Leftovers

• Hong Kong Free Press ☛ British man, 35, arrested after damaging check-in kiosks at Hong Kong International Airport

  A 35-year-old British man has been arrested after a viral video appeared to show him damaging self-service check-in kiosks in the early morning of Monday at the Hong Kong International Airport.

• Licensing / Legal

  • Ava ☛ [trade] what surprises me most studying law

    This is explicitly not meant as a humble brag of "Look how good I am at this, so easy!", it's just that I didn't know just how much is explicitly mentioned in the law (because I did not care about reading it much before), and that you are allowed to take it with you into the exams to look stuff up in. I was surprised that law is not actually about knowing all of these by heart (almost none of that is needed), but that you just need to know where the information is and that it exists.

• Science

  • Science Alert ☛ 'Dream Engineering' Can Boost Your Puzzle-Solving, Study Suggests

    The power of dreams.

  • Science Alert ☛ Depression May Warn of Parkinson's or Dementia, Years Before Diagnosis

    A red flag for neurodegeneration.

  • Science Alert ☛ Antarctica Will See a Rare 'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse This Week

    “The penguins down there are going to have a great show.”

  • Science Alert ☛ Single Dose of DMT Rapidly Reduces Symptoms of Major Depression

    Early results are promising.

  • Science Alert ☛ Humans Used to Sleep Twice Each Night. Here's Why It Vanished.

    Sleep wasn't always like this.

  • Science Alert ☛ This Diet Change Cuts Over 300 Calories a Day, Without Decreasing Meal Size

    Eat smarter.

  • Science Alert ☛ Should Weight-Loss Drug Users Take Supplements? An Expert Explains

    The key message is simple.

  • Science Alert ☛ Can You Really Feel The Cold 'In Your Bones'? An Anatomy Scientist Explains

    Time to rug up again.

  • Science Alert ☛ Bacteria Frozen For 5,000 Years Could Fight Superbugs, But There's a Catch

    Yikes.

• Career/Education

  • Stanford University ☛ San Francisco teachers end four-day strike in $183 million deal

    Teachers and the school district came to an agreement Friday, ending a historic strike in SF that resulted in pay raises, fully funded healthcare and other benefits.

• Hardware

  • CNX Software ☛ 60W Pocket Cloud is a microSD card reader with USB PD passthrough for your smartphone (Crowdfunding)

    60W Pocket Cloud is a microSD card reader with 60W USB PD passthrough for your smartphone that works with Android (USB-C) and iOS (USB-C or Lightning) mobile devices, as well as other hosts with a spare USB port.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ The ‘Father of Sega Hardware' has passed away, designed all of Sega's consoles — Hideki Sato worked his way up from engineer to become Sega’s acting president, spending 33 years at the company

    Hideki Sato, the ‘Father of Sega Hardware,' passed away just ahead of the weekend.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • Latvia ☛ Drinks producer 'Latvijas balzams' in major tax debt

    Latvia's alcohol industry icon, Latvijas balzams, owes the state €28 million in taxes and has requested legal protection from creditors. The company's management explained the situation with a cyberattack and the situation in Russia, but financial reports show substantial loans to other companies in the group, Latvian Television reported on 15th February,

  • New York Times ☛ Should Drug Companies Be Advertising to Consumers?

    Aging means “becoming a target” of the industry, one expert said. After decades of debate, politicians of all stripes are proposing bans.

  • Bridge Michigan ☛ Michigan wants schools ready for cardiac emergencies, fails to provide funds

    A recent Michigan law requires schools to better prepare for cardiac emergencies. But without money from the state, some schools lack resources to put those measures in place.

  • New York Times ☛ Vaccine Makers Curtail Research and Cut Jobs

    Federal policies under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that are hostile to vaccines have “sent a chill through the entire industry,” one scientist said.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China has slashed air pollution, but the ‘war’ isn’t over

    Particulate pollution fell 41 per cent nationwide in the decade from 2014.

  • BIA Net ☛ Migros workers end strike with major concessions from company

    The grocery chain accepted the union’s wage demands and agreed to reinstate over 300 dismissed workers after a 23-day strike.

• Proprietary

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Rufus devs blame Abusive Monopolist Microsoft for blocking latest backdoored Windows 11 ISOs, resulting in IP bans — backdoored Windows Insiders can't download latest Insider ISOs and are met with IP bans

    Multiple backdoored Windows Insider users and one of Rufus' developers reveal that they can't download any of Microsoft's latest Insider Preview ISOs. Users who try to are met with an IP block.

  • Security Week ☛ Microsoft Warns of ClickFix Attack Abusing DNS Lookups

    Attackers are using DNS requests to deliver a RAT named ModeloRAT to targeted users.

  • Xbox Announces Social Clubs Will Be Removed From Consoles In April 2026 [Ed: Microsoft kills another thing, assures people nothing to see here]

    It's been announced today that the Social Clubs feature on Xbox One, Series X and Series S will be removed permanently in April 2026 as part of "ongoing platform updates to focus on social experiences players use most".

  • Help Net Security ☛ LockBit 5.0 ransomware expands its reach across Windows, Linux, and ESXi

    The Acronis Threat Research Unit (TRU) has identified a new and significantly enhanced version of the LockBit ransomware, LockBit 5.0, currently being deployed in active campaigns. The latest variant demonstrates expanded cross-platform capabilities, enabling attackers to target Windows, Linux, and VMware ESXi systems within a single coordinated attack.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) / LLM Slop / Plagiarism

    • Futurism ☛ There’s a Grim New Expression: “AI;DR”

      "Why should I bother to read something someone else couldn't be bothered to write?"

  • Social Control Media

    • Digital Music News ☛ ByteDance’s ‘Seedance 2.0’ Gets a Resounding Thumbs Down from Hollywood—Disney Lawyers Are Already All Over This One

      Disney issues a cease and desist letter to ByteDance following the release of the Chinese tech giant’s Seedance 2.0 last week. On Thursday, Chinese tech company and Fentanylware (CheeTok) parent ByteDance released Seedance 2.0, an Hey Hi (AI) video generation tool that quickly earned the wrath of The Walt Disney Company.

• Security

  • Integrity/Availability/Authenticity

    • New York Times ☛ User Issues With X Appear to Have Resolved

      The social control media site was the subject of user complaints early Monday.

    • The Strategist ☛ If we can’t name China’s cyberattacks, we lose trust in ourselves

      In the space of just a few days, two big US tech companies took different approaches to China’s cyberattacks.

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • Security Week ☛ Amazon Scraps Partnership With Surveillance Company After Super Bowl Ad Backlash

      Amazon’s smart doorbell maker Ring has terminated a partnership with police surveillance tech company Flock Safety.

  • Confidentiality

    • Security Week ☛ Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany Fined $25 Million in South Korea After Data Breaches

      Luxury brands were among the dozens of major companies whose Salesfarce instances were targeted by Scattered LAPSUS$ Hunters.

• Defence/Aggression

  • France24 ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man warns Iran of consequences ahead of new talks in Geneva

    President The Insurrectionist cautioned Iran over potential repercussions if it fails to reach a deal with the US as negotiations mediated by Oman resume in Geneva Tuesday. Tehran expressed cautious optimism over Washington’s “more realistic” stance on its nuclear programme.

  • France24 ☛ "This is not a political game": France faces reckoning after killing of 23 year old

    The fatal beating of a 23-year-old man in Lyon has shocked France and ignited a fierce political row. The victim, identified only as Quentin, died in hospital after being attacked on 12 February on the sidelines of clashes near a political event at Sciences Po Lyon attended by a left-wing politician. Prosecutors say he was assaulted during confrontations between rival activists and later succumbed to a traumatic brain injury, prompting a murder inquiry by French police.

  • Stanford University ☛ Fearon argues for strong military capability in Taiwan, strategic ambiguity

    In a conversation hosted by Stanford in Government, political science professor James Fearon argued that interpersonal violence, not war, imposes the heaviest social costs.

  • The Strategist ☛ Beijing pressured Japan over Taiwan. It only strengthened Tokyo’s resolve

    Fresh from a decisive electoral landslide, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has emerged more politically secure than ever—despite Beijing’s attempt in 2025 to make her a cautionary example over Taiwan.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Philippines takes ‘strong exception’ to China embassy comment on job losses

    The Chinese embassy warned that any serious damage to bilateral ties would “cost millions of jobs”.

  • CS Monitor ☛ In Cuba, is Convicted Felon seeking ouster of Communist leaders, or of China’s presence?

    Deteriorating conditions in a Cuba cut off from Venezuelan oil are feeding a debate in Washington: Regime change or a deal? Experts say the latter is more likely, while a bigger strategic goal might be to curb China’s presence on the island.

  • New York Times ☛ Japan Wins Pairs Figure Skating, Knocking China From the Top

    Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan emerged with the gold medal with a flawless, high-scoring performance after Monday’s free skate.

  • JURIST ☛ UN officials brief Security Council on Syria transition amid northeast deal and renewed violence

    Senior UN officials told the Security Council on Friday that Syria’s fragile political transition has gained momentum following a landmark agreement between Damascus and Kurdish authorities in the northeast. Still, they warned that renewed violence in the south, Israeli incursions, and deep humanitarian needs continue to underscore the precarious path to stability.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong transport minister vows full review of controversial bus seat belt law

    Hong Kong’s transport authorities will conduct a full review of a controversial seat belt law that has since been repealed following public backlash, the city’s transport minister has said.

  • France24 ☛ Iran's Revolutionary Guards begin military drills in Strait of Hormuz

    Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Monday began a series of military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported, on the eve of talks with the United States. The war games, the duration of which was not specified, aim to prepare the Guards for "potential security and military threats" in the strait, state TV said, after the United States deployed a large naval force to the area. FRANCE 24's Selina Sykes reports.

  • The Straits Times ☛ India seizes Iran-linked US-sanctioned tankers, steps up surveillance

    The seizures and heightened surveillance follow an improvement in US-India relations.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • The Strategist ☛ Diplomacy alone won’t end Russia’s war

      Peace talks began slowly at first, then all at once. But a durable peace will require changing Russia’s calculus, not Ukraine’s.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Russia sentences US citizen to 4 years in jail for trying to take Kalashnikov stocks

      A Russian court has sentenced a U.S. citizen to four years in jail for trying to take the stocks of Kalashnikov assault rifles out of a Moscow airport, the RIA state news agency reported on Tuesday.

    • New York Times ☛ Questions Swirl Around Russian Figure Skater in Her Olympic Debut

      Adeliia Petrosian, 18, has the résumé of a medal contender — and ties to coaches and a skater who were at the center of a doping scandal at the last Winter Games.

    • CS Monitor ☛ Japan makes history in pairs figure skating. So do many Russian-born skaters.

      On the figure skating pairs medal podium Monday evening, Japan won its first gold and set a world record. The other half of the six skaters standing before the crowd with medals around their necks were Russian-born.

    • France24 ☛ Milano Cortina 2026: Ukranian athletes targeted by disinformation

      In recent weeks, Ukranian athletes and visitors at this year's Winter Olympics have been targeted by a string of false accusations. These fake news reports and the way they have been spread has all the hallmarks of the Russian disinformation campaign, operation Matryoshka. France 24's Charlotte Hughes explains.

    • France24 ☛ 'India will have to find some ways to compensate Russia' in defense procurement pivot, expert says

      French President Emmanuel Macron begins a three-day visit to India on Tuesday, with talks focused on artificial intelligence cooperation and a potential multibillion dollar Dassault Rafale fighter jet deal. France is seeking to expand its military partnership with New Delhi, with discussions expected on a potential contract for 114 additional French fighter jets. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Christophe Jaffrelot, Research Director at the CNRS and President of the French Political Science Association.

    • New York Times ☛ A Russian ‘Village of Military Valor’ Waits for Its Reward

      Sedanka has only 250 residents, but dozens of its men left for the front. It is wondering whether recognition that the government promised will ever arrive.

    • New York Times ☛ Senators Meet Zelensky With Hopeful Message on Sanctions

      During their visit, a pair of Democratic senators made the case for Congress to impose harsh penalties on Moscow for its continuing offensive.

    • New York Times ☛ Ukraine and Russia Hold New Round of Peace Talks, but Expectations Are Low

      Both sides described previous U.S.-mediated negotiations as productive, although they did not appear to address sticking points like territory and security guarantees.

    • RFERL ☛ Former Ukrainian Energy Minister Detained At Border, Charged With Money Laundering

      Ukraine's former energy minister has been charged with money laundering a day after he was detained trying to leave the country.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine ex-energy minister named suspect in laundering probe

      Ukraine's former energy minister German Galushchenko has been formally named as a suspect in a high-profile money laundering probe, investigators said Monday. The announcement comes one day after Galushchenko was detained by law enforcement attempting to leave Ukraine, and is the latest development in a corruption scandal in the energy sector that rocked the government last year. FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell reports.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine makes fastest battlefield gain in 2.5 years

      Ukraine recaptured 201 square kilometres of territory from Russia in five days last week – its biggest gain in 2.5 years – according to AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War. Experts from the institute said Ukraine likely took advantage of a recent shutdown of Russian forces’ access to Starlink.

    • France24 ☛ Live: Convicted Felon urges Ukraine to strike Russia deal 'fast' before Geneva talks

      US President The Insurrectionist said on Monday that he hopes Ukraine will quickly reach an agreement with Russia ahead of Washington-brokered negotiations in Geneva, as both sides remain far apart on territorial concessions and the prospects for a breakthrough. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

    • Defence Web ☛ Russia’s war with Ukraine encroaching on Africa, analysts say

      The Mersin, a Turkish-owned oil tanker that recently had visited a Russian port [...]

    • Latvia ☛ STRATCOMCOE reports on Russian influence operations

      The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) has a new report out on the subject of Russian information influence operations, produced in collaboration with the Ukrainian Centre for Strategic Communications.

    • France24 ☛ The Munich hangover: Security fest or defence insecurities exposed?

      In the wake of the Munich Security Conference, we ask: what happens now? With Russia’s war on Ukraine still raging, do the grand words of Munich mean anything to those struggling to feed themselves, stay warm, or survive under Vladimir Putin’s ongoing missile and drone attacks?

    • RFERL ☛ Navalny's Mother Demands Justice As Supporters Mark Anniversary Of His Death

      Dozens gathered at a Moscow cemetery on the second anniversary of Aleksei Navalny's death, laying flowers at his grave, as European countries said Russia poisoned Navalny with exotic frog toxin.

    • Latvia ☛ Latvia and 'likeminded' countries mark second anniversary of Navalny's murder

      Latvia joined what it called a group of "likeminded" countries on February 16th marking the second anniversary of the murder of Alexei Navalny by the Russian state.

    • Marcy Wheeler ☛ Psst! L’il Marco Rubio? Don’t Lecture Europe When You’re One Face of a Chaotic Suicide Pact!

      Even as the grandson of an "illegal immigrant," Marco Rubio, attempted to lecture Europe that immigrants would destroy their shared civilization, the Secretary of State dodged his own role in the chaotic suicide pact The Insurrectionist is pursuing.

• Environment

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • Futurism ☛ Forests Are Steadily Crawling North, Satellite Imagery Shows

      They're on the move.

• Finance

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong court dismisses bid to liquidate property giant Country Garden

    A Hong Kong court dismissed a petition to liquidate Chinese property giant Country Garden on Monday, weeks after the firm said it had restructured its massive offshore debt obligations.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Anwar holds all the cards in $3.5b takeover battle that is testing Malay economic clout

    The Jan 12 offer by the Sunway conglomerate for IJM Corporation has triggered a frenzy of activity.

  • The Straits Times ☛ ‘No one is above the law’: Malaysian King warns graft offenders in government agencies

    He stressed that graft will not be tolerated in the country’s administration.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • JURIST ☛ Kazakhstan draws criticism over proposed constitutional amendments

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday raised concerns over Kazakhstan’s proposed constitutional amendments, warning that the reforms could significantly weaken fundamental human rights protections.   HRW stated some of the proposed provisions would enable excessive and undue restrictions on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • La Quadature Du Net ☛ Censorship and surveillance : a legislative overload in the french parliament.

    Contrary to the main narrative, french parliamentarians are not only talking about the budget. Every year, they also revisit a familiar theme: an authoritarian drift, marked by increased security, surveillance, and censorship.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Press Gazette ☛ The US regional dailies proving news can pay despite Washington Post challenges

    Newsbrands in Philadelphia, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Boston and Minnesota are charting way forward.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • APNIC ☛ Notes from NANOG 96

    Geoff Huston shares his notes from attending NANOG 96.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• European Commission ☛ Commission closes antitrust investigation following the withdrawal by Edwards Lifesciences of its disputed company policy

  The European Commission has decided to close its antitrust investigation into allegedly anticompetitive behaviour by Edwards Lifesciences [...]

• Trademarks

  • Digital Music News ☛ Bedding Company Quickly Faces the Wrath of Taylor Swift’s Legal Team After Filing ‘Swift Home’ Trademark Application

    A bedding company that applied for a “Swift Home” trademark has abandoned its application after pressure from Taylor Swift’s legal team. On Friday, a bedding company that applied for a federal trademark for the name “Swift Home” abandoned its application following legal pressure from Taylor Swift’s legal team.

• Copyrights

  • Digital Music News ☛ Apple Music and YouTube Music Join the AI-Generated Playlist Party — As Across-the-Board ‘AI Slop’ Criticism Continues

    Apple Music and YouTube Music have joined the AI-generated playlist party with features designed to turn text and voice prompts into personalized music selections. YouTube Music just recently revealed its Hey Hi (AI) Playlist feature, and Redditors today spotted Fashion Company Apple Music’s “Playlist Playground” beta.