WTF-Beta

If you own an LG smart TV, there’s a chance one of your harmless-looking apps has been moonlighting as an internet relay for someone else’s traffic. According to a report from KrebsOnSecurity, LG says it’s finally stepping in to stop this menace. This week, the company confirmed it plans to suspend any webOS app that turns a TV into what’s called a residential proxy node.

The move follows a report from security firm Spur, which found that more than 42 percent of apps on LG’s webOS store include SDKs that quietly reroute internet traffic through your TV, indefinitely. Samsung isn’t spared either, with over a quarter of Tizen apps carrying similar code.

Article explains what a residential proxy node is…

https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/lg-is-cracking-down-on-smart-tv-apps-that-quietly-turn-your-tv-into-a-secret-proxy/

Largo

AI bet goes awry: Oracle fires 21,000 employees

Oracle laid off ~13% of its staff to fund a $300B computing deal with OpenAI. Now, a credit downgrade and $7B in required power grid guarantees put the massive project in jeopardy.

https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-903442

On, Wisconsin!

@Rontuner Where do you get your refurbished phones?

Riot Fest announced this week that the 95-year-old performer will debut his heavy metal band at the fest on Sunday, Sept. 20.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/17/check-out-william-shatners-unhinged-riot-fest-rider/

Trump Faces Scrutiny Over $13B in Venezuelan Oil Cash as Only $300M Is Publicly Traced to Caracas

Congress Pushes for Transparency in US-Managed Venezuelan Oil Funds

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-control-venezuelan-oil-revenue-audit-demands-1810020

Powerball ticket sales in the United Kingdom will begin Tuesday, giving players across the Atlantic a chance at winning the same massive jackpot that U.S. players already play for — with the same minuscule odds.

https://www.npr.org/2026/07/21/nx-s1-5901828/powerball-begin-united-kingdom

Stranded houseboats and grounded cruise ships: Europe’s rivers are shrinking amid heat and drought

https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/21/climate/netherlands-drought-water-crisis-europe-heat?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc&recs_exp=most-popular-article-end&tenant_id=popular.en

Meanwhile, in Maine...

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/21/trump-canada-tariffs-maine-scramble-elections-01007089

About the tariffs on alcohol...

https://theconversation.com/trumps-new-tariffs-give-ontario-and-quebec-the-perfect-excuse-to-sell-their-unsold-american-booze-287930

….to become a seamstress. Mazel tov!

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/19/26-year-old-quit-her-corporate-job-to-become-a-seamstress-at-yellowstone.html

His doctor’s prescription for his unbearable pain seemed absurd. It worked

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/his-doctors-prescription-for-his-unbearable-pain-seemed-absurd-it-worked/

Movie

Barns, Go-Karts and Strip Malls: The Wild West of Private Schools That Collect Taxpayer Dollars

https://www.propublica.org/article/private-schools-vouchers-growth-florida-arizona-west-virginia

One man’s trash panda is the internet’s beloved treasure.

Jimothy the raccoon, a very unique looking Seattle-based critter, has quickly scampered into peoples’ hearts after a video of him roaming the streets on July 14 went viral.

Unlike your typical raccoon, Jimothy has an extra short neck. The look has endeared him to fans across the world — so much so that the video has racked up more than 7 million views as of July 18.

https://www.today.com/news/good-news/jimothy-raccoon-seattle-viral-video-rcna588184

S'mores

@steve-miller Looks really good. What's in it? Besides oats....

DOGE was supposed to be dead. Its remnants are everywhere.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/doge-was-supposed-to-be-dead-its-remnants-are-everywhere-090000103.html

Not a bad day (temps in 80s and reasonable humidity). AQI is 111, so not great but definitely way way way better than last Thursday.

Eeyores