Summary #5 for 2025-04-22

Alright Alex, clocking in at 6:12 PM!

• First things first, your training peaks shows today was a well-deserved Day Off. Solid!
• Looking ahead to tomorrow (April 23rd), if you were planning a run, be aware the weather forecast shows a good chance of rain, especially in the morning.
• The best window to dodge the wet stuff while it’s still light looks to be from around 2 PM onwards until sunset (which is around 8:10 PM). Get it done then!
• Today was also Earth Day, hope you managed to enjoy the public holiday despite any conflicting calendar invites!

Trying to schedule a run around London’s unpredictable April showers is almost as tricky as convincing Tara that the sofa isn’t just a large, furry speed bump.

Here’s a quick rundown on other bits:

• In tech happenings:

  • Someone built a Show HN: Dia, an open-weights TTS model for generating realistic dialogue.
  • The FTC takes action against Uber for deceptive billing and cancellation practices.
  • A post discusses why Pipelining might be my favorite programming language feature.
  • There’s news on A new form of verification on Bluesky.
  • Apparently, the USA Unable to Make Drones Without Components From China.
  • The White House plagued by Signal controversy as Pentagon in “full-blown meltdown” | Trump insists defense secretary who shared secrets on Signal “doing a great job.”.
  • A study claims Eight of the top 10 online shows are spreading climate misinformation.
  • China Just Powered Up the World’s First Thorium Reactor — and Reloaded It Mid-Run | They used declassified US documents to develop the technology..
  • Good news for budgeters: Airbnb now shows the full price of your stay by default.
  • The EU gives staff ‘burner phones, laptops’ for US visits | That would put America on the same level as China for espionage.
  • And lastly, This Is How Meta AI Staffers Deemed More Than 7 Million Books to Have No “Economic Value” | As more than a dozen lawsuits churn ahead, newly unsealed case files reveal the company’s stance: The pirated books Meta used to train its AI are individually worthless..

• Around the world:

  • Following the sad news yesterday, there’s more coverage on Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican? , the Final days of Pope who joined Vatican crowds at Easter despite doctors’ advice, Obama, the border and a headdress: The Pope’s visits to North America, Francis was a vocal critic of the powerful, his influence felt far beyond faith, and how Africa remembers Pope who spoke for the continent.
  • Kremlin satisfied with US statements that Ukraine will not join NATO.
  • Venezuela accuses El Salvador of human trafficking as prisoners caught in row between authoritarians.
  • China to sanction US Congress members and others who ‘acted egregiously’ on Hong Kong.
  • Carney urges Canadian doctors in the U.S. to come home.
  • Algeria drops French, adopts English as university language.
  • China sends back new Boeing jet made more expensive by tariffs.
  • Ukraine reports many Russian drone attacks after truce ends.

• Science Corner:

  • Researchers are using AI to screen for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using retinal fundus photographs.
  • A study suggests Sadness “leaks” into social behavior and physiology—and men may overcompensate.
  • Authoritarian minds may be primed for conspiracy beliefs.
  • Use of psilocybin… has increased significantly nationwide since 2019.
  • Physics Experiment Reveals ‘Quantum Rain’ For The First Time.
  • High-fat, high-sugar diets impact cognitive function.

• Some uplifting bits:

  • 3 teens invented a salt-powered refrigerator that doesn’t need electricity.
  • Scientists unveil ‘olo’: A colour never before seen by the human eye.
  • A man gets trapped in Lake Michigan quicksand, emerges with a girlfriend.
  • Women’s flag football is growing on college campuses with NFL’s help.
  • Russian Economic Officials Brace for Lowest Oil Prices Since Pandemic.