Comment You don't see wars fought over solar panels (Score 0) 87
or wind turbines. That's because oil makes the world work.
Without oil, natgas and coal we live in the 18th century.
Submission + - Mount Everest Climbers 'Poisoned' by Guides in Insurance Fraud Scheme (kathmandupost.com)
schwit1 writes: Investigations reveal a vast network of trekking firms, helicopter operators, hospitals and agents staging fake evacuations, fabricating medical records and inflating bills to siphon millions from global insurers.
Submission + - Brazil Builds Free Payment System; US Wonders If That's Allowed (yahoo.com) 1
Suripat writes: Brazil’s instant payment system, Pix, has quickly changed how people handle money, making transfers free and nearly immediate. It’s become so widely used that cash and even card payments are losing ground. That success is now getting attention abroad, especially in the United States, where officials are looking into whether a government-backed system like Pix gives it an unfair edge over private payment companies. Supporters see it as efficient and accessible, while critics raise questions about competition. As Pix keeps growing, it’s starting to look less like a local innovation and more like something that could challenge established payment systems worldwide.
Submission + - We are nowhere near AGI (x.com)
schwit1 writes: Humans: 100%
Gemini 3.1 Pro: 0.37%
GPT 5.4: 0.26%
Opus 4.6: 0.25%
Grok-4.20: 0.00%
François Chollet just released ARC-AGI-3 — the hardest AI test ever created.
135 novel game environments. No instructions. No rules. No goals given.
Figure it out or fail.
Untrained humans solved every single one. Every frontier AI model scored below 1%.
Each environment was handcrafted by game designers. The AI gets dropped in and has to explore, discover what winning looks like, and adapt in real time.
The scoring punishes brute force. If a human needs 10 actions and the AI needs 100, the AI doesn't get 10%. It gets 1%. You can't throw more compute at this.
For context: ARC-AGI-1 is basically solved. Gemini scores 98% on it. ARC-AGI-2 went from 3% to 77% in under a year. Labs spent millions training on earlier versions.
ARC-AGI-3 resets the entire scoreboard to near zero.
Abstract and more here.
Gemini 3.1 Pro: 0.37%
GPT 5.4: 0.26%
Opus 4.6: 0.25%
Grok-4.20: 0.00%
François Chollet just released ARC-AGI-3 — the hardest AI test ever created.
135 novel game environments. No instructions. No rules. No goals given.
Figure it out or fail.
Untrained humans solved every single one. Every frontier AI model scored below 1%.
Each environment was handcrafted by game designers. The AI gets dropped in and has to explore, discover what winning looks like, and adapt in real time.
The scoring punishes brute force. If a human needs 10 actions and the AI needs 100, the AI doesn't get 10%. It gets 1%. You can't throw more compute at this.
For context: ARC-AGI-1 is basically solved. Gemini scores 98% on it. ARC-AGI-2 went from 3% to 77% in under a year. Labs spent millions training on earlier versions.
ARC-AGI-3 resets the entire scoreboard to near zero.
Abstract and more here.
Submission + - Iran blocks accounts of Starlink users as crackdown continues (iranintl.com) 1
An anonymous reader writes: Iranian police said on Thursday they had blocked 61 bank accounts belonging to users of Starlink satellite internet in the central city of Yazd, as part of a broader crackdown on unauthorized connectivity.
A local police commander said six Starlink devices were seized and six people detained following searches carried out with judicial approval.
Authorities accused the suspects of trading access to the service, sharing information with foreign-based outlets and engaging in activities deemed hostile. The individuals were referred to prosecutors, police said.
The move comes amid a broader wave of arrests across Iran, with authorities detaining dozens in recent days on security-related charges, including alleged links to militant activity, contacts with foreign media and online activity. Officials have also reported seizing weapons, explosives and Starlink devices in multiple provinces.
Starlink is banned in Iran, where authorities have imposed a near-total internet blackout during the war. Monitoring group NetBlocks says connectivity has dropped to around 1% of normal levels, leaving satellite services among the few ways to access the global internet.
A local police commander said six Starlink devices were seized and six people detained following searches carried out with judicial approval.
Authorities accused the suspects of trading access to the service, sharing information with foreign-based outlets and engaging in activities deemed hostile. The individuals were referred to prosecutors, police said.
The move comes amid a broader wave of arrests across Iran, with authorities detaining dozens in recent days on security-related charges, including alleged links to militant activity, contacts with foreign media and online activity. Officials have also reported seizing weapons, explosives and Starlink devices in multiple provinces.
Starlink is banned in Iran, where authorities have imposed a near-total internet blackout during the war. Monitoring group NetBlocks says connectivity has dropped to around 1% of normal levels, leaving satellite services among the few ways to access the global internet.
Submission + - IBM quantum computer simulates real magnetic materials and matches lab data (nerds.xyz)
BrianFagioli writes: IBM says its quantum computer can now simulate real magnetic materials and match actual lab experiment results, which is something people have been waiting years to see. Instead of just theoretical output, the system reproduced neutron scattering data from a known material, meaning it lines up with real world physics. It still relies on a mix of quantum and classical computing and this is a narrow use case for now, but it is one of the first times quantum hardware has produced results that scientists can directly validate against experiments, which makes it a lot more interesting than the usual hype.
Comment He's going to Kathleen Kennedy the LOTR (Score 2) 140
Can you short a franchise?
Submission + - Hong Kong Police Can Demand Passwords Under New National Security Rules (bbc.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Hong Kong police can now demand phone or computer passwords from those who are suspected of breaching the wide-ranging National Security Law (NSL). Those who refuse could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $12,700, and individuals who provide "false or misleading information" could face up to three years in jail. It comes as part of new amendments to a bylaw under the NSL that the government gazetted on Monday.
The NSL was introduced in Hong Kong in 2020, in wake of massive pro-democracy protests the year before. Authorities say the laws, which target acts like terrorism and secession, are necessary for stability — but critics say they are tools to quash dissent. The new amendments also give customs officials the power to seize items that they deem to "have seditious intention."
Monday's amendments ensure that "activities endangering national security can be effectively prevented, suppressed and punished, and at the same time the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organisations are adequately protected," Hong Kong authorities said on Monday. Changes to the bylaw was announced by the city's leader, John Lee, bypassing the city's legislative council. The NSL also allows for some trials to be heard behind closed doors.
The NSL was introduced in Hong Kong in 2020, in wake of massive pro-democracy protests the year before. Authorities say the laws, which target acts like terrorism and secession, are necessary for stability — but critics say they are tools to quash dissent. The new amendments also give customs officials the power to seize items that they deem to "have seditious intention."
Monday's amendments ensure that "activities endangering national security can be effectively prevented, suppressed and punished, and at the same time the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organisations are adequately protected," Hong Kong authorities said on Monday. Changes to the bylaw was announced by the city's leader, John Lee, bypassing the city's legislative council. The NSL also allows for some trials to be heard behind closed doors.
Comment Re:Summary: TurboTax is not innocent per se (Score 1, Informative) 59
It is NOT what they were created to do. The agencies were not created to be judge AND jury.
Submission + - Non-US made WiFi Routers Banned by FCC (pcmag.com)
phatrabt writes: The FCC has now banned any WiFi routers not made in the US from being sold unless granted a waiver from the Pentagon or Homeland Security. PC Mag says:
"Late on Monday afternoon, the FCC announced the order, based on a White House determination that foreign-made routers introduce “supply chain vulnerabilities” that hackers and cyberspies can exploit. Specifically, the commission updated its “covered list,” which acts as a blacklist of telecom equipment deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to US national security. It now includes “all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries.”
However, the FCC stresses, “This action does not affect any previously purchased consumer-grade routers. Consumers can continue to use any router they have already lawfully purchased or acquired.”
“Nor does it prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market router models approved previously through the FCC’s equipment authorization process,” the commission adds.
"Late on Monday afternoon, the FCC announced the order, based on a White House determination that foreign-made routers introduce “supply chain vulnerabilities” that hackers and cyberspies can exploit. Specifically, the commission updated its “covered list,” which acts as a blacklist of telecom equipment deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to US national security. It now includes “all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries.”
However, the FCC stresses, “This action does not affect any previously purchased consumer-grade routers. Consumers can continue to use any router they have already lawfully purchased or acquired.”
“Nor does it prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market router models approved previously through the FCC’s equipment authorization process,” the commission adds.
Submission + - Alabama State Sup. Ct: Police CAN Demand Physical ID If THEY Deem It Necessary (msn.com) 2
schwit1 writes: The ruling states that officers are allowed to demand physical identification if they feel an individual gives an unsatisfactory oral answer. AL.com reported how the decision ruled against a local pastor, who sued an Alabama town and its law enforcement office after a police encounter.
The incident occurred in 2022, in which police arrested Pastor Michael Jennings after he watered his neighbor's flowers. Another neighbor called the police on Jennings, citing that a "younger Black male" was on the property.
While officers pressed the church leader about his identity, he told them he was "Pastor Jennings" and lived across the street. The answer, however, did not please the officers.
After the man refused to give them his ID, law enforcement arrested him on charges of obstructing government operations, which were later dismissed. The woman who initially called 911 also confirmed Jennings as a neighbor.
Feeling wronged, Jennings sued the town of Childersburg and the officers for false arrest, leading to a long legal battle. Although a district judge dismissed his case in 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed the decision the next year.
The case then proceeded to the Alabama Supreme Court, while several civil rights organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center, filed briefs in support of Jennings. However, the court ruled 6-3 that officers may arrest someone who refuses to provide sufficient identification.
Justice Terry Sellers cited that getting correct identification is a "crucial part" of the stop-and-identify law, also known as a Terry stop. Sellers defended the officers' actions, stating that officers can request or demand physical identification if they deem a person's oral answer as unsatisfactory.
According to WVTM13, Sellers wrote that the law "does not exclude from its purview a request for physical identification when a suspect provides an incomplete or unsatisfactory response to an officer's demand to provide his or her name and address and an explanation of his or her action."
The judgment now sets a legal precedent that officers can not only request physical proof of one's identity but also arrest individuals if they fail to provide such evidence. Legal rights advocates condemned the decision, with Matthew Cavedon, director of the Cato Institute's Project on Criminal Justice, calling the ruling a "significant expansion of government power over people."
Now, an Alabamian under suspicion by a police officer must stay prepared to show proof of identity or face arrest.
Cavendon added, "The significance now for Alabamians is if an officer's not satisfied with whatever answer you give, I sure hope you've got your driver's license or passport on you."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
The incident occurred in 2022, in which police arrested Pastor Michael Jennings after he watered his neighbor's flowers. Another neighbor called the police on Jennings, citing that a "younger Black male" was on the property.
While officers pressed the church leader about his identity, he told them he was "Pastor Jennings" and lived across the street. The answer, however, did not please the officers.
After the man refused to give them his ID, law enforcement arrested him on charges of obstructing government operations, which were later dismissed. The woman who initially called 911 also confirmed Jennings as a neighbor.
Feeling wronged, Jennings sued the town of Childersburg and the officers for false arrest, leading to a long legal battle. Although a district judge dismissed his case in 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed the decision the next year.
The case then proceeded to the Alabama Supreme Court, while several civil rights organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center, filed briefs in support of Jennings. However, the court ruled 6-3 that officers may arrest someone who refuses to provide sufficient identification.
Justice Terry Sellers cited that getting correct identification is a "crucial part" of the stop-and-identify law, also known as a Terry stop. Sellers defended the officers' actions, stating that officers can request or demand physical identification if they deem a person's oral answer as unsatisfactory.
According to WVTM13, Sellers wrote that the law "does not exclude from its purview a request for physical identification when a suspect provides an incomplete or unsatisfactory response to an officer's demand to provide his or her name and address and an explanation of his or her action."
The judgment now sets a legal precedent that officers can not only request physical proof of one's identity but also arrest individuals if they fail to provide such evidence. Legal rights advocates condemned the decision, with Matthew Cavedon, director of the Cato Institute's Project on Criminal Justice, calling the ruling a "significant expansion of government power over people."
Now, an Alabamian under suspicion by a police officer must stay prepared to show proof of identity or face arrest.
Cavendon added, "The significance now for Alabamians is if an officer's not satisfied with whatever answer you give, I sure hope you've got your driver's license or passport on you."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Submission + - Wikipedia Bans Leader of Pro-Hamas Edit Gang (piratewires.com)
An anonymous reader writes: ... following a pirate wires investigation and a ruling by wikipedia's 'supreme court,' an editor who coordinated over a million pro-hamas changes has been site-banned.
An editor called Iskandar323 (Wikipedia username), who was the leader of the "Gang of 40", a group of editors, has just been banned.
Wikipedia's Arbitration Committee site-banned him after an investigation showed the group coordinated over ONE MILLION EDITS shaping pro-Hamas narratives on articles about Hamas, Iran, Zionism, and the Middle East conflict.
An editor called Iskandar323 (Wikipedia username), who was the leader of the "Gang of 40", a group of editors, has just been banned.
Wikipedia's Arbitration Committee site-banned him after an investigation showed the group coordinated over ONE MILLION EDITS shaping pro-Hamas narratives on articles about Hamas, Iran, Zionism, and the Middle East conflict.
Comment It's all about removing online anonymity (Score 2) 69
THEY want 100% attribution of all online content. It starts with the little chips at the ice of anonymity. First it's the age, then the location, then full digital ID plus biometric verification.
Submission + - Peter Thiel just bet $2 billion on a collar that wraps around a cow's neck (x.com) 1
schwit1 writes: The company is called Halter and it has a proprietary algorithm that runs the entire operation.
They actually trademarked the name for it and called it the Cowgorithm and here's how it works.
A farmer opens an app, taps a button, and 600,000 cows across three countries start walking toward the milking station on their own.
No farm dogs, fences or physical labor, it's just a solar-powered GPS collar sending sound and vibration cues to each animal.
The collar does more than move cows around.
It monitors digestion, fertility cycles, and health patterns in real time, 24 hours a day, using machine learning trained on the behavior of hundreds of thousands of animals.
They actually trademarked the name for it and called it the Cowgorithm and here's how it works.
A farmer opens an app, taps a button, and 600,000 cows across three countries start walking toward the milking station on their own.
No farm dogs, fences or physical labor, it's just a solar-powered GPS collar sending sound and vibration cues to each animal.
The collar does more than move cows around.
It monitors digestion, fertility cycles, and health patterns in real time, 24 hours a day, using machine learning trained on the behavior of hundreds of thousands of animals.
Submission + - WSJ: Tesla Finally Has Its First Semi-Truck and It's Already a Hit With Truckers (archive.is)
schwit1 writes: Innovations including a centered driving position, fast charging and a 500-mile range are winning over drivers
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