Techrights

Links 18/06/2024: Further Mass Layoffs and Gemini Leftovers

Posted by Roy Schestowitz on Jun 18, 2024

GNOME bluefish

Contents

=> https://techrights.org/#m1801504407 HTTPS: Defence/Aggression

=> https://techrights.org/#m1801504412 HTTPS: Finance

Leftovers

Hackaday ☛ RC Batwing Actually Flies

Batman is a compelling superhero for enough reasons that he’s been a cultural force for the better part of a century. His story has complex characters, interesting explorations of morality, iconic villains, and of course a human superhero who gets his powers from ingenuity instead of a fantastical magical force. There are a number features of the Batman universe that don’t translate well to the real world, though, such as a costume that would likely be a hindrance in fights, technology that violates the laws of physics, and a billionaire that cares about regular people, but surprisingly enough his legendary Batwing jet airplane actually seems like it might be able to fly.

Hardware

Hackaday ☛ SIPing A Vintage Phone

Something that’s a bit of fun at hacker camps such as the recent EMF Camp is to bring along a wired phone and hook it up to the on-camp copper network. It’s a number on the camp network, but pleasingly retro. How about doing the same thing at home? Easy enough if you still have a wired landline, but those are now fast becoming a rarity. Help is at hand though courtesy of [Remy], who’s written about his experiences using a 1960s Dutch phone as a SIP device.

Hackaday ☛ 3D Printing A Bottle Labeling Assembly Line

We’re not completely sure why [Fraens] needs to label so many glass bottles at home. Perhaps he’s brewing his own beer, or making jams. Whatever the reason is, it was justification enough to build an absolutely incredible labeling machine that you could mistake for a piece of industrial gear…if it wasn’t for the fact that majority of the device is constructed out of orange 3D printed plastic.

Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

Tom's Hardware ☛ DNA data preserved in amber-like polymer by MIT scientists — Jurassic Park inspires new long-term 'T-REX' preservation method

New DNA storage method based on Jurassic Park stores DNA in an amber-like polymer. Unlike previous styles which freeze DNA or embed it in silica, the amber method is easy to embed and extract, and is highly scalable.

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Gonorrhea resistance to antibiotics is increasing

Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Pro Publica ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Microsoft Chose Profit Over Security and Left U.S. Government Vulnerable to Russian Hack, Whistleblower Says

Gizmodo ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Apple Won't Pay for ChatGPT. Will You?

Metro UK ☛ More proof that a single flop can destroy a studio as Alone In The Dark dev shut down

Just three months after it launched Alone In The Dark, developer Pieces Interactive has announced it’s closing its doors as the industry’s cutthroat layoffs continue.

If Microsoft’s decision to shut down Tango Gameworks proved anything, it’s that no studio is safe from the chopping block in the current climate.

As development costs rise and companies scramble to ensure ‘growth’ in the wake of the pandemic, the games industry has been subject to widespread layoffs over the past two years, with over 10,000 already having lost their jobs.

ABP ☛ Start-Up Layoffs: Indian Companies Cut 10,000 Employees In 2024, Says Report

Start-up Layoffs: Indian startups have fired approximately 10,000 employees in 2024 as they navigate funding challenges and adopt prudent hiring strategies to enhance their early-stage profitability. In the first half of 2024, there have been fewer layoffs compared to the preceding six months of 2023, during which around 15,000 employees were fired, and the first half of 2023, which recorded 21,000 job losses, according to Longhouse Consulting data.

Ghana ☛ Meta Reduces Lagos Office Space Following Global Layoffs

The downsizing by Meta and Microsoft signals a strategic pivot as these companies adapt to new economic realities and operational efficiencies in a post-pandemic world. However, both companies have emphasized their continued commitment to the African market, suggesting that while physical footprints may shrink, their engagement and investment in digital initiatives and talent development will persist.

The Verge ☛ Major Nelson is joining Unity [Ed: Promoting Microsoft Mono for Jim Allowhurst]

Unity could use some help building its reputation back up. Last year, the company pissed off developers with a new pricing scheme that it changed in response to outcry. (Shortly after, former CEO John Riccitiello announced he would be stepping down, and Unity said in May that former Zynga and EA exec Matthew Bromberg would be its new CEO.) Unity also announced layoffs affecting about 25 percent of its employees in January.

Rivian Layoffs: Jobs cut for the third time in 12 months

Rivian has initiated another round of layoffs, marking the third occurrence of job cuts within the past year. This latest reduction began on Wednesday, as confirmed by online publication EV.

Rifco Layoffs: Multiple jobs reportedly cut by Alberta auto loan company

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has learned that Rifco National Auto Finance is reportedly laying off a significant number of employees.

Memory Express Layoffs: Locations reportedly closed, benefits cut

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has learned that Memory Express is reportedly closing all Ontario locations and laying off a significant number of employees. Online reports suggest that employee benefits have been terminated as well. The store closures occurred on Saturday, June 15.

Quartz ☛ Toyota's chairman faces a reckoning over a massive safety scandal

Akio Toyoda has been on the board of his family’s Toyota Motor Co. since 2000, helping guide the company through the 2008 financial crisis and a massive safety scandal that cost billions of dollars and dozens of lives. Now, he’s facing a reckoning from investors.

Security

Privacy/Surveillance

CBC ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Elon Musk claims Apple's new AI tools are a privacy risk. How much of a concern are they?

International Business Times ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] New Apple iOS18 Feature Meant For Banking Privacy Makes It Easier For Cheaters To Hide Dating Apps

Defence/Aggression

JURIST ☛ Philippines asserts undersea rights in new UN filing

The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs filed a claim with the UN on Friday to formally recognize the boundaries of its underwater continental shelf in the South China Sea, granting it exclusive rights to utilize the area’s resources.

France24 ☛ Philippine ship, Chinese vessel collide in disputed South China Sea

A Philippine ship and a Chinese vessel collided near the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea on Monday, Beijing's Coast Guard said.

The Strategist ☛ In the Middle East, China presents itself as a constructive actor

Beijing appears to be strengthening its role of mediator in the Middle East to present itself as a constructive and responsible actor on the global stage.

The Strategist ☛ Countering coercion: Australia must engage with allies on critical minerals supply

This is the second part of a two-part article on coercive threats to critical minerals supply chains and what Australia and its critical minerals partners are doing and should do to counter them.

JURIST ☛ Honduras implements crime solution plan to address rampant gang violence

The National Defense and Security Council led by President of Honduras Xiomara Castro announced in a national broadcast Friday a sweeping plan to crack down on crime and safeguard national security. The crime solution plan establishes several measures to be implemented.

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] North Korea vows response to South's 'psychological warfare'

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Migrants turn to Mauritania as new EU transit route

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Oradour Nazi massacre: Germany, France commemorate victims 80 years on

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] China arrests suspect in stabbing attack on US instructors

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] How Germany's far right conquered young voters

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] India: Hindu pilgrims dead after militant attack in Kashmir

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] As Europe shifts toward far right, migrants fear for their futures

CBC ☛ 2024-06-14 [Older] McGill condemns 'alarming' image of armed fighters shared by encampment group

Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-15 [Older] The Dutchman Who Gets Nike and Lego Into Wartime Russia’s Stores

CPJ ☛ 2024-06-14 [Older] Russia expels Austrian journalist Maria Knips-Witting in retaliatory response

The Age AU ☛ 2024-06-14 [Older] Australia news LIVE: G7 summit opens with deal to use Russian assets for Ukraine; Coalition to push for social media reform

CBC ☛ 2024-06-15 [Older] Canadian warship sharing an anchorage with Russian vessels in Cuba

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-15 [Older] Life after war not easy for Russian soldiers with PTSD

The Local SE ☛ 2024-06-15 [Older] Sweden says Russian bomber violated its airspace

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-15 [Older] IOC Gives 14 Russians, 11 Belarusians Neutral Status for Paris Olympics in First Round of Decisions

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-15 [Older] Olympics-Some Russians Make the Cut for Paris Olympics but Others Fail Vetting Process

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-15 [Older] Sweden Says Russian Military Jet Violated Airspace

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-15 [Older] Ukrainian Children Abducted by Russia Left With Psychological Scars, Campaigners Say

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-15 [Older] Ukrainian Families Cross Europe to Plead for Prisoners Held by Russia

Scheerpost ☛ 2024-06-14 [Older] G7 Leaders Agree To Provide Ukraine With $50 Billion Using Frozen Russian Assets

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-14 [Older] Ukrainian Attacks Kill Six in Russia's Belgorod Region, Officials Say

Modern Diplomacy ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] G7 to Loan Ukraine $50 Billion Using Frozen Russian Assets Profits

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Borussia Dortmund: Edin Terzic resigns as head coach

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] G7 summit: Leaders plan Russian asset-backed loan to Kyiv

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] NATO to confront Russian 'sabotage' attempts — Stoltenberg

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Russia denies forcing Nigerian students into Ukraine conflict

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Russia's frozen assets to aid Ukraine: How the West plans to use them

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Sudan: Russia's Africa strategy advances another step

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Will India stay close to Russia during Modi's third term?

Truthdig ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Why Russian Warships Are in Cuba

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] How Biden Plans to Rebuild Ukraine – and Make Russia Pay For It

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Germany's Scholz Tells Russia That G7 Remains Committed to Ukraine

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Moldova Charges Former Army Official Allegedly Spying for Russia

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Shelling Kills Russian Journalist in Eastern Ukraine-Agencies

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Ukraine's Zelenskiy Says China's Xi Told Him He Will Not Sell Any Weapons to Russia

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-12 [Older] Russian warships enter Cuba's Havana harbor amid drills

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-12 [Older] Russia's war in Ukraine: Life in heavily bombarded Kharkiv

The Local DK ☛ 2024-06-12 [Older] Russia accuses Denmark of 'persecution' over woman arrested on spying charge

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-12 [Older] Armenia to Leave Russia-Led Security Bloc, Says PM

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-12 [Older] Study Details Huge Emissions Resulting From Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Scheerpost ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] 94% of Americans Want to End Ukraine War, but US Rejects China Peace Deal, Opposes Talks With Russia

Counter Punch ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Joe Biden: Pushing America Deeper into the Russian/Ukrainian War

The Local DK ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Denmark arrests Russian national on suspicion of spying

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Denmark Detains Russian Citizen Suspected of Aiding Foreign Intelligence

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Explainer-What Are Tactical Nuclear Weapons and Why Is Russia Holding Drills?

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Factbox-Who Are the Americans Being Detained in Russia?

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Multibillion-Euro Court Battle Over Stranded Russian Jets Begins in Dublin

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Russian Hybrid Operations Very Concerning, Say Romania, Poland and Latvia

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Russian Warships En Route to Cuba Hold Missile Drills in Atlantic

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Cuba Woos Russians, Chinese to Revive Ailing Tourist Sector

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Belarus Says It Is Joining Nuclear Exercises With Russia

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Russian Politicians Revel in EU Election Defeats for Macron, Scholz

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Ukraine's Air Force May Keep Some F-16 Warplanes Abroad to Protect Them From Russian Strikes

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Ukraine Says It Hit Russian Air Defence Systems in Occupied Crimea

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-09 [Older] Weapons that can reach Russia may not be enough for Ukraine

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-09 [Older] Biden, France's Macron Reach Agreement on Using Russian Assets for Ukraine

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-09 [Older] Chechen Leader Kadyrov Says Russian Troops Capture Ukrainian Border Village

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-09 [Older] Russia Appears to Make Headway in Key Ukrainian Town of Chasiv Yar

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-09 [Older] Two Killed by Ukrainian Attacks in Donetsk and Kherson, Russia Says

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-09 [Older] Ukraine Says It Struck a Top Fighter Plane Deep Inside Russia

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-09 [Older] Ukraine Says Latest-Generation Russian Fighter Jet Hit for First Time

Environment

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Germany: Top environmentalist Klaus Töpfer dies

Energy/Transportation

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Singapore flight turbulence: Passengers to get compensation

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] China's electric vehicle makers face uphill battle in Europe

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-12 [Older] RECOMMENDED — China's EV manufacturers already faced poor sales in Europe. The proposed EU tariffs of up to 38% on electric vehicles won't help

Wildlife/Nature

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-11 [Older] Russia Races to Save Entangled Humpback Whale in the Arctic

Finance

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-12 [Older] US Fed holds key interest rate steady at above 5%

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Japan: 'Toyoko Kids' struggle to survive on city streets

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Yellen Says Larger Chinese Banks Wary of Violating US Sanctions on Russia

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-09 [Older] Exclusive-G7 Plans to Warn Small Chinese Banks Over Russia Ties, Sources Say

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] US Mulls New Actions Against China Firms Supplying Russia Defense Sector

CBC ☛ 2024-06-12 [Older] Dollarama sales growth continued in first quarter as Canadians grappled with inflation

AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

New York Times ☛ Fact Check: Trump’s and Biden’s Claims on Immigration and Border Security

We fact-checked claims about migrants and border security from both presidential candidates.

Counter Punch ☛ 2024-06-14 [Older] Wanted: a Mass Uprising Against the Neoliberal Matrix

US News And World Report ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] North Carolina Judges Grapple With Defining 'Fair' Elections in Redistricting Suit

The Straits Times ☛ US, South Korea, Japan to lock in security ties before US presidential inauguration

South Korean Defence Minister Shin Wonsik said he will soon meet his US and Japanese counterparts to sign the pact.

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Belgian PM announces resignation after 'difficult evening'

Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-13 [Older] Fact check: No, this videop doesn't show Russian fleet arriving in Cuba

Censorship/Free Speech

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-10 [Older] Spain: Football fans sentenced for Vinicius racist abuse

Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

Press Gazette ☛ From James O’Brien to Joe Rogan: Rise of news influencers and alternative voices

News influencer trend well-developed in US, but in UK mainstream brands and journalists leave less of a gap.

Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-06-12 [Older] Slovak government takes aim at media following PM shooting

Monopolies/Monopsonies

Gemini* and Gopher

Personal/Opinions

2024 Week 23/24: Status and Photo

The various pressures and commitments of life have been difficult to handle in the last few weeks. Sometimes it feels impossible to keep up with all of them. All we can do is press forward, but I appreciate the writings of Geminispace to provide some grounding when I need it.

Last year I dumped the hard drive of a retired Windows XP computer my family had used from 2004 to about 2010. When i first dumped the drive, I mounted it to look at a few files of interest, and I didn't try to do anything further with it. This week I used a guide to convert the dump into a VDI disk image for Oracle VirtualBox and imported it into a VM. For the first time in over a decade, the OS within came to life.

A farm nearby is growing corn. The stalks seem to have shot upward in the last several days, catching us by surprise. I wish our garden grew that quickly.

Frames Of Reference- Chapter 24

It’s a cold blue dawn, and the distant call of some early avian rouses me from my slumber. It was a fitless rest, torrid and insubstantial. The tears have congealed into pockets of crust which I take the time to remove. Above that, my bandage has slipped off, it lies two inches above my bleeding scalp. I get up, taking special care not to disturb her, go to retrieve more gauze from the medicine cabinet. Got to properly dress the wound. I find it amusing, momentarily, that some households never have access to this vast an array of first aid.

Technology and Free Software

The Glue's Coming Apart

You won't be able to find anything that doesn't render on mobile, but you'll still get suggestions to keep cheese from sliding off your pizza using glue. Google, having become the de facto gatekeeper of the web, continues to remake the web. A web of small devices, a web of taps and little typing, a web of consumption. Whether that's in a way that's useful to everyday people isn't clear, but something else is: Google has a very big stick, and it will continue to use it.

Standardizing on Google, collectively, was easy, and a huge mistake. A problem we should've seen coming decades ago.

* Gemini (Primer) links can be opened using Gemini software. It's like the World Wide Web but a lot lighter.