Leftovers

• University of Michigan ☛ Student project still changing the world — one preemie at a time

  When Grace Hsia Haberl was a College of Engineering senior, she helped develop the technology behind a non-electric warming device called an IncuBlanket.

• Standards/Consortia

  • Federal News Network ☛ Top National Archives official eyes ‘dominant digital future’

    Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan says the National Archives and Records Administration needs to prepare now for a future where her agency manages potentially trillions of digital records.

    Earlier this fall, NARA released a “framework” document that lays out the tenets and goals of the agency’s forthcoming update to its strategic plan. At the top of the list of goals is building “our digital future,” emphasizing the need for NARA to build out its technology infrastructure and embrace artificial intelligence.

    Late last week, I interviewed Shogan about NARA’s approach as more and more federal records – the future history of the nation — are managed digitally.

  • Nick Heer ☛ We Are Cursed to Have More Connector Standards and, Also, Articles About Connector Standards

    Reader — and I mean this with respect — I am only too willing to bore you to tears with another article about USB-C. Bogost is right, though. The original USB standard unified the many different ports one was expected to use for peripherals. It basically succeeded for at least two of them: the keyboard and mouse. Both require minimal data, so they work fine regardless of whether the port supports USB 1.1 or USB 3.1. Such standardization also came with loads more benefits, too, like reducing setup and configuration once necessary for even basic peripherals.

  • Kernel Space

    • LWN ☛ The BPF instruction set architecture is now RFC 9669

      After a couple of years of effort, the BPF instruction set architecture has

      been accepted as RFC

      9669, giving it a standard outside of the in-kernel implementation. This message from David

      Vernet (who also contributed an article on

      the standardization process last year) describes the process and why it

      is important: [...]

• Science

  • Hackaday ☛ Flirting With Kessler: Why Space Debris Physics Make It Such An Orbital Pain

    Picture in your mind a big parking lot with 131 million cars on it. Now imagine that they are spread out over the entire Earth’s inhabited areas. Although still a large number, it is absolutely dwarfed by the approximately 1.47 billion cars registered and in use today, with room to spare for houses, parks and much more. The 131 million represents the total number of known and estimated space debris objects in Earth orbit sized 1 mm and up, as per the European Space Agency. This comes on top of the approximately 13,200 satellites still in Earth orbit of which 10,200 are still functional.

  • Hackaday ☛ Split-Flap Clock Flutters Its Way To Displaying Time Without Numbers

    Here’s a design for a split-flap clock that doesn’t do it the usual way. Instead of the flaps showing numbers , Klapklok has a bit more in common with flip-dot displays.

  • Science Alert ☛ Tiny 'Organs' Hiding in Our Cells Could Challenge The Origins of Life

    They don't look how we expected.

  • Science Alert ☛ Jupiter Has No Surface. Here's How That's Actually Possible.

    Don't look down.

  • Science Alert ☛ Vigorous Workouts May Be The Key to Suppressing Appetite, Study Says

    And scientists think they know why.

  • Science Alert ☛ The World's First Wooden Satellite Has Launched Into Space

    Success!

  • Science Alert ☛ There's an Evolutionary Advantage to Forgetting Things All The Time

    Try to remember this!

  • Science Alert ☛ Wild Star Discovered Spinning an Incredible 716 Times Per Second

    "One of the fastest-spinning objects ever observed in the Universe."

  • Science Alert ☛ Hidden Detail in Famous Michelangelo Seems to Depict a Deadly Disease

    An accidental smudge or something more sinister?

• Hardware

  • Hackaday ☛ Ubiquitous Successful Bus: Hacking USB 2 Hubs

    We’ve been recently looking into USB 2.0 – the ubiquitous point-to-point communications standard. USB 2 is completely different from USB 3, the blue-connector next-generation USB standard. For instance, USB 2 is a full-duplex pseudo-differential bus, and it’s not AC-coupled. This makes USB2 notoriously difficult to galvanically isolate, as opposed to USB 3.  On the other hand, USB 2 is a lot easier to incorporate into your projects. And perhaps the best way to do so is to implement a USB hub.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Intel postpones Magdeburg fab until 2029 to 2030 — German subsidies to defective chip maker Intel could go back to the federal budget

    Now that defective chip maker Intel has decided to postpone its Magdeburg fab project, subsidies from the government could go back to the budget.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • The Straits Times ☛ Teen electrocuted to death: Charging points in Malaysia buses not subject to safety inspection

    The 18-year-old youth was electrocuted while he was charging his mobile phone on a coach.

  • TwinCities Pioneer Press ☛ HealthPartners, UnitedHealthcare reach deal on senior Medicare Advantage coverage

    An impasse over claim denials had threatened to knock 30,000 patients -- including St. Paul, Ramsey County and school district retirees -- out of network.

  • Digital Music News ☛ Smoking Ban Scrapped for British Clubs, Pubs, and Cafes as Sector Pushes Back

    The British government’s plans to ban smoking outside pubs, clubs, and cafes fall flat amid concerns about the impact on the hospitality industry.

  • Mexico News Daily ☛ Sheinbaum outlines 5 new government initiatives to improve Mexicans’ health

    President Sheinbaum unveiled a new public healthcare plan on Tuesday, hoping to improve coverage, quality and access for all Mexicans.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean companies, foodies bet on sugar substitute allulose

    But health experts warn that more research is needed into the long-term health effects of allulose.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea clubs offer drugs to compete for clientele

    The main substances used in Seoul clubs are ketamine and Ecstasy, according to the police.

  • Science Alert ☛ Experts Reveal What The Pig With Bird Flu in Oregon Really Signifies

    A concerning development.

  • Science Alert ☛ The Cold Sore Virus Can Infect Your Brain. But How Does It Get Inside?

    It goes deeper than you think.

• Security

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea fines Meta for illegal collection of user data

      Information included details about religious beliefs and whether users are in a same-sex relationship.

• Defence/Aggression

  • France24 ☛ Is every US presidential election more polarized that the previous one?

    A divided America weighed a stark choice for the nation’s future Tuesday as a presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancor approached its finale. Is every US presidential election more polarized that the previous one? FRANCE 24's François Picard asked William Lawrence, political science professor at the Americain University, Washington.

  • Defence Web ☛ UK government supports UKZN research programme in space propulsion technology

    The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the University of Glasgow have initiated a new research partnership for the development of space propulsion technologies.

  • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea fires several short-range missiles, condemns South’s military drills

    This follows North Korea’s recent test of a huge new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.

  • North Korea test fires short-range ballistic missiles

    North Korea test fires short-range ballistic missiles

  • The Straits Times ☛ Myanmar junta chief visits key ally China

    China has stood by Myanmar's junta, even as others shun the generals over their brutal crackdown on dissent.

  • Myanmar rebels try to bomb coup leader at airport in capital

    An insurgent militia said it used a drone to bomb Naypyidaw’s airport as the junta chief left for China.

  • Malaysia objects to Vietnam’s South China Sea island building: media

    Kuala Lumpur sent a letter of complaint over Hanoi’s development of a disputed reef.

  • China focuses on threat of unrest as US voters head to polls

    In Chinese propaganda, US democracy is shown to be violent, irresponsible and socially divisive.

  • US election won’t impact AUKUS or Quad, Australian and Indian foreign ministers say

    Penny Wong and S Jaishankar held a joint press conference in Canberra hours before polls opened in America.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Myanmar junta chief visits key ally China in first reported visit since 2021 coup

    Myanmar’s embattled junta chief arrived in China Tuesday — his first reported visit since leading a coup in 2021 — but analysts say the invitation is only a lukewarm endorsement from his key ally and could backfire.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China acknowledges Myanmar junta chief, with eye on own interests and fresh election

    China is protecting junta to guard its own interests, say analysts.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s PLA launches latest J-35A stealth fighter jet

    The J-35A stealth fighter jet will make its public debut at an upcoming airshow.

  • The Straits Times ☛ US will continue Taiwan-friendly approach after election, senior Taiwan official says

    Taiwan said it will prevent China from “making trouble” during the US government's transition.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Taiwan students design drones for mock battle, as China threat looms

    At a drone testing field in Taiwan, students watch anxiously as drones they designed take off.

  • ADF ☛ UAE Support for RSF Blamed for Prolonging War in Sudan

    In a recently released video, a member of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) displays an empty crate that once held 120 mm thermobaric mortar shells.

  • ADF ☛ Sudan Approaches ‘Catastrophic Phase’ of Ethnic Violence

    After more than 18 months, Sudan’s war appears to be descending into a nationwide ethnic conflict, according to a group of Sudanese peace advocates.

  • ADF ☛ Islamic State Sahel Province Expands Influence as It Gains Territory

    The Islamic State-Sahel Province (IS Sahel) is gaining territory amid a security situation that has worsened since military juntas took power in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

  • ADF ☛ New Alliance Raises Alarm in Horn of Africa

    A new multinational security partnership is threatening to shift the balance of power in the Horn of Africa. Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki hosted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the Eritrean capital of Asmara on October 10 and announced an alliance.

  • ADF ☛ Shift in Boko Haram Tactics Requires Security Forces to Adapt

    Months of battlefield losses and hundreds of defections appeared to weaken Boko Haram, but it has not stopped the extremists from continuing to terrorize the Lake Chad Basin.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Pakistan shooting wounds two Chinese nationals

    KARACHI, Pakistan - Two Chinese nationals were wounded on Tuesday by a private security guard who opened fire at a garment factory in Pakistan's commercial hub Karachi, the latest in a string of attacks that have spurred Beijing to pressure Islamabad to improve security for its citizens.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Nato-type South-east Asian security group not feasible, says Philippines minister

    This is due to diverging interests and alliances in the region.

  • JURIST ☛ Israel court determines military intelligence leak jeopardized hostage rescue operations

    The Rishon Le-Zion Magistrates’ Court in Israel on Sunday ruled that an unauthorized leak of military intelligence from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to the Prime Minister’s Office, which was then reportedly disclosed to foreign media, may have endangered national security and interfered with ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas...

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong to require security screenings in magistrate court buildings following attempted knife attack on judge

    Hong Kong will impose security screenings in magistrate court buildings, the Judiciary has said following a man’s attempted knife attack on a judge in a courtroom. The Judiciary said in a statement on Monday night that it would strengthen security measures from Tuesday, including by introducing screenings and increasing manpower, in magistrate courts.

  • Defence Web ☛ EU denies involvement in alleged Mozambique protest put downs

    The European Union (EU) via its military assistance mission in Mozambique “supports” a Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) deployment in Cabo Delgado, a statement reads, and is not financing any Rwandan efforts to “violently suppress” protests in Maputo.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • RFERL ☛ Russian Strikes On Ukrainian Cities Kill 6, Wound Several

      A strike on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhya on November 5 killed at least 6 people and wounded another 9, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram, as Russia launched a fresh wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities.

    • RFERL ☛ Uzbekistan Jails Migrant Worker For Fighting For Russia In Ukraine

      A court in Uzbekistan's Ferghana Province has sentenced 51-year-old Alisher Xoliqov to five years in prison for mercenary activities with the Russian armed forces in a landmark case highlighting the growing issue of foreigners enlisting to fight in Ukraine.

    • LRT ☛ Coalition led by Lithuania and Iceland delivers SUVs, mine detectors to Ukraine

      The Demining Capability Coalition for Ukraine, led by Lithuania and Iceland, handed over the first large package of SUVs and mine detectors to Ukraine on Monday.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Russia, China ‘emerging axis’ troubling, says Australia intelligence chief

      Around 10,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

    • The Straits Times ☛ More than 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia for Ukraine war: South Korea

      Ukraine's intelligence agency has also said about 12,000 North Korean troops were already in Russia.

    • New York Times ☛ North Korea Enters Ukraine Fight for First Time, Officials Say

      Western and Ukrainian officials have called the appearance of North Korean forces on the battlefield a major escalation.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Ukraine needs Western support to boost its nuclear energy potential

      An energy equipment deal with Bulgaria offers Ukraine a chance to boost its nuclear power generation as the country braces for winter blackouts amid Russia's energy infrastructure bombing campaign, writes Stephen Blank.

    • Latvia ☛ Luxembourg joins Latvia/UK-led drone coalition for Ukraine

      Luxembourg has become the latest country to join the drone coalition or Ukraine which is jointly led by Latvia and the United Kingdom.

    • Latvia ☛ Latvia approves another expert for Ukraine mission

      On November 5 the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft order on the participation of civilian expert Krišs Ēlerts in the European Union (EU) Advisory Mission for civil security sector reforms in Ukraine, starting on 15 January 2025. Ēlerts was approved for the position of Parliamentary Adviser.

    • Meduza ☛ Financial Times: Ukraine reports first clashes with North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ NATO members may discuss intercepting Russian missiles over Ukraine at upcoming meeting, Polish foreign minister says — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Open-source data shows Russia’s equipment losses in Ukraine reached a two-year high in October — Meduza

    • The Strategist ☛ To get the Global South on board with sanctions, understand its priorities

      As Western policymakers seek to implement financial and trade sanctions on Russia, one thing is clear: engaging with the Global South is essential.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ To counter the Axis of Evasion, the US must tackle third-country procurement networks

      Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are increasing their coordination with illicit procurement networks through third countries.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ How Sweden and Finland’s membership in NATO affects the High North

      This issue brief explores the impact of Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership on the High North. Having Sweden and Finland in NATO strengthens the influence of the Alliance in the High North, as it responds to Russia's military buildup and China's regional interests. Deterring aggression while maintaining Arctic stability amidst rising geopolitical tensions will require new defense priorities and enhanced Nordic collaboration.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian prosecutor confirms arrests in Russian incendiary parcels probe

      Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė has confirmed that an investigation into incendiary DHL shipments includes detainees in Lithuania, but declined to disclose how many.

    • LRT ☛ Incendiary parcels sent from Lithuania as part of Russian covert operation – media

      The incendiary devices sent from Lithuania on DHL planes in the summer were part of a Russian covert operation, the Wall Street Journal reports.

    • RFERL ☛ Parcels That Exploded In Europe Reportedly Part Of Russian Plot

      Russia is responsible for an operation aimed at igniting fires on cargo or passenger aircraft bound for North America, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Western security officials.

    • RFERL ☛ Engineer At Russian Military Plant Gets Lengthy Prison Term Amid Rising Treason Cases

      Danil Mukhametov, a former engineer at the Uralvagonzavod military facility in the Urals city of Nizhny Tagil, was sentenced to 16 years in prison on November 5 on charges of high treason.

    • New York Times ☛ Russian Plot Placed Incendiary Devices on Cargo Planes in Europe, Officials Say

      Western officials are investigating whether devices planted at shipping hubs in Europe may have been a test run by Russian operatives for placing them on planes bound for the U.S.

    • New York Times ☛ Russian and Other Groups May Try to Undermine U.S. Elections After Vote

      Groups from Russia and other countries could continue to stoke political discord until the election is certified in January, intelligence agencies say.

    • ADF ☛ Cyber Threats Increase as Russia, China Train New Criminals

      Cybercrime is expected to cost continental governments a total of $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, an increase from $3 trillion in 2015, according to the African Union.

    • Meduza ☛ FBI says bomb threats against polling stations in several U.S. states likely originated from Russia — Meduza

    • New York Times ☛ Whether Trump or Harris, Pessimism Reigns in Russia Over U.S. Election Winner

      Russian officials feel disrespected by the Democrats and betrayed by Donald J. Trump, who lavished praise on President Vladimir V. Putin but made decisions the Kremlin saw as benefiting Ukraine.

    • Meduza ☛ Russia reportedly facing shortage of over 600,000 engineers — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russian court fines former Meduza journalist Margarita Liutova for participation in ‘undesirable organization’ — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russian missile strike on Zaporizhzhia kills six, injures 23 — Meduza

    • RFERL ☛ Belarus Issues First-Ever Prison Sentence For 'Genocide Denial'

      The Minsk City Court has issued the first-ever sentence in Belarus under a law passed more than two years ago for "denying the genocide of the Belarusian people."

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian would-be PM’s business says it has no stake in China policy change

      Emus, a home appliance, electrical and electronics maker owned by Gintautas Paluckas, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party’s candidate for prime minister, says it will not directly benefit from the politician’s declared intentions to repair relations with China.

• Environment

  • The Straits Times ☛ China wants talks on trade measures at COP29 climate summit, document shows

    China's request raises the prospect that mounting trade tensions between major economies could disrupt this year's UN climate talks.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong sees hottest October since records began

    Hong Kong has experienced its hottest October since records began in 1884, with the city’s Observatory recording an average temperature of 27.3 degrees Celsius for the month, 1.6 degrees higher than normal.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Snow seen on Mount Fuji after record time without

    Many others in the area also posted their own photographs of snow on the country’s highest mountain.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • The Straits Times ☛ Search for MH370 to restart based on ‘credible’ proposal, says Malaysia

      Marine exploration company Ocean Infinity is seeking US$70 million fee should the wreckage be found.

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean man booked after nearly 100 reptiles found dead in his home

      Upon entering the apartment, officers found 80 geckos and 15 snakes dead inside the house.

  • Overpopulation

    • Meduza ☛ As Russia targets abortion and ‘childfree propaganda’ to raise birth rates, ‘Pregnant at 16’ reality show rebrands to make motherhood more appealing — Meduza

    • The Straits Times ☛ China’s latest cry for more babies may fall on deaf ears

      Marriage registrations in China in the first three quarters of 2024 dropped 16.6 per cent year on year.

• Finance

  • LRT ☛ Lithuanian court convicts former Snoras Bank owners in absentia

    A Vilnius court has sentenced Vladimir Antonov and Raimondas Baranauskas, the former owners of the now liquidated Snoras Bank who are hiding in Russia, to 10.5 years in prison for embezzlement of the bank’s high-value assets.

  • France24 ☛ USA 2024: how important is the economy going to be in the states of the 'rust belt'?

    Americans head to the polls on Tuesday in a mood of discontent and division, with opinion polls showing nearly two-thirds of voters believe the country has been heading in the wrong direction under President Joe Biden. How important is the issue of economy in the election? FRANCE 24's Genie Godula asked Sean Safford, associate professor of Economic Sociology at Sciences Po.

  • New York Times ☛ China Confronts Europe Over Climate-Based Trade Restrictions

    Days ahead of the U.N.’s global negotiations on climate change, China and other developing countries said trade restrictions should be part of the talks.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China must open up further to combat rising unilateralism, says Premier Li Qiang

    China will upgrade its free trade zones and explore investment agreements with other countries, he said.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • France24 ☛ What are the top 4 issues for Americans in choosing their president?

    Voters said the economy and immigration are the top issues facing the country, but the future of democracy was also a leading motivator for many Americans casting a ballot in Tuesday’s presidential election. Lex Paulson, lecturer in rhetoric and human rights at Sciences Po, dives into the top 4 issues for American voters in this election.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Ex-Malaysia PM Muhyiddin gets his way in Bersatu polls, but headwinds persist to topple Anwar

    Bersatu has staved off further internal turmoil due to brokered compromise between two factions.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Taiwan couple charged under anti-infiltration law over attempt to influence elections for China

    A Taiwanese radio host and his wife have been charged with receiving $2.3 million from “overseas sources” including China in exchange for attempting to influence the island’s elections and referendums.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Taiwan couple charged with trying to influence elections for China

    Prosecutors allege the couple received NT$74 million from “overseas sources of infiltration”.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China warns young soldiers against online dating, gambling

    Soldiers should avoid revealing their identity online to avoid being "extremely easy" targets.

  • The Straits Times ☛ From Taiwan to trade, China braces for more rivalry as close US presidential race ends

    Result will spell four more years of bitter superpower rivalry, whoever wins.

  • France24 ☛ USA 2024: the crucial role of immigration on the presidential election

    A divided America weighed a stark choice for the nation’s future Tuesday as a presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancor approached its finale. The economy and immigration are the top issues facing the country, voters said, but the future of democracy was also a leading motivator for many Americans casting a ballot in Tuesday’s presidential election. More information on the specific impact of immigration-related issues on the election with Fanny Lauby, associate professor of political science at Montclair State University in Minnesota.

  • JURIST ☛ Georgia Supreme Court reverses extension granted to delayed mail-in ballots

    The Georgia Supreme Court ruled on Monday that approximately 3,200 delayed mail-in ballots in Cobb County mail-in must be received by 7 PM on Tuesday to be counted in the US election.

  • Marcy Wheeler ☛ Tonight’s Jam Session at King David’s House of Song

    Tonight, up in heaven, along the banks of the River of Life, there's a local watering hole called King David's House of Song. It's a full house, with folks laughing and smiling as they watch the television screens reporting the results of the US elections.

  • Making America Great Again [Ed: Why was it filed under "Debian"?]

    Some interesting takeaways (With the caveat that exit polls are not completely accurate and we won't have the full picture for days.)

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • The Straits Times ☛ India’s top court overturns northern state’s ban on Islamic schools

    Muslims and rights groups have accused some BJP members of promoting anti-Islamic hate speech.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Press Gazette ☛ US election: Grassroots political reporting back in fashion says Semafor’s Ben Smith

    Readers are exhausted by political coverage which manipulates emotions, says Smith.

  • Press Gazette ☛ US election: Speed and fairness are key tactics for fast-growing Newsweek

    SVP of audience development Josh Awtry explains Newsweek's election night audience-boosting tactics.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong director Johnnie To slammed by Beijing-backed newspapers after saying city had ‘no soul’ in BillBC interview

    Two Beijing-backed newspapers in Hong Kong have slammed award-winning filmmaker Johnnie To, who said in an interview with BillBC News Chinese that the city no longer had free speech and human rights.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ 2024 Press Freedom Awards: HKFP shortlisted in journalistic independence category

    Hong Kong Free Press has been nominated for a journalistic independence prize at the 2024 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Awards.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean’s top court rules teacher pulling student’s arm not child abuse

    The court said the authority of teachers must be respected.

  • North Korea puts doctors and nurses to work on hospital construction

    In a pinch to finish new medical center on time, everyone has to pitch in.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s state secrets leak prompts rare death sentence for ex-employee

    The former employee was accused of handing over his USB drive to foreign spy agencies.

  • EFF ☛ AI in Criminal Justice Is the Trend Attorneys Need to Know About

    The chapter describes some of the AI-enabled technologies being used by law enforcement, including some of the tools we feature in our Street-Level Surveillance hub, and discusses the threats AI poses to due process, privacy, and other civil liberties.

    Face recognition, license plate readers, and gunshot detection systems all operate using forms of AI, all enabling broad, privacy-deteriorating surveillance that have led to wrongful arrests and jail time through false positives. Data streams from these tools—combined with public records, geolocation tracking, and other data from mobile phones—are being shared between policing agencies and used to build increasingly detailed law enforcement profiles of people, whether or not they’re under investigation. AI software is being used to make black box inferences and connections between them. A growing number of police departments have been eager to add AI to their arsenals, largely encouraged by extensive marketing by the companies developing and selling this equipment and software. 

    “As AI facilitates mass privacy invasion and risks routinizing—or even legitimizing—inequalities and abuses, its influence on law enforcement responsibilities has important implications for the application of the law, the protection of civil liberties and privacy rights, and the integrity of our criminal justice system,” EFF Investigative Researcher Beryl Lipton wrote.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Patents

  • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Text vs. Purpose: The Hughes-Reyna Divide Reaches Veterans’ Benefits in Soto

    The Supreme Court has before it another important petition highlighting the Federal Circuit's approach to statutory interpretation and administrative authority. Soto v. US stems from a Federal Circuit appellate decision focusing on the statute of limitations for awarding back pay associated with Combat-Related Special Compensation. The Supreme Court also recently heard oral arguments in Bufkin v. McDonough, which presents another important question about veterans' benefits - specifically whether the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims must independently review the VA's application of the "benefit-of-the-doubt" rule in veterans' cases. The University of Missouri Veterans Clinic has played an active role in both of these pending cases as amicus counsel.

  • Kluwer Patent Blog ☛ From 5G to 6G: Patent and Legal Challenges in the New Tech Era

    Co-authored by Rodrigo Mourao and Rhuan Quintanilha The global momentum behind 5G continues to build up as its adoption accelerates. At the 2024 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, GSMA Intelligence reported that, as of early 2024, “261 operators across 101 countries have launched commercial 5G services.

  • Unified Patents ☛ AiPi entity, Gatekeeper Solutions, communications patent monopoly challenged

    On November 4, 2024, Unified Patents filed an ex parte reexamination proceeding against U.S. Patent 9,032,038, owned and asserted by Gatekeeper Solutions, Inc., an NPE and entity of AiPi Solutions. The ‘038 patent monopoly relates to systems and methods for alerting a user of conflicting recipients when sending electronic communications.

  • JUVE ☛ Ones to Watch Germany 2024: Moritz Schroeder [Ed: Yet more spam or marketing junk disguised as endorsement, ranking etc. This site keeps doing malicious and illegal stuff, set aside all that spamming.]

    Every year, JUVE Patent carries out extensive research in the German patent monopoly market, culminating in the publication of the German patent monopoly rankings. Our latest research highlighted Moritz Schroeder, counsel at Bird & Bird, as one of six ‘Ones to Watch’ in the German patent monopoly market for 2024.

  • Software Patents

    • Unified Patents ☛ Jeffrey Gross entity, Hyperquery, application search patent monopoly challenged

      On November 5, 2024, Unified Patents filed an ex parte reexamination proceeding against U.S. Patent 9,529,918, owned and asserted by Hyperquery LLC, an NPE and entity of Jeffrey M. Gross. The ‘918 patent monopoly relates to a system and method for searching for apps in a central repository based on the intent of the user.

• Trademarks

  • Latvia ☛ Patriotic motto trademarked by Latvian National Guard

    A slogan used by the Latvian National Guard, namely, "My Latvia. My responsibility." (Mana Latvija. Mana atbildība.) has been trademarked, the Latvian National Guard announced November 5.

• Copyrights

  • Digital Music News ☛ Universal Music Files $500 Million Lawsuit Against Believe and Tunecore for ‘Rampant Piracy’ and Copyright Infringement

    Universal Music Group files a $500 million lawsuit against Believe and Tunecore for ‘rampant piracy’ and copyright monopoly infringement. Here’s the latest. Universal Music Group (UMG), alongside its subsidiaries UMG Recordings, Capitol Records, and ABKCO Music & Records, with Concord Music Group, has filed a massive copyright monopoly infringement lawsuit against Believe and its distribution platform Tunecore.

  • Digital Music News ☛ Believe Pledges to ‘Fight’ Universal Music Copyright Suit — Here’s a Closer Look At the Half-Billion-Dollar Legal Battle

    Yesterday, Universal Music Group (UMG) slapped Believe and its TuneCore subsidiary with a massive copyright monopoly infringement action. Here’s a closer look at the over $500 million complaint – and the defendants’ alleged “illegal actions.” DMN first reported on the straightforward suit moments after its filing in a New York federal court.

  • Digital Music News ☛ Cox Files Reply Brief in Cox v. Sony — Will the Supreme Court Hear The Case?

    Cox Communications has filed a reply brief in the Supreme Court ahead of a November 22nd conference in Cox’s ongoing dispute with Sony Music Entertainment. The legal dispute between internet provider Cox Communications and Sony Music Entertainment has culminated into Cox filing a reply brief in the Supreme Court yesterday (November 4).

  • Digital Music News ☛ What’s the Most Mysterious Song On the Internet? — 20-Year Mystery Finally Solved

    The mystery surrounding a long-unknown radio-ripped clip has been solved after nearly 20 years. Here’s the band behind the internet’s most mysterious song. An old internet mystery has finally been solved after nearly 20 years. The song was originally recorded off the radio in Germany and has long stumped internet sleuths and music aficionados.