Leftovers

• Science

  • New York Times ☛ Will That Asteroid Strike Earth? Risk Level Rises to Highest Ever Recorded.

    The threat from space rock 2024 YR4 has surpassed that of Apophis, an asteroid feared by scientists 20 years ago. The danger remains low, but experts are estimating the damage that could be done.

• Hardware

  • Standards/Consortia

    • Tedium ☛ ACCESS.bus: The Forgotten USB Competitor

      Today in Tedium: If you know your tech peripheral history, odds are, you know about the Universal Serial Bus like the back of your hand—in part because every device you own supports it. But you probably know a lot about numerous other ports. Thunderbolt? Obviously. FireWire? Sure, you owned a camera back in the day. Apple Desktop Bus? You got it. But what if I told you that, at the time USB and FireWire fought it out for serial supremacy, there was a completely different bus standard that hoped to become the one cable to rule them all—and unless you were into a very specific brand of computers, you probably didn’t know about it? Of course, you’d be surprised. Who wouldn’t? But that’s why I’m here. Today’s Tedium highlights ACCESS.bus, the would-be standard that wanted to be USB, but couldn’t stick the landing. — Ernie @ Tedium

  • Mobile Systems/Mobile Applications

    • The Register UK ☛ Huawei to bring pricey trifold smartphone to world market

      Indications are that the device is likely to cost at least €3,000 (about $3,100 or £2,500), making it substantially more costly than most other smartphones, even rival folding devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, which is currently on sale for at least £1,000 (about $1,200) in the UK, and around the same Stateside ($1,219 when we looked).

    • MIT Technology Review ☛ Nokia is putting the first cellular network on the moon

      The shift from mostly point-to-point radio communications to a full-blown cell network architecture should result in higher data transfer speeds, better range, and increase the number of devices that could be connected simultaneously, Klein says. But the harsh conditions of space travel and on the lunar surface make it difficult to use Earth-based cell technology straight off the shelf.

      Instead, Nokia designed components that are robust against radiation, extreme temperatures, and the sorts of vibrations that will be experienced during the launch, flight, and landing. They put all these components in a single “network in a box”, which contains everything needed for a cell network except the antenna and a power source.

    • The Washington Post ☛ We complain about egg prices but can’t stop buying $1,000 smartphones

      I’ll run through five theories for why smartphones are turning into an all-luxury market, and what it might mean for you. The bottom line: The more modestly priced smartphone is an endangered species, but it would be better for all of us if it thrived.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • New York Times ☛ Pope Francis Has Bilateral Pneumonia

    The condition, which entails pneumonia in both lungs, is potentially grave, according to health experts.

  • New York Times ☛ Pope Francis, Hospitalized, Has Pneumonia, Vatican Says

    The Vatican said that the pontiff had pneumonia in both lungs and that he “continued to present a complex picture.”

  • NYPost ☛ Who are the frontrunners to be elected next pontiff after Pope Francis?

    As Pope Francis, the oldest pope in over a century, continues to decline in health, speculation is percolating as to who will next be elected as the most powerful Catholic in the world.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Trump’s foreign aid freeze hurts Indonesian health programmes and aid workers

    Efforts to fight against HIV/Aids and tuberculosis may be affected.

  • JURIST ☛ HRW criticizes Guatemala for not providing girls facing forced pregnancies with access to abortion and resources

    Human Rights Watch reported Tuesday that successive governments in Guatemala have failed to meet their obligations to girls facing forced pregnancies due to sexual violence. The right’s organization’s new 85-page report focused on several obligations, including access to abortion, healthcare, education, financial support, and justice.

  • Stanford University ☛ Former US Health Secretary criticizes NIH cuts, advises RFK Jr. to ‘execute’

    Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra told students to remain hopeful despite NIH cuts and Convicted Felon’s WHO withdrawal, as he criticized Convicted Felon’s policies but said they wouldn’t last.

  • Federal News Network ☛ TRICARE pharmacy changes impact military members

    The Defense Health Agency has gradually reduced the number of pharmacies available through TRICARE to cut costs and save taxpayer dollars.

  • Latvia ☛ LTV: Is Latvia serious enough about fighting its drinking problem?

    Latvia has long had one of the highest per capita consumption rates of alcohol in Europe. Latvian Television's "Forbidden Method/Aizliegtais paņēmiens", aired February 17, looked at what Latvian policymakers have done for the past few years and whether it is expected to change anything.

  • Latvia ☛ 'Hospital at home' pilot project to be launched in Latvia

    "Hospital at home" is the name given to a new service at Riga East Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS) that will offer at least 300 patients with chronic diseases health monitoring and treatment at home if their condition worsens, Latvian Television reported on February 17.

  • In First 5 Weeks of 2025 67,630 People Died in England and Wales Compared to 58,461 in the Same Period in 2019

• Defence/Aggression

  • New York Times ☛ Florida Man Says He Shot Israeli Tourists in ‘Mental Health Crisis’

    The gunman, who is Jewish, told the police that he thought the tourists were Palestinian.

  • Ali Reza Hayati ☛ Dictator 2.0: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (YouTube)

    Dictator 2.0: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (YouTube)

  • Mexico News Daily ☛ CNN: US is conducting covert drone missions in Mexico

    CNN said that the drones are not currently armed, but noted that "they can be equipped with payloads to carry out precision strikes."

  • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea denounces ‘absurd’ denuclearisation pledge by US and allies

    Pyongyang’s Foreign Ministry said the US was pursuing an “outdated, absurd” plan.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea’s Parliament presses for Yoon’s removal as impeachment trial winds down

    The Constitutional Court is due to hold another hearing to question three more witnesses on Feb 20.

  • North Korea vows to bolster nuclear force as US, allies push for denuclearization

    But Washington said it still remained open to dialogue.

  • Taiwan negotiating new arms deal with US: media

    Taipei wants more arms from Washington as a U.S. commander warns of Beijing’s ‘attack rehearsal’.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Setia Alam mall gunman killed in shoot-out with Malaysian police

    Police seized two pistols with bullets from a hotel room.

  • China sends 2 more ships to Cambodia’s Ream naval base

    The arrival could indicate the transfer of two vessels to Cambodia is imminent.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Philippines accuses China’s navy of ‘reckless’ flight manoeuvres

    It said the Chinese navy helicopter flew as close as 3m to its aircraft.

  • Manila: Chinese helicopter came within 3 meters of Philippine aircraft

    Journalists on the Philippine government plane captured images of the up-close encounter in the airspace over Scarb

  • The Straits Times ☛ US condemns ‘dangerous’ manoeuvres by Chinese navy in South China Sea

    The US called on China to refrain from coercive actions and settle its disputes peacefully."

  • The Straits Times ☛ US condemns 'dangerous' manoeuvres by Chinese navy in South China Sea

    The United States condemned the \"dangerous\" manoeuvres of a Chinese navy helicopter that endangered the safety of a Philippine government aircraft patrolling a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, its ambassador to Manila said on Wednesday.

  • The Straits Times ☛ New Zealand must ‘reset’ Cook Islands ties after China pact, foreign minister says

    New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday his country must “reset” its relationship with the Cook Islands government after its Pacific neighbour signed agreements with China without consultation.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Cook Islands PM defends pact with China, urges Pacific nation not to depend on ‘big brother’ New Zealand

    The Cook Islands’ prime minister on Tuesday defended a new partnership pact with China and urged his country not to depend on handouts from “big brother” New Zealand. Prime Minister Mark Brown said the accord signed with Beijing offers his small Pacific nation opportunities in trade, infrastructure and the sustainable use of ocean resources.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Cook Islands deal with China on economy, seabed mining spurs protest

    China will provide the Pacific nation of 15,000 people with a one-time grant of about S$5.3 million.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Explainer: What is the Cook Islands deal with China and what has worried New Zealand?

    WELLINGTON - Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement action plan detailed this week, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbour.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Convicted Felon lays out demands

    BEIJING - China will always be Latin America's \"trustworthy\" friend and partner, its foreign minister told his Bolivian counterpart, as Beijing and Washington look to firm their respective footholds in a region historically under the U.S. sphere of influence.

  • LRT ☛ China shows little interest in restoring relations with Lithuania – aide

    China has so far shown little interest in returning to full diplomatic representation in its relations with Lithuania, a senior adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has said.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • Latvia ☛ Latvian 'land drone' being combat-tested in Ukraine

      An unmanned land platform developed by Latvian startup Natrix, which can be adapted in various ways for specific applications, such as frontline supply and evacuation of the wounded, has begun practical combat tests in Ukraine's Donbas region.

    • Latvia ☛ Public media donation drive for Ukraine passes €100,000 mark

      In less than a week it will be three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is also three years that Ukrainian children have spent in shelters, studying in basements, and playing in the ruins of their homes.

    • PHR ☛ 1762 Attacks on Health Care Over Three Years as Russia Escalates its War on Ukraine’s Doctors and Hospitals: PHR

      A staggering 1762 attacks on health care facilities, workers, and infrastructure have been perpetrated since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago, according to new data published today by a group of human rights and humanitarian organizations.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Transatlantic alliance enters most challenging period since Suez crisis

      The conclusion that many observers are drawing from the 2025 Munich Security Conference is that the United States, at least during the Convicted Felon presidency, is no longer willing to guarantee European security, writes Edward Verona.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Georgia’s pro-Kremlin authorities intensify crackdown on opposition

      Georgia's pro-Kremlin authorities presented new legislation in February that critics say will increase pressure on the country’s civil society and independent media while also placing additional restrictions on protests, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

    • Defence Web ☛ Centauri and Mersad team up to bring down the drone threat

      Recent conflicts, notably in the Ukraine, have shown the increasing use of attack drones that are posing a serious threat to military forces and their equipment. South African defence company Centauri has partnered with UAE-based Mersad Technologies to display an innovative solution at IDEX 2025 this week.

    • France24 ☛ Russia and US agree to work toward ending Ukraine war

      Top Russian and US officials held talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in a bid to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed the talks, saying any discussion aimed at ending the war should be "fair" and involve Europe.

    • France24 ☛ Russians feel "wind in their sails" as Convicted Felon pressed to show resolution to war, expert says

      Russia told the United States in talks in Riyadh on Tuesday that it opposed any NATO member sending troops to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire, Moscow's foreign minister said. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks to John Lough, senior research fellow at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre. He says that the Russians feel that they have "wind in their sails", capitalizing on Convicted Felon's rush to demonstrate that he has brought hostilities to an end.

    • France24 ☛ Rubio: US and Russia agree to restore embassy staffing, create team to negotiate Ukraine peace

      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy postponed a trip to Saudi Arabia scheduled for this week, citing the fact that officials from his country were not invited to U.S.-Russia talks in the kingdom on negotiating an end to the war. Russia and the U.S. agreed Tuesday to start working towards ending the war and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, after talks that reflected an extraordinary about-face in U.S. foreign policy under President The Insurrectionist.

    • France24 ☛ Germans protest military aid, arm supplies to Ukraine

      The peace movement in Berlin has taken to the streets a few days before the general election. For three years, these activists have been denouncing the German government's arms supplies and support to Ukraine.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian president to visit Ukraine on 3rd anniversary of Russian invasion

      Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda intends to travel to Ukraine to attend the commemoration of the third anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion, his senior adviser Asta Skaisgirytė said on Tuesday.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuania could send military instructors to Ukraine – presidential adviser

      Lithuania could send military instructors to Ukraine to train local forces but has not yet considered an initiative to deploy peacekeepers in the country, the senior presidential adviser has said.

    • Mint Press News ☛ USAID Falls, Exposing a Giant Network of US-Funded “Independent” Media

      From Ukraine to Cuba, news outlets worldwide are suddenly begging for cash—because their “independent journalism” was actually paid for by Washington all along.

    • RFERL ☛ Dictator 'More Confident' Of Reaching Deal On Ukraine After Riyadh Talks

      U.S. President The Insurrectionist said he feels "much more confident" of reaching a deal to end the war in Ukraine after talks on February 18 in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Russian envoys.

    • RFERL ☛ What We Learned From High-Stakes U.S.-Russia Talks In Saudi Arabia

      U.S. and Russian officials have finished their first talks on ending the war in Ukraine, with Kyiv and its European allies watching anxiously from the sidelines.

    • RFERL ☛ France Prepares To Host Second Ukraine War Summit With Other European Countries, Canada

      Following an emergency summit in Paris, European leaders expressed willingness to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, but they warned that the level of such assurances would be based on Washington’s participation in the event of a comprehensive peace agreement.

    • RFERL ☛ Why Is Saudi Arabia Hosting U.S.-Russia Talks? And Why Now?

      Saudi Arabia is hosting talks between Russia and the United States to end the war in Ukraine. Experts see the event as part of Riyadh’s effort to assume a central role in international diplomacy.

    • Marcy Wheeler ☛ JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference: A Speech by Gaslight

      How Vance unsettled the Europeans While MElon was ripping through the US government like a 10 tonne toddler on cocaine, Vice President JD Vance was dispatched to the Munich Security Conference last week to tell Europeans how to run their democracies.

    • CS Monitor ☛ Stuck outside Ukraine talks, Europe begins reassessing its relations with US

      The United States appears set to abandon European security as a priority. That has left Europe scrambling to find new ways to protect the continent.

    • New York Times ☛ Zelensky Lashes Out at Convicted Felon for Excluding Ukrainians From Peace Talks

      Left out of a meeting between American and Saudi officials, the Ukrainian leader also canceled a trip to Riyadh.

    • New York Times ☛ U.S.-Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia Set to Go Beyond Ukraine

      The two sides met in Saudi Arabia for their most extensive discussions in years. In addition to Ukraine, business ties were on the table.

    • New York Times ☛ Europe, Dazed by Convicted Felon, Confronts Hard Choices in Ukraine

      Faced with undisguised hostility from the Convicted Felon administration, Europeans are preparing for what is shaping up to be a go-it-alone era.

    • Meduza ☛ U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine begin in Saudi Arabia — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Eye in the sky See the Supercam S350, a drone used by Russian forces in the war against Ukraine that may contain dozens of foreign-made components — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ U.S. and Russia agree to ‘begin working on a path’ to end war in Ukraine following talks in Saudi Arabia — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Trump says calls for new elections in Ukraine come from his administration. ‘That’s not a Russia thing.’ — Meduza

    • France24 ☛ EU imported more Russian LNG in 2024 despite a drop in gas consumption

      Europe's gas demand dropped to an 11-year low in 2024, with imports in liquefied natural gas declining 19% from the previous year. However, import of Russian LNG into the EU increased by 18% with France, Spain and Belgium sourcing the most, according to a new industry report. Also on the show, Stellantis issued a "stop drive" order on around 250,000 Citroen cars over potentially deadly airbags produced by now-defunct Takata, extending an existing recall nationwide.

    • New York Times ☛ Right-Wing Media Praises U.S.-Russia Talks as ‘Breath of Fresh Air’

      Many of President Convicted Felon’s media allies were quick to celebrate this week’s negotiations, a contrast to the deep unease expressed by the foreign policy establishment.

    • New York Times ☛ U.S. and Russia Pursue Closer Ties

      Also, Mayor Eric Adams faces political peril. Here’s the latest at the end of Tuesday.

    • ADF ☛ More Reports of Russian Mercenary and FAMA Attacks on Civilians

      Members of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) and Russian mercenaries now known as Africa Corps are accused of killing nine people, including women and children, in an attack on a vehicle in Mali’s Segou region in January.

    • Meduza ☛ Russian negotiator says he’s already held first meeting with Trump team in Saudi Arabia — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘An existential question for Europe’: E.U. leaders hold emergency summit in Paris ahead of U.S.-Russia talks — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Elon Musk shares video from sanctioned state media of Russian delegation’s arrival, calls them ‘competent leadership’ — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ In Russia’s Far East, Yakutsk lawmakers vote to eliminate direct mayoral elections as governor cites ‘war with West’ — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘Trusted people’: Russia may swap out its negotiators if Kyiv is invited to join talks with the United States, Meduza’s sources say — Meduza

• Environment

  • France24 ☛ Trump's climate change denial: An era of 'ignorance'

    President The Insurrectionist’s denial of climate change has become more insidious, powerful and far-reaching in his second mandate as he had acquired experience during his first term in office, said Robert Proctor, professor of the History of Science at Stanford University. “You’ve got ignorance from above, through the strongman, people like Convicted Felon, and ignorance from below from social control media”, he said.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • The Straits Times ☛ Clean energy bolsters China’s GDP growth in 2024: Study

      Clean energy technologies accounted for 26 per cent of the country's GDP growth.

    • The Straits Times ☛ China's clean energy investments nearing scale of global fossil investments, researchers find

      China invested 6.8 trillion yuan ($940 billion) in clean energy in 2024, approaching the $1.12 trillion in global investment in fossil fuels, according to a new analysis for U.K.-based research organisation Carbon Brief.

    • MIT Technology Review ☛ Inside China’s electric-vehicle-to-humanoid-robot pivot

      This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. While DOGE’s efforts to shutter federal agencies dominate news from Washington, the Convicted Felon administration is also making more global moves. Many of these center on China.

    • Hackaday ☛ Series Hybrid Semi-Trucks: It Works For Locomotives So Why Not?

      Canadian start-up Edison Motors may not seem like much at first glance — consisting of fewer than two dozen people in a large tent — but their idea of bringing series hybrid technology to semi-trucks may just have wheels. The concept and Edison Motors’ progress is explained in a recent video by The Drive on Youtube, starting off with the point that diesel-electric technology is an obvious fit for large trucks like this. After all, it works for trains.

    • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong leader warns taxi drivers against ‘drastic action’ amid threat of strike over ride-hailing services

      Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has warned that “drastic action” by taxi drivers would not gain public support, ahead of a deadline for a citywide strike demanding government regulation of unlicensed ride-hailing services.

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • Pro Publica ☛ An Ohio Town’s Big Bet on AquaBounty GMO Salmon Failed to Thrive

      It wasn’t about playing God. Rather, it was a better way to feed the world.

      That’s how a biotech company called AquaBounty described its AquAdvantage salmon, the first genetically modified animal approved by the federal government for human consumption. By adding a gene from Chinook salmon to Atlantic salmon and using DNA sequences from eel-like ocean pout as a “growth promoter,” the company said its salmon could grow twice as fast.

• Finance

  • The Straits Times ☛ Vietnam to approve key infrastructure projects, revised GDP target

    HANOI - Vietnam's National Assembly will on Wednesday vote to approve a new economic growth target for this year and adopt resolutions supporting major infrastructure projects, including nuclear power plants and a rail link to China. 

  • The Guangzhou garment workers behind SHEIN’s global business

    Garment workers in southern China drive profits for fast-fashion brands like SHEIN, yet the work is insecure.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong’s Democratic Party to discuss potential disbandment – reports

    Hong Kong’s Democratic Party is set to discuss its potential disbandment as early as this week, according to multiple local news reports published late Tuesday night.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • New York Times ☛ Korean Victim of WWII Sex Slavery Who Fought for Japan’s Apology Dies

    She campaigned for a formal apology and reparations from Japan for what it did to thousands of women like her, mostly Korean, during World War II.

  • US withdrawal from UN Human Rights Council sparks concerns about China

    Tibetan and Uyghur advocacy groups will need to work harder for support from the international community.

  • Thai court sees merit in bid to free detained Uyghurs, seeks information

    The Uyghurs world be at risk of torture if sent to China, rights groups say.

  • Citizen Lab ☛ Q&A with Ron Deibert and Carine Kanimba in Digital Front Lines

    In a Q&A for the Digital Front Lines report by Foreign Policy Analytics, The Citizen Lab director Ron Deibert and human rights activist Carine Kanimba talk about the psychological impact of being targeted by mercenary spyware and the growing threat of surveillance technologies being misused by both state and non-state actors.

  • New York Times ☛ Hochul May Deploy National Guard as Wildcat Strikes Hit 25 N.Y. Prisons

    Corrections officers, without their union’s approval, refused to show up for work to protest what they say are hazardous conditions and severe staff shortages.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Patents

  • JUVE ☛ Casalonga strengthens Munich office with Stolmár partner [Ed: This is marketing spam for a litigation firm; a person moving from one firm to another is not news.]

    For the past nine years Denise Nestle-Nguyen has worked for German IP firm Stolmàr & Partner. She became partner in April 2024. Nestle-Nguyen is qualified as a German, Swiss and European patent monopoly attorney.

  • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Generic Drugs, Skinny Labels, and Liability for Off Label (Infringing) Use

    I mentioned in a recent post that Hikma's petition for writ of certiorari was due on Valentines Day, February 14 2025.  The company has now filed its petition and it des a powerful job of presenting the problems of the Federal Circuit's "skinny label" decision.  Hikma particularly asks the Court to clarify when marketing a generic drug with a "skinny label" can trigger liability for actively inducing patent monopoly infringement under 35 U.S.C. 271(b). Petition for Certiorari - Hikma v Amarin.

• Trademarks

  • TTAB Blog ☛ TTABlog Test: Is SELECT BY LANDRY'S Primarily Merely a Surname for a Customer Reward Program?

    The USPTO refused to register the mark SELECT BY LANDRY'S, in standard character form, for a "Customer incentive award program, namely, a restaurant and entertainment customer loyalty program that provides discounts and related benefits to reward repeat customers," deeming the proposed mark to be primarily a surname under Section 2(e)(4). Examining Attorney Sahar Nasserghodsi required a disclaimer of SELECT, but the applicant maintained that the USPTO routinely treats the term SELECT as a distinctive term for marks registered in connection with incentive award programs, and therefore the mark as a whole is not primarily merely a surname. In re Landry’s Trademark, Inc., Serial Nos. 97746646 and 98024609 (February 14, 2025) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge George C. Pologeorgis).

• Copyrights

  • Heather J Meeker ☛ Thomson Reuters Wins a Victory Against Both Hey Hi (AI) and Public Access to Law

    Recently, an opinion was published by a magistrate judge in Delaware, Stephanos Bibas, in Thomson Reuters v. Ross Intelligence, a case filed in 2020 about Hey Hi (AI) training.

  • Creative Commons ☛ The Hey Hi (AI) Action Summit & Civil Society’s (Possible) Impact

    The Conciergerie, Paris by Mustang Joe is marked with CC0 1.0 On February 10 and 11, 2025, the government of France convened the Hey Hi (AI) Action Summit, bringing together heads of state, tech leaders, and civil society to discuss global collaboration and action on AI.