Leftovers

• Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Digital Music News ☛ Move Over Spotify Hey Hi (AI) DJ, YouTube Music Experiments with Hey Hi (AI) Generated Radio

    YouTube Music appears to be testing a new Hey Hi (AI) feature that will allow users to suggest prompts for Hey Hi (AI) generated radio stations. Here’s the latest. After Spotify embraced its Hey Hi (AI) DJ, YouTube Music is experimenting with ways to allow users to use Hey Hi (AI) to generate new playlists.

  • Microsoft Snubs ChatGPT-Developer OpenAI, Quits Board Observer Seat Amid Regulatory Scrutiny: Report [Ed: Buying companies without even paying for them]

    Microsoft is reportedly quitting the board of OpenAI amid growing anti-trust scrutiny. As per reports, Microsoft outlined its decision to withdraw its observer seat to OpenAI's recent collaborations, innovative advancements, and expanding customer base since Sam Altman's return to the company. Last year in November, Microsoft took a non-voting, observer role on OpenAI's board. It occurred after Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, resumed leadership of the company known for operating the generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT. Microsoft Layoffs Continue: Tech Giant Reportedly Lays Off Unspecified People From Various Departments and Locations To Focus on Future Investment, Increase Profit Margin.

• Security

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • EFF ☛ UN Draft Cybercrime Treaty Dangerously Expands State Surveillance Powers Without Robust Privacy, Data Protection Safeguards

      As we near the final negotiating session for the proposed UN Cybercrime Treaty, countries are running out of time to make critical improvements to the draft text. Delegates meeting in New York from July 29 to August 9 must finalize the convention’s text that, if adopted, will expand surveillance laws dramatically and weaken human rights safeguards significantly. This proposed UN treaty is not a cybercrime treaty; it is an expansive global surveillance pact.

      Countries that believe in the rule of law must stand up and either defeat the convention or dramatically limit its  scope, adhering to non-negotiable red lines as outlined by over 100 NGOs. In an uncommon alliance, civil society and industry agreed earlier this year in a joint letter that the treaty as it was currently drafted  must be rejected  and amended to protect privacy and data protection rights—none of which have been made in the latest version of the proposed Convention.

      The UN Ad Hoc Committee overseeing the talks and preparation of a final text is expected to consider a revised but still-flawed text  in its entirety, along with the interpretative notes, during the first week of the session, with a focus on all provisions not yet agreed ad referendum. However, in keeping with the principle in multilateral negotiations that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, any provisions of the draft that have already been agreed could potentially be reopened. 

• Defence/Aggression

  • New York Times ☛ Starmer Is Aligned With Biden, but How Would That Change With Trump?

    Politically aligned, Joe Biden and the new U.K. prime minister agree on climate change, Ukraine and Northern Ireland. Donald Trump would be a different story.

  • Democracy Now ☛ “On the Record with Hamas”: Jeremy Scahill Speaks with Hamas About Oct. 7, Ceasefire Talks & Israel [Ed: Hamas sympathisers]

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • ADF ☛ Using Threats and False Promises, Russia Sends Africans to Fight in Ukraine

      Among a handful of prisoners of war captured in Ukraine after fighting for Russia, a young Somali man stood out.

    • New York Times ☛ U.S. Officials Say Russia Is Unlikely to Take Much More Ukrainian Territory

      Russian forces continue to inflict pain, but NATO leaders gathering in Washington can say that their efforts to strengthen Ukraine are working.

    • Latvia ☛ Latvia's Baiba Braže speaks out on Russian atrocities

      Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, delivered a statement July 9 on behalf of the Nordic countries and the Baltic States at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, underscoring the grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law perpetrated by Russia.

    • Latvia ☛ Large volumes of Russian grain transit through Latvia

      In the first six months of 2024, Russian grain products went through Latvia in transit at higher volumes than in the first six months of 2023, LETA reports July 9.

    • Silicon Angle ☛ Justice Department seizes domains linked to Russian disinformation campaign

      The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that it has seized two domains allegedly key to a disinformation campaign by Russia’s RT news network which were used to spread disinformation via X Corp. The two domains were being used to spread information via 968 X accounts.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ NATO needs a strategy to address Russia’s Arctic expansion

      The Washington summit this week provides the perfect moment for the Alliance to forge an even more unified approach to the future of security in the High North. 

    • Scoop News Group ☛ US intel officials: Kremlin once again prefers Trump

      In a briefing with reporters on Tuesday, U.S. intelligence officials said Russia is the most active U.S. adversary seeking to influence American politics.

    • Scoop News Group ☛ US, international authorities seize Russian Hey Hi (AI) bot farm

      FBI officials say that software relying on Hey Hi (AI) to generate bot accounts was developed under a top editor at Russian state-owned news outlet RT.

    • JURIST ☛ Russia court sentences prominent playwright and theater director for 6 years over play ‘justifying terrorism’

      A Russian military court on Monday convicted a playwright and a director to 6 years in jail over a play that allegedly justifies terrorism. The judge found director Yevgeniya Berkovich and writer Svetlana Petriychuk, who had been in pre-trial detention since May 2023, guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuania to spend €17.5m to fortify border with Russia, Belarus

      The Lithuanian government plans to allocate around 17.5 million euros over three years for counter-mobility measures and infrastructure adaptation, with up to 3 million euros to be spent this year.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian president to address response to Russian hybrid attacks at NATO summit

      Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda is set to raise the issue of NATO’s response to recent Russian hybrid attacks at the alliance’s summit in Washington, D.C., Kęstutis Budrys, his chief national security adviser, said on Tuesday.

    • RFERL ☛ U.S. Intelligence Official Indicates Russia Prefers Trump As Election Victor

      The United States hasn't seen a shift from previous U.S. elections in Russia's preference for the winner of the 2024 presidential vote, a U.S. intelligence official said on July 9, indicating that Moscow favors Republican Donald Trump.

    • RFERL ☛ U.S. Says It Disrupted Russian Effort To Spread Disinformation With Fake Social Media Accounts

      The U.S. Justice Department says it disrupted a Kremlin-led operation to use fake social control media profiles enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) to spread Russian disinformation.

    • RFERL ☛ Police In Russia's Kabardino-Balkaria Detain Members Of 'Shari'a Patrol'

      The Interior Ministry in Russia's North Caucasus region of Kabardino-Balkaria said on July 9 that 10 residents of the city of Tyrnyauz had been detained for being members of a so-called "Shari'a patrol."

    • RFERL ☛ Russian Theater Director, Playwright Jailed For 6 Years On Terror Charges

      A court in Moscow on July 8 convicted theater director Yevgenia Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriichuk of "justifying terrorism" and sentenced each to six years in prison.

    • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea-Russia arms trade a global threat, says South Korea President Yoon

      North Korea's arms trade with Russia is a threat to global peace, and strength and alliances among liberal democracies are critical in safeguarding freedom from "reckless elements", South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Tuesday.

    • The Straits Times ☛ China's coast guard says 'allowed' Philippines to evacuate sick person in S.China Sea

      China's coast guard said on humanitarian grounds it had "allowed" the Philippines to evacuate a person who had fallen ill on a rusting warship beached on the Second Thomas Shoal located in waters claimed by both countries.

    • RFERL ☛ Jailed Son Of Former Would-Be Belarusian Presidential Candidate On Trial Again

      Eduard Babaryka, the imprisoned son of jailed Belarusian presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka, has gone on trial for "malicious disobedience" of prison guard commands.

    • New York Times ☛ NATO’s New Boss: Affable, Pragmatic and Ready for Trump, if Required

      When he takes over as secretary general in October, Mark Rutte will face strains over Russia, Ukraine and the potential return of Donald J. Trump.

    • New York Times ☛ A Children’s Hospital in Ukraine Becomes a Scene of Destruction

      Families and patients were not unfamiliar with the sound of missiles flying overhead. But the Russian assault on the hospital marked one of the worst days of violence against civilians in months.

    • CS Monitor ☛ NATO summit faces unexpected challenges. Doubts about Biden top the list.

      Joe Biden’s leadership of NATO in addressing the challenges posed by Russia and its war in Ukraine has reassured U.S. allies and been a centerpiece of his presidency. His debate performance is causing discomfort.

    • RFERL ☛ Condemnation Of Russia Mounts As Ukraine Counts Toll Of Attack On Children's Hospital

      International condemnation grew as the death toll mounted at a children’s hospital in Kyiv that was hit during a series of massive Russian air strikes, which U.S. President Joe Biden called a "horrific reminder of Russia's brutality."

    • RFERL ☛ Indians Fighting In Ukraine Alongside Russian Troops To Return Home, Report Says

      NDTV television in India reported on July 9 that about 20 Indian nationals who are fighting with Russia's armed forces in Ukraine will return home soon.

    • RFERL ☛ Jury Selection In Alec Baldwin's Trial Over Death of Ukrainian-Born Cinematographer To Begin

      Jury selection was set to begin on July 9 nearly three years after actor Alec Baldwin was directed to point his gun at Ukrainian-born cinematographer Halyna Hutchins as she set up a camera shot inside a movie-set church southwest of Santa Fe.

    • RFERL ☛ Bulgaria Takes Russia's Gazprom To Court Over Halted Supplies

      Bulgaria's state-owned gas supplier Bulgargaz said on July 9 that it was taking Gazprom to court, seeking more than 400 million euros ($432 million) in damages because the Russian company cut-off of supplies after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

    • RFERL ☛ As NATO Summit Opens, 2 U.S. Lawmakers Back More Aggressive Military Support For Ukraine

      Two members of Congress who visited Ukraine in April said the United States should provide Ukraine with the military equipment it needs to win the war against Russia, including the means to strike inside Russia.

    • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China slams NATO’s ‘smears and attacks’ after Beijing accused of enabling Russian aggression against Ukraine

      China lashed out at NATO’s “smears and attacks” on Tuesday after the defence alliance’s chief accused it of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine on the eve of a summit in Washington.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine mourns as rescuers clear rubble from missile-hit Kyiv children's hospital

      The Ukrainian capital maintained a day of official mourning Tuesday as rescuers desperately combed the debris at a Kyiv children’s hospital that was destroyed in a missile strike. Amid international condemnations, Russia said the medical facility was hit by Ukrainian anti-missile attack. A UN monitoring mission in Ukraine said the hospital was likely hit by a Russian missile.

    • France24 ☛ NATO members pledge dozens of air defence systems to Ukraine

      US President Joe Biden said NATO allies will send dozens of air defence systems, including at least four Patriot systmes, in the coming months. On Tuesday Ukrainian President Volodymry Zelsenky said air defence systems were still his country's number one request.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Dispatch from Madrid: For Spain’s contributions to NATO, look beyond its defense spending

      While Spain still falls short of its defense spending goals, Madrid nevertheless leads NATO missions, supports Ukraine, and helps guard Europe’s southern flank.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Britain’s new government pledges ‘unwavering commitment’ to Ukraine

      Ukrainians are confident that the new UK government will maintain British support for their war effort as they fight for national survival against Russia's ongoing invasion, writes Peter Dickinson.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ How NATO can prove its enduring relevance at the Washington summit

      Allies must do more to augment Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities and bring it into the Alliance, as well as boost their own spending on defense.

    • Latvia ☛ Medical equipment on way from Latvian to Ukrainian hospitals

      A shipment of Latvian donations to Ukrainian hospitals was on its way on Tuesday, July 9, the Ministry of Health said.

• Environment

  • DeSmog ☛ The Direct Links Between Southern Brazil’s Massive Flooding and Climate Denial

  • Energy/Transportation

    • France24 ☛ Several people dead, millions without power as Tropical Storm Beryl makes landfall in Texas

      At least three people died as Tropical Storm Beryl continued its destructive path into southeast Texas on Monday, knocking out power for 2.7 million homes and businesses and cancelling more than1,000 flights.

    • DeSmog ☛ How to Create a ‘World Without Waste’? The Plastic Industry Has Ideas.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • ACLU ☛ How Donald Trump's Election Lies and Other Anti-Voter Policies Will Continue to Impact Our Democracy

    Donald Trump’s claim that the 2020 election was “stolen” from him is not only a lie—no widespread voter fraud was detected in that election—it’s a lie that breeds public mistrust in our electoral system. Today, he is already casting doubt on the 2024 election, saying he will accept the results “if everything is honest.” The implication is that if Trump loses then the election may not have been honest, and that a free and fair election this November is only one in which he wins.

  • Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda

    • Cloudbooklet ☛ How to Use YouTube Deepfake Remover

      Understand the importance of YouTube Deepfake Remover in maintaining video integrity.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • EFF ☛ Beyond Pride Month: Protections for LGBTQ+ People All Year Round

    We know it feels overwhelming to think about how to keep yourself safe, so here are some quick and easy steps you can take to protect yourself at in-person events, as well as to protect your data—everything from your private messages with friends to your pictures and browsing history.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • Nico Cartron ☛ ICQ is shutting down this month after 30 years

    This is the end of ICQ, after 30 years - ICQ was the first Instant Messaging (IM) solution I used back in the late 90's, and I guess everyone remembers its "Uh Oh!" sound when you received a message.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Trademarks

  • TTAB Blog ☛ Three Administrative Trademark Judges Added to TTAB Roster

    Robert Lavache has had a lengthy and successful career at the USPTO. In his former Senior Level (SL) position as the Trademark Legal and Examination Policy Specialist, he supervised the Legal Policy attorneys in Trademarks and provided legal policy advice to USPTO senior executives, the TMEP Editor, the Solicitor’s Office, the Office of Enrollment and Discipline and the Office of Policy and International Affairs. He has advised Trademarks leadership on developments in TTAB and Federal Circuit case law, and served as lead Legal Policy attorney and subject matter expert for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Final Rule that implemented the Trademark Modernization Act; and he has served as supervisor of the Trademarks Special Task Force on Improper Activities, combatting fraudulent and improper trademark filings. Judge Lavache is a graduate of the University of Miami and Cornell Law School.

• Copyrights

  • Digital Music News ☛ U.S. Copyright Office Finalizes ‘Scaled-Down’ Solution to ‘Termination Rights’ Under Mechanical Licensing Payouts

    The U.S. Copyright Office has finalized a major update to “termination rights” for mechanical licensing payouts under the MMA-established blanket license. The Office today published its final rule on the subject, close to two years after first taking up the highly complex matter.

  • Digital Music News ☛ Daddy Yankee, Black Eyed Peas, Sony Music Move to Dismiss Fraud Charges in ‘Bailar Contigo’ Copyright Infringement Battle

    Daddy Yankee, Black Eyed Peas, and Sony Music have filed a notice of move to dismiss the third cause of action for fraud in a copyright monopoly infringement complaint levied at the hit, “Bailar Contigo.” The lawsuit was filed in March 2024 by Denmark’s Iceberg Records in a California federal court. The lawsuit alleges that the […]

  • Torrent Freak ☛ "Lifetime" Pirate IPTV Boxes Freely Available on Amazon Cost Men $1.25m

    How easy is it to buy a pirate IPTV device with a built-in subscription, offering thousands of TV channels, PPV events, video on demand, even catch-up TV? Let's rephrase that: what's Amazon's estimated delivery time for Tanggula, vSeeBox, and Superbox devices? Whether tomorrow or next week, two men who sold exactly the same devices to their own customers won't be able to compete after being hit with a $1.25m judgment in the United States.

  • Torrent Freak ☛ Pirate Sites Face a More Challenging Hosting Climate in Europe

    Law-abiding hosting providers don't openly and explicitly welcome pirate sites. At the same time, many of these third-party service providers have historically taken a neutral position in copyright conflicts. However, under EU law and supporting legal precedents, hosting companies are required to take action against infringement, as doing nothing can become quite costly.