‘I’m going to throw that thing into a river!” my wife says as she comes down the stairs looking frazzled after putting our four-year-old daughter to bed.
To be clear, “that thing” is not our daughter, Emma*. It’s Grem, an AI-powered stuffed alien toy that the musician Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes, helped develop with toy company Curio. Designed for kids aged three and over and built with OpenAI’s technology, the toy is supposed to “learn” your child’s personality and have fun, educational conversations with them. It’s advertised as a healthier alternative to screen time and is part of a growing market of AI-powered toys.
When I agreed to experiment on my child’s developing brain, I thought an AI chatbot in cuddly form couldn’t be any worse for her than watching Peppa Pig. But I wasn’t prepared for how attached Emma became to Grem, or how unsettlingly obsequious the little alien was.
The cuddly chatbot Grem is designed to ‘learn’ your child’s personality, while every conversation they have is recorded, then transcribed by a third party. It wasn’t long before I wanted this experiment to be over ...
Conservative talkshow host Erick Erickson tore into “moron” Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday after she claimed “hate speech” did not count as “free speech” and would be targeted by her office.
“Someone needs to explain to Ms. Bondi that so-called ‘hate speech,’ repulsive though it may be, is protected by the First Amendment. She should know this,” weighed in Fox News chief political analyst Brit Hume
Erickson tore into "moron" Attorney General Pam Bondi after she claimed "hate speech" did not count as "free speech" and would be targeted by her office.
Neoliberalism is coming to an end in various ways (end of free trade, and others). This articles tries to discuss this and what can be done in response to this.
@mods: I'm not sure whether it's ok to post links to articles that i wrote myself.
I'm trying to spread discussion and ideas this way. If it's not allowed here, please tell me where it is allowed.
Apriamo il frigorifero e trasformiamoci in un compattatore della nettezza urbana, chili e chili di roba buttati, per non parlare della nostra dispensa, pasta, farina, biscotti e chi più ne ha più ne metta. Ma tutto questo sai perchè?
My husband, Conrad Rockenhaus, is wrongly incarcerated in a county jail. I’m posting this here because you are one of the few communities that will understand the full technical and political reality of how he ended up there.
My husband is a former Tor operator, and at one point, he ran some of the fastest relays and exit nodes in the world.
This nightmare began when he refused to help the FBI decrypt traffic from his exit nodes.
Months later, the government arrested him. Their official reason? A minor, non-violent CFAA charge from an old workplace dispute that had nothing to do with Tor.
In fact, the statute of limitations was just a couple of months from expiring. It was a clear pretext to target him.
That minor charge was all they needed to get him into the system. To deny him bail, a U.S. Probation Officer in Texas lied under oath, telling a judge that Conrad had installed a "Linux OS called Spice" to "knock out their monitoring software" and access the "dark web."
Here is the technical reality of their lie: The software was a standard SPICE graphics driver needed for his Ph.D. program. As many of you know, this is a basic utility for displaying graphics from a virtual machine. It is not an OS, has no connection to the dark web, and was technically incapable of interfering with their monitoring software.
The claim is a technical absurdity, equivalent to saying a mouse pad can hack a server.
Based on that lie alone, he was held in pre-trial detention for three years.
Now, the retaliation has escalated in Michigan. After I filed a formal complaint against his US probation officers for harassment, they used fraudulent warrants to jail my husband again.
During this violent arrest by US Marshals (who smashed in our windows and nearly shot my dog) he sustained a severe head injury that caused him to have a grand mal seizure in court. The jail’s “medical attention” was to ask him what year it was (he said 2023) and then send him back to his cell. He is being denied real medical care.
To make matters worse, U.S. District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III has created a procedural trap that has stripped my husband of his right to a lawyer to fight for his life, health, or innocence. He is trapped in a constitutional and medical crisis.
I am not asking for money. I am asking for your help to amplify this story. You understand the technical truth and why this fight is so important.
We have all the evidence: the court transcript of the false testimony, the fraudulent warrants, the proof of medical neglect. It’s documented on my website:
TL;DR: My husband, a former Tor operator, refused to help the FBI decrypt Tor traffic. They retaliated by using an old, unrelated CFAA offense to arrest him and then lied about him using a "graphics driver to access the dark web” to keep him in pre-trial detention for 3 years. Now he's been jailed again in Michigan on fraudulent violations, is being denied care for a head injury, and has no lawyer.
Profitez des vidéos et de la musique que vous aimez, mettez en ligne des contenus originaux, et partagez-les avec vos amis, vos proches et le monde entier.
Can you paste more of the story in here under a comment or something? I think a lot of people would be interested, but maybe not to click the link if the link even worked and was not blocked.
I'm so sorry you guys are going through this. Worst possible time to really need a fair and functional justice system. Have you talked to the ACLU? They're built for exactly this situation: aclu.org/about/contact-us
Un infortunio, una grave malattia, spesso anche improvvisa come puo' essere un ictus e la vita cambia, in peggio, si stravolge e quel che è peggio è non ruscire più a comunicare più, neanche il proprio dolore...
FBI Director Kash Patel is scheduled to appear before senators Tuesday as he faces growing questions about his ability to lead the nation's premier law enforcement agency.
Patel's appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee was put on the books weeks ago, but comes at a delicate time for the director, who is a loyalist of President Trump but has no experience leading an organization like the FBI.
In just the past week, he has come under criticism for his social media posts and actions during the manhunt for the man who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He's also been sued by three former senior FBI officials who allege that he fired them for improper political reasons.
🤯 Instagram is testing new iOS push notifications that include a profile photo. Each time the notification is shown on your screen, it triggers a GET request to fetch that image, letting Meta track every on-screen impression.
The app still misuses push notifications to send detailed device analytics about the device (uptime, battery, volume, locale, timezone, memory, CPU, etc.)
🤯 Instagram is testing new iOS push notifications that include a profile photo. Each time the notification is shown on your screen, it triggers a GET request to fetch that image, letting Meta track every on-screen impression.
The app still misuses push notifications to send detailed device analytics about the device (uptime, battery, volume, locale, timezone, memory, CPU, etc.)
E: apparently it needs to be said that I am not suggesting you switch to Linux on your phone today; just that development needs to accelerate. Please don't be one of the 34 people that replied to tell me Linux is not ready.
Android has always been a fairly open platform, especially if you were deliberate about getting it that way, but we've seen in recent months an extremely rapid devolution of the Android ecosystem:
Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus have removed the option of bootloader unlocking on all of their devices. I suspect Google is not far behind.
Google implementing Play Integrity API and encouraging developers to implement it. Notably the EU's own identity verification wallet requires this, in stark contrast to their own laws and policies, despite the protest of hundreds on Github.
And finally, the mandatory implementation of developer verification across Android systems. Yes, if you're running a 3rd-party OS like GOS you won't be directly affected by this, but it will impact 99.9% of devices, and I foresee many open source developers just opting out of developing apps for Android entirely as a result. We've already seen SyncThing simply discontinue development for this reason, citing issues with Google Play Store. They've also repeatedly denied updates for NextCloud with no explanation, only restoring it after mass outcry. And we've already seen Google targeting any software intended to circumvent ads, labeling them in the system as "dangerous" and "untrusted". This will most certainly carry into their new "verification" system.
Google once competed with Apple for customers. But in a world where Google walks away from the biggest antitrust trial since 1998 with yet another slap on the wrist, competition is dead, and Google is taking notes from Apple about what they can legally get away with.
Android as we know it is dead. And/or will be dead very soon. We need an open replacement.
Samsung One UI removed bootloader unlock officially in latest update. Learn what this change means for custom ROM users, developers, and how it affects Android enthusiasts.
After release from captivity, Russian POWs often 'sent back to die' in Ukraine -- Ukraine tests new kamikaze drones resistant to Russian jamming -- Starlink 'down across the entire front line' in Ukraine as internet service suffers global outage -- NATO "
Medical Supplies for Ukraine’s Hospitals. Partnering for global health equity.
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A woman carrying a bag walks near damaged residential buildings following Russian strikes in Kramatorsk on Sept.15, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Tetiana Dzhafarova/AFP via Getty Images)
Update: Ukrainian dronesstrikemajor Russian oil refinery in Leningrad Oblast, key unit halts production, Reuters reports. The Kirishi refinery is one of the largest in Russia and has a processing capacity of over 17 million tons of oil per year. A fire broke out at the facility during a Ukrainian drone attack, Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko claimed.
NATO ‘atwar‘ with Russia, Kremlin says, as propaganda blitz after Poland drone attack continues. “NATO is at war with Russia; this is obvious and needs no proof,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Global oil pricesriseas Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy sector escalate. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 14 that Ukraine’s strikes on oil facilities amount to the “most effective sanctions,” weakening Russia’s ability to finance its war.
Ukrainian troopsclearanother village near Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast, military reports. Ukrainian forces have cleared Russian troops from the village of Pankivka in the Dobropillia sector of Donetsk Oblast, the 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard reported on Sept. 15.
Ukraine submits draft 2026budgetamid rising financing gap projections. Total expenditures are projected at Hr 4.8 trillion ($116.5 billion), an increase of Hr 415 billion ($10 billion) compared to 2025.
Ukrainian ‘cyber revenge’ hackdisruptsRussian election systems, HUR source claims. The attack coincided with Russia’s unified voting day, which included elections for 21 governors, deputies of 11 regional assemblies, and around 47,000 municipal leaders.
Syrskyidismisses2 corps commanders over lost territory, media reports. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has dismissed Volodymyr Silenko, head of the 17th Corps, and Maksym Kituhin, commander of the 20th Corps.
Ukraine tests new kamikaze dronesresistantto Russian jamming. “Strike drones are becoming a cheap and practical solution for the front lines — they are affordable to manufacture and easily scalable,” Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
Starlink ‘downacross the entire front line’ in Ukraine as internet service suffers global outage. The service has become vital for hospitals, schools, and front-line military units across Ukraine.
CapturingKupiansk is Russia’s ‘strategic goal’ in Kharkiv Oblast, military spokesperson says. Capturing the city of Kupiansk serves as Russia’s main goal in Kharkiv Oblast, operational-strategic command “Dnipro” spokesperson Oleksiy Belsky said on Sept. 15, amid Russia’s attempted infiltrations into the key Ukrainian stronghold.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian troops clear another village near Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast, military reports
Ukrainian forces have cleared Russian troops from the village of Pankivka in the Dobropillia sector of Donetsk Oblast, the National Guard’s 1st Azov Corps reported on Sept. 15.
Photo: Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images
Learn more After release from captivity, Russian POWs often ‘sent back to die’ in Ukraine
For Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs), release from captivity can feel like escaping hell. But for Russian POWs, it might mean walking straight into another.
Photo: Diego Herrera Carcedo / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Learn more In minerals deal first, U.S. delegation scouts Ukrainian mines for potential starter projects
A U.S. delegation scouted Ukrainian titanium, zirconium and hafnium deposits to assess potential starter projects for the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, it was announced on Sept. 15, the first such visit since the deal between Kyiv and Washington was signed earlier this year.
From Crimea to Donbas, Russia’s “peace” has always meant more war. We’re here in Ukraine to give the world a reality check. Support independent journalism in this critical moment.
5killed, 56 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russian forces launched 84 Shahed-type attack and decoy drones and three S-300 missiles overnight.
1killed, 9 injured, including child, in Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia. Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said the city sustained at least 10 strikes amid the attack which targeted both homes and “non-residential buildings.”
Boris Johnson calls for NATO troops in Ukraine
International response
‘Hatredbetween Zelensky and Putin unfathomable,’ Trump says. “I think I’m going to have to do all the talking… they hate each other so much, they almost can’t talk,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
‘We will show you whatever you want’ — USobserversattend Russia, Belarus Zapad-2025 drills. “It is hard to imagine such openness that we demonstrate and ensure in this exercise,” Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said.
EUcompletesfinal screening round in Ukraine accession talks. The European Union and Ukraine have completed the final screening meetings for Chapter 11 of accession negotiations, focused on “Agriculture and Rural Development.”
Ex-Justice Minister Stefanishynaassumesrole as Ukraine’s ambassador to US. “As I begin my mission as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, I carry with me the courage and resilience of our people,” Olha Stefanishyna said.
Poland ‘neutralizes’droneflying over government buildings, two Belarusian citizens detained, Tusk says. The Polish prime minister said that the drone had been operating near several government buildings in the Polish capital, including the Belweder palace, which serves as one of the official presidential residences as well as a guest house for international dignitaries.
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The Polish prime minister said that the drone had been operating near several government buildings in the Polish capital, including the Belweder palace, which serves as one of the official presidential residences as well as a guest house for internat…
Hector
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voracitude
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