Leftovers

• Science

  • Futurism ☛ Scientists Intrigued by Huge Structure Under Bermuda

    Deep down.

  • Futurism ☛ Truth Social Stock Explodes as It Merges With Nuclear Fusion Company

    Of course it is.

• Pseudo-Open Source

  • Openwashing

    • Silicon Angle ☛ Exclusive: Sandisk open-sources technique to speed testing of ultra-high-capacity SSDs

      The capacity of solid-state storage devices is soaring, with 32 terabytes now commonplace and 256-terabyte models expected to start shipping early next year, but all that bounty has also introduced a problem: The time required to test drives before putting them into operation has skyrocketed.

• Security

  • LWN ☛ Security updates for Thursday

    Security updates have been issued by AlmaLinux (kernel, keylime, mysql:8.4, and tomcat), Debian (c-ares and webkit2gtk), Fedora (brotli, cups, golang-github-facebook-time, nebula, NetworkManager, perl-Alien-Brotli, python-django4.2, python-django5, and vips), Red Hat (binutils, buildah, curl, go-toolset:rhel8, golang, grafana, multiple packages, php:8.3, podman, python3.12, python39:3.9, ruby:3.3, and skopeo), SUSE (buildah, cups, firefox, glib2, grub2, helm, icinga-php-library, icingaweb2, ImageMagick, imagemagick, kernel, libpng12, libpng16, mariadb, openssl-3, poppler, python39, usbmuxd, webkit2gtk3, wireshark, and xkbcomp), and Ubuntu (linux-azure-fips).

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • Privacy International ☛ Clearview and the long arm of the law

    • Privacy International ☛ International Migrants Day 2025 - A Year in Review

    • Privacy International ☛ UK Justice and Home Affairs Committee publishes report on electronic monitoring

• Defence/Aggression

  • New York Times ☛ Rob Reiner Family Tragedy Strikes a Nerve for Families Fighting Addiction

    Nick Reiner, charged with murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, spent much of his life battling drug addiction, an affliction that millions of Americans face.

  • ACLU ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man's Boat Strikes Are Illegal. The Public Needs Answers.

    If a president can murder civilians at sea and keep the legal justifications secret, we should all be concerned. The harm is even worse when basic factual evidence, such as full videos and orders, are also hidden from the American people.

    Since September, the Convicted Felon administration has ordered 26 lethal strikes on civilian boats in international waters, killing 99 people and upending countless lives. The administration continues to push unsubstantiated, fear-mongering claims about who these people were, despite investigations showing that some of those killed were fishermen just trying to make a living for their families. The administration also refuses to release the secret memo that purports to provide a legal justification for these killings, or the full, unedited videos of the strikes themselves.

  • CS Monitor ☛ After strike on American troops, what’s next for the US in Syria?

    After three Americans were killed, The Insurrectionist threatened retaliation. How a U.S. response might impact the new U.S.-Syria partnership.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Thailand strikes building in Cambodia’s border casino hub

    Poipet is a major land crossing between the two nations that are engaged in renewed border clashes.

  • New York Times ☛ Australia to Crack Down on Hate Speech After Bondi Beach Attack

    New legislation will be drafted to target those who promote violence and to increase penalties for hate speech, the prime minister said Thursday.

  • Federal News Network ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man’s ‘Warrior Dividend’ for troops is housing money approved by Congress

    Dihydroxyacetone Man suggested during his speech on Wednesday that the bonuses would be funded by excess tariff revenues.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • New York Times ☛ Putin’s Year-End News Conference Set for Friday

      The annual news conference sets the Kremlin’s tone for the next year and highlights President Vladimir V. Putin’s grip over Russia.

    • New York Times ☛ Zelensky Appeals to E.U. Leaders for Frozen Russian Funds to Fight War

      President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Brussels, where the leaders had gathered, that without the money, his country would have to reduce its drone production significantly.

    • New York Times ☛ The Putin Confidant Who Pushed Back Against Russia’s War in Ukraine

      Dmitri N. Kozak had worked with President Vladimir V. Putin for three decades before quitting in September. His associates described his break with the Russian leader.

    • BIA Net ☛ Turkey warns Russia, Ukraine over Black Sea drone incident

      The origin of the drone that was reportedly downed near Ankara has yet to be determined because it disintegrated into small fragments upon impact, according to officials.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Prisoner releases are welcome news but talk of a Belarus thaw is premature

      The freeing of 123 political prisoners in Belarus last week is encouraging news but should not be interpreted as an indication of more fundamental change, writes Hanna Liubakova.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ What’s in the new US defense bill for Ukraine?

      The NDAA includes the best legislative support from Congress that Ukraine has received all year. At the same time, it also underscores the dramatic reduction in overall US support for Ukraine during 2025, writes Doug Klain.

    • France24 ☛ 'This night may show us whether Europe is capable of being a real leader'

      As discussions on the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine continue at the EU summit in Brussels, Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko tells FRANCE 24 that 'this evening, this night may show us whether Europe is capable of being a real leader or fear of Russia will win' adding that 'this is a decision not only about giving frozen assets for Ukraine, this is a decision about international order'.

    • France24 ☛ Decision time in Brussels: Will EU ignore threats and seize frozen Russian assets?

      Some brand it 'the most crucial EU summit' since the financial crisis of 2008. A last chance to stave off bankruptcy for a Ukraine government that might run out of money by the end of spring.

    • RFERL ☛ EU Leaders Locked In Late Night Talks Over Using Russian Assets To Fund Ukraine

      Leaders of the European Union were locked in talks deep into the early hours of December 19 in Brussels as they debate a proposal to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's economic and military needs in the coming years that Poland likened to a choice between "money today or blood tomorrow."

    • RFERL ☛ 'Money Today Or Blood Tomorrow:' EU Leaders Meet On Ukraine Funding

      Leaders of the European Union are gathering in Brussels for a summit set to decide on a a proposal to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's economic and military needs in the coming years as Kyiv and Moscow exchanged overnight drone attacks.

    • CS Monitor ☛ Germany’s defense of European values

      The country has moved to boost military commitments and is outspoken about holding Russia accountable for its aggression in Ukraine. This candor affirms a growing willingness to step out of history’s shadow – and shine the light of democracy.

    • CS Monitor ☛ Amid destruction, a determination to live

      Every time I go to Ukraine, I come across scenes of yet more extraordinary human resilience.

    • New York Times ☛ Europe’s Fight Over Russian Assets Is Testing Its Ability to Support Ukraine

      The continent’s leaders are discussing a contentious deal to back Ukraine and its war effort. The final decision will signal the extent of Europe’s ability to face down Moscow.

    • New York Times ☛ The German Chancellor Betting on America

      Friedrich Merz believes the world needs a stronger Germany. He is still navigating how to do it.

    • RFERL ☛ EU Agrees To $106 Billion Loan For Ukraine After Shelving Russian Asset Proposal

      The EU agrees to provide a 90 billion-euro ($106 billion) interest-free loan to Kyiv to help fund the war-torn country after failing to agree on a proposal to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's economic and military needs in the coming years.

    • Meduza ☛ ‘We will not leave without a solution’ European leaders meet to discuss using Russia’s frozen assets to support Ukraine — Meduza

    • Latvia ☛ Pro-Kremlin activist arrested in Latvia

      On Thursday, the Rīga City Court imposed a security measure of detention on Viktors Guščins, an activist of the Russian compatriots' movement who was detained by the State Security Service (VDD) on Wednesday, Latvian Television reported.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Russia’s most important Middle East base is not where you think

      Before its future in post-Assad Syria was determined, Russia was actively searching for alternative strategic relationships in the region.

    • France24 ☛ EU targets 41 additional vessels in Russia's shadow fleet

      The European Union on Thursday imposed sanctions on 41 more ships in Russia's shadow fleet, taking the total of designated vessels to almost 600. The EU has imposed 19 packages of sanctions against Russia so far, but Moscow has managed to adapt to most measures and is still selling millions of barrels of oil to India and China, albeit at discounts to global prices.

    • The Straits Times ☛ EU targets 41 additional vessels in Russia's shadow fleet

      BRUSSELS, Dec 18 - The European Union on Thursday imposed sanctions on 41 more ships in ‍Russia's ​shadow fleet, taking the total ‍of designated vessels to almost 600.

    • CS Monitor ☛ With Russia looming, Europe tries to beef up its youth military service

      The potential military threat from Russia and the decreasing support from the US have European countries looking to conscript citizens. It's a big ask after decades of peace and prosperity.

    • Meduza ☛ 2025’s biggest verdict How Russia’s Supreme Court redrew the legal lines in a hotly disputed Moscow apartment sale — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ The U.S. is sending Russian asylum seekers back to the country persecuting them Meduza spoke with an activist trying to save them from deportation — Meduza

    • LRT ☛ Another 20 Belarusian political prisoners arrive in Lithuania

      Twenty more Belarusian political prisoners released last weekend arrived in Lithuania on Thursday, a representative of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya confirmed.

    • LRT ☛ Belarus opposition leader says new leaders should emerge after prisoner releases

      Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said Wednesday the release of political prisoners from Belarusian jails underscores the need for new leaders to emerge within the democratic movement, stressing that it should not revolve around a single figure.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • Privacy International ☛ Argentina’s election authorities must guarantee the right to a universally accessible secret vote

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • Bridge Michigan ☛ Court blocks Michigan conversion therapy ban on free speech grounds

    A federal appeals court has blocked Michigan’s ban on conversion therapy for minors who are LGBTQ+, declaring it violates the First Amendment rights of therapists and counselors.

  • ACLU ☛ How to Navigate Politically-Charged Conversations This Holiday Season

    The holidays often bring together people who care about one another, but don’t see the world the same way. In a year marked by deep political turmoil, real threats to constitutional rights, and widespread confusion about what’s actually happening, it can feel daunting to navigate conversations at dinner tables, happy hours, work holiday parties and more.

    There is no right or wrong way to fight for our rights, our communities and our nation.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Latvia ☛ Latvian public media council member appointed

    On Thursday, December 18th, the Saeima approved the appointment of social sciences researcher Andris Saulītis to the position of member of the Public Electronic Mass Media Council (SEPLP). Saulītis was the third candidate voted on by the Saeima for the vacant position on the council.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • APNIC ☛ Resource delegation review update: Q4 2025

    APNIC completed the first year of its resource delegation review program.

Monopolies/Monopsonies