“Hungary’s pro-Russian government has launched criminal charges against a prominent investigative journalist whom it accuses of conducting spying activities in coordination with a foreign country, a minister said on Thursday. The journalist, Szabolcs Panyi, focuses on national security and intelligence reporting and has published extensive reports detailing Russian influence operations in Hungary as well as the relationship between Moscow and Hungary’s foreign minister. Panyi denies the allegations, and an outlet Panyi writes for has accused Hungary’s government of ‘resorting to authoritarian tactics’ to discredit the journalist and his findings.” (03/26/26)
“OpenAI has ‘indefinitely’ abandoned plans to release an a erotic chatbot for adults following concerns from employees and investors, the company confirmed to The Financial Times. Plans for such a feature, first announced in October 2025 for release in December last year, had already been delayed while company debated whether to release it all. It’s the second app OpenAI has decided to shelf this week, after announcing on Tuesday that it was shutting down its Sora video generator. The adult-oriented chatbot, reportedly called ‘Citron mode,’ is now on hold with no planned release date. The company reportedly had difficulty training models that previously avoided erotic content and also removing illegal behavior like bestiality or incest, two people familiar with the matter told the FT.” [editor’s note: An erotic chatbot engages in conversation, which by definition cannot (at least in the US) constitute “illegal behavior” – TLK] (03/26/26)
“Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were back in a New York courtroom Thursday as they seek to have their drug trafficking indictments thrown out over a geopolitical dispute over legal fees. The hearing opened with the defense and prosecution arguing over whether Maduro should be allowed to use Venezuelan government funds to pay for his defense. The defense has insisted that the U.S. is violating the deposed leader’s constitutional rights by blocking government money from being used for his legal costs. Maduro lawyer Barry Pollack contended that if Maduro got public defenders, investigating and preparing his case would sap legal resources meant for people who can’t afford their own attorneys, and that doesn’t make sense in ‘a case where you have someone other than the U.S. taxpayer standing ready, willing and able to fund that defense.’ Prosecutor Kyle Wirshba argued against letting Maduro use Venezuelan government funds.” (03/26/26)
“The European Parliament supported two legal proposals Thursday to implement the trade agreement reached last year between the EU and the U.S. by a wide margin, with amendments aimed at ensuring the Trump administration stands by the deal. In a plenary vote, lawmakers backed the measures — to scrap EU duties on U.S. industrial products — with a wide majority. Parliament negotiators will likely meet as soon as April 13 with EU country representatives to start negotiating a final compromise that could then enter into force.” (03/26/26)
“The U.S. Postal Service is seeking a temporary 8% charge on certain popular products, including Priority Mail, to help blunt the impact of rising transportation costs. USPS filed notice on Wednesday with the Postal Regulatory Commission seeking the price increase, which would take effect on April 26 and remain in place until Jan. 17, 2027, pending final approval. … The notice comes as Postmaster General David Steiner has warned Congress that the Postal Service, which has seen letter volumes plummet, will run out of cash within a year unless lawmakers lift a decades-old cap and allow the independent agency to borrow more money.” (03/25/26)
“Days after Maine Gov. Janet Mills released her first attack ad against her rival in the Democratic Senate primary, Graham Platner, focusing on comments he made about sexual assault victims online 13 years ago, Emerson College Polling conducted the latest survey of likely primary voters regarding their support for the two candidates. Between March 21-23, the polling group surveyed 1,075 Maine Democrats and found that 55% expressed support for Platner, while just 28% supported Mills—giving the first-time political candidate, oyster farmer, and combat veteran nearly a 2-to-1 advantage. When asked about a hypothetical general election matchup with Republican Sen. Susan Collins, respondents gave both Democratic candidates an edge over her, but Platner had a more comfortable lead. Forty-eight percent supported him over Collins, while 41% backed Collins and 12% said they were undecided or supported another candidate. Mills had the backing of 46% of voters compared to Collins’ 43%, and 11% were undecided.” (03/26/26)
“They are humankind’s best friend, and now ancient DNA analysis has revealed that the enduring bond between dogs and humans dates back more than 15,000 years. The groundbreaking research, published in the journal Nature, pushes back the oldest genetic evidence for domestic dogs by 5,000 years, revealing that hunter-gatherers were feeding the animals and giving them ritual burials long before the emergence of agriculture. The oldest specimen, dating to 15,800 years old, was buried alongside human remains in Anatolia, Turkey.” (03/25/26)
“The Trump administration is again seeking to prosecute New York Attorney General Letitia James after a judge threw out its case against her and grand juries twice declined to indict her last year, according to reports. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte is accusing James of alleged homeowners insurance fraud, according too documents obtained by CNN, NBC News and MS News. … The Trump administration last fall sought to prosecute James for mortgage fraud after prosecutors alleged she falsely claimed a Norfolk property she bought in 2020 would be her primary residence in order to secure better mortgage terms — an indictment that was thrown out in November. Then two separate grand juries declined to indict her in December.” (03/26/26)
“Kari McCaw was flying with co-workers to attend a conference in Las Vegas last month when Southwest Airlines employees stopped her at the ticket counter. The agents’ message was clear: either buy a second seat for herself or don’t fly. McCaw is not alone in her experience. In January, Southwest’s popular ‘customer of size’ policy changed, and flyers have taken to social media to share their frustrations. Flyers report that customer service agents have singled them out for their appearance and forced them to buy another seat to be accommodated, something they’ve never needed to do before.” [editor’s note: It’s not about “appearance,” it’s about size. If you require two seats, they’re going to charge you for two seats because space is a scarcity factor – TLK] (03/26/26)
“Nepal’s newly elected members of parliament were sworn in Thursday with nearly two-thirds of them from a political party that is less than four years old. The 275 members of the House of Representatives, the powerful lower chamber of parliament, will be in their positions for the next five years. The election — the country’s first since last year’s youth-led revolt — was won by the Rastriya Swatantra Party, or RSP, led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah. Shah is expected to be chosen as the leader by the elected members from his party later on Thursday and formally inform President Ram Chandra Poudel. The president will then appoint Shah as the prime minister of Nepal.” (03/26/26)
