Wednesday, August 12, 2026 updated just now · 221k items · 115k stories · 870 feeds

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6:00 AM
AI

Tim Gowers analyzes what mathematics LLMs excel at after OpenAI's breakthroughs

Fields medalist examines whether LLMs are better at finding counterexamples than proofs after OpenAI solved ten major problems.

The conversationThe discussion reflects measured but contested optimism about LLM capabilities. Commenters acknowledge the breakthrough results as impressive but scrutinize the mechanisms behind… 3 camps · 122 comments →
Tim GowersOpenAI
Peak 6 items in one 30m at Aug 12, 5 AM; 25 items over 12 hours latest 2h ago25 items241 engagement122 comments 4 sources
6:00 AM
Climate

Drone footage reveals hundreds of cownose rays migrating north off New York

Professional pilot Joanna Steidle captured rare footage of a large school of rays, raising questions about climate-driven northward migration.

“While filming these I can feel my heartbeat and breathing align with their wings flapping....it is in these moments I feel completely connected and present.”— Joanna Steidle, Professional drone pilot · The Guardian / Instagram · full quotes →
Joanna SteidleDean Grubbs+1
Peak 4 items in one 30m at Aug 12, 5 AM; 7 items over 12 hours latest 6h ago7 items21 engagement 4 sources
6:00 AM
Politics

WaPo: Trump White House construction plans top $900 million, mostly taxpayer-funded

Confidential contracts show a far larger price tag for the East Wing ballroom and grounds overhaul, funded outside direct congressional appropriation.

“Congress has exclusive authority to regulate the construction and demolition of White House structures”— Judges Patricia A. Millett and Bradley N. Garcia, Federal appeals court judges · Philadelphia Inquirer · full quotes →
Donald TrumpDonald TrumpWhite House (administration)+3
Peak 5 items in one 30m at Aug 12, 11 AM; 20 items over 12 hours latest 3h ago20 items42 engagement2 comments 4 sources
6:00 AM
Security

ProPublica: GD's $533M Texas Shell Plant Made Ukraine Shells for Two Years, Made None

An investigation finds General Dynamics' Texas artillery factory, plagued by fires and equipment failures, never produced a usable shell despite $533 million in Army funding — and no one has been held accountable.

“After the second, third, fourth time, it just became almost normal. It got to the point where I was not surprised by anything that happened there.”— Former General Dynamics worker, Anonymous former employee · ProPublica · full quotes →
General DynamicsU.S. Army+3
Peak 5 items in one 30m at Aug 12, 8 AM; 18 items over 12 hours latest 32m ago18 items2.8k engagement132 comments 6 sources