Leftovers

• Open Access/Content

  • Rlang ☛ Introducing the rOpenSci Localization and Translation Guidelines

    Since 2022, rOpenSci has been developing tools and processes to localize and translate our content. As a result of this effort, we created a set of guidelines to assist our community in translating and localizing our resources. What started as an internal challenge has evolved into a collaborative blueprint that we believe can help transform how scientific resources are shared in a multilingual research landscape.

    Therefore, we’re excited to share the first version of the rOpenSci Localization and Translation Guidelines!

• Science

  • New York Times ☛ China Says Astronauts Break Record with 9 Hour Spacewalk

    China said two of its astronauts spent nine hours outside the Tiangong Space Station. The longest previous spacewalk, by Americans, was eight hours and 56 minutes.

  • Bruce Schneier ☛ New Advances in the Understanding of Prime Numbers

    Really interesting research into the structure of prime numbers. Not immediately related to the cryptanalysis of prime-number-based public-key algorithms, but every little bit matters.

  • Science Alert ☛ Twins Were Typical Among Our Primate Ancestors. What Changed?

    The benefits of one.

  • Science Alert ☛ Dog-Like Predator's Bones Belong to Oldest Known Mammal Relative

    Between reptile and mammal, with saber teeth.

  • Science Alert ☛ Rare Fossil: Mastodon Jaw Discovered in Back Yard by New York Man

    "I knew they were something special."

  • Science Alert ☛ History Can Help Us Understand Organ Transplant Personality Changes, Says Expert

    Is there a 'cellular memory'?

  • European Commission ☛ EU companies top US and China counterparts in R&D investment growth, breaking decade-long trend

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 18 Dec 2024 Europe's industry has increased its investment in research and development (R&D) by 9.8% in 2023, surpassing the growth of corporate R&D investment in the US (+5.9%) and China (+9.6%) for the first time since 2013, according to the new edition of the EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard.

• Career/Education

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong arrests 25 people in 3 years over using forged credentials to get into universities

    A total of 25 people have been arrested over the past three years over using fake credentials to apply to Hong Kong’s universities, with one of them sentenced to a 17-week jail term.

• Hardware

  • US finalizes $406 million subsidy for Taiwan semiconductor part maker

    The decision comes amid concern that President-elect Trump might scrap a law supporting semiconductor subsidies.

  • Hackaday ☛ Push For On, Hold For Off, AC Edition

    A common theme in modern consumer electronics is having a power button that can be tapped to turn the device on, but needs to be held down when it’s time to shut it off. [R. Jayapal] had noticed a circuit design for this setup when using DC and decided to create a version that could handle AC-powered loads.

  • Hackaday ☛ Back To The Future Of Texting: SMS On A Panasonic Typewriter

    Among us Hackaday writers, there are quite a few enthusiasts for retro artifacts – and it gets even better when they’re combined in an unusual way. So, when we get a tip about a build like this by [Sam Christy], our hands sure start itching.

  • Hackaday ☛ Homebrew Electron Beam Lithography With A Scanning Electron Microscope

    If you want to build semiconductors at home, it seems like the best place to start might be to find a used scanning electron microscope on eBay. At least that’s how [Peter Bosch] kicked off his electron beam lithography project, and we have to say the results are pretty impressive.

  • Silicon Angle ☛ Shares of Micron tumble on weak outlook for memory chips

    Micron Technology Inc.’s outlook for the current quarter came in some way short of expectations, stoking fears about the near-term dynamics of the memory chip market and sending the company’s stock way down in extended trading late today. The disappointing guidance came on the back of first-quarter financial results that were much more encouraging.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • Pro Publica ☛ Sen. Blumenthal Urges “Science-Based” EPA Approach on Formaldehyde Risks

    Citing a recent ProPublica investigation, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., urged the Environmental Protection Agency in a letter this week to issue a final report on the health risks of formaldehyde that is “science-based” and “as strong as possible,” adding that “the agency has an obligation to protect the public from the chemical.”

    Formaldehyde, used for everything from preserving dead bodies to binding wood products and producing plastic, is extremely widespread and causes far more cancer than any toxic air pollutant. ProPublica’s analysis of EPA air pollution data showed that, in every census block in the U.S., the risk of getting cancer from a lifetime of exposure to formaldehyde in outdoor air is higher than the goal the agency has set

  • Medevel ☛ 10 Practical Tips for Tech Professionals with ADHD to Stay Productive

    Working in tech is already challenging, but when you add ADHD into the mix, it can feel like trying to code during an earthquake.

  • Medevel ☛ Is LibreHealth EHR Dead? Here’s Why You Should Think Twice Before Using It

    LibreHealth EHR was once a promising open-source electronic health record (EHR) system, designed to be easy to use, customizable, and adaptable to various healthcare settings.

  • Medevel ☛ Why Do Most Healthcare Systems Look Like They’re Stuck in the Early 2000s?

    If you’ve ever worked in a hospital or clinic, you’ve probably noticed the software—EMRs, EHRs, HIS, LIMS—looks like it belongs in a museum. Bland colors, clunky interfaces, buttons that scream "Windows XP." Why does it feel like time stopped for these tools?

  • Pro Publica ☛ Are Abortion Bans Causing Deaths? States That Passed Them Are Doing Little to Find Out

  • Hackaday ☛ Simple Fluorometer Makes Nucleic Acid Detection Cheap And Easy

    Back in the bad old days, dealing with DNA and RNA in a lab setting was often fraught with peril. Detection technologies were limited to radioisotopes and hideous chemicals like ethidium bromide, a cherry-red solution that was a fast track to cancer if accidentally ingested. It took time, patience, and plenty of training to use them, and even then, mistakes were commonplace.

  • Hackaday ☛ Bacterium Demonstrates Extreme Radiation Resistance Courtesy Of An Antioxidant

    Extremophile lifeforms on Earth are capable of rather astounding feats, with the secret behind the extreme radiation resistance of one of them now finally teased out by researchers. As one of the most impressive extremophiles, Deinococcus radiodurans is able to endure ionizing radiation levels thousands of times higher than what would decisively kill a multicellular organism like us humans. The trick is the antioxidant which this bacterium synthesizes from multiple metabolites that combine with manganese. An artificial version of this antioxidant has now been created that replicates the protective effect.

  • Science Alert ☛ Sticking to The MIND Diet Could Reduce Your Risk of Developing Dementia

    Make a shopping list now.

  • Science Alert ☛ US Confirms First Severe Illness in Human Case of Bird Flu

    "Avian flu is knocking on our door."

  • Science Alert ☛ California Squirrels Have Developed a Taste For Meat in Surprise Discovery

    "I could barely believe my eyes."

  • New Yorker ☛ A Cancer-Causing Virus Hiding in Millions of Americans

    Why does hepatitis B, which can lead to liver cancer, often go undetected, even though tests exist?

  • New York Times ☛ Tiny Coffins: Measles Is Killing Thousands of Children in Congo

    Problems with getting vaccines to families have left many children unvaccinated and in danger of contracting the virus.

  • New York Times ☛ How the Right and the MAHA Movement Have Co-opted ‘Crunchy’

    Once, eating whole foods and avoiding toxins was associated with a lefty worldview. Now, being a “crunchy mom” is more often about “health freedom.”

  • New York Times ☛ ‘Life-Changing’ Psychedelic, for When Life Is Ending

    People are turning to psilocybin, ketamine and other treatments for palliative care.

  • New York Times ☛ What to Know About Bird Flu Risk After California’s Emergency Declaration

    California has declared a state of emergency over the virus. We asked experts how concerned they are.

  • New York Times ☛ California Declares an Emergency Over Bird Flu in Cattle

    Officials have discovered the virus in 645 dairy herds, more than in any other state so far.

  • CS Monitor ☛ Why do prosecutors see the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO as an act of terrorism?

    Luigi Mangione, charged with the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, was also accused of terrorism on Dec. 17. Investigators believe anger at the health care system motivated Mr. Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad.

  • JURIST ☛ Alberta premier considers circumventing Charter of Rights to enforce transgender health restrictions

    Alberta premier Danielle Smith announced on Saturday during her radio call-in show “Your Province. Your Premier” that her government is prepared to invoke the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ “notwithstanding clause” as a “last resort” to enforce proposed restrictions on transgender healthcare and related policies, circumventing rights enshrined in the Charter.

  • France24 ☛ US healthcare financing impaired by 'very inefficient public-private partnership'

    The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism. The killing kindled a fiery outpouring of resentment toward U.S. health insurance companies as Americans swapped stories of being denied coverage and stuck with sizeable bills. Greg Shaw, author of "The Dysfunctional Politics of the Affordable Care Act", says that private healthcare providers are paid through government systems that have very little ability to put downward pressure on prices.

  • Latvia ☛ Survey says minority of Latvian residents make charitable healthcare donations

    A survey conducted in November by Norstat on behalf of LSM's Latvian language service asked people about their donation habits with particular regard to health.

• Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Microsoft seemingly regrets its push for a dedicated Copilot button

    Microsoft had a change of heart, now allowing you to change the Copilot dedicated keyboard button to something else. The brand’s AI assistant didn’t succeed in winning users for many reasons.

• Security

  • Integrity/Availability/Authenticity

    • Silicon Angle ☛ Zimperium warns of growing threat of sophisticated mobile phishing attacks targeting executives

      A new report out today from mobile security platform provider Zimperium Inc. is warning of the growing sophistication of “spear phishing” campaigns targeting corporate executives, particularly through their mobile devices.

    • Latvia ☛ Regional seminars planned to enhance Latvia's cyber security

      The National Cybersecurity Center is inviting invites heads of municipalities and their subordinate institutions, cybersecurity managers, as well as providers of essential and critical services to apply for participation in regional cybersecurity seminars, which will take place in January and February 2025 in four cities: Liepāja, Rēzekne, Jelgava and Valmiera.

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • NYOB ☛ Want to book a Ryanair flight? Prepare for a face scan!

      Want to book a Ryanair flight? Prepare for a face scan!
      
      

      Ryanair forces new customers to create an account. Also, they must go through a mandatory verification process that can involve facial recognition.

    • JURIST ☛ Serbia authorities installed spyware on phones of government critics: report

      Serbian authorities installed spyware on the phones of dozens of journalists and activists, Amnesty International said in a report on Monday.

    • Myanmar military defends Bhamo with bombing blitz, residents say

      China presses rebels to talk but junta forces are also being pressed in west and east.

    • New York Times ☛ Google Street View Captures a Man Loading a Bag Into a Trunk. Arrests Follow.

      The image, from northern Spain, showed a man with a white bag in the trunk of a car. The National Police said it helped them solve a missing-person case.

    • JURIST ☛ UK tribunal rules Northern Ireland police illegally spied on journalists

      The UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) found in a landmark ruling Tuesday that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and London’s Metropolitan Police Service broke the law and breached the human rights of two Northern Ireland journalists, Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey.

    • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong scales back ‘smart’ ballot box plan after lawmakers raise privacy concerns

      Hong Kong authorities have scaled back a plan to use ballot scanners in next year’s Legislative Council election, less than a week after the proposal was introduced to the legislature.

• Defence/Aggression

  • The Straits Times ☛ Gitmo duo to be given ‘second chance’ to reintegrate into society, says Malaysia’s police chief

    They are now under the supervision of Malaysia’s de-radicalisation programme.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia influencer Ady Hu detained by Taiwanese cops for alleged fraud: Taiwan media

    A request for Mr Hu’s detention has reportedly been approved.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia’s High Court acquits Najib’s wife Rosmah of $2.1m money laundering and tax charges

    Ms Rosmah calls the acquittal a 'meaningful birthday gift'.

  • New York Times ☛ China’s Nuclear Buildup Is on Track Despite Graft Scandals, Pentagon Says

    Corruption investigations may have shaken Beijing’s confidence in top commanders, but China’s military expansion hasn’t slowed, a report found.

  • China conducts military drills near Vietnam

    The three-day exercise takes place as Vietnam holds a large arms trade fair to modernize its army.

  • Atlantic Council ☛ What the fall of the Assad regime really means for China

    Assad’s fall makes the Middle East more complicated for Beijing but does not threaten China’s most important relationships in the region.

  • The Strategist ☛ China’s new social contract

    Europe’s view of China has evolved rapidly in recent decades. What began as a broad lack of knowledge about the country gave way to curiosity about its history and culture.

  • Federal News Network ☛ Senate passes defense bill that will raise troop pay and aims to counter China’s power

    The Senate has passed a defense bill that authorize significant pay raises for junior enlisted service members and boost overall military spending to $895 billion. It also strips coverage of transgender medical treatments for children of military members. The annual defense authorization bill usually gains strong bipartisan support and hasn't failed to pass Congress in nearly six decades. But the Pentagon policy measure in recent years has become a battleground for cultural issues. Republicans this year sought to tack on priorities for social conservatives to the legislation. Still, all but a handful of Senate Democrats — as well as nearly all Republicans — voted Wednesday for the bill’s final passage, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden.

  • China now has more than 600 nuclear warheads, Pentagon says

    The stockpiling reflects a changing attitude toward nuclear weapons among Chinese military planners, report says.

  • Xi Jinping arrives in Macau to mark 25 years of Chinese rule

    Security is tight in the former Portuguese colony, with overseas activists warned to keep quiet.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China’s leader Pooh-tin Jinping arrives in Macau as casino hub prepares to mark 25th anniversary of Chinese rule

    By Holmes Chan Chinese President Pooh-tin Jinping arrived in Macau on Wednesday for a three-day visit as the casino hub prepares to celebrate 25 years of Beijing rule. Pooh-tin landed at the Macau International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

  • Defence Web ☛ Call for multi-disciplinary task teams to address Free State cross-border crime

    The lack of effective fencing on South African land borders contributes to easy access for, among others, farmers seeking good grazing, and livestock thieves. On what is termed “illegal grazing”, the Joint Operations Division of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) said it is prevalent in areas where there is either no or damaged fencing.

  • New York Times ☛ Al-Assad’s Soldiers Hope for Amnesty. First, They Have to Take a Number.

    Syria’s new rulers say they will spare conscripts of Bashar al-Assad and pursue those who oversaw his regime’s abuses. Hundreds are lining up to learn which promise applies to them.

  • France24 ☛ UN sifting through evidence of Assad's human rights transgressions

    As Syrians continue to search for traces of loved ones who were disappeared under Bashar al-Assad's regime, UN workers in the country have taken advantage of Assad's ouster to gather unprecedented amounts of "game changing" evidence of the former President's extensive human rights abuses.

  • Atlantic Council ☛ Trade data reveal the inner workings of Russia and China’s defense industrial cooperation

    Moscow and Beijing are increasingly sharing technology and defense industrial capabilities in ways that severely impact US and Western interests.

  • The Strategist ☛ How to fill gaps in AUKUS communication efforts

    Gaps in AUKUS communication strategies limit public understanding of its benefits and allow malign actors, such as China and Russia, to sway public opinion.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Embattled S. Korean ex-defence minister defends military’s actions during martial law

    Several military commanders are under investigation for their part in the military actions on Dec 3 and 4.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea constitutional court orders Yoon to submit Cabinet meeting minutes

    The court said the justices will discuss whether Mr Yoon’s apparent refusal will impact the trial proceedings.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea prosecutors arrest shaman allegedly involved in President Yoon’s 2022 election campaign

    The shaman has faced controversies over his alleged links to Yoon during his presidential campaign.

  • The Straits Times ☛ S. Korea seeks to allay fears over ties with major partners after President Yoon’s impeachment

    Ties with Japan will likely be the country's greatest change in foreign policy under a new govt.

  • The Straits Times ☛ ‘Yoon’s party isn’t ruling party’: 52.6% of surveyed Koreans

    Mr Yoon is currently undergoing an impeachment trial by the Constitutional Court.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea’s Yoon willing to represent himself in legal proceedings, lawyer says

    The lawyer also said seemingly overlapping investigations involving Mr Yoon should be streamlined.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea's allies cheered Yoon's foreign policy, ignored domestic discord

    As South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's relations with the opposition broke down this year, Western diplomats hoped the internal tensions would not affect his tough stance on China and North Korea that had won praise from Washington.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Two South Korean colleagues win about $1 milion lottery within minutes of each other

    Their luck came with a scratch-off lottery that allows players to instantly verify their prize.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Embattled South Korean ex-defence minister defends military’s actions during martial law

    Several military commanders are under investigation for the part they played in the military actions on Dec 3 and 4.

  • In North Korea, couples who divorce will be sent to labor camps

    Both spouses, not just the filer, will now be punished once a divorce is granted.

  • France24 ☛ Israel strikes Yemen's capital, port city after Houthi attacks

    Israel launched "aggressive raids" targeting Houthi military targets, including ports, power plants, and oil factories, in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, and the strategic port city of Hodeidah on Thursday, after the Israeli military said it intercepted a Houthi missile.

  • JURIST ☛ UN report exposes widespread arbitrary detention in South Sudan

    A joint report released Wednesday by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) revealed a pattern of arbitrary detention in South Sudan as well as human rights abuses committed by both government security forces and organized armed groups.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • France24 ☛ Audacity or desperation? Ukraine claims Moscow killing of Russian general

      The killing in the heart of Moscow of his general in charge of chemical weapons comes on the eve of the Russian president’s traditional marathon end-of-year press conference. Putin’s so far yet to comment on his country’s precipitated drawdown from Syria after the fall of Assad but he’s sure to opine on the death of under-sanctions general Igor Kirillov, what with the arrest of an Uzbek suspect who’s confessed to working for Ukraine.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Will Russia be able to keep its bases in Syria?

      It would be in the United States’ and Israel’s interests not to give the new Syrian government reasons to let Russia keep those bases.  

    • Scoop News Group ☛ Russia bans cybersecurity company Recorded Future

      The designation won cheers from the CEO of the firm, believed to be the first information security company to garner the label.

    • LRT ☛ Finland seizes Russia-bound plane flying from Lithuania

      On December 4, a Lithuanian-registered private plane on its way to Russia was intercepted at Helsinki Airport due to potential sanction evasion.

    • Russians see North Koreans as a ‘burden’ over ignorance of drones: South says

      South Korea says North Koreans being ‘consumed’ in assaults, suffering ‘serious’ casualties.

    • Tom's Hardware ☛ Russia plans EUV chipmaking tools that it says will be cheaper and easier to build than ASML's — country outlines new roadmap to smaller chips

      Russia to develop lithography systems that could compete against ASML's Twinscan NXE EUV systems.

    • The Straits Times ☛ North Korean troops suffer 100 deaths, struggling in drone warfare, South Korea says

      The heavy losses are attributed to a lack of experience by North Korean troops in drone warfare.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Russian fined in Pattaya for driving car lit up like Christmas tree

      Police told the confused tourist that putting flashing lights on a vehicle without permission is illegal.

    • RFERL ☛ Georgian President Challenges EU To Press Ruling Party On New Vote

      Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili challenged the European Union to do more to support pro-EU protesters and press the ruling Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream party to hold new elections following its unilateral decision to postpone negotiations with the 27-member bloc.

    • Latvia ☛ Ukrainians make a significant contribution to Latvia's budget, data suggest

      Complaints sometimes heard on social networks that Ukrainians who have found refuge in Latvia are a burden on the budget are not supported by economic reality, reports LSM+'s Ukrainian-language service and Russian-language service.

    • France24 ☛ As Trump return looms, NATO chief Rutte stresses 'urgently needed' Ukraine support

      During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Brussels, NATO leader Mark Rutte urged member states on Wednesday to ramp up their military backing of Kyiv to improve Ukraine's standing over the next month. Donald Trump, who will be sworn in as US President on January 20, has claimed he'll end Russia's war in 24 hours, raising concerns that he will force the struggling Ukraine to negotiate a deal from a position of weakness.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine's Zelensky meets with key European leaders ahead of Trump's return to White House

      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other European leaders on Wednesday to bolster Kyiv's war effort and discuss longer-term security guarantees. Uncertainty hangs over future US support for Ukraine's effort against Russia as President-elect Donald Trump pushes for a quick end to the war.

    • LRT ☛ What a Ukraine peace plan could look like

      Behind closed doors in Moscow, Kyiv, Brussels, Washington, and other capitals, diplomats, elected leaders, and military officers are gearing up for what will likely be a full-court press to find a resolution to Europe's largest land war since the Second World War.

    • Ukraine drones kill 50 North Koreans in battle in Kursk region

      The North Koreans were not prepared to fight drones and used 1950s Soviet-era tactics.

    • RFERL ☛ Zelenskiy Huddles With European Leaders In Brussels Ahead Of Trump's Return

      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met in Brussels on December 18 with NATO chief Mark Rutte and several European leaders to discuss war strategy amid concerns that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could pull U.S. support for Kyiv after he returns to the White House next month.

    • RFERL ☛ U.S., U.K. Say Medvedev's Comment Calling NATO Officials 'Legitimate Targets' Irresponsible

      The U.K. and U.S. governments on December 18 said the comments of Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev following the assassination of a high-ranking Russian general by Ukrainian security services were irresponsible and yet another sign of Moscow's desperation.

    • RFERL ☛ Migrants On Edge As Russia Arrests Uzbek Over Ukraine's Assassination Of General

      Russia accused Kyiv of "terrorism" after authorities said they had detained an Uzbek citizen who confessed to planting an explosive device that killed a high-ranking Russian officer on the instruction of Ukrainian intelligence.

    • CS Monitor ☛ A reporter hunts for ‘Carol of the Bells’ birthplace – in Ukraine

      Over a century ago, a Ukrainian choirmaster wrote what became known as the “Carol of the Bells.” Our writer sought out its birthplace in Pokrovsk.

    • New York Times ☛ Killing of Russian General Sends a Message, but Doesn’t Change the War for Ukraine

      Ukraine’s forces are steadily losing ground on the battlefield. The assassination of a top general in Moscow won’t improve their war effort, analysts and Western officials say.

    • New York Times ☛ Suspect in Russian General’s Killing Detained Outside of Moscow

      The Russian prosecutor’s office said the suspect, a 29-year-old citizen of Uzbekistan, confessed to planting the bomb on the orders of Ukrainian agents.

    • New York Times ☛ Zelensky to Meet With E.U. Leaders to Discuss Ukraine’s Future

      As Donald J. Trump prepares to take office in the United States, President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a meeting hosted by the NATO chief to plot the path forward in the war with Russia.

    • Meduza ☛ Trump’s Ukraine envoy nominee says assassination of Russian General Igor Kirillov was ‘not a good idea at all’ — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘They can see smoke rising from the front line’: How Ukrainian travel companies are meeting foreigners’ demand for war tourism — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘I can’t take this anymore. Forgive me, Mom.’ The final messages Russian soldiers sent to their families before dying at the front in Ukraine — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Poland sentences Russian hockey player to almost three years in prison for allegedly agreeing to photograph NATO sites and post online about Ukraine — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ European countries discussing sending up to 100,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in event of ceasefire — Reuters — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russia arrests Uzbekistani citizen over General Igor Kirillov’s assassination, says suspect confessed to working with Ukrainian intelligence — Meduza

    • Latvia ☛ Finland seizes Lithuanian plane on round-about route to Russia via Latvia

      On December 4, a Lithuanian-registered private plane on its way to Russia was intercepted at Helsinki Airport due to potential sanctions evasion, reports LRT News in Lithuania.

    • Latvia ☛ NATO planes cooperate to intercept Russian bombers over Baltic Sea

      NATO interceptors were scrambled Tuesday to identify Russian military planes flying over the Baltic Sea, reports Estonia's ERR News citing, Sweden's public broadcaster SVT.

    • Meduza ☛ U.S. Treasury grants temporary exemption to Gazprombank deals related to civilian nuclear energy — Meduza

• Environment

  • Energy/Transportation

    • France24 ☛ What we know about the mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey

      For a month, social control media users across New Jersey and the East coast have posted videos of drone sightings buzzing overhead -- triggering concerns of foreign espionage or a US govt operation. The White House and federal agencies have not provided conclusive answers, but stress that these flying objects are not dangerous or sent by foreign adversaries, and do not pose a national security threat. Vedika Bahl goes through some false conspiracy theories, as well as what we do know about the drones.

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • Science Alert ☛ Scientists Developed a Questionnaire to Identify if Your Cat Is a Psychopath

      How well do you really know your cat?

• Finance

  • New York Times ☛ Starbucks’ China Problem: Coffee Drinkers Want More for Less

    For years, Starbucks was the dominant coffee chain in China. Now rivals offering local flavors and cheaper prices are crushing the company’s bottom line in its second-largest market.

  • New York Times ☛ G.M. Led in China for Years. Here’s How It Ended Up 16th in Sales.

    General Motors has gone from market leader to also-ran in the world’s largest car market, stymied by its own missteps and Chinese policies that favored its local rivals.

  • CS Monitor ☛ Japanese automakers want to fend off China. But Nissan and Honda deny merger rumors.

    Nissan and Honda said they are considering collaboration but denied rumors of a merger. The Japanese automakers announced in August that they, along with Mitsubishi, will share components for electric vehicles as Chinese EVs cut into their market share.

  • New York Times ☛ Fed Cuts Interest Rates, but Projects Fewer Reductions in 2025

    Federal Reserve officials projected just two rate cuts in 2025, and they made it clear that future reductions would hinge on inflation progress.

  • WhichUK ☛ Inflation jumps to 2.6% – where to find a savings account that beats it

    Rises in the price of fuel and clothing push inflation up to an eight-month high, but most savings deals still offer better rates

  • France24 ☛ US Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for third time

    The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the third time this year, to 4.25-4.5%. But the central bank indicated it would likely slow the pace of its rate cuts in the coming year, as prices remain high. Rodney Sullivan, from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, says "the signal that the Fed is giving is that they intend to break the back of inflation and bring it down to their target rate of 2%."

  • Pro Publica ☛ How Billionaires Sidestepped the Net Investment Income Tax

  • Latvia ☛ SEB to merge its three Baltic operations

    Swedish bank SEB has decided to merge its operations in the Baltic states into a single legal entity, the company said December 18.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • NYPost ☛ Jeff Bezos spotted having dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago [Ed: GAFAM]

    Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was seen sauntering into Mar-a-Lago late Wednesday night to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump. Bezos walked in with his fiancée Lauren Sanchez for their first dinner with Trump since the soon-to-be 47th president won re-election. Trump had said last week that Bezos would visit him at his Florida mansion.

  • Off Guardian ☛ The big story of 2024 that NOBODY is talking about

    As the embers of 2024 spit out their dying sparks and tendrils of smoke corkscrew into 2025, I want to ask: what were the important news stories of this year? Most people will say something international. The war in Ukraine, the atrocities in Gaza, the fall of Assad.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • Digital Music News ☛ Houston Attorney Tony Buzbee Sues Roc Nation as Jay-Z, Diddy Battle Gets Uglier

    The Houston attorney handling several lawsuits against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is now suing Jay-Z’s Roc Nation over alleged payments to his clients to sue his law firm. Buzbee is representing more than 100 clients with Diddy allegations, but he also has two lawsuits filed against him by former clients.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Press Gazette ☛ Press Gazette launches website registration wall

    Press Gazette is now asking readers to share their email address, company and job title.

  • Press Gazette ☛ ‘Paywalls safest way to guarantee journalistic jobs’ says Bloomberg editor in chief

    John Micklethwait also revealed how Bloomberg uses Hey Hi (AI) in the newsroom.

  • Press Gazette ☛ Media Concierge to take over National World, promising to invest in local news

    Media Concierge said it plans not to close any print titles and wants to focus on local news.

  • Press Gazette ☛ Tortoise-Observer deal signed and Lucy Rock named print editor

    The first Observer under new ownership is expected to be published in the spring.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ UK had ‘moral responsibility’ to garner international support for Hong Kong, Jimmy Lai tells national security trial

    Jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai has told his national security trial that he believed the UK had a “moral responsibility” to lead international support of Hong Kong, but denied that he requested specific policy measures other than granting Hongkongers the right of abode in the country.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • The Straits Times ☛ False domestic violence claims mobilise India’s men’s rights movement

    Women’s rights advocates say claims of dowry and domestic violence laws being misused against men are exaggerated.

  • China-backed Ugandan oil project linked to human rights violations

    Rights groups point to forced evictions, sexual exploitation and environmental damage at three oil projects.

  • New York man pleads guilty to helping run ‘secret Chinese police station’

    Chen Jinping's admission is the first time a person involved in such outposts has been held to account in court.

  • Citizen Lab ☛ The Citizen Lab on CBC’s The National: “How foreign governments go after people in Canada”

    Ron Deibert and Noura Aljizawi join CBC chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault to discuss the growing issue of foreign governments’ threats and intimidation targeting exiled women activists and dissidents living in Canada.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • APNIC ☛ NRO RPKI Program — 2024 in review

    Guest Post: Key learnings from 2024 research and priorities for 2025.

  • APNIC ☛ 2025 Activity Plan and revised Strategic Plan published

    APNIC's 2025 Activity Plan is now available.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Patents

  • Kangaroo Courts

    • JUVE ☛ Local division Munich grants injunction over Netgear’s Wi-Fi 6 routers [Ed: This is an illegal, unconstitutional fake courts trying to impose embargo; bribed media in the pocket of Team UPC eggs on the kangaroo court]

      The Munich local division’s decision has far-reaching consequences. Netgear is now banned from selling Wi-Fi-6-capable routers in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden. These countries are considered important markets in Europe. However, for the judgment to take effect, Huawei still has to execute it by posting a security (case ID: UPC_CFI_9/2023).

  • Software Patents

    • Unified Patents ☛ VDPP video stitching patent monopoly challenged

      On December 18, 2024, Unified Patents filed an ex parte reexamination proceeding against U.S. Patent 10,021,380, owned and asserted by VDPP LLC, an NPE. The specification of ‘380 patent monopoly discloses video methods for creating the optical illusion of perpetual motion, which the applicant deemed “Eternalism,” and to special glasses (called “3Deeps”) that can be used for creating three-dimensional effects from two-dimensional videos.

• Trademarks

  • TTAB Blog ☛ Three Recent Inter Partes "Disasters" - Don't let this Happen to You

    When a decision in an inter partes proceeding is 13 pages long or less, you can expect that someone or something went off the rails real quick. Here are three recent decisions falling within that category. I think there are some very basic lessons to be extracted.

    Dongguan Mibang Network Technology Co., Ltd. v. Ontek Solutions, Opposition No. 91283885 (December 9, 2024) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Thomas L. Casagrande). [Opposition to registration of the mark GEJOY in the stylized form shown on the specimen of use (below), for "Bracelets made of seagrass" on the ground of, inter alia, likelihood of confusion with the common law and registered mark GEJOY for "Carnival masks; Knee guards for athletic use; Ornament hooks for Christmas trees; Play balloons; Hand-held party poppers; Hangers for Christmas tree ornaments." Opposer neither attached its registration to the Notice of Opposition nor presented any evidence during its trial period. Furthermore, the applicant did not admit any of opposer's allegations. The Board therefore found that opposer had failed to prove its entitlement to a cause of action (f/k/a standing) and it dismissed the opposition.]

• Copyrights

  • Meduza ☛ Return of the pirates: How sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine have reshaped Russia’s video game industry — Meduza