AI is starting to look more disturbing than sci-fi | Fareed's Take
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Trump Once Vowed to ‘Own’ Greenland. He Settled for Something Much Less
Trump Once Vowed to ‘Own’ Greenland. He Settled for Something Much Less. - The New York Times
President Trump signed a Greenland security deal that falls well short of his demands to turn the island into a U.S. territory.
Hackers Say They Stole Thousands of Sensitive F.B.I. Personnel Records
Hackers Say They Stole Thousands of Sensitive F.B.I. Personnel Records - The New York Times
The compromise, if confirmed, would be the latest in a string of cybersecurity failures at the F.B.I., which said it was investigating the matter.
Paul LePage, a Trump Ally, Says a Family Member Is Being Deported
Paul LePage, a Trump Ally, Says a Family Member Is Being Deported - The New York Times
The former Maine governor, a Republican running for Congress, said the Trump administration is seeking to wrongly deport his son’s father-in-law, who has a work permit.
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants - The New York Times (Thanks to Sam for this one)
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
With Time on His Side, Xi Seeks to Extend Truce With Trump
With Time on His Side, Xi Seeks to Extend Truce With Trump
Facing an American president constrained by war and politics, China’s leader may seek to lock in a tactical truce while he shores up a fragile economy at home.
China’s Continued Control of Rare Earths Looms Over Trump-Xi Meeting
Manufacturers are struggling with constrained supplies as U.S. and Chinese officials negotiate over export restrictions with consequences for global industry.
Japan, Suffering Xi and China’s Anger, Hopes Trump Can Help
Japan’s prime minister will meet President Trump to discuss China’s economic and security pressure while also seeking to de-escalate tensions with Beijing.
Aviation regulators turn to AI to help manage the nation's airspace
Aviation regulators turn to AI to help manage the nation's airspace (Thanks to Gabi for this one)
Related: Technical Problems Ground Flights at Major East Coast Airports
Operations had resumed by Monday evening, with delays. The incident revived concerns about the Federal Aviation Administration’s aging air traffic control infrastructure.
New Species of Cat Discovered for First Time in a Century
New Species of Cat Discovered for First Time in a Century (Thanks to Kabir for this one)
The species, called a tilcayo, is smaller than a house cat and lives in the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains in Bolivia.
Monday, September 21, 2026
In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?
In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own? - The New York Times
A decade ago, I made a decision about my daughter’s education that I hoped would challenge New York City’s separate and unequal school system. Now 16, she thinks I made the wrong choice.
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| Najya Hannah-Jones, 16, the writer's daughter. |
Trading Keggers for ‘Wellness Darties’
Trading Keggers for ‘Wellness Darties’ - The New York Times
A new crop of college students is finding balance at daytime parties with yoga, saunas and cold plunges.
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| One of the wellness events at the University of Florida. It included workouts and cold plunges. |
It’s Raining Boxes: Amazon Drones Overwhelm a Texas Suburb
It’s Raining Boxes: Amazon Drones Overwhelm a Texas Suburb - The New York Times
In Richardson, a fleet of drones has started to deliver goods quickly. But the noise is drowning out life for some residents: ‘We can’t live like this.’
Once Home to Batman, This Faded Mansion Is Now Plagued by Real Bats
Once Home to Batman, This Faded Mansion Is Now Plagued by Real Bats - The New York Times
Officials in England are alarmed at the state of Mentmore Towers, the 19th century estate that served as Wayne Manor in the 2005 film “Batman Begins.”
Unrelated, but interesting: Why Christian Bale Built a Foster Village in the California Desert - The New York Times
EU announces plan to ban social media for under 13s
EU announces plan to ban social media for under 13s | CNN (Thanks to Finn for this one)
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| European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during her State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, on September 16, 2026. Yves Herman/Reuters |
Hawaii doctor found guilty of trying to kill wife during hike denied new trial
Hawaii doctor found guilty of trying to kill wife during hike denied new trial - ABC News (Thanks to Natalie for this one)
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| Gerhardt Konig testifies during his attempted murder trial in Honolulu, April 1, 2026. ABC Pool Photos. |
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| Arielle Konig testifies during her husband's attempted murder trial in Honolulu, March 24, 2026. |
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Peter Max, artist, dies at 88; Annie Dillard, writer, dies at 81
Peter Max, Trippy Artist of Counterculture Era and Beyond, Dies at 88 - The New York Times
With work that breathed the spirit of the 1960s, he became fabulously wealthy from licensing his paintings and posters in all their euphoric Day-Glo glory.
Annie Dillard, Meditative Author of ‘Pilgrim at Tinker Creek,’ Dies at 81 - The New York Times
Her Thoreau-like account of journeys in the woods, published when she was 28, was the first of many ruminations on life and nature, good and evil.
Fed Raises Interest Rates in Push for ‘Timelier’ Retreat in Inflation
Fed Raises Interest Rates in Push for ‘Timelier’ Retreat in Inflation - The New York Times
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, putting its new leader, Kevin Warsh, at odds with President Trump. “The plain fact is that inflation is too high,” Mr. Warsh said.
E.U. Talks of Making Canada First ‘Associate Member’ as U.S. Ties Weaken; E.U.-Canada Ambitions Face Reality Check
E.U. Talks of Making Canada First ‘Associate Member’ as U.S. Ties Weaken - The New York Times
Canada and the European Union have been confronting an increasingly challenging relationship with the United States under President Trump.
E.U.-Canada Ambitions Face Reality Check
The bloc’s offer of “associate member” status to Ottawa shows how U.S. allies are pulling closer together. But their plans face significant obstacles.
T. Rex, King of the Dinosaurs, Had a Body Temperature of 97 Degrees
T. Rex, King of the Dinosaurs, Had a Body Temperature of 97 Degrees
Hotter than a crocodile, cooler than a chicken, T. Rex was definitely warm-blooded, according to a new study.
Why Don’t I Recover From Workouts as Quickly as I Used To?
Why Don’t I Recover From Workouts as Quickly as I Used To? (Thanks to Addy for this one)
We asked fitness experts when to consider modifying your routine.
U.S. Health Officials Move Quickly to Deploy Medical A.I. Despite Concerns; related AI stories
U.S. Health Officials Move Quickly to Deploy Medical A.I. Despite Concerns (Thanks to Willa for this one)
Federal projects are rolling out A.I. agents that offer therapy and prescribe medicine, raising concerns about safety and the influence of venture capital investors.
Related:
OpenAI Discloses Six New Incidents of ‘Concerning' A.I. Behavior - The New York Times
Trump Defended A.I. Data Centers on Truth Social, and Commenters Clapped Back - The New York Times
The president’s posts about artificial intelligence on the social media platform he founded were met with an unusual volume of criticism.
The Liftoff Scenario That Terrifies A.I. Doomsayers - The New York Times
“Recursive self-improvement” is the idea that artificial intelligence could learn to build and train itself, creating exponential new progress — and risk.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Monday, September 14, 2026
There was a U.S.-Iran Peace Deal. Here is how it was blown up.
How Iran’s Hard-liners Blew Up the Peace Deal with Trump - The New York Times
Opponents derailed the agreement with a clandestine effort to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, regime insiders say. Iran’s president was furious when he found out.
The kingdom is in a state of strategic shock after coming under attack from an emboldened Iran and failing to win more U.S. military support, analysts say.
Six Reasons Why the United States Is Low on Munitions (CSIS)
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| Hossein Taeb in a photo made available by the Iranian news agency Tasnim. He opposed the deal with the United States from the outset. Credit...Hamed Malekpour/Tasnim News, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images |
The Supreme Court won’t allow midterm mail-in voting limits
The Supreme Court won’t allow midterm mail-in voting limits : NPR
Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Restrictions on Voting by Mail
The 7-2 ruling is a major loss for the Trump administration, which wanted to dramatically change how Americans vote by mail in the midterm elections.
A Teen Autopsy Marks the Arrival of a Deadly Drug in San Francisco
A Teen Autopsy Marks the Arrival of a Deadly Drug in San Francisco - The New York Times
City officials — and one determined mother — are working to stop the spread of cychlorphine, which is far more potent than fentanyl.
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| Dante Paul Lacourte was 16 years old. |
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