Alberto Passalacqua
@errantthinker.bsky.social
Engineering, fluid dynamics, research, programming, technology, music, traveling (hence "errant"), thinking (ergo sunt! :-)), working out, news.
Personal account. Posts are personal opinions not related to my work or employer. Reposts are not endorsement.
Personal account. Posts are personal opinions not related to my work or employer. Reposts are not endorsement.
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
As millions of bedridden people can attest, influenza is surging around the world
go.nature.com/49XGvlR
go.nature.com/49XGvlR
Why is flu so bad this year? Highly mutated variant offers answers
Nature - A ferocious surge of flu cases is linked in part to a variant that has not been dominant in the past few years — resulting in a waning of natural immunity.
go.nature.com
January 18, 2026 at 11:46 AM
As millions of bedridden people can attest, influenza is surging around the world
go.nature.com/49XGvlR
go.nature.com/49XGvlR
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Why do some people become severely ill from infections that leave others unscathed? 🧪
go.nature.com/4sAcsrI
go.nature.com/4sAcsrI
The infection enigma: why some people die from typically harmless germs
Nature - Millions of people worldwide carry genetic mutations that weaken their immune system.
go.nature.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Why do some people become severely ill from infections that leave others unscathed? 🧪
go.nature.com/4sAcsrI
go.nature.com/4sAcsrI
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
How can we defend ourselves from the new plague of ‘human fracking’?
How can we defend ourselves from the new plague of ‘human fracking’?
Big tech treats our attention like a resource to be mercilessly extracted. The fightback begins here
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:45 PM
How can we defend ourselves from the new plague of ‘human fracking’?
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
After 25 years of talks, the EU signed the EU-Mercosur trade deal on Saturday, creating a 700 million-person free-trade area. Ratification is still pending, however, with the European Parliament set for a heated debate. #EuropeNews
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/7SSF
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/7SSF
January 17, 2026 at 5:25 PM
After 25 years of talks, the EU signed the EU-Mercosur trade deal on Saturday, creating a 700 million-person free-trade area. Ratification is still pending, however, with the European Parliament set for a heated debate. #EuropeNews
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/7SSF
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/7SSF
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Trump announces 10% tariff on European nations that oppose his Greenland plan as thousands across the island and Denmark protest his annexation threat.
https://cnn.it/3YNchf5
https://cnn.it/3YNchf5
January 17, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Trump announces 10% tariff on European nations that oppose his Greenland plan as thousands across the island and Denmark protest his annexation threat.
https://cnn.it/3YNchf5
https://cnn.it/3YNchf5
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Grid operators are urging utilities to shore up fuel supplies and brace for increased demand beginning early on Monday.
Biggest US Power Grid Gears Up for Arctic Freeze Arriving This Weekend
Bouts of cold weather are set to hit the US Northeast and Midwest repeatedly for weeks, prompting grid operators to warn of increased heating demand.
bloom.bg
January 17, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Grid operators are urging utilities to shore up fuel supplies and brace for increased demand beginning early on Monday.
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
The extreme temperature plan has been activated, and all DMPL locations will be serving as warming centers during open hours. DART will be providing free rides to warming centers while the extreme temperature plan is in effect.
January 17, 2026 at 2:45 PM
The extreme temperature plan has been activated, and all DMPL locations will be serving as warming centers during open hours. DART will be providing free rides to warming centers while the extreme temperature plan is in effect.
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Why today’s AI systems struggle with consistency, and how emerging world models aim to give machines a steady grasp of space and time
World models could unlock the next revolution in artificial intelligence
Why today’s AI systems struggle with consistency, and how emerging world models aim to give machines a steady grasp of space and time
www.scientificamerican.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Why today’s AI systems struggle with consistency, and how emerging world models aim to give machines a steady grasp of space and time
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Des Moines braces for the return of bitter cold
Des Moines braces for the return of bitter cold
Central Iowa Shelter and Services said it wants people experiencing homelessness to know they can come inside to get warm and stay out of dangerous conditions.
www.kcci.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Des Moines braces for the return of bitter cold
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
ChatGPT may soon serve up ads for products it thinks you’d like to buy. https://cnn.it/4qqlgz1
January 16, 2026 at 11:30 PM
ChatGPT may soon serve up ads for products it thinks you’d like to buy. https://cnn.it/4qqlgz1
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
This Extension of the Week is a serious time-saver.
It cuts down the repetitive stuff and speeds up your workflow fast.
Watch to see👇
It cuts down the repetitive stuff and speeds up your workflow fast.
Watch to see👇
January 16, 2026 at 11:49 PM
This Extension of the Week is a serious time-saver.
It cuts down the repetitive stuff and speeds up your workflow fast.
Watch to see👇
It cuts down the repetitive stuff and speeds up your workflow fast.
Watch to see👇
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from global agrochemical manufacturer Bayer to block thousands of state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.
Supreme Court will hear appeal by maker of popular Roundup weedkiller to block thousands of lawsuits
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from global agrochemical manufacturer Bayer to block thousands of state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 7:41 PM
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from global agrochemical manufacturer Bayer to block thousands of state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
President Donald Trump said Friday more tariffs could be coming against countries in opposition of his plan to seize Greenland, a territory of Denmark.
Trump Threatens Tariffs Against Countries Opposing His Greenland Bid
President Donald Trump said Friday more tariffs could be coming against countries in opposition of his plan to seize Greenland, a territory of Denmark.
www.forbes.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM
President Donald Trump said Friday more tariffs could be coming against countries in opposition of his plan to seize Greenland, a territory of Denmark.
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Italy’s right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni today presented a new commercial strategy for the Arctic region.
Italy unveils Arctic strategy to boost business as polar race heats up
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to make the frozen north “an area of peace, cooperation and prosperity.”
www.politico.eu
January 16, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Italy’s right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni today presented a new commercial strategy for the Arctic region.
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
“There is no such thing as an ideal version of free trade. Our best bet is as-free-as-possible trade.”, writes @jankaoertel.bsky.social. As China undercuts industry worldwide, it’s time to refresh the open market story. @ecfrpower.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4sQYZft
https://bit.ly/4sQYZft
EU-Mercosur deal: Take the win, but change the tune – European Council on Foreign Relations
With the EU-Mercosur deal signed after 25 years of negotiations, free trade advocates in Europe may feel triumphant. But their narrative is no longer convincing
ecfr.eu
January 16, 2026 at 4:50 PM
“There is no such thing as an ideal version of free trade. Our best bet is as-free-as-possible trade.”, writes @jankaoertel.bsky.social. As China undercuts industry worldwide, it’s time to refresh the open market story. @ecfrpower.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4sQYZft
https://bit.ly/4sQYZft
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
The founder of the platform says large language models have been ‘hammering’ Wikipedia’s servers and AI companies should “chip in and pay fair share”.
AI firms need to pay ‘fair share’ for using Wikipedia, founder says
The founder of the platform says large language models have been ‘hammering’ Wikipedia’s servers and AI companies should “chip in and pay fair share”.
l.euronews.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:23 PM
The founder of the platform says large language models have been ‘hammering’ Wikipedia’s servers and AI companies should “chip in and pay fair share”.
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
This week on Planet #openSUSE: #KDE development milestones, Tumbleweed updates, #gaming on #Linux, and reflections on #AI, sustainability, and e-waste. From Plasma 6.6 beta to Pixel Wheels 1.0, there's something for every #opensource enthusiast. news.opensuse.org/2026/01/16/p...
Planet News Roundup
This is a roundup of articles from the openSUSE community listed on planet.opensuse.org. The below featured highlights listed on the community’s blog feed ag...
news.opensuse.org
January 16, 2026 at 9:11 AM
This week on Planet #openSUSE: #KDE development milestones, Tumbleweed updates, #gaming on #Linux, and reflections on #AI, sustainability, and e-waste. From Plasma 6.6 beta to Pixel Wheels 1.0, there's something for every #opensource enthusiast. news.opensuse.org/2026/01/16/p...
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Commission greenlights national defence investment plans worth €38bn
Commission greenlights national defence investment plans worth €38bn
SAFE is one of the biggest prongs of the EU's Readiness 2030 package, which aims to inject hundreds of billions of euros into defence before the end of the decade – by which time many intelligence agencies estimate Russia could attack another European country.
l.euronews.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Commission greenlights national defence investment plans worth €38bn
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
The Gootloader malware, typically used for initial access, is now using a malformed ZIP archive designed to evade detection by concatenating up to 1,000 archives.
Gootloader now uses 1,000-part ZIP archives for stealthy delivery
The Gootloader malware, typically used for initial access, is now using a malformed ZIP archive designed to evade detection by concatenating up to 1,000 archives.
www.bleepingcomputer.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:54 PM
The Gootloader malware, typically used for initial access, is now using a malformed ZIP archive designed to evade detection by concatenating up to 1,000 archives.
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
The EU’s Regulatory Retreat on ESG Risks Reigniting Financial Instability
The EU's Regulatory Retreat on ESG Risks Reigniting Financial Instability
The rush to "simplify" sustainability reporting ignores the lessons of 2008 and imperils Europe's financial system.
www.socialeurope.eu
January 15, 2026 at 11:19 PM
The EU’s Regulatory Retreat on ESG Risks Reigniting Financial Instability
Reposted by Alberto Passalacqua
Publishers seek to join lawsuit against Google over AI training reut.rs/49G6sVE
Publishers seek to join lawsuit against Google over AI training
Publishers Hachette Book Group and Cengage Group asked a California federal court on Thursday for permission to intervene in a proposed class action lawsuit against Google over the alleged misuse of copyrighted material used to train its artificial intelligence systems.
reut.rs
January 15, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Publishers seek to join lawsuit against Google over AI training reut.rs/49G6sVE