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Washington State May Mandate 'Firearm Blueprint Detection Algorithms' For 3D Printers

Adafruit managing director Phillip Torrone (also long-time Slashdot reader ptorrone ) writes: Washington State lawmakers are proposing bills (HB 2320 and HB 2321) that would require 3D printers and CNC machines to block certain designs using software-based "firearms blueprint detection algorithms." In practice, this means scanning every print file, comparing it against a government-maintained database, and preventing "skilled users" from bypassing the system. Supporters frame this as a response to untraceable "ghost guns," but even federal prosecutors admit the tools involved are ordinary manufacturing equipment. Critics warn the language is overbroad, technically unworkable, hostile to open source, and likely to push printing toward cloud-locked, subscription-based systems—while doing little to stop criminals.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Google Discover Replaces News Headlines With Sometimes Inaccurate AI-Generated Alternatives

An anonymous reader shared this report from The Verge:


In early December, I brought you the news that Google has begun replacing Verge headlines, and those of our competitors, with AI clickbait nonsense in its content feed [which appears on the leftmost homescreen page of many Android phones and the Google app's homepage]. Google appeared to be backing away from the experiment, but now tells The Verge that its AI headlines in Google Discover are a feature, one that "performs well for user satisfaction." I once again see lots of misleading claims every time I check my phone...

For example, Google's AI claimed last week that "US reverses foreign drone ban," citing and linking to this PCMag story for the news. That's not just false — PCMag took pains to explain that it's false in the story that Google links to...! What does the author of that PCMag story think? "It makes me feel icky," Jim Fisher tells me over the phone. "I'd encourage people to click on stories and read them, and not trust what Google is spoon-feeding them." He says Google should be using the headline that humans wrote, and if Google needs a summary, it can use the ones that publications already submit to help search engines parse our work.

Google claims it's not rewriting headlines. It characterizes these new offerings as "trending topics," even though each "trending topic" presents itself as one of our stories, links to our stories, and uses our images, all without competent fact-checking to ensure the AI is getting them right... The AI is also no longer restricted to roughly four words per headline, so I no longer see nonsense headlines like "Microsoft developers using AI" or "AI tag debate heats." (Instead, I occasionally see tripe like "Fares: Need AAA & AA Games" or "Dispatch sold millions; few avoided romance.")

But Google's AI has no clue what parts of these stories are new, relevant, significant, or true, and it can easily confuse one story for another. On December 26th, Google told me that "Steam Machine price & HDMI details emerge." They hadn't. On January 11th, Google proclaimed that "ASUS ROG Ally X arrives." (It arrived in 2024; the new Xbox Ally arrived months ago.) On January 20th, it wrote that "Glasses-free 3D tech wows," introducing readers to "New 3D tech called Immensity from Leia" — but linking to this TechRadar story about an entirely different company called Visual Semiconductor...

Google declined our request for an interview to more fully explain the idea.


The site Android Police spotted more inaccurate headlines in December:

A story from 9to5Google, which was actually titled 'Don't buy a Qi2 25W wireless charger hoping for faster speeds — just get the 'slower' one instead' was retitled as 'Qi2 slows older Pixels.' Similarly, Ars Technica's 'Valve's Steam Machine looks like a console, but don't expect it to be priced like one' was changed to 'Steam Machine price revealed.' At the time, we believed that the inaccuracies were due to the feature being unstable and in early testing.... Now, Google has stopped calling Discover replacing human-written headlines as an "experiment."

"Google buries a 'Generated with AI, which can make mistakes' message under the 'See more' button in the summary," reports 9to5Google, "making it look like this is the publisher's intended headline."
While it is obvious that Google has refined this feature over the past couple of months, it doesn't take long to still find plenty of misleading headlines throughout Discover... Another article from NotebookCheck about an Anker power bank with a retractable cable was given a headline that's about another product entirely. A pair of headlines from Tom's Hardware and PCMag, meanwhile, show the two sides of using AI for this purpose. The Tom's Hardware headline, "Free GPU & Amazon Scams," isn't representative of the actual article, which is about someone who bought a GPU from Amazon, canceled their order, and the retailer shipped it anyway. There's nothing about "Amazon Scams" in the article.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Melbourne's W-class tram 961 passes Princess Theatre

Mark Sansom has added a photo to the pool:

Melbourne's W-class tram 961 passes Princess Theatre

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Ukraine war briefing: US security agreement ‘100% ready’ to be signed, Zelenskyy says

Ukraine president indicates progress after talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi, ahead of further discussions this weekend. What we know on day 1,433

A US security agreement for Ukraine is “100% ready” to be signed, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said after two days of talks involving representatives from Ukraine, the US and Russia – indicating some progress was made. Further discussions are expected next weekend. Speaking to journalists in Vilnius during a visit to Lithuania on Sunday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is waiting for its partners to set a time and place for the signing of the security guarantees document, after which it would go to the US Congress and Ukrainian parliament for ratification. “For us, security guarantees are first and foremost guarantees of security from the United States. The document is 100% ready, and we are waiting for our partners to confirm the date and place when we will sign it,” Zelensky said.

Ukraine sought more air defence support from allies on Sunday as hundreds of buildings in Kyiv were without heating in freezing temperatures for a second day after Russian strikes. More than 1,300 apartment buildings Kyiv were still without heating, mayor Vitalii Klitschko said on Sunday. Sub-zero temperatures and repeated airstrikes have slowed efforts by repair crews working to restore heating and electricity.

Zelenskyy has also emphasised Ukraine’s push for European Union membership by 2027, calling it an “economic security guarantee.” He described the talks in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi as likely the first trilateral format in “quite a long while” that included not only diplomats but military representatives from all three sides. Zelenskyy acknowledged fundamental differences between Ukrainian and Russian positions, reaffirming territorial issues as a major sticking point.

Polish president Karol Nawrocki called for unity among countries under threat from an “imperial Russia”, at a Vilnius event commemorating the 1863 uprising in Poland and Lithuania against Tsarist Russia that Zelenskyy also took part in. “The message of these celebrations is that by looking to the past for what we have in common, it’s easier today to face the problems ahead of us. Especially in an era of the revival of imperial Russia,” Nawrocki’s office said on X. “Whether it’s tsarist Russia, Bolshevik Russia, or Vladimir Putin’s Russia, our countries [Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine], now independent, still face the same problem: the threat posed by the Russian Federation,” Nawrocki said in his speech. Zelensky, in his speech, said Europe should cherish its independence and remain alert. “It is too early for Europe to relax while Russia’s war machine is still running, and while dictators around Europe are not weakening,” he said. “They all look at Europe – at us – as prey.”

European nations committed to a new clean energy pact, the Hamburg Declaration, aimed at boosting the region’s energy security. The deal, to be signed at a summit in the German port city on Monday, will bring an “unprecedented fleet” of offshore wind projects to the North Sea that will supply multiple nations, the UK Department for Energy Security said. It comes three years after North Sea countries pledged to build 300GW of offshore wind in that sea by 2050, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the “weaponisation” of European energy supplies.

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New Zealand landslide: six missing named as police confirm victims are unlikely to be found alive

Victims of landslide at Mount Maunganui campsite include teenage students, a literacy coordinator and a Swedish national

The families and friends of six people buried in a landslide at a New Zealand holiday park last week have paid tribute to their loved ones, after they were named by officials, and police confirmed they were unlikely to be found alive.

The victims include 15-year-old Pakūranga College students Sharon Maccanico and Max Furse-Kee, literacy coordinator Lisa Maclennan, 50, longtime friends Jacqualine Wheeler and Susan Knowles, both 71, and Swedish national Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20.

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NFC championship game: Los Angeles Rams v Seattle Seahawks – live

Super Bowl LX? Wasn’t Super Bowl L just a few years ago?

Cute ad in which a young girl mimics figure skater Ilia Malinin. I’m duty-bound to inform you that I will indeed be in the commentary position for some Winter Olympics action in a couple of weeks, and that Malinin is from my town.

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Australian Open 2026: Jessica Pegula v Madison Keys – live

Updates from the women’s singles on Rod Laver Arena
Americans meet in battle of the podcast co-hosts
Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email

Yesterday, Carlos Alcaraz continued on his quest to become the youngest man to complete the career grand slam.

But the Spaniard faces a tough task in the quarter-finals against a confident and composed Alex de Minaur in the form of his life.

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NHS to increase accuracy of bowel cancer test in England

Increased sensitivity of test that detects the second deadliest cancer will save hundreds of lives, oncologists say

The main test for the UK’s second deadliest cancer is being made more accurate in England, in a move NHS bosses believe will save hundreds of lives.

The sensitivity of the faecal immunochemical test (Fit), which detects bowel cancer by spotting blood in the patient’s stool, will be increased as part of an overhaul of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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UK among 10 countries to build 100GW wind power grid in North Sea

Energy secretary Ed Miliband says clean energy project is part of efforts to leave ‘the fossil fuel rollercoaster’

The UK and nine other European countries have agreed to build an offshore wind power grid in the North Sea in a landmark pact to turn the ageing oil basin into a “clean energy reservoir”.

The countries will build windfarms at sea that directly connect to multiple nations through high-voltage subsea cables, under plans that are expected to provide 100GW of offshore wind power, or enough electricity capacity to power 143m homes.

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Found Photograph

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Found Photograph

handwritten on back of photograph, "Chad, Sheila, Tess, Larry, Maureen, Barb, Julie, ron, Yours Truly"

Costco, Richmond, California

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Costco, Richmond, California

Cardinal Motel

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Cardinal Motel

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TopoPoster: International Poster Design Exhibition


Curating, Art Direction, Visual Identity, Graphic Design, and Exhibition Design for The Prelude Exhibition of The First Shanghai Graphic Design Biennale ? TopoPoster: International Poster Design Exhibition

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Goudprijs voor het eerst boven 5000 dollar

SINGAPORE - (ANP) - Goud heeft voor het eerst de prijs van 5000 dollar per troy ounce (31,1 gram) bereikt. Dat is omgerekend zo'n 4215 euro. De opgelopen spanningen tussen de Verenigde Staten en de NAVO over Groenland hebben de goudprijs in de afgelopen weken verder doen oplopen.

Vorig jaar stegen de prijzen van de edelmetalen al hard. Bij beleggers leefden veel zorgen over toenemende onzekerheden over handel, geopolitiek en monetair beleid. Daardoor nam de vraag naar veilige beleggingen als zilver en goud toe.

Naast spanningen over het Amerikaanse beleid rond Groenland en Venezuela dragen ook zorgen over de onafhankelijkheid van de Amerikaanse centrale bank, de Federal Reserve, onder president Donald Trump bij aan de marktonrust.


Aantal orgaantransplantaties daalt, hulp voor zo'n 1500 patiënten

LEIDEN (ANP) - Vorig jaar hebben iets minder patiënten een donororgaan ontvangen dan in 2024. Volgens de Nederlandse Transplantatie Stichting (NTS) zijn in 2025 1480 orgaantransplantaties uitgevoerd, een afname van circa 7 procent ten opzichte van een jaar eerder. Toen waren het er 1588. Ondanks de lichte daling "ziet de NTS een stijgende trend op de lange termijn", stelt de stichting in een toelichting op de jaarcijfers.

Zo'n tweederde van de organen was afkomstig van overleden donoren. Hier ging het om 536 nieren, 210 levers, 118 longen, 77 harten, 30 alvleesklieren en één dunne darm. Die organen waren afkomstig van 308 mensen. Ze werden overgezet tijdens 949 transplantaties; in sommige gevallen gaan er tijdens een transplantatie meer organen over. De overige transplantaties (531) werden uitgevoerd met levende donoren, ofwel mensen die een nier of een deel van de lever afstonden aan een ander. Vorig jaar kregen 498 patiënten op die manier een nier, tegen 487 in 2024. In totaal 33 patiënten kregen een deel van de lever van een levende donor.

Op 31 december 2025 stonden volgens de NTS nog ruim 1600 patiënten op de wachtlijst voor een orgaantransplantatie. Het aantal transplantaties nam vorig jaar weliswaar iets af ten opzichte van het jaar daarvoor, maar dat kwam meer doordat 2024 een piekjaar was. In algemene zin ziet de NTS een gestage groei van beschikbare organen, mede als gevolg van overheidsbeleid. Zo staat iemand die geen keuze maakt voor wat betreft het donorregister sinds 2021 in de categorie "geen bezwaar". De wachttijd voor een transplantatie daalt dan ook. Voor een nier ging die in een paar jaar tijd omlaag van 29 maanden naar 26 maanden, voor een hart van 24 naar 14 maanden.

Meer mensen maken tegenwoordig dan ook kans op een orgaan- of weefseltransplantatie. "Fantastisch nieuws", vindt Naomi Nathan, directeur van NTS. "Artsen, verpleegkundigen en andere samenwerkingspartners in de keten van orgaan- en weefseldonatie en -transplantatie hebben keihard gewerkt om dit te bereiken. En met name zijn we alle donoren en hun naasten ten diepste dankbaar", zo stelt zij.

Volgens NTS werd het belang van weefseldonatie eerder deze maand duidelijk. Donorhuid uit de Nederlandse weefselbanken ging naar slachtoffers van de brand in de skibar in Zwitserland tijdens de jaarwisseling.

Afgelopen jaar overleden 133 patiënten op de wachtlijst, 137 stroomden uit omdat hun medische toestand te veel was verslechterd.


Israël opent grens pas na zoektocht lichaam laatste gijzelaar

JERUZALEM (ANP) - Israël zal de grensovergang bij Rafah tussen de Gazastrook en Egypte pas weer openstellen als de zoektocht naar het lichaam van de laatste Israëlische gijzelaar is voltooid. Dat meldde het kantoor van premier Benjamin Netanyahu zondagavond laat.

De heropening van de grenspost is onderdeel van het plan voor de wapenstilstand tussen Israël en Hamas uit oktober, maar Israël stelde de voorwaarde dat alle levende gijzelaars die door Hamas werden vastgehouden terug zouden keren, en dat de militante organisatie een uiterste inspanning zou leveren om de lichamen van overleden gijzelaars te lokaliseren en over te brengen.

Het lichaam van één gijzelaar, Ran Gvili, is nog niet terecht. Zondag zochten Israëlische strijdkrachten op een begraafplaats in het noorden van Gaza. In het statement wordt gesproken over een actie waarbij alle informatie wordt uitgeput die kan leiden naar het lichaam van Gvili. Als de operatie is voltooid, zal de grenspost worden geopend, aldus het kantoor van Netanyahu.


Rotterdam - FediMeteo (@rotterdam@nl.fedimeteo.com)

Weer voor de stad Rotterdam Deze bot wordt beheerd door het FediMeteo-project. Voor informatie en contact kunt u de pagina https://fedimeteo.com raadplegen.

Weer voor Rotterdam ☁️ Huidige temperatuur (...

Weer voor Rotterdam ☁️

Huidige temperatuur (om 01:15): -0.3°C (Bewolkt)
Windsnelheid: 10.1 km/u (2.8 m/s), richting: ↙ 49°

Luchtkwaliteit:
  • AQI: 90 🟡 (Matig)
  • PM2.5: 32.9 μg/m³
  • PM10: 40.8 μg/m³

Voorspelling voor de komende dagen:

  • maandag 26 januari: Min -0.4°, Max 3.5° (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 0.1, Windsnelheid: 10.4 km/u (2.9 m/s), richting: ↓ 9°
  • dinsdag 27 januari: Min 1.1°, Max 3.1° (Lichte regen) 🌧️, Neerslag 5.2, Kans op neerslag 35%, Windsnelheid: 22.3 km/u (6.2 m/s), richting: ↖ 116°
  • woensdag 28 januari: Min 0.8°, Max 5.3° (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 0.1, Kans op neerslag 11%, Windsnelheid: 10.6 km/u (2.9 m/s), richting: ← 69°
  • donderdag 29 januari: Min -0.3°, Max 0.6° (Matige sneeuw) ❄️, Neerslag 4.9, Kans op neerslag 11%, Windsnelheid: 9.1 km/u (2.5 m/s), richting: ← 96°
  • vrijdag 30 januari: Min -0.6°, Max 2.3° (Matige sneeuw) ❄️, Neerslag 0.6, Kans op neerslag 22%, Windsnelheid: 16.4 km/u (4.6 m/s), richting: ← 105°
  • zaterdag 31 januari: Min 0.8°, Max 3.0° (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 0.6, Kans op neerslag 24%, Windsnelheid: 13.9 km/u (3.9 m/s), richting: ← 95°
  • zondag 01 februari: Min 1.5°, Max 6.6° (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 3.3, Kans op neerslag 18%, Windsnelheid: 16.2 km/u (4.5 m/s), richting: ↖ 121°

Uurlijkse voorspelling voor de komende 12 uur:

  • 02:00: -0.3° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 8.6 km/u (2.4 m/s), richting: ↓ 22°
  • 03:00: -0.4° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 9.0 km/u (2.5 m/s), richting: ↓ 20°
  • 04:00: -0.3° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 9.0 km/u (2.5 m/s), richting: ↙ 41°
  • 05:00: -0.3° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 8.6 km/u (2.4 m/s), richting: ↓ 16°
  • 06:00: 0.0° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 7.9 km/u (2.2 m/s), richting: ↓ 19°
  • 07:00: 0.6° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 7.9 km/u (2.2 m/s), richting: ↓ 14°
  • 08:00: 0.7° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 7.9 km/u (2.2 m/s), richting: ↓ 9°
  • 09:00: 0.8° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 7.2 km/u (2.0 m/s), richting: ↓ 22°
  • 10:00: 0.9° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 6.5 km/u (1.8 m/s), richting: ↘ 304°
  • 11:00: 1.2° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 6.8 km/u (1.9 m/s), richting: ↘ 329°
  • 12:00: 1.6° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 6.8 km/u (1.9 m/s), richting: ↘ 313°
  • 13:00: 2.3° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 6.5 km/u (1.8 m/s), richting: ↘ 317°
Gegevens geleverd door Open-Meteo