Qwen 3.8 27B is out: open weights, best local dense model yet
Qwen 3.8 27B has been released with open weights, making it the best local dense model to date. It is available on Hugging Face for use in various AI applications.
Qwen 3.8 27B is out: open weights, best local dense model yet and Firefox is now the last major browser that still supports uBlock Origin
First things first
Some wild stuff happening out there - big AI releases, privacy debates, and even a guy running for office as Count Binface. Meanwhile, the internet’s still fighting the good fight with browsers supporting ad blockers and folks turning RSS feeds into offline paper. It’s a mix of tech breakthroughs, weird news, and the ongoing scramble around digital rights that keeps things interesting.
The top 6
Firefox is now the last major browser that still supports uBlock Origin
Firefox remains the last major browser supporting uBlock Origin, despite other browsers phasing it out under Manifest V3. Mozilla has confirmed it will continue supporting the ad blocker.
Every Fucking Website
The webpage humorously critiques the overwhelming and intrusive nature of modern websites, highlighting excessive ads, cookie notices, and pop-ups. It also features playful content and references to common online frustrations.
Count Binface receives over a quarter of votes in Clacton by-election
Count Binface received nearly 10,000 votes, or 26.9%, in the Clacton by-election, his best performance to date. Nigel Farage won the seat with 63.3% of the vote, amid a low-turnout election caused by a boycott from main parties.
Google Is Making Private AI Practical with Homomorphic Encryption
Google has developed HEIR, an open-source compiler that enables cryptographically secure private AI inference using homomorphic encryption. This technology allows computations on encrypted data, balancing privacy with AI functionality, and the cost of homomorphic encryption is decreasing rapidly.
In Australia, a Home Battery Boom Has Helped Cut Wholesale Power Prices in Half
Australia's subsidy program for home batteries has led to over 500,000 installations, helping cut wholesale power prices by about 50%. The initiative enables households to better utilize solar energy, reducing reliance on centralized power plants and lowering costs for all consumers.
Quote of the day
Premature optimization is the root of all evil.
Donald Knuth
Also big today
Everything is about to "go dark"
Cryptographer Matthew Green warns that widespread encryption and privacy protections are at risk of disappearing by 2026. This shift could significantly impact user privacy and digital security worldwide.
454 points · 244 comments · blog.cryptographyengineering.com
Seven books I keep close because I love them
Seven favorite books are kept close by the author, with Roget's Thesaurus being the most frequently used. They highlight its role as a classification tool rather than a simple synonym dictionary.
RustDesk now supports true unattended remote access on Wayland
RustDesk now supports true unattended remote access on Wayland, including multi-monitor setups, for Debian/Ubuntu-based systems. This feature allows connections even after reboots without remote approval, with plans to expand to other Linux distributions.
Maximizing the value of your Claude Code sessions
To maximize value during Claude Code sessions, clear context between tasks to save tokens and set model parameters beforehand to avoid increased costs. Mention files directly with @-mentions and use quiet flags or subagents for noisy commands to improve efficiency.
France blocks social media ban because it would require adults to prove age
France's top court blocked a social media ban that would have required adults to prove their age. The court ruled that the ban would infringe on freedom of expression.
When Genius Fails: The Intellectual Arrogance of the AI Labs
AI labs often display a lack of intellectual humility, as seen in the failed $20 billion hedge fund Situational Awareness. Such overconfidence mirrors historical examples like Long-Term Capital Management, highlighting the dangers of overestimating expertise in complex fields.
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The other Sean Byrne doesn't exist
Sean Byrne's identity is mistakenly linked to a government-listed entity due to a 2009 Irish aircraft export case, causing issues with Apple and government screening lists. The listing appears to be based on a fictitious person associated with a company involved in illegal exports, not the individual himself.
AI by Hand
AI BY HAND is a platform by Prof. Tom Yeh that explores math, algorithms, and architectures related to AI. It has over 73,000 subscribers and requires JavaScript to access its content.
RISC-V: They should have known better
RISC-V is a computer instruction set architecture (ISA) that is open-source and customizable. Critics compare it to MIPS, noting that any ISA can be brute-forced into different roles, raising concerns about its security and practicality.
Qwen3.8-27B
Alibaba released open weights for Qwen3.8-27B, a native multimodal dense model that outperforms its predecessor in coding and office workflows. The model is efficient, highly capable, and available for download to build lightweight applications or agents.
I turned my RSS feeds into an e-ink newspaper to stop reading on my phone
RSS feeds are transformed into a custom e-ink newspaper using a small device called X4 to reduce eye strain from phone reading. An automated system creates and loads the newspaper, improving outdoor reading experiences.
Introducing Toast 1
Toast 1 is a specialized search agent that matches or exceeds the performance of top models like GPT-5.6 Sol while being significantly cheaper and faster. It can operate independently or integrate with existing search systems to improve efficiency and accuracy in complex knowledge tasks.
Song of the day
Deep cuts
Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake - 68 km NNW of Ende, Indonesia
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurred 68 km NNW of Ende, Indonesia. The event was recorded and reported by the US Geological Survey.
eigendrum
Eigendrum allows users to draw or input shapes to generate and hear the corresponding drum sounds based on vibrational modes. It uses finite element methods to solve eigenvalue problems and produce realistic drum tones from custom outlines.
Jane Street suffers $15B hit after meltdown at Situational Awareness
Jane Street experienced a significant financial loss of $15 billion following a meltdown related to its Situational Awareness system. The incident impacted the firm's trading operations and financial stability.
Stop sending me PRs; a rant
Large pull requests hinder review and understanding, making the process more time-consuming. Small, digestible PRs and clear naming are essential for efficient collaboration.
CEO who fired 900 people on Zoom just before Christmas wants his job back
A CEO who dismissed 900 employees via Zoom just before Christmas is seeking to regain his position. The move has sparked controversy and public discussion.
Jason Arday: Former Cambridge university professor found dead
Jason Arday, a former Cambridge sociology professor, was found dead in Battersea, London. His death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious, following allegations of plagiarism he denied.