Leftovers

• Hardware

  • Hackaday ☛ 12VHPWR Watchdog Protects You From Nvidia Fires

    The 12VHPWR connector is a hot topic once again – Nvidia has really let us down on this one. New 5080 and 500 GPUs come with this connector, and they’re once again fire-prone. Well, what if you’re stuck with a newly-built 5080, unwilling to give it up, still hoping to play the newest games or run LLMs locally? [Timo Birnschein] has a simple watchdog solution for you, and it’s super easy to build.

  • Hackaday ☛ Sensory Substitution Device Tingles Back Of Your Hand

    A team from the University of Chicago brings us a new spin on sensory substitution, the “Seeing with the Hands” project, turning external environment input into sensations. Here specifically, the focus is on substituting vision into hand sensations, aimed at blind and vision disabled. The prototype is quite inspiration-worthy!

  • Hackaday ☛ Make Your Own Air Knife And Air Amplifier

    Want to make your own air knife to cut things with? Unfortunately that’s not what these devices are intended for, but [This Old Tony] will show you how to make your own, while explaining what they are generally intended for.  His version deviates from the commercial version which he got his hands on in that he makes a round version instead of the straight one, but the concept is the same.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-21 [Older] Dozens of Canadians got sick at Mexican all-inclusive resort, call for facility inspection

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-24 [Older] Alberta doctors push back against planned pay reductions for being on call

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] They came to Canada to escape political instability in Iran. Quebec is denying them health coverage

  • Starbucks Announces Layoffs As Part Of Strategic Revamp

    Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol announced on Monday that the company will be reducing its corporate workforce by 1,100 employees, excluding baristas and warehouse staff. This decision is part of Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” initiative, aimed at streamlining operations and enhancing the in-store experience in response to declining quarterly sales.

    “I understand that this news is difficult,” Niccol stated in a letter to employees published on Starbucks’ website. “This was not a decision made lightly by the leadership team. We recognize the profound impact this has on our partners and their families. However, we believe these changes are essential for positioning Starbucks for future success and ensuring we continue to support our green apron partners and the customers they serve.” Starbucks declined to provide further comments on the matter.

  • Mexico News Daily ☛ Mexican health authorities issue alert following rise in whooping cough cases

    The number of cases of whooping cough in Mexico has risen from 153 in 2023 to approximately 443 in 2025, marking a 190% increase.

  • NYPost ☛ Blue light can actually help older adults sleep — but only if they’re exposed at the right time of day

    Think blue light is hurting your sleep cycle? A new study suggests it can actually improve the overall sleep quality of older adults — but only if they time it right.

  • France24 ☛ What we know so far about the health of Pope Francis

    As Pope Francis's fourth and longest hospital stay since he first sat on the papal throne stretches on, here's what we know about the pontiff's reportedly "stable" condition.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ University of Hong Kong medical school launches 4-year graduate-entry track amid shortage of doctors

    The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has launched a new track allowing graduate students to complete the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme in four years, citing a shortage of healthcare professionals in the city.

  • LRT ☛ Lithuania’s Farmers and Greens Union elects MEP Veryga as its leader

    Aurelijus Veryga, Lithuania’s former health minister and now a member of the European Parliament, has been elected the new leader of the Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS). He says the party is moving “in the right direction” and can become a serious European-level force.

  • Marcy Wheeler ☛ Pete Marocco Keeps Trying to Prevent Bill Cassidy from Learning the Truth about USAID

    A memo written by an Acting Assistant Administrator of Global Health at USAID puts Senators who were placated by Rubio's past public reassurances about life-saving aide on notice: They were lying to you. And while they were lying to you, food and medicine was spoiling and people were dying.

  • New York Times ☛ U.S.A.I.D. Memos Detail Human Costs of Cuts to Foreign Aid

    The world is likely to see millions more malaria infections and 200,000 cases of paralytic polio each year, according to an agency whistle-blower.

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-27 [Older] Got a cold? Doctors say you should stay home — and your boss should stop asking for sick notes

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-26 [Older] Measles outbreaks spreading in several provinces

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] LED face masks are everywhere. But do they actually work, or are they anti-aging snake oil?

• Proprietary

  • US News And World Report ☛ 2025-02-24 [Older] Microsoft Shelves AI Data-Center Deals in Sign of Potential Oversupply, Brokerage Says [Ed: Microsoft is in trouble and bluffing]

  • Deutsche Welle ☛ 2025-02-28 [Older] Microsoft to retire Skype in favor of Teams [Ed: And shutting down whole products]

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-28 [Older] Google removing 'state' designation from Canadian government buildings. No word from Microsoft

  • Sony’s Visual Arts hit with fresh round of layoffs, Kotaku reports - TipRanks.com

    Sony (SONY)-owned game studio Visual Arts has been hit with a new round of layoffs this week amid a further restructuring of Sony’s U.S. video game development...

  • International Business Times ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] Apple's $500 Billion Investment Is 'Unrealistic' According To Analysts: Here's Why It 'Lacks Substance' [Ed: Apple does not have this kind of money; much of the media parroted the lies]

  • Windows TCO / Windows Bot Nets

    • InfoSecurity Magazine ☛ 2025-02-21 [Older] BlackBasta Ransomware Chatlogs Leaked Online

    • 2025-02-24 [Older] UK: More details emerge about ransomware attack on HCRG by Medusa

    • 2025-02-26 [Older] Medusa Unveils Another 50TB of Stolen Data from HCRG Care Group, Giving Greater Insight Into the Scope of the Breach

    • The Register UK ☛ Four times Windows Server costs? Method in the Microsoft • The Register

• Security

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • Privacy International ☛ 2025-02-22 [Older] Apple and the long secret arm of the UK Government

  • Confidentiality

    • 2025-02-21 [Older] Niva Bupa investigates alleged data leak after cyber threat

    • 2025-02-22 [Older] Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Jaime Schwartz M.D. Sued for Not Timely Notifying Patients of Two Hacks

    • 2025-02-24 [Older] No need to hack when it’s leaking, Monday edition: TeammateApp

    • National Review US ☛ 2025-02-26 [Older] Imprisoned IRS Contractor Leaked Information of Over 400,000 Taxpayers

    • 2025-02-26 [Older] Business Associate breaches account for the largest percentage of breached patient records

• Defence/Aggression

  • International Business Times ☛ 2025-02-26 [Older] Horror As UK Businessman's Bound And Tortured Body Found Stuffed In Pineapple Sack In Kenya

  • US News And World Report ☛ 2025-02-27 [Older] Paris Prosecutor Drops Case Against Apple Over Congo Minerals, Document Shows

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-22 [Older] Donald Cheeto Mussolini keeps talking about Canada as the 51st state. Why isn't King Charles saying something?

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-24 [Older] Indigenous leaders say Cheeto Mussolini's threats to make Canada a 51st state challenges inherent sovereignty

  • The Strategist ☛ For a faster solution to nearby maritime threats, look to the Australian Army

    China’s not-so-subtle attempt at gunboat diplomacy over the past two weeks has encountered various levels of indignation in Australia and throughout the region.

  • Chinese fishermen advance in Argentine waters: group

    Beijing backs fishing so far from home as nearer waters become depleted, group says.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Buoys, drones, warships: Japan on high alert as China ramps up activities near Taiwan

    The Nansei Shoto south-western island chain will be within the theatre of conflict if war were to break out over Taiwan.

  • INTERVIEW: ‘North Korea could have 300 nuclear warheads within 10 years’

    Ankit Panda, expert on North Korean nuclear capabilities, says Pyongyang could ‘very probably’ nuke a US city.

  • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea slams US ‘provocations’ over aircraft carrier visit to Busan

    South Korea's navy said on March 2 that the US aircraft carrier arrived as a show of force against North Korea.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • Meduza ☛ Zelensky still open to minerals deal with U.S. but stands firm against Trump’s demands for an apology — BBC — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Trump blasts Zelensky for saying end of war is far away, calling it ‘the worst statement’ he could have made — Meduza

• Transparency/Investigative Reporting

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-24 [Older] N.S. wants to deny 'vexatious' information requests. Critics say they are concerned

• Environment

  • The Straits Times ☛ Heavy snow, rain sweep South Korea, with more wintry weather forecast

    Heavy rainfall or snowfall can be expected in the central and southern parts of Korea.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea has expressed interest in Alaska gas pipeline project: Yonhap

      Seoul is a leading fossil fuel importer.

    • US News And World Report ☛ 2025-02-22 [Older] Plane That Flipped Over in Canada Highlights Some of the Dangers of Holding Kids on Your Lap

    • CBC ☛ 2025-02-28 [Older] Premier Scott Moe says all pipelines through Sask. are now pre-approved. Experts say that doesn't mean much

    • CBC ☛ 2025-02-27 [Older] Engine failure caused fatal crash of helicopter involved in wildfire fight in northern Alberta

    • CBC ☛ 2025-02-27 [Older] Thousands of litres of diesel leaked undetected from Irving station, documents show

    • CBC ☛ 2025-02-26 [Older] More than 130,000 electric stoves recalled in Canada due to fire risk from front knobs

    • CBC ☛ 2025-02-26 [Older] Video captures moment section of Ottawa parking garage collapses

    • CBC ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] Can the U.S. auto industry survive without Canada? | About That

    • CBC ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] P.E.I. man refuses to pay his power bill until Maritime Electric can explain why it's so high

    • CBC ☛ 2025-02-24 [Older] Hyundai owners say the paint on their white cars is flaking off

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • CBC ☛ 2025-02-27 [Older] Meant to protect the land from wildfires, fire retardant could be doing damage of its own

• Finance

  • The Strategist ☛ China is on course for a prolonged recession

    The risk of China spiralling into an unprecedentedly prolonged recession is increasing.

  • Xi warns of economic ‘difficulties’ ahead of National People’s Congress

    China’s growth figures are overblown and consumer confidence is at a low ebb, analysts say.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s Two Sessions to focus on tackling wobbly economy amid growing trade war with US

    Most economists expect a 2025 growth target of about 5% to be unveiled at the annual political gathering.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China targets US agricultural products over Convicted Felon tariff threat: Report

    US farm and food products will most likely take a hit in Beijing’s retaliation.

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-22 [Older] Post-secondary schools are cutting programs across Ontario. Should it be a bigger election issue?

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-22 [Older] Canada-U.S. trade war will raise the cost of building a home, housing minister says

  • Atlantic Council ☛ Toward equitable debt contracts: Preventing de facto seniority-clause escalation in the sovereign lending space

    China's stringent clauses are hindering debt restructuring negotiations for low-income borrowers. Here's how the IMF and World Bank can intervene.

  • France24 ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China to take effect Tuesday

    US President The Insurrectionist has confirmed that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go into effect Tuesday, as will increased levies on China. The tariffs are expected to trigger a trade war with the United States' three biggest trading partners that could hike prices for Americans consumers.

  • New York Times ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Will Impose 25 Percent Tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Tuesday

    Hell Toupée said he would impose levies on America’s largest trading partners Tuesday. Industries are preparing for the worst.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ US Hell Toupée’s fentanyl tariffs hold wider political aims, analysts say

    In doubling down on tariffs targeting Canada, Mexico and China, US President The Insurrectionist cites a lack of progress on tackling fentanyl, but analysts say the drug crisis is just one of his political goals. “He needs a legal justification” for his tariffs, said Joshua Meltzer, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

  • [Repeat] Business Today ☛ 'AI-induced layoffs a smokescreen’

    Tech layoffs, AI automation, and rising political resistance against the H-1B visa program have fueled speculation about its uncertain future. A recent viral post on Blind, an anonymous workplace forum, suggests that Big Tech may already be preparing for the programme’s decline—by shifting jobs offshore.

    A user who identifies as an H-1B worker shared a theory that aligns with recent trends in the tech industry: layoffs in the US are not just about AI-driven efficiency but also part of a larger strategy to relocate jobs to India before the H-1B visa programme faces potential restrictions or even an end.

  • The Age AU ☛ 2025-02-26 [Older] CBA opens fresh front in mortgage wars

  • TruthOut ☛ 2025-02-23 [Older] Cheeto Mussolini Admin Is Trying to Raid “Green Banks” Meant to Fund Local Climate Projects

  • The Local DK ☛ 2025-02-26 [Older] Denmark’s biggest banks register massive profits but say trend could change

  • US News And World Report ☛ 2025-02-28 [Older] Silicon Valley Bank's Former Parent Can Pursue $1.93 Billion FDIC Lawsuit

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-27 [Older] NDP calls for Canada-wide boycott of Amazon, including cancelling government contracts

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-27 [Older] Why Cheeto Mussolini's tariff threat dominated Ontario's election and left Ford's foes struggling

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-26 [Older] Investors with B.C. Ponzi schemer Greg Martel now facing court clawback of profits

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] Alberta cabinet minister resigns, citing concerns over procurement

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] The threat of a tariff war is already driving up housing costs

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] Ontario to increase beer fee, hitting Beer Store, private retail, bars, restaurants

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] Economic uncertainty looms over spring sitting of Alberta legislature

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • The Straits Times ☛ Most Thais not confident in PM Paetongtarn’s government: Poll

    She will likely be a prime target of the no-confidence debate late in March.

  • New York Times ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Turns Up Trade Pressure on China After Beijing Fails to Come Running

    China is still cautiously trying to figure out what Convicted Felon wants. The president has threatened big tariffs in response to the inaction.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China vows to hit back against US tariffs linked to fentanyl

    China urges the US to "immediately withdraw" its unilateral tariff measures that are "unreasonable".

  • The Straits Times ☛ Ex-Malaysian PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob is a suspect in $212m graft case: Anti-corruption agency

    Investigators will call in Datuk Seri Ismail for questioning on March 5.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-24 [Older] How a cross-border CBC program sparked intense anger before it aired

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • CBC ☛ 2025-02-26 [Older] Why Canada can't strip Elon Musk of Canadian citizenship

  • New York Times ☛ China’s Vow of ‘Leniency’ in Plea Deals Erodes Rights to Fair Trial

    China has embraced a plea deal system, but lawyers and scholars fear that it is being abused to further erode individual rights — and for shakedowns.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Patents

  • IP Kat ☛ 2025-02-28 [Older] CJEU clarifies jurisdiction rules for European patent enforcement: BSH Hausgeräte vs. Electrolux AB

  • IP Kat ☛ 2025-02-25 [Older] Review of AI patent drafting software for life sciences: Qatent [Ed: Review or spam?]