US and Israel Bomb the University Known as ‘MIT of Iran’ #press

https://www.commondreams.org/news/us-bombs-mit-of-iran

Triggering a break clause with Palantir's NHS contract shows we can ditch Big Tech.

But when they go, they take the systems with them. That's what you get by contracting suppliers who exclusively own the product.

The UK government must back interoperable open source software, so we can switch suppliers without changing systems.

https://www.ft.com/content/2d2b1af1-edea-4fd0-a081-3811e34bc52e?syn-25a6b1a6=1

#digitalsovereignty #opensource #interoperability #palantir #NHS #ukpolitics #ukpol

TIL The only recorded collision between a car and a submarine happened in Sweden in 1961, when a driverless Volvo rolled downhill into a docked submarine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collision_between_a_car_and_a_submarine
#til #todayilearned
https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/1rtrh1t/til_the_only_recorded_collision_between_a_car_and/

The arXiv is separating from Cornell University, and is hiring a CEO, who will be paid roughly $300,000/year:

https://jobs.chronicle.com/job/37961678/chief-executive-officer

They say:

"After decades of productive partnership with Cornell University, and with support from the Simons Foundation, arXiv is establishing itself as an independent nonprofit organization, marking the next stage in its 35-year history as a pioneer of open-access science."

The arXiv’s current annual budget is approximately $6 million and they employ ~27 staff members, most of whom work remotely, primarily in the U.S. The new chief executive officer (CEO) will be responsible for all aspects of arXiv, including strategic planning, financial management, technical infrastructure, personnel oversight and stakeholder engagement. They will work closely with board member representatives of Cornell University and the Simons Foundation to establish the organization’s independence.

A firm called Spencer Stuart is recruiting the CEO. For confidential nominations and expressions of interest, you can contact them at [email protected].  The salary is expected to be around $300,000, though the actual salary offered may differ.

📣 PKP announces Max Planck Society support for 2026 - 2028 @maxplanckgesellschaft

"... the MPDL has been a prominent advocate for global transition to #OpenAccess, consistently promoting sustainable approaches to #ScholarlyPublishing that prioritize public value and strengthen researchers’ ability to share and advance knowledge."

Thank you Max Planck for leading by example, and for investing in #OpenInfrastructure!

Learn more: https://pkp.sfu.ca/2026/01/27/max-planck-support-agreement/