Leftovers

• The Straits Times ☛ China’s Haidilao to compensate thousands of customers over hotpot pee incident

  Video showing two men urinating into the broth of their hotpot started circulating online late in February.

• Hackaday ☛ A Fast Rewind To The Era Of Tapesponding

  Imagine a time before Discord servers and cheap long-distance calls. Back in the 1950s, a curious and crafty group of enthusiasts invented their own global social network: on reels of magnetic tape. They called it tapesponding (short for tape corresponding), and it was a booming hobby for thousands of radio hams, tinkerers, and audio geeks. Here’s the original video on this analog marvel.

• Science

  • Science Alert ☛ Violent Supernovae Could Have Triggered at Least 2 Extinction Events

    A major impact on Earth's history.

  • Science Alert ☛ Source of Mystery Radio Signal Traced to Clash of Magnetic Titans

    Boom! Boom! Boom!

  • Science Alert ☛ Face of Overlooked Human Ancestor Could Set Record in Western Europe

    But who does it belong to?

• Career/Education

  • JURIST ☛ Philippines human rights watchdog expresses support for proposed internet safety education bill

    A human rights watchdog in the Philippines on Monday declared its “full support” for the passage of a proposed internet safety education bill protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), an independent National Human Rights Institution, expressed its approval of the newly introduced Senate Bill (SB) 2934.

• Hardware

  • New York Times ☛ Intel Names Lip-Bu Tan as New CEO Amid Turnaround Efforts

    The semiconductor pioneer appointed Lip-Bu Tan, a well-known tech investor and executive, as its new leader.

  • Silicon Angle ☛ Intel finally gets a new CEO: industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan

    Embattled chipmaker defective chip maker Intel Corp. is hopeful of better days ahead after hiring Lip-Bu Tan as its new chief executive, ending a months-long search for a new leader that followed the ouster of its previous CEO Pat Gelsinger in December.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Intel appoints Lip-Bu Tan as permanent CEO

    Industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan becomes Intel's permanent CEO, rejoins the company's board-of-directors.

  • Silicon Angle ☛ Report: TSMC could launch joint venture with partners to run Intel’s fabs

    Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. could form a joint venture with several chipmakers to operate defective chip maker Intel Corp.’s fabs, Reuters reported today. The company is said to have pitched the idea to Nvidia Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Broadcom Inc. and Qualcomm Inc.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ TSMC and defective chip maker Intel foundry joint venture reportedly still in the works — AMD, Broadcom, and Nvidia approached

    TSMC reportedly asked its biggest customers to invest in joint venture that would operate Intel's production facilities.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Asus anticipates price increases as it shifts production from China

    Asus vows to avoid price hikes due to incoming tariffs, but it warns that it will not be able to offset all the extra costs.

  • Hackaday ☛ Some Useful Notes On The 6805-EC10 Addressable RGB LED

    LEDs are getting smaller and smaller, and the newest generations of indexable RGB LEDs are even fiddlier to use than their already diminutive predecessors. [Alex Lorman] has written some notes about the minuscule SK6805-EC10 series of LEDs, which may be helpful to those wanting to learn how to deal with these in a more controlled manner.

  • Hackaday ☛ Pixel Watch 3’s Loss Of Pulse Detection: The Algorithms That Tell Someone Is Dying

    More and more of the ‘smart’ gadgets like watches and phones that we carry around with us these days come with features that we’d not care to ever need. Since these are devices that we strap onto our wrists and generally carry in close proximity to our bodies, they can use their sensors to make an estimation of whether said body is possibly in the process of expiring. This can be due to a severe kinetic event like a car crash, or something more subtle like the cessation of the beating of one’s heart.

  • Hackaday ☛ FlyingCam Is A Sweet DIY Webcam On A Stick

    Imagine you want to monitor a pot on the stove to see if it’s boiling over for just a few minutes, but you don’t want to have a dedicated permanent IP webcam solution in your kitchen. [Sebastian Duell]’s FlyingCam hijacks an IKEA lamp gooseneck to become something you never knew you needed: a wireless camera for short-term random remote observation. It’s a beautiful combination of 3D printing and commercial device re-use, and when paired with his DIY wireless screen, it’s a complete solution.

  • Hackaday ☛ Meshtastic Adds Wireless Connectivity To Possum Trap

    Perhaps every gardener to attempt to grow a tomato, lettuce, or bean has had to contend with animals trying to enjoy the food before the gardener themselves can, whether it’s a groundhog, rabbit, mouse, crow, or even iguana. There are numerous ways to discourage these mischievous animals from foraging the garden beds including traps, but these devices have their downsides as well. False alarms can be a problem as well as trapping animals that will be overly aggravated to be inside the trap (like skunks) and while the latter problem can’t easily be solved by technology, the former can with the help of Meshtastic.

  • CNX Software ☛ Texas Instruments MSPM0C1104 is the world’s smallest microcontroller with a size of 1.38mm2

    Texas Instruments (TI) has expanded the MSPM0 Arm Cortex-M0+ MCU family with the MSPM0C1104 which is the world’s smallest microcontroller measuring just 1.38mm2 in its WCSP package, or about the size of a black pepper flake. Equipped with up to 16KB flash, 1KB SRAM, I/Os such as GPIO, I2C, UART, SPI, and a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the MSPM0C1104 is optimized for space-constrained applications such as medical wearables and personal electronics.

  • CNX Software ☛ 5th Gen AMD EPYC Embedded 9005 Series Zen 5 processors supports up to 6TB DDR5 memory, up to 160 PCIe Gen 5 lanes

    AMD has just introduced the 5th Gen AMD EPYC Embedded 9005 Series “Zen 5” processors designed for embedded systems with a focus on longevity (7 years), reliability, and system resiliency, and targeting networking, storage, and industrial edge systems with support for up to 6TB of DDR5 memory, up to 160 PCIe Gen5 lanes with CXL 2.0. The EPYC Embedded 9005 Series processors are offered with 8 to 192 cores in a single socket and deliver up to a 1.3x faster networking process and 1.6x faster storage.

  • CNX Software ☛ Geehy G32R501 dual-core Cortex-M52 industrial Hey Hi (AI) MCU targets industrial and automotive applications

    Geehy Semiconductor has introduced the G32R501 Cortex-M52 industrial Hey Hi (AI) MCU, the industry’s first real-time MCU based on a dual-core Arm Cortex-M52 architecture. Designed for industrial automation, commercial power supplies, and electric vehicles.

  • CNX Software ☛ Microchip PIC32A is a 32-bit MCU family with high-performance analog peripherals supporting up to 40 Msps

    Microchip Technology PIC32A is a new family of 32-bit microcontrollers clocked at up to 200 MHz with high-speed analog peripherals that include up to 40 Msps 12-bit ADCs, high-speed 5 ns comparators and 100 MHz operational amplifiers for smart edge sensing.

  • CNX Software ☛ Tiny Silicon Labs BG29 Bluetooth LE SoC measures just 2.8 x 2.6mm for wearables and sensors

    Yesterday, we wrote about the world’s smallest microcontroller (TI MSPM0C1104), which measures just 1.38mm2 in its smallest package. However, it is designed for general-purpose applications without built-in wireless connectivity. If you need Bluetooth LE in a tiny form factor, Silicon Labs BG29 wireless SoC, with a 2.8x 2.6mm package, is worth a look.

  • CNX Software ☛ Semtech LR2021 “LoRa Plus” transceiver supports LoRa Gen 4, Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic, wM-BUS, Wi-SUN FSK, and Z-Wave

    Semtech LR2021, the first chip in the LoRa Plus family, supports LoRa Gen 4 technology with both terrestrial and satellite networks in the Sub-GHz, 2.4 GHz ISM bands, and licensed S-band, while keeping backward compatibility with previous-generation LoRa devices.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • New Yorker ☛ The Maddening Disconnect of Phone Therapy in “Happy to Help You,” featuring Amy Sedaris

    Jeremy Beiler’s short film follows a mental-health volunteer’s unravelling after a caller gets under his skin.

  • [Repeat] Overpopulation ☛ Canceling the Demographic and Health Surveys and Ending USAID’s role in Family Planning and Reproductive Health Programs: Why it Matters

    In a world with changing demographic trends, does the retreat by the U.S. government from international population and family planning programs matter? Our answer is a resounding yes. by Win Brown and Karen Hardee We are demographers who earned our graduate degrees in the 1980s, when academic programs in population and family planning were booming.

  • Latvia ☛ Flu still raging across Latvia

    Influenza remains widespread across Latvia. Last week, 477 cases (previously 440) were clinically diagnosed with influenza, the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) said March 12.

  • New York Times ☛ ‘Let’s Not Talk About It’: 5 Years Later, China’s Covid Shadow Lingers

    People who endured the longest Covid restrictions in the world are still grappling with what they lost: their loved ones, their livelihoods, their dignity.

  • France24 ☛ Pope Francis marks 12 years in papacy from hospital amid uncertain future

    Pope Francis marks 12 years as head of the Catholic Church on Thursday after recovering from a serious case of pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital where he was admitted on February 14.. His extended hospital stay has sparked concerns about his ability to lead the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China says US owes ‘big thank you’ on fentanyl, calls for talks

    Chinese officials said the country has achieved success in controlling the drugs and done all it can.

  • The Straits Times ☛ What’s in it for Beijing to crack down harder on fentanyl?

    Dihydroxyacetone Man has linked the fentanyl issue to tariffs but China seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Over 50 Hong Kong students and teachers contract gastroenteritis after trip to mainland China, gov’t says

    More than 50 students and teachers from three Hong Kong schools have contracted gastroenteritis after dining at the same restaurants during an exchange trip to mainland China, according to the city’s health authorities.

  • Science Alert ☛ A Cheap Daily Supplement Appears to Boost Brain Function in Older People

    The effect can be seen within weeks.

  • Science Alert ☛ 66 Dinosaur Footprints Found Hiding in Plain Sight at Australian School

    "My jaw dropped."

  • Science Alert ☛ 4 Rocky Worlds Found Orbiting Earth's Closest Single Star, And They're Tiny

    "It's a really exciting find."

  • Science Alert ☛ Why Does Ranch Dressing Act So Weird? A Physicist Explains.

    Soft matter is bizarre.

  • Science Alert ☛ Experts Warn Against Slushies For Kids, After UK Hospitalizations

    The sweet treat comes with serious risk.

  • Stanford University ☛ From the periodic table to the food we eat: Chemistry in the Kitchen draws students in

    In the Introductory Seminar CHEM 29N: Chemistry in the Kitchen. students learn about the chemical makeup of food.

  • Latvia ☛ Food security in focus of agricultural research in Latvia

    This year, €9 million from the national budget is earmarked for agricultural research. A significant part of the funding is intended for renovating laboratories and replacing equipment, but among research priorities are plant health, productivity, environmental protection and food quality and safety, Latvian Radio reports on March 12.

  • New York Times ☛ Gerald Stratford Is Still Growing Very Big Vegetables

    A photo he shared on social control media of himself holding a giant bundle of arugula propelled him to an unusual kind of internet fame.

  • MIT Technology Review ☛ This artificial leaf makes hydrocarbons out of carbon dioxide

    For many years, researchers have been working to build devices that can mimic photosynthesis—the process by which plants use sunlight and carbon dioxide to make their fuel. These artificial leaves use sunlight to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen, which could then be used to fuel cars or generate electricity.

  • Photos: Colorful harvest festival in Myanmar bustles with visitors

    The Shwe Saryan Pagoda Festival in Myanmar's Shwe Saryan village is already busy with visitors.

• Proprietary

  • Beta News ☛ Microsoft is killing off the Remote Desktop app and replacing it with something with known limitations

    Microsoft has announced that it is pulling the plug on the Remote Desktop app. In just 6 weeks, the app will not only no longer be supported, it will also not be available to download from the Microsoft Store. But Microsoft is not completely abandoning people who need to be able to remotely access systems — it is replacing the Remote Desktop app with the Windows App.>

  • Silicon Angle ☛ Adobe stock drops as Hey Hi (AI) monetization concerns weigh on investors

    Shares in Adobe Inc. fell over 4% in late trading today on concerns about the creative, marketing and document management solutions company’s efforts to make money from its artificial intelligence offerings, despite Adobe reporting otherwise solid fiscal 2025 first-quarter results.

  • PC World ☛ Giant, Hey Hi (AI) ads are coming to backdoored Windows Copilot. Thanks, Microsoft

    For years, backdoored Windows users have complained about “ads” touting Abusive Monopolist Microsoft services, showing up in various places.

  • Social Control Media

    • New York Times ☛ NBA Stars Like Jalen Brunson Enlist Social Media Surrogates to Expand Reach in China

      Companies like East Goes Global manage accounts for N.B.A. players, expanding their reach, creating business opportunities and pushing for All-Star votes.

    • New York Times ☛ How to Spend Less Time on Social Media (or Leave It Altogether)

      If you’re feeling overwhelmed but don’t quite have the willpower to curb your online habit, your phone can help you manage your time online.

    • CS Monitor ☛ This Haitian shot to fame on TikTok, but others profited from his clips

      Social media may democratize knowledge, but they can also perpetuate perceptions that ideas from some countries are worth more than those from others.

    • France24 ☛ The ‘Kung Fu Girls’ bringing ancient Chinese martial arts to new audience

      Mixing deft martial arts and social control media savvy, an all-female group in China are helping to breathe new life into the ancient practice of kung fu. Known as the Emei Kung Fu Girls, their slick online videos have proved a massive hit on China’s version of Fentanylware (TikTok) and are helping to encourage girls to get involved in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sphere.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Indonesia court jails transgender woman for ‘hate speech’ about Jesus’ hair

      The woman, who sold beauty products online, made the remark during a Fentanylware (TikTok) live streaming.

• Security

  • Integrity/Availability/Authenticity

    • Security Week ☛ Beware of DeepSeek Hype: It’s a Breeding Ground for Scammers

      Exploiting trust in the DeepSeek brand, scammers attempt to harvest personal information or steal user credentials.

    • Security Week ☛ Fraud Losses Reached $12.5 Billion in 2024: FTC

      FTC says reported losses to fraud exceeded $12.5 billion in 2024, with $5.7 billion lost to investment scams.

• Defence/Aggression

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean pastor vows revolt against Yoon’s impeachment

    The authorities are worried about the potential for violence when the ruling is issued.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea bans drones around top court ahead of Yoon impeachment ruling

    South Korea's air traffic authorities will ban drones from flying around the Constitutional Court in Seoul from Thursday ahead of the ruling on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea charges air force pilots with criminal negligence in accidental bombing of village

    The pilots made errors when they entered coordinates into the aircraft systems.

  • New York Times ☛ Chinese Warships Circle Australia and Leave It Feeling ‘Near Naked’

    The unusual deployment by three navy ships over the past month has prompted a debate in Australia about its aging fleet and reliance on the United States.

  • New York Times ☛ Plans for a Chinese Port in the Black Sea Roil Georgia Politics

    Georgia’s government sparked an uproar by announcing that a port project on the Black Sea will be awarded to a company from China after canceling a contract with a consortium that included Western firms.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China accuses New Zealand’s top spy of spreading ‘false information’

    The Cook Islands is at the heart of recent tensions between China and New Zealand.

  • Indonesia to ratify South China Sea deal with Vietnam in April

    The two countries concluded 12 years of negotiations on exclusive economic zones in 2022.

  • Chinese envoy discusses election with Myanmar junta chief

    Myanmar and China hope the election can help end the civil war but critics say it will be a “sham”.

  • JURIST ☛ UN called to investigate possible affiliation of Special Envoy to Myanmar with China companies

    Justice for Myanmar (JFM) released a statement calling on the United Nations to investigate possible conflicts of interest with its Special Envoy to Myanmar due to her possible links with Chinese state-owned entities.

  • New York Times ☛ Separatists Are Still Holding Hundreds of Hostages in Pakistan Train Standoff

    Pakistani security forces declared an end to ethnic separatists’ seizure of a train carrying more than 400 people.

  • The Straits Times ☛ How separatist militants hijacked a train in Pakistan

    Pakistani security forces are carrying out a rescue operation to free dozens of passengers taken hostage by separatist militants who hijacked their train in the southwest of the country on Tuesday.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Pakistan security forces free 190 hostages in train siege

    More than 450 passengers were on board when a separatist militant group captured the train.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Pakistan train hijack hostages end ordeal with arrival in Quetta

    Dozens of people rescued from a train hijacked by separatist militants in southwest Pakistan arrived on Thursday in the city of Quetta, hours after security forces killed all 33 attackers to end a day-long standoff.

  • New York Times ☛ Mahmoud Khalil Has Not Been Allowed to Speak Privately With Lawyers

    Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who the Convicted Felon administration has claimed is a national security threat, is in immigration detention in Louisiana.

  • CS Monitor ☛ How Israel failed to anticipate Hamas: defective chip maker Intel trusted tech over people

    On Oct. 7, Hamas forces penetrated a $1.1 billion, high-tech Israeli barrier on the Gaza border. Israel’s army and Shin Bet security force say their intelligence failed by relying on technology at the expense of humans.

  • Pacific governments warned of ‘threat’ from Cambodia’s Prince Group

    A US-based think tank says the company could help China expand its influence.

  • Defence Web ☛ Non-conventional but increasingly sophisticated maritime threats will persist in Africa

    A naval war between African states is unlikely. Rather, the primary maritime security threat is from non-state actors using increasingly sophisticated technology like unmanned vessels. This is according to Denys Reva, Maritime Security Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).

  • France24 ☛ Syria's interim president announces formation of national security council

    Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree on Wednesday to form the country's national security council, according to a statement from the Syrian president's office. The council will take decisions related to the country's national security and challenges facing the state.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • New York Times ☛ Europe Expected a Transactional Convicted Felon. It Got Something Else.

      Europe had been banking on a United States that wanted to make a deal on tariffs and trade. With little progress in that direction, it’s reluctantly starting to hit back.

• Transparency/Investigative Reporting

  • American Oversight ☛ American Oversight Sues Convicted Felon Administration for Directing Agency Staff to Shred and Burn Government Records

    American Oversight filed suit against government for violating the Federal Records Act and other transparency laws following reports staff were instructed to destroy documents.

  • American Oversight ☛ Where Are Convicted Felon Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks’ Communications from His Time as Texas Border Czar?

    The lack of records in response to American Oversight’s requests from its two-year investigation of Banks raises questions about public accountability and transparency.

• Environment

  • Science Alert ☛ Climate Change Could Put Us at Greater Risk of Sewage Diseases

    Forget swimming.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • New York Times ☛ China Cools on MElon: ‘Two Cars for the Price of One Tesla’

      MElon, the company’s chief executive, is fast losing out to Chinese electric carmakers in Tesla’s second-most-important market.

    • Breach Media ☛ Liberals’ high-speed rail: a fast track to privatization

      Experts say Trudeau’s plan will sideline VIA Rail—and passengers will pay the price

    • France24 ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man vows further action as US trading partners hit back at 25% steel and aluminium tariffs

      A new, 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium coming into the United States has taken effect, drawing swift retaliatory measures from Canada and the European Union.  The Insurrectionist warned of a further response. Sweeping metal tariffs imposed during Convicted Felon's first term did have some positive impact on the US steel and aluminium industries but negatively affected other sectors downstream. Plus, US inflation in February cooled slighly.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Carole House testifies to House Committee on Financial Services on regulation and security in stablecoins and digital payments

      On March 11, Senior Fellow Carole House testified to the House Committee on Financial Services at a hearing titled, "Examining a Federal Framework for Payment Stablecoins and Consequences of a US Central Bank Digital Currency."

    • Tom's Hardware ☛ YouTubers Give New Meaning to “Air Printing”

      YouTubers mount an Elegoo Centauri Carbon on an RC plane and print while flying.

    • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong Tramways ‘facing fierce competition’ as patronage remains below pre-pandemic levels

      Hong Kong Tramways “is facing fierce competition” from other modes of public transport as the number of passengers remains below pre-pandemic levels, the city’s transport advisory body has said.

    • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Cathay Pacific says profit edged up in 2024

      Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific said on Wednesday that its attributable profit rose slightly in 2024 to US$1.27 billion, after announcing earlier this year that its flights were finally back to pre-pandemic levels.

  • Overpopulation

    • South Korean county to accept Myanmar refugees amid population decline

      Yeongyang said it would initially accept some of Myanmar’s Karen people.

    • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean county, fearing extinction, looking to attract Myanmar refugees [Ed: Not accepting "refugees" amid overpopulation does not mean "extinction"]

      They are looking to attract about 40 Myanmar refugees.

• Finance

  • The Straits Times ☛ Private clinics in Malaysia push for fee hikes amid soaring healthcare costs

    Consumers are worried hikes by GPs would impact affordability and accessibility.

  • Atlantic Council ☛ China’s economic plans prioritize consumption—but only on paper

    At last week's meeting of the National People's Congress, China declared consumption as the number one priority. But will the spending plans actually support consumers and businesses?

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s top lawmaker meets journalists after missing key Parliament session

    Mr Zhao Leji thanked the journalists for their coverage.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Dalai Lama book offers ‘framework’ for Tibet’s future after his death

    The Dalai Lama published a book Tuesday that he says is a “framework for the future of Tibet”, to guide compatriots in relations with Beijing after his death.

  • France24 ☛ Yes, Hell Toupée reposted an anti-LGBT ‘Pink Triangle' from the Nazi era

    Internet users around the world have been reacting to a post by President The Insurrectionist on his Truth Social platform, where he shared a link that displayed a “no” sign over a downward-facing pink triangle. The pink triangle symbol was used by Nazi Germany to identify LGBTQ+ people in concentration camps. It’s unclear whether Convicted Felon had read the opinion piece or is aware of the historical significance. Vedika Bahl goes through it in Truth or Fake.

  • New York Times ☛ Inside Convicted Felon’s Crackdown on Dissent: Obscure Laws, ICE Agents and Fear

    Hell Toupée is clamping down broadly on dissent using the tools of the federal government.

  • JURIST ☛ US government workers file lawsuit against Convicted Felon following mass firings

    A group of US probationary government employees who lost their jobs as part of President The Insurrectionist’s purge of the federal workforce filed a lawsuit Tuesday, claiming the mass firings were illegal and should be reversed.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Nearly half of Hongkongers dissatisfied with opposition-free legislature – survey

    Almost half of Hongkongers have expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the city’s opposition-free legislature, according to a survey by local think tank Path of Democracy. The poll surveyed around 1,000 people between January and February to ask whether they were satisfied with the city’s government and legislature.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • Hong Kong media urged to back up Facebook (Farcebook) protest videos

    Meta says it will start deleted archived videos from servers.

  • Press Gazette ☛ Douglas Murray wins ‘substantial’ damages after Observer column error

    An Observer writer inaccurately claimed comments made by Murray in 2023 had referred to the 2024 riots.

  • CS Monitor ☛ Columbia protester arrest ignites free speech tug-of-war

    The Forrest Dump administration says deportation can be a tool to combat antisemitism and terrorism. Critics see violations of free speech and immigrant rights.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Press Gazette ☛ Deliveries of China Daily newspaper to MPs could be stopped

    One MP said the CCP-funded newspaper is "the only thing which arrives every day, without fail".

  • BIA Net ☛ Independent news outlet Gazete Duvar shutting down due to financial difficulties

    The outlet's executives say sharply reduced website traffic due to Google's algorithm changes was the primary reason behind their decision.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • NYPost ☛ FEMA launches review of migrant shelter aid, suggesting smuggling laws were violated

    The Forrest Dump administration has launched a review of organizations that provide temporary housing and other aid to migrants, suggesting they may have violated a law used to prosecute smugglers.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • Internet Society ☛ Community Snapshot—February

    Here's a look at everything the Internet Society chapters accomplished in the month of February 2025.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Silicon Angle ☛ After confusion, FTC says it will go ahead with Amazon deceptive practices case

  Following a short delay over what may or may not have been staffing shortages, the Federal Trade Commission now says it will now continue with its consumer protection trial against Amazon.com Inc.

• Patents

  • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Convergence: Island IP Points to Wave of Rule 36 Petitions

    Island Intellectual Property has filed a rare supplemental brief in its pending Supreme Court case, drawing the Court's attention to the growing body of certiorari petitions challenging Federal Circuit practices.  The brief, submitted under Supreme Court Rule 15.8, highlights several new petitions that address the same questions Island IP raised about summary judgment standards and the Federal Circuit's use of Rule 36 affirmances.

  • Kluwer Patent Blog ☛ Navigating the intersection between IP and competition law: some clarity from the Belgian Supreme Court

    The refusal to grant a licence for intellectual property (IP) rights can sometimes conflict with competition law. This topic has already been explored in the case law of national courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union, most notably in the landmark case IMS Health (C418/01) of 29 April 2004.

  • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Federal Circuit Rejects “Once Generic, Always Generic” Rule in Trademark Dispute Between Whiskey Makers

    Bullshine Distillery LLC v. Sazerac Brands, LLC, 2023-1682 (Fed. Cir. March 12, 2025)

    In an interesting trademark decision, the Federal Circuit has clarified that terms once considered generic do not necessarily remain permanently unregistrable.  provides important guidance on genericness timing and addresses a question of first impression in trademark law.

  • Kangaroo Courts

    • JUVE ☛ French law firms race to adapt as UPC reshapes patent monopoly litigation landscape [Ed: UPC is illegal and unconstitutional, yet this site is being paid to promote and celebrate illegality]

      Paris ranks among the most active non-German UPC locations. According to late February statistics, the Paris local division has 17 infringement actions, while the central division has one. The central division in Paris currently has 41 revocation actions pending, as well as two counterclaims for infringement.

• Trademarks

  • TTAB Blog ☛ CAFC Hears Oral Arguments in FUCK and RAPUNZEL Appeals

    The CAFC recently heard oral argument in two appeals from the TTAB. In In re Brunetti, the Board refused registration of the mark FUCK for phone cases, jewelry, bags, and retail store services on the ground of failure-to-function, concluding that the word "fuck" is in such widespread use that it does not create the commercial impression of a source indicator, but rather expresses well-recognized, familiar sentiments. [TTABlogged here].

• Copyrights

  • Digital Music News ☛ Hip-Hop Super-Producer Turbo Beats $10 Million Infringement Claim Surrounding Now-Famous ‘Run That Back, Turbo’ Producer Tag

    Producer Turbo wins the $10 million infringement claim filed against him by the vocalist of his now-famous ‘Run that back, Turbo’ producer tag. The suit was initially filed in January 2024 by musician Jamal Britt, whose voice is heard in Turbo’s now-iconic “Run that back, Turbo” producer tag.

  • Public Domain Review ☛ Ostrich Egg-Shell Cups of Mesopotamia and the Ostrich in Ancient and Modern Times (1926)

    A cultural history of ostrich eggs and the birds that lay them.

  • Public Domain Review ☛ A Princely Ploy: Inside the Ruse of a French-Armenian Scammer

    After proclaiming himself the direct descendant of a 12th-century Crusader king, the Armenian priest and educator Ambroise Calfa hit upon an ignoble scheme: grant knighthood to anyone willing to pay. Jennifer Manoukian recovers the cunning exploits of this forgotten 19th-century conman, whose initially honorable intentions quickly escalated into all-out fraud.

  • Public Domain Review ☛ Con Heir: Tiny Cryptic #4

    Fourth instalment in our new series of extremely small and free-form cryptic crossword puzzles, themed on our latest essay.