Links 20/01/2026: Cheeto Blackmails France Into 'Peace' While Looking to Annex EU, Mass Layoffs in Capgemini (Microsoft Reseller/Promoter) in France

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Contents
- Leftovers
- Science
- Career/Education
- Health/Nutrition/Agriculture
- Proprietary
- Security
- Defence/Aggression
- Environment
- Finance
- AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics
- Censorship/Free Speech
- Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press
- Civil Rights / Policing / Accessibility
- Internet Policy/Net Neutrality Monopolies/Monopsonies
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Leftovers
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Ruben Schade ☛ Being positive about tech right now
Ed Zitron interviewed Steve Burke of GamersNexus on his Better Offline podcast again recently, this time about the sorry state of the Consumer Electronics Show. At about the 51 minute mark, they discuss how difficult it’s becoming to be positive about tech:
Ed: I think it’s hard to not be negative. Trying to be positive now makes you sound like […] “This is the year that agents take over!!!” […] you have to just start lying.
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Science
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Stanford University ☛ Neuroscience professor talks interdisciplinary learning in a curious world
Hosted by the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, professor Dani Bassett’s talk explored how neurological approaches to human behavior can allow us to modify our real-world information systems.
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Science Alert ☛ Intense 'Darkwaves' Can Cast Ocean in Shadow For Months, Scientists Discover
Untold damage.
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Science Alert ☛ Polar Storms on Jupiter And Saturn Reveal Deep Atmospheric Differences
A glimpse within.
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Science Alert ☛ A Common Pain Relief Drug Could Have Anti-Cancer Properties
Here's what we know.
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Science Alert ☛ A Single Molecule May Explain How Blood Flow in The Brain Triggers Dementia
Better treatments could follow.
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Science Alert ☛ One Change to Your Reading Habit Fights Stress And Misinformation
Go deeper.
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Science Alert ☛ Cutting Gluten Can Lead to Weight Loss, But Not For The Reason You'd Think
Forget what Matt Damon says.
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Science Alert ☛ Aurora Watch in Effect as Severe Solar Storm Slams Into Earth
Go look at the sky!
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Science Alert ☛ Something About Brazil's Oldest People May Reveal Missing Clues on Longevity
Defying death is complicated.
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Science Alert ☛ Penguins May Be Adapting to a Rapidly Warming Climate, But at a Cost
One species is doing better than the rest.
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Career/Education
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CER ☛ Learning to teach better by observation: What I did on my sabbatical
“You can observe a lot by just watching.” – Yogi Berra I had a couple of amazing experiences that made me think about how little we see each other teach and how much can be gained from doing it more.
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The Straits Times ☛ Recent studies suggest South Korean students are rethinking Seoul universities, STEM and medicine
Applications to medical schools began declining steadily from the 2022 academic year.
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong sees 55% surge in job applications from US academics amid Convicted Felon’s university crackdown – report
Job applications from US-based academics to Hong Kong surged 55 per cent in 2025, as President The Insurrectionist’s administration targeted American universities by cutting federal research funding and revoking foreign student visas, according to Times Higher Education.
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Health/Nutrition/Agriculture
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Futurism ☛ Scientists Just Discovered Something Horrid About Those Disposable Coffee Cups You’ve Been Slurping
As if we needed even more reasons to use reusable cups.
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New York Times ☛ Buttigieg, Booker Lead Midterm Democratic Health Care Push
The potential 2028 presidential candidates showcased a Democratic midterm strategy that would assail G.O.P. votes in favor of cutting Medicaid and allowing health care subsidies to expire.
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Stanford University ☛ From the Community | Stanford forces graduate workers to choose between degrees and medical care
Ph.D. candidates and SGWU leaders Liam Sherman and Helene Koumans write criticizing the University's expensive healthcare policy for graduate students.
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Latvia ☛ Fewer electric injuries recorded last year than before
In 2025, 35 electrical injuries sustained in everyday life were registered in Latvia, which is 30% less than in the previous year, when 50 electrical injuries were recorded, according to statistics compiled by the electricity distribution network Sadales tīkls on 19th January.
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Latvia ☛ Latvia makes big improvements in child health provision
Data on child health provision published by Eurostat on January 19th went largely unnoticed but in among the figures it appears that Latvia has made a significant improvement in the last few years.
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The Straits Times ☛ Former Yoon administration staff linked to alleged North Korea drone intrusion
Police said they were investigating whether both suspects conspired in operating the drone.
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The Straits Times ☛ Over 3 million South Koreans opt out of life-sustaining treatment
People aged 65 or older accounted for more than two-thirds of all registrants.
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France24 ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man’s health under scrutiny: Speculation, signals and silence
As 79-year-old US President The Insurrectionist enters the second year of his second term, questions about his physical and cognitive health are a recurring topic amid viral images, defiant responses from the White House and a lack of medical disclosure. The debate echoes earlier controversies around the health of US leaders – and raises uncomfortable questions about transparency and power.
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Bridge Michigan ☛ Bridge Lunch Break to discuss the state of Michigan’s nursing homes
Join Bridge Michigan’s senior health reporter Robin Erb for a deep dive into the state of Michigan’s nursing homes and what advocates and experts say must be done to improve quality of life for residents.
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The Straits Times ☛ Man in South Korea kills mentally ill brother, attacks mother with dementia ‘due to financial hardship’
The police found the suspect with serious self-inflicted injuries.
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The Straits Times ☛ Caught littering in Malaysia? This is what community service punishment will look like
Litterbugs could be made to sweep streets, clean drains and public toilets and trim trees.
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The Straits Times ☛ China factory explosion death toll rises to 9
One person was still unaccounted for as at midday on Jan 20, Xinhua news agency said.
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Science Alert ☛ Positive Thinking May Help You Get More Out of Your Vaccines
Always look on the bright side.
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Proprietary
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) / LLM Slop / Plagiarism
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Silicon Angle ☛ Indirect prompt injection in Surveillance Giant Google Gemini enabled unauthorized access to meeting data
A new report out today from cybersecurity company Miggo Security Ltd. details a now-mitigated vulnerability in Surveillance Giant Google LLC’s artificial intelligence ecosystem that allowed for a natural-language prompt injection potentially to bypass calendar privacy controls and exfiltrate sensitive meeting data via Surveillance Giant Google Gemini.
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Futurism ☛ Inventor Building AI-Powered Suicide Chamber
The Hey Hi (AI) will ensure that you're ready for euthanasia.
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Security Week ☛ Weaponized Invite Enabled Calendar Data Theft via Surveillance Giant Google Gemini
A simple payload allowed attackers to create a new event leaking summaries of the victim’s private meetings.
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Futurism ☛ Experts Concerned That Hey Hi (AI) Progress Could Be Speeding Toward a Sudden Wall
"There is a clear possibility that we will hit a wall."
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Bruce Schneier ☛ Could Abusive Monopolist Microsoft Chaffbot Convince You to Buy Something?
Eighteen months ago, it was plausible that artificial intelligence might take a different path than social control media. Back then, AI’s development hadn’t consolidated under a small number of big tech firms. Nor had it capitalized on consumer attention, surveilling users and delivering ads.
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Security
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Privacy/Surveillance
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NYOB ☛ CRIF case shows: Public registries are increasingly being misused
CRIF case shows: Public registries are increasingly being misused
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NYOB ☛ Digital Omnibus Report V2: Analysis of Select GDPR and ePrivacy Proposals by the Commission
Version 2 of our report includes specific recommendations for the EU legislator on each of the most important articles, including on whether to reject or maintain proposed changes
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EDRI ☛ Spyware Document Pool
Spyware is one of the most serious threats to fundamental rights, democracy and civic space across Europe. This document pool brings together EDRi’s analysis, advocacy, research, and curated third-party resources as part of our push for a full EU-wide ban on spyware.
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Mobile Systems/Mobile Applications
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YLE ☛ In a hurry to catch a bus? Don't use HSL's app to buy your ticket
App-purchased tickets need to be bought and loaded in the app before boarding, according to the rules. Otherwise being ticketless — even when you're waiting for the ticket to be issued — can still result in a whopping 100-euro fine, if ticket inspectors catch you red-handed.
So, when you jump on a bus at the last second and don't have a valid ticket, be sure to forget the app and use a contactless card reader instead.
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Defence/Aggression
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The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia’s Defence Ministry launches probe into ‘yeye’ culture across all military branches
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the ministry will not tolerate any conduct that tarnishes military values.
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The Straits Times ☛ North Korea’s Kim sacks vice-premier, rails against ‘incompetence’
Mr Yang Sung Ho was “unfit to be entrusted with heavy duties”, Mr Kim said.
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The Strategist ☛ Pushed around by China, Australia is not a serious middle power
Serious middle powers enforce boundaries. They do not absorb pressure indefinitely. They do not treat hostility as misunderstanding. They do not mistake accommodation for statecraft. Australia does the opposite.
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Federal News Network ☛ China hacked our mobile carriers. So why is the Pentagon still buying from them?
Because America’s enemies are real enough – our own red tape should not be one of them.
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The Straits Times ☛ South Korea’s Lee calls for improved drone detection to avoid provoking North Korea
Mr Lee warned such incidents risked inflaming tensions.
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The Straits Times ☛ Chinese drill sparks talk of ‘decapitation’ strike on Taipei
Analysts say the drill was a show of intimidation towards the administration of President Lai Ching-te.
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JURIST ☛ Taiwan detains journalist over alleged bribery to obtain military information for China
The Taiwan Ciaotou District Court on Saturday ordered the incommunicado detention of a journalist. The District Prosecutors Office accused the journalist of bribing army officers to obtain military information, in violation of the island’s National Security Act, Anti-Corruption Act, and criminal provisions regarding the disclosure of confidential information.
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The Strategist ☛ Taiwan’s drone program is far too small
While Taiwan’s drone manufacturing program looks ambitious, it is nowhere near ambitious enough, as combat experience in Ukraine is making clear.
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France24 ☛ Iran crackdown: 'Can a government willing to kill its own people be trusted to reform?'
William Hilderbrandt welcomes Dr. Ahu Kucuksefahani, Scholar in International Relations, social movements and digital activism. She offers a sobering analysis of Iran's deepening crisis amidst unprecedented internet blackouts and a brutal crackdown by the Islamic regime: While the Iranian authorities cling to control by violence, global responses remain inconsistent, at best, and in some cases, complicit. Dr. Kucuksefahani argues that it's 'far-fetched' to believe the regime is capable of any level of reform: “If you have a government that’s willing to ruthlessly kill its own people, how can you expect it to bring about reforms?
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The Straits Times ☛ Australia passes tougher laws on guns, hate crimes after Bondi shooting
The laws enable a national gun buyback and tighten background checks for gun licences.
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The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia wins appeal in lawsuit by family of murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya
The Court of Appeal decision means a lawsuit may go all the way to Malaysia’s highest court.
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Defence Web ☛ Disarming the compliant won’t make South Africa safer
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Tom's Hardware ☛ Washington state proposes new 3D-printed gun controls with 'blocking features' and blueprint detection algorithm — proposal would carry sentences of five years in prison, $15,000 fine for violation
Washington is the latest state to propose laws preventing the proliferation and manufacture of 3D-printed firearms.
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RFERL ☛ Islamic State Says It Targeted Chinese Nationals In Deadly Kabul Restaurant Blast
At least seven people were killed as Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-K) said the attack was aimed at Chinese citizens amid rising regional security concerns.
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France24 ☛ Syrian govt says 120 Islamic State detainees escaped prison
Syria's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday that about 120 Islamic State detainees escaped from Shaddadi prison, after the Kurdish website Rudaw reported that a spokesperson for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Farhad Shami, said around 1,500 Islamic State members had escaped. The Syrian ministry said Syrian army units and ministry special forces entered Shaddadi following the breakout. It said security forces had recaptured 81 of the escapees after search and sweep operations in the town and surrounding areas, with efforts continuing to arrest the remaining fugitives.
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France24 ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man threatens France 200% tariffs if Macron refuses to join Board of Peace
US President The Insurrectionist has threatened 200% tariffs on French wines and champagnes after his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron refused to join his Board of Peace. The initiative has been likened by analysts as a pay-to-play version of the UN Security Council.
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Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine
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France24 ☛ Over 5,000 homes without power in Kyiv after Russian strikes on energy grid
Russia bombarded Ukraine with more than 300 drones and ballistic and cruise missiles in its latest nighttime attack on the Ukrainian power grid, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday. The attack knocked out heating to more than 5,600 apartment buildings in the capital, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg reports from Kyiv.
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RFERL ☛ New Russian Strikes Leave Hundreds Of Thousands Without Power In Ukraine
Russian forces launched a new massive attack on Kyiv and several regions across Ukraine, hitting residential building and energy sites amid freezing temperatures, as world leaders gather at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
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RFERL ☛ Russia Continues Targeting Ukraine's Energy As Kyiv Looks To Shift Electricity Eastward
Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy sector continued overnight as Kyiv scrambles to accelerate work on rerouting electricity supplies from its western nuclear plants to hard hit areas in the east.
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Mexico News Daily ☛ Slim adds 2 Russian fields in the Gulf of Mexico to his expanding oil portfolio
The deal, if approved by anti-monopoly regulators, will give the Slim family conglomerate Grupo Carso full control over two major oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico: Ichalkil and Pokoch.
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France24 ☛ China, Russia conclude BRICS+ naval drills in South Africa amid controversy
China and Russia concluded a week of joint naval exercises in South African waters on Friday, described by the host country as a BRICS Plus operation aimed at “ensuring the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities.” The drills stirred controversy as they coincided with deadly protests in Iran, which had originally planned to participate but withdrew following diplomatic discussions. FRANCE 24’s Eunice Masson noted that the exercises also sparked debate over the absence of key BRICS nations such as India and Brazil.
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The Straits Times ☛ Russia's Far East buried in snow, transport disrupted in China and Japan
Russia's Far East was buried under metres of snow by its heaviest snowfall in 60 years on Tuesday as a winter blast swept across Asia, dusting Shanghai white and grounding flights in Japan's northwest.
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LRT ☛ Lithuania says contraband balloon situation improving, but crisis not over
Lithuania’s presidential chief adviser on national security said Tuesday the situation involving contraband balloons launched from Belarus has improved significantly, but it is still too early to say the crisis is over.
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LRT ☛ Belarusian opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya to relocate from Lithuania to Poland
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has informed Lithuanian lawmakers of her decision to relocate to Poland, sources told the BNS news agency on Saturday.
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New Yorker ☛ The Ice Curtain
Since Putin invaded Ukraine, the short distance between Nome, Alaska, and Russia seems wider than ever.
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Latvia ☛ Last year Latvia banned 1,764 from entering over security concerns
Last year, the State Security Service (VDD), based on identified risks to Latvia's national security, in cooperation with the State Border Guard, denied entry to Latvia to a total of 1,764 foreigners, including Russian citizens who participated in the war against Ukraine, the LETA agency reports from the VDD on 19th January.
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Latvia ☛ TV3: recent arrests made in connection with pro-Russia network in Latvia
At least three people have been arrested in the last two weeks, linked to the so-called "Baltic Anti-Fascists" group, through which a network of informants has been established in Latvia, which has been reporting to Russian special services on the movement of military equipment, Ukrainians and Ukrainian supporters in Latvia, reported TV3's investigative programme "Nothing Personal".
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Latvia ☛ Police look into alleged charity fraud in Latvia
Last year, Latvian Television's De Facto revealed how the association Tev, which undertook to transport cars confiscated from drunk drivers from Latvia to Ukraine, demanded money from the very recipients of the aid – Ukrainians. After LTV brought this issue to light, the State Police also took up the matter, De Facto reported on 18th January.
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LRT ☛ Colourful northern lights light up skies over Lithuania – photos
Colourful northern lights illuminated Lithuania’s skies overnight, prompting residents to share photos on social control media showing the night sky glowing in shades of green and red.
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Environment
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Press Gazette ☛ Record opposition to climate action in UK national newspapers in 2025
Newspapers criticised climate change policies but did not deny its existence.
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Energy/Transportation
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The Straits Times ☛ Surveillance plane which crashed was airworthy, says Indonesian official
The plane had passed multiple inspections and regular maintenance checks, with the latest in November.
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Wildlife/Nature
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New York Times ☛ San Francisco Mourns Its Beloved Alligator, Claude
The 30-year-old albino resident of the California Academy of Sciences died last month. On Sunday, thousands paid tribute.
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Futurism ☛ Scientists Uncover Secret Landscape Hiding Miles Below Antarctica’s Ice
We know more about Mercury than we do about what's trapped below Antarctica's ice.
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Overpopulation
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China’s birth rate falls to lowest on record despite nationwide policies to curb decline
China’s birth rate plunged last year to its lowest level on record, official data showed on Monday, as its population shrank for a fourth straight year despite efforts to curb the decline.
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Finance
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China vows to boost flagging demand in 2030 economic plan
China pledged “forceful” measures on Tuesday to boost demand in coming years, formulating plans to relieve a domestic spending slump exacerbated by property sector woes and demographic pressure. The world’s second-largest economy grew five percent last year, according to official data released Monday, buoyed by record-breaking exports and reaching the government’s official target.
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NYPost ☛ More than 8,000 chain stores in the US closed up shop in 2025 — heralding a ‘retail apocalypse’
Two big-name retailers have already announced store closures just two weeks into 2026.
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The Straits Times ☛ China’s trade with North Korea recovers to near pre-pandemic levels
China is North Korea's biggest trade partner and a vital economic and political ally.
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong visitor numbers up 12% in 2025, but lag pre-pandemic levels
Hong Kong welcomed 49.9 million visitors last year, marking a 12 per cent increase compared to 2024, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has announced. However, the figures remain below pre-pandemic levels. Mainland Chinese visitors continued to make up the majority, accounting for 76 per cent of total arrivals.
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Capgemini plans to cut up to 2,400 jobs in France
Capgemini said on Tuesday it planned to cut up to 2,400 jobs in France, or about 6% of its workforce in the country, as the IT services group grapples with weak demand in key sectors in its home market.
The economic slowdown has adversely impacted demand in specific sectors in France, with the automotive industry bearing a significant effect, the French company told Reuters.
Capgemini intends to implement the reductions through voluntary departures and offer internal retraining programs for workers in divisions affected by shifting client demand. The plan, which will proceed only on a voluntary basis, is subject to negotiations with unions, it said.
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AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics
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JURIST ☛ Uganda police deny arresting opposition candidate amid clash over election credibility
Uganda police on Sunday denied reports that the country’s main opposition presidential candidate, Bobi Wine, had been arrested following last Thursday’s election, in which President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, won his seventh term.
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The Straits Times ☛ ASEAN will not certify Myanmar election or send observers, Malaysia says
The election has been criticised as a ploy to legitimise military rule through political proxies.
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ACLU ☛ One Year In: Defending the Constitution Under a Second Convicted Felon Administration
One year ago, President The Insurrectionist was sworn in for a second term. Within hours of his inauguration, it was clear that he and his administration would, once again, test the Constitution and the willingness of our nation’s institutions and people to defend it. However, what stood out most to us during the last year has been the volume, pace, and persistence of the second Convicted Felon administration’s assault on many of our most fundamental rights and freedoms. There were multiple flashpoints throughout the last year, as the administration’s “shock and awe” strategy yielded a sustained and aggressive assault on civil rights and civil liberties resulting in 225 executive orders signed (as of December).
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Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda
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Citizen Lab ☛ London PR Firm Rewrites Wikipedia for Governments and Billionaires
A recent story by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism reveals that a communications firm in London paid an editor to launder Wikipedia pages for high-profile clients. Senior researcher Alberto Fittarelli speaks with the Bureau, explaining that “influence operators are attracted to Wikipedia because it is a means of shaping perceptions in large populations.”
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Censorship/Free Speech
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Breach Media ☛ Police are using ‘zombie’ court orders to shut down social movements
Police are reanimating years-old injunctions to threaten activists, casting a chill over protests and free speech
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RFERL ☛ Iran Mulls Return Of Internet As Extent Of Deadly Crackdown Slowly Leaks Out
Iran said it is considering lifting its Internet blackout this week as details of a brutal crackdown on antiestablishment protests where thousands are reported dead continue to leak out of the country.
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Nat. security case against political commentator to move to higher court, raising max. penalty to 7 years’ jail
A Hong Kong political commentator charged with disclosing details of a national security investigation is to have his case transferred to the District Court, where he could face up to seven years’ imprisonment if convicted. Wong Kwok-ngon, known by his pen name Wong On-yin, appeared at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Calls to free pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai go against rule of law, says Hong Kong’s top judge
Hong Kong’s top judge has criticised calls to release Jimmy Lai after the pro-democracy media mogul’s conviction on foreign collusion and sedition charges, saying that such demands “strike at the very heart of the rule of law.”
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Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press
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Press Gazette ☛ Independent set to take over running Standard website
Staff will transfer on 1 March with option to take redundancy.
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Press Gazette ☛ ‘What journalism should do’: Express health editor on assisted dying campaign
Express Give Us Our Last Rights campaign took four years of work.
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Press Gazette ☛ Most serious allegation against Mail struck out ahead of Prince Harry privacy trial
Mail publisher denies culture of unlawful newsgathering said to have wrecked lives.
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Press Gazette ☛ Prince Harry complains of ‘terrifying intrusion’ by Daily Mail publisher
Sir Elton John and David Furnish say son Zachary's birth certificate 'stolen'.
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Civil Rights / Policing / Accessibility
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JURIST ☛ Greece acquits 24 humanitarian workers following 7 years of proceedings
24 volunteers of the humanitarian NGO Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) were acquitted this Thursday after facing criminal charges for more than 7 years, following their arrest during search and rescue operations on the Greek island of Lesvos in August 2018.
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The Straits Times ☛ Malaysian rapper Namewee claims trial for possessing ED drug, meth
The court has set the case for mention on March 5, 2026.
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EDRI ☛ CNAF’s discriminatory scoring algorithm: 10 new organisations join the case before the Conseil d’État in France
10 organisation, including EDRi, have joined an ongoing coalition effort to challenge the discriminatory algorithms used by the family branch of the French welfare system (CNAF). In the current deregulation spree by the European Commission, this legal action represents resistance to the rollback of fundamental rights protections and the increase of rights infringing legislation. Read an update about the strengthened coalition and the legal action they have taken so far.
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Internet Policy/Net Neutrality
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APNIC ☛ All the new things — RouteViews in 2025
Guest Post: New collectors and tools, improved data access, and ongoing behind-the-scenes work to make the platform more stable, sustainable, and useful.
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APNIC ☛ IP addresses through 2025
What IPv4 and IPv6 addressing in 2025 tells us about the changing nature of the network.
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Futurism ☛ Arrests Made for Murder at Amazon Facility
A long running dispute escalated to something far worse.
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Patents
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JUVE ☛ CJEU to decide if authorisation for human drug precludes SPC for veterinary use
In December 2013, Boehringer Ingelheim filed EP 2 934 479 for “Ciclesonide for the treatment of airway disease in horses” at the EPO. Following clinical trials, the company received market authorisation for its product Aservo EquiHaler in January 2020.
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Trademarks
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TTAB Blog ☛ CAFC Affirms TTAB: SAZERAC STITCHES Confusable With SAZERAC for Houseware Store Services
In a nonprecedential ruling, the CAFC upheld the TTAB's decision [pdf here] affirming a Section 2(d) refusal of the mark SAZERAC STITCHES for retail store services featuring an array of household items, including furniture, lighting fixtures, and candle holders, in view of the registered mark SAZERAC for, among other things, “Online retail store services featuring distilled spirits, beverage glassware, cocktail accessories, T-shirts, caps, postcards, and cocktail recipe books." The Board had focused on the first three DuPont factors in its analysis; the CAFC ruled that substantial evidence supported the Board's findings of fact, and it affirmed the Board's ultimate conclusion.
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Monopolies/Monopsonies
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