Leftovers

• Hardware

  • CNX Software ☛ Broadcom updates its Wi-Fi 8 access point chips portfolio with BCM4918 APU, BCM6714 and BCM6719 dual-band radios

    Broadcom has just announced the launch of its next-generation chips for Wi-Fi 8 access points at CES 2026 with the BCM4918 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), and two new dual-band Wi-Fi 8 radios: BCM6714 and BCM6719. The last two build upon the Broadcom BCM6718 WiFi 8 tri-band SoC with different antenna configurations, namely 4×4 2.4GHz and 4×4 5 GHz for the BCM6719, and 3×3 2.4GHz and 4×4 5 GHz for the BCM6714, and integrated 2.4 GHz PAs.

  • Open Access/Content

    • The Georgia Recorder ☛ Data center ‘gold rush’ pits local officials’ hunt for new revenue against residents’ concerns

      Twiggs County commissioners recently approved a massive data center project, sparking a legal battle and deepening distrust between citizens and their elected officials in the rural middle Georgia community.

      The decision was made despite vocal opposition aired at a contentious public hearing and accusations that the process was improperly rushed to bypass a state review that was at the time paused.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • Bridge Michigan ☛ Install cameras, beef up training — and 5 other ways to fix Michigan nursing homes

    Some states demand nursing homes spend more on care and are more transparent in their finances. Michigan could do the same.

  • New York Times ☛ Michigan City to Pay $3.25 Million After Woman Was Mistakenly Declared Dead

    Timesha Beauchamp, 20, was found alive at a funeral home after she had been pronounced dead during a medical episode in Southfield, Mich. She died weeks later.

  • Latvia ☛ Major Rīga hospital reports huge patient influx over New Year

    The five-day New Year weekend was intense at Rīga Eastern University Hospital (RAKUS). The emergency medicine and patient admission clinic provided assistance to 1,105 patients, Latvian Television reported on 5th January.

  • Latvia ☛ Please observe hill sledding safety, Latvian doctors urge public

    With the recent snow and cold weather, especially during the holidays, the Children's Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) has been extremely busy – a significant number of children have been injured while sledding down hills, Latvian Radio reported.

  • Bridge Michigan ☛ Michigan cities balk at costly 911 calls to understaffed nursing homes

    Cities and townships pay thousands of dollars each year for nonemergency calls at nursing homes that fire chiefs say should be handled by nursing home staff. Now, some cities are levying fines, hoping to recoup some of the costs.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Thailand faces tougher durian export competition in China, ministry warns

    This comes as China tightens their screening requirements.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China's premier pledges deeper cooperation as Irish PM pushes on beef and dairy

    China wants to deepen cooperation with Ireland and broaden trade in sectors including aircraft leasing and healthcare, according to a Chinese state media readout on Tuesday following Premier Li Qiang's meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who is in Beijing to push for agriculture talks.

• Security

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • Crans-Montana, Le Constellation: journalists, victims' families, ProtonMail users at risk, police raids

      Incidentally, a lot of journalists are now using ProtonMail, which is based in Switzerland and subject to surveillance by Swiss police. Remember how Arjen Kamphuis disappeared.

• Defence/Aggression

  • Scapegoats, Crans-Montana, Le Constellation: candles, managers, commune are not the only ones at fault

    Now, with the media briefing of 6 January, the commune has admitted that the accoustic foam was inspected only a few weeks ago to ensure it is adequate for noise prevention but they do not mention whether any control of fire safety is performed in the same audit.

    This suggests that the neighbors and the commune were so concerned with enforcing Switzerland's super-strict regulations on noise emissions after 10pm that they forced the children into this dangerous underground bunker run by a convicted pimp.

  • New York Times ☛ Maduro’s Nike Tech Sweatsuit Was Bound to Become a Meme

    When Hell Toupée shared an unverified photo of Nicolás Maduro in U.S. custody, a corner of the internet followed a familiar playbook for newsmaking images: Talk about the clothes.

  • France24 ☛ Israel, Syria agree to share intelligence, seek military de-escalation after Paris talks

    Syria’s new government and Israel agreed to form a joint, US-supervised group to share intelligence and pursue military de-escalation, Washington said after talks in Paris. The rare meeting comes amid Israeli strikes and US concern over pressure on Syria’s fragile leadership.

  • Bruce Schneier ☛ A Cyberattack Was Part of the US Assault on Venezuela

    We don’t have many details:

    President The Insurrectionist suggested Saturday that the U.S. used cyberattacks or other technical capabilities to cut power off in Caracas during strikes on the Venezuelan capital that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Growing unease in Asia-Pacific as US strike on Venezuela challenges rules-based order

    The US move has drawn pointed rebukes in nations that rely on international law to push back against stronger powers.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Thailand says Cambodia violated truce with cross-border ‘accident’

    The two countries agreed a truce on Dec 27, ending three weeks of clashes.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysian Armed Forces to probe alleged unauthorised entry, immoral activities in military camp

    The Defence Ministry said the military’s culture is founded on discipline and professionalism.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Umno firmly against any ‘back door’ move to topple unity govt, says Malaysia’s Deputy PM Zahid

    He said the party’s stand had been consistent from the start.

  • Site36 ☛ EU doubles pullback system in Libya: Renegade Benghazi to receive control centre and coastguard equipment

    Control centre and surveillance tower: the EU is copying its backdoor model from western Libya to the east. Notorious militias are to intercept refugees on a new route to Crete.

  • New York Times ☛ Venezuelan Leaders Project Independence

    Also, Europe discusses postwar plans for Ukraine. Here’s the latest at the end of Tuesday.

  • Meduza ☛ Putin’s and Xi’s sunk costs: Why Trump’s Venezuela oil gambit could be bad news for Russia and China — Meduza

  • New York Times ☛ U.S. Pressures Venezuela to Expel Advisers From Cuba, China, Russia and Iran

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio was said to have listed the Convicted Felon administration’s demands to Venezuela’s new leader, Delcy Rodríguez, in a classified meeting Monday with senior congressional leaders.

  • Marcy Wheeler ☛ How the Deep State Taught Stephen Miller to Love Socialism

    There's mounting evidence that John Ratcliffe has sustained Convicted Felon's trust sufficiently to successfully rebut Russian disinformation. So much so, the CIA even taught Stephen Miller to love socialism!

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • RFERL ☛ Allies To Pledge 'Binding Commitments' On Ukraine's Security, Draft Of Paris Peace Summit Shows

      Officials from the more than 30 Western countries of the so-called Coalition of the Willing that support Kyiv in its battle with Russia will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on January 6 to fine tune a peace proposal aimed at ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.

    • RFERL ☛ Ukraine's Allies Pledge 'Robust' Security Guarantees After Russian War Ends

      Officials from more than 30 Western countries -- the so-called Coalition of the Willing -- have agreed ensure "politically and legally binding guarantees" for Ukraine once a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is reached.

    • LRT ☛ Vilnius-based Russian oppositionist Volkov draws ire over criticism of Ukraine’s leaders

      Several Lithuanian MPs have suggested that Leonid Volkov, a prominent figure in the Russian émigré opposition, should be stripped of his residency in Lithuania after expressing criticism of Ukraine’s leaders.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine’s allies sign declaration on troop deployment after ceasefire

      Ukraine’s key European allies on Tuesday signed security ​guarantees for ‍Ukraine, including the ​deployment of a multinational military ​force in the event of a peace deal with Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron said the agreement was a "significant step” that would dissuade further aggressions on Ukraine.

    • France24 ☛ Watch live: Leaders of Ukraine’s 'Coalition of the Willing' speak from Paris

    • France24 ☛ Allies agree 'robust' security guarantees for Ukraine

      European and US allies of Ukraine on Tuesday agreed "robust" security guarantees for Kyiv to come into force after an eventual ceasefire in Russia's war against the pro-Western country that would see the United States lead a truce monitoring mechanism, French President Emmanuel Macron said. FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali reports from the Elysée Palace.

    • France24 ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man 'sees that there's money to be made' out of a Ukraine ceasefire, analyst says

      Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, James J. Townsend Jr, Senior Advisor at the Atlantic Council, says that the presence of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Ukraine peace talks in Paris was 'very important' in light of developments in Venezuela, to assuage allies' concerns about the US' commitment to Ukraine, by highlighting 'the prosperity aspect' of a ceasefire for both American companies and the Ukrainian people.

    • Latvia ☛ Siliņa in Paris on Tuesday for Ukraine support talks

      Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa is on a working visit to Paris, France on Tuesday, January 6th, where she will participate in a meeting of leaders of the 'Coalition of the Willing' countries supporting Ukraine, which will also be attended by Ukraine's heroic President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

    • Latvia ☛ Latvia sends water drone to Ukraine

      The charity organisation Ziedot.lv is sending another shipment of aid to Ukraine, and this time it includes an unmanned water drone. It was purchased with donations from residents and businesses. The drone, manufactured in Latvia, is particularly suitable for combat conditions and can operate completely autonomously, Latvian Radio reported on 6th January.

    • European Commission ☛ Robust Security Guarantees for a Solid and Lasting Peace in Ukraine - Statement of the Coalition of the Willing

      European Commission Statement Paris, 06 Jan 2026 The members of the Coalition of the Willing, Ukraine and the United States have convened today in Paris.

    • LRT ☛ Irregular migration via Latvia to Lithuania more than doubled in 2025, border guards say

      Secondary migration from Latvia into Lithuania more than doubled last year, Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service (VSAT) said Tuesday, citing increased pressure along the EU’s eastern border linked to Belarus.

    • LRT ☛ US action in Venezuela and force-based order – a danger for Lithuania?

      America’s seizure of Venezuela’s authoritarian leader marks a new stage in geopolitics. Washington is declaring its return to a 19th-century doctrine of “spheres of influence”, a move that could embolden countries such as China and Russia to act more aggressively in their own neighbourhoods.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian border guards seize first balloon-smuggled cigarette shipment of the year

      Lithuanian border guards intercepted the first shipment of contraband cigarettes flown from Belarus by air balloons this year, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.

    • Meduza ☛ Agents of change How does Russia’s pro-democracy movement make inroads in exile? Meduza asks Free Russia Foundation’s Natalia Arno. — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Zelensky arrives in Paris for ‘Coalition of the Willing’ summit on security guarantees for Ukraine — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Kyiv’s allies sign declaration on security guarantees. U.K. and France commit to deploy troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. — Meduza

    • New York Times ☛ Three Views on What 2026 Might Bring

      Our reporters on the ground tell us what they’re watching in Ukraine, the Middle East and China.

    • New York Times ☛ Zelensky Taps Canadian Politician Chrystia Freeland as Economic Adviser

      President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine appointed Chrystia Freeland, a former deputy prime minister of Canada, to a role in which she would advise on postwar reconstruction.

    • New York Times ☛ Zelensky’s Assessment Darkens as Europeans Gather to Talk Peace

      With Russia still seen as unlikely to stop fighting, the Ukrainian leader’s tone has shifted from upbeat to cautionary.

    • New York Times ☛ European Allies Agree to Key Security Provisions for Ukraine

      Britain and France firmed up a postwar troop commitment in Ukraine, though Russia has said it will reject any deal that allows NATO-country forces in Ukraine.

    • Meduza ☛ He doesn’t get along with neo-Nazis: Navalny strategist Leonid Volkov under fire in Lithuania for disparaging paramilitary leader ‘White Rex’ and top Ukrainian officials — Meduza

• Environment

  • Energy/Transportation

    • H2 View ☛ Solar process converts biomass sugars to green hydrogen

      Researchers in China and Singapore have developed a new way to use solar energy and biomass to make cheaper green hydrogen.

    • Barry Kauler ☛ Finally a solid-state battery production ready

      You might need to read this with a few grains of salt, but it does seem to be more than just hype...

      The Electric Viking posted about this today in his YouTube channel, so I went off looking for the original information.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • The Straits Times ☛ China's top diplomat heads to key strategic points in Africa

    China's top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa on Wednesday, with a focus on the strategically important east, as the world's No.2 economy seeks to reinforce its influence on the continent.

  • The Straits Times ☛ S. Korea begins talks with China on deepening ‘panda cooperation’

    The talks have raised expectations that South Korea could receive additional pandas from China.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China takes punitive actions on three Taiwanese for 'independence activities'

    China will take punitive actions against three Taiwanese for their involvement in separatist activities related to \"Taiwan independence\", its Taiwan Affairs Office said on Wednesday.

  • New York Times ☛ How the ‘Donroe Doctrine’ Reinforces Xi’s Vision of Power in Asia

    The U.S. assault on Venezuela points to a world where big powers seek to call the shots in their regions, an idea Beijing knows well.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Maduro’s capture reminds China of its darkest fears

    It has stoked regime-change fears and reinforced a belief in Beijing that might is right.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Japan says China's dual-use export ban 'unacceptable', rare earths in crosshairs

    Japan's top government spokesperson said on Wednesday that China's ban on exports of dual-use items to the country was "absolutely unacceptable and deeply regrettable", as a diplomatic dispute between Asia's top two economies ramped up.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China-sanctioned Japanese lawmaker says Taiwan ‘independent country’

    A China-born Japanese lawmaker sanctioned by Beijing arrived in Taipei on Tuesday, vowing to tell the world that “Taiwan is an independent country”. Hei Seki, a member of Japan’s parliament, was sanctioned in September by China and banned from entering the country for “spreading fallacies” on issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and disputed islands.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China-sanctioned Japan lawmaker says Taiwan ‘independent’

    Hei Seki was sanctioned by China and banned from entering the country for “spreading fallacies”.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China bans export of dual-use items for military purposes to Japan over Taiwan remarks

    The restrictions apply to all goods that could enhance Japan’s military capabilities.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s travellers pivot to Vietnam, driving record arrivals

    The South-east Asian nation received 21.2 million international visitors in 2025.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Press Gazette ☛ Photographer awarded compensation from news website whose owners cannot be found

    The London Post promotes illegal gambling sites and runs puff pieces for Russian businessmen.

  • New Yorker ☛ What a Viral YouTube Video Says About the Future of Journalism

    A streamer’s investigation of fraud in Minnesota garnered millions of views. His content was questionable, but his methods will likely inspire scores of imitators.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • APNIC ☛ Three of the best: Podcasts

    Three of the best PING podcasts on Internet operations.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Trademarks

  • TTAB Blog ☛ TTAB Posts January 2026 Hearing Schedule

    The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (Tee-Tee-Ā-Bee) has scheduled three oral hearings for the month of January 2026. The first two will be held virtually; the third will be in-person at the Madison East Building, 600 Dulany Street 9th Floor (Hearing Room C), Alexandria, VA. Briefs and other papers for the case may be found at TTABVUE via the links provided.

• Copyrights

  • Digital Music News ☛ Taylor Swift Dethroned on Spotify Global by ‘Stranger Things’ Star

    Stranger Things star Joe Keery’s solo music project Djo turns Spotify’s Global Chart upside down and dethrones Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia.”

  • Digital Music News ☛ Sun Records Takes Prices Back to 1952 in Weeklong Birthday Bash Honoring Founder Sam Phillips

    In celebration of Sam Phillips’ 103 birthday, Sun Records is honoring its legendary founder by taking prices backward instead of pushing them higher. Starting January 5 and continuing for a week, throwback pricing will be available on select vinyl titles.