Leftovers

• Science

  • CS Monitor ☛ US science funding was a bipartisan priority. Now it’s a target of federal cuts.

    The Forrest Dump administration aims to overhaul publicly funded science. Critics say cuts could undermine U.S. leadership that has fueled significant advancements.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Repealing the CHIPS Act could dramatically shrink US chip market share, analysts say

    While Convicted Felon has recommended legislators revoke the CHIPS and Science Act, it's unlikely to happen and the government is obliged to distribute $39 billion grants by September 2026. But if it did happen, analysts say it could dramatically shrink the US chip production market share.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Beijing official calls on Hong Kong university to ‘actively participate’ in Northern Metropolis megaproject

    Beijing’s top man on Hong Kong affairs has called on the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to “actively participate” in an infrastructure megaproject in the city’s rural north during a meeting with the school’s top management.

• Career/Education

  • Pro Publica ☛ Mass Layoffs Slash Dept. of Education’s Civil Rights Division

    With a mass email sharing what it called “difficult news,” the U.S. Department of Education has eroded one of its own key duties, abolishing more than half of the offices that investigate civil rights complaints from students and their families.

    Civil rights complaints in schools and colleges largely have been investigated through a dozen regional outposts across the country. Now there will be five.

• Hardware

  • Hackaday ☛ EPROM-based Enigma Machine

    The Enigma machine is perhaps one of the most legendary devices to come out of World War II. The Germans used the ingenious cryptographic device to hide their communications from the Allies, who in turn spent an incredible amount of time and energy in finding a way to break it. While the original Enigma was a complicated electromechanical contraption, [DrMattRegan] recently set out to show how its operation can be replicated with an EPROM.

• Proprietary

  • Ruben Schade ☛ Pricing enterprise software, feat. Cunningham’s Warehouse

    When I was studying in Adelaide as a teenager, my roommates would invariably have the TV going in the common area. I don’t think they were even watching it half the time; it was more just a source of background noise. I think it’d drive me up the wall today, but at the time it was oddly comforting.

    I’d come back from uni in the afternoon, and somehow I always timed my arrival for a Cunningham’s Warehouse commercial (or “Cunno’s”, as he’d abbreviated it in that quintessentially Australian way by the time I moved back overseas). Each ad would feature an excitable Mr Cunningham (I think?) showing you around his discount store, where he’d point at a ramshackle pile of random stuff, and announce the price. He had all sorts of things, but one ad in particular has stuck with me since:

• Defence/Aggression

  • Pro Publica ☛ As Trump Pushes for More Deportations, Protections for Asylum-Seekers Unravel

  • New York Times ☛ Kurdish Fighters Called a Truce, but Turkey Kept Up Lethal Strikes

    Turkey is still bombing armed Kurdish insurgents in Iraq and Syria, even after their leader urged them to lay down their arms and disband, and their group declared a cease-fire.

  • JURIST ☛ Rights group says Lebanon court landmark ruling must end torture and impunity

    Amnesty International stated Wednesday that Lebanon’s recent Shura Council ruling in actor Ziad Itani’s case signifies a pivotal moment in the battle against torture and impunity.

  • The Straits Times ☛ G7 foreign ministers meet in Canada amid tensions with Convicted Felon

    Foreign ministers of leading Western democracies meet in Canada on Thursday after seven weeks of rising tensions between U.S. allies and President The Insurrectionist over his upending of foreign policy on Ukraine and imposing of tariffs.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China, Russia, Iran to hold nuclear talks in Beijing on March 14

    Ties between Iran and Russia have deepened since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • New York Times ☛ Rubio Says a Cease-Fire in Ukraine Could Happen in ‘Days’ if Russia Agrees

      Secretary of State Marco Rubio said top diplomats from the Group of 7 allies meeting in Canada should focus on ending the war. And he shrugged off Hell Toupée’s threats to annex Canada.

    • New York Times ☛ Europe Welcomes a Ukraine Cease-Fire Offer and a Revival of U.S. Aid

      Leaders worked hard to get President Volodymyr Zelensky back in the good graces of Hell Toupée, no matter how humiliating, and to shift the onus to Russia.

    • New York Times ☛ Zelensky Says Ukraine Showed ‘We Want a Fast Peace’

      While Ukraine said it would agree to a 30-day cease-fire proposal, many in the country were skeptical about whether Russia would do the same.

    • New York Times ☛ U.S. and Ukraine Discuss a 30-Day Cease-Fire: What to Know

      Kyiv said it would support the Convicted Felon administration’s proposal for a cease-fire with Russia. The Kremlin has not said whether it will do the same.

    • France24 ☛ Live: US Secretary of State Rubio to brief G7 foreign ministers on Ukraine truce talks

      Foreign ministers from the G7 group of major industrialised democracies are meeting in Canada Thursday amid mounting tensions with US President The Insurrectionist. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to debrief Washington's allies on this week’s efforts to strike a 30-day ceasefire deal in the Ukraine war, which Kyiv has said it supports. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian fighters in Ukraine – some eye home, others see no way back

      In a damaged house, two Lithuanians take shelter with the remnants of their International Legion unit. For one, this is the third year of war; for the other, it is his first deployment to the front.

    • Meduza ☛ Russia strikes grain ship in Odesa during Ukraine-U.S. talks

    • Meduza ☛ How Ukrainians think the war with Russia will end

    • Latvia ☛ Around 4,000 Russian citizens' Latvian residence permit expires this year

      For around 4000 Russian citizens in Latvia, their temporary residence permit expires at the end of the year. The authorities are already preparing for a busy year as these people will have to take a language test to get a permanent European Union residence permit, Latvian Radio reports on March 12.

    • Latvia ☛ Journalists track Russia's hybrid hooliganism across Europe

      "We have prepared the first task for you. We are ordering stickers and sending them to the address," was the message sent to one of the members of a pro-Russian hacker group on the social networking site Telegram. He was offered 50 euros in cryptocurrency for sticking 10 offensive stickers in Brussels' diplomatic quarter.

    • Construction begins on first road bridge between North Korea and Russia

      Observers say the bridge will increase trade, tourism and Russian influence.

    • RFERL ☛ Bosnian Prosecutor's Office Issues Arrest Warrant For Nationalist Leader Dodik

      Bosnia-Herzegovina's Prosecutor's Office has issued arrest warrants for Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and other leaders of the country's Serb entity for ignoring a court summons and for "threatening the constitutional order," a move the nationalist politician dismissed as politically motivated.

    • Bruce Schneier ☛ China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea Intelligence Sharing

      Former CISA Director Jen Easterly writes about a new international intelligence sharing co-op:

      Historically, China, Russia, Iran & North Korea have cooperated to some extent on military and intelligence matters, but differences in language, culture, politics & technological sophistication have hindered deeper collaboration, including in cyber. Shifting geopolitical dynamics, however, could drive these states toward a more formalized intell-sharing partnership.

    • New York Times ☛ Captain of Ship That Hit North Sea Tanker Is Russian, Company Says

      The police in Britain detained the ship’s captain on suspicion of gross negligence after it crashed into an oil tanker that was being operated by the U.S. Navy.

    • Calls for Ceasefire in Ukraine Are Not New

      In prior years ceasefire calls or attempts were also made in Ukraine.

    • Meduza ☛ Putin visits Kursk for the first time since Ukraine’s incursion into the region — Meduza

    • European Commission ☛ Opening statement of Commissioner Jørgensen in the European Parliament Plenary debate on Accelerating the phase-out  of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU

    • Latvia ☛ Four to be prosecuted for supplying telecoms systems to Russia

      On March 5 this year, the State Security Service (VDD) asked the Prosecutor's Office to prosecute four individuals for purchasing and supplying portable satellite internet systems to the Russian army for use in the war in Ukraine in violation of European Union (EU) sanctions, VDD said.

    • The Strategist ☛ How Russia will reassess its ties with North Korea after Ukraine

      An agreement to end the war in Ukraine could transform Russia’s relations with North Korea.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Now more than ever, the United States needs a Black Sea strategy

      Peace and prosperity in the Black Sea will require more than a cease-fire in Ukraine; it will require a new Black Sea security and development strategy.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ What is the future of Russian immigration to Serbia? | A Debrief with Srdjan Cvijić and Maxim Samorukov

      Russians have migrated to Serbia en masse particularly since the Ukraine war began in 2022. Ilva Tare speaks with Srdjan Cvijic and Maxim Samorukov about BCSP's latest findings on Russian immigration to Serbia.

    • France24 ☛ G7 foreign ministers meet in Canada amid rising tensions with Convicted Felon

      Foreign ministers from the G7 countries and the EU convene in La Malbaie, Quebec, amid escalating tensions with US President The Insurrectionist over his contentious foreign policies, including his stance on Ukraine and tariff impositions. The two-day meeting follows seven weeks of strained relations among allies.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine truce dominates G7 talks clouded by Convicted Felon's Canada threats

      G7 foreign ministers will meet in Canada Wednesday to discuss moves to halt the Russia-Ukraine war, but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shrugged off questions about a prospective takeover of his country's northern neighbor. FRANCE 24's Christopher Guly reports from Ottawa.

    • France24 ☛ All is forgiven? US resumes aid as Ukraine agrees to truce

      Talk about mood swings: is that epic White House bust-up that we are still processing already water under the bridge?

      The Insurrectionist’s envoys making that recent dumpster fire of a sitdown with Volodymyr Zelenskiy sound like a fading memory. The US now unpausing military assistance to Kyiv and talking up the imminence of a rare minerals deal, this in exchange for Ukraine agreeing to a 30-day truce with Russia. All is forgiven… up to a point.

    • France24 ☛ France hosts European defense ministers to discuss Ukraine's security guarantees

      Today in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron is hosting European defense ministers to discuss strengthening defense capabilities and security guarantees for Ukraine. This meeting follows recent talks about a ceasefire proposed by the United States and Ukraine in Jeddah. The participants, including representatives from the European Union and NATO, will focus on defining credible security guarantees to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine. Here is FRANCE 24's James André's explanation.

    • France24 ☛ European defence: Could 'inherent political tensions within EU' be obstacle to forming united front?

      Military chiefs from 30 countries are in the French capital at the Paris Forum on Defence and Strategy with a focus on creating an international military force to deter Russian aggression once a ceasefire in Ukraine has been implemented. For an in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on Russia's war on Ukraine and the challenges that lie ahead to even reach an agreement on a ceasefire, FRANCE 24's Annette Young welcomes Dr Gavin Hall, NATO expert and Teaching Fellow in Political Science and International Security at the University of Strathclyde.

    • JURIST ☛ Council of Europe urges Russia to respect human rights and international law in Crimea

      The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe issued a set of decisions on Tuesday for the Russian authorities to follow concerning the situation in Crimea. The Committee of Ministers issued the decisions following meetings between March 4 and 6, 2025.

    • LRT ☛ US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia ‘bring optimism’ – Lithuanian Seimas speaker

      Saulius Skvernelis, the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament Seimas, says that the talks between the United States and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia “bring optimism”.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian fighter wounded in Ukraine

      A Lithuanian volunteer fighting on the side of Kyiv in Ukraine has been wounded, the Maži, bet Stiprūs (Small but Strong) support organisation and the 15min.lt news website reported on Tuesday, citing two sources.

    • RFERL ☛ Ball In Russia's Court As Ukraine Agrees To US Cease-Fire Proposal

      US President The Insurrectionist – and the world – are about to find out whether Russia is really interested in ending its three-year invasion of Ukraine or pursuing its maximalist goals of absorbing the country.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Turkey could be a vital partner as Europe, Ukraine seek new security framework

      Turkey has emerged as a key potential partner in restructuring European security, diplomats and analysts say, as Europe scrambles to bolster its defence and find guarantees for Ukraine under any forthcoming ceasefire deal urged by the United States.

    • Meduza ☛ U.S. fully resumes arms shipments to Ukraine via Poland — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Ukrainian forces withdrawing from Russia’s Kursk region — Conflict Intelligence Team — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russian and Ukrainian reactions to the U.S.-Ukraine talks

    • Meduza ☛ The aftermath of Ukraine’s biggest drone attack on Moscow yet

    • Meduza ☛ Russian forces retake Sudzha in Kursk region

    • Meduza ☛ ‘I’d never heard of this type of torture before’: Human rights observer says Russia’s first monitoring mission in Ukraine documented the Kremlin’s evolving state terror system — Meduza

    • New York Times ☛ Putin Is ‘Carefully Studying’ Proposed Ukraine Cease-Fire

      Russia’s leader recently rejected the idea of an interim truce in Ukraine. But he wants to maintain his relationship with Hell Toupée.

    • New York Times ☛ Putin Visits Kursk to Cheer Russian Troops Trying to Oust Ukraine

      The trip comes as Hell Toupée looks to secure the Russian leader’s support for a 30-day cease-fire.

    • RFERL ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Warns Russia Of Sanctions As Moscow Considers Cease-Fire Deal

      US President The Insurrectionist has urged Russia to agree to a 30-day cease-fire, warning he would slap additional sanctions on the country if it refused the US proposal.

    • RFERL ☛ Kremlin Says It's Waiting For Details Of Ukraine Cease-Fire Deal

      Russia reacted cautiously to a proposed cease-fire agreement announced by Ukrainian and US negotiators and held out the possibility of a phone call between presidents Vladimir Putin and The Insurrectionist in the coming days.

    • France24 ☛ What is going through Putin's mind?

      FRANCE 24's Douglas Herbert breaks down what could be Putin's strategy and ultimate goal, following the proposal accepted by Ukraine of an immediate 30-day ceasefire.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Michta in 19FortyFive on how Russia may respond to the proposed ceasefire

      On March 12, Dr. Andrew Michta, senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, published an article in 19FortyFive on how Russia may respond to the proposed ceasefire agreement supported by Ukraine and the United States.

    • Stanford University ☛ Secret Convicted Felon-Putin letter uncovered

      In yet another example of presidential document mishandling, a secret letter from Convicted Felon to Putin has been uncovered by Daily staffers. Read it here first before the Feds shut us down.

• Environment

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • New York Times ☛ Videos Show Narwhals Using Their Tusks to Play With Their Food

      Researchers observed a number of surprising behaviors by the ivory-sporting whales during an expedition with drones in the Canadian High Arctic.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • Pro Publica ☛ Idaho’s Largest Health System Is Taking on the State’s Abortion Ban

    With a steady but urgent cadence, Dr. Jim Souza told reporters what would become one of the most cited talking points in a protracted legal fight over Idaho’s abortion ban: Without a court order protecting emergency room doctors from prosecution, his hospital system was sending patients to nearby states when certain pregnancy complications meant termination might be necessary.

    It was April 2024. Souza said Boise-based St. Luke’s Health System had airlifted six pregnant patients in a span of four months to states where abortion was a legal treatment option in health emergencies. That happened once in all of 2023, a time when a court order kept Idaho from enforcing the ban in those cases.

  • Pro Publica ☛ Recording Reveals SSA Head Dudek’s Thoughts on DOGE, Trump

    Since the arrival of a team from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, Social Security is in a far more precarious place than has been widely understood, according to Leland Dudek, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration. “I don’t want the system to collapse,” Dudek said in a closed-door meeting last week, according to a recording obtained by ProPublica. He also said that it “would be catastrophic for the people in our country” if DOGE were to make changes at his agency that were as sweeping as those at USAID, the Treasury Department and elsewhere.

    Dudek’s comments, delivered to a group of senior staff and Social Security advocates attending both in person and virtually, offer an extraordinary window into the thinking of a top agency official in the volatile early days of the second Trump administration. The Washington Post first reported Dudek’s acknowledgement that DOGE is calling the shots at Social Security and quoted several of his statements. But the full recording reveals that he went much further, citing not only the actions being taken at the agency by the people he repeatedly called “the DOGE kids,” but also extensive input he has received from the White House itself. When a participant in the meeting asked him why he wouldn’t more forcefully call out President Donald Trump’s continued false claims about widespread Social Security fraud as “BS,” Dudek answered, “So we published, for the record, what was actually the numbers there on our website. This is dealing with — have you ever worked with someone who’s manic-depressive?”

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Copyrights

  • Digital Music News ☛ SoundCloud Draws Toyota Corolla Sponsorship — With a Latin Experimental Electronic Music Feature

    SoundCloud showcases the future of Latin experimental electronic music with a Toyota Corolla sponsorship. SoundCloud’s music discovery docu-series, SCENES, returns with an electrifying new season, presented by Toyota Corolla. This season, SCENES dives deep into the underground and avant-garde movements reshaping Latin American and US electronic music, where traditional rhythms collide with futuristic soundscapes.