes limited specs (8GB RAM) but reviews praise performance in demanding tasks.
- Apple may position MacBook Neo for 'content consumption' like a tablet, but it handles productivity apps well.
- PC industry is 'very seriously' discussing how to compete with MacBook Neo in the ecosystem.
- Impact on PC market remains uncertain; ASUS says 'final competition outcome is hard to predict.'
The No World Order: Meir Kahane, Netanyahu, Trump, and the War Beyond Iran
7 hours ago
- Meir Kahane, a controversial rabbi, predicted an apocalyptic world war and promoted extremist ideologies before his assassination in 1990.
- Robert Friedman, a journalist, investigated Kahane and transnational crime syndicates, warning about future threats but died before seeing his predictions come true.
- The Kahanists, followers of Kahane's ideology, have regained political power in Israel, influencing policies towards Palestinians and advocating for a 'Greater Israel'.
- The concept of 'Greater Israel' involves territorial expansion into neighboring countries, a plan that has been pursued by Israeli officials despite public denials.
- The Iran War is framed as part of a broader agenda involving US and Israeli interests, with figures like Netanyahu and Trump playing key roles.
- Christian nationalism and ultra-Zionism are cited as motivations behind the push for war with Iran, though the primary driver appears to be the 'Greater Israel' agenda.
- The involvement of organized crime and espionage in US and Israeli politics is highlighted, with connections to figures like Trump, Netanyahu, and Epstein.
- The potential for nuclear conflict is raised, with concerns about Trump's willingness to use nuclear weapons and Israel's undisclosed nuclear capabilities.
- The article concludes with a call to action, urging awareness and opposition to the destructive policies promoted by Kahanists and their allies.
AEO: What happens when AI answers instead of linking (4-part series)
7 hours ago
- AI agents are becoming key visitors to websites but do not click on links.
- Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is introduced as a new concept.
- AEO differs from traditional SEO in its approach and requirements.
- The article suggests that there is still an opportunity for early adopters in AEO.
Writing my own text editor, and daily-driving it
6 hours ago
- The author expresses dissatisfaction with existing text editors and decides to create their own.
- Key issues with the previous editor (Howl) include lack of development, poor project-wide search, GUI limitations, and no integrated terminal.
- Tried multiple alternatives (Helix, VS Code, Sublime, Vim, etc.) but none met the desired feel or functionality.
- Started development with a minimal scope, focusing only on personal needs and avoiding unnecessary features.
- Adopted practices like replacing 'nano' with the new editor, documenting issues, and fixing annoyances immediately to maintain progress.
- Discusses challenges in cursor manipulation, file browsing, regex implementation, and syntax highlighting.
- Implemented efficient project-wide search with multi-threading and work-stealing for performance.
- Integrated terminal emulator buffers using third-party libraries for better functionality.
- Optimized rendering to minimize bandwidth and improve performance, especially over remote connections.
- Concludes that building a custom editor is rewarding, offering a perfect fit, deep learning, and increased productivity.
Freedesktop Closes Controversial Age Verification API Proposal
9 hours ago
- Linux community debates new U.S. legislation (e.g., California’s AB-1043, Colorado’s SB26-051) requiring stricter age verification for online services.
- A merge request proposed adding a D-Bus interface (org.freedesktop.AgeVerification) to XDG specs, allowing apps to query user age brackets (e.g., Under 13, 13–15, 16–17, 18+).
- User birth year would be stored locally in AccountsService, with only age brackets accessible to apps via methods like GetAgeBracket.
- Proposal faced criticism over privacy, jurisdiction-specific policies in desktop infrastructure, and reputational risks for freedesktop.
- Merge request was closed; future work may shift to portal infrastructure (e.g., Flatpak), but no clear solution exists yet for Linux’s response to age verification.
Zig – Type Resolution Redesign and Language Changes
6 hours ago
- Type resolution redesign in Zig compiler improves lazy analysis of type fields and enhances dependency loop error messages.
- Incremental compilation in Zig sees significant performance improvements and bug fixes.
- New std.Io implementations using io_uring and Grand Central Dispatch (GCD) are introduced, offering experimental support for userspace stack switching.
- Zig package management workflow enhancements include local storage of dependencies in 'zig-pkg' and the introduction of the '--fork' flag for project overrides.
- Zig standard library now prefers Windows Native API (ntdll.dll) over Win32 API (kernel32.dll) for better performance and reliability.
- The 'zig libc' subproject progresses, replacing C source files with Zig standard library wrappers, improving compilation speed and reducing binary size.
Credit Bureaus Are Leaving More Mistakes on Frustrated Consumers' Reports
9 hours ago
- Rebecca Sheppard, a Colorado accountant, has been unable to correct a $240,000 student loan error on her credit report, which she does not owe, causing her credit score to drop by 85 points.
- Despite submitting documentation proving the debt belongs to her ex-husband and confirmation from the loan account manager, credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian, Equifax) refused to remove the error, affecting her ability to buy a home.
- Under the Trump administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was weakened, leading to reduced relief rates for consumer complaints, especially from TransUnion and Experian.
- Equifax maintained better consumer relief rates due to a pre-Trump consent order with the CFPB, committing to reforms and oversight.
- Credit bureaus have lobbied to steer consumers away from the CFPB's transparent complaint system to their internal, less accountable processes.
- Over 2.7 million credit reporting complaints to the CFPB since Trump's inauguration have gone unresolved, leaving consumers vulnerable to loan denials and higher rates.
- Consumers like Kwami Abdul-Bey, an Air Force veteran, faced difficulties refinancing due to credit report errors, highlighting systemic issues in dispute resolution.
- The CFPB's enforcement actions against credit bureaus have dwindled under Trump, with cases against TransUnion and Experian dropped or stalled.
- Industry lobbying has led to changes in the CFPB complaint system, adding barriers for consumers seeking resolution.
- Without a strong CFPB, enforcement may rely on state attorneys general and private lawsuits, leaving consumers with fewer protections.
Cybertruck Tried to Drive 'Straight Off an Overpass' Attorney Claims
8 hours ago
- A Cybertruck owner in Texas is suing Tesla for $1,000,000 in damages following an accident involving the vehicle’s self-driving feature.
- The lawsuit claims Tesla and Elon Musk oversold the truck’s self-driving capabilities, leading to the crash.
- The accident occurred on August 18, 2025, when the Cybertruck, in Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode, attempted to drive off an overpass.
- The driver, Justine Saint Amour, suffered serious injuries to her shoulder, neck, and back.
- Dashcam footage shows the Cybertruck failing to turn and instead crashing into a signpost on the overpass.
- The lawsuit criticizes Musk for making dangerous design choices and over-promising product features.
- Tesla’s FSD feature, which costs $99 a month, is accused of not working as advertised.
- Tesla has faced previous legal issues over misleading advertising of its self-driving features.
- The lawsuit highlights Musk’s decision to use cameras instead of LiDAR for cost-cutting, despite engineers recommending LiDAR for better safety.
- The case underscores broader challenges in fully automated driving, including incidents involving other self-driving car companies like Waymo.
Think Twice Before Buying or Using Meta's Ray-Bans
8 hours ago
- Smart glasses like Meta’s Ray-Ban and Oakley’s Meta Glasses are becoming mainstream.
- Privacy concerns include Meta storing and potentially reviewing recorded footage, including sensitive content.
- Smart glasses are designed to be discreet, making it less obvious when recording, raising privacy issues.
- Constant recording in public can inadvertently capture sensitive information like passwords or bank details.
- Meta has a history of privacy-invasive practices and may introduce facial recognition in smart glasses.
- Users can disable some data-sharing features in the Meta AI app to limit privacy risks.
- Smart glasses should be used responsibly, respecting social norms and business rules regarding recording.
- Consider blurring strangers in uploaded videos, especially in sensitive contexts like protests.
- Facial recognition in smart glasses would significantly harm privacy and should be resisted.
DOGE employee stole Social Security data and put it on a thumb drive
8 hours ago
- A former DOGE employee allegedly stole personal data from the U.S. Social Security Administration and stored it on a thumb drive.
- The stolen databases, 'Numident' and 'Master Death File,' contain sensitive information on over 500 million Americans.
- The whistleblower complaint claims the employee had 'God-level' access to SSA systems and planned to use the data at his new company.
- The Social Security Administration denies the allegations, calling the report 'fake news.'
- This incident is part of a pattern of suspected data breaches linked to DOGE's involvement with the SSA.
- DOGE members have previously been accused of unauthorized access to Social Security numbers and uploading records to a vulnerable cloud server.
- A judge previously blocked DOGE from accessing SSA systems, citing concerns over a 'fishing expedition' for fraud.
- Several DOGE members were placed at the SSA after Trump took office, with their roles unclear to other staff.
Show HN: Modulus – Cross-repository knowledge orchestration for coding agents
13 hours ago
- Run multiple AI agents in parallel with shared context.
- Agents work simultaneously without conflicts, fixing bugs while building features.
- Shared memory allows agents to automatically know API schemas, dependencies, and recent changes.
- Each agent operates in an isolated workspace using git worktrees to prevent conflicts.
- No need for multiple IDE windows or repo cloning; agents run in parallel with isolated worktrees.
- Agents are aware of the latest API schemas, dependencies, and changes without manual input.
- Review all changes from agents in one place and create pull requests directly from Modulus.
- Join the waitlist for Linux and Windows.

Hasty Briefsbeta

Eric Schmidt: China Could Dominate the Physical AI Future

Military AI Policy by Contract: The Limits of Procurement as Governance

Daniel Ellsberg: The Effect of Top Secret Clearance

A 1,300-pound NASA spacecraft to re-enter Earth's atmosphere

Pike: To Exit or Not to Exit

Standardizing source maps

Create value for others and don’t worry about the returns

Scotland becomes first UK country to legalise water cremations

MPs give ministers powers to restrict Internet

Asus Executive Says MacBook Neo Is 'Shock' to PC Industry

The No World Order: Meir Kahane, Netanyahu, Trump, and the War Beyond Iran

AEO: What happens when AI answers instead of linking (4-part series)

Writing my own text editor, and daily-driving it

Freedesktop Closes Controversial Age Verification API Proposal

Zig – Type Resolution Redesign and Language Changes

Credit Bureaus Are Leaving More Mistakes on Frustrated Consumers' Reports

Cybertruck Tried to Drive 'Straight Off an Overpass' Attorney Claims

Think Twice Before Buying or Using Meta's Ray-Bans

DOGE employee stole Social Security data and put it on a thumb drive

Show HN: Modulus – Cross-repository knowledge orchestration for coding agents

Eric Schmidt: China Could Dominate the Physical AI Future

Military AI Policy by Contract: The Limits of Procurement as Governance

Daniel Ellsberg: The Effect of Top Secret Clearance

A 1,300-pound NASA spacecraft to re-enter Earth's atmosphere

Pike: To Exit or Not to Exit

Standardizing source maps

Create value for others and don’t worry about the returns

Scotland becomes first UK country to legalise water cremations

MPs give ministers powers to restrict Internet

Asus Executive Says MacBook Neo Is 'Shock' to PC Industry

The No World Order: Meir Kahane, Netanyahu, Trump, and the War Beyond Iran

AEO: What happens when AI answers instead of linking (4-part series)

Writing my own text editor, and daily-driving it

Freedesktop Closes Controversial Age Verification API Proposal

Zig – Type Resolution Redesign and Language Changes

Credit Bureaus Are Leaving More Mistakes on Frustrated Consumers' Reports

Cybertruck Tried to Drive 'Straight Off an Overpass' Attorney Claims

Think Twice Before Buying or Using Meta's Ray-Bans

DOGE employee stole Social Security data and put it on a thumb drive

Show HN: Modulus – Cross-repository knowledge orchestration for coding agents