Techrights

Links 23/11/2024: Celebrating Proprietary Bluesky (False Choice, Same Issues) and Software Patents Squashed

Posted by Roy Schestowitz on Nov 23, 2024

GNOME bluefish

Contents

• LeftoversMobile Systems/Mobile ApplicationsScienceCareer/EducationHardwareHealth/Nutrition/AgricultureProprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)SecurityIntegrity/Availability/AuthenticityPrivacy/Surveillance Defence/AggressionTransparency/Investigative ReportingEnvironmentEnergy/TransportationWildlife/NaturePopulation FinanceAstroTurf/Lobbying/PoliticsCensorship/Free SpeechFreedom of Information / Freedom of the PressCivil Rights/PolicingInternet Policy/Net NeutralityDigital Restrictions (DRM)Monopolies/MonopsoniesPatentsTrademarksCopyrights

* ### Leftovers

Hackaday ☛ Creating And Control Of Magnetic Skyrmions In Ferromagnetic Film Demonstrated

Magnetic skyrmions are an interesting example of solitons that occurs in ferromagnetic materials with conceivable solutions in electronics, assuming they can be created and moved at will. The creation and moving of such skyrmions has now been demonstrated by [Yubin Ji] et al. with a research article in Advanced Materials. This first ever achievement by these researchers of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) was more power efficient than previously demonstrated manipulation of magnetic skyrmions in thicker (3D) materials.

Hackaday ☛ Quick And Very Dirty Repair Gets Smoked PLC Back In The Game

When electronics release the Magic Smoke, more often than not it’s a fairly sedate event. Something overheats, the packaging gets hot enough to emit that characteristic and unmistakable odor, and wisps of smoke begin to waft up from the defunct component. Then again, sometimes the Magic Smoke is more like the Magic Plasma, as was the case in this absolutely smoked Omron programmable logic controller.

Federal News Network ☛ Federal contractors agree to pay fines for False Claims Act violations

The Justice Department said Dell Technologies and Iron Bow will each pay more than 2 million dollars to resolve a Qui Tam lawsuit.

Mobile Systems/Mobile Applications

Modern Diplomacy ☛ Using a QR Code Generator for Traveling to the USA: Make Your Trip Easier and More Organized

QR codes can be particularly helpful when traveling to the USA, especially for newcomers unfamiliar with navigating new locations. With a free qr code generator, you can create codes for all the places you plan to visit, local transportation schedules, and more. Having these resources ready will allow you to explore freely without needing constant Wi-Fi access or a cellular signal.

Barry Kauler ☛ Motorola Moto G75 phone

Bought this today. Reason, want to make videos for YouTube, and my current phone (until today) can do 1080p at only 23.98 fps (frames per second) -- even though the documentation says it will do 30 fps. 1080p is OK, but want higher frame rate.

Science

Science Alert ☛ Deep 'Blue Hole' in The Bahamas Holds Secrets Going Back to The Ice Age

But can we get them out?

Hackaday ☛ Gear Up: A 15-Minute Intro On Involute Gears

If you’re into CNC machining, mechanical tinkering, or just love a good engineering rabbit hole, you’re in for a treat. Substack’s [lcamtuf] has written a quick yet insightful 15-minute introduction to involute gears that’s as informative as it is accessible. You can find the full article here. Compared to Hackaday’s more in-depth exploration in their Mechanisms series over the years, this piece is a beginner-friendly gateway into the fascinating world of gear design.

Science Alert ☛ Expert: 'Bomb Cyclone' Pounding The US Will Be Strong And Unpredictable

Like an out-of-control firehose.

Science Alert ☛ Earth Is Heating Up at The Fastest Rate Ever Recorded, Evidence Suggests

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

Science Alert ☛ Asbestos Still Shows Up in Some Cosmetics. Here's Why.

How is this even possible?

Science Alert ☛ Fat Cells Seem to Cling to The Memory of Being Obese, Study Finds

This could explain a lot.

Science Alert ☛ Scientists Reveal Humanity's First Close-Up of a Star Beyond Our Galaxy

Prepare to be amazed.

Science Alert ☛ The People in Your Life Are Sharing Their Gut Microbes With You

We have so much in common.

Career/Education

Chronicle Of Higher Education ☛ Texas Governor Orders New Restrictions on Colleges' Ties to China and Other 'Adversarial' Countries

The executive order, by Gov. Greg Abbott, could hobble academic engagement between Texas colleges and a country that remains a major source of international students and a critical research partner.

Hardware

CNX Software ☛ SoundSlide capacitive touch USB-C adapter aims to ease volume control on laptops

SoundSlide is an open-source hardware USB-C adapter that adds a capacitive touch interface to your laptop or keyboard PC in order to control the volume without having to reach out to the volume keys on the keyboard that may require Alt or Fn presses. SoundSlide is meant to be more intuitive than pressing keys and works without drivers with macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Hackaday ☛ FREE-WILi Turns DC32 Badge Into Hardware Dev Tool

With few exceptions, electronic event badges are often all but forgotten as soon as the attendee gets back home. They’re a fun novelty for the two or three days they’re expected to be worn, but after that, they end up getting tossed in a drawer (or worse.) As you might imagine, this can be a somewhat depressing thought thought for the folks who design and build these badges.

Tom's Hardware ☛ China warns Japan over ramping semiconductor sanctions – threatens to block essential manufacturing materials

Senior Chinese officials have repeatedly warned Japan about ramping semiconductor sanctions hand-in-hand with the U.S.

Hackaday ☛ Custom Mouse Rocks Neat Thumbstick Design

A mouse is just two buttons, and a two-dimensional motion tracking system, right? Oh, and a scroll wheel. And a third button. And…now you’re realizing that mice can be pretty complicated. [DIY Yarik] proves that in spades with his impressive—and complex—mouse build. The only thing is, you might argue it isn’t really a mouse.

CNX Software ☛ AAEON FWS-2370 network appliance features defective chip maker Intel Atom Parker Ridge/Snow Ridge processor, up to 14 Ethernet ports

The FWS-2370 is a network appliance powered by the defective chip maker Intel Atom C Series “Parker Ridge” or P Series “Snow Ridge” processor family (Atom C5315 by default), tailored for SD-WAN and uCPE applications. It incorporates defective chip maker Intel QAT and defective chip maker Intel VT-d/VT-x to accelerate encryption, decryption, and virtualization tasks.

CNX Software ☛ 216MHz GigaDevice GD32G5 Cortex-M33 MCU features analog interfaces and accelerators for industrial applications

Starting with the GD32G553 SKUs, the 216 MHz GigaDevice GD32G5 high-performance Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller family features 256KB to 512KB of embedded Flash with dual-bank Flash support, 128KB of SRAM, and a range of hardware accelerators including a DSP, single-precision FPU, a trigonometric function accelerator (TMU), and other hardware acceleration units, filter algorithms (FAC) and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).

Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

New Yorker ☛ Will Kids Online, In Fact, Be All Right?

A new documentary reveals social-media platforms’ iron grip on the lives of teen-agers, one that’s increasingly being linked to a slew of mental-health issues. How scared should we be?

Science Alert ☛ Plastic Found In More Than 50% of Plaques From Clogged Arteries

This could be bad for heart health.

New York Times ☛ Drug Overdose Deaths Are Declining Due to Changes in the Drug Supply

Experts are puzzling over which interventions are saving lives. The evolving illicit supply itself may hold important clues.

The Strategist ☛ Collaborative planning for Australian food security preparedness

Australia’s food security, commonly assumed safe thanks to our being a net food exporter, is increasingly vulnerable in a world marked by geopolitical and environmental instability.

Latvia ☛ Latvia launches HIV awareness campaign

Although Latvia has the highest number of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the European Union (EU), the majority of the public believes that they are not affected the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) said at the launch of the public awareness campaign "Is everything as good as it looks?" on November 20.

The Straits Times ☛ South Korea to extend paid leave for women who experience miscarriages or stillbirths

The changes are slated to take effect on Feb 23, 2025.

Science Alert ☛ Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Accelerated Brain Shrinkage, Study Reveals

A concerning new pattern has emerged.

The Straits Times ☛ Elon Musk blasts Australia’s planned ban on social control media for children

The US billionaire called the move a backdoor way to control Australians' access to the internet.

Science Alert ☛ Venting Doesn't Reduce Anger, But Something Else Does, Study Shows

Blowing off steam may do more harm than good.

NYPost ☛ Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson threatens legal action to get COVID-19 vaccine data

Sen. Ron Johnson has threatened to issue a subpoena when he becomes chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations if three federal health agencies continue to withhold data on the adverse health effects wrought by the COVID-19 vaccine.

University of Michigan ☛ Boston Fed President Susan M. Collins returns to UMich to discuss monetary policy in the wake of COVID-19

Susan M. Collins, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and former Ford School of Public Policy dean, spoke at the Public Policy School Wednesday afternoon as part of the school’s “policy talks” series.

Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)

CS Monitor ☛ What is Bluesky and why did 1 million people join it in a week?

A million new users flooded onto the social control media platform Bluesky in the week after Election Day. It’s like X, but the mood is less blustery and there are fewer trolls. Here’s a guide on how it works.

InfoWorld ☛ Red Hat Linux to be official WSL distro [Ed: As usual, only Microsofters celebrate this as it's Windows falsely described as "Linux"]

Security

Integrity/Availability/Authenticity

The Straits Times ☛ Fraud ring accused of posing as soldiers and UN officials scammed $1.3m from 14 victims in S. Korea

One scammer claimed to be a sailor stuck in the middle of the ocean and needed money urgently.

The Straits Times ☛ China claims ‘wipe-out’ of large telecom fraud centres in northern Myanmar

An operation at the weekend saw more than 700 arrested.

Silicon Angle ☛ Meta takes down millions of accounts related to ‘pig-butchering’ scams

To thwart one of the fastest-growing and most sophisticated online scam industries, Meta Platforms Inc. today said it has removed about 2 million accounts related to investment scams known as “pig-butchering.”

Scoop News Group ☛ Microsoft seizes websites tied to Egypt-based DIY phishing kit-maker [Ed: Microsoft as an Internet cop?]

The kits, which the company said were a sophisticated approach to bypassing multifactor authentication, pose a particular threat to the financial services sector.

The Straits Times ☛ North Korea hackers behind $55.7m Ethereum heist in 2019, South Korea police say

More than half of the assets were laundered through three crypto exchanges set up by the hackers themselves.

The Straits Times ☛ Milk tea chain Chagee apologises after employee in Malaysia accused of rigging lucky draw contest

Some netizens have called for a boycott of the brand.

Privacy/Surveillance

Martin Thompson: Everything you need to know about selective disclosure

A lot of governments are engaging with projects to build “Digital Public Infrastructure”. That term covers a range of projects, but one of the common and integral pieces relates to government-backed identity services. While some places have had some form of digital identity system for years — hi Estonia! — there are many more governments looking to roll out some sort of digital identity wallet for their citizens. Notably, the European Union recently passed a major update to their European Digital Identity Regulation, which seeks to have a union-wide digital identity system for all European citizens. India’s Aadhaar is still the largest such project with well over a billion people enrolled.

Privacy International ☛ UK MPs ignore concerned constituents questions about Facial Recognition Technology

Medevel ☛ Telegram: The Messaging App Shaping Global Communications in Times of Crisis [Ed: A mass surveillance tool, too]

In an era where digital communication platforms can make or break the flow of information during critical times, Telegram has emerged as both a hero and a subject of controversy.

Scoop News Group ☛ Privacy-focused mobile phone launches for high-risk individuals [Ed: Well, privacy and devices like these are not compatible]

The mobile company Cape’s Android-based phone complies with U.S. law but claims to offer a higher degree of privacy for users.

Defence/Aggression

Myanmar’s Kachin insurgents take control of their border with China

The rebels captured the last border gate days after the junta, with China’s backing, renewed a call for talks.

Are Chinese private armies entering the fray in Myanmar?

Deployment of PMCs demonstrates Chinese unease and junta desperation.

The Straits Times ☛ China willing to maintain communication on submarine infrastructure security

China is willing to maintain communication with relevant parties and to jointly safeguard the security of international submarine infrastructure, its foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Defence Web ☛ South Africa facing three major terrorism threats – expert

Right wing extremist groups, Islamist terrorism, and generating funding for terrorist networks are the three main terrorism threats facing South Africa, according to Institute for Security Studies (ISS) expert Willem Els.

Defence Web ☛ Nigeria strives to contain banditry problem

On Christmas Day in 2023, fighters commonly called “bandits” killed more than 115 people in northern Nigeria. The bandits destroyed more than 220 homes in about 10 communities. They killed more than 400 people in Plateau State in attacks in the last quarter of 2023, the Jamestown Foundation reported.

New York Times ☛ Israel Strikes Near Beirut as U.S. Envoy Pushes for a Cease-Fire in Lebanon

The envoy, Amos Hochstein, was in Israel and planned to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seeking a truce in the country’s war with the militant group Hezbollah.

France24 ☛ Gaza strikes kill dozens as ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas’s Deif

Israeli strikes killed dozens of people in Gaza on Thursday as the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

AccessNow ☛ Know your customer: ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders put Big Tech on notice

Today, the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and ex-Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes...

New York Times ☛ Who Has the ICC Charged With War Crimes?

The short list includes Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the deposed president of Sudan, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

The Strategist ☛ India and Philippines speak different strategic languages. Australia must be multilingual

The ‘emerging axis’ of autocratic powers epitomised by China’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine is, as Australia’s top intelligence chief Andrew Shearer recently said, one of the most troubling strategic developments today.

New York Times ☛ Why Some Countries, Including the U.S., Won’t Join the I.C.C.

More than 120 countries are members of the court. The United States, China, India, Russia and Israel are not.

Site36 ☛ 200 people or events canceled in Germany for criticising Israel or showing solidarity to Palestinians

A German foundation withdraws a prize due to calls for a boycott of Israel, a festival cancels an exhibition of children’s drawings from Gaza. Since 7 October 2023, more and more such cases have become known.

The Straits Times ☛ Distress over North Korea loudspeakers compromising border residents’ health: Province

The noise has resulted in sleep disorders, heightened stress levels and persistent anxiety.

The Straits Times ☛ North Korea’s Kim accuses US of stoking tension, warns of nuclear war

Kim said the Korean peninsula has never faced such risks of nuclear war as now.

United Nations adopts resolution on North Korean human rights

The US House of Representatives also passed a bill to reauthorize the 2004 North Korean Human Rights Act.

The Straits Times ☛ Malaysian man to be publicly caned at mosque for Islamic crime of close proximity

The 42-year-old father pleaded guilty to khalwat, in what was his third offence.

The Straits Times ☛ Vietnam, Malaysia seek to smooth tensions in South China Sea

The two countries agreed to elevate ties and explore closer cooperation.

The Straits Times ☛ US backs Philippine forces in South China Sea with task force

Defence ties between the Philippines and the US have strengthened rapidly in the past few years.

The Straits Times ☛ Taiwan says son of jailed former senior Chinese official Bo Xilai is visiting

Taiwan's government said on Thursday that the son of jailed former senior Chinese leader Bo Xilai was visiting the island for personal reasons after marrying a Taiwan citizen, a rare trip for someone linked to China's political elite.

Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

RFERL ☛ Putin Says Russia Fired New Intermediate Missile At Ukraine After ICBM Accusations

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his military fired a new intermediate-range missile into Ukraine following accusations by Kyiv that it was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

New York Times ☛ Putin Escalates Threats to the West With New Ballistic Missile Launch

The intermediate-range missile did not carry nuclear weapons, but it is part of a strategic arsenal that is capable of delivering them.

New York Times ☛ Russia Gifts Bears and a Lion to North Korea

Vladimir Putin also presented a lion to Pyongyang Zoo, one of the more than 70 animals he sent as an emblem of the deepening friendship between the two nations.

Meduza ☛ ‘We are prepared for any turn of events’: In a televised speech, Vladimir Putin claims a hypersonic missile attack on Ukraine and warns the West of more to come — Full transcript — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Putin says Moscow has a right to strike military facilities of countries that allow their weapons to be used against Russia — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Putin says Russia struck Ukraine’s Dnipro with new experimental ballistic missile — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Man who climbed Moscow billboard with banner reading ‘Putin, where are you, bitch, make room for me’ jailed for 15 days — Meduza

Latvia ☛ Saeima approves support plan for Ukrainian refugees

On Thursday, November 21, in the final reading, the Saeima supported changes in the law on the support of Ukrainian civilians, which provides for extending the state support for Ukrainians for another year, as well as some additional changes.

Latvia ☛ Drone Coalition help to Ukraine worth 1.8 billion euros this year

The Latvian Ministry of Defense said November 20 that the support of the member states of the international drone coalition for Ukraine's drone capabilities will reach 1.8 billion euros in 2024.

Atlantic Council ☛ ‘You cannot separate’ the ‘unholy alliance’ that is Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, warns Congressman Michael McCaul

Ukraine is central to US interests because if Ukraine falls, it will embolden US adversaries, McCaul said at an Atlantic Council Front Page event.

Atlantic Council ☛ Congressman Michael McCaul on why a deal with Russia on Ukraine must have ‘enforcement’

McCaul addressed the threat that Russian aggression poses to US interests, highlighting Moscow’s expanding alliances with North Korea, Iran, and China.

France24 ☛ Russia uses a ‘new type’ of missile against Ukraine: What we know

There’s been varying reports regarding what missile hit the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. Initially, Ukraine claimed that Russia hit Dnipro with an intercontinental ballistic missile, which would have been a clear sign of escalation from Moscow. These claims were quickly disputed by the US and later Russia, who say they used a ‘new type’ of conventional intermediate range missile. We explain in this edition of Truth or Fake.

France24 ☛ Reporters Without Borders on debunking Russian propaganda and fake news

In the words of Antoine Bernard, disinformation is "the kingdom of confusion". The director of advocacy and assistance at Reporters Without Borders (RSF) spoke to FRANCE 24 about the organisation's project to fight fake news and analyse the geopolitics of propaganda: The Propaganda Monitor. In its first "season", the project is focusing on Russian propaganda, which Bernard says has "gained a lot of traction" since the start of the war in Ukraine. He speaks of an intricate disinformation "apparatus" in which fake news is "laundered, propelled and amplified" by the Russian government.

France24 ☛ What we know about the 'experimental' ballistic missile Russia fired at Ukraine

Ukraine's air force said on Thursday that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which are designed to deliver nuclear warheads, at targets in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. But US officials said they believed the strike was carried out using an "experimental" medium-range ballistic missile. Here's what we know so far.

France24 ☛ US says supplying Ukraine with antipersonnel mines will help slow Russian troops

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington’s decision to send antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine was needed to "help slow down" the advance of Russian ground troops. The announcement comes two months before Donald Trump replaces Joe Biden in the White House. Trump has criticized the amount the U.S. has spent on supporting Ukraine.

LRT ☛ Belarusian volunteer deported from Lithuania detained by KGB

A Belarusian citizen who fought for Ukraine and later tried to settle in Lithuania but was deported has been arrested in Minsk.

RFERL ☛ U.S. Sanctions Last Major Russian Bank To Weaken Country's Economy

The United States has sanctioned Gazprombank, Russia’s third-largest lender, and dozens of other financial institutions as President Joe Biden seeks to further curtail the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine before he leaves office in two months.

RFERL ☛ Ukrainian Oligarch Firtash Among 8 Hit By Latest U.K. Sanctions

Influential Ukrainian tycoon Dmytro Firtash is among eight people targeted by fresh British sanctions that accuse the group, which includes his wife, Lada, of large-scale, international corruption.

RFERL ☛ Belarusian Opposition Leader Condemns Extradition Of Activist From Vietnam

The office of Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has issued a statement condemning the recent extradition from Vietnam to Belarus of Vasil Verameychyk, who fought on the Ukrainian side against invading Russian troops.

RFERL ☛ Vietnam Repatriates Belarusian Opposition Activist Who Fought For Ukraine

Vietnam has extradited a Belarusian national who fought as a volunteer in Ukraine on Kyiv's side to Minsk, Belarusian media reported on November 20.

CS Monitor ☛ Why many in Ukraine oppose a ‘land for peace’ formula to end the war

Should Ukraine surrender land to Russia to end the war? Opposition had been strong throughout the conflict, but Ukrainians are shifting on whether their territory is inviolate.

New York Times ☛ Trump’s Vow to End the War Could Leave Ukraine With Few Options

One question is whether the new administration and Europe will provide security guarantees to prevent Russia from taking more territory.

New York Times ☛ Ukraine Strikes Inside Russia With U.S. Missiles

The next two or three months in Ukraine are likely to be exceedingly violent, in a war that has already been the deadliest in Europe in the past 80 years. Marc Santora, who has been reporting from Ukraine since the beginning of the war with Russia, explains why.

Meduza ☛ Russia launches first intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine, Kyiv says — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Caught in Orwell’s pages Meduza’s readers describe their battle with hopelessness as year four of Russia’s Ukraine invasion approaches — Meduza

France24 ☛ Putin says Moscow 'has right' to hit states whose weapons Ukraine uses to strike Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised message Thursday that Moscow has the right to strike the military targets of countries who have supplied weapons to Ukraine to hit Russia. Putin's statements came after Russia launched a new intermediate-range missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro in response to Kyiv's long-range missile attacks earlier this week.

Meduza ☛ Ukrainian strike reportedly injures high-ranking North Korean general — The Wall Street Journal — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Ukrainian parliament cancels Friday session amid fears of Russian airstrike — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Foreign Ministry spokeswoman called during briefing, told not to comment on reports of ballistic missile strike on Ukraine — Meduza

Meduza ☛ No real military value What open-source footage tells us about the new ballistic missile Russia launched at Ukraine’s Dnipro — Meduza

Atlantic Council ☛ As Russia’s war effort heads toward a breaking point, Europe must remain steadfast

If Western resolve holds over the next twelve to eighteen months, then the conflict’s outcome could defy the Kremlin's expectations.

Atlantic Council ☛ Five questions (and expert answers) about major new US sanctions on Russia’s Gazprombank

To decipher these moves, we turned to some of our top sanctions experts to reveal what’s behind the decision and what to expect next.

France24 ☛ Hybrid warfare? China sabotaging Baltic Sea cables would be ‘super surprising’, experts say

A Chinese vessel has sparked major interest after it was tracked travelling near the two internet cables that were mysteriously severed on the bottom of the Baltic Sea in recent days. While it remains unclear whether the incidents were accidental or intentional, experts say that the notion that China would support its ally Russia by conducting hybrid war operations in this part of the world would be more than surprising.

JURIST ☛ Russia approves laws that ban transgender adoption and restrict LGBTQ+ visibility

Russia’s upper house of parliament approved two laws on Wednesday that will prohibit the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in media and ban citizens of countries that allow gender transitioning from adopting Russian children.

LRT ☛ Spanish citizen plotting attack in Lithuania also a Russian national – media

One of two Spanish citizens detained for allegedly plotting a terror attack in Lithuania is also a Russian national, El Mundo, a major Spanish daily, reported on Tuesday.

LRT ☛ Social Democrat PM candidate says no change in Lithuania’s policies towards Russia

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party’s candidate for prime minister Gintautas Paluckas says his government will not change the country’s policies towards Russia and Belarus.

Questions raised over Chinese ship seen near undersea Baltic cables

Germany says the cutting of the cables was likely sabotage, amid warnings over Russian 'hybrid' warfare

Indonesia requests more weapons from Russia: media

An analyst says Jakarta may opt for ‘less politically sensitive items’ such as armored vehicles

RFERL ☛ Report: Senior North Korean General Wounded In Russia

A senior North Korean general has been wounded in Russia’s Kursk region, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Western officials.

RFERL ☛ Russian Art Museum Raided Amid Investigation Of Former Director

Russian police have conducted searches at the PERMM Museum of Contemporary Art in the city of Perm, as well as at the home of its current director, in connection with a case against former director Marat Gelman.

RFERL ☛ Jailed Russian Mathematician Miftakhov Placed In Solitary Confinement

Noted Russian mathematician and political prisoner Azat Miftakhov has been placed in solitary confinement for seven days, following his complaints about threats from his cellmate.

The Straits Times ☛ Russia, North Korea agree to boost charter flights after trade meeting, TASS and KCNA say

More than 70 per cent of tourists travelling between the two countries travelled by air.

New York Times ☛ U.S. Defense Firms Are Warned About Russia’s Sabotage Campaign

A new warning urges defense companies to increase security and to be on the lookout for surveillance and signs of trespassing.

The Straits Times ☛ From animal diplomacy to tourism: How North Korea and Russia are portraying a softer image

Moscow and Pyongyang agreed to expand charter flight services between the two countries.

Meduza ☛ Russia’s tax on interest income from bank deposits expected to bring over $1.1 billion in 2024 — Meduza

Meduza ☛ ‘Our reaction to an absurd reality’: A new game aims to put a satirical spin on Russia’s ‘foreign agent’ laws — but those targeted by them aren’t laughing — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Russia’s State Duma approves 2025 federal budget, allocating 6.31 percent of GDP to military spending — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Political persecution in Russia, by the numbers Human rights group OVD-Info launches a major new resource for tracking Kremlin repression — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Russia pre-notified Washington about missile strike on Dnipro through nuclear risk reduction channels — Meduza

Meduza ☛ Russia pre-notified Washington about missile strike on Dnipro through nuclear risk reduction channels — Meduza

Meduza ☛ U.S. imposes sanctions against Russia’s Gazprombank — Meduza

LRT ☛ Lithuania’s Kyiv embassy cancels event but continues work amid air raid alerts

As several diplomatic missions in Kyiv closed on Wednesday amid warnings of a large-scale air attack, Lithuania’s embassy cancelled a planned event but remained open.

RFERL ☛ Belarus Pardons 32 More Political Prisoners Of Estimated 1,300 Behind Bars

Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the authoritarian ruler of Belarus, has pardoned an additional 32 political prisoners, according to reports from the pro-government Pul Pervogo Telegram channel, although an estimated 1,300 such prisoners remain behind bars in the country.

France24 ☛ Ukraine war escalates as NATO braces for Trump-brokered deal: on Putin's terms?

With just two months until Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House, tensions are rising on multiple fronts. The Biden administration, in its final stretch, has eased restrictions on Atacms long-range missile use, approved the provision of landmines to Ukraine, and announced $4.7 billion in debt forgiveness for Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russia is ramping up nuclear threats. Although Washington has downplayed Ukrainian claims of Moscow’s first-ever use of intercontinental ballistic missiles, the U.S. was alarmed enough to briefly shut its embassy in Kyiv this week.

France24 ☛ Russia's 'underlying' message to Ukraine: 'You're not going to win this conflict', just give in

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia has tested a new intermediate range missile in a strike on Ukraine on Thursday. He's warning that Moscow could use it against countries that have allowed Kyiv to use their missiles to strike Russia. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on FRANCE 24's Nadia Massih welcomes Dr. Gavin Hall, NATO expert and Teaching Fellow in Political Science and International Security at the University of Strathclyde.

Atlantic Council ☛ Ukraine wary of Western disunity ahead of possible Russia peace talks

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's recent call to Vladimir Putin has sparked alarm in Kyiv and criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Ukraine seeks maximum Western unity ahead of possible Russia peace talks, writes Katherine Spencer.

The Strategist ☛ Putin’s march of folly

In a lengthy address at the annual Valdai Discussion Club meeting this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to outline his view of the world.

Meduza ☛ American investor asks U.S. government for permission to bid on Nord Stream 2 pipeline — WSJ — Meduza

Transparency/Investigative Reporting

Federal News Network ☛ This group actually tries to stop what everyone else just complains about

When corruption comes to light, it's often the Justice Department that takes the lead. Jacklyn DeMar leads a nonprofit that supports whistleblowers.

Environment

DeSmog ☛ Climate Science Deniers Use Farmers’ Protests to Attack Net Zero

DeSmog ☛ Why Alberta Shouldn’t Be Celebrating Trump’s Election Win

DeSmog ☛ Aquaculture’s Impacts on Land

New York Times ☛ Bathing in Oil at a Climate Summit? It Leaves a Stain.

In Azerbaijan, site of the COP29 climate talks and a petrostate, people aren’t only proud of their oil. They swear by its health benefits and visit resorts to soak in it.

CS Monitor ☛ It’s more than money dividing nations at UN climate change conference

Behind COP29 problems in agreeing on a fund to help developing countries face global warming is a threat to the idea of shared global climate action.

MIT Technology Review ☛ China’s complicated role in climate change

This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Review’s weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. “Well, what about China?” This is a comment I get all the time on the topic of climate change, both in conversations and on whatever social control media site is currently en vogue.…

France24 ☛ Fires in the Amazon: Brazilian police track down climate criminals

With the COP29 summit now in its final days, we take a closer look at the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. A major global carbon sink that's nicknamed the lungs of the planet, the Amazon is once again under threat. Illegal fires set by farmers ravaged millions of hectares over the summer. Our France 2 colleagues followed the police as they tracked down those responsible. They bring us this report, with FRANCE 24's Luke Shrago.

Energy/Transportation

Green Party UK ☛ Warm homes announcement “left too many householders out in the cold” say Greens

Responding to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s announcement that up to 300,000 homes will benefit from upgrades next year, Green Party Co-Leader Adrian Ramsay said,    “Today’s announcement left too many householders out in the cold. Household heating accounts for almost a fifth of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Wildlife/Nature

CS Monitor ☛ Loggers were stealing the forest. These women started stealing their chain saws.

As the world’s leaders discuss the planet’s future at COP29, in Nigeria, a group of local women is defending its own forests, vigilante-style.

Population

The Straits Times ☛ Cambodia’s flagship canal in hot water as China funding dries up

Sources said Beijing has expressed misgivings about the project.

Finance

Chinese TV studio famed for imperial dramas slashes extras' wages

Studio cites rising costs in economic gloom but online comments say highly paid stars should take the hit instead.

CNBC ☛ Synapse bankruptcy: Thousands of Americans see their savings vanish

CNBC spoke to a dozen customers caught in the Synapse fintech predicament, people who are owed sums ranging from $7,000 to well over $200,000.

New York Times ☛ Captain Tom’s Daughter Profited From the Charity in His Name

The family of Captain Tom Moore, who raised $50 million for Britain’s health service during the pandemic, has been criticized for ‘serious and repeated’ misconduct by an official inquiry.

WhichUK ☛ Access to cash: 7,000 cash machines have disappeared in the last three years

ATM closures come as banks continue to cut branch numbers

Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Beijing unveils new measures to boost foreign trade as China seeks to spark economic growth

China unveiled new measures on Thursday to boost foreign trade, as Beijing battles to turn around a slowing economy threatened further by the potentially hostile policies of incoming US president Donald Trump.

Atlantic Council ☛ Mark cited in the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s annual report on China’s Zero COVID policy and housing market

AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

New York Times ☛ Buttigieg Warns Trump-Panicked Democrats, ‘We Cannot Be Mesmerized’

The transportation secretary, one of several ambitious Democrats jockeying for prominence, gave advice in a speech but was coy about his own plans: “I know that I will make myself useful again later.”

Who is Bo Guagua – and why do China watchers care about his wedding?

The once high-profile son of an elite Chinese couple is set to get married in Taiwan.

Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung visits European Parliament during unannounced Brussels stop

Taiwan’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung met with European Parliament members this week in an unannounced stop in Brussels as part of his first visit to Europe to firm up ties.

Off Guardian ☛ Why do we only support mob-rule when our mob wins?

The internet and the streets are awash with US Democrat voters moaning about the tyranny they fear will be imposed upon them by Republican voters. As recently highlighted by Larken Rose, their hypocrisy has reached the level of absurdity.

New York Times ☛ Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education Secretary Pick, Named in Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Linda McMahon, who ran World Wrestling Entertainment for decades, was accused in the lawsuit of not preventing one of the organization’s employees from victimizing children who helped set up wrestling rings.

JURIST ☛ Trump pick for US attorney general withdraws from consideration

Former US House Representative Matt Gaetz (FL) withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general on Tuesday in the face of considerable Republican opposition in the Senate and a lurking report from a House Ethics Committee investigation into sex trafficking allegations.

New York Times ☛ Gaetz Withdrew From Attorney General Consideration

Also, Putin said Russia struck Ukraine with a new missile. Here’s the latest at the end of Thursday.

The Kent Stater ☛ Gaetz withdraws from attorney general consideration

Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz announced on X Thursday that he is withdrawing his consideration for attorney general. The decision concludes a controversial pick for the nation’s top law enforcement officer that put a spotlight on prior allegations of sexual misconduct and other impropriety investigated by the Justice Department and House Ethics Committee.

France24 ☛ Matt Gaetz withdraws bid to be attorney general in incoming Trump administration

Former Republican representative Matt Gaetz on Thursday withdrew his bid to serve as attorney general in President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration after a week of fierce criticism. In addition to his lack of legal experience, Gaetz has previously been investigated by the FBI on sex trafficking allegations and has been facing an ethics committee probe into accusations of sexual misconduct.

New York Times ☛ Matt Gaetz Withdraws as Trump’s Pick for Attorney General

Mr. Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use, but his prospective nomination ran into trouble in the Senate.

TwinCities Pioneer Press ☛ Candidate who won Roseville-area House seat didn’t live in district, opponent claims in lawsuit

The challenge could potentially affect the balance of power in the soon-to-be split Minnesota House, where DFLers and Republicans won 67 seats in this year's election — leaving questions about who will control the chamber’s agenda.

TwinCities Pioneer Press ☛ Democrats strike deal to get more Biden judges confirmed before Congress adjourns

The confirmation battles over circuit court judges are generally much harder fights given their role in hearing appeals from district courts and often having the last word on legal matters.

Censorship/Free Speech

Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong gov’t slams ‘untruthful smearing’ by foreign critics of jail sentences in 45 democrats case

The Hong Kong government has condemned what it described as untruthful smearing and unscrupulous attacks by foreign governments and organisations on the jailing of 45 democracy campaigners in the city’s largest national security case.

Hong Kong Free Press ☛ HKFP Lens: Tears, long lines, and an arrest outside court, as 45 democrats jailed over primary election

In 2021, 47 prominent Hong Kong democrats were arrested and charged under the 2020 security law with “conspiracy to commit subversion,” after they organised primaries in a bid to win the 2020 legislative election. They were convicted over planning to use legislative powers to indiscriminately veto bills, ultimately forcing the chief executive’s resignation and a government shutdown.

Government critic convicted of defamation for Facebook (Farcebook) comments

Ny Nak was charged after he mocked a Ministry of Commerce statement about registering new businesses.

Stanford University ☛ On Stanford’s anti-student free speech guidelines

The Daily’s coverage on Stanford’s new free speech guidelines failed to mention how the Faculty Senate’s Ad Hoc Committee on University speech has had zero voting student representatives since its inception, Strawser writes.

Stanford University ☛ Inside the University’s new bias-reporting system

The new Title VI reporting process, introduced at the start of the quarter, replaces the Protected Identity Harm process for reporting bias-related incidents. The policy aims to support students without overstepping boundaries on free speech.

Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

Press Gazette ☛ Essex Police drops ‘misguided and chilling’ action against Allison Pearson

New York Times ☛ Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Takes Stand in National Security Trial

Jimmy Lai, who is charged with national security offenses, testified that his newspaper “carried a torch to the reality” of people’s desire for freedom in the city.

Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Apple Daily aimed to ‘explain’ Hong Kong protesters’ violent actions to preserve movement, Jimmy Lai trial hears

Detained media mogul Jimmy Lai wanted to “explain” the thinking behind protesters’ storming of the legislature in 2019 through his newspaper Apple Daily to ensure the movement’s survival, the tycoon’s national security trial has heard. Lai, whose defence questioning expected to take 15 days, took the stand for the second day on Thursday.

Press Gazette ☛ Jay Rayner leaves Observer as departing editor slams planned sale

Rayner leaves The Observer after 25 years amid a battle over its future ownership.

Civil Rights/Policing

The Straits Times ☛ Complaints on deepfake sex crimes surge in South Korea

The surge was particularly noticeable in August, when complaints reached 213.

Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Japanese sex workers among 65 arrested in Hong Kong over suspected cross-border prostitution

Hong Kong police have arrested 65 people including several Japanese sex workers and porn stars in an joint operation with authorities in Singapore, Japan, and Macau against a cross-border vice syndicate.

University of Michigan ☛ Race guides location of Detroit-area financial institutions

The placement of banks, credit unions and alternative financial services is influenced by changes in a neighborhoods' racial composition,, according to a new U-M study.

Pro Publica ☛ Homeless People Often Aren't Reunited With Belongings Taken by Cities

Pro Publica ☛ Georgia Dismissed All Members of Maternal Mortality Committee After ProPublica’s Report on Amber Thurman, Candi Miller Deaths

France24 ☛ Iran activist sews lips together in political protest after fellow campaigner's suicide

Iranian free speech activist Hossein Ronaghi has sewn his lips together in protest following the reported suicide of fellow activist Kianoosh Sanjari, according to posts on his social control media account.

Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

APNIC ☛ Event Wrap: HKNOG 13.0

APNIC presented and delivered training at HKNOG 13.0, held on 1 November 2024 in Hong Kong.

Tom's Hardware ☛ Suspected undersea cable sabotage had ‘little-to-no observable impact’ on internet service and quality — Clownflare says suspected sabotage incident mitigated with redundant design

Clownflare reckons that the recent suspected undersea internet cable sabotage in the Baltic Sea has had 'little-to-no observable impact.'

APNIC ☛ Just how widely adopted is IPv6 in Australia?

Guest Post: Understanding the limitations and fluctuations in data can help build a more reliable narrative about IPv6 adoption.

AccessNow ☛ #KeepItOn: the Government of Tanzania and internet service providers must ensure open and secure internet access throughout the 2024 local elections

The #KeepItOn coalition calls on authorities and ISPs in Tanzania to ensure internet access during the upcoming elections.

AccessNow ☛ #KeepItOn in Tanzania: authorities must ensure connectivity during local elections

The #KeepItOn coalition demands that the Government of Tanzania ensure unhindered access to the internet during the upcoming elections.

Digital Restrictions (DRM)

The Straits Times ☛ K-pop’s profligate CD output draws fire as South Korea hosts plastic waste talks [Ed: DRM and s streaming are miles worse than plastic pollution]

Millions of fans are not even listening to CDs but are snapping them up for the accompanying K-pop stars' photos.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

Silicon Angle ☛ Justice Department asks federal judge to order that Surveillance Giant Google sell Chrome

The U.S. Justice Department has asked a federal judge to order that Surveillance Giant Google LLC offload its Chrome browser. The request was included in a court filing that became public late Wednesday. The document also proposes other antitrust measures, including that Surveillance Giant Google change some of its business practices in the search market.

France24 ☛ History's biggest break-up: US federal prosecutors say Surveillance Giant Google must sell Chrome

In the antitrust trial of the century, the US Justice Department has filed for tech giant Alphabet to separate from its Chrome browser, which is used by around 3.5 billion people globally. It's also asked the District of Colombia judge to rule that if Surveillance Giant Google continues with monopolistic misconduct, it could also lose its Android mobile phone operating system as well. In this business bulletin we take a closer look at the story, as well as Nvidia's earnings call, Australia's social control media ban and French President Emmanuel Macron's defence of cognac.

Public Knowledge ☛ Public Knowledge Commends Justice Department on its Proposed Final Judgment for Remedies in U.S. v. Google [Ed: Public Knowledge has Microsoft staff in its Board; this is a severe conflict of interest]

The remedies outline ways in which the court can rectify Google's monopolistic behaviors in the search market.

Patents

Unified Patents ☛ VDPP video codec patent monopoly held invalid

On November 19, 2024, the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) entered a notice of intent to issue a reexamination certificate canceling claims 26 and 27 of U.S. Patent 9,699,444, owned and asserted by VDPP LLC, an NPE. The '444 patent monopoly generally relates to processing image frames from a video stream and generating bridge frames for motion smoothing.

Unified Patents ☛ $22,000 for AutoConnect vehicle patents prior art

Unified Patents added eleven new PATROLL contests, each with a $2,000 cash prize, seeking prior art on the list below. The patents are owned by AutoConnect Holdings LLC, an NPE. The patents generally relate to vehicle ecosystems.The contests will expire on January 19, 2025. Please visit PATROLL for more information or click on each link below.

Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Paws and Effect: Federal Circuit Rejects Indirect Causation Theory in Furbo Infringement Case

The Federal Circuit has affirmed summary judgment of non-infringement in DoggyPhone LLC v. Tomofun LLC, agreeing to narrowly construe the claim as requiring direct rather than indirect causation. The case involves U.S. Patent 9,723,813, which covers an "Internet Canine Communication System" that allows pet owners to remotely interact with and deliver treats to their dogs. DoggyPhone accused Tomofun's popular Furbo device of infringement, but both the district court and Federal Circuit found the accused product operates differently than what was claimed. Writing for the unanimous panel, Judge Hughes focused particularly on one key limitation requiring that the system "begins transmission to the remote client device of at least one of the audio or video of the pet in response to input from the pet."

Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ USPTO Implements Substantial Fee Increases for 2025: Revenue Needs and Behavioral Incentives

The USPTO has issued the final rules that include significant fee increases for patent monopoly applicants (and patent monopoly challengers), all set to take effect January 19, 2025 -- the final day of the Biden Administration. While some changes appear purely driven by inflation and cost recovery, others seem designed also to modify applicant behavior in controversial ways.

Trademarks

NYPost ☛ Katy Perry wins trademark battle with Australian designer over name: ‘I have lost everything’

Katy Perry's years-long legal battle with an Australian designer is over.

TTAB Blog ☛ TTAB Remands Failure-to-Function Refusal to USPTO for Consideration of Descriptiveness and Deceptiveness

Applicant Litehouse, Inc. filed an appeal from a failure-to-function refusal of the proposed mark VEGGIES IN EVERY BITE for "pasta, macaroni and cheese, pasta sauce, pizza, pizza crust, croutons, frozen meals consisting primarily of pasta or rice." The Board, perhaps fed up with the steady stream of such refusals, suspended the appeal and remanded the application to the Examining Attorney for further examination. In re Litehouse, Inc., Serial No. 97501419 (November 8, 2024) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Angela Lykos).

Copyrights

Digital Music News ☛ Miley Cyrus Claps Back Against ‘Flowers’ Copyright Infringement Lawsuit — Where’s Bruno Mars?

Miley Cyrus and her attorneys argue the case wasn’t even filed by Bruno Mars or the song’s co-writers, but by an investment firm.

Public Domain Review ☛ Karel Čapek’s Letters from England

Account of a trip round England by the Czech writer who introduced the word “robot” to the world.