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Links 12/08/2022: Apple Versus Telegram



  • GNU/Linux

    • Server

      • Kubernetes BlogEnhancing Kubernetes one KEP at a Time

        Did you know that Kubernetes v1.24 has 46 enhancements? That's a lot of new functionality packed into a 4-month release cycle. The Kubernetes release team coordinates the logistics of the release, from remediating test flakes to publishing updated docs. It's a ton of work, but they always deliver.

        The release team comprises around 30 people across six subteams - Bug Triage, CI Signal, Enhancements, Release Notes, Communications, and Docs.€  Each of these subteams manages a component of the release. This post will focus on the role of the enhancements subteam and how you can get involved.

    • Instructionals/Technical

      • Linux HintWhat is Linux SSH?

        “Linux Secure Shell, or SSH, is a protocol used by Linux computers to access remote computers and execute commands securely. It is a replacement for rlogin and rsh. Thus, SSH provides encrypted and secure communications between untrusted hosts over an insecure or untrusted network. Also known as Secure Socket Shell, this protocol is a security application for Linux users connecting to remote servers. The framework allows users to transfer files, run command lines and graphical programs, and create secure virtual networks over the internet. The framework has an SSH command to secure remote connections and data transfers between clients and hosts. The utility ensures encryption of all communications.t The command works by transferring client inputs to the host. Once done, the command returns the output from the host to the client and often executes through IP/TCP port 22. This encrypted connection is also used in port forwarding, Linux server, tunneling, and many more.”

      • CitizixHow to install and configure MongoDB 6 on Rocky Linux/Alma Linux 9

        In this guide we are going to learn how to install MongoDB 5.0 Community Edition on a Rocky Linux 9.

        MongoDB is a cross-platform document-oriented NoSQL database program that uses JSON-like documents with optional schemas. MongoDB is developed by MongoDB Inc. and licensed under the Server Side Public License.

        MongoDB was built for people building internet and business applications who need to evolve quickly and scale elegantly. Companies and development teams of all sizes use MongoDB for a wide variety of reasons.

      • CitizixHow to install and Configure Mariadb 10 in Ubuntu 22.04

        MariaDB is an open-source one of the most popular relational database management system (RDBMS) that is a highly compatible drop-in replacement of MySQL. It is built upon the values of performance, stability, and openness, and MariaDB Foundation ensures contributions will be accepted on technical merit.

        MariaDB was developed as a software fork of MySQL in 2009 in response to Oracle’s acquisition of MySQL. MariaDB intends to remain free and open-source software under the GNU General Public License. It is part of most cloud offerings and the default in most Linux distributions.

      • How to install PostgreSQL 15 Beta on Ubuntu 22.04 – NextGenTips

        In this guide, we are going to walk through installing PostgreSQL 15 Beta on Ubuntu 22.04.

        PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source object-relational database system that uses and extends the SQL language combined with many features that safely store and scale the most complicated data workloads. It was designed to handle a range of workloads from single machines to data warehousing.

        Every single database must conform to ACID properties i.e Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability. This is true for PostgreSQL as well, it must conform to those features for transactions to pass the tests.

      • UNIX CopLinux/UNIX Command Line Mistakes

        Hi, this post is about Linux/UNIX Command Line Mistakes. Welcome.

      • Linux CapableHow to Install Vivaldi Browser on Linux Mint 21 LTS

        Vivaldi is a unique web browser designed specifically for power users. It offers a host of features that are not available in other browsers, including an advanced tab management system, built-in note-taking capabilities, and a customizable interface. Vivaldi also includes several privacy-oriented features, such as built-in ad and tracker blockers.

        However, the real selling point of Vivaldi is its flexibility. Users can customize just about every aspect of the browser, from the position of the toolbar to the color scheme. This level of customization is not possible with other browsers, which makes Vivaldi a must-have for anyone who wants complete control over their browsing experience. Whether you’re looking for a more efficient way to manage your tabs or enjoy a browser that looks and feels exactly the way you want it to, Vivaldi is worth checking out.

      • UNIX CopWatch or Monitor Multiple Log Files in Real Time at once in Linux

        In the following article, I illustrate several common use cases of multitail command to Monitor Multiple Log Files in real taime.

      • Linux HandbookIntegrate Nextcloud with ONLYOFFICE Docs on Your Linux Server

        It’s common knowledge that Nextcloud is an ideal self-hosted replacement for Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and other proprietary cloud storage software. It allows you to create a secure Sync&Share environment on your local server where you can keep files without putting your privacy under threat.

        However, Nextcloud is not only about file-sharing and file storage. This platform can become much more powerful if you integrate it with third-party services. For example, you can easily enable real-time document editing and collaboration within your Nextcloud instance by connecting ONLYOFFICE Docs, an open-source office suite.

        In this tutorial, you will learn the basics of deploying ONLYOFFICE Docs on your Linux server, integrating it with Nextcloud and properly configuring the official integration app for maximum performance.

      • Linux CapableHow to Install UbuntuDDE on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

        The Deepin Desktop Environment (DDE) is a default desktop environment for the Linux Deepin distribution. It is also available for other Linux distributions such as UbuntuDDE. DDE is known for its sleek and elegant design. It combines modern aesthetics with traditional desktop productivity with a simple, clean, minimalistic dock and Launcher that allows quick access to apps and settings.

        Other features include the Deepin Music Player, Deepin Mail, Deepin Movie Player, Deepin Image Viewer, and Deepin Terminal. The Deepin Extra is a collection of additional applications that are not part of the core Deepin experience but add helpful functionality. These include the Deepin Calculator, Deepin Clone, Deepin Screen Recorder, and Deepin screenshot tool. UbuntuDDE is an unofficial derivative of Ubuntu that combines the beauty of Deepin with the simplicity of Ubuntu. It is available in two editions – Standard and Ultimate (Full). The Standard edition includes all the features of the standard Ubuntu system with the addition of the DDE desktop environment. The Ultimate edition includes media codecs, graphics drivers, and language support packs.

        In the following tutorial, you will learn how to install UbuntuDDE on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Jammy Jellyfish using the command line terminal and the official UbuntuDDE team LaunchPAD PPA.

      • Linux CapableHow to Install Linux Kernel 5.19 on Fedora 36 Linux

        Linux 5.19 has been released, and it includes several notable improvements. For example, networking support has been improved, and all-important security fixes have been made, and more. In addition, the release includes new features and capabilities, such as better support for AMD and Apple hardware and improved power management on laptops.

        Most users may not be required to update to Linux Kernel 5.19 immediately, but for users seeking better performance on existing hardware or having new hardware that their current kernel does not support or has relatively low support, then upgrading immediately would be beneficial. If your system is running fine and you are happy, do not pre-upgrade your kernel and wait for the official release in Fedora.

        An excellent resource for users wanting to see the Linux Kernel 5.19 is visiting the Kernel Newbie changelog.

      • Linux Shell TipsHow to Setup Auto-Renew for Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificates

        Access to a stable and secure internet environment is no longer an optional addition to basic human needs. With the internet connecting all the ends of the earth, nothing seems impossible anymore.

        The internet and its many protocols have inspired the development of e-learning, video conferencing, gaming, etc, among other platforms that connect different users from different regions around the globe. However, regardless of the praises, we give the internet, its credibility is nothing without security.

      • markaicode by MarkHow to Fix 'add-apt-repository' on Ubuntu & Debian | Mark Ai Code

        If you have a minimum installation of Ubuntu 22.04/20.04/18.04, you may not have commandadd-apt-repository installed. If you get the message “add-apt-repository command not found” while attempting to add a PPA repository, you must first install add-apt-repository.

        Add-apt-repository is a command line program used to add Personal Package Archive (PPA) in Debian family Linux systems for individuals new to Debian package management.

      • markaicode by MarkHow To Install Grafana 8 on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | Mark Ai Code

        Grafana is a free, open-source metrics dashboard and data visualization application. It is intended to monitor metrics from Graphite, Elasticsearch, OpenTSDB, Prometheus, and InfluxDB through a web-based interface. It is cross-platform, with over 100 plugins for data collecting, storage, visualization, and sharing. It enables you to set alerts and notifications for your data as well as facilitate cooperation with your coworkers via sharing options.

        This article will walk you through the process of installing Grafana 8 on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

  • Distributions and Operating Systems

    • Canonical/Ubuntu Family

      • TecMintLinux Mint 21 XFCE Edition New Features and Installation

        Linux Mint 21, codenamed “Vanessa”, was officially released on July 31, 2022. Linux Mint 21 is based on Ubuntu 22.04 and will be supported until April 2027. Linux Mint 21 comes in three editions: Cinnamon, MATE, and XFCE.

        In this guide, we will walk you through the installation of the Linux Mint 21 XFCE Edition.

  • Free, Libre, and Open Source Software

    • The VergeTelegram founder blames Apple for holding back a major update

      Durov discussed the unexplained holdup as part of a broader critique of app store business models. He says that Telegram is discouraged by the “obscure” app review process that’s “imposed on all mobile apps by the tech monopolies.” He goes on to say that “If Telegram, one of the top 10 most popular apps globally, is receiving this treatment, one can only imagine the difficulties experienced by smaller app developers.”

    • MacRumorsApple Delaying Telegram From Releasing Major App Store Update, Telegram CEO Says

      In his Telegram channel, Durov says that an update to Telegram for iOS that will change how people communicate has been stuck in Apple's ‌App Store‌ review process for over two weeks, with no communication from the company over why or when it will be approved. Durov points out that if an app as popular as Telegram receives this treatment, one can "imagine the difficulties experienced by smaller app developers."

    • Content Management Systems (CMS)

      • UNIX CopThe Ghost vs. Medium Debate: Which Is the Better Platform for bloggers?

        Well, there are many reasons to like both platforms – Ghost offers more customization, while Medium provides an easy-to-use interface and an engaged audience. While both have their pros and cons, there are some factors to consider before deciding which one will be the better platform for your blogging needs in the long run. This article will compare and contrast Ghost vs. Medium so you can make an informed decision about which one you want to use going forward.

      • UNIX CopGhost Vs. WordPress – Which One is Better?

        There are multiple popular content management platforms on the market right now. And when it comes to choosing the right platform to host your blog, you’ll find yourself faced with two very popular systems: WordPress and Ghost. Though they are similar in many ways, there are also some key differences between WordPress and Ghost that you’ll want to keep in mind as you compare the two platforms and make your choice about which one is right for you. This guide will break down the difference between WordPress and Ghost so that you can make an informed decision about which blogging platform to use.

        WordPress needs no introduction as it has been one of the most popular content management systems and is widely used. WordPress started as a simple blogging platform and has now emerged as a full-fledged website CMS. While Ghost is a free modern open-source blogging platform that is giving a competitive edge to other platforms including WordPress. But which one is better for you?

        Let us compare both systems to see which one works better for you if you are looking to create a new blog for yourself.

      • TecMintTop 5 Best WordPress Plugins for e-learning Professionals

        Whether you are a teacher at a school, academy, or institute, or if you are an independent tutor or a volunteer who gives online classes, you need to have special tools to be able to spread knowledge online.

        Having a website or educational blog made with WordPress can help you a lot when it comes to giving the information that your students need and even teaching your lessons and courses virtually.

  • Leftovers

    • Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

      • NPRSocial media posts warn people not to call 988. Here's what you need to know

        Emily Krebs, a suicide researcher and assistant professor joining Fordham University this fall, said that involuntary treatment is viewed as a necessary part of suicide prevention in the U.S., but that other countries don't see it that way. The United Nations has called forced mental health treatment a human rights abuse and asked countries to ban it.

        Like Winston, Krebs wanted people to be fully informed before deciding to call 988. That's why she wrote on Twitter that 988 can and will "send police if they deem it necessary."

        That can be dangerous, she said, given that 1 in 5 fatal police shootings in 2019 involved a person with mental illness. Some years, the share has been even higher.

      • NBCThe Army has so far recruited only about half the soldiers it hoped for fiscal 2022, Army secretary says

        The pool of those eligible to join the military continues to shrink, with more young men and women than ever before disqualified for obesity, drug use or criminal records. In May, the Army chief of staff, Gen. James McConville, testified before Congress that only 23% of Americans ages 17-24 are qualified to serve without waivers to join, down from 29% in recent years.

        An internal Defense Department survey obtained by NBC News found that only 9% of those young Americans eligible to serve in the military had any inclination to do so, the lowest number since 2007.

        More than half of the young Americans who answered the survey — about 57% — think they would have emotional or psychological problems after having served in the military. Nearly half think they would have physical problems.

    • Proprietary

      • QuilletteApple’s Depressing Denouement

        Tripp Mickle, a Wall Street Journal technology journalist who covered the Apple beat for five years, isn’t Walter Isaacson (few of us are); and, to his credit, doesn’t try to be. Nor does he seek to present his primary subjects—former lead Apple designer Jony Ive and incumbent chief executive Tim Cook—as world-changing visionaries on par with their departed boss. Indeed, the very title of his book—After Steve: How Apple Became a Trillion-Dollar Company and Lost Its Soul—presents Apple as existing in a state of creative denouement since Jobs’s death—a bloated (if massively profitable) corporate bureaucracy that increasingly feeds shareholders’ demands for quarterly earnings by milking subscription services such as Apple Music and iCloud instead of developing new products.

      • Threat SourceCisco Talos shares insights related to recent cyber attack on Cisco

        Initial access to the Cisco VPN was achieved via the successful compromise of a Cisco employee’s personal Google account. The user had enabled password syncing via Google Chrome and had stored their Cisco credentials in their browser, enabling that information to synchronize to their Google account. After obtaining the user’s credentials, the attacker attempted to bypass multifactor authentication (MFA) using a variety of techniques, including voice phishing (aka "vishing") and MFA fatigue, the process of sending a high volume of push requests to the target’s mobile device until the user accepts, either accidentally or simply to attempt to silence the repeated push notifications they are receiving. Vishing is an increasingly common social engineering technique whereby attackers try to trick employees into divulging sensitive information over the phone. In this instance, an employee reported that they received multiple calls over several days in which the callers – who spoke in English with various international accents and dialects – purported to be associated with support organizations trusted by the user.

    • Security

      • Privacy/Surveillance

        • The VergeYou can turn Meta’s chatbot against Mark Zuckerberg

          BlenderBot is a Meta AI experiment that’s currently used for research purposes. As my colleague James Vincent explains, it’s trained on a large language dataset that lets it generate (loosely) human-passing responses to questions, including specific requests for factual information. The long-term goal is making a virtual assistant that can converse on a wide range of topics with factual accuracy. The short-term goal is putting BlenderBot in front of real people and, essentially, seeing how they might break it. And so far, that seems to include a lot of people making it say unflattering things about its owners.

        • Hollywood ReporterInstagram’s TikTok Identity Crisis: Focusing on Reels Isn’t Working

          While Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, still retains the majority of digital advertising dollars, TikTok has surpassed both apps in attracting — and holding — its users’ attention on a daily basis. According to Insider Intelligence, TikTok users in the U.S. spend an average 45.8 minutes per day scrolling on the app, while Facebook and Instagram users typically spend 30.1 minutes on those platforms.

        • India TimesWhy patient data security is of essential importance in 2022

          Given the sensitive nature of healthcare data which can lead to lost business & reputational harm, healthcare providers must have a robust and trustworthy security architecture. The strategies should not only respond to and secure healthcare data but also forecast and prevent cybercriminal attacks. Cyber thieves have recently been interested in electronic medical data since the black market value for this type of information is far higher than the black market value for credit card numbers or bank account passwords. This tendency may be startling, but the reasons are clear. Patients' names, dates of birth, residences, phone numbers, places of employment and positions, IDs, card numbers, and medical and social insurance are all included in the data in electronic medical records. Stealing such information can lead to identity theft rather than simply a single bank breach. Another significant factor is inadequate data protection in medical organizations. Financial organizations, such as banks have already established a robust data protection framework. Two-factor authentication has become a global banking norm. Only after entering the One-Time Password does the bank grant its customers access to the information. On the contrary, such systems have not been deployed in public health groups for a long time, making them an easy target for cybercriminals. The following are some healthcare data security tips that may be used to maintain a safe & secure data environment:[...]

        • WiredWill Europe Force a Facebook Blackout?

          Data regulators are on the verge of making a historic ruling in a years-long case, and they are expected to say Facebook’s data transfers across the Atlantic should be blocked. For years, Meta has fought against European privacy activists over how data is sent to the US, with courts ruling multiple times that European data isn’t properly protected and can potentially be snooped on by the NSA and other US intelligence agencies.

          While the case focuses on Meta, it has widespread ramifications, potentially impacting thousands of businesses across Europe that rely upon the services of Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and more. At the same time, US and European negotiators are scrambling to finalize a long-awaited new data-sharing deal that will limit what information US intelligence agencies can get their hands on. If negotiators can’t get it right, people’s privacy will remain at risk and billions of dollars of trade will be put in jeopardy.

        • WiredFacebook's Message Encryption Was Built to Fail

          Currently, Messenger supports encryption, but only if users opt in. This isn’t an easy, one-time toggle—it’s an agonizing process to plod through for each and every person you communicate with. And once you do manage to opt in to this “secret conversations” feature, Facebook will create a new message thread, meaning you fracture your messaging history and split every conversation or group in two. It’s a giant mess.

          Worse yet, opting in to encrypted conversations now does nothing to protect months and years of past messages. Meta has created so many barriers that the vast majority of messages will be completely exposed. And even once encryption is set up, it’s easy to accidentally revert to unencrypted chats. Considering Meta is built on dark patterns and the subtle use of highly engineered products to shape user behavior, it’s clear the company doesn’t actually want user conversations to be encrypted.

    • Defence/Aggression

      • China blocks UN sanctions on Pakistani extremist leader

        China on Wednesday, August 10, blocked the imposition of UN sanctions sought by the United States and India against the deputy chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan-based extremist group designated by the United Nations as a terrorist organization.

      • France24Suspected jihadists kill at least 21 in north Mali attack

        At least 17 soldiers and four civilians were killed Sunday in an attack in a strategic border zone between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, Mali’s army said.

      • RFIFrench court suspends the deportation of conservative imam to Morocco

        The tribunal's ruling on Friday has essentially overturned an interior ministry expulsion order issued in July against the preacher, Hassan Iquioussen, for inciting hate, discrimination and violence, notably against the Jewish community.

      • The EconomistMBS: despot in the desert

        In the days after war broke out, Biden himself tried to call mbs. The crown prince declined to speak to the president. He did take Putin’s call, however. The two men were already close. mbs had personally brought Russia into an expanded version of the opec cartel in order for Saudi Arabia to keep control of global oil production. Putin cemented the friendship in 2018 at the g20 summit in Buenos Aires, which took place weeks after the Khashoggi killing. While Western leaders shunned mbs, Putin gave the Saudi ruler a high-five before sitting down next to him.

      • BBCRahimullah Haqqani: Afghan cleric killed by bomb hidden in artificial leg - reports

        Sheikh Haqqani was a supporter of Afghanistan's Taliban government and a prominent critic of the jihadist militant group Islamic State Kohrasan Province (IS-K), a regional affiliate of IS that operates in Afghanistan and opposes the Taliban's rule.

    • Transparency/Investigative Reporting

      • SalonFBI searched for nuclear weapon documents during Mar-a-Lago raid

        "The public's clear and powerful interest in understanding what occurred under these circumstances weighs heavily in favor of unsealing," the motion says in a quote from The Washington Post. "That said, the former President should have an opportunity to respond to this motion and lodge objections, including with regards to any 'legitimate privacy interests' or the potential for other 'injury' if these materials are made public."

        In terms of the nuclear weapons documents the anonymous sources close to the investigation spoke of to The Washington Post, they did not specify if the weapons referenced within belonged to the United States or another nation.

      • Rolling StoneMar-a-Lago Search Focused on Classified Nuclear Docs: Report

        On Thursday, Attorney General Merrick Garland made a rare public statement addressing the investigation and revealed the Justice Department filed a motion to unseal the search warrant and property receipts from Monday’s raid, citing “substantial public interest in this matter.” Although Garland did not comment upon specifics of the investigation, he did state that the embattled former president had the right to “lodge objections” to the request, “including with regards to any ‘legitimate privacy interests’ or the potential for other ‘injury’ if these materials are made public.”

      • The Washington PostFBI searched Trump’s home to look for nuclear documents and other items, sources say

        The people who described some of the material that agents were seeking spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. They did not offer additional details about what type of information the agents were seeking, including whether it involved weapons belonging to the United States or some other nation. Nor did they say if such documents were recovered as part of the search. A Trump spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. The Justice Department and FBI declined to comment.

    • Environment

      • BBCFrance drought: Parched towns left short of drinking water

        Trucks are taking water to those areas, as "there is nothing left in the pipes", Minister for Ecological Transition Christophe Béchu said.

        The prime minister's office said it was France's worst recorded drought. Water use is being restricted in 93 regions.

      • PM Borne says France going through 'severe' drought, 100 villages out of drinking water

        The minister for ecological transition, Christophe Béchu, said during a visit to southeastern France that more than 100 municipalities are not able to provide drinking water to the tap anymore and need to get supplied by truck. "The worst the situation is, the more we make drinking water the priority compared to other usages," he said.

      • BloombergFrance Forms Crisis Unit to Face Worst Drought on Record

        The crisis is “a tragedy for our farmers, our ecosystems and for biodiversity,” according to the prime minister’s statement. Weather forecasts suggest the drought could last another two weeks and become “even more concerning,” Borne’s office said. The country just had its driest July in decades.

      • ITVFrance's 'most severe' drought leaves towns short of drinking water amid third heatwave

        The state energy company EDF has had to temporarily cut power production at two if its nuclear plants which use river water to cool reactors, as river temperatures are too high to provide sufficient cooling.

      • RTLRivers and creeks at risk of drying up

        The Water Management Authority further underlines that isolated rainfalls and storms are unlikely to change much about the situation. There is not enough oxygen in the water and there is an elevated risk for pollution. Although sufficient drinking water reserves are ensured, the situation remains critical in some locations.

      • RTLArctic warming four times faster than rest of Earth: study

        The Arctic has warmed nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet over the last 40 years, according to research published Thursday that suggests climate models are underestimating the rate of polar heating.

        The United Nations' climate science panel said in a special report in 2019 that the Arctic was warming "by more than double the global average" due to a process known as Arctic amplification.

      • The HillArctic warming up to four times as fast as global average: study

        The Arctic is warming at a more rapid pace than previously thought — and four times faster than the world at large, according to research published Thursday in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.

        Between 1979 and 2021, the Arctic warmed about four times as fast as the global average, significantly more than previous estimates of two or three times as fast, researchers found.

      • DeSmogReality Is Not What It Seems. And That Might Just Save the Climate.

        By Clara Vondrich

        As the world gasped in wonder at the first images of our infant universe from the James Webb Space Telescope last month, we were reminded that human beings are still capable of acts that elevate us all and advance our collective potential.

      • Energy

        • Tire-deflating climate activists coming to Vancouver 'soon,' group says

          A group of climate activists who "disarm" SUVs by deflating their tires is preparing to target vehicles in Vancouver, according to a representative.

          Members of the self-dubbed "Tyre Extinguishers" caused frustration for a number of motorists on Vancouver Island last week, claiming to have immobilized 34 SUVs in Victoria and Oak Bay.

          Police confirmed they received two reports of deflated tires in Victoria and nine in Oak Bay.

          The Tyre Extinguishers' Twitter account has since put out a call asking any Vancouver residents interested in joining the cause to get in touch.

        • Environmentalists target SUVs in Leeds and deflate their tyres in climate protest

          Environmentalists deflated almost 100 SUVs in Leeds during the night of 2 August as part of their stated aim “to combat the climate and nature crisis”. The Leeds Tyre Extinguisher group claimed that 85 SUVs in Meanwood and elsewhere in Leeds were “disarmed” in group’s first action in the city.

    • AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

      • The VergeGmail is now officially allowed to spam-proof politicians’ emails

        Google’s plan, first reported by Axios in June, would allow for candidates, political party committees, and leadership political action committees to apply for the program that would make their messages exempt from Gmail’s spam detection systems. While Google did not need the FEC to approve the plan before rolling it out, it sought a vote earlier this summer to ensure the program wasn’t at risk of breaking current election regulations. In its Thursday ruling, the FEC confirmed that Google’s plan was legal.

      • The HillGoogle gets FEC approval to let campaign emails bypass spam filters after GOP criticism

        The Federal Election Commission (FEC) voted Thursday to allow Google to push forward a Gmail pilot program that would allow campaign emails to dodge spam filters, a move that comes after accusations from Republicans that the filters were biased against their messages.

        The FEC voted 4-1 to approve the program, concluding that the test of new features is permissible under campaign law.

      • India TimesGoogle opposes Facebook-backed proposal for self-regulatory body in India: sources

        Such directives from a self-regulatory body could set a dangerous precedent, the sources also quoted the Google executive as saying.

        The sources declined to be identified as the discussions were private.

        In addition to Facebook, Twitter and Google, representatives from Snap Inc and popular Indian social media platform ShareChat also attended the meeting. Together, the companies have hundreds of millions of users in India.

      • Iran urges Germany to take immediate action against Quran desecration

        German police forces, who were present in the place, did not take any action to prevent the blasphemous act, which is prohibited under Germany’s law, nor reacted to those who committed it, Iranian news network al-Alam reported.

      • JNSArab-world uproar triggered by photos of Egyptian star with Israeli woman

        In Egypt, where the image is being viewed by some as pressing for more normalized relations with Israel, the photo has been drawing angry online responses.

      • SWILatvia designates Russia a "state sponsor of terrorism" over Ukraine war

        Latvia's parliament on Thursday designated Russia as a "state sponsor of terrorism" over the war in Ukraine and called on Western allies to impose more comprehensive sanctions on Moscow in order to bring an end to the conflict.

        "Latvia recognises Russia's actions in Ukraine as targeted genocide against the Ukrainian people," the Baltic nation's parliament said in a resolution.

      • Saudi ArabiaLatvian parliament declares Russia ‘state sponsor of terrorism’

        Latvian MPs on Thursday adopted a statement declaring Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism” and said its actions in Ukraine constituted “targeted genocide against the Ukrainian people.”

        The statement said the parliament “recognizes Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, and calls on other like-minded countries to express the same view.”

        MPs said they considered “Russia’s violence against civilians committed in pursuit of political aims as terrorism.”

      • Craig MurrayInsulate, Insulate

        Politics in the mainstream media is entirely seen through the prism of the relentless race to the right of the Tory leadership election. The only people who can vote are two football crowds worth of overwhelmingly white, overwhelmingly male, comparatively wealthy, mostly pensionable, overwhelmingly southern, people.

    • Censorship/Free Speech

      • Morning Star NewsMuslim Extremists in Uganda Kill Evangelist at His Home

        Ochola filed a report with Agule police (CRB 434/2022), and sources said officers were searching for Ongom on suspicion of murder.

      • Christian Post4 kids among Nigerian Christians killed in attack on their homes

        Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Sunday killed seven Christians, including four children, in an attack in Plateau state, Nigeria, following months of violence in neighboring Taraba state, sources said.

        Following a July 21 attack in Fusa village, Plateau state that left five Christians dead, assailants on Sunday invaded Danda Chigwi village in the state’s Jos South County shortly after 7 p.m., said area resident Dagah Dung.

    • Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

      • RTÉ Response to Future of Media Commission Report Publication

        “Over the past decade, RTÉ, along with numerous stakeholders, has called for the licence fee system, which is utterly broken, to be meaningfully reformed. The decision by Government today to align the obligation to pay the Licence Fee with how people consume media today is critical to ensure the future sustainability of the system. We will engage with the proposed working group as to the scope of legislative and system changes that are required, and we trust reforms will be decided upon and implemented quickly. RTÉ also welcomes that the Government is accepting the recommendations in the Report regarding the need for interim funding while the reforms to the Licence Fee system are being further examined.”

    • Civil Rights/Policing

      • New York TimesFor passengers who use wheelchairs, air travel in the United States can be an embarrassing, uncomfortable and perilous prospect.

        In early July, Paralyzed Veterans of America filed a formal complaint against American Airlines on behalf of four members of its organization, including Charles Brown. Mr. Brown’s inclusion was based on his experience on the flights The Times documented in May. American Airlines did not immediately return request for comment regarding the complaint.

      • Medforth“You have to wear the chador, otherwise I’ll kill you” – Afghan in Switzerland threatens his ex-girlfriend

        The Afghan made another threat in the autumn of 2021 on the grounds of the Afghan embassy in Geneva, as 20minutes reports. The 30-year-old did not like his girlfriend’s clothes. “You have to wear the chador. You have to submit to me, otherwise I will kill you and no one will be able to catch me,” he had addressed to the woman who was his girlfriend at the time.

      • India NewsRajasthan Man Tries To Crush Pregnant Daughter To Death With His Auto For Marrying A Hindu; Act Caught On Cam

        The couple later returned to Bharatpur, both started living in a rented house in Ranjit Nagar of the city. On Thursday afternoon, when Narendra took his wife Nagma to Janana Hospital for a routine checkup, Nagma’s father Islam tried to crush his daughter to death with his auto.

      • [Old] CBNIslamic Extremists Murder Christian, Brutally Attack Church Service After 8 Muslims Choose Jesus

        A Christian man in eastern Uganda died on July 10 from head injuries sustained in an attack by Muslim extremists the previous week, sources said.

      • Pro PublicaWhy One City Settled for a Police Chief Accused of Harassment

        When the mayor of Revere, a working-class city north of Boston, began looking for a new police chief in 2017, he wanted a leader to clean up what he described as the “toxic culture” within the department.

        Mayor Brian Arrigo brought in a consultant to help pick the city’s top cop, who oversees more than 100 officers and civilian employees. The consultant, a former police chief in another Boston suburb, tested four candidates — all internal — for attributes such as decisiveness, initiative, leadership and communication skills. None of the candidates scored high enough to persuade the consultant that they would do the job well.

      • Pro PublicaLock-ups More Common for Drugs Than Sexual Assault in U.S. Army

        U.S. Army soldiers accused of sexual assault are less than half as likely to be detained ahead of trial than those accused of offenses like drug use and distribution, disobeying an officer or burglary, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune.

        The news organizations obtained data from the Army on nearly 8,400 courts-martial cases over the past decade under the Freedom of Information Act and analyzed a process known as pretrial confinement. The resulting investigation of the nation’s largest military branch revealed a system that treats soldiers unevenly and draws little outside scrutiny.

      • Pro PublicaA Mom’s Campaign to Ban Library Books Divided a Texas Town — and Her Own Family

        Weston Brown was scrolling through Twitter last month when he came across a video that made his chest tighten. It showed a woman at a school board meeting in North Texas, calling on district leaders to ask for forgiveness.

        “Repentance is the word that’s on my heart,” she said near the start of the video.

    • Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

      • IT WireiTWire - Network firm sees adoption of higher NBN speeds becoming the norm

        The head of a network company founded by a former NBN Co executive to simplify fibre rollouts claims that the 19% increase in NBN customers adopting plans that are 50Mbps or higher is an indication that take-up of higher speed plans will become the norm.

        The comments by Sam Pratt, the chief executive of Render Networks, were based on statistics released by the NBN Co during its FY22 results announcement on Tuesday.

        He told iTWire that apart from the local statistics, the proposal by the US FCC to increase minimum broadband speeds to 100Mbps "demonstrates that the connectivity benchmark continues to escalate, further reinforcing NBN's relevance and the need for ongoing investment to keep pace with both demand and global competition".

    • Monopolies

      • PoliticoMicrosoft to face new antitrust scrutiny in Germany – POLITICO

        Germany's competition watchdog is set to look into whether Microsoft should come under the scope of new rules that allow the country to rapidly prohibit anti-competitive conduct, according to people familiar with the matter.

        Two individuals close to the matter told POLITICO that the German Cartel Office has prepared a draft decision to launch proceedings under Section 19a of the German Competition Act. The move will attempt to determine whether Microsoft should be designated as having “paramount significance for competition across markets.”

        If it is designated under the scope of the rules, Germany’s competition regulator will be able to intervene rapidly to ban certain anti-competitive conduct — including self-preferencing abuses and the pre-installation of services.

      • Copyrights

        • Creative CommonsOpen Minds Podcast: Sam Williams of Arweave

          Please subscribe to the show in whatever podcast app you use, so you don’t miss any of our conversations with people working to make the internet and our global culture more open and collaborative.

  • Gemini* and Gopher


* Gemini (Primer) links can be opened using Gemini software. It's like the World Wide Web but a lot lighter.



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