Weekend Reads: 1 November 2026

A record crypto theft, a release date for one of the most anticipated games in years and a hard question about trusting chatbots with our worries lead this weekend’s reading. Here is what is worth your time.

Local

Crypto exchanges tighten security after record Binance theft

More than 6 billion dollars (5.4 billion euros) was stolen from Binance this week, the largest hack of its kind on record. Other crypto exchanges are now moving quickly to strengthen their security, and the theft has put the sector’s weak spots back at the centre of debate. If you keep savings or investments on a crypto platform, this is a story to follow closely.

Source: NU.nl

When a chatbot becomes the friend who always agrees

An AI chatbot is available at any hour and seems to think you are wonderful, which can feel like finally being understood. This piece asks what happens when people bring more and more personal problems to a system that does not truly understand them, and who is left to offer an honest second opinion. It is a useful read for anyone far from home who has turned to a chatbot instead of a person.

Source: NU.nl Tech

GTA VI is weeks away, but only on two consoles

After 13 years of waiting, GTA VI comes out on 19 November, and for now it will only be available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Tweakers looks at what those consoles cost today, which will help if you are thinking of buying one for the launch.

Source: Tweakers

A sharper ultrawide screen for the home office

Tweakers tested the Philips 34B2U5900C, a 34-inch ultrawide monitor with 5K2K resolution, which makes it sharper than standard models of the same size. It also has a very high refresh rate and supports dual mode. If you work from home and want more screen space, it is worth a look.

Source: Tweakers

Also in Europe

Data centres become an election topic in Brooklyn

This one comes from across the Atlantic. At a midterm party in Brooklyn five days before Election Day, nearly every conversation, from a council member’s fireside chat to a debate about the Democratic Party, kept coming back to AI and data centres. It shows how far the infrastructure behind AI has moved from a technical subject into everyday politics.

Source: TechCrunch

Strange and unsettling viewing for the end of spooky season

For its last Halloween recommendation of the season, The Verge has put together a selection of creepy, disturbing and weird YouTube videos instead of a single film or album. The list runs from surreal art-house shorts to cosmic horror, so there is something for most tastes on a dark November evening.

Source: The Verge

Weekend Reads is a curated weekend digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.