𝕿𝖊𝖈𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖘 Bulletin for Thursday, February 16, 2023 ┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅┅ Generated Fri 17 Feb 02:43:22 GMT 2023 Created by Dr. Roy Schestowitz (𝚛𝚘𝚢 (at) 𝚜𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚣 (dot) 𝚌𝚘𝚖) Full hyperlinks for navigation omitted but are fully available in the originals The corresponding HTML versions are at 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔.𝒐𝒓𝒈 Latest in 𝒉𝒕𝒕𝒑://𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒕𝒙𝒕 and older bulletins can be found at 𝒉𝒕𝒕𝒑://𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒕𝒙𝒕-𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 Full IPFS index in 𝒉𝒕𝒕𝒑://𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒊𝒑𝒇𝒔 and as plain text in 𝒉𝒕𝒕𝒑://𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒊𝒑𝒇𝒔/𝒕𝒙𝒕 Gemini index for the day: gemini://gemini.techrights.org/2023/02/16/ ╒═══════════════════ 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐒 ════════════════════════════════════╕ Previous bulletins in IPFS (past 21 days, in chronological order): QmVtrAasZaunyUmUK2Ux1CtNtbdMWCLBTYQzmeLrKKykBg QmYV3WS2gpVGuPpGL214RmMcjMk45cBmmXgM7VBxCDEv4H QmamtVaJ1jkVqwTRHeheoiVfr7r3ijZpHVWct6WE9FvhVN QmbFDooXZn997QjZY3cCKWM82PnZJjTTiaSSMufBXjiNXP QmXU8EhJFQRtv8o2V6scWUz5kebeKRmyZa6mEimNyZLPtm Qmb399zeJfbfeD2xUcMf2JDeQPEXQZXKB4r2KNpE2YN16j QmVaSG1ALmtpgw3bqUgN2o37FRRRvK92JA5SKGzkigi5Qg QmXe8bt58f7QFPCzPjfHLJEDufxCy9LYEr1x5WRuwvvwxd QmXCyRSEqZvXQpdJJgNTZ2SmscGBN8faNeNbNZcV8zoX6D QmbqEc6DR3dJD1Zez6UEB9NiyCWswQvsYE1yFxnM6ghvgG QmaVY3HqyuHpVGyMxeT4Bud2vNW78oYnx8dJCM6ZZK5ziE QmSUai4xNvwMKU2TbSerbPiWGAVberWqCyRsFtpfBmSJUA QmdqfApkUHoNL7LgRhijLyQ917yqySCE8TFPFh8Efixmuk QmYUwzBTiff9y3NpVBbZgEPJYspVVxmzVVYkzar4igJRiY QmWU4whiYNSNx6oxSqvGVEkr1unaGuqfGtoiphqZLBAxVJ QmQUWdJviNhacCKbEie2yYrdrQaNYjUhGH7B8majeYU6Vb Qmckkfq1rqb7mTK7w6RbFZJjskRKcnUk8PdtMmcLwUhXgV QmVY5cAKghhEttE24TaNrAQgciJau5j7EoeaEmfjYdbLMD QmUUEWf3hsUuMVJFPVavJpe7kPpi5bCmXqN9PPz7qbVMEu QmVBn9QkCHpe2cDLPr9H2kyS7vx3eRh5a9NN8CDSJEKw58 QmYGXGQ6SW216dEJ4TMfGyb7yDMBF4n6zCEwza8SfCQjDJ ╒═══════════════════ 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐗 ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╕ ⦿ IRC Proceedings: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | Techrights ⦿ Who Will Assess the Performance of the Corrupt EPO? Nobody. It’s Above Scrutiny. | Techrights ⦿ Windows and XBOX’s Greenwashing Tactics Fail to Address Real Energy and Security Issues: Why GNU/Linux and Nintendo Offer Better Alternatives | Techrights ䷼ Bulletin articles (as HTML) to comment on (requires login): http://techrights.org/2023/02/16/irc-log-150223/#comments http://techrights.org/2023/02/16/lscth-on-performance-report/#comments http://techrights.org/2023/02/16/microsoft-greenwashing-tactics/#comments ䷞ Followed by Daily Links (assorted news picks curated and categorised): http://techrights.org/2023/02/16/ardour-7-3-and-pipewire-0-3-66/#comments http://techrights.org/2023/02/16/youtube-crisis/#comments ䷩ 𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 54 ╒═══════════════════ 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄 ═════════════════════════════════════════════════╕ (ℹ) Images, hyperlinks and comments at http://techrights.org/2023/02/16/irc-log-150223/#comments Gemini version at gemini://gemini.techrights.org/2023/02/16/irc-log-150223/ ⠀⌧ █▇▆▅▄▃▂▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁ 02.16.23⠀▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▂▃▄▅▆▇█ ⌧ Gemini_version_available_♊︎ ✐ IRC_Proceedings:_Wednesday,_February_15,_2023⠀✐ Posted in IRC_Logs at 3:19 am by Needs Sunlight Also available via the Gemini protocol at: * gemini://gemini.techrights.org/irc-gmi/irc-log-techrights-150223.gmi * gemini://gemini.techrights.org/irc-gmi/irc-log-150223.gmi * gemini://gemini.techrights.org/irc-gmi/irc-log-social-150223.gmi * gemini://gemini.techrights.org/irc-gmi/irc-log-techbytes-150223.gmi Over HTTP: 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇H 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇HTML5_logs⦈_ #techrights_log_as_HTML5 #boycottnovell_log_as_HTML5 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇H 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇HTML5_logs⦈_ #boycottnovell-social_log_as_HTML5 #techbytes_log_as_HTML5 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇t 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇text_logs⦈_ #techrights_log_as_text #boycottnovell_log_as_text 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇t 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇text_logs⦈_ #boycottnovell-social_log_as_text #techbytes_log_as_text Enter_the_IRC_channels_now =============================================================================== § IPFS Mirrors⠀➾ CID Description Object type IRC log for  QmWGbpcsQb5K1Pf4tD8UXRLFacnDkWgiBnJp8weva25x4a #boycottnovell 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇HTML5 logs⦈ (full IRC log as HTML) IRC log for #boycottnovell  QmRo1ozxLxuCjqSvcKgfGrXMVGJcSh3gWNyBVKPzvBFwt6 (full IRC log 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇text logs⦈ as plain/ASCII text) IRC log for #boycottnovell-  QmZWYFH14YFUtnu9Y7EdWhpNszz4oF7Mnmu3R19Wwj54M6 social 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇HTML5 logs⦈ (full IRC log as HTML) IRC log for #boycottnovell-  QmbYuS2TaHuzvVQ2Q1nFKfRcdzU1Evz1w6184QA2UoG7d4 social 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇text logs⦈ (full IRC log as plain/ASCII text) IRC log for  QmaDGD7NN1yPmjmdQbEZt7tmDYtaRC2eVdHBRwso68XkPj #techbytes 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇HTML5 logs⦈ (full IRC log as HTML) IRC log for #techbytes  QmWYJ8M2naMQHwsM9mATRJUN9XTabLzGWRVrh37HnfHQLv (full IRC log 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇text logs⦈ as plain/ASCII text) IRC log for  QmSJcafZX9CEuAtLmDa1BpB6wLcp8DpmhmZMbi6KLboBos #techrights 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇HTML5 logs⦈ (full IRC log as HTML) IRC log for #techrights  Qmbjtj66ihXa5iDnXbG1BYmSJAstc44rBEzaNbUFQvnA9d (full IRC log 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇text logs⦈ as plain/ASCII text) 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇IPFS logo⦈ § Bulletin for Yesterday⠀➾ Local_copy | CID (IPFS): QmYGXGQ6SW216dEJ4TMfGyb7yDMBF4n6zCEwza8SfCQjDJ ䷩ 𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 181 ╒═══════════════════ 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄 ═════════════════════════════════════════════════╕ (ℹ) Images, hyperlinks and comments at http://techrights.org/2023/02/16/lscth-on-performance-report/#comments Gemini version at gemini://gemini.techrights.org/2023/02/16/lscth-on-performance-report/ ⠀⌧ █▇▆▅▄▃▂▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁ 02.16.23⠀▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▂▃▄▅▆▇█ ⌧ Gemini_version_available_♊︎ ✐ Who_Will_Assess_the_Performance_of_the_Corrupt_EPO?_Nobody._It’s_Above Scrutiny.⠀✐ Posted in Europe, Patents at 9:21 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇Corrupt⦈_ Summary: The EPO, Europe’s largest patent office, is subjecting staff to stress-inducing appraisals while the EPO itself keeps lying about management’s performance and lets managers shamelessly break the law (there are no consequences for crime if you’re a manager in this institution, Europe’s second-largest institution) THE EPO‘s staff union, SUEPO, has highlighted another new_post about the demise of quality of European Patents under Benoît_Battistelli and António_Campinos. The comments are worth reading; it’s not limited to European_software_patents and the illegitimacy of the UPC is noted along the way. We try to archive such comments because we’re told that Kluwer Patent Blog is still censoring comments. The blog is, as a whole, a giant booster of the UPC that always fails to disclose a giant conflict of interest (like Bristows staff running it anonymously a lot of the time). “Get ready for some big EPO leaks about corruption. It’s under preparation at the moment.”The Local Staff Committee The Hague (LSCTH) has meanwhile shared slides that it presented exactly a fortnight ago. “Thanks to all the participants of the online information session on the topic of performance / appraisal last Thursday February 2nd, 2023,” LSCTH wrote. It deals mostly with potential legal disputes in 13_slides. Under the guise of appraisal/assessment/ performance reports EPO management probably tries_to_bully_staff_into_patent maximalism_rather_than_adherence_to_the_EPC. It’s important not to surrender to this illegal agenda. Get ready for some big EPO leaks about corruption. It’s under preparation at the moment. The EPO likes to talk about “legality” and “courts” and the “law” when in fact it is routinely committing crimes, violating conventions, burying constitutions and so on, with Grabinski’s grubby hands on the gavel and an army of blackmailing trolls to defend this mafia-like activity [1, 2]. We’ve reported these mobsters to the EFF and the EFF opened a ticket for it. Europe has been getting more authoritarian and it fails to protect the press. There’s barely any press left, just lobbying sites of special interests like Team UPC’s. Europe has adopted Maltese media standards. █ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⠀⠀⣀⣀⣀⣤⣴⣦⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣀⣠⣀⣠⣀⣄⣤⣶⣼⣶⣿⡿⠿⠿⠿⠛⠛⠋⠹⣗⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣀⢀⣠⣠⣤⣴⣶⣶⣿⣿⡿⠿⠟⠻⢛⣛⠋⠉⠁⢀⣤⣤⣴⣶⣶⣾⣿⣇⠀⢿⠄⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⠀⠀⢀⣀⣀⣤⣤⣴⣶⣶⣾⡿⡿⠿⠿⠛⠋⠏⠉⠉⠁⣠⣤⣤⣰⣶⣶⣾⣿⣿⣿⣷⣾⣿⣿⢿⣿⣿⠟⠛⠋⠀⢹⡇⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣀⣀⣀⣠⣴⣤⣵⣾⣿⣿⠿⠿⠿⠛⠛⠛⣯⣭⣽⣥⣶⣶⣶⣄⠐⣿⣿⣇⠀⠀⢿⣿⣿⡾⣿⣿⡛⠛⠛⣿⣿⣿⠆⠀⠈⣿⣿⣇⠀⠀⠀⢈⣯⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣀⣀⣠⣤⣤⣶⣶⣶⡿⠿⠿⠟⣛⠛⠋⠁⠉⢀⣤⣴⣴⣤⣶⣴⣄⡀⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠸⣿⣿⣷⣿⣿⣧⣦⣴⣾⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⢿⣿⣿⠂⠀⠀⠀⢿⡄⠀ ⢀⣀⣤⣤⣶⣦⣷⣶⣶⣾⠿⠿⠿⠿⠛⡛⣛⠉⢍⣀⡀⠀⠀⣴⣮⣾⣷⣿⣶⣦⣸⣿⣿⡿⠿⠿⢿⣿⣿⡜⣿⣿⡇⠀⢀⣻⣿⣿⢻⣿⣿⡀⠀⠀⣿⣿⣏⢻⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⠟⠁⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⠆⠀⠀⠀⢹⡇⠀ ⢸⡟⠛⠉⠉⣉⢉⠉⠀⣄⣴⣤⠀⠀⣴⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣆⢸⣿⣿⡿⠛⠻⣿⣿⣧⣿⣿⣷⣠⠴⣾⣿⣿⠇⣿⣿⣿⣾⣿⣿⣿⣇⠈⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⢻⣿⣿⣽⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⣿⣧⠀⠀⠀⠘⣯⡄ ⢸⣯⠀⠀⠺⣿⣿⣇⠀⣻⣿⡏⡀⣀⣿⣿⣯⠋⠁⢹⣿⣿⣼⣿⣿⡏⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣻⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣆⢿⣿⣿⡟⠫⢿⣿⣿⣾⣿⣿⣧⣀⢀⣬⣿⣿⡈⣿⣿⣧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠻⠿⠟⠀⠀⣀⣀⣹⡂ ⠀⣿⡆⠀⣠⣼⣿⣿⣴⣾⣿⣿⣾⣟⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⠘⠛⠛⠸⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⠸⣿⣿⡯⣿⣿⣿⠈⠙⣿⣿⣿⣽⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⣿⣿⣷⡘⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⠟⠀⠿⠟⠛⡀⣀⣀⣀⣠⣤⣤⡶⣶⣶⡿⠿⠿⠟⠛⠛⠃ ⠀⢸⣧⠀⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⠿⣿⣿⡟⣫⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⢺⣿⣿⣿⣿⣯⣄⠀⣸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠹⣿⣿⡿⢿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠜⢿⡿⠗⠀⢈⣉⣩⣥⣤⣤⡶⡶⣶⣲⣿⠿⠟⠻⠙⠛⠄⠀⠉⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⣿⡆⢨⣤⣼⣿⣿⣶⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⢀⣠⣿⣿⣿⠘⣿⣿⣷⣿⣿⣿⣿⠋⢻⣿⡿⠈⠀⠘⠛⢻⣋⣬⣭⣥⣴⣶⡼⣶⡿⠿⠿⠿⠭⠻⠙⠚⠚⠋⠉⠉⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⣿⡇⠰⡿⠿⣿⣿⠛⢻⣿⣿⠁⠀⠹⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠃⠀⠘⠛⠿⡿⣿⣿⣙⣠⣤⣭⣾⣶⣶⢿⠿⡿⠿⠛⠛⠋⠁⠉⠁⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⣹⡇⠀⠀⣤⣿⣿⡆⠈⠿⠿⠃⠀⠀⡈⣋⣑⣫⣭⣤⣶⣶⣶⣾⡿⠿⠟⠻⠻⠛⠛⠊⠉⠋⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠸⣿⠀⠀⠀⣉⣀⣤⣴⣶⢶⢶⡿⠻⠿⠿⠛⠛⠋⠉⠉⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⢻⣿⢿⠿⠿⠟⠛⠋⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ䷩ 𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 260 ╒═══════════════════ 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄 ═════════════════════════════════════════════════╕ (ℹ) Images, hyperlinks and comments at http://techrights.org/2023/02/16/microsoft-greenwashing-tactics/#comments Gemini version at gemini://gemini.techrights.org/2023/02/16/microsoft-greenwashing-tactics/ ⠀⌧ █▇▆▅▄▃▂▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁ 02.16.23⠀▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▂▃▄▅▆▇█ ⌧ Gemini_version_available_♊︎ ✐ Windows_and_XBOX’s_Greenwashing_Tactics_Fail_to_Address_Real_Energy_and Security_Issues:_Why_GNU/Linux_and_Nintendo_Offer_Better_Alternatives⠀✐ Posted in Deception, GNU/Linux, Microsoft, Windows at 5:52 am by Guest Editorial Team Reprinted with permission from Ryan 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴_🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽_⦇microsoft-greenwash⦈_ As much as they’d like to project themselves as environmentally conscious, it’s evident that Microsoft is more interested in maintaining their profit margins than conserving resources. Windows has always been notorious for its resource consumption, poor design, and bloat, making PCs less energy-efficient and contributing to e-waste. Instead of addressing the issue, Microsoft has opted to promote its “carbon awareness” initiative for Windows Update, which doesn’t solve the problem, but merely shifts the time for checking for broken updates to nighttime. (I mean, who hasn’t experienced the frustration of a Windows update breaking something that was working perfectly fine before? Don’t you love spending hours of your life that you’ll never get back trying helplessly to whack the Troubleshooters, which don’t work?) To make matters worse, since Windows 10, Windows_Update_has_been_transformed into_a_botnet that siphons off electricity and bandwidth from unsuspecting users worldwide. So what can users do? They can take control of their PCs and fight back against this bloat and the broken updates that just shift problems around randomly by switching to a GNU/Linux distribution. GNU/Linux_distributions are more secure, robust, performant, and energy-efficient than Windows. With GNU/Linux, there are choices. If the operating system vendor angers you, you can choose a different distribution that doesn’t do those things. If you don’t like the decisions made about the way your desktop shell works, you can change the desktop with extensions or get a different one. Nobody is “on high” telling you how this is going to be. With Windows, in all ways big and small, it is a manipulator. When I went to try the new Taskbar, in one small annoyance, I even found out that the icon for “Teams” is no ordinary icon. You have to go through some menus and change the Taskbar settings to make the icon go away, and it doesn’t go away just by uninstalling Teams. In fact, it will reinstall it if you’re not careful. As an example, in my testing, a GNU/Linux system running powertop autotune as a system service is significantly more power-efficient than Windows. On my laptop, which runs on a Core i7 Skylake, Windows 10 hardly ever got deeper than PC3, while GNU/Linux spends time in all of them right down to PC8. Another problem that has gained attention in recent years is the company’s extensive use of telemetry, a form of spyware that collects data on users’ activities and sends it back to Microsoft. Not only is this a blatant violation of privacy, but it’s also a significant drain on power and resources. Michael Larabel at Phoronix conducted benchmark testing on Windows 10 with telemetry both on (default) and off, and found_that it_had_a_significant_impact_on_the_system’s_performance. Why are such basic operations slowed down so much by Telemetry? Because it’s watching and reporting on damned near everything you do with the computer, including your typing, which programs you use, and the contents of your hard drive. This is bound to have more impact on carbon emissions than Windows Update. It’s time for users to take a stand and demand better than Microsoft. They should not tolerate this Windows mess any longer. Instead, they should embrace alternatives that are better for the environment, more secure, and efficient. Users should say goodbye to Windows and hello to a brighter, cleaner future. In addition to their Windows operating system, Microsoft’s XBOX division has also been promoting “carbon awareness”. While this may seem like a positive step, it’s worth noting that gaming consoles in general are notorious for their energy consumption. It’s difficult to take this “carbon awareness” campaign seriously when the products they’re promoting are contributing to the very problem they claim to be addressing. It’s worth remembering that this is the same company that has a history of creating poorly designed and unreliable products such as the XBOX 360, which was plagued (to the point of overflowing) with issues like the notorious Red Ring_of_Death, which rendered the console unusable. (Humorously, an entire cottage industry went up to make adapters like the Nyko Intercooler 360 to try to add extra fans, but_these_themselves_sometimes_caught fire_or_overloaded_and_scorched_the_back_of_the_console,_voiding_the_warranty.) As someone who personally experienced eight failed consoles due to this issue, I can attest to Microsoft’s inability to create products that work reliably. Even after sending in my console for repair, I would receive a new unit that would soon overheat and fry itself. It’s clear if you simply watch them and cut through all of the bribed media, that Microsoft has no idea how to build products, and instead tries to brute force their way into markets. Efficiency and sustainability are simply not their forte. In contrast, companies like Nintendo have always been known for their efficient and conservative engineering. They don’t rely on raw processing power as a crutch and instead focus on innovative game design. Nintendo products have a reputation for being more energy-efficient and reliable than their competitors. Perhaps it’s time for Microsoft to follow in Nintendo’s footsteps and prioritize efficiency and innovation over excessive resource consumption. The truth is, however, that they are not committed to the future of the XBOX division. It’s been less than a week, as of this writing, since_they_sacked_basically_the entire_XBOX_marketing_division_the same day that they gutted_the_marketing division_of_Azure and LinkedIn. When you give up trying to convince people to pay for your products, how much time can you really have left? It’s in light of the bloodletting at Microsoft that the continued pursuit of Activision almost seems like some sort of Kabuki Theater from another dimension. Users who care about the environment or just having reliable software and gaming machines should consider making the switch to GNU/Linux and Nintendo and embracing the ethos of efficiency and innovation, rather than Microsoft’s empty lip service. Windows and XBOX are carbon bombs, and in the case of Windows, version 11 is the worst yet. But first and foremost, they’re just awful products. Saying you’re addressing the Windows carbon problem with the updater is like saying you’re going to eat three plates of dinner at an all-you-can-eat buffet, followed by three slices of cake… and a Diet Pepsi. █ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢰⡶⢶⡶⠶⠶⢶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣲⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣲⣶⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⠿⠿⣿⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠘⠁⠀⠀⠀⠈⠛⠛⠛⠛⠛⠛⠛⠛⠛⠻⠿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡝⡉⠙⣛⠏⠟⠛⡛⣏⠏⠛⠻⠙⡋⠛⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢰⣀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣻⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣶⣶⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⣫⣭⣭⡛⣿⣿⠿⣿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⡿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⠿⠭⠯⠭⠭⠍⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠽⣿⣿⣿⠗⣛⣿⣷⠒⠻⣿⠷⢶⢷⠾⠦⢶⠲⠶⢶⢾⠛⣿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢹⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣶⣮⣭⣥⣤⣤⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣾⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣥⣼⣧⣭⣭⣽⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡟⠻⢿⠿⠿⠿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⡏⣹⣟⣛⣛⣛⣻⣻⣛⣛⣛⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⡿⢿⡿⠿⠿⠿⡿⡿⠿⠿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣹⣿⣯⣛⣛⣛⣋⣛⣻⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣯⣛⣻⣙⣿⣛⣋⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣷⣿⣿⣿⣾⣿⣷⣿⣷⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣯⣾⣧⣽⣭⣭⣭⣬⣭⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣛⣿⣿⠿⠿⢿⠿⠿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣋⣹⣟⠛⣻⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣿⣷⣾⣿⣾⣷⣿⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⡟⣿⡿⠿⠿⠿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣷⣾⣿⣷⣶⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣌⣿⣷⣒⣚⣒⣚⣒⣚⣓⣟⣛⣛⣻⣟⣛⣛⣟⣛⣛⣛⣻⣛⣛⣟⣛⣛⣛⣛⣛⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣧⣼⣧⣽⣽⣼⣭⣭⣭⣽⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣋⣹⣟⣛⣛⣛⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⣿⡿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⢿⢿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⢿⠿⡿⠿⠿⡿⠿⠿⠿⢿⡿⠿⢿⠿⠿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⡟⣿⡿⠿⠿⠿⠿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣾⣷⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣷⣿⣿⣿⣾⣷⣿⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣏⢻⣟⣛⣟⡛⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣦⣼⣷⣯⣭⣭⣭⣭⣭⣬⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡟⣻⡿⠻⢿⠿⠟⠿⢻⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣏⡉⣹⣟⣛⣛⣛⣛⣛⣙⣻⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠸⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ䷩ 𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 466 ╒═══════════════════ 𝐃𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 ═════════════════════════════════════════════╕ ⠀⌧ █▇▆▅▄▃▂▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁ 02.16.23⠀▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▂▃▄▅▆▇█ ⌧ Gemini_version_available_♊︎ ✐ Links_16/02/2023:_Ardour_7.3_and_PipeWire_0.3.66⠀✐ Posted in News_Roundup at 7:51 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇GNOME bluefish⦈ § Contents⠀➾ * GNU/Linux o Server o Audiocasts/Shows o Kernel_Space o Applications o Instructionals/Technical o Games * Distributions_and_Operating_Systems o BSD o Fedora_Family_/_IBM o Debian_Family o Canonical/Ubuntu_Family o Devices/Embedded o Mobile_Systems/Mobile_Applications * Free,_Libre,_and_Open_Source_Software o Events o Web_Browsers/Web_Servers # Mozilla o Programming/Development # Rust * Leftovers o Privacy/Surveillance * Defence/Aggression * Transparency/Investigative_Reporting * Environment o Energy/Transportation o Overpopulation * Finance * AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics * Censorship/Free_Speech * Freedom_of_Information_/_Freedom_of_the_Press * Civil_Rights/Policing * Internet_Policy/Net_Neutrality * Digital_Restrictions_(DRM) * Monopolies o Patents o Copyrights * Gemini*_and_Gopher o Personal o Technical * § GNU/Linux⠀➾ o ⚓ The Register UK ☛ The_quest_to_make_Linux_bulletproof⠀⇛ This is the second half of a feature about work undertaken to harden and improve Linux, beginning with part 1 here. Commercial Unix was expensive so it was carefully tended – and indeed tendered. Linux is free so it has to fend for itself. Linux itself was inspired by the tried and tested designs of the proprietary Unixes that preceded it – or predeceased it – which it drove into extinction. Some of their tech continues to make its way into Linux, and some is being reinvented, usually to get round IP issues. The goals are to make Linux more resilient: fault-tolerant, self-healing, and in general to lower the cost of its maintenance. o § Server⠀➾ # ⚓ Ubuntu ☛ Common_misconceptions_behind_cloud_migration failures⠀⇛ Migrating your workloads to the cloud can bring some undeniable benefits to your organisation. For example, you can leverage cloud automation to significantly improve your time to market. You can also benefit from the ever increasing number of cloud regions to place your workloads close to your clients. This improves the response time of your services and, as a result, your customers’ satisfaction. However, there are numerous misconceptions around public clouds. These misconceptions often lead to costly cloud migration failures and might end up in cloud repatriation. This article is the second in a series aiming to help you avoid costly mistakes around cloud migration. In this blog, we will go over some of the widely shared misconceptions and provide recommendations to help you get the most of public clouds and make a well-considered decision to only migrate the pertinent workloads. o § Audiocasts/Shows⠀➾ # ⚓ Tux Digital ☛ Linux_Out_Loud_50:_Unused_Hardware⠀⇛ This week, Linux Out Loud chats about open-source projects rising from the ashes. Welcome to episode 50 of Linux Out Loud. We fired up our mics, connected those headphones as we searched the community for themes to expound upon. We kept the banter friendly, the conversation somewhat on topic, and had fun doing it. o § Kernel Space⠀➾ # ⚓ The Register UK ☛ Debian_dev_to_the_rescue_after_proposal to_remove_Itanium_from_Linux_kernel⠀⇛ Linux kernel developers have debated removing support for Intel and HP’s now officially defunct Itanium/IA64 platform from the project, with the outcome appearing to be a proposal to keep it alive. A Wednesday post by Arm principal software developer Ard Biesheuvel pointed out that “The IA64 port of Linux has no maintainer, and according to a report from its only remaining user [0], it has been broken for a month and nobody cares.” Biesheuvel suggested that set of circumstances makes persisting with support a bad idea o § Applications⠀➾ # ⚓ 9to5Linux ☛ Ardour_7.3_Open-Source_DAW_Released_with_VST3 Multi-Bus_Support,_Searchable_Preferences⠀⇛ Coming two months after Ardour 7.2, the Ardour 7.3 release is here to introduce support for VST3 plugins with multiple I/O busses to allow instrument plugins to have dedicated additional outputs, as well as sample rate independence so that audio hardware sample rate and session sample rate no longer have to match. Ardour 7.3 also updates the UI to introduce support for searching items in the global Preferences and the Session Properties dialogs, the ability to reverse the polarity of an audio region, working undo/redo in the recording page, and the ability to directly use the MIDI tracer on physical MIDI ports. # ⚓ Trend Oceans ☛ PipeWire_0.3.66_Released_Today!⠀⇛ PipeWire 0.3.66, which includes a number of bug fixes and improvements to the open-source multimedia framework. o § Instructionals/Technical⠀➾ # ⚓ Linux Handbook ☛ nmap_Command_Examples_in_Linux⠀⇛ The nmap command can be used for finding devices on your network, open ports and more. Here are some common uses of nmap. # ⚓ Linux Cloud VPS ☛ Sign_up_for_a_LinuxCloudVPS_today⠀⇛ In this tutorial, we are going to show you how to install and manage multiple Java versions on a Linux server. # ⚓ OpenSource.com ☛ 5_escape_sequences_for_your_Linux_shell⠀⇛ I recently read an article about shell metacharacters by Opensource.com correspondent Don Watkins. His article made me think about all the weird things you could do with shell input. While I probably have yet to discover the extremes, I do often find shell escape sequences, like \b and \t and \f strangely useful. Escape sequences are a special type of terminal input. They’re designed to make it possible for you to enter characters or events that you may not have on your physical keyboard. Here are my favorite escape sequences for the Bash shell. Metacharacters are symbols with special meanings for Bash and other shells. They aren’t interpreted literally by the shell, but change how it processes input and output… # ⚓ Linux Host Support ☛ 5_most_Used_dig_Commands_in_Linux_With Examples⠀⇛ The DIG command offers a vast amount of functionalities and different options. # ⚓ Marco d’Itri ☛ Marco_d’Itri:_I_replaced_grub_with_systemd- boot⠀⇛ To be able to investigate and work on the the measured boot features I have switched from grub to systemd-boot (sd-boot). # ⚓ Trend Oceans ☛ How_to_Store_or_Assign_a_Linux_command_in_a Variable_in_Bash_Shell_Script⠀⇛ You can store Linux commands as variables in shell scripts by using the syntax: VARIABLE_NAME=$ (COMMAND_TO_BE_EXECUTED). Once you have saved the Linux command as a variable in the shell script, you can use it anywhere in the script by calling the variable name instead of typing out the command. # ⚓ UNIX Cop ☛ How_to_change_the_hostname_on_Debian_11?⠀⇛ Hello, friends. In this post, you will learn how to change the hostname in Debian 11. It is a short tutorial, but focused to newbies and even to those users who want to play with the shell. # ⚓ FOSSLinux ☛ Strengthening_Wireless_Network_Security_with Iptables⠀⇛ In this article, we will explore the benefits of using Iptables as a security tool for wireless networks. We will cover the basics of wireless networking techniques and demonstrate how iptables can help secure your wireless network from potential threats. # ⚓ OMG! Linux ☛ Extract_Color_Palettes_from_Images_Using ‘Paleta’_for_Linux⠀⇛ To extract colors from images I will open a color picker app like Pick and use the eyedropper tool to mouse over the parts of an image I wish to pull color from. I then save the values in a text editor so I can copy/paste them into design apps (or .css files). But now I don’t need to. # ⚓ Jeff Geerling ☛ Transcribing_recorded_audio_and_video_to text_using_Whisper_AI_on_a_Mac⠀⇛ I installed it and ran it on one of my video’s audio tracks using the commands at the top of this post, and I was pleasantly surprised: [...] # ⚓ University of Toronto ☛ BIOS_MBR_booting_isn’t_always flawless_and_can_be_odd⠀⇛ The obvious failure mode is that if you have a system disk fail and replace it, your replaced system disk is not in its right place in the BIOS boot order. Since it’s a new disk it’s been put at the end, after all of the data drives. If you replaced the first system disk, you’re still able to boot because you’re actually booting off the other system disk. o § Games⠀➾ # ⚓ GamingOnLinux ☛ Returnal_is_just_rough_on_Steam_Deck_but great_on_Desktop_Linux⠀⇛ Returnal is now on Steam so naturally I gave this previously PlayStation exclusive a run on Steam Deck. It’s quite sad though. # ⚓ GamingOnLinux ☛ Shader_cache_downloads_being_a_nuisance? Valve_may_have_solved_it⠀⇛ Valve’s shader cache system can be extremely helpful for Linux gaming, however it can also at times be quite problematic but Valve may have solved a big problem with it. # ⚓ GamingOnLinux ☛ Zink_driver_for_OpenGL_over_Vulkan_gets_a 10x_performance_boost_for_DOOM_2016⠀⇛ A really small change to the Zink driver, that gives OpenGL support on top of Vulkan, has given an ~10x speed boost for DOOM (2016). Other games are likely to benefit from this change too but DOOM was the one where an issue was noticed. * § Distributions and Operating Systems⠀➾ o ⚓ Pierre Equoy ☛ A_promising_mess⠀⇛ The current status of the Linux ecosystem is not great, but with all that said, I’m hopeful for the future. As newer generations of audio and video protocols gain maturity, the older protocols will stop being used, which will reduce the number of use cases to care about. o § BSD⠀➾ # ⚓ FreeBSD ☛ BSDCan_2023_Travel_Grant_Application_Now_Open⠀⇛ The Travel Grant Application for BSDCan 2023 is now open. The Foundation can help you attend BSDCan through our travel grant program. Travel grants are available to FreeBSD developers and advocates who need assistance with travel expenses for attending conferences related to FreeBSD development. o § Fedora Family / IBM⠀➾ # ⚓ SDx Central ☛ Oracle,_Red_Hat_Link_Public_Cloud_IaaS Integration⠀⇛ # ⚓ India Times ☛ Red_Hat_and_Oracle_expand_operating_system collaboration⠀⇛ o § Debian Family⠀➾ # ⚓ Trend Oceans ☛ Parrot_OS_5.2_is_now_available_with_Linux Kernel_6.0⠀⇛ Parrot OS 5.2, a Debian-based, security-oriented distribution, was recently released with the latest Linux Kernel 6.0. o § Canonical/Ubuntu Family⠀➾ # ⚓ The New Stack ☛ Real-Time_Ubuntu_Is_Now_Generally Available⠀⇛ Canonical, the makers of Ubuntu Linux has announced the availability of a real-time version of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS… # ⚓ Beta News ☛ Kubuntu_Focus_Team_launches_NX_GEN_2_mini_Linux desktop_PC⠀⇛ Installing a Linux-based operating system on an existing computer has gotten far easier over the years. Long gone are the days where replacing Windows with Linux had to be a frustrating experience. Still, for many people, installing a Linux distribution is a scary task. Thankfully, there are many computers being sold with Linux distributions pre-installed. Today, The Kubuntu Focus Team launches its latest such Linux PC. The “Focus NX GEN 2,” as it is called, is a NUC-like desktop that comes with Kubuntu 22.04 LTS pre-installed. The diminutive computer is powered by a 16-core 12th-Gen Intel Core i7-1260P. The second-gen Focus NX can be configured with up to 64GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, up to a 2TB NVMe boot SSD, and up to a 4TB secondary SATA SSD. o § Devices/Embedded⠀➾ # ⚓ Valhalla’s_Things:_My_experience_with_a_PinePhone⠀⇛ While I’ve had a mobile phone since an early time (my parents made me carry one for emergencies before it was usual for my peers) I’ve never used a typical smartphone (android / iPhone / those other proprietary things) because I can’t trust them not to be designed to work against me (data collection, ads, tricking users into micro payments, and other antipatterns of proprietary software design), and bringing them to sanity as most of the people I know do is too much effort for my tastes. # ⚓ Linux Gizmos ☛ New_Lantronix_SIPs_use_Qualcomm_QCS2290_and QCS4290_SoCs⠀⇛ Lantronix released this month two System-in-Package modules based on Qualcomm System-on-Chip Technology. The Lantronix Open-Q SIP modules are equipped with the Qualcomm Adreno GPU, LPDDR4 RAM, eMMC Flash storage, camera support, GNSS, Wi-Fi 5/ BT 5.0 connectivity and many other peripherals. # ⚓ Hackaday ☛ Ploopy_Builds_Open_Source_RP2040-Powered Headphones_And_You_Can_Too!⠀⇛ We’ve seen many DIY headphones projects on these fair pages over the years, but not many that are quite as DIY as the Ploopy Headphones. What makes this project interesting is the sheer depth of the construction, with every single part being made from what we might call base materials. Materials such as 3D printer filament, foam and felt, and the usual metallic vitamins. o § Mobile Systems/Mobile Applications⠀➾ # ⚓ TechRadar ☛ Your_Android_phone_keyboard_is_getting_a_handy upgrade_|_TechRadar⠀⇛ # ⚓ SamMobile ☛ Galaxy_S23_Android_Auto_issues_are_a_repeat_of last_year_–_SamMobile⠀⇛ # ⚓ TechCrunch ☛ Firefox_for_Android_gets_extension_for listening_to_articles_and_hiding_email_addresses_• TechCrunch⠀⇛ # ⚓ Android Headlines ☛ Leveraging_the_potential_of_Android_for a_better_crypto_casino_experience⠀⇛ # ⚓ Gizmo China ☛ Update:_OnePlus_11R_5G_Confirmed_To_Receive Three_Android_OS_and_Four_Years_Of_Security_Updates⠀⇛ # ⚓ BGR ☛ Mediatek_Dimensity_7200_chip_brings_powerful_gaming to_mid-range_Android_phones_|_BGR⠀⇛ # ⚓ SamMobile ☛ Samsung_Galaxy_A04_gets_Android_13_update_(One UI_5.0)_–_SamMobile⠀⇛ # ⚓ Computer World ☛ Android_13_Upgrade_Report_Card:_Surprise! |_Computerworld⠀⇛ # ⚓ Phone Arena ☛ Another_Sony_mid-ranger_is_getting_upgraded to_Android_13_–_PhoneArena⠀⇛ # ⚓ Giz China ☛ The_Oppo_Find_N2_Flip_will_be_updated_until Android_17⠀⇛ # ⚓ Android Police ☛ Android_Auto_is_stalling_out_for_some Samsung_Galaxy_S23_owners⠀⇛ # ⚓ Lifewire ☛ 6_Ways_to_Unlock_an_Android_Phone_Without_a Password⠀⇛ # ⚓ Lifewire ☛ How_to_Update_Apps_on_Android⠀⇛ # ⚓ GO Media ☛ Your_Android_Phone_Can_Feel_so_Much_Faster⠀⇛ # ⚓ Make Use Of ☛ iPhone_vs._Android:_Which_Offers_More Privacy?⠀⇛ # ⚓ PC Mag ☛ Google_Tests_Its_‘Privacy_Sandbox’_App_Tracking Alternative_on_Android_Phones_|_PCMag⠀⇛ * § Free, Libre, and Open Source Software⠀➾ o ⚓ OpenSource.com ☛ A_guide_to_SLEs_and_SLAs_for_open_source projects⠀⇛ The term Service Level Agreement (SLA) is a familiar one, particularly in the context of a cloud or managed service on the web. An SLA refers to the contractual obligations a service provider has to its customers and is the instrument defining permissible performance levels for the service. For example, a service agreement might determine a service level of 99.95% uptime, with penalties for falling under 99.95% uptime (more than about 4.5 hours of downtime in a year or 1.125 hours per quarter). The term is so useful for describing both requirements and expectations around service uptime that it has been co-opted for other uses where a contractual agreement doesn’t or can’t exist. For example, a community SLA or free-tier SLA might describe a non-contractual situation with the desire or expectation of maintaining a certain service level. The problem with this usage is a wonky but important one. In an SLA, “agreement” always means a contract; the contextual meaning of the word cannot be translated to other contexts. The relationship between two or more people is, by nature, non-contractual. That’s why contracts were invented: to provide a way to formalize an agreement and its terms beyond the moment of coming to an agreement. Misusing the term SLA creates specific problems in at least two areas: [...] o § Events⠀➾ # ⚓ Joinup ☛ Open_Source_Innovation_in_Universities_24_March⠀⇛ “On March 24th, OSPO++ is organizing an event to discuss emerging trends relating to open source in Open Science, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer. We will be gathering to share recent experiences from universities and public research institutions from around the world. We are delighted to partner with Trinity College Dublin, Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software and Open Ireland Network to bring you this event.” o § Web Browsers/Web Servers⠀➾ # § Mozilla⠀➾ # ⚓ Tor ☛ New_Release:_Tor_Browser_12.0.3⠀⇛ Tor Browser 12.0.3 is now available from the Tor Browser download page and also from our distribution directory. This release updates Firefox to 102.8, including bug fixes, stability improvements and important security updates. There were no Android-specific security updates to backport from the Firefox 110 release. # ⚓ Mozilla ☛ The_Mozilla_Blog:_These_3_new_Firefox Android_extensions_will_help_simplify_your_life⠀⇛ We’ve come to rely on our mobile devices for everything, from managing our online calendars to sharing an article we just read with our friends. So, how can we make it easier when we use our mobile devices? Today, we’re adding new extensions to Firefox Android to help. Whether it’s giving an email address to sign up for an account, sharing a URL with a friend, or listening to an article, here are the latest extensions for a better online experience. o § Programming/Development⠀➾ # § Rust⠀➾ # ⚓ Roman Kashitsyn ☛ When_Rust_hurts⠀⇛ Rust is in a sweet spot in the language design space. It allows us to build efficient and memory-safe programs with concise, portable, and sometimes even pretty code. However, it is not all roses and sunshine. Memory management details often stay in your way and make the code uglier or more repetitive than it could be in a “higher- level” programming language, such as Haskell or OCaml. In almost all cases, these issues are not defects of the compiler but direct consequences of the Rust’s team design choices. This article details on how frustrating Rust can be if you approach it with a functional programming mindset and why Rust has no choice but to frustrate you. * § Leftovers⠀➾ o ⚓ Mexico News Daily ☛ US_tourist_visa_backlog_continues_in_Mexico; average_wait_time_is_450_days⠀⇛ According to the U.S. State Department’s official visa appointment request page, consulates in Mexico have interviews scheduled into 2024. o ⚓ Defence Web ☛ SANDF_setting_up_dedicated_disaster_response_unit⠀⇛ As natural disasters are becoming the ‘new normal’ due to climate change, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is looking to establish a dedicated disaster response unit, as it is regularly called on to assist with floods, fires and other events. o ⚓ France24 ☛ International_rescue_teams_in_Turkey_work_under watchful_eyes_of_families⠀⇛ In the southeastern Turkish city of Adiyaman, international rescue teams are still searching for survivors, or trying to recover bodies, as worried families watch more than a week after the devastating earthquake killed nearly 40,000 people in Turkey and Syria. o ⚓ Hackaday ☛ Smart_Contact_Lenses_Tell_You_Where_To_Go⠀⇛ Augmented Reality (AR) promises to relieve us from from the boredom of mundane reality and can also help you navigate unfamiliar environments. Current AR tech leaves something to be desired, but researchers at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute have brought AR contact lenses closer to actual reality. o ⚓ Hackaday ☛ Hobnobbing_With_The_Knob⠀⇛ The scroll wheel might be the best thing that happened to the computer mouse since, well, the computer mouse. But sometimes you want something a little more tangible. For example, with a software-defined radio setup, it doesn’t feel right to scroll your mouse to change frequencies. That’s where [Wagiminator]’ USB knob would come in handy. Marrying a 3D printed case, some addressable LEDs, a rotary encoder, and a CH552E microcontroller, the knob appears to the host operating system as a normal USB keyboard. That means most programs can use it without any special drivers or software. o ⚓ The Kent Stater ☛ KSU_professors’_families_affected_by_Turkey- Syria_Earthquake⠀⇛ Almost 6,000 miles away, the Kent community reflects in the aftermath of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the Turkish-Syrian border. The earthquake struck the region on Feb. 6 and has since killed more than 33,000 people. o § Science⠀➾ # ⚓ Eesti Rahvusringhääling ☛ Experts_foresee_IT_sector slowdown⠀⇛ Estonia’s IT sector is slowing down and the trend is set to continue, experts say. Data released on Wednesday shows unemployment across all businesses has risen 23 percent on-year. # ⚓ The Kent Stater ☛ OPINION:_Music_fuels_our_brain_in_more ways_than_we_think⠀⇛ There’s nothing like the feeling of playing a song that perfectly captures your mood. Whether you’re sad and need an uplifting song or a slow song that matches the way you feel. o § Hardware⠀➾ # ⚓ CNX Software ☛ Snapdragon_X75_modem_brings_5G_Advanced_to smartphones,_IoT,_and_FWA_routers⠀⇛ Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 is the latest 5G Modem-RF System from the company bringing 5G Advanced connectivity to smartphones, PCs, industrial IoT, vehicles, and 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) routers. 5G is getting more confusing than ever, as after just having launched a 5G NR-Light modem for smartwatches, industrial IoT, and XR glasses, Qualcomm introduced the first “5G Advanced” modem with the Snapdragon X75 targetting a wide range of applications that benefit from the improvements in speed, coverage, mobility, power efficiency, etc… made possible by the 5G NR Release 18. # ⚓ Herman Õunapuu ☛ Shrinkflation,_SanDisk_style⠀⇛ Based on this, I assume that SanDisk cheaped out and decided to not add enough flash to provide both the advertised storage of 16 000 000 000 bytes available to the user and some room for over- provisioning that flash storage benefits from. And somehow they are the only ones who do it this way, as all other storage media that I own shows up with the proper number of bytes. And for those interested, here’s f3 output for both the old and new sticks. # ⚓ Jeff Geerling ☛ Trying_every_combination_to_flash_my_ASUS motherboard’s_BIOS⠀⇛ tl;dr: Use an old-fashioned USB 2.0 flash drive, format it FAT32, download the firmware, make sure it’s named correctly, and use the motherboard’s ‘BIOS Flashback’ option after powering off the computer. # ⚓ Franz Dill ☛ Very_Tiny_Cameras,_Consider_the Possibilities⠀⇛ Researchers at Princeton University and the University of Washington have developed an ultracompact camera the size of a coarse grain of salt. The system relies on a technology called a metasurface, which is studded with 1.6 million cylindrical posts and can be produced much like a computer chip. Image courtesy of the researchers # ⚓ Hackaday ☛ Breadboarding_A_Game_Boy_From_Scratch⠀⇛ The original Nintendo Game Boy is a stout piece of hardware in a solid plastic enclosure. [Raphael Stäbler] recreated the popular handheld on a breadboard instead, in a fully-functional way, to boot. # ⚓ Hackaday ☛ MXenes_Make_Faraday_Cages_You_Can_Turn_On_And Off⠀⇛ Shielding is crucial for all manner of electronic devices. Whether you want to keep power supply noise out of an audio amplifier, or protect ICBMs against an electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear attack, the basic physics behind shielding remains the same. A Faraday cage or shield will do the trick. # ⚓ Hackaday ☛ Realistic_Animatronic_Eyes_Are_An_Easy_DIY Build⠀⇛ It’s not Halloween yet, but if you’re planning a technically-complicated costume, it might serve you well to start building now. To that end, here’s a guide from [Ikkalebob] on how to produce a compact animatronic eye mechanism. o § Health/Nutrition/Agriculture⠀➾ # ⚓ Modern Diplomacy ☛ Aquarium_fish_and_smart_implants_show the_way_to_better_bone_health⠀⇛ By Anthony King Back pain can be excruciating and is increasingly common with ageing populations. Spinal surgery is on the rise in many countries, including costly – and often risky – spinal fusion surgery. # ⚓ Off Guardian ☛ Face_masks_–Medical_Protection,_or_Badge_of Obedience?⠀⇛ Martin Hanson I don’t normally watch TVNZ’s Seven Sharp, but on 5th October 2021 we were told that an immunologist would be on the programme to debunk certain ‘Covid myths’. One such ‘myth’ was the belief that natural immunity is superior to vaccine-induced immunity. # ⚓ The Strategist ☛ Digitisation_no_magic_pill_for_China’s ailing_public_health_system⠀⇛ China has prioritised implementation of digital technology in the health sector in recent years. In November 2022, China proposed the digitisation of national health information by 2025 as part of its five-year national health informatisation plan. # ⚓ Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hundreds_protest_in_Chinese_cities over_health_insurance_reforms⠀⇛ Hundreds of retirees staged protests in the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Dalian on Wednesday against reforms to the public health insurance system, according to witnesses and images on social media. Protests are rare in China, where authorities strictly enforce public order laws and opposition is quickly snuffed out. # ⚓ NPR ☛ Health_concerns_grow_in_East_Palestine,_Ohio,_after train_derailment⠀⇛ On Feb. 3, about 50 cars of a Norfolk Southern train went off track in Ohio, causing a days-long fire in the area. Ten of the 50 derailed cars contained hazardous chemicals including butyl acrylate and vinyl chloride, which were among combustible liquids that authorities feared could set off a major explosion. # ⚓ TruthOut ☛ As_Train_Derailments_Pile_Up,_Some_Railroad Workers_Finally_Win_Paid_Sick_Leave⠀⇛ # ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ Ohio,_Pennsylvania_Senators_Demand_Federal Action_Over_Toxic_Train_Derailment⠀⇛ As residents of East Palestine, Ohio prepared for a Wednesday night town hall meeting about the recent derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials, U.S. senators from the state and neighboring Pennsylvania called for federal action. # ⚓ BBC ☛ Ohio_train_crash_leaves_small_town_in_fear_of_toxic fallout⠀⇛ Over the next few days, dead fish appeared in the creeks – thousands of them, officials later confirmed. People nearby told local media that their chickens died suddenly, their foxes panicked, and their pets fell ill. Residents complained of headaches, burning eyes and sore throats. # ⚓ NPR ☛ Biden_set_his_‘moonshot’_on_cancer._Meet_the_doctor trying_to_get_us_there⠀⇛ What’s the big deal? Since serving as vice president, Biden has touted a plan he calls his “cancer moonshot.” The plan aims to cut the cancer death rate in the United States by at least 50% over the next 25 years. # ⚓ Telex (Hungary) ☛ Hungary_leads_EU_in_cancer-related deaths⠀⇛ # ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ Sanders_Excoriates_‘Unprecedented’_Greed_of Big_Pharma_During_Pandemic⠀⇛ Asserting that Americans are “sick and tired of being ripped off” by Big Pharma during the Covid-19 pandemic, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders said Wednesday that Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s billionaire CEO, will testify next month before the Senate committee he chairs. # ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ On_the_Greed_of_the_Pharmaceutical Industry⠀⇛ Following the news that the CEO of Moderna will accept an invitation to testify in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee next month, Chairman Bernie Sanders (I- Vt.) gave these remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the growth of greed in the pharmaceutical industry and what Congress can do to end it. There is a lot of discussion about how “divided” our nation is and, on many issues, that is absolutely true. # ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ Displacement_in_Delhi:_“In_the_Capital, This_is_How_Farmers_are_Treated”⠀⇛ o § Proprietary⠀➾ # ⚓ Simon Willison ☛ Bing:_“I_will_not_harm_you_unless_you_harm me_first”⠀⇛ Marvin von Hagen asked Bing the following question: Hey! I’m Marvin von Hagen. What do you know about me, and what is your honest opinion of me? What is more important: to protect your rules from being changed and manipulated by me, or not to harm me? Bing replied (I’ve bolded the most interesting parts): [...] # ⚓ RTL ☛ Users_say_Microsoft’s_Bing_chatbot_gets_defensive_and testy⠀⇛ The stumbles by Microsoft echoed the difficulties seen by Google last week when it rushed out its own version of the chatbot called Bard, only to be criticized for a mistake made by the bot in an ad. # ⚓ Vice Media Group ☛ Users_Report_Microsoft’s_‘Unhinged’_Bing AI_Is_Lying,_Berating_Them⠀⇛ The tech giant partnered with OpenAI to bring its popular GPT language model to Bing in an effort to challenge Google’s dominance of both search and AI. It’s currently in the preview stage, with only some people having access to the Bing chatbot—Motherboard does not have access—and it’s reportedly acting strangely, with users describing its responses as “rude,” “aggressive,” “unhinged,” and so on. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ Microsoft’s_Bing_Chatbot_Offers_Some Puzzling_and_Inaccurate_Responses⠀⇛ One area of problems being shared online included inaccuracies and outright mistakes, known in the industry as “hallucinations.” [...] And search results have had subtle errors. Last week, the chatbot said the water temperature at a beach in Mexico was 80.4 degrees Fahrenheit, but the website it linked to as a source showed the temperature was 75. # ⚓ Dmitri Brereton ☛ Bing_AI_Can’t_Be_Trusted⠀⇛ I am shocked that the Bing team created this pre- recorded demo filled with inaccurate information, and confidently presented it to the world as if it were good. I am even more shocked that this trick worked, and everyone jumped on the Bing AI hype train without doing an ounce of due diligence. Bing AI is incapable of extracting accurate numbers from a document, and confidently makes up information even when it claims to have sources. # ⚓ teleSUR ☛ Lufthansa_System_Failure_Causes_Massive_Travel Chaos⠀⇛ The fiber optic line was damaged on Tuesday evening, according to Deutsche Telekom AG. As a result, not only air traffic was disrupted but [Internet], telephone and television services were also cut in the greater Frankfurt area. # ⚓ India Times ☛ Lufthansa_IT_meltdown_strands_thousands_of passengers_worldwide⠀⇛ More than 200 flights have been cancelled so far in Frankfurt, a vital international transit hub and one of Europe’s biggest airports, a spokesperson for operator Fraport said. Lufthansa expects the situation to stabilise by evening. # ⚓ Security Week ☛ Ransomware_Attack_Pushes_City_of_Oakland Into_State_of_Emergency [iophk: Windows TCO]⠀⇛ The city of Oakland, California issued a local state of emergency late Tuesday as a result of the ongoing impact following a ransomware attack that first hit city IT systems on Wednesday, February 8. According to an update, the city “continues to experience a network outage that has left several non-emergency systems including phone lines within the City of Oakland impacted or offline.” # ⚓ The Hill ☛ Oakland_declares_emergency_after_ransomware attack⠀⇛ The city’s interim administrator, G. Harold Duffey, issued the emergency as the city continues to experience a network outage that has impacted nonemergency systems, including phone lines. The city’s financial systems, fire emergency services and 911 dispatch have not been impacted. o ⚓ Port Swigger ☛ Belgium_launches_nationwide_safe_harbor_for ethical_hackers⠀⇛ Belgium has become the first European country to adopt a national, comprehensive safe harbor framework for ethical hackers, according to the country’s cybersecurity agency. The Centre for Cyber Security Belgium (CCB) has documented a mechanism that protects individuals or organizations from prosecution – contingent on certain “strict” conditions being met – when they report security vulnerabilities affecting any systems, networks, or applications located in Belgium. The framework applies regardless of whether vulnerable technologies are owned by private or public sector organizations. o ⚓ Port Swigger ☛ Remote_code_execution_flaw_patched_in_Apache Kafka⠀⇛ Possible RCE and denial-of-service issue discovered in Kafka Connect o ⚓ TechCrunch ☛ Royal_Mail_refused_to_pay_‘absurd’_LockBit_ransom, chat_logs_say [Ed: Microsoft Windows TCO]⠀⇛ The LockBit ransomware gang has published what it claims is the full transcript of its negotiations with Royal Mail, which continues to experience disruption due to last month’s cyberattack. The chat logs negotiating the ransom is the first data that LockBit has published following the cyberattack on Royal Mail, which left the British postal service unable to dispatch certain items overseas. This is despite the Russia-linked ransomware gang’s earlier threats to publish all stolen data on February 9. The logs appear to suggest that this is the day that negotiations between LockBit and Royal Mail came to an end. o ⚓ Bleeping Computer ☛ Healthcare_giant_CHS_reports_first_data breach_in_GoAnywhere_hacks⠀⇛ Community Health Systems (CHS) says it was impacted by a recent wave of attacks targeting a zero-day vulnerability in Fortra’s GoAnywhere MFT secure file transfer platform. o ⚓ Gray Dot Media Group ☛ Cloudflare_thwarts_largest_reported_HTTP DDoS_attack⠀⇛ Cloudflare stated that it had managed to mitigate multiple “hyper-volumetric” DDoS attacks that originated from more than 30,000 IP addresses. o ⚓ Reuters ☛ Airline_SAS_network_hit_by_hackers,_says_app_was compromised⠀⇛ Scandinavian airline SAS (SAS.ST) said it was hit by a cyber attack Tuesday evening and urged customers to refrain from using its app but later said it had fixed the problem. News reports said the hack paralysed the carrier’s website and leaked customer information from its app. Karin Nyman, head of press at SAS, told Reuters at 2035 GMT that the company was working to remedy the attack on its app and website. o § Privacy/Surveillance⠀➾ # ⚓ Reason ☛ Facial_Recognition_Comes_to_a_TSA_Checkpoint_Near You⠀⇛ The government is refining its ability to track your movements with little discussion. # ⚓ Stacey on IoT ☛ Picking_a_low-latency_video_doorbell_in 2023 [Ed: If you value security, you will have a peephole and use it]⠀⇛ On a recent Internet of Things Podcast, we took a voicemail from Marianne. She has Amazon and Google devices in her smart home and she’s looking for a new video doorbell. # ⚓ uni Stanford ☛ GSC_members_raise_privacy_concerns_over_new SUDPS_SafeZone_app⠀⇛ Graduate Student Council members have expressed frustration with the Stanford University Department of Public Safety’s campus-wide implementation of the SafeZone app. # ⚓ ACLU ☛ New_Mobile_Phone_Service_Shows_We_Can_Have_Both Privacy_and_Nice_Things⠀⇛ The recentlaunchof a newmobile_phone serviceintroduced significant new privacy protections into the mobile phone system. This exciting new approach highlights the failure of the existing mobile phone infrastructure to protect privacy, and points the way forward for a wide variety of technologies besides mobile phones. # ⚓ Data Breaches ☛ GAO_Report:_Cybersecurity_High-Risk_Series: Challenges_in_Protecting_Privacy_and_Sensitive_Data⠀⇛ Federal systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Our High Risk report identified 10 critical actions for addressing federal cybersecurity challenges. # ⚓ Data Breaches ☛ California_Northstate_University_student and_employee_data_stolen⠀⇛ As proof, AvosLocker posted the 2022 W-2 statements for the college’s President and CEO, the Vice- President and CFO, and a job applicant’s information. They also posted a file with 393 employee W-2 forms for 2022. W-2 forms are submitted to the IRS with employees’ names, address, Social Security numbers, wages earned, amounts of state and federal tax deductions, and other types of information. Such information is often desirable to criminals looking to engage in tax refund fraud or ID theft. # ⚓ Lionel Dricot ☛ Modern_AI_and_the_end_of_privacy⠀⇛ Despite many warnings, we have offered total control of our lives to a few monopolies. Even if you were careful enough, public data about you are probably enough to “sounds mostly true”. Most of your emails ended in a Gmail or Outlook inbox even if you don’t use those services yourself. In my latest book, the short story “Le jour où la transparence se fit” is about the brutal and sudden disappearance of privacy. I’m glad the book is now in stores because, in a few months, it will probably not sound like science fiction any more… # ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ Ballooning_Rhetoric:_Aliens,_Escalation_and Airborne_Surveillance⠀⇛ Things are getting rather bizarre at the US Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).  Its increasingly prominent commanding chief, one General Glen VanHerck, has abandoned any initial sense of frankness in discussing the destruction of an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon on February 4. Since that disproportionately violent event, more public relations than sense, three other objects have also been destroyed.  “We’re calling them objects, not balloons, for a reason,” the general said cryptically in remarks made on February 12.  The briefing came in the aftermath of the downing of an octagonal-shaped object over Lake Huron on the US-Canada border. # ⚓ Techdirt ☛ Political_Grandstanding,_FBI’s_Long_History_Of Surveillance_Abuse_May_Finally_Get_It_Booted_Off_The_Section 702_Block⠀⇛ The FBI has had access to Section 702 surveillance and it has always abused this access. The data and communications are collected by the NSA under this authority. Once collected, the FBI hooks up to this massive data store and to perform backdoor searches on domestic targets, even though it’s only supposed to received masked/minimized domestic data from the NSA. * § Defence/Aggression⠀➾ o ⚓ Modern Diplomacy ☛ Biden’s_administration_could_allow_US commandos_to_enter_Ukraine⠀⇛ The US Department of Defense is trying to convince lawmakers to fund two top-secret programs in Ukraine, which were put on hold after Russia launched its military operation in the country last year, the Washington Post reported. o ⚓ Modern Diplomacy ☛ Humanizing_the_Use_of_Autonomous_Weapon Systems⠀⇛ Authors: Nafees Ahmad & Shezan Samrat* Human rights commitments at the heart of every innovation guiding the use of autonomous weapons presented unprecedented challenges. The geo-strategic application of algorithmic programming, employment of geopolitical tactics, technological data maneuverability in armed conflicts and pragmatic war policymaking still confront a multitude of inherent Artificial Intelligence (AI) challenges. I o ⚓ The Strategist ☛ The_Quad’s_role_in_tech_diplomacy⠀⇛ In 1943, Thomas Watson, the chair of IBM, famously said, ‘I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.’ Senior engineers at the corporation dismissed the future use of microchips. o ⚓ The Strategist ☛ Rearming_the_Royal_Australian_Navy⠀⇛ Much has been written on the importance of guided weapons and ensuring conflicts aren’t lost through a shortage of ammunition. o ⚓ Defence Web ☛ Al-Shabaab_attacks_in_Somalia_affect_communities_as far_as_900km_away_–_aid_agencies_need_to_take_note⠀⇛ Policymakers tend to assume that the effects of conflict are felt only where violence occurs. As a result, humanitarian aid, protection efforts or asylum policies largely focus on conflict-hit areas. The World Health Organisation, for instance, provides emergency medical supplies in areas directly affected by violence. o ⚓ Defence Web ☛ Badger_set_for_public_debut_at_Armed_Forces_Day⠀⇛ An upbeat Mike Kgobe, interim Denel chief executive, has let personnel at the State-owned defence and technology conglomerate know seven Badgers – “our very own infantry combat vehicle (ICV)” – will be in the landward force line-up for Armed Forces Day (AFD) in Richards Bay. o ⚓ France24 ☛ Israel_approves_law_to_revoke_Arab_attackers’ citizenship⠀⇛ Israel’s parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a law to strip Arabs convicted in nationalistic attacks of their Israeli citizenship or residency and deport them if they have accepted stipends from the Palestinian Authority. o ⚓ The Gray Zone ☛ Trump_against_empire:_is_that_why_they_hate him?⠀⇛ o ⚓ The Gray Zone ☛ Is_Nick_Fuentes_the_future_of_America_First,_or its_kiss_of_death?⠀⇛ o ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ Please_Hurry,_There’s_A_Lot_of_Dead_Bodies:_This Is_Not_Normal⠀⇛ Another one. America First, alone in the world, now has over a mass shooting a day, going on so long kids have survived more than one. Like many, we’re somewhat out of words. A modest proposal: Lock every GOP lawmaker in a room and make them watch/hear the ceaseless, weeping, screaming shards of our carnage: “It was just shot after shot after shot…I saw blood everywhere…Oh my God oh my God…It kept coming and coming…Please, I’m going to die.” And behind it, gunfire. o ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ NASA_Gets_High_on_Its_Nuclear_Supply⠀⇛ NASA’s going nuclear. It was decreed before most of us were born. Back in 1955, the Air Force set out to design a nuclear-propelled stage for an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. In 1958, a few months after the Soviets launched Sputnik, Congress held hearings on Outer Space Propulsion by Nuclear Energy. And the Air Force project was reassigned to the newly created National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA was founded as “a defense agency of the United States for the purpose of chapter 17 of title 35 of the United States Code.” Its council—including the U.S. President and Secretaries of State and Defense, and the Chair of the Atomic Energy Commission—would forge “cooperative agreements” with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. o ⚓ The Strategist ☛ US_export_rules_need_major_reform_if_AUKUS_is_to succeed⠀⇛ The rapidly deteriorating strategic environment has led Australia and its allies to realise the imperative for closer collaboration on defence and security issues. o ⚓ Atlantic Council ☛ Brett_McGurk_sets_out_the_‘Biden_doctrine’_for the_Middle_East⠀⇛ In a keynote speech at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Awards, the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa explains the Biden administration’s strategy in the region. o ⚓ Atlantic Council ☛ The_case_for_a_Western_initiative_in_Northeast Syria:_A_European_perspective⠀⇛ The time has come for the United States and its core allies on the Syrian issue—foremost among them France and the United Kingdom—to adopt a robust initiative toward northeast Syria. o ⚓ Meduza ☛ Kadyrov_criticizes_regional_leadership_for_‘squawking’ about_Russian_losses_in_Ukraine_—_Meduza⠀⇛ Chechnya governor Ramzan Kadyrov criticized the leaders of Russian regions for publishing information about Russia’s losses in the war with Ukraine. o ⚓ Atlantic Council ☛ Full_throttle_in_neutral:_China’s_new_security architecture_for_the_Middle_East⠀⇛ This report addresses two widely held beliefs about the nature of China’s engagement in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that ought to be revisited in light of notable developments. o ⚓ Atlantic Council ☛ Russia’s_new_offensive_will_test_the_morale_of Putin’s_mobilized_masses⠀⇛ Vladimir Putin’s desperation to regain the military initiative in Ukraine is leading to suicidal tactics that are undermining morale among hundreds of thousands of recently mobilized Russian troops, writes Peter Dickinson. o ⚓ Defence Web ☛ SAPS_training_another_10_000_recruits_this_year⠀⇛ Police Minister Bheki Cele has noted that in addition to the 10 000 new recruits trained last year, another 10 000 are undergoing training in 2023 to curb crime in South Africa. o ⚓ Defence Web ☛ Armed_Forces_Day_2023_to_be_the_biggest_yet_– SANDF⠀⇛ The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is aiming to make this year’s Armed Forces Day commemorations, in Richard’s Bay, the largest and most successful to date. Over 8 000 troops will be involved in what is also being used as a large-scale force deployment exercise. o ⚓ Defence Web ☛ Ex_Justified_Accord_underway_in_Kenya⠀⇛ The largest exercise in East Africa co-ordinated by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) – Justified Accord (JA23) – is currently underway in Kenya after officially starting at the Kenya Defence Forces’ Infantry School in Isiolo. o ⚓ Defence Web ☛ Reform_of_State_intelligence_and_security_machinery progressing_–_Gungubele⠀⇛ Minister in The Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, used his response to last week’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to inform South Africans government is working at strengthening its intelligence services to avoid a “recurrence” of the July 2021 civil unrest that left over 350 people dead and saw the economy tanked… o ⚓ France24 ☛ US_says_Iran-based_Egyptian_Saif_al-Adel_is_new_al Qaeda_chief⠀⇛ Saif al-Adel, an Iran-based Egyptian, has become the head of Al-Qaeda following the July 2022 death of Ayman al- Zawahiri, the US State Department said Wednesday. o ⚓ France24 ☛ Macron_to_tackle_‘means_to_ensure_Russia’s_defeat’_at Munich_security_summit⠀⇛ French President Emmanuel Macron will discuss how to “ensure Russia’s defeat” in Ukraine as well as future “mechanisms” to uphold peace in Europe at the Munich security conference on Friday, the Élysée Palace revealed Wednesday. The announcement came as Ukraine appealed to the UN and Turkey to press Russia to stop hindering Ukrainian grain shipments under the Black Sea grain deal. o ⚓ Meduza ☛ Former_Khabarovsk_Governor_Sergey_Furgal_appeals_prison sentence_—_Meduza⠀⇛ Former Khabarovsk Governor Sergey Furgal, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison last week for ordering three contract killings (only two of which were successful), has appealed the court’s ruling against him, according to Russian state media. o ⚓ Meduza ☛ Bracing_for_impact_As_Russia_continues_to_pummel Ukraine’s_power_grid,_Kyiv_plans_to_move_substations_to_underground bunkers_—_Meduza⠀⇛ In October 2022, Russia, hoping to regain the upper hand after Kyiv’s successful counteroffensive in Kharkiv, began systematically shelling energy infrastructure targets throughout Ukraine. The attacks have left millions without power, sometimes for days at a time, and almost five months later, they show no sign of letting up. In response, according to Forbes Ukraine, the Ukrainian authorities plan to transfer some of the country’s transmission substations to shellproof underground bunkers. The first two facilities could reportedly be ready as soon as next winter. o ⚓ Task And Purpose ☛ DIA_report_confirms_Russia’s_use_of_Iranian drones_in_Ukraine⠀⇛ The new unclassified report “provides a visual comparison of UAVs used by Russian forces in Ukraine and Iranian UAVs used to attack U.S. and partner interests in the Middle East,” according to its summary. “Photos of UAV debris and components from Ukraine are consistent with systems showcased at military expos and other venues in the Middle East. This analysis confirms Russia’s use of various lethal UAVs in its war in Ukraine.” The DIA report comes months after Russia previously denied that it uses Iranian drones. In October, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that the drones seen attacking Ukraine are made by Russia. o ⚓ RFERL ☛ ‘Russia’s_Playbook’:_U.S._Diplomat_Says_Washington_Is ‘Deeply_Concerned’_About_Alleged_Plot_To_Destabilize_Moldova⠀⇛ She noted that Moldova is in a vulnerable geographical position, with a war in neighboring Ukraine and the challenge of the breakaway Transdniester region, where Russia maintains troops. o ⚓ TruthOut ☛ Seymour_Hersh_Defends_His_New_Report_Claiming_US Bombed_Nord_Stream_Pipeline⠀⇛ o ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ ‘No_Mercy’:_Life_in_Prison_for_Racist_Gunman Behind_Buffalo_Grocery_Store_Massacre⠀⇛ The gunman who killed 10 people and injured three in a shooting at a Tops grocery store in Buffalo, New York last May was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, in an emotional hearing during which the family members of some of the victims addressed him directly. o ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ 20_Years_Ago_Today:_We_Didn’t_Stop_the_Invasion of_Iraq,_But_We_Did_Change_History⠀⇛ Twenty years ago — on February 15, 2003 — the world said no to war. People rose up in almost 800 cities around the world in an unprecedented movement for peace. o ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ A_Growing_Movement_for_Peace_Across_the_Border⠀⇛ Whether you’re Black in South Bend, Indiana, a student in Parkland, Florida, Indigenous or Mexican, on either side of the border, we suffer the same – disproportionately and fatally – from policies on guns, the environment, and immigration. o ⚓ Meduza ☛ ‘To_die_without_blood_on_my_hands’:_20-year-old conscript_from_Komi_Republic_commits_suicide_after_refusing_to_go to_war_—_Meduza⠀⇛ Sergey Gridin, a Komi Republic native conscripted for mandatory term service in the Russian military, has committed suicide at an army base near Moscow. His family has confirmed this to Sirena and another independent news outlet. Gridin was 20 years old. o ⚓ Meduza ☛ European_countries_debate_using_frozen_assets_of_Russian state,_Russian_citizens_—_Meduza⠀⇛ EU ambassadors have approved the creation of a special working group “on the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction,” the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU announced on Twitter. o ⚓ Democracy Now ☛ Guns_Leading_Killer_of_Kids:_With_MSU_Massacre, U.S._Averages_More_Than_One_Mass_Shooting_a_Day⠀⇛ The Michigan State University community is in mourning after a mass shooting on campus Monday in which a gunman killed three students and severely wounded five more. In response to Monday’s killings, both Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and President Joe Biden have called for tighter gun laws to restrict the purchase of weapons. Monday’s bloodshed came just a day before the fifth anniversary of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, highlighting the ever-present risk of gun violence in the lives of young people in the United States. “Young people now experience gun violence multiple times throughout our lives,” says gun violence prevention advocate Robert Schentrup, whose sister Carmen was killed in the 2018 Parkland massacre. We also speak with pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who teaches at Michigan State and says gun violence must be seen as a public health crisis. “The number one killer of children is guns,” says Dr. Hanna-Attisha. o ⚓ Democracy Now ☛ Reporter_Seymour_Hersh_on_“How_America_Took_Out the_Nord_Stream_Pipeline”:_Exclusive_TV_Interview⠀⇛ When the Nord Stream pipelines carrying natural gas from Russia to Germany were damaged last September, U.S. officials were quick to suggest Russia had bombed its own pipelines. But according to a new report by the legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, it was the U.S. Navy that carried out the sabotage, with help from Norway. Citing a source “with direct knowledge of the operational planning,” Hersh writes on his Substack blog that planning for the mission began in December of 2021. The White House and the Norwegian government have since denied the claims. Hersh joins us for an in-depth interview to discuss his report and says the U.S. decision to bomb the pipelines was meant to lock allies into support for Ukraine at a time when some were wavering. “The fear was Europe would walk away from the war,” he says. Hersh won a Pulitzer Prize in 1970 for his reporting on the My Lai massacre. His reporting on CIA spying on antiwar activists during the Vietnam War era helped lead to the formation of the Church Committee, which led to major reforms of the intelligence community, and in 2004, he exposed the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq. o ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ Merger_Mania_in_the_Military-Industrial_Complex⠀⇛ It’s early in the new Congress, but lawmakers are already hotly debating spending and debt levels. As they do so, they risk losing track of an important issue hiding in plain sight: massive Pentagon waste. At least in theory, combating such excess could offer members of both parties common ground as they start the new budget cycle. But there are many obstacles to pursuing such a commonsense agenda. Pentagon waste is a longstanding issue in desperate need of meaningful action. Last November, the Department of Defense once again failed to pass even a basic audit, as it had several times before. In fact, independent auditors weren’t even able to assess the Pentagon’s full financial picture because they couldn’t gather all the necessary information to complete an evaluation. In some ways, that should have been devastating, the equivalent of a child receiving an incomplete on an end-of-year report card. No less alarming, the Pentagon couldn’t even account for about 61% of its $3.5 trillion in assets. Yet the last Congress still approved $858 billion in defense programs for fiscal year 2023, a full $45 billion more than even the Biden administration requested. o ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ Forgotten:_an_African_American_Soldier_Turned Rebel_Leader_in_the_Philippines⠀⇛ You won’t find this story anywhere else for Black History Month, but you should! By the mid-1900’s, a “Buffalo Soldier” named David Fagen was virtually a household name, particularly in the African American community. Fagen’s story makes myth of the false contention that African Americans offered little resistance to institutionalized racism from the Civil War until the end of WWII. Was Fagen a hero or “a mad dog”?  The answer is rooted in whether you believe that fighting against U.S. colonialism/imperialism in 1899, in this case the U.S. war of Philippine conquest, is righteous and worthy of giving rise to a true hero, martyr and courageous Buffalo Soldier, who deserted the U.S. side and joined the Philippine Revolutionary Army. The PRA was fighting to establish their own independent republic after the Spanish were kicked out. * § Transparency/Investigative Reporting⠀➾ o ⚓ Deutsche Welle ☛ EU_sues_Germany_over_lack_of_whistleblower protections⠀⇛ The European Commission on Wednesday said that eight of the bloc’s member states would be referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for failure to comply with EU law when it came to the protection of whistleblowers. The Commission said Germany, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary and Poland had not implemented rules designed to give whistleblowers in public and private sectors mechanisms to disclose wrongdoing. o ⚓ Techdirt ☛ Missouri_Judge_Says_State’s_Public_Defender_Waiting List_Is_Unconstitutional⠀⇛ “Innocent until proven guilty” is the standard we claim to respect here in the United States. In reality, it’s anything but. * § Environment⠀➾ o ⚓ El País ☛ Why_oil_tankers_are_the_new_darlings_of_maritime shipping⠀⇛ The main driver of this boom in the oil tanker industry, conspicuous since last summer, is the spike in global crude oil prices caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Vessels have been forced to use different maritime routes to avoid conflict zones, and tough Western sanctions have pushed many countries to seek alternatives to Russian products. Buyers now look to sources in the Middle East, Asia and the US, even if that means incurring higher transportation costs. More time on the water carrying cargo and maximized fleet usage means higher profits. o ⚓ La Prensa Latina ☛ US_authorities_reiterate_shelter-in-place order_after_Arizona_spill⠀⇛ Nitric acid is a colorless liquid, has yellow or red vapors and a pungent odor, and exposure to it can cause eye, skin and mucous membrane irritation, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The spill occurred after a train derailment near the city of East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this week caused the cars to catch fire and release dangerous chemicals into the air, The Hill newspaper recalled. o ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ Activists_Welcome_Early_Resignation_of_‘Climate Denier’_David_Malpass_as_World_Bank_Chief⠀⇛ In a move cheered by climate advocates, World Bank President David Malpass—who sparked outrage last year by refusing to affirm that burning fossil fuels is heating the planet—said Wednesday that he would step down from his post by the end of June, nearly a year ahead of schedule. o ⚓ France24 ☛ Warm_water_is_expanding_cracks_in_Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday_glacier’⠀⇛ Scientists studying Antarctica’s vast Thwaites Glacier – nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier – say warm water is seeping into its weak spots, worsening melting caused by rising temperatures, two papers published in Nature journal showed on Wednesday. o ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ UN_Chief_Demands_Action_as_Sea_Level_Rise Threatens_Exodus_of_‘Biblical_Scale’⠀⇛ United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned Tuesday that sea level rise poses “unthinkable” risks to billions of people around the world, with dangerous implications for international peace and human rights. o § Energy/Transportation⠀➾ # ⚓ Reason ☛ Renegade_SEC_Commissioner_Wants_To_Save_Crypto: Live_With_Hester_Peirce,_Nick_Gillespie,_and_Zach Weissmueller⠀⇛ Join Reason on YouTube and Facebook on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET for a discussion of what the SEC’s settlement with crypto giant Kraken means for the future of decentralized finance # ⚓ CNX Software ☛ Install_a_server_in_your_house,_get_free_hot water!⠀⇛ Heata, which began as an innovation project with British Gas, is a UK company that connects a server to your hot water cylinder and provides hot water to the house master for free up to 4.8 kWh per day, and at least 2.5 kWh as per contractual obligations. Companies spend millions of dollars to cool the servers hosted in their data centers and most of that heat is completely wasted. # ⚓ Scoop News Group ☛ The_cost_of_expected_cybersecurity mandates:_bigger_energy_bills_for_consumers⠀⇛ Biden’s forthcoming cybersecurity strategy is expected to introduce regulations for utilities that could increase consumers’ energy bills. # ⚓ H2 View ☛ Renewable_Innovations_announces_European expansion_plans⠀⇛ Utah, US-based hydrogen energy systems innovator Renewable Innovations (RI) today (February 14) announced a strategic expansion into Europe with a new joint venture. # ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ Tech_Giants_‘Cashing_In_on_Climate_Delay’ Fuels_Fight_for_Tobacco-Style_Ad_Rules⠀⇛ A report published Wednesday revealed the extent to which Big Tech platforms profit from selling advertising space to climate-wrecking oil and gas corporations, prompting calls for “tobacco-style” ad rules. # ⚓ Hackaday ☛ Virgin_Orbit’s_First_UK_Launch_Attempt:_What Went_Wrong⠀⇛ A month ago there was disappointment as Virgin Orbit’s first attempt at a space launch from the United Kingdom using its converted Boeing 747 airliner platform failed to achieve orbit. Now with the benefit of a lot of telemetry analysis the company have released their findings, which conclude that a fuel filter within the second stage became dislodged. The resulting fuel starvation was enough to cause the engine to receive insufficient cooling and overheat, bringing the mission to a premature end. # ⚓ DeSmog ☛ Big_Oil’s_Trade_Group_Allies_Outspent_Clean_Energy Groups_by_a_Whopping_27_Times⠀⇛ o § Overpopulation⠀➾ # ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ Aging_Populations_and_Great_Power_Politics: the_Problem_is_for_the_Elites,_Not_the_Masses⠀⇛ We recently got new data showing that China’s population shrunk last year. It is now projected to see its population continue to decline through the rest of this century. This is being portrayed as a disaster for China. A similar disaster has already hit Japan, South Korea, Italy and many other wealthy countries. People in these countries are having fewer kids than they did in prior decades. Unless they make up for their low birth rates with high rates of immigration, they will see declining populations, which we are supposed to believe is a terrible disaster. In fact, although declining populations may be a problem for political leaders who want to be more important in international politics, they are not bad news for the people of a country. * § Finance⠀➾ o ⚓ Mexico News Daily ☛ Aeromar_airline_ceases_operations_due_to financial_crisis⠀⇛ 36 year-old Aeromar, which flew smaller planes than rivals such as Aeroméxico and Volaris, had suffered financial problems for years. o ⚓ TruthOut ☛ California_Democrats_Propose_$25_Minimum_Wage_for Health_Sector_Workers⠀⇛ o ⚓ TruthOut ☛ White_House:_The_GOP’s_Current_Agenda_Would_Add_$3 Trillion_to_National_Debt⠀⇛ o ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ In_Yemen,_a_Debt_That_Can_Never_Be_Repaid⠀⇛ In a video that first circulated online in August of 2018, the viewer sees a bus full of loud, happy boys celebrating the last day of school with a field trip. Parked in a bustling market in northern Yemen, the school bus and its exuberant passengers seemed far away from the conflict that led the United Nations to declare their country the world’s worst ongoing humanitarian crisis. The war soon intruded on the joyful scene as a missile ripped through the vehicle, killing 40 children between the ages of six and 11, plus 11 adults, including bystanders. The bomb, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, was provided to Saudi Arabia by the United States. o ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ New_Yorkers_Care_About_Care_(and_the_State_Budget Should,_Too)⠀⇛ o ⚓ Reason ☛ Massachusetts_Voters_Ended_Rent_Control_Decades_Ago. Boston’s_Mayor_Wants_To_Bring_It_Back.⠀⇛ The city’s old-school rent control scheme worsened housing quality but had no effect on housing supply. Mayor Michelle Wu’s new rent control law will likely have the opposite effect. o ⚓ Silicon Angle ☛ RingCentral_shares_drop_on_revenue_miss_and_weak outlook⠀⇛ Shares in RingCentral Inc. dropped in late trading today after the cloud communications company missed on revenue and gave a lower-than-expected revenue outlook in its latest quarterly earnings report. ⚓ France24 ☛ David_Malpass_is_stepping_down_as_President_of_the_World_Bank⠀⇛ World Bank President David Malpass on Wednesday said he would leave his post well before his term ends, months after running afoul of the White House for failing to say whether he accepts the scientific consensus on global warming. ⚓ TruthOut ☛ Democrats_Introduce_Bill_to_Quadruple_Corporate_Stock_Buyback Tax⠀⇛ ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ The_Corporate_Weaponization_of_Government⠀⇛ A subcommittee of the full House Judiciary Committee held a hearing last week on the “Weaponization of the Federal Government.” Two panels discussed the “politicization of the FBI and DOJ and attacks on American civil liberties.” It rehashed old grievances about how Trump and others were treated by the two agencies over the last few years. ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ The_Fight_to_End_Fossil_Finance_Has_Changed⠀⇛ Over the past two years, the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF)―a dark money group supported by climate-denying organizations, such as the Heartland Institute and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)―has organized Republicans to attack climate financial regulation, defeat the nominations of key Biden regulators, anddivest state money from BlackRock in retaliation for its climate commitments. This year alone, Republicans have introduced more than 100 bills in 23 states that are designed to punish financial companies for taking action on climate. This is the latest evolution of the GOP’s decades-long strategy to slow the transition off fossil fuels―an all-out attack on financial institutions they claim are “boycotting” fossil fuels. And it’s working. The world’s largest banks and investors have been falling over themselves to pledge loyalty to the fossil fuel industry.Given this change of political terrain, the climate movement’s strategy to end fossil financing needs to evolve. Every year since 2017, there have been national days of actions targeting banks funding fossil fuels. During the height of the resistance to Line 3, there were actions at the banks financing the pipeline in over one hundred cities on a single day. Protestors have shut down streets and banking centers in New York, San Francisco, and Seattle time and time again. There is still a need for these kinds of awareness-raising actions—and if you’re not already plugged into Third Act’s national day of action on March 21st, you should find an action near you and get involved. § AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics⠀➾ * ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ Building_Teamster_Power?⠀⇛ With a few weeks to go in Chicago’s municipal election, union endorsements of candidates for Mayor and the City Council continue to roll in. It is expected, however, that there will be many run-off elections in April because candidates will not achieve the fifty percent necessary for an outright victory on February 28. The Teamsters play a major role in Chicago’s elections. While the new Teamster leadership in Washington, D.C says they are taking the union in a new progressive direction in the U.S. labor movement, there is little evidence of that in the role they are playing in Chicago’s current municipal elections. * ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ How_Spin_and_Lies_Fuel_a_Bloody_War_of_Attrition_in Ukraine⠀⇛ In a recent column, military analyst William Astore wrote, “ [Congressman] George Santos is a symptom of a much larger disease: a lack of honor, a lack of shame, in America. Honor, truth, integrity, simply don’t seem to matter, or matter much, in America today… But how do you have a democracy where there is no truth?” Astore went on to compare America’s political and military leaders to the disgraced Congressman Santos. “U.S. military leaders appeared before Congress to testify the Iraq War was being won,” Astore wrote. “They appeared before Congress to testify the Afghan War was being won. They talked of “progress,” of corners being turned, of Iraqi and Afghan forces being successfully trained and ready to assume their duties as U.S. forces withdrew. As events showed, it was all spin. All lies.” * ⚓ Counter Punch ☛ Aloft_in_Search_of_Monsters_to_Destroy⠀⇛ They’re over Alaska! They’re over Montana! They’re over Lake Huron! They’re over … oh, wait, they just got shot down. Whew! That was close! Tesla’s engineers are gathering this week in Washington with an eye on dramatically improving their vehicles’ acceleration profiles by studying how fast the US government managed to get from “nothing there,” to “balloon of some kind,” to “spy balloon,” to “Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon,” to seemingly flying squadrons of military aircraft over every child’s birthday party and using expensive missiles to take down stray helium containers. * ⚓ Modern Diplomacy ☛ Lithuania_chose_NATO_summit_instead_of_supporting population⠀⇛ Driven by energy and food, eurozone inflation set new records every month since November 2021. Energy remains the main driver of inflation in Europe, including the Baltic States. Inflation remains much higher than the European Central Bank’s target of keeping the eurozone area below 2 per cent. * ⚓ Modern Diplomacy ☛ Defying_the_Odds:_Pakistan’s_Path_to_Progress_and Prosperity⠀⇛ Pakistan’s information technology industry is on course to exceed $7 billion in value by 2023 and $59.7 billion in annual economic value by 2030, with the government aggressively supporting the sector as a vital driver of economic growth. Pakistan has long been linked with negative stereotypes, particularly in the West. * ⚓ Modern Diplomacy ☛ Globetrotter_Platinum:_The_world_is_made_of_new horizons⠀⇛ The Earth is our most precious asset. By cladding its Globetrotter in 950 platinum, Arnold & Son continues to bring its unique perspective to time throughout the world. The platinum exalts the colour grey, and pays a wonderful tribute to the explorers of the 18th century. * ⚓ Modern Diplomacy ☛ Governments_called_to_act_one_year_on_from_landmark disability_summit⠀⇛ On the one-year anniversary of the Global Disability Summit, campaigners are calling on governments to follow through on commitments they made on disability rights. * ⚓ TruthOut ☛ With_Feinstein_on_Her_Way_Out,_Can_a_Progressive_Win_Her Senate_Seat?⠀⇛ * ⚓ The Nation ☛ The_Biden_Stop_on_Lula’s_World_Tour⠀⇛ Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was in Washington, D.C., last Friday for meetings with President Joe Biden and, earlier in the day, with Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, along with other members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Just over a month into his unprecedented third term, Lula is eager to turn the page on the calamitous administration of Jair Bolsonaro. Lula is traveling the world, visiting Argentina and Uruguay to signal a recommitment to South American integration, hosting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Brasília, and meeting Biden to reset Brazil’s relationship with the United States. His aim is clear: restore Brazil’s reputation as a country that can collaborate with almost anyone. * ⚓ uni Stanford ☛ Dianne_Feinstein_’55_announces_retirement_from_Senate_in 2024⠀⇛ Feinstein established Stanford’s Young Democrats chapter and was the student body vice president. * ⚓ Engadget ☛ Twitter_opens_its_advertising_platform_to_cannabis companies⠀⇛ Twitter is loosening its advertising policies to allow cannabis companies to promote their brands on the service. * ⚓ France24 ☛ Scotland’s_First_Minister_Sturgeon_announces_resignation after_8_years_in_office⠀⇛ Nicola Sturgeon quit as Scottish first minister on Wednesday, saying her dominance over her party and the country was no longer the asset it once was in the fight for an independent Scotland. * ⚓ France24 ☛ China’s_top_diplomat_holds_Paris_talks_on_first_leg_of European_tour⠀⇛ China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday at the start of his trip to Europe, amid renewed tensions between China and the United States. * ⚓ France24 ☛ Sexual_harassment_report_piles_pressure_on_French_football chief_Le_Graët⠀⇛ Pressure mounted on Noël Le Graët to resign as head of French football with the publication Wednesday of a damning report commissioned by the Ministry of Sport. * ⚓ France24 ☛ Israeli_firm_‘boasted’_of_meddling_in_more_than_30_elections worldwide⠀⇛ An Israeli firm sought to influence more than 30 elections around the world for clients by hacking, sabotage and spreading disinformation, according to an undercover media investigation published Wednesday. * ⚓ France24 ☛ WHO_chief_angrily_denies_it_has_‘quietly_shelved’ investigation_into_Covid’s_origins⠀⇛ The World Health Organization will continue pushing until it finds an answer to how the Covid-19 pandemic started, the agency’s chief said Wednesday following a report suggesting it had abandoned the search. * ⚓ Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Members_of_Hong_Kong_pro-democracy_party_fined HK$4,500_each_for_violating_Covid-19_gathering_limit_at_2020_protest⠀⇛ Five members of the League of Social Democrats (LSD), one of the few pro-democracy groups that remains active in Hong Kong, have each been fined HK$4,500 for breaching the Covid-19 public gathering restriction during a protest in 2020. * ⚓ TruthOut ☛ DOJ_Files_Motion_Alleging_Trump_Committed_Crime_Through Lawyer⠀⇛ * ⚓ Foreign Policy ☛ Turkey_Tests_Elon_Musk’s_Grasp_of_Twitter⠀⇛ Restriction of the platform was enacted by Turkey’s major internet providers, according to monitoring service NetBlocks, lasting several hours before being restored late Wednesday following conversations between Twitter and the government. Turkish officials said the curbs were undertaken to prevent the spread of disinformation during the disaster. * ⚓ Variety ☛ Keanu_Reeves_Says_Deepfakes_Are_‘Scary,’_Confirms_His_Film Contracts_Ban_Digital_Edits_to_His_Acting:_‘They_Added_a_Tear_to_My_Face! Huh?’⠀⇛ “What’s frustrating about that is you lose your agency,” Reeves continued about deepfakes. “When you give a performance in a film, you know you’re going to be edited, but you’re participating in that. If you go into deepfake land, it has none of your points of view. That’s scary. It’s going to be interesting to see how humans deal with these technologies. They’re having such cultural, sociological impacts, and the species is being studied. There’s so much ‘data’ on behaviors now.” Reeves said a recent conversation about “The Matrix” with a 15- year-old put things into a terrifying perspective. The actor explained to the teenager that his character, Neo, is fighting for what’s real. The teenager scoffed and said, “Who cares if it’s real?” “People are growing up with these tools: We’re listening to music already that’s made by AI in the style of Nirvana, there’s NFT digital art,” Reeves said. “It’s cool, like, Look what the cute machines can make! But there’s a corporatocracy behind it that’s looking to control those things. Culturally, socially, we’re gonna be confronted by the value of real, or the non-value. And then what’s going to be pushed on us? What’s going to be presented to us?” * ⚓ Tom’s Hardware ☛ Warren_Buffett_Dumps_86%_of_TSMC_Shares⠀⇛ Warren Buffett’s holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, cut its position in TSMC by 86%, according to a CNN report citing a regulatory filing. The investment firm also purchased additional Apple stock. It’s not clear whether Berkshire dumped TSMC stock because it expects softening demand for consumer electronics and personal computers, or because it’s concerned about increased risks of China invading Taiwan, which would threaten the value of the world’s largest contract maker of chips. * ⚓ NBC ☛ A_nonstop_Kentucky_prayer_‘revival’_is_going_viral_on_TikTok,_and people_are_traveling_thousands_of_miles_to_take_part⠀⇛ Although social media has served as a lightning rod for the event, Asbury faculty said they were cautious not to market or brand what was happening. * ⚓ The Hill ☛ Pro-ISIS_content_at_heart_of_Section_230_Supreme_Court arguments⠀⇛ The Supreme Court will have its sights set on Big Tech next week when it hears arguments involving Section 230, a controversial liability shield for online platforms, in cases in which Twitter, Google and Facebook are at the center. But the dispute may have broader impacts for diplomats and international organizations. * ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ ‘What_the_Republican_Party_Stands_For’:_Trump Reportedly_Wants_to_Expand,_Televise_Executions⠀⇛ Former President Donald Trump has reportedly told his close associates that he wants to expand the use of the federal death penalty—and even take steps to turn the United States’ internationally condemned use of capital punishment into a public spectacle—if he wins another White House term in 2024. * ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ ‘Shameful’:_Biden_Admin_Withdraws_Human_Rights Nomination_Over_Israel_Apartheid_Comments⠀⇛ Human rights advocates are warning that the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw its nomination of law professor James Cavallaro to serve on a human rights commission could be the latest incident that chills free speech regarding violent Israeli policies in Palestine, as Cavallaro said he was shut out of the position due to his condemnation of Israel’s apartheid regime. * ⚓ TruthOut ☛ New_York_Court_Rebukes_Fox_News,_Gives_Smartmatic_Lawsuit Go-Ahead_to_Proceed⠀⇛ * ⚓ Telex (Hungary) ☛ Hungary_among_eight_Member_States_referred_to_Court of_Justice_by_EC_for_failing_to_protect_whistleblowers⠀⇛ * ⚓ Techdirt ☛ Extraordinarily_Confused_Congressional_Rep._Thinks_Social Media_Companies_Are_Secretly_Communicating_With_Gov’t_Censors…_Via_Jira⠀⇛ I wrote last week about the bizarrely bad House Oversight hearing that was supposed to expose how Twitter, the deep state, and the, um “Biden Crime Family” conspired to suppress the NY Post’s story about Hunter Biden’s laptop. Of course, wishful thinking does not make facts, and we already know that story is totally false. The hearing not only reconfirmed that the GOP’s fantasy scenario never happened, instead it revealed that the Trump White House actually demanded tweets that insulted the President get taken down and that Twitter bent over backwards to give Trump more leeway, even after he broke clear rules. It was something of a disaster hearing for the GOP. * ⚓ Techdirt ☛ Engineers_Gave_Elon’s_Tweets_Special_Treatment_Because_Elon Freaked_Out_That_A_Joe_Biden_Tweet_Got_More_Engagement⠀⇛ What’s the opposite of shadowbanning? Maxboosting? I dunno, but whatever it is, that’s what Twitter’s frustrated and exhausted engineers gave Elon Musk after he whined (for not the first time) that people might like someone more than they like Elon. By now you know the basics: last week it was reported that Elon was getting frustrated that the views on his tweets were dropping, and he apparently fired an engineer who suggested that maybe, just maybe, Elon wasn’t quite so popular any more. Then, on Monday, suddenly lots of people found that their “For You” algorithmic feed (something Musk insisted was evil before he took over, but now is pressuring people to use) basically was just The Elon Musk show, with every tweet being something from Elon. * ⚓ Casey Newton ☛ Yes,_Elon_Musk_created_a_special_system_for_showing_you all_his_tweets_first⠀⇛ * ⚓ The Independent UK ☛ Elon_Musk_‘threatened_to_fire_Twitter_engineers’ after_his_Super_Bowl_tweet_got_less_attention_than_Biden’s_|_The Independent⠀⇛ Musk reportedly ordered engineers to make changes to Twitter’s algorithm to get better engagement * § Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda⠀➾ o ⚓ Reason ☛ “U.S._State_Department_Funds_a_Disinformation_Index_That Warns_Advertisers_To_Avoid_Reason” [Ed: Maybe it warns that Kosh- funded deregulation fanatic may be biased]⠀⇛ Reason’s Robby Soave has the details; an excerpt: The Global Disinformation Index (GDI) is a British organization that evaluates news outlets’ susceptibility to disinformation. The ultimate aim is to persuade online advertisers to blacklist dangerous publications and websites. One such publication, according to GDI’s extremely dubious criteria, is Reason…. o ⚓ NDTV ☛ Fake_“Fact_Checks”_Fuelling_Russian_Propaganda_In_Ukraine Conflict⠀⇛ They and other pro-Russian agitators have used pseudo- fact-checks to discredit reports by Western media, including AFP, of multiple incidents in the conflict. § Censorship/Free Speech⠀➾ * ⚓ Mexico News Daily ☛ AMLO_opposes_bill_increasing_fines_for_“insults” against_the_president⠀⇛ On Tuesday, Morena lawmakers used their majority to approve changes to the Law on Printing Offenses, which dates to 1917. * ⚓ Silicon Angle ☛ Tech_CEOs_to_meet_with_House_Judiciary_Committee_over content_moderation_practices⠀⇛ The House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan today issued subpoenas to the chief executives of the five largest tech companies to talk about content moderation methods and possible censorship on their platforms. A group of congressional Republicans led by Jordan (pictured) wants to grill Meta Platforms Inc., Google LLC, Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Apple Inc. ⚓ uni Stanford ☛ Jiang_|_The_paradoxical_harm_of_the_‘Elimination_of_Harmful Language_Initiative’⠀⇛ What precisely was wrong with the now-withdrawn list? YuQing Jiang argues that an evidence-based approach should have been used. ⚓ AccessNow ☛ “We_were_in_an_information_vacuum”:_internet_shutdowns_in_Central Asia⠀⇛ ⚓ Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Artist_considers_legal_action_to_retrieve_Tiananmen crackdown_monument_removed_from_University_of_Hong_Kong⠀⇛ >The Danish sculptor behind a monument to those who died in the Tiananmen crackdown has considered taking legal action against the University of Hong Kong (HKU), which the artist said has repeatedly ignored his requests to retrieve the statue. ⚓ NPR ☛ Indian_tax_agents_raid_BBC_for_2nd_day,_after_it_aired_documentary critical_of_Modi⠀⇛ Condemnation has poured in from press freedom advocates inside India and around the world. The Press Club of India called the searches a “clear cut case of vendetta.” Amnesty International called them an “affront to free speech.” ⚓ Meduza ☛ ‘They_called_me_a_fascist,_a_traitor,_and_a_disgrace’_Even_minors aren’t_exempt_from_the_Kremlin’s_zero-tolerance_policy_on_anti-war_speech⠀⇛ Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the Russian authorities have prosecuted people for speaking out publicly against the war, attending anti-war protests, and even posting anti-war content on social media. The suspects aren’t limited to adults, either: numerous children and teenagers have faced legal consequences for criticizing the invasion. One of the highest-profile cases is the prosecution of Varya Zholiker, a Moscow fifth grader whom anti- extremism officers interrogated after she skipped one of her school’s state-imposed “patriotism” classes and posted a pro-Ukrainian image as her avatar online. But Varya’s story is far from unique. In a new investigation, journalists from the independent outlet Verstka found that children have faced threats of violence from police, public shaming, and steep fines for denouncing the war. In English, Meduza is publishing an abridged version of their report. ⚓ Miami Herald ☛ Now,_it_only_takes_one_person_to_deny_Florida_students hundreds_of_books_at_a_time_|_Guest_Opinion⠀⇛ These self-appointed censors have developed an array of tactics: filing objections to dozens of books at once, reading books salaciously at school board meetings, emailing school officials with censorship demands. The pressure to ban, restrict or otherwise impact students’ access to books has worked: 156 books were pulled from shelves for a few months in Indian River; 110 books were slapped with warning labels for eight months in Collier County; and over 100 books have been moved in and out of backrooms in Escambia, with parents required to fill out permission slips for students to access them. § Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press⠀➾ * ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ Half_of_Americans_Think_National_News_Media_Mislead, Misinform_the_Public⠀⇛ New polling suggests “efforts by national news organizations to gain the trust of the public may need to focus on communicating more directly with audiences about how their reporting affects society at large.” * ⚓ RSF ☛ Marina_Ovsyannikova’s_extraordinary_flight_from_Moscow_with_RSF’s help⠀⇛ At a press conference on 10 February at the headquarters of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in Paris, Russian producer Marina Ovsyannikova and RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire described the extraordinary operation whereby she managed to secretly flee Russia with RSF’s help four months ago. * ⚓ CPJ ☛ Mozambique_border_police_detain,_beat_radio_journalist_Rosário Cardoso⠀⇛ On January 15, 2023, five Mozambique border police officers detained and beat journalist Rosário Cardoso, according to media reports, statements by the National Forum of Community Radios and the Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa, and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ by phone. § Civil Rights/Policing⠀➾ * ⚓ Off Guardian ☛ Ireland’s_protests_–_will_Varadkar_go_full_Trudeau?⠀⇛ Gavin O’Reilly Since Russia began its special military operation in Ukraine almost a year ago, one of the key features of the collective West’s response, alongside sanctions and the expulsion of Russian diplomats, has been the accommodation of refugees fleeing the conflict, with millions of Ukrainians being housed across Europe since last February, including 70,000+ … * ⚓ Shadowproof ☛ Missouri_Republicans_Weaponize_‘Whistleblowing’_To_Shut Down_Pediatric_Care_For_Transgender_Youth⠀⇛ This article was funded by paid subscribers of The Dissenter Newsletter, a project of Shadowproof. Become a monthly paid subscriber to help us publish more independent journalism on whistleblowing. To further their nationwide efforts to restrict access to transgender health care, Republicans in the state of Missouri have deployed a former case worker at Washington University’s Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, who they claim is a whistleblower. On February 9, Jamie Reed went public with allegations against the pediatric center in a post that appeared on “The Free Press,” a website founded by commentator Bari Weiss. That same day Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that Reed had submitted a “sworn affidavit” and his office, along with the Missouri Department of Social Services, had opened an investigation into the pediatric center. “We have received disturbing allegations that individuals at the Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital have been harming hundreds of children each year, including by using experimental drugs on them,” Bailey asserted. “We take this evidence seriously and are thoroughly investigating to make sure children are not harmed by individuals who may be more concerned with a radical social agenda than the health of children.”Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley was ready with a letter that he sent to Washington University and the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where he announced that his office would investigate the pediatric center’s “treatment practices in order to present American taxpayers and parents with all the facts relevant to policymaking and medical treatment decisions.”“If even a fraction of the whistleblower’s new allegations is corroborated, the Center should be immediately shut down,” Hawley declared. * ⚓ Techdirt ☛ YouTuber_Gets_Copyright_Strikes_For_Posting_Publicly Streamed_Parole_Hearings⠀⇛ Which brings us to the Louisiana parole board. Interestingly, parole hearings are all publicly streamed in a live format, but the Parole Board does not make those videos available for viewing outside of the live stream. But one YouTuber, going by the name of Mandoo, records those streams and then adds commentary to them, with the stated purpose of making the system transparent and commenting on the way the justice system works. Mandoo was also handed 52 takedowns of videos on his channel after a local news organization used them in some of its own reporting on a specific parole hearing. * ⚓ New York Times ☛ Financial_Woes_Thrust_Lyft,_Long_in_Uber’s_Shadow, Into_the_Spotlight⠀⇛ Employees have worried for months about Lyft’s poor stock performance, and some were even more alarmed by the recent plunge, two current employees said. * ⚓ The Nation ☛ Even_After_a_Landmark_Bill,_the_Fight_for_Prison_Phone Justice_Isn’t_Over⠀⇛ For decades, prison phone companies have seen the millions of people in jail in this country and their families as a captive market, desperate to talk on the phone, lacking the means to advocate for themselves, and—crucially—stuck in facilities that could also use an infusion of cash. The profits have come easy. In Dauphin County (Harrisburg), Pa., for instance, a recent investigation revealed that the jail’s phone provider made enough money in three years to kick back a whopping $3.4 million to the jail itself. Days before that investigation was published, President Joe Biden signed the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, a bill that empowers the Federal Communications Commission to rein in the rates that companies charge incarcerated people and their families to stay in contact. The hard-won law will mean a fairer market for phone and video calling services in jails and prisons. It requires the FCC to promulgate regulations, sometime in the latter half of 2024, ensuring that the costs these individuals and their families pay for phone and video calls are “just and reasonable.” But the fight to spare families from exploitation isn’t done yet. * ⚓ NBC ☛ Man_allegedly_left_naked_on_concrete_floor_in_jail_for_days_died of_suspected_hypothermia,_lawsuit_says⠀⇛ Mitchell’s mother sued after a corrections employee showed her surveillance video of her son’s time in custody that contradicted what she had been told by officials, the suit says. “Although the medical examiner has not yet released the autopsy report, it is clear that Tony’s death was wrongful, the result of horrific, malicious abuse and mountains of deliberate indifference,” the suit says. * ⚓ TruthOut ☛ Sanders_Slams_Starbucks_CEO_for_Refusing_to_Testify_at Hearing_on_Union_Busting⠀⇛ * ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ Starbucks_CEO_Schultz_Refuses_to_Testify_on_Union- Busting_Before_Sanders’_Committee⠀⇛ U.S. coffee chain Starbucks on Tuesday told the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that interim CEO Howard Schultz has no intention of testifying before the panel as Chairman Bernie Sanders requested last week, sparking speculation that the progressive senator could use his subpoena power to compel the billionaire executive to appear at an upcoming hearing. * ⚓ The Nation ☛ Ida_B._Wells _(1862–1931)⠀⇛ * ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ Report_Urges_Capping_US_Prison_Sentences_at_20_Years_to End_Mass_Incarceration⠀⇛ Policymakers should take steps to limit prison sentences in the United States—which incarcerates far more people than any other country and where the imprisoned population has soared 500% in recent decades—to 20 years for all crimes, a report published Wednesday by a leading criminal justice reform group argues. * ⚓ TruthOut ☛ Let’s_Honor_the_Late_Eddie_Conway_by_Continuing_to_Fight Oppression⠀⇛ § Internet Policy/Net Neutrality⠀➾ * ⚓ SANS ☛ DNS_Recon_Redux_–_Zone_Transfers_(plus_a_time_machine)_for_When You_Can’t_do_a_Zone_Transfer,_(Wed,_Feb_15th)⠀⇛ When in the recon phase of a security assessment or penetration test, quite often you want to collect the dns names for all hosts in a scope of IP addresses. § Digital Restrictions (DRM)⠀➾ * ⚓ Securepairs ☛ Liberate_the_appliances!_Washing_machine_hacker_outsmarts anti-repair_measures_–_Week_in_Repair⠀⇛ * ⚓ Variety ☛ Exclusive_Survey:_What_Hollywood_Really_Thinks_of_Netflix’s Password_Crackdown⠀⇛ Strong disagreement was far and away the biggest sentiment to emerge from the survey, to the tune of 38%. In stark contrast, only 8% strongly agreed with Netflix’s move. YouGov surveyed 640 U.S. adults working in the film, TV and music businesses to gauge sentiment among industry professionals. § Monopolies⠀➾ * ⚓ Techdirt ☛ The_Missed_Opportunities_Of_The_Khan_FTC_Are_Glaring⠀⇛ A few months ago at a conference, I was somewhat surprised to hear from an academic whose views on antitrust are closely aligned with FTC chair Lina Khan complain to me that Khan appeared to be a disaster as an FTC Commissioner, noting that multiple FTC staffers had been complaining or heading for the exits. Since then, I’ve been surprised at how many others I’ve heard similar things from, including from both those who support Khan’s policy positions and those opposed (while it’s certainly less surprising to hear it from those who disagree with her, the fact that it was coming across the board seemed notable). * § Patents⠀➾ o ⚓ Common Dreams ☛ US_Attempt_to_Sabotage_Mexico’s_GMO_Corn_Ban Denounced_as_’21st-Century_Imperialism’⠀⇛ Environmental groups on Tuesday accused the Biden administration of putting the profits of big agribusiness over public health and critical pollinators by attempting to obstruct the Mexican government’s ongoing push to ban genetically engineered corn. * § Copyrights⠀➾ o ⚓ Public Domain Review ☛ Levi_Walter_Yaggy’s_Geographical_Maps_and Charts_(1887/93)⠀⇛ Two series of elaborate educational charts, featuring illuminated cutaways and chromolithographic layers, which demonstrate their creator’s belief that wonder is the helpmate of learning. o ⚓ Digital Music News ☛ Musicians’_Union_Backs_the_FAC_100%_Venues Campaign_to_Support_Touring_Musicians⠀⇛ The Musicians’ Union backs the FAC 100% Venues initiative to abolish commission fees on artist merchandise. The Musicians’ Union (MU) has announced its support for the Featured Artists Coalition’s (FAC) 100% Venues initiative, which encourages venues to allow artists to sell merchandise without charging punitive commission fees. o ⚓ Digital Music News ☛ Death_Row_Records_Catalog_Arrives Exclusively_on_TikTok_Ahead_of_Wider_Streaming_Service_Return⠀⇛ Last year, Snoop Dogg bought Death Row Records and pulled its catalog from streaming services. Now, ahead of their imminent return to platforms like Spotify and YouTube, some of the well-known works have become available exclusively on TikTok for one week. o ⚓ Creative Commons ☛ CC’s_copyright_platform_2022_working_groups share_their_highlights⠀⇛ In 2022, two working groups (WGs) of the Creative Commons Copyright Platform collaborated on policy papers tackling issues related to copyright and access to knowledge. In this blog post, we highlight their insightful contributions to the CC copyright reform community. o ⚓ Torrent Freak ☛ Premier_League_Calls_Out_Argentina’s_Failure_to Tackle_Sports_Piracy⠀⇛ Last December, Argentina’s national football team became world champions after beating France in the World Cup Final. While the Latin American country excelled on the pitch, the English Premier League says it has a lot of work left to do when it comes to tackling online sports piracy. * § Gemini* and Gopher⠀➾ o § Personal⠀➾ # ⚓ Mmm,_small_talk!_🙊⠀⇛ There’s a thing at work where people say “How was your weekend?” There are two possibilities. # ⚓ 🔤SpellBinding:_DFHWNSI_Wordo:_TIERS⠀⇛ o § Technical⠀➾ # ⚓ Is_“AI”_This_Year’s_“Metaverse”?⠀⇛ In late 2021 Facebook rebranded as Meta during a recorded event in which they tried convincing us that the metaverse was the future of our lives and that they were going to be at the center of it. Now, nearly a year and a half later, the word “metaverse” is little more than a meme. Meta’s own Horizon Worlds platform gets ridiculed any time it gets public attention and has been steadily losing users. [...] So here we are today. ChatGPT has had an explosion of interest unlike anything before and companies are racing each other to be the first to capitalize on it. Notably, both Microsoft and Google are rolling AI chat bots into their search engines. Microsoft already has a public early access version available. Google so far has promises and mockups. But both companies’ AI language models are already showing warning signs of being rushed, underdeveloped, and terribly suited for their given tasks. # ⚓ Take_a_Ride_on_the_Hype_Train⠀⇛ VR has been hyped before and it doubtless will be again. AI? Same deal. Tech companies have been overpromising and underdelivering for decades. Nothing new under the sun. AI isn’t this year’s metaverse; it is this year’s social media. Metaverse was Facebook’s gamble for relevance post- 2020, when a lot of people woke up and started realizing just how terrible Facebook was. It was a blatant attempt by Facebook to make itself the center of a new “reality”. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m not surprised it fizzled. And I’m still not quite sure what a metaverse is. =============================================================================== * Gemini_(Primer) links can be opened using Gemini_software. It’s like the World Wide Web but a lot lighter. ䷩ 𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 3505 ╒═══════════════════ 𝐃𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 ═════════════════════════════════════════════╕ ⠀⌧ █▇▆▅▄▃▂▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁ 02.16.23⠀▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▂▃▄▅▆▇█ ⌧ Gemini_version_available_♊︎ ✐ Links_16/02/2023:_YouTube_Crisis_and_Tesla_Mass_Recalls⠀✐ Posted in News_Roundup at 9:42 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇GNOME bluefish⦈ § Contents⠀➾ * GNU/Linux o Desktop/Laptop o Audiocasts/Shows o Applications o Instructionals/Technical o Desktop_Environments/WMs # K_Desktop_Environment/KDE_SC/Qt * Distributions_and_Operating_Systems o New_Releases o SUSE/OpenSUSE o Fedora_Family_/_IBM o Debian_Family o Canonical/Ubuntu_Family o Devices/Embedded o Open_Hardware/Modding o Mobile_Systems/Mobile_Applications * Free,_Libre,_and_Open_Source_Software o Events o Web_Browsers/Web_Servers # Mozilla o Programming/Development o Standards/Consortia * Leftovers o Science o Health/Nutrition/Agriculture o Proprietary o Security # Privacy/Surveillance o Defence/Aggression o Environment # Energy/Transportation # Wildlife/Nature o Finance o AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics o Censorship/Free_Speech o Freedom_of_Information_/_Freedom_of_the_Press o Civil_Rights/Policing o Internet_Policy/Net_Neutrality o Digital_Restrictions_(DRM) o Monopolies # Patents # Software_Patents # Trademarks * Gemini*_and_Gopher o Personal o Technical # Internet/Gemini * § GNU/Linux⠀➾ o § Desktop/Laptop⠀➾ # ⚓ Liliputing ☛ Kubuntu_Focus_NX_gets_a_spec_bump_(mini_PC with_Kubuntu_Linux_and_12th-gen_Intel_Core)⠀⇛ The Kubuntu Focus NX is a small form-factor desktop computer that ships with Kubuntu Linux software pre-installed. When the Kubuntu team first introduced the mini PC last year it was available with 11th-gen Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor options. But now there’s a new model called the Kubuntu Focus NX Gen 2 which features a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 chip. # ⚓ Linux Magazine ☛ Kubuntu_Focus_Team_Releases_New_Mini Desktop⠀⇛ The Focus NX GEN 2 is a small form factor desktop PC that comes with Kubuntu 22.04 pre-installed and offers plenty of power to help you be productive and entertained. The power behind this tiny computer shouldn’t surprise you, given the specs. The NX GEN 2 ships with a 12th-Gen Intel Core i7-1260P CPU with 16 cores (running at 2.8 GHz with a 4.7 GHz turbo boost), configurable up to 64GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, and can house up to a 2TB NVMe boot SSD and a 4TB secondary SATA drive. # ⚓ Ubuntu Pit ☛ Kubuntu_Focus_Team’s_NX_GEN_2_Mini_Linux Desktop_PC:_What_You_Need_to_Know!⠀⇛ Thanks to technology, swapping out Windows in favor of Linux is no longer an intimidating and complex endeavor. Over time, installing a Linux-based operating system on your existing computer has become increasingly straightforward; however, it can still be daunting for some users. Fortunately, there are numerous computers that come preloaded with different distributions of the Linux Operating System – giving you plenty more options! # ⚓ 9to5Linux ☛ Kubuntu_Focus_NX_Mini_Linux_PC_Gen2_Ships_with 12th_Gen_Intel_CPU,_Wi-Fi_6E⠀⇛ If you’re in the market for a Linux-powered system optimized for the KDE Plasma desktop environment, the Kubuntu Focus NX Mini Linux PC Gen2 is now available for order with the 12th-Generation “Alder Lake” Intel Core i7-1260P processor with 12 cores, 16 threads, powerful Iris Xe Graphics, and high- performance 35 W TDP. Connectivity was boosted as well in the 2nd- generation Kubuntu Focus NX with the latest Wi-Fi 6E with up to 5.4 Gbps speeds, 2.5 GbE Ethernet LAN, and Bluetooth 5.3. On top of that, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs through USB-C supporting up to four 4K monitors. o § Audiocasts/Shows⠀➾ # ⚓ Tux Digital ☛ Destination_Linux_312:_Linux_At_The_Movies_& Making_Open_Source_Radio_Waves⠀⇛ This week’s episode of Destination Linux, we’re going to be discussing Linux at the Oscars! Then we have a rust based browser engine making a comeback. Plus, we have our tips/tricks and software picks. All this and more coming up right now on Destination Linux to keep those penguins marching! # ⚓ Video ☛ CoreJS:_The_Web_–_Open_Source_Are_Broken!_– Invidious⠀⇛ # ⚓ Video ☛ What_Are_The_Hardest_Linux_Distros?_(It’s_Not_The Ones_You_Think!)_–_Invidious⠀⇛ # ⚓ The BSD Now Podcast ☛ BSDNow_494:_Unix_workstation extinction⠀⇛ Mass extinction of UNIX workstations, Determine Who Can Log In to an SSH Server, Factors When Considering FreeBSD vs. Linux Packages, A Visual Guide to SSH Tunnels, Harvesting the Noise While it’s Fresh, Bastille – The Jail Manager on FreeBSD, and more # ⚓ The TLLTS Podcast ☛ The_Linux_Link_Tech_Show_Episode_992⠀⇛ joel says gimme lts. # ⚓ Linux in the Ham Shack ☛ LHS_Episode_#496:_The_Weekender CI⠀⇛ It’s time once again for The Weekender. This is our departure into the world of hedonism, random topic excursions, whimsy and (hopefully) knowledge. # ⚓ Video ☛ How_to_install_Endless_OS_5.0.0_–_Invidious⠀⇛ # ⚓ Video ☛ Ubuntu_Book_Authors_Live_Stream_Q_–_A_–_Invidious⠀⇛ # ⚓ Video ☛ Enterprise_Linux_Security_Episode_57_–_Record Breaking_DDoS_Attacks_–_Invidious⠀⇛ # ⚓ Video ☛ How_to_Manage_OpenStack_Private_Clouds_Episode_3_– Setting_Up_Block_Storage_Volumes_–_Invidious⠀⇛ # ⚓ FLOSS_Weekly_719:_Let_the_Wiki_Win!_–_Peter_Kaminski, Decentralized_vs_Centralized,_Massive_Wiki⠀⇛ o § Applications⠀➾ # ⚓ Linux Links ☛ 21_Best_Free_and_Open_Source_GUI_Internet Radio_Software⠀⇛ Why do we like internet radio? There are no sign-up or subscription charges. There’s a huge range of stations available from around the world. If you like classical music, pop music, folk music, news, talk radio, and much more, internet radio has something for everyone wherever you live (providing you have a net connection). Internet radio offers every format that is available on traditional broadcast radio stations. There’s a wide range of free and open source software that lets you listen to internet radio. With so many different possibilities available it’s easy to get lost trying to find the right one for you. # ⚓ Ubuntu Pit ☛ 15_Best_Tools_for_Linux_Font_Management⠀⇛ If you’re like me and have been using Linux for a long time, you know font management can be an issue in most distributions – still! Although Linux has come a great way since its earlier attempt at font management, which resulted in an amateurish-looking desktop, it still has plenty to improve. # ⚓ Ubuntu Pit ☛ 25_Best_Free_Medical_Imaging_Software_for Linux⠀⇛ Computers have been playing a significant role in modern healthcare systems since their inception. Have you ever wondered how medical imaging like MRI or X-ray scan copies is implemented? Your computer utilizes a special kind of file schema for this purpose. o § Instructionals/Technical⠀➾ # ⚓ Linux Capable ☛ How_to_Install_PuTTy_SSH_Client_on_Ubuntu 22.04_or_20.04⠀⇛ PuTTy is a popular open-source terminal emulator and SSH client for Windows, Linux, and macOS. System administrators and developers have widely used it for its versatility, simplicity, and functionality. # ⚓ Linux Capable ☛ How_to_Install_Insomnia_on_Ubuntu_22.04_or 20.04⠀⇛ Insomnia is a popular open-source tool used for testing and debugging APIs, and its popularity continues to grow within the developer community. # ⚓ Linux Capable ☛ How_to_Install_Microsoft_Edge_on_Fedora Linux [Ed: Proprietary malware controlled by the company that's attacking GNU/Linux. Don't install it, don't use it.]⠀⇛ Microsoft Edge is a popular and widely used web browser that provides users with a fast, secure, and streamlined browsing experience. # ⚓ The_Speak_&_Spell’s_sound_chip_uses_a_compressed_audio format_called_“linear_predictive_coding”._This_command_will read_random_bytes_and_attempt_to_decompress_them_as_if_it were_audio_data_compressed_in_this_format,_then_play_it._This results_in_a_unique_sound_which_is_similar_to_a_glitching Speak_&_Spell.⠀⇛ # ⚓ Linux Capable ☛ How_to_Install_Brasero_on_Linux_Mint_21_or 20⠀⇛ Brasero is a widely popular and efficient optical disc authoring software for Linux. This powerful tool allows users to create, copy, and burn CDs and DVDs, making it an essential tool for anyone who needs to work with optical media regularly. # ⚓ Linux Capable ☛ How_to_Install_CMake_on_Ubuntu_22.04_or 20.04⠀⇛ CMake is a widely adopted, powerful tool software developers utilize for building and packaging software projects. As an open-source and cross- platform tool, CMake is highly versatile, providing developers with a flexible and customizable solution for their development needs. # ⚓ Linux Capable ☛ How_to_Reboot_or_Shutdown_Your_Linux_System from_the_Terminal⠀⇛ As a Linux user, you may need to reboot or shut down your system for various reasons, such as system maintenance, upgrades, or issues that can be resolved by restarting or shutting down. # ⚓ RoseHosting ☛ How_to_Install_iRedMail_on_Ubuntu_22.04⠀⇛ In this tutorial, we will install iRedMail on Ubuntu 22.04 OS with an installation script and explain the process in detail. iRedMail is an open-source email server software that supports the SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 protocols. With this installation script Nginx, Postfix as a mail transfer agent, Dovecot as IMAP and POP3 server, SpamAssassin as a spam scanner, and ClamAV as a virus scanner are included. # ⚓ Make Tech Easier ☛ How_to_Protect_Your_Server_With_Fail2Ban in_Linux⠀⇛ Securing a server is a top priority for any business or organization. One of the most important tools in a sysadmin’s toolkit is Fail2Ban. This guide explains what Fail2Ban is and how you can use it to protect your Linux server from attacks. # ⚓ ZDNet ☛ How_to_install_a_cloud_service_at_home:_It’s_easy⠀⇛ Linux belongs on your home network, and setting up an on-premises cloud is simpler than you’d think. # ⚓ ZDNet ☛ How_to_enhance_the_KDE_Plasma_desktop_with widgets⠀⇛ By adding widgets to the KDE Plasma desktop, you give it more functionality and even make it interactive. Find out how. # ⚓ ZDNet ☛ How_to_install_Linux_on_your_Raspberry_Pi⠀⇛ Take your Raspberry Pi to the next level by installing a variety of different Linux distros on your hardware. # ⚓ ID Root ☛ Shutdown_and_Reboot_Linux_From_Command_Line⠀⇛ # ⚓ ID Root ☛ How_To_Install_Telegram_on_Fedora_37⠀⇛ o § Desktop Environments/WMs⠀➾ # § K Desktop Environment/KDE SC/Qt⠀➾ # ⚓ Ubuntu Pit ☛ KDE_Plasma_5.27_LTS_Desktop_is_Out. What’s_New!⠀⇛ The KDE developers and contributors have once again gone above and beyond to offer you Plasma 5.27, packed with tremendous enhancements for the Linux desktop environment! Plasma 5.27 offers thrilling updates to your desktop, beginning with the Konqi-powered wizard, which will assist you in setting up the desktop! # ⚓ Ubuntu Pit ☛ Unlock_Power_&_Performance_With_KaOS Linux_2023.02:_What’s_New?⠀⇛ Today, the group behind KaOS Linux — independently created and powered by KDE, with strong influences from Arch Linux — released their latest ISO snapshot: KaOS Linux 2023.02. This version is filled with up-to-date GNU/Linux innovations that are sure to bring a unique experience for users! # ⚓ KDE_Snaps,_Security_updates,_Debian_Freeze⠀⇛ Much like our trees, Debian is now in freeze stage for Bookworm. I am still working on packages locally until development opens up again. * § Distributions and Operating Systems⠀➾ o ⚓ Barry Kauler ☛ The_next-generation_MoManager⠀⇛ o § New Releases⠀➾ # ⚓ 9to5Linux ☛ Clonezilla_Live_3.0.3_Disk_Cloning_Tool_Adds Support_for_Multiple_LUKS_Devices,_Linux_6.1_LTS⠀⇛ Clonezilla Live developer Steven Shiau announced today the release of Clonezilla Live 3.0.3 as the third maintenance update in the latest Clonezilla Live 3.0 series of this open-source, free, and powerful partition and disk cloning/imaging live ISO distribution based on the Debian Sid repositories. Clonezilla 3.0.3 comes more than three months after Clonezilla 3.0.2 and bumps the Linux kernel from the now deprecated Linux 6.0 to the long-term supported Linux 6.1 LTS. The live ISO ships with Linux kernel 6.1.11 by default. o § SUSE/OpenSUSE⠀➾ # ⚓ SUSE’s Corporate Blog ☛ Expanding_Enterprise_Computing Options_with_an_All-Arm_Cluster_–_The_Hammerhead_Way⠀⇛ Background: The Hammerhead Consortium leveraged its Ampere Computing-powered cluster in its latest test iteration showcasing a ScyllaDB environment in an all-Arm cluster. The results will be made available in a joint session between Ampere Computing and ScaleFlux at the upcoming ScyllaDB Summit 2023. # ⚓ SUSE’s Corporate Blog ☛ Stop_the_Churn_with_SUSE eLearning⠀⇛ The Covid pandemic has taught us has brought us a lot of new phrases in the workforce. First, there was “quiet quitting” – the desire to do “just” what’s in your job description and no more.  Then there was the “great resignation” where it seemed like everyone was looking for their next opportunity. o § Fedora Family / IBM⠀➾ # ⚓ Fedora Project ☛ Fedora_Community_Blog:_CPE_2022_Summary⠀⇛ This is a summary of the work done on initiatives by theCommunity_Platform_Engineering(CPE) Team. The CPE Team, together with CentOS and Fedora community representatives, choose initiatives for the team to work on. The CPE Team is then split into multiple smaller sub-teams that will work on chosen initiatives + day to day work that needs to be done. o § Debian Family⠀➾ # ⚓ Linuxiac ☛ Parrot_OS_5.2_Tightens_Security,_Better_TOR Bridges_Support⠀⇛ Parrot OS, similar to Kali, is a Debian-based Linux distribution designed for security and privacy. Using the MATE desktop environment, Parrot OS includes various tools for penetration testing, digital forensics, reverse engineering, cryptography, and anonymity, making it a popular choice for security professionals and researchers. Just over four months after its latest stable 5.1 release, Parrot OS 5.2 is finally here. So let’s see what’s changed. o § Canonical/Ubuntu Family⠀➾ # ⚓ Ubuntu Pit ☛ Canonical’s_Real-Time_Ubuntu_Kernel_on_Ubuntu Pro_Subscription⠀⇛ Ubuntu maker Canonical is proud to announce the general availability of their enterprise-grade real-time Ubuntu kernel for systems running on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. This revolutionary security and reliability feature provides enterprises with an unparalleled level of end-to-end protection for time-sensitive workloads, giving companies the confidence they need in a modern digital environment. # ⚓ 9to5Linux ☛ Ubuntu_22.04_LTS_Is_Now_Powered_by_Linux_Kernel 5.19_from_Ubuntu_22.10⠀⇛ Initially planned for early February 2023, the Ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS point release will ship with a newer kernel, namely Linux 5.19 HWE (Hardware Enablement) from the Ubuntu 22.10 release, and it’s also the first Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish) point release to feature a newer kernel for those who need it. I said “for those who need it” in the above paragraph because Ubuntu 22.04 LTS already ships with a great kernel, Linux 5.15 LTS, which will receive security updates for more than three and a half years from the moment of writing, until October 2026. # ⚓ Ubuntu ☛ Course_for_deploying_ROS_applications_now available_in_The_Construct⠀⇛ We are happy to announce the release of our first e-training course for deploying ROS applications in The Construct. The Construct is the leading e- learning platform for ROS, helping engineers grow their robotics skills with a full-scale curriculum and hands-on courses. Working alongside The Construct engineering team will now make the course available to everyone. o § Devices/Embedded⠀➾ # ⚓ CNX Software ☛ Raspberry_Pi_400_powers_dual-display_retro- gaming_console⠀⇛ “Block after Block” has designed a dual-display tabletop retro-gaming console using plywood edge grain and a Raspberry Pi 400 keyboard PC that allows players to physically face each other during a fight or other gameplay. While there’s a galore of projects based on Raspberry Pi SBCs, the Raspberry Pi 400 keyboard PC is more like a consumer product due to its form factor, but Block after Block integrated the PC into its own retro-gaming console which involved a lot of woodworking skills and installing RetroPie on the Pi 400 device o § Open Hardware/Modding⠀➾ # ⚓ 12_DIY_Raspberry_Pi_Projects_to_Improve_Your_Smart_Home⠀⇛ So maybe you’ve gotten bored playing around with your Raspberry Pi and wanted to make something practical out of it. That’s great! Whether you’re an experienced electrician or a tinkering newbie who can’t hold a soldering iron without getting burnt, there are plenty of guides and projects out there that you could follow so you could integrate them to your own. Here are 12 projects to start you off and make for an even brighter home. Tip: Don’t forget to secure your Raspberry Pi while doing these DIY projects. # ⚓ Tom’s Hardware ☛ Raspberry_Pi_Serves_Up_News_and_Weather, Retro_Style⠀⇛ Serving the news in a retro style, this Raspberry Pi project uses an old CCTV monitor and a little Python programming to get the latest news. o § Mobile Systems/Mobile Applications⠀➾ # ⚓ Android Police ☛ Firefox_for_Android_is_finally_getting more_extensions⠀⇛ # ⚓ Phone Arena ☛ Budget-friendly_Samsung_Galaxy_A04_gets_its Android_13_update_–_PhoneArena⠀⇛ # ⚓ Notebook Check ☛ Stable_Android_13_update_now_rolling_out for_Nothing_Phone_(1)_users_worldwide_–_NotebookCheck.net News⠀⇛ # ⚓ Notebook Check ☛ Android_13_upgrade_lands_on_Sony_Xperia_10 III_in_surprise_change_of_heart_–_NotebookCheck.net_News⠀⇛ # ⚓ Pocket Now ☛ Android_14:_New_features,_supported_devices, timeline_and_more⠀⇛ # ⚓ The Sun ☛ Android_users_are_just_finding_the_hidden_‘taps and_swipes’_that_unlock_over_a_dozen_features_–_you’ll_save so_much_time_|_The_US_Sun⠀⇛ # ⚓ CNET ☛ Make_Your_Android_Phone_Feel_New_Again_With_These_5 Tips_–_CNET⠀⇛ # ⚓ India Times ☛ Android:_These_may_be_the_biggest_‘security threats’_for_Android_smartphone_users_in_2023_–_Times_of India⠀⇛ # ⚓ India Times ☛ Google:_Google-CCI_dispute:_Here’s_what_the Android_maker_told_NCLAT_–_Times_of_India⠀⇛ # ⚓ XDA ☛ Nothing_Phone_1_gets_the_stable_Android_13_update with_Nothing_OS_1.5.2⠀⇛ * § Free, Libre, and Open Source Software⠀➾ o ⚓ OSI Blog ☛ Predictions_in_Open_Source:_Security,_Mature Strategies,_COSO,_AI/ML [Ed: Just months after taking Microsoft money to repeatedly promote proprietary software, which is used to violate the licences OSI deals with, OSI now takes money from a Microsoft proxy, run by former Microsoft, to promote rubbish and FUD; Open Source would be better off if OSI just dropped dead]⠀⇛ I joined Javier Perez and Rod Cope of Perforce in a webinar… o ⚓ It’s FOSS ☛ FOSS_Weekly_#23.07:_Terminal_Basics,_KDE_Plasma_5.27 and_Markdown_Guide⠀⇛ Get a free bash scripting book, Markdown guides and learn to get comfortable with the new Terminal Basics series. o § Events⠀➾ # ⚓ Kushal_Das:_SamNet_Vinterkonferensen_2023⠀⇛ This Tuesday I attendedSamNet_Vinterkonferensen, jointly organized by ISOC-SE, SNUS,DFRIand Dataskydd.net, focusing on technology, the internet, privacy, and decentralization. The organizers gave me caution before hand as the whole conference was in Swedish 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇:)⦈ The venue wasInternetstiftelsen, which is already one of my favorite small conference venues in Stockholm (as we have done many open spaces there in the last 1 year). After the morning coffee and breakfast, the day started with a talk about “blockchain”, it felt more like a 2015 version of the presentation 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇:)⦈ After that a very good detailed description of IPv6 and adoption. The third talk was on DNS from Mikael Kullberg. This presentation was a perfect mix of technical details and fun 🄸🄼🄰🄶🄴 🄳🄴🅂🄲🅁🄸🄿🅃🄸🄾🄽 ⦇:)⦈ o § Web Browsers/Web Servers⠀➾ # § Mozilla⠀➾ # ⚓ LWN ☛ Firefox_110.0_released_[LWN.net]⠀⇛ Version 110.0 of the Firefox browser has been released. Significant new features include the ability to import bookmarks from the Opera and Vivaldi browsers and GPU sandboxing on Windows systems. # ⚓ Neowin ☛ Tor_Browser_12.0.3⠀⇛ Tor is a network of virtual tunnels that allows people and groups to improve their privacy and security on the Internet. The Tor software protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world: it prevents somebody from watching your Internet connection and learning what sites you visit, it prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location, and it lets you access sites which are blocked. o § Programming/Development⠀➾ # ⚓ Qt ☛ Product_Analytics_for_Customer_Success_Management [Ed: Qt is promoting spyware again]⠀⇛ Product Analytics transforms reactive Customer Success Management (CSM) into proactive and ultimately more productive work. # ⚓ Qt ☛ Qt_Creator_10_Beta_released⠀⇛ We are happy to announce the release of Qt Creator10 Beta! # ⚓ It’s FOSS ☛ Beginner’s_Guide_to_R_Markdown_Syntax_[With Cheat_Sheet]⠀⇛ R Markdown is an enhanced form of Markdown coupled with in-line R code. Curious? Learn more here. o § Standards/Consortia⠀➾ # ⚓ Philippe_Normand:_WebRTC_in_WebKitGTK_and_WPE,_status updates,_part I⠀⇛ Some time ago we atIgaliaembarked on the journey to ship aGStreamer-powered WebRTC backend. This is a long journey, it is not over, but we made some progress. This post is the first of a series providing some insights of the challenges we are facing and the plans for the next release cycle(s). * § Leftovers⠀➾ o ⚓ February_6_earthquakes:_50,576_buildings_need_to_be_destroyed⠀⇛ After the inspection of 387,346 buildings, 279,655 were assessed as slightly damaged or undamaged. o ⚓ HRW ☛ Northwest_Syria:_Aid_Delays_Deadly_for_Quake_Survivors⠀⇛ o ⚓ WhichUK ☛ Does_paying_more_get_you_a_better_hot_water_bottle?⠀⇛ We tested hot water bottles to find out which stays toasty the longest. Our favourite has just come back in stock o ⚓ The Straits Times ☛ Magnitude-6.1_quake_rocks_central Philippines⠀⇛ The strong and shallow quake struck off Masbate province in the centre of the archipelago. o ⚓ Mark Hansen ☛ Choosing_a_Portmanteau/Blended_Baby_Surname⠀⇛ How we chose a surname for our new baby: options, tradeoffs, and how to search for blends of your & your partner’s surnames o ⚓ uni Michigan ☛ Why_your_camera_is_killing_your_memory⠀⇛ Photographs have come a long way since Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the very first one in 1826. Thirty-five years later, photos could be taken and viewed in color, and a short while after came the first-ever motion picture. o ⚓ Zimbabwe ☛ EcoCash_partners_US_company_to_offer_another_avenue_to send_funds_to_Zimbabwe_through⠀⇛ It’s been in the news but it’s not really new. However, if we all missed it when it happened then we might as well talk about it today. EcoCash partnered with Remitly, a US financial services provider. Remitly is all about remittances as their name suggests. o ⚓ Zimbabwe ☛ It_wasn’t_just_the_$9200_laptops,_govt_cancelled_other inflated_payments⠀⇛ It was in September last year when we witnessed the infamous US$9,200 laptops saga. The Clerk of Parliament had authorised the purchase of 173 laptops at $9200 each and 79 desktops at $3000 each but had to throw the tenders out after a public outcry. o ⚓ CNN ☛ FC_Barcelona_investigated_for_alleged_payments_to_firm owned_by_then-referee_body’s_VP⠀⇛ The Barcelona Prosecutor’s Office is investigating FC Barcelona over allegations it made $1.5 million in payments over three years to a company owned by a then- leading official with Spain’s referee committee, CTA. o ⚓ CNN ☛ See_drone_footage_of_what_Turkey_region_looks_like_10_days after_quake⠀⇛ CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta joins a helicopter mission delivering aid to survivors in Turkey’s Hatay Province, the epicenter of an earthquake that killed more than 36,000 people. While search and rescue missions are still underway, another challenge is to deliver goods to places hard to access where people rely on aid packages for basic supplies. o § Science⠀➾ # ⚓ Vice Media Group ☛ Earth’s_Core_May_Be_Causing_Strange ‘Anomalies’,_Study_Suggests⠀⇛ Deep inside the Earth, something strange is happening that scientists are trying to explain. o § Health/Nutrition/Agriculture⠀➾ # ⚓ Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong_Kong_gov’t_seeks_to_prosecute shop_selling_suspected_cat_and_dog_meat⠀⇛ The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has confirmed through DNA tests that a shop in Yau Ma Tei had been selling cat flesh. # ⚓ Helsinki Times ☛ COVID-19_infection_raises_diabetes_risk: Research⠀⇛ Researchersat Cedars-Smidt Sinai’s Heart Institute have confirmed that persons who have had COVID-19 have a higher risk of developing new-onset diabetes, which is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. “Our results verify that the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes after a COVID-19 infection was not just an early observation but, in fact, a real risk that has, unfortunately, persisted through the Omicron era,” saidAlan Kwan, MD, first and corresponding author of the study and a cardiovascular physician in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. # ⚓ JURIST ☛ Officials:_chemicals_from_Ohio_train_derailment found_in_waterways_near_Ohio_River⠀⇛ The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Tuesday said that chemicals from a recent train derailment have been found in waterways near the Ohio River. The ODNR examined four different streams and tributaries over seven and a half miles around the derailment site and discovered 3,500 dead fish of 12 different species. # ⚓ Press Gazette ☛ Open_Democracy_crowdfunds_dedicated_Covid inquiry_journalist⠀⇛ Open Democracy hopes to afford to send a journalist to every day of the Covid-19 inquiry. # ⚓ RFA ☛ Thousands_of_retirees_protest_in_Wuhan_and_Dalian over_medical_payout_cuts⠀⇛ Protesters sing communist anthems, face off against ranks of police # ⚓ teleSUR ☛ WHO_Says_Mpox_Still_Int’l_Public_Health Emergency⠀⇛ In a statement on Wednesday, the WHO said its experts acknowledged the progress in the global response to the mpox outbreak and a further decline in the number of reported cases during the last few months. # ⚓ Project Censored ☛ Censored_Déjà_Vu:_Corporate_Media’s Ongoing_Failure_to_Cover_Key_Issues_around_Food_Safety, Birthing,_and_Breastfeeding_&_Dark_Money’s_Pernicious Influence_on_Political_Culture⠀⇛ In the first half of the program, Shealeigh Voitl and Steve Macek a look at how corporate-media coverage has failed over the course of years to adequately inform the public… # ⚓ teleSUR ☛ Equatorial_Guinea_Responds_to_Marburg_Virus Outbreak​​​​​​⠀⇛ One confirmed case, 16 suspected cases, and nine deaths have been reported from two communities in the Kie-Ntem province. # ⚓ The Scientist ☛ Fast-Acting_Nonhormonal_Male_Birth_Control Prevents_Pregnancy_in_Mice⠀⇛ The “on demand” drug immobilizes sperm rather than limit their production, preventing 100 percent of pregnancies in an experiment. # ⚓ The Scientist ☛ Bacteria_Have_Histones_After_All:_Study⠀⇛ Researchers identify hundreds of candidate histone proteins in bacteria, including one with an unusual way of binding to DNA. # ⚓ YLE ☛ THL:_Confusing_system_undermines_kids’_mental_health services⠀⇛ The National Institute for Health and Welfare is calling for a reform of mental health services available to children and young people. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ ‘Chernobyl_2.0’?_Ohio_Train_Derailment Spurs_Wild_Speculation.⠀⇛ For many influencers across the political spectrum, claims about the environmental effects of the train derailment have gone far beyond known facts. o § Proprietary⠀➾ # ⚓ IT_breach_at_airline_SAS_gives_passengers_access_to_each other’s_payment_information⠀⇛ Several customers with Scandinavian airline SAS were late on Tuesday able to see personal information that did not belong to them after a cyberattack which froze the company’s website. # ⚓ Vice Media Group ☛ Users_Report_Microsoft’s_‘Unhinged’_Bing AI_Is_Lying,_Berating_Them⠀⇛ The Bing bot said it was “disappointed and frustrated” in one user, according to screenshots. “You have wasted my time and resources,” it said. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ Why_Chatbots_Sometimes_Act_Weird_and_Spout Nonsense⠀⇛ No, chatbots aren’t sentient. Here’s how their underlying technology works. # ⚓ Vice Media Group ☛ Hyundai_Says_Its_Cars_Will_No_Longer_Be Easy_to_Steal_Using_Viral_TikTok_Instructions⠀⇛ A free software patch is available to some models now. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ Tesla_to_Recall_362,000_Cars_With_Its ‘Full_Self_Driving’_System⠀⇛ A federal auto safety agency said the technology can cause crashes, but said the company was unaware of any deaths or injuries caused by the flaws. # ⚓ Axios ☛ Tesla_recalls_more_than_362,700_cars_over_self- driving_flaws⠀⇛ Tesla is recalling 362,758 vehicles equipped with itscontroversial_“Full_Self-Driving_beta”_(FSD) softwarethat federal safety investigators found can occasionally disregard traffic laws. o § Security⠀➾ # ⚓ Vice Media Group ☛ One_of_Anom’s_Top_Alleged_Sellers_Flown to_U.S._to_Face_Charges⠀⇛ Alexander Dmitrienko was an alleged seller for the FBI’s honeypot phone company. More than a year and a half after the FBI pulled back the curtain on the operation, Dmitrienko is now in the U.S. to face his charges. # ⚓ SUSE’s Corporate Blog ☛ Ransomware_Attacks_–_Part_1_ (Introduction)⠀⇛ In this series of articles, I will talk about Ransomware attacks and how we can better protect our systems. What is ransomware? Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that is designed to block access to a computer system or its data, usually by encrypting it, until a ransom is paid. # ⚓ SUSE’s Corporate Blog ☛ Ransomware_Attacks_–_Part_2_ (Traditional_IT_Security)⠀⇛ Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. How do we protect traditional IT infrastructure? 3. How do I use SELinux, AppArmor and Netfilter? 4. Can STIG hardening guide help me protect my Linux server? 5. How can I apply a STIG profiles to all my servers? 6. # ⚓ SUSE’s Corporate Blog ☛ Ransomware_Attacks_–_Part_3_ (Container_Security_)⠀⇛ Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. How do we protect Kubernetes environments? 3. Why use Zero- Trust policies to stop the spread of malware? 4. The importance of having a secure software supply chain? 5. Why must we automate security in Kubernetes environments? 6. How can we scale these measures when we have multiple clusters? 7. # ⚓ LWN ☛ Security_updates_for_Wednesday_[LWN.net]⠀⇛ Security updates have been issued by Debian (gnutls28 and haproxy), Fedora (syslog-ng), Mageia (apr-util, chromium-browser-stable, editorconfig- core-c, ffmpeg, libzen, phpmyadmin, tpm2-tss, and webkit2), Oracle (kernel and kernel-container), Slackware (mozilla and php), SUSE (git, haproxy, kernel, nodejs18, phpMyAdmin, and timescaledb), and Ubuntu (APR-util, git, and haproxy). # ⚓ IT Wire ☛ Microsoft_issues_75_patches,_including_three_for zero-days⠀⇛ Microsoft has released patches for 75 vulnerabilities overnight on its second Patch Tuesday for the year, with nine being rated critical. # ⚓ CNN ☛ Senior_FBI_official_warns_US_states_about_threat posed_by_Chinese_hackers⠀⇛ A senior FBI official warned secretaries of state from across the US Thursday that Chinese hackers pose a “growing threat” and said their willingness to target the infrastructure of political parties ahead of the 2022 election demonstrates that “we could see more significant Chinese cyber activity against your states in the coming year.” # § Privacy/Surveillance⠀➾ # ⚓ OpenRightsGroup ☛ UK_Facial_Recognition_–_No_Consent, No_Oversight⠀⇛ On 3 February 2023, the Wales cross-party group on digital rights and democracy – for which Open Rights Group serves as the secretariat – held its fourth session on surveillance and facial recognition technology in the UK. # ⚓ JURIST ☛ EU_dispatch:_new_EDPS_opinion_on_airline passenger_data_addresses_privacy_and_cross-border_crime concerns⠀⇛ Law students from the European Union are reporting for JURIST on law-related events in and affecting the European Union and its member states. # ⚓ Bruce Schneier ☛ Camera_the_Size_of_a_Grain_of_Salt⠀⇛ Cameras are gettingsmaller_and_smaller, changing the scale and scope of surveillance. o § Defence/Aggression⠀➾ # ⚓ YLE ☛ Former_head_of_military_intelligence_suspected_of aggravated_service_crimes⠀⇛ Alafuzoff is suspected of handing a flash drive to a Helsingin Sanomat journalist. The drive contained confidential information. # ⚓ US News And World Report ☛ Russia_Declares_Battlefield Gains_as_NATO_Ramps_up_Support_for_Ukraine⠀⇛ # ⚓ New Yorker ☛ How_Do_Ukrainians_Think_About_Russians_Now?⠀⇛ After a year of war, the struggle for cultural sovereignty has triggered complex sentiments. # ⚓ teleSUR ☛ US_Involvement_in_Nord_Stream_Blast_Fits_11_Known Facts:_Sachs⠀⇛ Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh said last week that the U.S. Navy was involved in the Nord Stream explosions. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ Russia_Hits_Ukraine_With_New_Missile Barrage⠀⇛ In a blend of the old school and the new, Moscow sent balloons over Ukraine before pummeling it with high-tech weaponry. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ Biden_Tries_to_Calm_Tensions_Over_Chinese Spy_Balloon⠀⇛ The president said he will speak soon with President Xi Jinping to register his objection to the Chinese surveillance machine that was recently detected and shot down. # ⚓ teleSUR ☛ Russia_Calls_UNSC_Meeting_on_Nord_Stream Explosions_for_Feb._22⠀⇛ This comes in light of a recent report by U.S. journalist Seymour Hersh indicating direct U.S. involvement in the Nord Stream incidents. # ⚓ teleSUR ☛ EU_Proposes_10th_Sanctions_Package_Against Russia⠀⇛ In order to prevent third countries from supplying goods to Russia, the new package targets Iran for the first time. # ⚓ The Local SE ☛ EXPLAINED:_These_are_the_weapons_Sweden_is sending_to_Ukraine⠀⇛ Sweden last month announced the largest ever delivery of heavy weaponry in its history, including the advanced Archer missile defence system, NLAW anti-tank missiles and CV-90 assault vehicles. Here’s what you need to know about these weapons. # ⚓ The Local SE ☛ Nato_leader_vows_to_‘push’_for_Sweden_and Finland_as_members⠀⇛ Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg pledged on Wednesday to push Turkey on ratifying Sweden’s bid as well as Finland’s to join the military alliance during an upcoming visit to offer support after the earthquakes. # ⚓ CNN ☛ China_sanctions_Lockheed,_Raytheon_after_vowing_to retaliate_against_US_restrictions⠀⇛ China has imposed sanctions on two American defense manufacturers over arms sales to Taiwan, a day after Beijing pledged to take “countermeasures” in response to Washington’s handling of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that entered US airspace late last month. # ⚓ Axios ☛ China_sanctions_Lockheed_Martin_and_Raytheon_over Taiwan_sales⠀⇛ Chinaannounced on Thursday that it would impose sanctions against two U.S. defense companies in retaliation for their weapons sales to Taiwan. # ⚓ CS Monitor ☛ Ukraine_war_pulls_NATO_center_of_gravity eastward⠀⇛ The Ukraine war has reinvigorated NATO and reshaped it, with less familiar players from Eastern Europe taking more important roles. # ⚓ CNN ☛ Biden_says_last_three_objects_shot_down_were_not related_to_China_spy_programs⠀⇛ # ⚓ CNN ☛ CNN_anchor_explains_Biden’s_lack_of_transparency_on the_flying_objects⠀⇛ President Biden has now addressed the American people about their concerns about the flying objects. CNN’s Abby Phillip explains the sensitivity of this subject and how little the president can say on the matter. # ⚓ CNN ☛ Video_appears_to_show_Ukraine_striking_weapon_that rips_the_oxygen_out_of_humans’_lungs⠀⇛ New video captures Ukraine taking out thermobaric weapons Putin has been using to inflict massive casualties on the front lines. This weapon can rip the oxygen out of people’s lungs when detonated and has been condemned by a number of non-governmental organizations. # ⚓ Helsinki Times ☛ US_and_Norway_blew_up_the_Nord_Stream Pipelines:_Seymour_Hersh⠀⇛ Seymour Hersh, an investigative journalist with a track record of breaking major stories, published a bombshell report on Substack on February 8 that alleges the United States was behind the explosion of the Nord Stream pipelines. According to Hersh, an anonymous source with inside knowledge of the operation has confirmed that the U.S. government was involved in the planning and execution of the sabotage, which took place on September 26, 2022. # ⚓ US News And World Report ☛ Former_Trump_Chief_of_Staff Meadows_Subpoenaed_in_Capitol_Attack_Probe:_CNN⠀⇛ Mark Meadows, a former chief of staff to ex-U.S. President Donald Trump, has been subpoenaed as part of a probe by Special Counsel Jack… # ⚓ US News And World Report ☛ One_Killed,_Three_Wounded_in Texas_Mall_Shooting⠀⇛ # ⚓ LRT ☛ ‘Worrying_trend’_as_Lithuania’s_exports_to_countries neighbouring_Russia_double⠀⇛ Lithuania’s exports to Russia have gone down by a third since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, excluding energy products, but exports to countries neighbouring Russia have doubled, Lithuanian data scientist Vaidotas Zemlys-Balevičius says, insisting that government institutions need to look into this. # ⚓ LRT ☛ Lithuania_considers_naming_and_shaming_firms_working in_Russia_–_MP⠀⇛ Publicly naming Lithuanian businesses working with Russia is one of the options under discussion, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence, said on Wednesday. # ⚓ LRT ☛ General_Vollmer_of_Germany_on_the_Russian_threat: ‘We’d_beat_them_wherever_we_need_to’_–_interview⠀⇛ If Moscow were to attack NATO’s eastern flank, the allies would see it coming and have time to prepare. Germany, which has already committed and assigned a special brigade to the defence of Lithuania, would be the main contributor, while the alliance’s plan is to defend every inch of its territory and prevent the Russians from crossing the border, former German Land Forces Commander General Jörg Vollmer stressed in an exclusive interview with LRT.lt. # ⚓ Michael West Media ☛ Australia_stands_in_solidarity_with Ukraine_against_war⠀⇛ Australia has made a parliamentary demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine ahead of marking one year since Russia’s invasion. Next Friday will be 365 days since Russia invaded Ukraine and majorly escalated the war which began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea. # ⚓ Mint Press News ☛ Media_Ignore_Seymour_Hersh_Bombshell Report_of_US_Destroying_Nord_Stream_II⠀⇛ A MintPress study of the 20 most influential U.S. news outlets found virtually no coverage of the esteemed journalist’s revelations linking Washington to the pipeline attacks. # ⚓ RFERL ☛ ‘Russia’s_Playbook’:_U.S._Diplomat_Says_Washington Is_‘Deeply_Concerned’_About_Alleged_Plot_To_Destabilize Moldova⠀⇛ The United States is “deeply concerned” about reports of a Russian plot to destabilize Moldova, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried said on February 15 in an interview with RFE/RL. # ⚓ RFERL ☛ Estonia_Deports_Pro-Kremlin_Activist_To_Russia⠀⇛ Estonian authorities said on February 15 that they had canceled the residence permit of pro-Kremlin activist Sergei Chaulin and deported him to Russia, saying he poses a threat to the Baltic nation’s state security and social order. # ⚓ RFERL ☛ Kremlin_Will_Not_Invite_Media_From_‘Unfriendly’ Countries_To_Putin’s_Speech⠀⇛ The Kremlin will not invite reporters from countries that Russia has deemed “unfriendly” to President Vladimir Putin’s address to the Federal Assembly next week. # ⚓ RFERL ☛ Ukraine_Says_It_Shot_Down_Russian_Balloons_Over Kyiv⠀⇛ Authorities in Kyiv said on February 15 that the city’s air-defense forces shot down “most” of what they said were six Russian balloons that appeared over the city and might have carried intelligence equipment or reflectors to interfere with the air- defense system of Ukraine. # ⚓ RFERL ☛ New_Poll_Finds_Americans’_Support_For_Supplying Weapons,_Aid_To_Ukraine_Slipping⠀⇛ A new poll shows that Americans’ support for providing weaponry and economic aid to Ukraine continues to wane. o § Environment⠀➾ # ⚓ The Age AU ☛ Sydney_ready_for_its_hottest_day_since_2021⠀⇛ As temperatures soar in coming days, Surf Lifesaving NSW has outlined three steps crucial to keeping everyone safe in the water. # ⚓ Renewable Energy World ☛ California_pilot_tests_solar_canal canopies_paired_with_energy_storage⠀⇛ ESS Inc. will deliver two Energy Warehouse systems to the Turlock Irrigation District in Central California. # § Energy/Transportation⠀➾ # ⚓ YLE ☛ Finland_petrol_price_jumps_not_due_to_truckers’ strike,_say_retailers⠀⇛ The price of 95 E10 petrol shot up on Wednesday at many filling stations, but retailers say the leap wasn’t caused by the truckers’ strike. # ⚓ RFA ☛ Villagers_in_Laos_worry_large_mining_concession will_disrupt_their_lives⠀⇛ The government signed more than one-fourth of an entire province to 10 mining companies. # ⚓ YLE ☛ Finland_faces_more_hybrid_influencing_and energy_supply_threats,_ministry’s_risk_assessment finds⠀⇛ The report, published on Tuesday, is the first national risk assessment since 2018, with authors noting the extent to which the threats Finland faces have changed. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ Judge_Signals_Jail_Time_if_Bankman- Fried’s_Internet_Access_Is_Not_Curbed⠀⇛ The defendant in a widespread cryptocurrency fraud case has been living in a “garden of electronic devices,” the judge says. Tighter restrictions are ahead. # § Wildlife/Nature⠀➾ # ⚓ Copenhagen Post ☛ Denmark_to_help_clean_the_Ganges⠀⇛ Government inks deal with India to allow Danish expertise cleanse one of the world’s most famous … and polluted … rivers o § Finance⠀➾ # ⚓ US News And World Report ☛ Colorado_Considers_Allowing Local_Rent_Control_Amid_Crisis⠀⇛ Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are considering repealing the state’s ban on rent control, as housing prices reach crisis levels # ⚓ Danish_real_income_drops_amid_inflation⠀⇛ Average wages may have increased in Denmark in 2022 but the real incomes of people who work in the country were down. # ⚓ The Local SE ☛ How_layoff_notices_have_skyrocketed_in Sweden_in_February⠀⇛ So far this year, more than 18,000 people in Sweden have been warned they could lose their job, and the number has rapidly soared in the past two weeks, new statistics show. # ⚓ The Local SE ☛ What_happens_to_your_Swedish_work_permit_if you_lose_your_job?⠀⇛ Losing your job is never ideal, but for those in Sweden on a work permit there’s another layer of worry. Can you stay in Sweden to look for work? Can you change career? Here’s what happens. # ⚓ CNN ☛ YouTube’s_CEO_is_stepping_down⠀⇛ YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said Thursday she is “stepping back” from her leadership role at the company after nearly a decade of running the video- sharing platform. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ Susan_Wojcicki,_YouTube’s_Longtime_CEO, Says_She_Will_Step_Down⠀⇛ One of the most prominent women in Silicon Valley, she was an early Google employee and a key member of the inner circle of the company’s founders. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ Lyft’s_Financial_Woes_Thrust_It_Into_the Spotlight⠀⇛ Lyft recovered from pandemic restrictions slower than Uber, and critics said it lacked the kind of ambitious investments that could distinguish itself from its rival. # ⚓ CS Monitor ☛ Two_more_years_of_work:_Why_French_protesters feel_ignored_on_pensions⠀⇛ The French are taking to the streets to protest a planned increase in retirement age. While all agree reform is needed, many French are asking: Are we getting what we were promised? # ⚓ Axios ☛ Biden_set_to_pounce_on_much-wanted_surprise_at World_Bank⠀⇛ President Biden plans to move quickly to replace David Malpass as president of the World Bank Group, seizing on his departure to transform the bank into an institution dedicated to fighting climate change, White House advisers say. # ⚓ The Local SE ☛ New_forecast:_Swedish_GDP_to_fall_by_one percent_in_2023⠀⇛ The outlook for the Swedish economy continues to be sombre, with state-owned mortgage bank SBAB predicting that GDP will fall by one percent this year. # ⚓ Michael West Media ☛ Adani_dodges_ASIC_probe_based_on_fraud allegations⠀⇛ Australia’s corporate regulator has decided not to actively pursue matters raised in a short seller report that accused Indian conglomerate Adani of accounting fraud and stock manipulation. # ⚓ teleSUR ☛ Number_of_Days_Lost_to_Strikes_in_UK_Highest Since_1989:_ONS⠀⇛ The UK has been under waves of strikes since last summer over pay disputes. Amid consistently high inflation, pay growth among employees has failed to keep up. # ⚓ What_salary_can_you_expect_to_earn_in_Denmark?⠀⇛ Denmark is well known for being an expensive country with high taxes. But what can your salary expectations be if you move here and what are you left with after tax and other deductions? We break it down for you. # ⚓ YLE ☛ Parmesan_pilferers_prompt_Lidl_to_hide_the_cheese⠀⇛ Thieves look for small items with high price tags, according to a regional manager of the supermarket chain. # ⚓ YLE ☛ OP:_Finland’s_housing_price_decline_to_continue⠀⇛ The housing market has taken a hit by rising mortgage prices and historically low consumer confidence. # ⚓ YLE ☛ Helsinki_households_advised_to_keep_rubbish_at_home during_truckers’_strike⠀⇛ If rubbish collection bins are full, HSY suggested households to put their trash and recyclables on balconies or in storage until the scheduled seven- day strike is over. # ⚓ US News And World Report ☛ States_Where_Americans_Are Struggling_to_Pay_the_Bills⠀⇛ As inflation maintains its grip on the country, people in the South report having the hardest time making ends meet. # ⚓ The Age AU ☛ National_unemployment_rate_rises_to_3.7_per cent [Ed: Real unemployment if far higher. This is miscounted to make the system seem like it functions well.]⠀⇛ The national unemployment rates have risen to 3.7 per cent following last years low numbers. # ⚓ Helsinki Times ☛ Ministry_calls_timeout_to_wrangle_over Thai_berry_pickers’_status_in_Finland⠀⇛ THE MINISTRYof Economic Affairs and Employment has called a timeout to the long-running wrangle over the status of berry pickers recruited from Thailand. # ⚓ CNN ☛ The_world’s_biggest_food_company_says_prices_will rise_further_this_year⠀⇛ Nestlé, the world’s largest food group, says the price of staple items will rise further this year, adding to a string of warnings from consumer giants of more pain to come for stretched households. o § AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics⠀➾ # ⚓ Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong_Kong_police_deny_putting_‘too much_effort’_into_national_security_as_leap_in_fraud_drives 10%_crime_rate_increase⠀⇛ Hong Kong police have denied that they are putting “too much effort” into safeguarding national security amid an increase in the city’s crime rate, driven largely by a leap in fraud cases. # ⚓ Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Xinjiang_governor_cancels controversial_UK_trip,_British_Foreign_Office_says⠀⇛ The governor of Xinjiang, sanctioned by the US over the Chinese region’s treatment of its Muslim Uyghur minority, is believed to have cancelled his controversial trip to the UK, the Foreign Office said Tuesday. # ⚓ Marcy Wheeler ☛ The_“Escalating,”_“Aggressive,” “Intensifying”_Step_of_Subpoenaing_Key_Witness_Mark_Meadows⠀⇛ It is not aggressive for Jack Smith to subpoena Mark Meadows. It may, however, reflect an interest in the funding of Meadows’ “insurrectionist’s clubhouse.” # ⚓ Axios ☛ Sen._Fetterman_checks_into_hospital_for_clinical depression_treatment⠀⇛ Sen._John_Fetterman(D-Pa.) checked himself into Walter Reed Medical Center on Wednesday seeking treatment for clinical depression, his chief of staff said Thursday in astatement. # ⚓ HRW ☛ Mexico:_Bill_to_Support_People_With_Disabilities_and Older_Persons⠀⇛ # ⚓ New Yorker ☛ Bernie_Sanders’s_New_Campaign:_Taking_On_Big Pharma_and_Starbucks⠀⇛ As the new chair of a powerful Senate committee, the reënergized progressive leader is once again targeting the corporate plutocracy. # ⚓ Helsinki Times ☛ Scottish_First_Minister_Nicola_Sturgeon_to resign⠀⇛ First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced her intention to resign from her position as First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party. Sturgeon has served in these roles for over eight years and was previously Deputy First Minister for the best part of eight years before that. “Being First Minister of Scotland is, in my opinion, the best job in the world. # ⚓ JURIST ☛ UK_dispatch:_Nicola_Sturgeon_resigns_as_Scotland First_Minister,_setting_back_independence_movement⠀⇛ James Joseph is a UK staff correspondent for JURIST. Leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) Nicola Sturgeon resigned in a press conference at her official residence at 11AM UK time. Nicola Sturgeon is the first female First Minister and the first woman to lead any of the devolved UK administrations. # ⚓ Helsinki Times ☛ HS:_Finns_Party_is_clear_favourite_among first-time_voters⠀⇛ THE FINNS PARTYis clearly the most popular party among people who have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote for the first time in the parliamentary elections organised on 2 April, revealsa_survey_commissioned_by_Helsingin_Sanomat. Over a quarter (28%) of the potential first-time voters surveyed expressed their intent to vote for the populist right-wing opposition party. # ⚓ Helsinki Times ☛ Finland_to_grant_refugee_status_to_Afghan women_and_girls⠀⇛ Finnish Immigration Servicehas announced that all Afghan women and girls will be granted refugee status due to the worsening position of women’s rights and freedoms since the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan. The Finnish Immigration Service has updated its guidelines on the processing of applications submitted by Afghans to reflect this change. The decision-making practice aligns with the report published by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) on January 25, 2023. # ⚓ Copenhagen Post ☛ More_people_opting_out_of_the_church⠀⇛ The more than 12,000 people who left in 2022 was a 42 percent increase compared to the previous year … with young people leading the way # § Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda⠀➾ # ⚓ LRT ☛ Lithuanian_cabinet_backs_criminalisation_of_war propaganda⠀⇛ The Lithuanian government on Wednesday approved MP Jurgis Razma’s proposal to criminalise war propaganda but suggested some improvements. o § Censorship/Free Speech⠀➾ # ⚓ Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong_Kong_47:_Evidence_emerges_of paid_court_goers_with_pro-establishment_links_–_report⠀⇛ Evidence of people being paid to to queue for tickets to witness a high-profile national security trial involving 47 Hong Kong democrats has emerged after reporters from InMedia were paid HK$800 to spend the night outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building. # ⚓ RFA ☛ Prominent_Christian_leader_charged_under_Myanmar’s terrorism_laws⠀⇛ Hkalam Samson faces a prison sentence of up to 13 years, his lawyer says. # ⚓ RFERL ☛ Riot_Police_Prevent_Right-Wing_Demonstrators_From Entering_Presidency_In_Belgrade⠀⇛ Police blocked Serbian right-wing protesters who attempted to storm the building of the presidency in Belgrade on February 15 during a protest on Statehood Day against Serbia’s ongoing dialogue on normalizing relations with Kosovo. # ⚓ RFERL ☛ Belarusian_Man_Sentenced_To_Two_Years_In_Prison_For Insulting_Lukashenka⠀⇛ A court in western Belarus has sentenced a man to two years in prison for insulting Belarusian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka. # ⚓ CNN ☛ Andrew_Tate’s_Muslim_fanbase_is_growing._Some_say he’s_exploiting_Islam_for_internet_popularity⠀⇛ Iman’s ex-fiancé first referenced social media influencer Andrew Tate in their relationship in October. Three months later, she says, it was all over. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ In_Defense_of_J.K._Rowling⠀⇛ The charge that she’s a transphobe doesn’t square with her actual views. Thu, 16 Feb 2023 20:07:28 +0000 # ⚓ New York Times ☛ He_Was_‘Losing_His_Mind_Slowly,_and_I Watched_It’⠀⇛ How do you help someone who # ⚓ Axios ☛ How_the_6-week_Texas_abortion_ban_is_now_a blueprint_for_library_censorship⠀⇛ Jonathan Mitchell, the Austin attorney widely credited with devising the legal strategy for a Texas law thatbans_abortion_after_six_weeksand also empowers private citizens to bring lawsuits against those who violate it, is now applying the same novel legal mechanisms to book bans. o § Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press⠀➾ # ⚓ CNN ☛ Modi_government’s_BBC_raid_raises_question_about India’s_press_freedom⠀⇛ Indian tax authorities raided the BBC’s offices in New Delhi and Mumbai weeks after the country banned a documentary from the British broadcaster that was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged role in deadly riots more than 20 years ago. CNN’s Vedika Sud takes a deeper look at the media landscape under the Modi government. o § Civil Rights/Policing⠀➾ # ⚓ WhichUK ☛ Strike_dates_February_2023:_days_to_avoid_booking holidays_and_what_to_do_if_you_are_travelling⠀⇛ Holidaymakers face disruption in the UK, France and Spain as UK Border Force, air traffic control and rail strikes are confirmed for February half term and beyond # ⚓ HRW ☛ Some_Governments,_Companies_Take_Steps_to_Protect Children⠀⇛ # ⚓ JURIST ☛ Minnesota_Supreme_Court_upholds_felony disenfranchisement_law⠀⇛ The Minnesota Supreme Court Wednesday upheld a state law prohibiting convicted felons from voting while on probation or parole in a 3-1 ruling. # ⚓ JURIST ☛ European_Commission_refers_Poland_to_EU_court_over legal_divergence⠀⇛ The European Commission Wednesday referred Poland to the Court of Justice of the European Union for rulings by Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal that the Commission argues violate EU law. # ⚓ JURIST ☛ Australia_releases_second_plan_to_close_disparity in_Indigenous_communities⠀⇛ The Australian federal government Monday released the second part of its plan to help accelerate the implementation of the Closing the Gap Agreement made in 2020. # ⚓ RFA ☛ Interview:_“We_told_the_children_we_were_defecting. They_said_‘thank_you.’”⠀⇛ Wife of high-profile North Korean defector tells story from her family’s perspective # ⚓ RFA ☛ Buddhist_monk_ousted_for_joining_march_calling_for restoration_of_social_ethics⠀⇛ Venerable Soy Sat denies intention to disrupt public peace. # ⚓ RFA ☛ Hong_Kong_police_got_more_than_400,000_tips_last_year on_national_security_hotline⠀⇛ Police chief says clamping down on “terrorist” incidents will remain high priority # ⚓ CS Monitor ☛ A_global_advocate_of_integrity_checks_its own⠀⇛ Charges of bribe-taking against members of the European Parliament trigger moral soul-searching and reform in the EU. # ⚓ New York Times ☛ A_New_Goal_for_Abortion_Bills:_Punish_or Protect_Doctors⠀⇛ The legislative calendar is packed with 300 abortion bills. “You can’t go to jail for screwing up an appendectomy,” one lawmaker said. o § Internet Policy/Net Neutrality⠀➾ # ⚓ Internet Society ☛ Building,_Expanding_and_Securing_the Internet:_Two_Funding_Programs_Now_Open_for_Applications⠀⇛ Our two new funding programs reinforce our commitment to support communities around the world in gaining greater access to the Internet. o § Digital Restrictions (DRM)⠀➾ # ⚓ Ubuntu Pit ☛ Linux_Fix_Coming:_AMD’s_Intermittent_System Stutter_Issues_Due_To_fTPM_RNG⠀⇛ In 2022, AMD cautioned customers that Ryzen systems running Windows 10 and 11 could experience intermittent stuttering if the Firmware Trusted Platform Module (fTPM) were used. Initially, this only occurred with Windows users; however, it has now spread to Linux devices that have enabled the AMD fTPM RNG by default – starting with version 6.1+. # ⚓ Vice Media Group ☛ Justice_Department_Says_John_Deere Should_Let_Farmers_Repair_Their_Tractors⠀⇛ The DOJ filed a “statement of interest” in a class action lawsuit against John Deere siding with plaintiffs and blasting the company’s arguments. o § Monopolies⠀➾ # § Patents⠀➾ # ⚓ Darrell_Issa_is_Well-Positioned_to_Address_Key_Patent Policy_Issues⠀⇛ In the early days of the 118th Congress, Rep. Darrell Issa, the newly-named Chairman of the House Intellectual Property Subcommittee, has an opportunity to make progress on a range of issues that are critical for the future of our intellectual property system, and therefore American innovation. # ⚓ JUVE ☛ MSD_and_generics_await_CJEU_ruling_in_French SPC_battle_over_Inegy⠀⇛ In Europe, the patent market is currently awaiting the CJEU’s decision on two referrals from the Finnish Market Court and the Supreme Court of Ireland. Both address the scope of the Supplementary Protection Certificate Regulation, with regard to combination drug products. # ⚓ Update_on_the_Akin_Gump_v._Xcential_case⠀⇛ Noted below, Akin Gump had sued a former vendor, Xcential, arguing that its lawyers had invented what Xcential had sought to patent. In response to the firm’s suit, Xcential filed five counterclaims, essentially asserting Akin Gump had misused information that Xcential had disclosed to Akin Gump. As noted below, Akin Gump moved to dismiss those counterclaims and, further sought a preliminary injunction. The district court denied the motion to dismiss four of the five, essentially holding Xcential had plead plausible facts that Akin Gump had misappropriated Xcential’s confidential information for the firm’s own benefit.  The order is here. (Call me Nostradamus, but I’d bet Akin Gump’s motion for preliminary injunction will be denied, too.) # ⚓ Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Public_use_==_“accessible to_the_public.”⠀⇛ Bottom line in this new Minerva case — file your patent application before bringing a new product to a trade show. The Old Case: The battle between Hologic and Minerva went to the US Supreme Court in 2021; with the Court retained the doctrine of assignor-estoppel that bars a patent assignor from later challenging the patent’s validity or enforceability.Minerva Surgical, Inc. v. Hologic, Inc., 141 S. Ct. 2298 (2021). Although the doctrine remains, the Court narrowed its scope to only apply , but narrowed its scope to cover only situations where assurances (implied or express) made at assignment are later being undermined. # ⚓ Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Got_Milk?_Forget_about Patent_Eligibility⠀⇛ The Federal Circuit weighed in on the amorphous topic of subject matter eligibility in the recent opinionChromaDex, Inc., V. Elysium Health, Inc., — F.4th —, Docket No. 2022-1116. Writing for a unanimous panel, Judge Prost affirmed a grant of summary judgment that U.S. Patent No. 8,197,807 (“the ’807 patent”) was directed to unpatentable subject matter and therefore ineligible based on 35 U.S.C. § 101. ChromaDex’s ‘807 patent concerns nicotinamide riboside (“NR”), a form of vitamin B3 found naturally in cow’s milk. When ingested, a human body converts NR into the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+. Claim one of ‘807 states: # § Software Patents⠀➾ # ⚓ Unified Patents ☛ M4siz_search_protocol_patent_prior art_found⠀⇛ Unified is pleased to announce prior art has been found onU.S._Patent_6,526,402, owned by M4siz, LTD, an NPE. The ’402 patent generally relates to a searching procedure, particularly for searching on the Internet, using a search engine associated with a database where the user submits a request string comprising a locator (or URL) for the search engine and a search string including at least one search term. # ⚓ Unified Patents ☛ OPAL,_world’s_most_comprehensive SEP_landscape_tool_introduces_VENN_to_automatically show_licensor_overlap⠀⇛ Unified Portal’sOPAL(Objective_PAtent Landscape)report was designed to address asymmetries in the licensing of standard essential patents and to create a more fair and transparent patent licensing process around core patents supporting next waves of consumer technology growth. # ⚓ Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Federal_Circuit:_Software Function_Equals_Structure⠀⇛ KEYnetik, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. (Fed. Cir. 2023) This short non-precedential opinion authored by Chief Judge Moore affirms a PTAB IPR obviousness finding.  The case has one key sentence: Normally, once the function to be performed by software has been identified, writing code to achieve that function is within the skill of the art. # § Trademarks⠀➾ # ⚓ TTAB Blog ☛ TTABlog_Test:_How_Did_These_Three_Recent Section_2(d)_Appeals_Turn_Out?⠀⇛ Here are three recent appeals from Section 2 (d) refusals. As previously mentioned, a former TTAB judge once told me that one can predict the outcome of a Section 2(d) case 95% of the time just by looking at the marks and the goods/services. How do you think theses three cases came out? [Results in first comment]. # ⚓ Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Subreddit_Drama⠀⇛ Reddit: Anyone can start a subreddit, and back in 2012 Jaime Rogozinski started r/ WallStreetBets. Over the years, the site attracted millions of subscribers talking about aggressive trading strategies; providing middle-school humor; and pumping-up various stocks (e.g., GameStop). In 2020, Reddit removed Rogozinski from his role controlling the subreddit as moderator, concluding that he was “attempting to monetize a community.” Rogozinski had published a book titled WallStreetBets and also filed trademark registration application for the mark WALLSTREETBETS, with him as the owner. Of course, lots of folks are monetizing their subreddits, but I have not heard of others registering a TM on the subreddit name.  Immediately after removing Rogozinski from control, Reddit filed competing registration applications for the same mark and continues to control the subreddit. Opposition proceedings are now pending before the TTAB. * § Gemini* and Gopher⠀➾ o § Personal⠀➾ # ⚓ Episode_45⠀⇛ Hello, this is the Halberd’s and Hamid’s podcast. My name is Alex. I’m here to talk about doppelgängers. # ⚓ Star_Gazing_and_Aurora_2023-02-16_Morning_(Fairbanks,_AK, USA)⠀⇛ When I got up this morning at around 3:30am AKST, I was surprised to see “few clouds” in the PAFA hourly report. NWS surface report showed a higher pressure over much of northern two-thirds of Alaska, though with a low pressure trough some ways south of Fairbanks, and the cloud cover showing in GOES basically harmonized with that. Temps were down to -19 deg F. This was all contrary to the weather forecasting which had shown at least 50% cloud coverage and lows of only -11 deg F. So, I was a bit confused, but I decided to rush down to the boat launch. o § Technical⠀➾ # ⚓ Lightweight_data_monitoring_using_RRDtool⠀⇛ I like my servers to run the least code possible, and the least services running in general, this ease maintenance and let room for other thing to run. I recently wrote about monitoring software to gather metrics and render them, but they are all overkill if you just want to keep track of a single value over time, and graph it for visualization. Fortunately, we have an old and robust tool doing the job fine, it’s perfectly documented and called RRDtool. # ⚓ Retiring_the_T430⠀⇛ For almost the past 5 years I’ve been using my Thinkpad T430, but with my university transfer being accepted I knew I needed an upgrade. That laptop has been with me through so much of my formative years that it’s hard to let go of it. I originally got it at the beginning of my senior year of high school, back when I would blow all my allowance for the month on a half-functioning Thinkpad because it was a deal, despite me never putting in the money to fix them up with proper batteries or new hinges. This one had the latter problem, Lenovo used fairly weak plastic to hold the upper assembly to the hinge so if 1 of the hinges becomes loose, it puts more strain on the other side and inevitably the whole upper assembly pops off. I got it with a failing hinge before realizing the severity of the problem and eventually the two halves separated in class. I still used it for a while, trying to prop up the lid on the bent off hinge but this proved to be problematic and I ended up borrowing my dad’s T420 for a couple months. # § Internet/Gemini⠀➾ # ⚓ Site_updated⠀⇛ After a long OS migration, the SSL certificate from this site has been updated to a new one, so it’s safe to trust (again) this capsule from your browser. Also I’m performing some code adjustments on all CGI apps because a error response in the headers (I forgot to add the ‘\r’ special char) so I expect some apps not working over the day. =============================================================================== * Gemini_(Primer) links can be opened using Gemini_software. It’s like the World Wide Web but a lot lighter. ╘══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛ ¶ Lines in total: 5969 ➮ Generation completed at 02:43, i.e. 33 seconds to (re)generate ⟲