Leftovers

• Evan Hahn ☛ Notes from October 2026

  Happy Halloween! Here’s a little of what I got up to in this spooky month.

  Things I did in October

  I moved this site from an Apache-powered VPS to CDN-frontend object storage. This means I pay less money, I do less maintenance, and my site loads faster in most parts of the world. Hopefully nobody noticed this change, except that things should be a little snappier! (Also, my old site had a small amount of PHP, which I’m happy to have removed given PHP’s remote code execution vulnerabilities this month.)

  In an effort to fill in the gaps of the internet, I published a short list of Vim forks.

  At Ghost, my team shipped two additions to our automations feature: analytics and more granular triggers. Both of these should help our independent publishers grow. More automations stuff on the way!

• Science / Mathematics / Computer Science

  • New York Times ☛ How Convicted Felon Is Dismantling America’s Scientific Research Machine

    The system that has driven life-altering discoveries and helped make the United States a superpower is now under intense strain.

  • Science Alert ☛ Earth's Supposedly Impenetrable Radiation Barrier Has Been Breached

    This is not a drill.

  • Science Alert ☛ Does It Matter if Men Pee Sitting or Standing? A Randomized Test Has an Answer

    A surprisingly complicated debate.

  • Science Alert ☛ Interstellar Visitor 3I/ATLAS Just Got Even Weirder, And May Contain 10-Billion-Year-Old Material

    From before the birth of its star?

  • Science Alert ☛ Dogs May Smell a Complete Stranger's Seizure Without Ever Being Trained, Study Finds

    Truly our best friends.

  • Science Alert ☛ Scientists Recovered 22,000-Year-Old Human DNA From Cave Dirt

    No bones or teeth needed.

  • Science Alert ☛ Seeing Your Pain Through an Evolutionary Lens May Ease Depression, Early Trial Finds

    Just two days of therapy made a difference.

  • Science Alert ☛ We'd Be Entering an Ice Age Right Now if Climate Change Hadn't Terminated It, Study Suggests

    "An extremely natural and predictable phenomenon is now gone". 

• Career/Education

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia PM Anwar calls for stronger action against school bullying

    This comes amid growing concerns over children’s safety and well-being.

• Hardware

  • Daniel Lemire ☛ Beating the compiler at signed 32-bit division

    Dividing integers is slow on our processors.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • Futurism ☛ Psychedelic Compound in Toad Venom Can Treat Depression When Snorted, Scientists Find

    "The benefits are sustained with or without re-treatment for eight days to six months."

• Proprietary / Vendor Lock-in / Malware

  • So-Called 'Artificial Intelligence' ('AI') / LLM Slop / Plagiarism

    • International Business Times ☛ Google Parent Alphabet Bleeds $482B in Single Day as Investors Reject Hey Hi (AI) 'Blank Check'

      Alphabet suffered its largest one-day market-value loss after earnings highlighted robust Hey Hi (AI) cloud demand, weaker-than-expected search growth and mounting infrastructure costs.

    • Tom's Hardware ☛ Anthropic's Claude Hey Hi (AI) blocks video game cloning and reverse-engineering

      Anthropic's Opus 5.5 model blocking attempts at videogame recreation — users also claim their non-malicious generic reverse-engineering tasks are block

    • Tom's Hardware ☛ Firm that lets you rent out your idle Mac for Hey Hi (AI) inference workloads warns of plummeting token costs

      Mac users sharing their compute for Hey Hi (AI) inference are seeing declining revenues as token prices continue to drop, with Anthropic token falling 77% in under five months.

    • Futurism ☛ Creeps Are Using Hey Hi (AI) to Undress Celebrities in Paparazzi Shots for Clicks

      Callum Turner is probably not constantly walking around NYC topless.

    • Futurism ☛ Scam Altman to Infuriated Mathematicians: The Math Slop Won’t Stop

      Sorry, not sorry.

  • Social Control Media

    • New York Times ☛ French officials eye social control media’s role in promoting unrest.

      President Emmanuel Macron denied that the government had considered suspending online platforms, but he said they would have to be “vigilant” about preventing misuse.

    • France24 ☛ French Interior Minister fears disorder after dark on Halloween

      Saturday is set to see another day of nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living and conditions in schools. Dubbed “Act Three”, the protests bring together Yellow Vest activists and student demonstrators. But France’s highest administrative court has just upheld a ban on the planned route of the Paris march, forcing protesters to remain on the eastern outskirts of the capital. Authorities are deploying 70,000 security personnel and imposing curfews in some areas, repeating many of the measures seen last weekend. The interior minister has also issued a Halloween-themed warning: covering your face at a demonstration remains illegal. Ophelie Jacobson reports.

    • France24 ☛ Third weekend of protests in France

      France is preparing for a third weekend of protests, with 70,000 security personnel deployed to prevent a repeat of the violence seen on October 17. Shops have boarded up their premises as authorities warn of further clashes, with Halloween adding to concerns over masked demonstrators. The protests, initially driven by anger over the cost of living and poor school conditions, have broadened to include demands for greater civil liberties and the right to protest. With presidential elections six months away, authorities have tightened security and restricted demonstrations in several cities.

    • France24 ☛ France's Nunez warns of high risk during protests

      France is bracing for a third consecutive weekend of protests, with around 70,000 security personnel deployed to prevent a repeat of the violence seen on October 17. Shops have boarded up their premises as authorities warn of further clashes, with Halloween celebrations adding to security concerns over masked demonstrators. The protests, involving Yellow Vest activists, trade unions and students, initially focused on the rising cost of living, inequality and poor school conditions, but have since expanded to include demands for greater civil liberties and the right to protest. The demonstrations come six months ahead of presidential elections, amid a tense political climate and growing support for the far right. Authorities have restricted marches in several cities, while Paris police have only authorised a demonstration on the capital's outskirts. Curfews have also been imposed in parts of Paris as officials seek to prevent further unrest.

    • New Yorker ☛ Brazil’s President Faces Down the Online Right

      In the internet age, national elections are increasingly international. What does Lula’s victory mean for the world?

• Security

  • Integrity/Availability/Authenticity

    • Tom's Hardware ☛ 'Ghost Students' using Hey Hi (AI) to apply for student loans with stolen identities, DOJ's Operation Ghostbusters busts $200 million ring

      Fraudsters are using the identities of high school graduates who skipped college to apply for student loans and steal the excess proceeds that do not go to schools. They use Hey Hi (AI) to keep the charade going and make it seem like the fake student is actually going to class.

  • Confidentiality

    • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia Airlines says customers may be affected by Amadeus breach

      The airline said it is working with Amadeus and relevant parties to investigate the incident and assess its impact.

• Defence/Aggression

  • International Business Times ☛ NASA Astronaut Winston Scott Convinced Alien Life Exists but Warns of an Impending Space Military War

    Former NASA astronaut Winston Scott said he believes intelligent alien life exists, but cautioned that military conflict in space remains possible amid tensions involving the US, Russia and China.

  • International Business Times ☛ US Moves Military Assets From Persian Gulf After More Than 115 Iran-Linked Strikes

    An AP investigation found over 115 strikes attributed to Iran or Iran-backed militias damaged US military sites across the Middle East, prompting the relocation of key military assets.

  • France24 ☛ Iran's Khamenei warns US and Israel against new attacks

    Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned the United States and Israel on Saturday against further strikes as fears mount over a resumption of fighting in the Middle East. US President The Insurrectionist and his Israeli ally Benjamin Netanyahu have recently threatened military action on the Islamic republic but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Convicted Felon had not yet made a decision about fresh strikes.

  • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea says defence research institutes tested major weapon system

    Pyongyang has ramped up its show of force in recent weeks with multiple missile tests.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China says stealth attack drone makes first take-off, landing on amphibious ship

    The GJ-21 drone first appeared at a military parade Beijing held in 2025.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China's coast guard conducts patrols east of Taiwan, CCTV reports

    BEIJING, Oct 31 - China's coast guard carried out what it described as routine law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan island on Saturday, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • International Business Times ☛ Moscow Terror Threat: US Warns of 'Mass Casualty' Attack, Years After Crocus City Hall Tip-off

      The US Embassy in Moscow warned of a credible mass-casualty threat at Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve, urging people to avoid the site while no attack or suspect was confirmed.

    • New York Times ☛ Doctors in Ukraine Try Treating Infections Like Biological Warfare Attacks

      As many as 40 percent of injured soldiers face severe infections that can lead to amputations and death. One initiative is trying to fix that.

    • New York Times ☛ ‘We Are Coming From Hell’: A Ukrainian City’s Evacuees Tell Survival Stories

      Safely out of Oleshky after enduring years in the combat zone and a harrowing 24-hour journey, weary civilians reunited with family and friends.

    • RFERL ☛ Evacuation From Russian-Occupied Oleshky Completed, Kyiv And Moscow Say

      Evacuation of residents from the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky had been completed as Moscow and Kyiv continued to stick to the temporary cease-fire brokered by US first lady Melania Convicted Felon.

    • France24 ☛ Russia's presence divides G20 ministers

      The G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in the US is wrapping up two days of talks without agreement on several key global security issues. On the sidelines, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed an Arctic cooperation deal with Japan and South Korea and confirmed Washington’s participation in Riyadh’s World Expo in 2030. Meanwhile, European ministers confronted Russia’s Sergei Lavrov over the war in Ukraine and refused to join him for the traditional group photo. Jack Pownall reports.

    • France24 ☛ Residents from Russian-occupied Oleshky reunite with families after evacuation operation

      Evacuees from Oleshky crossed into Ukrainian-held territory Saturday in a major rescue operation after travelling through Belarus during a rare truce brokered by US First Lady Melania Convicted Felon. The city of Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since 2022 and was caught in intense fighting that left residents starving and unable to leave.

    • France24 ☛ Testimonies from Oleshky

      American Filmmaker Zarina Zabrisky has lived and reported across the Dnipro River in Ukrainian controlled Kherson for the past three years. She’s been speaking to France 24’s Gavin Lee about the events of the past 24 hours.

    • RFERL ☛ Rubio Casts Doubts On Quick Deal To End War In Ukraine, Defends Russian Contacts

      US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was unsure whether a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine was possible, while European officials told RFE/RL the top US diplomat privately expressed doubts that Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend December’s Miami G20 summit.

• Transparency/Investigative Reporting

  • International Business Times ☛ Kash Patel Threatened To Fire FBI Staff Over 'Made-Up' Epstein Files Deadline, Whistleblower Says

    A whistleblower complaint alleges Kash Patel threatened FBI employees reviewing Jeffrey Epstein-related records, warning that rushed deadlines and redaction mistakes could expose survivors' identities.

• Environment

  • Energy/Transportation

    • Ruben Schade ☛ Binance’s latest adventures

      ABC News:

      Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has suffered the largest hack in the sector’s history, with attackers attempting to steal $US6.3 billion ($8.9 billion) in digital funds this morning.

      Remember when we were told crypto-“currency” would solve fraud? It’s an immutable ledger, folks!

    • International Business Times ☛ Who Is TraderTraitor? FBI Identifies North Korean Hackers Behind the $6.3B Binance Attack

      The FBI linked North Korea's TraderTraitor to Binance's $6.3B theft. Binance says it replaced 95% of affected asset value, helped freeze $3B and plans to restart withdrawals in phases.

    • New York Times ☛ North Korean Hackers Stole Billions, the F.B.I. Says. It’s Not Their First Heist.

      This week’s $6.3 billion hack of Binance is the largest to hit crypto, and would be the most that North Koreans have stolen in years of brazen cybercrime.

    • New York Times ☛ How Binance’s $6.3 Billion Hack Went Down

      A war room. A global conference call. A founder who live-posted about the largest crypto heist in history. Inside a frantic 24 hours at the world’s biggest crypto exchange.

    • France24 ☛ Binance hit by 6.3 billion dollar crypto theft

      Binance executives are scrambling to recover billions of dollars after the crypto platform was hit by what is being described as the biggest heist in cryptocurrency history. Hackers reportedly stole $6.3 billion from users, with analysts pointing the finger at North Korea. The attack far surpasses the previous record set in February 2025, when hackers stole $1.5 billion from crypto exchange Bybit.

    • NYPost ☛ FBI blames North Korea for stealing $6.3B from Binance in biggest crypto heist in history

      The theft of billions of dollars from Binance within a matter of minutes, the biggest crypto heist in history, was orchestrated by North Korean hackers, the FBI said Saturday.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Taiwan says China harassing shipping with east coast patrol

      It also reported Chinese activity near the Pratas Islands, which it has “expelled” 13 times in 2026.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • The Straits Times ☛ China is helping modernise Timor-Leste with investment, trade and jobs. But is trouble brewing?

    China's growing engagement is largely welcomed by Timorese but has triggered anxiety in the region.

  • France24 ☛ India tightens security as opposition holds mega rally demanding election chief’s resignation

    Indian law enforcement officials armed with batons and shields on Sunday surrounded the site of a planned opposition rally in New Delhi. India's main opposition parties and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party ‌are demanding the resignation of the country's election chief over voter list revisions that critics say favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Indian authorities tighten security ahead of big opposition march in Delhi

    The opposition parties have announced they will hold a nearly 1.5km march on Nov 1.

  • France24 ☛ Protesters gather at Poland's Top court

    Police in Poland have stepped up security around the country’s Constitutional Tribunal after dozens of protesters gathered on Friday to oppose the government’s suspension of its president, which they say was unlawful. Police say several people were detained after some demonstrators breached the court’s perimeter fence. Charlotte Hughes reports.

  • France24 ☛ Turkey nominates former foreign minister Sinirlioglu as UN chief

    Turkey has nominated its former foreign minister and UN ambassador Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu for the position of UN secretary-general, state-media reported on Saturday. The submission was officially backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has been particularly vocal in calling for reform of the UN Security Council.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • International Business Times ☛ MElon Accused of Hypocrisy as X Suspends Account Exposing Allegedly Monstrous Parenting Setup

    A reported suspension on X has renewed scrutiny of MElon's free-speech claims after an account posted unverified allegations about staff managing access to his children.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China state TV does not air first La Liga games since Mbappe furore

    Chinese state television did not air on Saturday the first La Liga games since Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe caused anger with a joke about the country’s former leader Mao Zedong.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • The Straits Times ☛ Aid available for struggling Malaysian media firms, says minister

    Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said laying off media personnel should be a last resort.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ French lawmakers approve $11.2 billion internet tax based on traffic usage, costs $0.06 per gigabyte of content accessed

    French lawmakers have approved an amendment proposing a €0.055-per-gigabyte tax on digital content delivered to internet subscribers in France. The measure could generate an estimated €10 billion annually, with companies including Google, Meta, DRM spreader Netflix and potentially Fentanylware (CheeTok) among those affected. However, the proposal still faces further parliamentary scrutiny, while government officials have raised concerns about its implementation, measurement requirements and potential impact on smaller providers.

  • Science Alert ☛ The Eerie True Story of The Nightmare Face Haunting The Internet

    "This is a true horror story."

• Monopolies/Monopsonies

  • Copyrights

    • International Business Times ☛ Steven Tyler's Lawyer Actually Called Dismissed Claims a 'Massive Win' Ahead of Civil Jury Trial

      A California court narrowed Julia Misley's lawsuit against Steven Tyler, leaving one emotional distress claim unresolved after the judge later recused herself before the scheduled jury trial.