Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Trump warns a ‘whole civilization will die tonight’ if a deal with Iran isn’t reached

 Trump warns a ‘whole civilization will die tonight’ if a deal with Iran isn’t reached (Thanks to Sam for this one)



How Accurate Are Google’s A.I. Overviews?; It's lonely at the top if a $1.8B AI-powered health company

 How Accurate Are Google’s A.I. Overviews? - The New York Times

The company’s A.I.-generated answers look authoritative, but they draw on an array of sources, from trustworthy sites to Facebook posts.

How A.I. Helped One Man (and His Brother) Build a $1.8 Billion Company - The New York Times

Who needs more than two employees when artificial intelligence can do so many corporate tasks? It’s super efficient — and a little bit lonely.

To build Medvi, Mr. Gallagher used A.I. tools including ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Midjourney and Runway.Credit...Maggie Shannon for The New York Times

Michigan, dominant all season, takes down UConn for first national championship since 1989; UCLA defeats South Carolina

 Michigan, dominant all season, takes down UConn for first national championship since 1989 - The Athletic


UCLA wins the 2026 DI women's basketball championship | NCAA.com


Pakistan Says It Hit a Military Target. Investigations Suggest It Was a Rehab Center

 Pakistan Says It Hit a Military Target. Investigations Suggest It Was a Rehab Center. - The New York Times

After the deadliest attack in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over, families searched among photos and remains for signs of their relatives.



Artemis II Astronauts Head Home After Historic Journey Around the Moon

 Artemis II Astronauts Head Home After Historic Journey Around the Moon - The New York Times

The NASA lunar flyby took the four crew members farther from Earth than any humans. They witnessed a solar eclipse and received praise in a call from President Trump.

A view of Earth from the Orion capsule after it reached its farthest distance from the planet on Monday.Credit...Photo by NASA.


Trump Deadline Looms in Iran War; US airman rescued; Journalists threatened with jail

 Iran War Live Updates: Trump’s Hormuz Deadline Hangs Over the Middle East - The New York Times

President Trump warned that a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not make a deal by 8 p.m. Eastern. He has pressed Tehran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route, or face a wave of strikes on critical infrastructure.

A Harrowing Race Against Time to Find a Downed U.S. Airman in Iran - The New York Times

For the Iranians, the Air Force colonel whose fighter jet had been shot down was possible leverage. For the U.S. military, finding him was a moral imperative.

Iran’s Downing of Fighter Jet and U.S. Rescue Leave Both Sides Dangerously Emboldened - The New York Times

After Iran shot down a U.S. plane and U.S. forces pulled off a risky ground operation to extricate a stranded airman, both sides claimed victory. That confidence could fuel further escalation.

Hegseth Likens Easter Rescue of U.S. Airman to Resurrection of Jesus Christ - The New York Times

President Trump also asserted that God supports the American war against Iran “because God is good, and God wants to see people taken care of.”

Hegseth Says U.S. Troops Are Fighting for Jesus. The Pope Disagrees. - The New York Times

In sharp contrast to the Trump administration’s calls for Christian prayers for the war effort, Pope Leo XIV says military domination is “entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ.”

Trump Threatens Jail if Journalists Protect Certain Iran Sources - The New York Times

The president indicated he would ask an unnamed media outlet to reveal the sources behind its coverage of Iran’s successful strike on a U.S. fighter jet, and of its crew.



Monday, April 6, 2026

The War Is Turning Iran Into a Major World Power

 Opinion | The War Is Turning Iran Into a Major World Power - The New York Times (Thanks to Matte for this one)



Hungarian PM faces ‘false flag’ claims after Serbia says explosives found near pipeline

 Hungarian PM faces ‘false flag’ claims after Serbia says explosives found near pipeline | Hungary | The Guardian (Thanks to Matte for this one)

Related:

Vance Visits Hungary to Boost Orban Before Election - The New York Times

The trip by the American vice president, JD Vance, makes clear that Russia is not the only country invested in a victory for Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orban.

Why Hungary’s Election Could Swing on Roma Votes - The New York Times

Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s policies affecting the Roma minority have put those voters in play in upcoming parliamentary elections. In a tight race, they could make the difference.

Viktor Orbán greets supporters at a campaign rally in Győr last month. Photo by Bernadett Szabo/Reuters.

Péter Magyar in Budapest last month. Photo by Bernadett Szabo/Reuters.



Monday, March 30, 2026

Polymarket Says It Deals in Truth, but Its Social Feeds Are Filled With Falsehoods

 Polymarket Says It Deals in Truth, but Its Social Feeds Are Filled With Falsehoods - The New York Times

A review of the betting market’s social media feeds found it has published hundreds of false and misleading posts.


Michael Rousseau, Air Canada’s CEO, to Step Down Amid Backlash Over Comments After Crash

 Michael Rousseau, Air Canada’s CEO, to Step Down Amid Backlash Over Comments After Crash - The New York Times

Michael Rousseau’s mostly English statement after a fatal runway collision drew sharp criticism. The airline said it would emphasize French fluency in its search for a successor.

Michael Rousseau, an Air Canada veteran, took over as chief executive of the airline in 2021. Photo by Nick Lachance|Toronto Star via Getty Images.Credit...



Friday, March 27, 2026

Humpback Whale Is Freed After Days Stranded Off German Beach

 Humpback Whale Is Freed After Days Stranded Off German Beach - The New York Times

In an unexpected breakthrough, the 40-foot mammal swam to deeper water on Friday morning through a channel that rescuers had dug for it.



Senate Votes to Fund TSA and Most of DHS--but not ICE--in Bid to End Partial Shutdown

 House weighs funding for TSA but not ICE | AP News (Thanks to Sonia for this one)

Senate Votes to Fund TSA and Most of DHS in Bid to End Partial Shutdown - The New York Times

The bill excludes funding for ICE and Border Patrol but restores it for federal airport security workers. The House could consider the package on Friday.



Melania Trump brings an AI-powered robot to the White House — and says there could be more of them soon

Melania Trump brings an AI-powered robot to the White House — and says there could be more of them soon | CNN Politics (Thanks to Finn for this one)



Pope Leo hosts exorcist summit at the Vatican over fears of worldwide surge in Satanism

Pope Leo hosts exorcist summit at the Vatican over fears of worldwide surge in Satanism (Thanks to Bernadette for this one)



NJ man who decapitated seagull that tried to steal French fry from daughter sentenced to 8 months

 NJ man who decapitated seagull that tried to steal French fry from daughter sentenced to 8 months (Thanks to Joe for this one)

New Jersey man Franklin Ziegler pleaded guilty to decapitating a seagull, served 262 days in prison and was fined $250.


Thursday, March 26, 2026

Talks? Nope. 82nd Airborne? Yes. Raising the maximum age for the army? Yes.

Israel and Iran ramp up attacks as Trump insists Tehran wants a deal : NPR

Trump floats 15-point through Pakistani intermediary. Iran is not interested and counters with its own 5-point plan. 

U.S. and Iran Are Talking About Ways to End the War: What to Know - The New York Times

Trump’s Threats to Europe Put Its Leaders in a Double Bind Over Iran - The New York Times

European politicians risk angering their voters if they join America’s war. Yet they could also face domestic upheaval if they take no action to reopen shipping routes that Iran has blocked and ease an energy crisis.

The Gravity of the War in Iran - The New York Times

Iran War Live Updates: Israel Says Iranian Naval Commander Is Killed in Airstrike - The New York Times

Israel said that an airstrike had killed Alireza Tangsiri, a key player in Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump warned Iranian officials to consider his peace proposal “before it is too late.”

What is the 82nd Airborne Division preparing to deploy to Iran?

Army raises maximum age as Trump plots putting boots on ground




Wednesday, March 25, 2026

LaGuardia collision forces airport closure; NYC Airports Experience Long TSA Lines and Frustrated Travelers

 LaGuardia collision: 2 pilots killed after Air Canada jet hits fire truck, forcing airport closure (Thanks to Sara for these)

Two pilots were killed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night after an Air Canada jet struck a Port Authority vehicle on the ground while landing, officials said. More than 40 passengers, crew members and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting officers were hospitalized. The airport is expected to be closed until 2 p.m. Monday.

At NYC Airports, Long TSA Lines and Frustrated Travelers - The New York Times

The shortage of checkpoint workers created lines of at least three hours at LaGuardia Airport. Many passengers doubted ICE agents were the solution.



Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial

Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial - The New York Times

A jury found the companies negligent in their app designs, harming a young user with design features that were addictive and led to her mental health distress.

Meta Ordered to Pay $375 Million Over Child Safety Violations - The New York Times

In one of the company’s first major losses, New Mexico jurors found that it had misled consumers about the safety of its platforms, enabling sexual exploitation of young users.

Related: 

Snap Settles Lawsuit on Social Media Addiction, Avoiding a Landmark Trial - The New York Times

The settlement means Snap will avoid a trial where plaintiffs had planned to argue that social media platforms are inherently defective and subject to personal injury liability.

Meta Acquires Moltbook, the Social Network Just for A.I. Bots - The New York Times

Maybe Meta can do for chatbots what it has done for teens! Matt Schlicht, the site’s creator, helped kick off Silicon Valley’s obsession with artificial intelligence agents. Two months later, he is joining the Meta Superintelligence Lab. Will chatbots start suing? (I know this feels like an April Fools' joke, but satire used to be satire and now we have machines writing novels.) 

Juries Take the Lead in the Push for Child Online Safety - The New York Times

A pair of verdicts held social media companies accountable for harming young users, highlighting a growing backlash as Congress struggles to pass legislation.


Tuesday, March 24, 2026

What to know about the scope of damage from Hawaii flooding

 What to know about the scope of damage from Hawaii flooding | AP News (Thanks to Graydon for this one)



Saudi Prince Is Said to Push Trump to Continue Iran War in Recent Calls

Saudi Prince Is Said to Push Trump to Continue Iran War in Recent Calls - The New York Times (Thanks to Haadi for this one)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman sees a “historic opportunity” to remake the region, according to people briefed by U.S. officials on the conversations.



CERN takes antiprotons for a spin in a test never tried before

 CERN takes antiprotons for a spin in a test never tried before | AP News (Thanks to Sam for this one)



The Death of the Cheap Laptop Is Coming, but that more expensive one may do more

 The Death of the Cheap Laptop Is Coming | Reviews by Wirecutter

Anthropic's Claude Can Now Control Your Computer - CNET



Trump wants the SAVE Act, but he just voted by mail; Tells GOP not to make a deal on DHS Funding until SAVE is passed

 Trump, Who Calls Mail-in Voting ‘Cheating,’ Just Voted by Mail - The New York Times

President Trump has long fixated on mail-in voting to bolster his baseless claims of widespread voter fraud. But he recently used the method in a Florida special election.

What’s in Trump’s SAVE Act, the Voter ID Bill Republicans Are Pushing? - The New York Times

The legislation would require voters to prove their citizenship in person upon registration, ban IDs without a photo at polling places and criminalize failures to enforce such requirements. Experts estimate that about 9% of U.S. citizens would not be able to vote due to lack of documentation.

TSA wait times, ICE agents deployed as flyers face worsening lines | CNN

‘Please do something’: Concerns raised about LaGuardia safety before fatal runway collision | CNN

Markwayne Mullin confirmed as Department of Homeland Security head




Trump Delays Threat to Iran, but War Negotiations Are in Early Stage; Iran disagrees

Trump Delays Threat to Iran, but War Negotiations Are in Early Stage - The New York Times

President Trump postponed his threat to strike power plants in Iran, citing “productive conversations” with the Iranians. But officials said the talks were in an early stage and not substantive.

 Iran War Live Updates: Tehran Fires Missiles at Israel After Trump Claims Progress on Talks - The New York Times

Trump Faces Blowback on Easing Iran Oil Sanctions - The New York Times

President Trump once assailed the Obama administration for making cash payments to Iran. Now he supports sanctions relief that could give the country a $14 billion windfall.

Investors Question Whether Quick Peace in Iran Is Possible - The New York Times

Oil Prices Rise a Day After 10% Plunge - The New York Times

How North Korea’s Kim Jong-un Is Using the Iran War to Justify His Nuclear Arsenal - The New York Times

He delivered a lengthy speech at his country’s rubber-stamp Parliament, declaring that his nuclear power will shield his country from American hostility.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, in Tehran last year. He is said to have conveyed to the U.S. that Iran would need sanctions relief and guarantees against future attacks.Credit...



Former FBI director Robert Mueller dies at 81, a look at his legacy and the reaction of President Trump

Ex-FBI chief Robert Mueller, who probed Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies | AP News

Robert Mueller, special counsel who probed but did not charge Trump, dies at 81

A Look at Robert Mueller's Legacy | FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site | Documentary Series

A Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, Mueller built a decades-long career in law enforcement and national security. He worked as a federal prosecutor and later served as U.S. attorney in San Francisco before taking on senior roles at the Justice Department.

Mueller led the FBI from 2001 to 2013. He was appointed FBI director in 2001, just one week before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and went on to lead the bureau through a major shift toward counterterrorism. Mueller remained in the role for 12 years after being asked by President Barack Obama to stay beyond the traditional 10-year term.

He later served as special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, a probe that shadowed much of Trump’s presidency. He brought charges against multiple Trump associates during the Russia investigation, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn. His final report detailed extensive contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia but did not establish a criminal conspiracy. Mueller declined to make a traditional prosecutorial decision on whether Trump obstructed justice, citing longstanding Justice Department policy against indicting a sitting president.

Former FBI director Robert Mueller dies at 81, Trump reacts

"Robert Mueller just died," Trump posted on Truth Social."Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!" Trump added.



Monday, March 23, 2026

The American rare earths company seeking to topple China's dominance

The American rare earths company seeking to topple China's dominance

Trump's push to make the U.S. independent of China


Trump Sets Up ‘Pax Silica’ Fund to Reduce Global Dependencies

 Trump Sets Up ‘Pax Silica’ Fund to Reduce Global Dependencies

Trump officials said on Monday that the war in Iran had emphasized the need to reduce vulnerabilities for energy and technology.

Opinion | American Chipmaking Suffers a Blow Under Trump with the cancellation of Natcast- The New York Times



Hundreds of N.Y.U. Professors Begin Strike Over Pay and Job Protections

 Hundreds of N.Y.U. Professors Begin Strike Over Pay and Job Protections

About 950 full-time faculty members who are not on the tenure track walked out. The university told students that classes would continue.



In Canada’s Frozen North, With Canada’s Frozen Soldiers

 In Canada’s Frozen North, With Canada’s Frozen Soldiers
Canadian soldiers transported M777 howitzers to the High Arctic to show their ability to fight in an increasingly contested part of the world. It did not go as planned.



Members of an artillery unit preparing the ground to install a howitzer.

Saturday, March 21, 2026

TSA workers face reality of working without pay as passengers unaware of the shutdown see long lines

TSA workers face reality of working without pay as passengers unaware of the shutdown see long lines (Thanks to Finn for this one)
On Friday, more than half of TSA employees called out at Houston’s William P. Hobby International Airport.

They are among the 61,000 government employees in the Department of Homeland Security caught in the middle as Congress remains locked in a stalemate over funding the agency.

“The traveling public has been really nice,” said Aaron Barker, the local American Federation of Government Employees union president for Atlanta. “What is shocking, though, is a lot of people are unaware that we are in a government shutdown.” 


GOLDEN | U.S. Defeats Canada, 6-2, Claims Fifth-Straight Paralympic Gold

 GOLDEN | U.S. Defeats Canada, 6-2, Claims Fifth-Straight Paralympic Gold (Thanks to Chris for this one)


Friday, March 20, 2026

Why Tech Giants Are Ditching the Power Grid; Senator Sanders has a conversation with Claude


Senator Bernie Sanders: I spoke to AI agent Claude

A.I. Is Writing Fiction. Publishers Are Unprepared; Horror Novel ‘Shy Girl’ Canceled Over Suspected A.I. Use

 A.I. Is Writing Fiction. Publishers Are Unprepared. - The New York Times

Book publishing has few safeguards in place to prevent the unwitting publication of a novel heavily generated by artificial intelligence.

Horror Novel ‘Shy Girl’ Canceled Over Suspected A.I. Use - The New York Times

Its publisher, Hachette, will not release the novel in the United States and will discontinue its U.K. edition, citing its commitment to “original creative expression and storytelling.”



Trump’s Planned White House Screening Center Is Too Big, Arts Panel Says

 Trump’s Planned White House Screening Center Is Too Big, Arts Panel Says - The New York Times

The Commission of Fine Arts delayed a vote on the facility, a new, 33,000-square-foot security screening center for White House visitors, because of concerns over the design.



Judge Rules That R.F.K. Jr. Overstepped on Transgender Care

 Judge Rules That R.F.K. Jr. Overstepped on Transgender Care - The New York Times

The ruling provides temporary relief for 21 states seeking to stop the Trump administration from ending federal funding to hospitals that provide gender-transition care.



New Data Shows Where ICE Has Been Most Active This Year

 New Data Shows Where ICE Has Been Most Active This Year - The New York Times



How High Will Oil Climb? Russian Tanker is headed to Cuba, Testing U.S. Blockade; Sanctions lifted on Belarus

 How High Will Oil Climb? Markets Brace for More Bad News. - The New York Times

Energy experts forecast more pain for consumers and businesses as the war in the Middle East shows no signs of easing.

Is Russian Fuel Headed for Cuba, Testing the U.S. Blockade? - The New York Times

A Russian oil tanker is being closely tracked to see if it will challenge the Trump administration’s blockade on Cuba.

U.S. Lifts Fertilizer Sanctions on Belarus as Iran War Causes Price Surge - The New York Times

The Trump administration made the move in exchange for Belarus’s freeing of 250 political prisoners, part of a rapprochement between the two countries.